I spent a good portion of my day searching the streets and markets of chinatown for the best deals on food, dumplings and of course groceries for the week since I am on a budget.

I was inspired by an article on, Time Out New York. I was reading that there were multiple little restaurants off the beaten trail so I decided to check them out.

The first stop on my journey was, Prosperity Dumpling, (46 Eldridge St.)truly the cheapest and best dumplings that I have had ever. I got 8 boiled vegetable dumplings for $2. The most expensive thing on the menu was $3. They inside is tiny and crammed with just 7 stools for sitting. The best part was a little elderly lady that sat in the corner and spoke to herself in Chinese. I was waiting for a seat, and she patted the stool once someone got up and pointed for me to sit down. 

Next I made my way on the China Town Budget food tour to Lucky King Bakery, (280 Grand St.) where I induldged in an 80 cent peanut cake. As good as it was this was not all they had. There were an assortments of sweet breads, cakes with funny cartoon looking characters all for under $2. If this wasn't a bargain, then I can't tell you what is.

The next venture on my trip through chinatown was grocery buying. I had $35 dollars cash left in my pocket to spend on groceries for the week. I went through the market and got:

1 lb. of red grapes 1.39lb

2 lbs. dry roasted peanuts 1.00 lb

5lbs. brown rice 4.75

6 apples 5 for $2

2 lbs. snap peas $1.39 lb

2 lbs. bok choy  $1.80 lb

2 lbs. green beans $1.00 lb

2 lbs. red russet potatoes $.80 lb.

for a grand total of: $20.12

Thank you China town you can grocery shop cheaply in New York.

perfect date

This entry was taken out of my journal yesterday.

May 16th, 2009

It's an amazing, no I would have to say a perfect day in New York City. It makes me think of the point in the movie, Miss Congeniality, when they ask a candidate to give an idea of her perfect date. 

Today May 16th, is the perfect date. The weather is warm, but casts a light refreshing wind, that cools the skin in the shade of the trees, but cooling you after the beating down of the sun. The sun is beginning to call it a night and slowly disappears into the horizon. I am perched on a cluster of could be prehistoric. I watch as women, men, children and couples from every background make their way around the pond in Central Park. 

There are men patiently waiting with their fishing poles, hoping that they will catch a fish, so they can take a picture of it, upload it to facebook and have people comment for the fact is, this moment could be their crowning glory. The fish would be released back into it's world just waiting to be tricked again into getting caught.

There are lampposts that beckon to the beginnings of New York City. They make me think at any moment I could step out of Narnia. This is my Narnia.  A place where Kings and Queens exist, but all the opportunity to do, be and exceed in whatever you want.

The biggest thing I have learned since I have been here is that no day is ever the same. Everyday here feels like Space Mountain at Disneyland. You know you are moving fast, but you never know if you are turning, if your going up or down, and  who you could and will meet or come in contact with. This is what makes me love everyday here. 

Today is my perfect day.

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I got a chance to go to the Conservatory Garden today and walk through a huge part of Central Park that I had yet to visit. I took some pictures with my phone. I even saw a racoon in broad daylight, it sure beats the wildlife that I have seen in recent.

   
 
 
  

my garden view

        These are a couple of pics taken on my phone from my garden apartment door. It is a little shabby but an amazing oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city.   This is what I get to see every morning, it starts the day off right!