The reemergence of the albino robin

Lately, in Raleigh, Dad has been spotting an albino robin in the backyard, which I assume it is the same one I saw one morning last summer (see the July 24th 2008 entry). I'm jealous I can't be there to see it!

A turtle without a shell... finds a shell

Yesterday was a big day for us and our simple, minimalist apartment: we FINALLY bought a desk. It's hard to imagine that we have gone all this time without a proper work-space. What is a 'student' and a professor without a desk? Until now we have been doing most of our work at the kitchen table, which will probably remain a place to use the computer and write since 1) that is the only place we pick up internet and 2) we only have one desk ;o)

The desk and chair, bought off Craigs list (of course), are very beautiful solid oak. The desk is rather small because we wanted to make sure we could fit it up the stairs and into the apartment, yet it was too big to fit comfortably in the car--we left half of it sticking out of the trunk, which we tied down with rope, and then had to drive several miles down I95. You occasionally see this sort of thing and pity (or snicker at) the poor folks with their trunks wide open and awkward, and I can't believe it was our turn to do it. I am so glad we made it!

A sushi first

A few nights ago I tried making sushi for the first time. Not terribly familiar with Japanese food, and always intimidated by sushi (a fine art, really), I finally got the motivation to give it a try. I kept the ingredients/filling simple to start off with, and I was pretty happy with how they turned out. However, I'll need to keep 'practicing.' I don't think Seth will complain ;o)

New York

The other weekend, during our Spring Break (or was it Winter Break? Mid-semester break?) Seth and I were lucky enough to spend two nights in New York City, staying with Bo in The Village. The trip wasn't entirely non-work related--Seth had a date with some madrigals in Columbia University's special collections library. Besides this, we had some time to explore Chinatown, feasting on sweet buns and other treats, wandered around Central Park, and visited the mind-boggling amazing MOMA (Muesum of Modern Art) during one of their Free Friday afternoons. We also got to catch up with Chad, a friend from Chapel Hill studying at Columbia, over dinner with Bo and Natalie.

The Village

Times Square

Central Park

One thing we got to indulge in was a handful of the specialty food places New York is known for. Having such a high population density, the city seems to have developed numerous amazing eateries, many of which fill some tiny niche in the culinary world. (Ironically the best shops are also located in tiny little spaces, making seating virtually impossible). Just around the corner (literally) from Bo's apartment is a place that specializes in peanut butter sandwiches. Though extremely overpriced ($5 for a simple, but large PB&J), we had a coupon and I couldn't resist! The next day we had lunch at a place (around the other corner) called Hummus Place. Guess what they specialize in.

Peanut Butter and Co. Notice all the wonderful, gooey peanut butter and jelly in that white bread, and the free jar of PB! Ignore the bag of potato chips.

Bo, Natalie, Seth and me enjoying big bowls of hummus.

New York City is extremely overwhelming--there is just so much to do, so much culture and history and endless places to drink coffee. I don't even dare to flip through a travel guide or look up "things to do in Manhattan"--luckily we have 'locals' to show us neat hot spots! Hopefully we can fit in one more visit with Bo before she moves to Boston this summer. However, it will be even better to have her close by!

Our morning runs consisted of heading east from West 3rd St until we reached the East River (NYC is big into cardinal directions), following FDR Dr clockwise along the southern tip of the island until eventually reaching West 3rd St. The first day we (actually, I) paused to take a look at the Statue of Liberty, and the second day we visited Ground Zero.

East River Park

Three bridges

City dog

Battery Park

Ground Zero