NYC Masti: New York-isms

It's no secret that I love summer in this city.  There's so much to do and everyone is usually in such a great mood!  My theory is that people are so tired of being cooped up during the winter so when the weather is better they can't help but be happy.  As for me, well I try to get in as much fun as I can so the memories keep me warm during the cold winter months.

Here are some New York-isms that I've experienced in the past couple of weeks...you know, random things that, for the most part, are unique to this crazy city I live in...so enjoy!

Peace on Wall Street
Here we have dedicated individuals who are doing their part help the US economy by meditating across from the Stock Exchange.  This happened shortly after the stock market drama a couple of weeks ago. It really was quite a sight to see...in the crowd of people rushing to go from point A to point B there was a group of people who were able to be still and at peace in that moment.  Odd and out of place as it was, it was comforting to see.  Though I do have to say, I wouldn't sit there because I know for a fact that's where a lot of dogs relieve themselves.  :-/

Checking out the artwork

Fancy-Schmancy

Fine, well technically this next thing isn't unique to New York, but it just feels New Yorky to me.  I went to my very first art gallery recently...see, New Yorky!  A close friend's sister was a part of a traveling exhibit so a group of us went out to show our support.  It was really neat to see all the different mediums artists use to express themselves.  For example, our friend's pieces combined a number of techniques including stitching!   Also, the exhibit had a South Asian theme to it so that made it even more special for me.

With the talented artist (in white)

Food on Wheels

  

Teriyaki Balls

Food trucks are a fun way to experience New York culture via yummy treats.  So when I found out that there was a food truck festival down the street from me, I knew I wanted to check it out!  It was a lot of fun.  There were all sorts of creative options.  From Jamaican meat patties to custom ice cream sandwiches, the festival had it all!  The biggest challenge for me was deciding on what I wanted to try.  There were some definite hits like the spicy pickles and the Teriyaki balls...and there were some misses as well.  I was really excited to try out the Dumpling Rikshaw, but unfortunately, it was a disappointment.  I tried their veg dumpling so I can't vouch for the other varieties they have.  I guess I have high dumpling standards because I couldn't eat more than a bite.  One of my favorite things was the fresh pickles!  They had regular and spicy...and boy, they meant spicy.  They made up for the dumplings for sure!

NYC Masti: A Good Morning, Indeed!

My parents visited me for the first time since I moved to New York so of course I was excited about what all I was going to show them and the places to take them.  They were only staying with us for 2 nights so I had to prioritize what made the list and what didn't.

One thing that was an automatic must do was going to the Good Morning America (GMA) studio in Times Square in the morning during the show taping.  You see, my mom is the biggest GMA fan you will find.  She's been watching since Joan Lunden was the co-anchor...I don't even remember those days!  The co-anchors now are Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos...or I should say, Mom's best friend, Robin, and other people.  Mom has taken such a liking to her, it's just crazy!  She listens intently to every word she has to say and even makes note of her clothing and accessories.  They have this relationship...well, Mom has this relationship with Robin that is fun to watch.  I mean, Mom cares so much about Robin that when news broke about Robin's breast cancer, I had to make sure to tell Mom in a careful way and not just blurt it out.

While Mom has this significant relationship with Robin, she still loves the other cast members of GMA...Sam Champion being at the top of this list.  Sam is the weatherman and has this great fun, spunky, and approachable manner about him.  You can often see him joking with the crowd outside of the studio in the mornings.  So, when I found out that Mom and Dad were coming, I made sure that we scheduled in being a part of that crowd.  I knew meeting Robin could be a long shot, but I figured, at the very least, Mom would get to see Sam.

We got to Times Square at 6:45a and there was already a crowd there! We had a row of people in front of us but we could still see the 'set' and the producers so I figured we would still be able to see Sam and be on TV when they span the crowd.  I have to say, I was very impressed with how nice all the GMA staffers were!  There was no attitude, no one got annoyed...I almost forgot I was in New York City...hehehe...just kidding!

We were told that only Sam would be down that day and that he wasn't coming until 8am...so we waited...and waited. Keep in mind, waiting outside at 7am in a crowd that didn't understand the phrase 'personal space' can make you cranky really fast! But all that melted away when Sam came down.  He was so happy and cheerful...I told you he was a nice guy!

He went around shaking hands starting at the other side of the crowd.  By the time he got to our side there were about a million hands reaching out to greet him.  Then Sam did something that caught us off guard...he said that he was going to do the weather report from inside  the crowd on our side...meaning he went in between my parents, had his mic in one hand and his arm around my mom...I know!

At first it was like she couldn't believe what was going on and then when it set in, she was all smiles!  She kept telling him how much she loved him and that she watches all the time.  It was so cute! I got some great pictures of them...absolutely priceless!

While I had a poster that I made the night before, it was about Robin as you can see...so of course, I kept that poster stayed down while Sam was there...hehehehehe

Their trip was short, but as you can tell, quite eventful!  So, Sam Champion, I doubt you read my blog, but if you do, thanks for making my Mom's day and making this NYC trip unforgettable!

NYC Masti: Flashes and Mobs

What's something that's all the rage right now, lets you surprise people, and act a fool in public? Give up? A flashmob, of course!  You know what I'm talking about...music comes on and people who just happen to be dressed alike (or not) start dancing in public and then little by little others join in until there's a mob of dancers there in a flash...flashmob!  I think they're fun to watch and would be great to participate in, but how do you go about finding that opportunity? I don't think you can google 'looking for a flashmob'...or maybe you can...

Luckily, I didn't have to go to such extremes...you just have to know the right people! Enter my friend, Madhura. She told me about the chance to be in a Bollywood flashmob and it was a no-brainer! Of course I was in!  It was sponsored by a dance company called Dooniya Dance.  I got the tutorial video off of youtube and was all set to go!

On the day of the flashmob, in true 'Shilpa style,' we got lost so we missed the pre-mob meeting. When we finally got to the mob site, we were surprised by how many people were there! It looked like everyone was in on the secret, but that didn't matter to us...we were ready to flashmob!  When the time finally came, we got in place and did our thing.  While I've been dancing and performing for years now, this was a totally different experience...I was totally thrown off by the lack of space and just doing a coordinated dance in a crowd...so, yeah, I messed up a couple of times...whoops! Lucky for y'all we caught off of it on video! Both, Madhura and I are in the back...I'm in the lime green shirt and she's the lady with the yellow scarf...Enjoy!

This and That: 30 going on 13

So unless you've been living under a rock, you know that the final Harry Potter movie came out a couple of weeks ago.  And, as my facebook friends know, I was really excited about this movie...I think I had 5 back-to-back Potter status updates!  My husband calls me a 5 year old, but I think in this case, 13ish may be more appropriate...don't ya' think?

I got tickets to the midnight show at our neighborhood theater and was all set to go - Gryffindor shirt, gold and maroon scarf (thanks, Mom!), and my wand!  While I had my reservations about going to a midnight show - being 30 means an earlier bed time - I tend to bend the rules for Harry Potter.  Then a friend made an offer I couldn't refuse...through work, she had tickets to see HP 7 part 2 even before the midnight show...AND free popcorn and Pepsi! Yeah, I got to see the movie even earlier than I thought and I got to go to bed at a decent hour. Woo hooo! I love that my friends feed by Harry Potter obsession!

Since it was a work sponsored event, I didn't bring out all of my HP gear (the only ones dressed up were under the age of 12)...but that doesn't mean I can't be Pottered out when I watch it at home later...now just have to wait 6-7 months. :-/

I am sad that there are no more movies to look forward to, but I was very happy with how they ended it.  I felt they did a great job of highlighting key points and including cool special effects.  Of course, as always, the book was better, but the movie brought it all to life...and even cleared some things up for me.  I'm tempted to read the entire series again, but the stack of 20 books waiting for me from the library tell me that may not happen just yet.

This and That: Dance!

Two of my close friends got married this weekend and the hubbs and I were asked to dance at the reception.  I was very excited...I don't think Preeth felt the same way in the beginning, but he came around. 

Dancing is one of my passions from way back in the day.  I began dancing and performing at the age of 7 and it's been something special for me ever since.  It's my favorite way to de-stress...nothing compares to it!  One of the challenges of living in the city is adjusting to living in small spaces - but this also means sacrificing my dance space too.  We usually have to move the coffee table into the kitchen just to accommodate additional guests! So, I don't really get to dance that often these days.

Aside form space issues, this experience was fun for me because it was the first time Preeth and I danced together - aside from our first dance at our wedding.  It was fun for me to share this with him and to see him enjoy the process! He even came up with great ideas like adding a flash mob part at the end of the song.

We had a blast performing it! Here's the dance for y'all to see...hope you like it!

Kitchen Konquest: Ups and Downs

As you know by now, I like cooking and trying out new recipes and sharing the results with all of you.  Well, it's only fair to share the challenges also, right? My husband likes to tease me by saying that I've become a much better cook now...implying that I wasn't before...but that's besides the point.  Even so, I still have the cooking failures every now and then.  Saturday night dinner was one such meal. 

There's a Rachel Ray recipe that I've wanted to try out for quite some time...eggplant roll ups.  It's like eggplant parmesan but without the breading. I call eggplant is one of my 'grown up' favorites - I never liked it as a kid but now I can't get enough of it!  Anyway, the dish is grilled eggplant 'steaks' that are then rolled a ricotta cheese mixture on the inside.  Then you top it with marinara sauce and fresh mozzarella...delish, right? Yeah, not so much.

I like to find the lesson/teachable moment in challenging times.  While a flop recipe isn't really the most challenging situation, when you spend over $35 and 2 hours making a meal that you can't stand the taste of, you really have to try to see the 'good' in it...or at least try to laugh at it. 

So my lessons:
-Parsley tastes like GRASS! Rachel Ray wasn't kidding when she says that it gives food a grassy flavor.  Of course, you may be thinking why did I used an ingredient that was described as 'grassy'....well she calls spices like cumin and coriander 'smokey'...and I don't find them smokey at all...so I took my chances on parsley.  So, now I know...parsley = grass = not for me!

-If a cheese smells bad before you add it to the recipe, you probably won't like how it tastes in the dish.  Cooking the cheese doesn't change the taste.  I am not a cheese connoisseur, I usually stick to the ones I know and like.  I am open to trying new things (and cheeses) which is why when this recipe called for Pecorino Romano cheese, I didn't have any issue with it...that is, until I smelled it...and later tasted it!

-Pictures can be deceiving! Look at how yum the finished product looks...but it still tasted like grass! haha

While this culinary set back won't stop me from trying out other new recipes (and I still love Rachel Ray), I will be a bit more selective about the ingredients I use in the future!

NYC Masti: Picasso and Pianos

A friend invited me to come with her to the reception for the Pop-Up Piano program this year.  I remember hearing about the program last year but didn't really know much about it.  Pop-Up Piano is a program sponsored by Sing for Hope and basically places pianos all around New York City for the public to enjoy between June 18th - July 2nd.  A great way for children to explore this instrument and for people to enjoy impomptu performances (yay!).  The pianos then get donated to area schools.

Pianos everywhere!

What I didn't know about the program is that volunteer artists transform each piano into a masterpiece before it's placed out in the city.  Each piano gets a complete makeover to carry out a variety of different and inspiring messages.  Some are just breathtaking and others are, well...unique...Since the program was so successful last year, they actually over 400 artists who wanted to be a part of the program! 

The reception was in a warehouse where all of the pianos were created.  It turns out that the artists came to the warehouse and painted together...it was a think-tank of creativity! How cool!  Some of the pianos were also decorated by school children and were just precious.  What a wonderful way to keep kids interested and involved in the arts!  We got to join in on the fun by adding our own message to the piano we named 'The Chalkboard One'...I hope they don't wash off!

Go Pink Lightening!

This was my favorite one - nothing over the top spectacular about it, but it really just stood out for me.  My friend named it Pink Lightening...I love it!  Makes me want to learn how to play the piano!

I absolutely love this city in the summer and programs like this one really add to it all!  Here are some more pictures of some of the pianos for you to enjoy!

I call this one the 'Tin Man'

Lines made with electrical tape...it turns out that everything in this artist's house looks like this...everything!

Yup, this is a crocheted piano...the entire thing...including the bench!

Kinda freaky!

Kitchen Konquest: Say Cheese...cake!

Here's a Kitchen Konquest from Cali...with my baker cousins - these girls know their stuff!!! We went cherry picking earlier in the day and got 15lbs!  So what do you do with all those cherries? You bake!

We made cherry topped cheesecake...but here's the twist...it's the recipe in pictures! Enjoy! :) 

Pit 3 1/2 cups of fresh cherries

1 3/4 cups of graham crackers finely crushed

Beat 18oz. of cream cheese with 1 cup of sour cream, 3/4 cup of super fine sugar and 2 tsp of vanilla extract.  Add 3 eggs one at at time and beat until all the lumps are blended.

Stir in graham cracker crumbs into 1 stick of melted butter.

Grease a 10 in springform cake pan. Spread the buttered crumbs in the base of the pan pressing down to make an even base. Chill for 30 min.

For the topping, put the pitted cherries in a sauce pan with 2 tbsp of superfine sugar and 1 tbsp water over medium heat.  Allow the fruit to reduce...it's really cool how it makes it's own sauce!

See! but this is way to watery...have to keep it on the heat to let it thicken up and to let the cherries get tender. Cool this before you top the cake.

Pour cream cheese mixture over the chilled base.

Don't be deceived...it's not done yet...

Place the cake pan in a hot water bath...1-1.5 in of boiling water.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake with water bath for 50 min. Chill the cake for 4 hours.

Top the chilled cheesecake with the chilled cherry topping...allow it to set.

Y. U. M.

Enjoy!

NYC Masti: Painting in the new decade

May marked a big month for me...the beginning of my third decade!  I wanted to celebrate this milestone birthday by doing something different and very 'Shilpa' and I found the perfect option...Paint Along NYC! 

My husband and I attended one of their painting classes last fall and really enjoyed it.  Basically the whole class paints the same picture as the instructor, Marti, takes you step by step to create your individual masterpiece...all while drinking wine...yes, it's a BYO!

With Marti

I contacted Marti about setting up a painting session for me and my friends and she was very accommodating.  She even let me pick the painting!  To my surprise, we had a total of 15 people sign up.

Some of the boys showing off their artwork

The class was a blast! At first I was nervous about how everyone would get along...and I wasn't sure how the boys in the group would take to painting...but it all went really smoothly...I'm sure the wine played a part in this.  Everyone got along, we even had Marti cracking jokes with us! 

Busy painting!

We all added a bit of our own flare and personality to each painting so each one was unique!  I made the vase in my painting into a wine bottle with a label that reads "Vintage 30" to mark the event.

Yay, Thirty!

Of course the painting class was just a part of the birthday weekend celebrations, but it was one of my favorites!  So much that now I want to go again...too bad I don't have any more wall space for new paintings. Thirty has definitely started off on the right foot!

Ta-Da!