We all have that playlist, the list of songs that never go out of style or that record/tape/cd that gets played whenever we're feeling nostalgic.
Like a good friendship, you know a beloved song in and out, beginning to end, and even when a beat is skipped or an abundance of noise is polluting the lyrics, you can always pick up where it left off.
Here are a few that were once downloaded via 56k, purchased on cassette single, and even ripped at poor quality from a Myspace player because I was so desperate to have it at that time.
I listen to this one quite a bit. It never fails to be put on repeat during times those nights when I have a lot on my mind.
An amazing oldie that will always be a cruising favorite.
Hands down my favorite song to hear and sing my heart out to, after a few drinks.
I can't think of one particular night that made this song a regular, but it's been one of my favorites to hear right after Santeria.
Like the first verse, I used to listen to this song while driving around for hours.
This one will get put on repeat for lazy Sundays or as I'm about to fall asleep at night.
It's almost been a year since I first started dabbling in crossfit and making the lifestyle change to get healthy.
This weekend and tonight had a few of those milestone moments that made me see how far I've physically and mentally come.
While I'm sure the numerical measurements probably only add up to a few more pounds, meters, minutes and reps, each unit of progression feels quite incredible.
Like many, when I started, it was easy to get hung up on the want of instant gratification and the physical aspects but slowly I'm learning to appreciate being able to run further, lift heavier, and other things I never thought I'd be able to do (like pullups, double unders or handstands).
So for those that made the new years resolution to eat better and live better, I'm taking a short intermission from my usual food posts to tip my hat to you.
Since starting this venture of "Paleo" eating, I've been spending less time at my favorite restaurants and more time in the kitchen concocting great eats.
But like with good friends, you always have to come back and get re-acquainted.
To toast to new ventures, a buddy and I met for a mimosa, while I enjoyed an endive salad and garlic mussels. I almost, just almost didn't miss the lavender fries.
Words can't describe how beautiful this place is and not just aesthetically speaking either. There's something about this property that just induces a comfortable and leave life behind type feeling.
We came here last night for their restaurant week dinner menu and I have to say $65 for a three course meal and a wine pairing, was quite well worth it. Though one could say that the company and atmosphere was the charm that made the food just that much better.
The braised shortrib, incredibly sweet, tender and a sprinkle of crisps for texture.
Lentil Soup
Probably one of the best Beet salads I've ever had.
A citrus sorbet type dessert with berries nested in a gelée.
I barely had a lick of this just to try and I think it was my favorite of all the desserts that came out.
I'm incredibly sad that I didn't have my better camera on hand and that I didn't take pictures of the other dishes. The food at Amaya is very good and I adore how the most simple dishes taste extravagant.
I'll be planning a staycation at this hotel to eat and just enjoy all the amenities.
We were utterly amazed at the top crate with the wine labeled 1855. I think we each took turns stating historical events that this wine had lived through. The Russian Revolution, both world wars, prohibition and etc.
Till next time! This weekend will be all about work and family for Chinese New Year!
Wishing you all love, fortune, health and happiness in the coming year of the Dragon.
Since coming back from Vegas for New Years, the past two weeks has been nothing but constant "go alpha go" mode. There's been about 3 personal projects (along with a few freelance ones) that I've been dying to finish and this post apocalyptic one had been a "work in progress" for far too long. Based off a photo I took from the Highline in NYC, I did a photo texture and paint over, to obliterate the beautiful scene and transform it.
Anyone that follows me on Facebook or Twitter absolutely knows that I have a complete obsession and love for bubble tea. So when my developer friend and I decided to take on a side project of building flash/mobile games as a team, it was natural that my first game would involve a gal name Chow catching bubble tea. Pixel Poo (our little studio name) is just starting, so like any new project, the website, more games and such are well under way.
It's only 2 weeks into the new year and so much awesomeness has been going on. Lots of late nights, working, sketching, reading, gaming (hey it's r&d right?), and editing (so many photos to catch up on).
Till next time, happy gaming and happy nomming
<3 Chow.
I have hundreds of photos from last year that I'm still going through, but like sorting and unpacking my luggage from December's travels, I did the same with pictures. Sweet December was the one month of the year that actually didn't fly by. I lived out of my suitcase and spent quite a few days within an airport, but it was one of my most memorable and miraculous of all holiday seasons.
From getting to see the snowfall in Canada, to sharing old stories with friends, to spending evenings on the roof watching the sunset, to cooking with my mom and so much more, December December will be the month to remember. <3
With every city I travel to, I fall into quite personal love affairs with a few favorite food places, that I always have to visit when I'm back in that town.
In Vegas, one of the many loves includes Botero. We know the menu by heart, some years we may even even change up what we order, but there are a few must haves.
Any steak with their chimichurri sauce, the bay scallops, Hamachi tartare over crispy rice, sautéed mushrooms and my ever so beloved bone marrow.
This time we added crab stuffed garlic knots, ricotta gnocchi, jalapeno And shrimp stuffed calamari. It's love.
It's our last day in Vegas and we're making our rounds to our favorite eateries.
It was a happy, crazy, beautiful, memorable and an absolutely epic New Year celebration.
We started the night with dinner at the Paris' hotel gala, then made our way to the strip to count down with hundreds of thousands of other people and then to the rooftop of club chateau.
2011 holiday season has been utterly magical and so much of it was unexpected.
