By J, on December 20th, 2009
I have a new addiction, and I’m not quite sure that it is the healthy kind. All I know is that if I ingest a moderate amount, it can be healthy.
The problem lies in the fact that I have been binging on it for the past three weeks continuously, so much so that even when I’m online surfing, blogging and facilitating my online backup, I always ensure that I have a plate of this Wensleydale cheese with cranberries (already sliced up) right beside my laptop. As of press time, I have a good amount of inventory in the fridge that will last me for months, so I won’t have to go to the gourmet store nearby.
I just love the crumbly and moist texture as well as its suppleness. Add to that the tartness of cranberries and the slightly sweet flavor with a honeyed aftertaste, I have a snack that can make me totally forget about baking cakes.
By J, on December 17th, 2009
Have you heard about the sticky-fingered socialite wannabe here in New York? If you haven’t, read on as it may amuse you.
Recently, he has been arrested on charges of identity theft and pilfering credit cards. Apparently, he is an “obsessive shoplifter” who steals everything from an $11,000 Hermes Birkin bag to $1.99 gummy bears. His name is Andrew Parker, the owner of now-shuttered Madison Avenue boutique A.S. Parker. He has been charged with grand larceny and ID theft.
According from a former friend of Parker, he would shoplift groceries every day, would buy jackets and clothes for around $50 from stores like H&M and Zara and resell them for as much as $6,000 after sewing in his label. He has been described as obsessed with Gotham’s moneyed elite as he badly wanted to be one of the socialites. In reality the friend confessed, he never really had more than $8,000 in savings.
Police reports even details of an arrest when Parker — a fixture on the Manhattan socialite scene — allegedly purchased an $11,000 Hermes Birkin bag in June using a stolen AmEx credit card and spent $4,422 at an upscale Upper East Side boutique Scoop East in April. He has already been arrested twice and was in jail for allegedly using credit cards that weren’t his. Another friend paid his $20,000 bail as he was charged with grand larceny and seven counts of identity theft. To top it all off, he was sued J.P.Morgan Chase and by American Express for $200,000 in unpaid platinum card bills as well as fur wholesaler: LeGar for $20,000.
Who would want to be in his shoes?
By J, on December 16th, 2009
With the internet age, and it’s unprecedented accessibility worldwide for the last decade or so, it is not a big surprise to see the proliferation of one online university after the other. And while we expect them to be somewhat alike in more ways than one, there are just a few of them that really stand out such as the Western Governors University. Why do I think that it is different? Simply because this was founded by the governors of 19 States, it’s a non profit online university and it is supported by over 20 major corporations and foundations that strongly believe in WGU’s commitment in producing highly competent graduates.
With the shortage of practicing professionals in the health care industry within the US, I believe that for those who have the vocation and dedication, there’s never been a better time to pursue an online nursing degree than now. Busy adults can definitely take advantage of the nationally and regionally accredited online bachelor’s and master’s degrees under the guidance of dedicated mentors. What’s more, such great education can be had without necessarily creating a big financial strain because of the affordability of tuition fees.
Clearly, just like the conviction of the 19 founding governors of WGU, every individual should have access to quality and affordable higher education notwithstanding their socio-economic background, location and income.
By J, on December 12th, 2009
Living spaces in New York City (Manhattan), as most people know is very limited. It is not surprising to hear that the purchase price of a very tiny apartment/condo in Manhattan, the big city, can go as high as $150,000 depending on the location. Buying a house outside of Manhattan with a budget of only $150,000 can get you NOTHING, maybe a fixer upper or a handyman special or an average sized house in the far flung suburbs up in the mountains. It’s simply impossible to buy one (with $150,000 budget) in the four boroughs of New York or on Long Island even with the current home-buying climate.
Thus, when I read about a couple living in Manhattan (plus their two cats), I was not surprised at all that they took the plunge three months ago and bought a micro-studio for $150,000 which is touted as the smallest apartment in New York City at 175 square foot located in Morningside Heights. The apartment is 14.9 feet long and 10 feet wide which is as narrow as a subway car; in fact, it is like living in a jail cell just thinking of the dimensions but to them, according to reports, they feel like they are living in a castle.
The bathroom is even smaller, barely spanning three feet.
So, what do they love about their studio? The co-op is on the 16th floor of a doorman building on 110th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. With two small windows, they have the views of upper Manhattan; hardwood floors; a tiny kitchen with a mini-fridge and hotplate; and a closet-sized bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet. Oh and it’s only accessible by a staircase on the 15th floor.
The couple thinks that if they can make it here, they can make it anywhere. Do you agree?
By J, on December 12th, 2009
Our holiday cards are still perched on the desk. This year, although, I ordered personalized holiday cards, I made sure that the holiday greeting (text) is going to be handwritten by me. I also have the boxed handcrafted cards that we bought from a wholesale store but I don’t feel like sending them this year because I have more than enough of the personalized cards.
In the years past, I have opted for personalized cards with pre-printed greetings but I didn’t feel right doing it. I’m aware that I don’t have much time especially those that are to be sent overseas. Thus, I have to halt flipping on the pages of this online Ferrari parts supplier so that I can start writing the cards.
Now, I have to make a tough decision: will I use the gold or the silver ink this year? Both colors will fit well. Ah… whatever.
By J, on December 6th, 2009
It’s my first time, alright to try and bake Bundt Cake. Hence, I’m hopeful that you will forgive the sloppy glaze. I used Bittersweet chocolate for the glaze and I must say that it tasted divine.
I have to be honest, laziness is starting to creep in with regards to baking. The reason? A teeny weeny belly bulge is really starting to form, and I’m cognizant about the possible long term effects. If I allow myself to ‘balloon’ I’m afraid I will be resorting to taking weight loss pills because I’m so non-committal when it comes to a regular exercise regimen. As it is, I’m stuck with just once a week indoor walking (Leslie Sansone video) with weights, and at most once a week for an hour at the gym. Not even my husband’s passion for fitness is rubbing on me. While you may know by now that he loves to eat, he also loves to spend a lot of hours at the gym. This is something that I can’t do, so I have to just take it slow with my food and sweets intake.
I never thought I will start to consider limiting myself with food. I thought that I’m just meant to be lean and skinny forever. I guess, I have to accept that as I get older, my metabolism is really slowing down.
By J, on December 4th, 2009
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in New York. Take a look at the giant Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center: the world’s most famous Christmas tree.
Awesome, isn’t it?
I wanted to watch the live telecast on TV of the annual Christmas tree lighting last Wednesday night ( December 2) but I couldn’t even manage to have my eyes open because of a nasty headache. It was a real brutal headache which I seldom get. As expected, it turned out that my blood pressure was elevated at 150/90. Once in a while, I go through bouts of HBP especially when I get riled up. I’m well now, and I just need to take everything in stride. With two consecutive sleepless nights, I now need to get myself an affective under eye cream.
Going back to the tree at the Rockefeller Center, the tree lighting ceremony this year was unusual because the ice skating rink was covered with carpeting to allow onlookers the chance to stand closer to where the action is. It was again another star studded occasion with celebrity guests that included Michael Buble, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Barry Mannilow, The Roots, Shakira, and The Radio City Rockettes.
This year’s tree by the way, is a 76-foot Norway spruce, about 70 years old and it was the pride of Maria Corti’s back yard in Easton, Connecticut. It’s decorated with 30,000 multicolored lights and topped with a Swarovski crystal star twinkling with 700 energy-efficient bulbs. It will be lit until Jan. 7 2010.
I have enough time to go and see the tree for myself and personally snap pics of the tree. I have been doing this consistently for eleven years. There’s no way I’m going to miss it.
By J, on November 28th, 2009
One afternoon when I was lazy to bake, I forced myself into baking an Angel Food Cake. I’m very much aware of the fact that whether I iced it or not it will still be eaten. My husband likes it anyway it’s made. Without much time on my hand, I tried my luck and just iced it with Callebaut Semi-sweet Dark chocolate.
It sure looks scary and yes, I baked this on Halloween day. Needless to say, that this was another awesome concoction.
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