Okay it has been a while...sorry about that.
Biggest news: I was accepted to Jewish Theological Seminary's Graduate School. I'm starting an MA program in Jewish Studies this fall. They also offered me a fellowship so after long and careful consideration, I've decided to leave my job and go to school full time. This is scary and exciting at the same time. I will be working part time of course and will be announcing the details about that once everything is finalized.
Summer Recap of Other News:
Travels: Made trips to Grand Rapids and Cleveland to visit friends and family. Also, made a day trip to New Cannan, CT to view the Glass House.
New to Paula Restaurants: (I'm Sure there have been more but can't remember): Petite Auberge (French in Kips Bay), Red Hot (Chinese in Park Slope), Pizza Plus (Italian in Park Slope), Karloff (Russian in Cobble Hill), Monte's (Italian in Gowanus), Park Avenue-Summer (Seasonal restaurant in the Upper East Side), Aza (Tapas in the Upper East Side), Mel's Burgers (Burgers on The Upper West Side), and Downtown Bar and Grill (Pub in Cobble Hill).
City Trips: Went to the Bronx Zoo and the Brooklyn Zoo for the first time. I went to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx with Sarah and Esther, which is the Little Italy section of that boro. I went to Sunnyside, Queens with Esther, Mark, and John to explore what are the best Thai restaurants in NYC. We ended the day by having dessert in Astoria, the Greek neighborhood in Queens.
I'm sure there is more but I can't remember of the top of my head. I'll try to update monthly.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Spring Updates
So lots going on.
Theater-Saw Company last month. It was an amazing production with Neil Patrick Harris, Patti LuPone, Stephen Colbert, Christine Hendricks, Craig Birko, Jon Cryer, and Jill Paice (I knew her when I was in high school, how cool). There were also plenty of celeb sitings in the audience, Harry Belefonte, Stephen Sondheim, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Cynthia Nixon (I was sitting next to her and her family!), and Keith Carradine.
I also saw the New School students' production of Cradle Will Rock which was cool to see and a A Ministers Wife which I did not like at all.
Trips-Went to Philly for Passover at Micheal's parents house. Also went to CT with my friend Carrie for a conference on working with Transgender students and stayed in Danbury with her friends Mike and David who are really fun.
Fitness-Started a Couch to 5 K program and training to run. (Don't worry if your in shock...so am I!)
Restaurants: New (to Paula) restaurants include Cafe Rhonda (Argentinian Tapas on the Upper West Side), Markt (Belgian in the Flatiron District), Little Town (Pub in Irving Place), L'Express (Lyonnaise,French in Gramercy), Qathra Cafe (Egyptian in Ditmas Park), and Rockograpy (British Rock Themed Pub in The Village).
Theater-Saw Company last month. It was an amazing production with Neil Patrick Harris, Patti LuPone, Stephen Colbert, Christine Hendricks, Craig Birko, Jon Cryer, and Jill Paice (I knew her when I was in high school, how cool). There were also plenty of celeb sitings in the audience, Harry Belefonte, Stephen Sondheim, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Cynthia Nixon (I was sitting next to her and her family!), and Keith Carradine.
I also saw the New School students' production of Cradle Will Rock which was cool to see and a A Ministers Wife which I did not like at all.
Trips-Went to Philly for Passover at Micheal's parents house. Also went to CT with my friend Carrie for a conference on working with Transgender students and stayed in Danbury with her friends Mike and David who are really fun.
Fitness-Started a Couch to 5 K program and training to run. (Don't worry if your in shock...so am I!)
Restaurants: New (to Paula) restaurants include Cafe Rhonda (Argentinian Tapas on the Upper West Side), Markt (Belgian in the Flatiron District), Little Town (Pub in Irving Place), L'Express (Lyonnaise,French in Gramercy), Qathra Cafe (Egyptian in Ditmas Park), and Rockograpy (British Rock Themed Pub in The Village).
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Spring Cleaning
So it has been a while. Lots going on here but I need to wait before I can officially announce some things. In the meantime here is what I've been up to in the Big Apple.
-Theater-My friend Joe took me to see Driving Miss Daisy with James Earl Jones, Vanessa Redgrave, and Boyd Gains. Love it!
-Music-Esther, Linda, Linda's cousin Annie, and I went to the Carlye Hotel for a cabaret show. It was my first time at the Carlye and it has blown The Plaza and the Algonquin out of the water as my favorite NYC landmark hotel. We had cocktails at Bemelman's Bar (although I apparently missed Tommy Lee Jones leaving the hotel). We then had dinner at Cafe Carlye before Paulo Szot's solo act. Hands down, it was the best cabaret show I've ever been too. I hope he comes out with a solo album.
Esther, Michael, Mark, and I went to BB King's to see The Macabeats-the all male accapella group from Yeshiva University. If GLEE had an Orthodox Jewish club, this would be it.
Museum: Esther and I went to the Cooper Hewitt Museum for the Van Cleef & Arpels exhibit...cause we are sisters who love our jewelry.
Restaurants: In new restaurants (as in new to Paula): Esther and I have been to Mile High Deli (a Montreal style deli in Brooklyn) and Pascalou (a French bistro on the Upper East Side).
I went with my friends Carrie, Tiffany, Theresa, and Katie to Pacifico (a Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn). Theresa, Katie, and I also went to Tea Salon in Park Slope it is a tea house/restaurant.
Carrie and I went to Piper's Kilt (an Irish Pub in Eastchester). Seriously best burger I ever had.
Carrie, Tiffany, and I have a new regular place, Cafe Amrita on the North End of Central Park.
My friend Ally introduced me to a new Sushi place, Nomado 33 in Kips Bay.
Shopping: Carrie has been taking me with her to Yonkers and Eastchester for some shopping trips. No unusual stores but a much more peaceful shopping experience going to the Eastchester Ann Taylor Loft or the Yonkers Cross County Mall than it is shopping at the 34th street Macy's.
Good thing I've been shopping though. My closet's getting pretty bare. I've been making lots of trips donating clothes.
Doing really fantastic with the weight loss and gym. I've added some cardio-toning to my routine and I'm now down 81 pounds since mid July.
-Theater-My friend Joe took me to see Driving Miss Daisy with James Earl Jones, Vanessa Redgrave, and Boyd Gains. Love it!
-Music-Esther, Linda, Linda's cousin Annie, and I went to the Carlye Hotel for a cabaret show. It was my first time at the Carlye and it has blown The Plaza and the Algonquin out of the water as my favorite NYC landmark hotel. We had cocktails at Bemelman's Bar (although I apparently missed Tommy Lee Jones leaving the hotel). We then had dinner at Cafe Carlye before Paulo Szot's solo act. Hands down, it was the best cabaret show I've ever been too. I hope he comes out with a solo album.
Esther, Michael, Mark, and I went to BB King's to see The Macabeats-the all male accapella group from Yeshiva University. If GLEE had an Orthodox Jewish club, this would be it.
Museum: Esther and I went to the Cooper Hewitt Museum for the Van Cleef & Arpels exhibit...cause we are sisters who love our jewelry.
Restaurants: In new restaurants (as in new to Paula): Esther and I have been to Mile High Deli (a Montreal style deli in Brooklyn) and Pascalou (a French bistro on the Upper East Side).
I went with my friends Carrie, Tiffany, Theresa, and Katie to Pacifico (a Mexican restaurant in Brooklyn). Theresa, Katie, and I also went to Tea Salon in Park Slope it is a tea house/restaurant.
Carrie and I went to Piper's Kilt (an Irish Pub in Eastchester). Seriously best burger I ever had.
Carrie, Tiffany, and I have a new regular place, Cafe Amrita on the North End of Central Park.
My friend Ally introduced me to a new Sushi place, Nomado 33 in Kips Bay.
Shopping: Carrie has been taking me with her to Yonkers and Eastchester for some shopping trips. No unusual stores but a much more peaceful shopping experience going to the Eastchester Ann Taylor Loft or the Yonkers Cross County Mall than it is shopping at the 34th street Macy's.
Good thing I've been shopping though. My closet's getting pretty bare. I've been making lots of trips donating clothes.
Doing really fantastic with the weight loss and gym. I've added some cardio-toning to my routine and I'm now down 81 pounds since mid July.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Back in NYC...
This month has been a whirlwind. Sarah came in for a visit. I took her on the NBC studio tour since she had never been. We toured the set for Brian Williams, Dr. Oz, and SNL. Even though it was freezing I made Sarah walk her booty off and we had a lovely lunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Cafe Lalo.
We met up with Esther and Michael and saw Carmen at the Met. It was incredible. We also had dessert at the Grand Tier during intermission. This is the most amazing thing (because I get excited by little silly things). The Grand Tier is a restaurant in the Met. You order your dessert ahead of time and it is waiting at your table for you to enjoy during the 30 minute intermission.
Speaking of shows I went with my friend Mark to see the Importance of Being Ernest. It was also incredible and we were sitting behind Christopher Lloyd during the show.
It has also been a month of movies. I saw Somewhere and The Social Network. Esther and I saw an amazing documentary about Ruth Gruber and had a great dinner at the Oak Room Bar afterwords.
My life is pretty much been work, gym, and grabbing a drink or coffee with friends.
Hopefully more exciting news to post in Feb.
We met up with Esther and Michael and saw Carmen at the Met. It was incredible. We also had dessert at the Grand Tier during intermission. This is the most amazing thing (because I get excited by little silly things). The Grand Tier is a restaurant in the Met. You order your dessert ahead of time and it is waiting at your table for you to enjoy during the 30 minute intermission.
Speaking of shows I went with my friend Mark to see the Importance of Being Ernest. It was also incredible and we were sitting behind Christopher Lloyd during the show.
It has also been a month of movies. I saw Somewhere and The Social Network. Esther and I saw an amazing documentary about Ruth Gruber and had a great dinner at the Oak Room Bar afterwords.
My life is pretty much been work, gym, and grabbing a drink or coffee with friends.
Hopefully more exciting news to post in Feb.
Monday, January 3, 2011
New Year
Well it is a New Year and I am feeling fantastic. I have lost just shy of 70 lbs since late July and recently discovered that I am more than 100lbs thinner then when I moved to NYC in August of 2007. Although according to my sister's Wii Sports program I am at the fitness level of a 79 year old so I guess the gym isn't paying off as much as I think. ;)
I am toying around with the idea of starting yet another blog about my journey with weight loss and some other things I have going on. I was inspired by my cousin who keeps a blog and found it very helpful with her weight loss journey. I will still keep this blog with my random updates in the life of Paula so if you are interested stayed tuned and I will try to be better about updating this blog.
The holidays were very nice. Hanukkah came and went so quickly that I really didn't have a chance to celebrate. For my non Jewish readers, Hanukkah is actually a minor holiday. It tends to get hyped up because it always falls near Christmas.
I did go to the Alvin Ailey Dance Company's performance with Esther, Michael, and some of Michael's family in December. Celeb Citing-Geoffrey Holder was in the audience because the company performed a dance he choreographed in the late 60's. We had an amazing late dinner at Monkey Bar afterwords.
Another amazing restaurant I went to last month was L'Absinthe. I exposed some to their first Absinthe and have been given the nickname Absinthe Enabler.
I saw the Houdini Exhibit at The Jewish Museum. There were also exhibits on menorahs (I guess that was my Hanukkah activity) and on Jewish Feminist Art. I really do want a copy of Double Red Yentel, Split by Deborah Kass.
I did go to Cleveland to spend Christmas with Sarah and mom. Esther and Michael came too. Michael had his first Christmas. Their trip was cut short due to the crazy weather. (I picked a good two weeks to not be in New York). For New Year Sarah and I went to Greenville, South Carolina and spent the weekend with our friend Jessica, her hubby Kyle, and her brother Kurt.
This was the first road trip I have taken with Sarah. She exposed me to chains she enjoyed while living in North Carolina including Cookout and Bojangles.
Highlights of the Trip Included:
-Mouse Hunting in Greenville (Metal mice sculptures you have to find on main street).
-Learning how to make a Vesper Martini
-Sarah singing Raspberry Beret like Carol Channing (yeah that wasn't annoying or anything)
-Having an old man at the West Virgina Welcome Center tell the Cashier that he could tell city folk from county folk and that he could tell I was a coal miner's daughter. (In my defence he was at least 85, I was wearing my GVSU hoodie, no make up, and I was running on four hours of sleep from the night before.
I am toying around with the idea of starting yet another blog about my journey with weight loss and some other things I have going on. I was inspired by my cousin who keeps a blog and found it very helpful with her weight loss journey. I will still keep this blog with my random updates in the life of Paula so if you are interested stayed tuned and I will try to be better about updating this blog.
The holidays were very nice. Hanukkah came and went so quickly that I really didn't have a chance to celebrate. For my non Jewish readers, Hanukkah is actually a minor holiday. It tends to get hyped up because it always falls near Christmas.
I did go to the Alvin Ailey Dance Company's performance with Esther, Michael, and some of Michael's family in December. Celeb Citing-Geoffrey Holder was in the audience because the company performed a dance he choreographed in the late 60's. We had an amazing late dinner at Monkey Bar afterwords.
Another amazing restaurant I went to last month was L'Absinthe. I exposed some to their first Absinthe and have been given the nickname Absinthe Enabler.
I saw the Houdini Exhibit at The Jewish Museum. There were also exhibits on menorahs (I guess that was my Hanukkah activity) and on Jewish Feminist Art. I really do want a copy of Double Red Yentel, Split by Deborah Kass.
I did go to Cleveland to spend Christmas with Sarah and mom. Esther and Michael came too. Michael had his first Christmas. Their trip was cut short due to the crazy weather. (I picked a good two weeks to not be in New York). For New Year Sarah and I went to Greenville, South Carolina and spent the weekend with our friend Jessica, her hubby Kyle, and her brother Kurt.
This was the first road trip I have taken with Sarah. She exposed me to chains she enjoyed while living in North Carolina including Cookout and Bojangles.
Highlights of the Trip Included:
-Mouse Hunting in Greenville (Metal mice sculptures you have to find on main street).
-Learning how to make a Vesper Martini
-Sarah singing Raspberry Beret like Carol Channing (yeah that wasn't annoying or anything)
-Having an old man at the West Virgina Welcome Center tell the Cashier that he could tell city folk from county folk and that he could tell I was a coal miner's daughter. (In my defence he was at least 85, I was wearing my GVSU hoodie, no make up, and I was running on four hours of sleep from the night before.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
End of the Year Updates
Things have been busy but good. Here is what I have been up to lately:
Theater:
-Went to City Center for Encores which is a really cool program. They revive a classic Broadway show but only for one or two weeks. I saw Kelly O'Hara in Bells Are Ringing which was fantastic and you would never know they put the show together in such a short time.
-There are no shows on Thanksgiving (which makes sense) so to make up for it they have a Friday Afternoon performance the day after and you can put your name in a lottery to win $25.00 tickets. Some of my friends and I won the lotto for Next to Normal which won the Tony a few years ago. It was not my favorite show but the actors were incredible and I am glad I saw it.
Thanksgiving:
-I had my first Thanksgiving in NYC. It was fantastic. About 10 of us went to a friends apartment and had a really laid back dinner.
Other Cultural Activities:
-I went to The Met Thanksgiving weekend. I generally go to see special exhibits at the Met. It is such a large museum that I feel it is impossible to see everything there. So I went with the intention of specifically going to see the 19th Century European Paintings on display.
-I saw the movie Burlesque with my friends Carrie, Keith, and Jeff. I think Carrie and I want to be Burlesque performers now. After the movie we went to Don't Tell Mama's Piano Bar. Jeff performed with one of the singers during the Cabaret which was really cool.
Weight Loss News:
I have lost a total of 63 pounds since the end of July. Carrie went clothes shopping with me. I have to admit clothing is a tricky thing that me the girl who used to shop till she dropped gets a little overwhelmed by. When you are on the larger end of plus size you only have so many stores to pick from and you really don't have to think about the shape of how something lays you just care that you find something that fits.
These days I almost have to take a shopping buddy with me because I can't always tell how things look on me or what the correct size always is. It is fun though getting to try on clothes I never used to think I would wear. Although I'm not investing a lot into my wardrobe yet. I won't do that until I hit my goal weight.
Theater:
-Went to City Center for Encores which is a really cool program. They revive a classic Broadway show but only for one or two weeks. I saw Kelly O'Hara in Bells Are Ringing which was fantastic and you would never know they put the show together in such a short time.
-There are no shows on Thanksgiving (which makes sense) so to make up for it they have a Friday Afternoon performance the day after and you can put your name in a lottery to win $25.00 tickets. Some of my friends and I won the lotto for Next to Normal which won the Tony a few years ago. It was not my favorite show but the actors were incredible and I am glad I saw it.
Thanksgiving:
-I had my first Thanksgiving in NYC. It was fantastic. About 10 of us went to a friends apartment and had a really laid back dinner.
Other Cultural Activities:
-I went to The Met Thanksgiving weekend. I generally go to see special exhibits at the Met. It is such a large museum that I feel it is impossible to see everything there. So I went with the intention of specifically going to see the 19th Century European Paintings on display.
-I saw the movie Burlesque with my friends Carrie, Keith, and Jeff. I think Carrie and I want to be Burlesque performers now. After the movie we went to Don't Tell Mama's Piano Bar. Jeff performed with one of the singers during the Cabaret which was really cool.
Weight Loss News:
I have lost a total of 63 pounds since the end of July. Carrie went clothes shopping with me. I have to admit clothing is a tricky thing that me the girl who used to shop till she dropped gets a little overwhelmed by. When you are on the larger end of plus size you only have so many stores to pick from and you really don't have to think about the shape of how something lays you just care that you find something that fits.
These days I almost have to take a shopping buddy with me because I can't always tell how things look on me or what the correct size always is. It is fun though getting to try on clothes I never used to think I would wear. Although I'm not investing a lot into my wardrobe yet. I won't do that until I hit my goal weight.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
I actually updated my blog?
Okay so here is what has been going on in Paula Land
Halloween Weekend-At the office we had a Speak Easy Themed Party. I went as Clara Bow ;)
I went to CT with Michael and Esther to visit Victoria and Stephen. Victoria made amazing soups from scratch and cookies that belong in a 5 star bakery. She showed me her studio where she designs hats. She gave me a ton of vintage hats, one that she designed, a couple handbags, and a muff. :)
In other news:
New Restaurants Miss Paula Has Been To:
- L'Orange Bleue-A Mediteranian Cafe in SoHo where I had a yummy brunch with Esther, Linda, and Susan.
-Shun Lee Cafe-A Chinese Dim Sum Restaurant on the Upper West Side where I had a great late dinner with Esther, Michael, and Mark
Visit with Old Friend
-Luke was in town and we went to Nizza one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Hell's Kitchen to catch up.
Weight Loss News:
Down 57 lbs since the end of July :)
Writing News:
I am going to have some upcoming pieces published so stay tuned. :)
Upcoming Events in Miss Paula's Life You Will Read in the Next Few Blog Updates: Theater Outings, Holiday Celebrations, and Perhaps an Exciting Announcement or Two.
Halloween Weekend-At the office we had a Speak Easy Themed Party. I went as Clara Bow ;)
I went to CT with Michael and Esther to visit Victoria and Stephen. Victoria made amazing soups from scratch and cookies that belong in a 5 star bakery. She showed me her studio where she designs hats. She gave me a ton of vintage hats, one that she designed, a couple handbags, and a muff. :)
In other news:
New Restaurants Miss Paula Has Been To:
- L'Orange Bleue-A Mediteranian Cafe in SoHo where I had a yummy brunch with Esther, Linda, and Susan.
-Shun Lee Cafe-A Chinese Dim Sum Restaurant on the Upper West Side where I had a great late dinner with Esther, Michael, and Mark
Visit with Old Friend
-Luke was in town and we went to Nizza one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Hell's Kitchen to catch up.
Weight Loss News:
Down 57 lbs since the end of July :)
Writing News:
I am going to have some upcoming pieces published so stay tuned. :)
Upcoming Events in Miss Paula's Life You Will Read in the Next Few Blog Updates: Theater Outings, Holiday Celebrations, and Perhaps an Exciting Announcement or Two.
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