New York New York Vs. Providence Rhode Island

I wish I ain't back, but I am. So now I can only blog about it.

This trip was inspired and conspired when Couz NMing visited over Thanksgiving. Since I'm experiencing companionship-withdrawal, flying over to the East Coast for some family time sounds right.

Took the red eye flight on thursday night and touched down earlier than planned on a windy Friday morning. My other Couz Hai picked me up at JFK as we dropped by his Queens home then I started my little adventures in the Big Apple.

First stop — my fav museum in the world yet, The Metropolitan in Central Park. It's my third time there and I am still not done with that place. NMing was already there waiting for me. After spending several hours wondering around in that huge huge building, I added Antique glassware to my growing list of favourite things + things to start collecting. Oh no~

Then we had to go to SoHo to get my shopping fix.

Did you guys hear that Adidas + Diesel collaborated and launched a denim line just recently?

Damn.

Of course I have to buy it. Even though I wasn't looking to buy a pair of jeans. I just have to have every thing Adidas. In every form, color and matter.
Our feet were just so sore from walking but we've been looking forward to meet James who's taking us to Minka, the ramen store in east village. After a long wait, we finally had a taste of the Ramen. (YT, that photo is for ya~)

The next morning, my aunt joined us for a trip to Manhattan's Chinatown for a dirt-cheap meal at the Dumpling House hidden in some tiny street. Not forgetting to mention, today is fucking cold.
After that we visited a couple of flea markets! I scored a tiny vintage luggage for $20 and a pair of very cool cowboy boots for $20! Scores!

We happen to drop by Gray's Papaya which is highly recommended (I thought it was good too) and then...Magnolia Bakery in Greenwich Village. I didn't even remember it was in Sex & the City, but there was an extreme looooong line around the block waiting to get in! Being S'porean, we see a line, we join in. It is a cute little bakery, however, I felt the frosting was too sugary.

Met my happily pregnant couple friend for a round of good familiar S'pore + M'sia food at Nyonya in Chinatown. They even served (bottled) Tiger beer!

That's my last night in NYC. The next day we had to catch a bus to Providence, but we have to have a all-family meal at an oddly European decorated Dim Sum restuarant. I felt a little confused eating there.
After a slow 3 hour bus ride, we finally reached and had a simple pho dinner with couz's friends. The she HAD to bring me to Pastiche, the local delicious dessert shop. It was mouthwatering awesome... the lemon mousse cake really melts in your mouth. My vanilla almond tea by Harney & Sons was so yummy. I am loving tea more and more than drinking sodas. Healthy living~
The next day I was left alone (boohoo~) coz' it turns out couz didn't have the day off for President's Day. Instead her semester started! So I walked around the whole city equipped with a map. It was drizzling but the air was nice and crisp.
I love discovering the city by walking. I visited a few antique store (the key attraction that Couz used to lure me up there), saw so many beautiful New England style houses and buildings, walked by several RiSD/Brown Uni campuses. I realised despite being winter, the colors were everywhere, each building tells a different story, and the streets are nice and narrow and walkable! I am not making sense here but yes, I loved it~



Did I mention it was also Couz's Bird Day? Her friends threw a very sweet surprise bday party for her. She made me swear not to tell them about the special day but they figured it out themselves. I really didn't!
We dropped by l'elizabeth cafe right across the street. I saw it earlier that day and thought it was an antique store, but no, it's better! It's a lounge filled with antique furniture and gives the ultimate cozy feeling(jot down idea in my cafe's planning notes). Then later I presented my handmade gift to her which I will elaborate in another future post(my socks! I had to show u guys the socks from my previous posts!).

Then finally I had to go fly back to work. Had a quickie at Bravo in downtown Providence(we sat right at that corner in the pic of their homepage). The Providence sun shone brightly to bid me goodbye. I had a horrible time at the airport as my flight was late-cancelled-transfered-to-another-airline-then-delayed-again-and-again till I turned slightly suicidal onflight. Irritated even more by the 2 chattiest young Americans dudes evar sitting right behind me(Note to self: paying $5 for earphones onflight could be worthwhile). The only good thing was that I packed a box of Chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons from Pastiche.

I am considering to move to the East Coast if given the opportunity. But I'm scared of cold.

But I'm not sure of the future at all.

But life is too short.

p.s. you can clikc on my flickr badge on the right to view the whole set of photos + a set from The Met.