Thursday, December 25, 2008

Repentance for Lack of Dividends

Well this year I was not able to get any presents for my family, I know epic fail. As a consolation I offered to cook dinner for my family, which I might make into a yearly tradition as this was the second time I did it. Well here is what I cooked:

First Course:
Mixed Salad with Scallops Wrapped in Bacon


The scallops were held together by rosemary stems.
They were drizzled with a lemon vinegarette.



















Second Course:
Lamb Rib Chops with Young Potatoes and Asparagus in Red Wine Au Jus reduction

Lamb chops season with salt, pepper, garlic, and ginger.






Reduction done with red wine from Portugal










Final Course:
Simple Yogurt parfait with plain yogurt, raspberry jelly, granola and blueberries.






Dinner was good, now bracing myself for the impending food coma.

A very warm Christmas wish to all

Hope all of you have a great holiday season full of good stuff and presents. Decided not to write a last post about London because going through all the stories and memories will just get me too depressed. But ... as I look out my window in California I realize that its never going to be as good as my view of the City that I had outside my room in Kings Cross.





















Someday I'll be back.

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Stereotype Disintegration in Cork

So after one night of pubbing and clubbing in the streets of Cork, this is what I have learned about Irish people.

1. Not all Irish people like Guinness, in fact some people think its disgusting.
2. Irish girls drink Coors Light instead of Guinness
3. Irish guys like Japanese cars and drive Nissan Skylines
4. Some Irish people have never heard of Irish Car Bombs.


Lastly, the porportion of hot girls to ugly ones here its ridiculous. In one night at the club (Club Havana), I saw more beautiful looking girls than my entire semester in London. Not only that, the club's music was better than 95% of the clubs I went to. Cork doesn't make any sense, and me and Ben realized that as we stood just in awe and in puzzling shock of the situation that we saw.

Along with that, in our trip to Kinsale, the port town south of Cork the day was absolutely beautiful. Having great seafood by the pier and enjoying some nice pints at pubs that are 300 years old, there was not a spec of rain that dropped on us the entire day.


Cork is great, but doesn't make any sense, I don't know if my impressions of Ireland will ever be the same. Pictures will come up soon.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Reflection Depression Deflection

As great as the story of London goes, there has to be an end, and what better way to end it then the way I did last night. Ministry of Sound - great club, student night, great discounts. Was there dancing for four hours with everybody, didn't matter who, just whoever at NYU that just wanted to shake it and let it loose. Didn't dance to a single song with lyrics in it, just pumping beats and base. So many great stories, so many beautiful and caring people, so many memorable moments. This term has been absolutely fantastic, and once I get more time I'll figure out a way to comprise it into a series of photos.


To everyone who made London such a fantastic experience, I thank you. This place is truly a beautiful, lively, cultured, sophisticated city with so much history and tradition. No where I have lived comes close, or ever will.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Celebration of the Commencement of an Underperforming Term

Meh, grades wise this semester didn't go well, but hey what can you do. Bounce back next semester. But for now time to CELEBRATE! Going to find a club that plays this song and stay there the entire night.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Overconsumption of Nourishment

Went to Amsterdam this past weekend. It was a great time to be spending the Thanksgiving weekend with my boys from Saratoga. Finished off with a great Thanksgiving dinner at Bodeans (they do Thanksgiving in London), then hit up some pubs before flying over to the land of Vices. Stayed in the middle of the city, everything was within walking distance. It was good to spend a weekend with the boys.














Went to the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, and Heineken Brewery. The beer was as fresh as can be, and the Extra Cold Brew was absolutely perfect. Even got to pour my own tap and learn how to pour the perfect Heineken. Good stuff.

















I also ate way too much, probably gained a little bit of weight.