The Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo is the largest metropolitan zoo in the U.S. stretching over 265 acres of land. The zoo first opened its doors on November 8, 1899 featuring 843 animals in 22 exhibits. Today the zoo has grown to house over 4,000 animals and 600 different species, many of which are endangered or threatened. But, perhaps the most well known aspect of the zoo is the fact that it was the inspiration for one of today's most lovable animation film series, Madagascar, produced by DreamWorks Animation, even though the actual film was based in the Central Park Zoo in Manhattan. While walking through the zoo I had an overwhelming urge to break into song and dance: "I like to move it, move it. I like to move it, move it. You like to MOVE it." That's probably due to the incredibly catchy song featured in the films and the lovable characters who sing and dance to it. Featured in these photographs above are the inspirations to my favorite characters in the movie: Alex, the lion; Marty, the zebra; and my favorite of all, King Julien XIII, the fun-loving ring-tailed lemur. Now, as for all those who are against keeping animals in captivity and consistently fight to free animals from zoos, the Madagascar movies portray quite the dispute. Co-director Tom Mcgrath talked about the intention of the films saying, "the basic irony to the story is that, you think animals belong in the wild, but if they're so accustomed to captivity, they wouldn't even know where food came from." And that the animals were meant to "love the zoo and to love where they are because they've got 5,000 square feet right off Fifth Avenue." Sounds pretty good to me!

Kyochon Chicken

Chairman and founder of Kyochon Chicken, Mr. Won-Kang Kwon, has pleased thousands of American's by bringing Korea's favorite chicken brand to the U.S. and creating a global poultry dynasty. Kyochon Chicken has more than 1,000 restaurants in Korea and China and now 10 in the U.S., just here in NYC and LA. The flagship restaurant is right here in Manhattan, located on 5th Avenue and 32nd Street. And not only is it a treat for your mouth but it's also a technological dream of a restaurant, displaying countless televisions, a big screen with the latest and newest remixes of the best club-pumping music around, and the most unique light fixtures and displays including a red staircase that lights your way up every step. But this is just part of what Kwon has dedicated to his company to make it the most unique and sought after place in the city. He embodies the company with values of integrity, top quality, innovation and 100% dedication to the best customer service. In fact, he spent countless hours inventing the double-frying and hand-brushing techniques that make this chicken the best in town. He also created the signature Soy Garlic and Hot & Sweet sauces that glaze his chicken with flawless perfection. To this day only he and his wife know the exact recipes to these taste-bud dazzling sauces, which they mix themselves in a secret room in the production facility in Seoul, where they reside. And, as for customer satisfaction, I've never met so many nice people in one place in this crazy city before. The staff is beyond friendly and you never have to ask for a thing--they're definitely on top of things from the moment you walk in to the second you leave. But, of all this, my favorite aspect is the food, hands-down! They use only fresh, never frozen chicken and only seasonal fruits and vegetables for exceptional quality. Each piece of chicken is hand cut and individually hand brushed. There are no short-cuts to this chicken perfection and Kwon wouldn't have it any other way. My recommendation: the honey wings with a side of croquettes (they're like mashed potatoes and sour cream wrapped into a bundle of deliciousness and fried) and the green tea Bul-Gogi rice ball (a ball of white rice seasoned with green tea extract and stuffed with finely diced Bul-Gogi Chicken and vegetables and seasoned with their homemade soy sauce). It's a feast you don't want to miss!

Rockefeller Center

Built by the Rockefeller family, this National Historic Landmark is located right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan and features a statue of Prometheus, who in Greek Mythology was a champion of mankind know for his great intelligence. He was punished by Zeus for stealing from him and giving to the mortals. Zeus bound him to a rock and had an eagle eat his liver, only to have it grow back and be eaten again the next day, playing a pivotal role in the early history of mankind. This is also the site where the most famous Christmas tree in the nation is lit every year. People from all over travel to see the incredibly beautiful tree adorned in colored lights lit in the plaza the Wednesday after Thanksgiving each year. The tradition began in 1933 and holds strong today, with the traditional horn-blowing angels leading the path to the tree. Next to the plaza is the Rockefeller Center Ice Skating Rink where many couples get engaged each year amid the magical lights and overwhelming holiday spirit. It is touching to watch the couple skate happily throughout the rink and then, suddenly, the man gets down on one knee and pops that live-changing question, while the woman puts her hands to her face and adamantly shakes her head yes and they skate off to their happily-ever-after. But, of all this, perhaps the most sought after attraction is the Top of the Rock observation deck. Sitting 70 stories above the city, this jewel was envisioned by John D. Rockefeller as a place for both locals and visitors to marvel at the city he loved. Construction started in 1930 and was completed in 1939 and to this day holds the most spectacular view of the city we all love. You feel like you're on top of the world standing among the beauty of this city and I promised you, there's nothing quite like it!

My Mother, My Rock

This one's for you mom: my hero, my inspiration, my rock.
As a child, I  looked up to my mother as if though she were a super hero. She was breathtakingly beautiful, more generous and kind than anyone I've ever known, stylish as a Hollywood starlet, and full of life with a contagiously electric personality. As my dad has always said, when she walks into a room it just automatically lights up! Today, as I watch her constantly struggle with things so simple and basic that we all take so easily for granted, like breathing, I admire her even more. Having COPD, a chronic lung condition, leaving her with only 30% lung function and watching her with her oxygen tank always by her side, I pray to God every day that I never take even a single breath for granted. It is so sad when I turn on the news every day and see people killing each other and raping and stealing each other blindly, when we all should just be down on our hands and knees thanking God for even just being here on earth, which is a blessing in itself. I know this isn't a typical "confession from New York" but this is real and, today, as I await to hear if my mother will be sent back to the hospital for pneumonia for the second time this year, I can't help but get so angry at the world we live in today for it's disrespect of human life. As I watch my mother who's strength has miraculously pulled her through a heart-attack, internal bleeding resulting in a full blood transfusion, COPD flare-ups, and pneumonia several times, I am so proud of her and her persistent struggle and consistent faith. She is and will always be my rock and she and others who suffer with so many physical ailments and conditions out there, such as Cancer and heart disease, to name a few, should be a wake-up call to us. Life here on earth is far too short and it should never to be taken for granted. We must also always remember that family is the most important thing we have here in this lifetime and we should always hold it dear to our hearts. Nothing is more important than those we love and we should thank God every day for blessing us with them in our lives. My mother, who has and will always be my best friend has taught me that courage is the silent fighter in all of us and that with the love and support of family it is intensified. If only we could all love each other like family, this world would be a far greater place to live!

Serendipity

Merriam-Webster defines serendipity as the art of finding the pleasantly unexpected by chance. I personally first discovered this fabulous restaurant extraordinaire, which also happens to be named Serendipity, while watching the classic 2001 romantic comedy Serendipity, starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. It was here that they first shared a frozen hot chocolate together as Beckinsale perfectly described serendipity as a  "fortunate accident". But this trendy place is definitely no accident. From its eclectic style to its long lines and even longer list of celebrity patrons this delicious spot has earned itself a permanent place in history as one of New York City's most sought after restaurants. Their food authentically combines the most mouth-watering unexpected combination of flavors and ingredients, leaving you feeling adventurous and daring. But the desserts are what they are best known for and deliver the most bang for your buck, specifically the famous Frrrozen Hot Chocolate. It's a take on the traditional childhood favorite of hot chocolate put over ice and blended to perfection. It is topped with the creamiest whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and coco powder. But I dare you to order the Golden Opulence Sundae from the menu. This is the creme de la creme of desserts. It is a hot fudge sundae with countless scoops of vanilla ice cream, covered in all the chocolate gooeyness of a regular sundae but, unlike any other one you've ever heard of, this one takes the icing on the cake for being covered with edible 24 karat gold. And for just a small price of $1,000. Just be sure and order this one ahead of time because in order for them to make this delectable decadence it must be ordered 24 hours in advance.

I Choose Juicy

 

As I stroll along 5th Avenue my eyes widen, my heart races, my adrenaline sky rockets and I suddenly feel like a kid in a candy store: Gucci, Prada, Fendi, Tiffany's, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and the list goes on. But of all the stores on this famous street of shopping paradise only one has truly captured my heart--Juicy Couture. Even its name rolls off the tongue with intrique and delight. Founded in 1994 in Pacoima, California by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Taylor (wife of John Taylor of Duran-Duran) the company started with the motto: "Once upon a time in a land far, far away called Pacoima there were two nice girls who liked stuff. Juicy Couture swept the land and they lived happily ever after". The company started as a designer t-shirt company but has come a very long way since then. Juicy is today best known  for turning their velour sweat suits into the greatest fashion "must have" since the little black dress. Although I think these sweat suits have long overstayed their welcomed appearance in public and should be kept for lounging at home and heading to the gym, don't let them fool you. This company has plenty more to offer! From rocker chic to sweet and feminine this brand has something for every girl. Their dresses are classic and flirty, their jeans are the best-fitting around, their coats trimmed with the most girlie ruffles and detailed buttons, and their footwear is by far the cutest around. Not to mention their fragrances are sweet and fabulous and come in the most beautiful elegant glass bottles. From the adorable pink scottie dog embellished labels to the detailed stitching in the fabrics Juicy is fun, flirty, cute, and sophisticated all at the same time. So, I'm letting the world know, or at least everyone who reads this blog, I am proud to be a Juicy girl and you should be one too!

Carlo's Bake Shop

Ever wish you could experience the delectable pastries of traditional Italy without ever leaving the city. Well, you can and you only have to travel one subway stop away from Manhattan. Hidden in the hometown of the ever famous Frank Sinatra, Hoboken, New Jersey is also home to the most well-known and recently famous Carlo's Bake Shop. This amazing bakery known for its homemade from scratch baked goods and beyond elaborate wedding cakes has become a house-hold name due to its hit show on TLC. Cake Boss first aired on TLC April 19, 2009 and took the nation by storm. Starring Buddy Valastro and his quirky fun-loving, sometimes hot-tempered Italian family, this show gives America an up close and personal look into the kitchen of this family-run bakery. Bought in 1964 by Buddy's parents Mary and Buddy Sr., this bake shop prides itself on tradition and is, in the opinion of almost everyone who's ever tried it, the best bakery around, hands-down. Buddy, who took over the shop at the ripe age of 17 after his father's passing, has become the cream of the crop of bakers at just 32 years old. Since the shows success, this once hometown favorite bake shop has become a nationally renowned destination with tourists lined up around the block all days of the week waiting to have a taste and catch a glimpse of the Valastro clan. From the traditional Italian favorite, the cannoli to the most scrumptious chocolate cake you've ever sunk you teeth into you can't go wrong with a single dessert here. Although, I highly recommend the lobster tails. They're the most delicious puff pastry with the richest, most incredible cream filling you've ever had. So make sure and head west of the Hudson River and stop in Hoboken, NJ. Because this is a treat you don't want to miss!