dwayne blogged

I finally got a new digital camera, which means pictures here will improve! Yay! I must say I’m loving this cam! It’s got so many features for different types of pictures. It even has an auto-smile so you don’t have to stress when taking pictures of kids for example. The camera clicks away the second the child smiles. My first experiment for the camera was in the kitchen where I was also doing a different experiment. Food! I’ve since been playing around with food. My first dish was a beef pasta in a red wine tomato base. Success!

Next, I tried cooking Vietnamese Pho. It didn’t quite have the same flavour because I didn’t know where to get stock in the US, so I improvised and it turned out edible.. heh. Then came chicken rice which was quite yummy. I set the camera to food mode and it worked out perfectly too. Now that I’m back in Singapore, maybe I’ll head out and take pictures of the city next.

Do you remember the Tom Hanks movie, "Big" and the giant piano kids were jumping on? I had always known the store that housed this piano was in New York but had thought it no longer existed for some reason, until I discovered the truth! FAO Schwartz is situated at the southeast corner of Central Park next to the Apple (MAC) store. I didn’t think it would be very different from most toy stores I’ve been to but I was surprised.

It was quite unique. The first thing I noticed besides the famous piano was the Harry Potter corner. It had collector items like wands, robes, wizard hats and Hogwarts ties. Even the cashier was dressed like a wizard! The Harry Potter craze spilled into the Lego corner too with life sized characters on display. Years ago,  I remember Esso used to give away little smurfs with each time you "pump petrol" (top up the gas) at the station. I saw all of them on a shelf in the store! I didn’t know they still existed!

There was a whole section of different Monopolys - Star Wars, The Simpsons, Disney, you name it. I was intrigued by the detail put into the figures at the doll section. Jack Sparrow really did look like Johnny Depp and so did the ones from "The Golden Compass". I didn’t end up buying anything (and I didn’t have to) but still enjoyed a good two entertaining hours at the store. This place is a definite stopover if you are ever in NYC.

I have to admit that my blog titles are getting boring. But that’s what happens when you start labelling them in parts… you can’t really change the title. The places I’ve been to are different though. I spent some of Easter on 5th Avenue. It was great because they closed it off just for pedestrians. And it was a lovely sunny day too, which makes me wonder why there was that bird under the walkway shelter that pooped on me. The Chinese believe that it’s good luck, but I figured I should still get rid of it, so I washed out my jacket at the water fountain at the Disney store. Okay gross, but the restrooms were being cleaned. What was I to do? I also visited the Shake Shack which a friend told me had really good burgers. And they did! But I forgot to try a shake, missing the point altogether.

Chinatown in Flushing, Queens was a dream! It looked nothing like the one in Manhattan. It really felt like I was in Taiwan, Hong Kong or China, not that I’ve been to those places, but it didn’t feel like America. My friend took me to a hot pot place (also known as steamboat in Singapore). I went back again because I was in love with the food and place. And the lady working there gave me free drinks, and I noticed only to my party. I think she thought I was hot if I dare say. Why else? Fine, okay, maybe she thought I was really nice to her.

I also went to Trader Joe’s a couple of times. I love the Orange Peach Mango juice there. They just don’t make juice like that for that price in Singapore. I spent some time with my friend who was lobbying for a free Tibet. She would be really happy if you signed this petition. And that wraps the trilogy on New York City adventures. I plan to blog a special about the toy store I visited, so that’s something to look out for. Most importantly, thank you for visiting NYC with me.