fuerzabruta, 5K, fish and friends

For Valentine's Jason gave me tickets to Fuerzabruta for Friday night and it was crazy, to say the least. I have seen the theater in Union Square announcing this wild production but never new exactly what it was until Jason surprised me with the tickets last week. After doing a little research before the performance I learned that it was standing room only and that I would need to wear appropriate clothing that could get wet. Pretty much it sounded like a wild rave and that coming a little high was encouraged. After reading this I was a little nervous but also excited to be experiencing something out of the norm for me.



The performance was in fact - wild, crazy and a little weird. After crowding the large audience into a small space I felt like I was back at the 311 concert. I didn't know if we would all start jumping around and crowd surfing but I was a little surprised when they moved the crowd to bring out a large treadmill with a man in a shirt and tie running as fast as he could. Some of the other crazy moments included a gigantic adult Slip 'n' Slide lowered just inches from the audience's heads, a giant kite that was spun around violently making the two performers pinned to it seem trapped in a tornado and two dancers who cartwheeled vertically across a shimmering plastic wall. After the show we were indeed a little wet and it was definitely an experience I will never forget.



Saturday morning I ran the Al Gordon Snowflake 5K in Prospect Park and I was surprised by how large the park was and it was fun to see a part of Brooklyn that I have never seen before. After the race I hurried home and got ready so that we could meet up with Jason's law school buddy, Frank, for a true China Town experience. We walked down to China Town and started off with some Dim Sum for lunch. The restaurant that Frank took us to was a huge banquet hall with several large round tables where they seat you with other people; however, due to the language barrier, you are not forced to make awkward conversations with the other quests at your table. Meanwhile, little Chinese ladies walk around the hall pushing little carts filled with all sorts of random/crazy goodness. We tried a little of everything and loved having Frank there as our interpreter. Next Frank took us to several little vendors where we found some amazing deals on fresh seafood. No joking, everything we found was half as much as it is at our grocery store. We had fun exploring and came home with some shrimp, crab legs and mussels to cook up for dinner.

That night I got together with some of the ladies in my ward for a girls night out for Laurel, who will be taking a extended vacation to Utah but better be coming back shortly:) We went to Sarabeth's followed by dessert at Kelli's and it was so fun to just sit around and chat with the girls. I have such amazing friends in the ward and I hate that everyone is always moving away.

the city of love

Last weekend we finally got a break from the cold and had a beautiful 55 degree Sunday, so we decided we needed to take advantage of the warmth and take a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. Walking across the bridge is hands down our favorite thing to do in the city, there's just something about the amazing structure of the bridge and being able to see the beautiful skyline of the city that just makes you love it.

As we were walking across the bridge and soaking up the sun a woman stopped and asked us if she could interview us for a Valentine's Day special their radio show was hosting on how NY is the city of love. She asked us questions about where we live in the city, our favorite parts of the city and if we considered NY to be the city of love. Of course we agreed and then I proceeded to tell her how much I loved everything about NYC. Jason didn't think it was very manly to express his love for the city so he let me do the talking and chimed in occasionally.

I have always thought of New York as a romantic city, I know others say Paris is the city of love, but I've never been there so for now I'm saying its NY. No matter what part of the city you are walking in, there is always something romantic to be found. After her questions it got me thinking about all the romantic spots I love in the city, and because it is Valentine's, I thought I would make a list of some of the spots I love.

- Brooklyn Bridge
- Southstreet Seaport - Pier 17
- Washington Square Park (when it's not under construction)
- Central Park in the fall and Spring
- Riding the Staten Island ferry past the Statue of Liberty at night
- The World Financial Center promenade at night
- Walking up 5th Avenue when the Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom
- Canoeing in the Hudson
- Our favorite little park on the corner of Bleeker and 6th Ave.
- Riding our bikes to the Christopher Sreet pier
- Walking around the city to see the lights at Christmas
- Canoeing in Central Park
- Picnics near the Belvedere Castle in Central Park
- Walking up the tree lined streets in the West Village
- Sitting outside at some of our favorite restaurants on a cool summer night

Of course, none of this would be romantic if I didn't have Jason here with me and it's because of him that I get to live in this amazing city, so thank you babe - I love you!

What are your favorite romantic spots in the city?

a little bit of soul and a whole lot of climbing

Lately we have been addicted to the food network channel, and of course when any of the food shows go to the south they always showcase the champion of soul foods - waffles and fried chicken. So A few weeks ago when my friend Laurel told us about a soul food restaurant in Harlem that serves the best waffles and fried chicken, Jason just had to try it out for himself.

So last Saturday we made the trek to Harlem to try out the famous Amy Ruth's. It's a small place so luckily we timed it just right and missed the crowd. As we looked over the menu I started to second guess whether or not I was brave enough to try the Al Sharpton (the name of the waffles and fried chicken on the menu), and I made the mistake of mentioning to Jason that I might just get the waffles and he was VERY disappointed that I would come all that way and sell out. So, after a short lecture I decided he was right and I ordered the sweet and salty platter.

First I must mention that the biscuit they brought us while we waited for our meal was amazing. Typically biscuits are bitter but this was a sweet biscuit and a good indication of what was yet to come. Finally the Al Sharpton arrived as a large Belgium waffle that filled the entire plate topped with a crispy wing and breast. I wasn't quite sure where to start so I set the chicken aside and started in on the waffle. Jason was the brave one and took the first bite with both the waffle and chicken together and loved the combination, so I hesitantly took a bite of both and I will admit - it was incredible!! There was way too much food on my plate to finish, and I definitely won't be getting this on a regular basis, but I will admit I am a fan. For all those in doubt, you must give it a try.



After our adventure with soul food we headed back down to a rock climbing wall in the city for our YM/YW's activity. Well, it was more like a young men's/young woman activity. Thanks to good old Lisa the YW still have someone to represent us. With 1 girl and 8 young boys you can imagine how crazy it was, but we had so much fun seeing some of them race each other to the top and others as they tried out their strength on the harder walls. All of the kids were incredibly strong and I'm so glad I didn't try climbing because I really don't think I would have been able to get up one wall.





Sunday we went to an awesome superbowl party at the Granum's and had so much fun seeing our old friends Megan and Joe who were visiting for the weekend from Chicago and just chatting with the girls.