Rediscovering NY: New York Style

Seriously? I just spent way too many hours of my life catching up on entries in The Sartorialist and then following the blogger, Scott Schuman's love life with partner Garance Dore. Did I really just do that? Ah, whatever.

Now that I'm done judging myself...reading both blogs made me think a lot about personal style, where it comes from, how to carry it out, etc. It makes me remember times in Boston when I looked in the mirror and changed my outfit because it was just too much for New England. These folks can't handle this, yet here in NY, I'm quite the tame fashion plate. I guess that means I'm not really a plate -maybe a saucer.

But seriously, here one can do so many things with their personal fashion. In so many ways, it's possible to be many things and still belong. What a gift.

For this, I am grateful.

Re-Discovering NY: Pedestrian Protection

I spend a lot of my time driving...too much time driving, actually. Today, as I was running errands in Harlem for work. I was in such a rush and traffic on 125th was not moving (I didn't expect it to, just saying. And yes, I know, who the heck takes 125th when they're in a hurry?). As I approached the intersection of Adam Clayton Powell, the light turned yellow and I decided to try to make it. Alas, I got stuck in the middle of the intersection because of some pedestrians and a too slow moving car.

After a few seconds, I noticed the broad back of a young man in red standing directly in front of my car. He had his arms out like a crossing guard and was motioning for people to walk. To his left a young woman stood in front of a truck, similarly, with her arms held out as if to block oncoming traffic from careening into the pedestrians. Though the truck and I in the middle of the intersection managed to garner harried honks from the cars being blocked from crossing, I had to smile at the two civilian crossing guards protecting pedestrians with their bodies.

It's little things like that that make me really miss living in a city, close to other people, where I can watch, listen and constantly learn. They also really make me appreciate how communities continue to creatively adjust and strategize around ways to protect our people.

Rediscovering New York: Ricky's Crack Coffee

Every weekend and some weekdays I have the great opportunity to visit a tiny hole in the wall called Ricky's Restaurant: Sabor Latino. This lovely establishment can be found on 156th and Broadway in Washington Heights, a mere one block from the 157th stop on the 1 train.

Sorry, it's not the best photo of Ricky's. It's because

I was holding a steaming cup of "Ricky's Crack Coffee"

while trying to shoot. I def burned myself and stained my new shirt.

Oli took me there for the first time after telling me all about the fly and friendly women that served food behind the counter. In addition to gorgeous Dominican women...and men for that matter, in the cafe is the small but essential cafe con leche served at Ricky's. Olivia and I like to call it "Ricky's Crack Coffee." It's just soooooo good and soooo addictive. Anytime I'm in the vicinity of Ricky's, and anytime I'm not, I find myself wandering over to pay the $1 for a small cup of Heaven on earth.

And as if that wasn't enough, the food there is just bomb -simple but tasty Dominican fare for anywhere from $4-12 for a plate or combo. If ever you find yourself around that 157th stop, definitely drop by Ricky's, perch yourself on a stool and get ready to order in Spanish. Yum!

Rediscovering New York

Despite the inhumane weather conditions, there are moments when it strikes me hard that I am home in NY and I become immensely grateful. Whether it be seeing two brown men chatting on 174th, watching some fly women walking down Stanton in leather jackets and 4 inch heels, getting stressed about because there are too many shows and too many events to see, riding the subway next to a gorgeous baby, or driving by the Sprain Brook everyday to work, it all makes me smile.

In some ways, it all seems so familiar while being brand new. After nine years away from my hometown, I'm rediscovering New York, so look out for the new posts about another semester in the Re-Education of Ms. Fu-Daddy.

Brownies in Rockland

Amen! I walk around the grocery in my hometown and there are so many more brown people here. It is so comforting. Growing up being one of the few Filipinos, Indians, or Haitians in school, it's nice to see more brown folks in the Rock. Woohoo!

5 Reasons Why I Love Being Home

1. My Family

2. Filipino Food and Friends (I cheated)

3. My backyard

4. The city doesn't sleep.

5. The Subway (which I'm sure I'll soon hate)

Open City: Blogging Urban Change

Ever since I read Jane Jacobs's book, The Life and Death of Great American Cities, I've been fascinated by urban planning and the changes that occur in different neighborhoods.

I was so excited to hear that the Asian American Writers' Workshop and the Museum of Chinese in America are working together to sponsor a new project called Open City: Blogging Urban Change. In this project, 5 Asian American fellows will be researching and documenting some of the changes occurring in New York's Chinatown due to gentrification. Please check it out! Looks off the chain.