Out with Rachel- January 2015

Finally went out with Rachel! Originally Christina, Rachel, and I had all planned to go out together, but getting three schedules to work together was too hard. Rachel and I picked Mandoo Bar in Koreatown because it was relatively easy from both our locations. Unfortunately we picked possibly the coldest windiest night ever.

Also, we failed to take pictures but here's some of the yummy food we ate: seafood pancakes, Mandoo sampler (pork, shrimp, and veggie dumplings), and beef Bibimbap. Yum!

The seafood pancake was the best.

 

The green veggie dumplings were the best of the dumplings.

We were going to get drinks at American Whiskey afterwards, but it was too cold so we gave up when we saw Harringtons. The Yelp reviews are pretty rough, but the bar was fine for our one drink each.

As Rachel and I toasted, "Here's to husbands who are sick of us, and encourage us to go out together!" Haha. Just kidding. Who could ever get sick of us?

Rachel's Birthday 2013

For Rachel's birthday we went to Pio Pio in Hell's Kitchen, a Peruvian place with a dish called the matador that we love. They bring you an entire chicken (or two?) salad, tostones, rice and beans, and this fries and sausage dish I don't really understand. We also order maduros and this potato cheese thing. And of course, sangria.

Rachel and Christina

Yummy! (I don't usualy take pictures of food- but this is ridiculous.)

The last time Rachel, Christina, and I went to Pio Pio was at the Upper West Side location in January of 2010. We still remember that night because when Rachel passed on the sangria, we instantly knew she was pregnant (with Eleanor)! Unfortunately, back then I didn't photograph and blog every single thing I did (lame). However, I also got lost that evening, leading Kevin to write this post about him being responsible for my whereabouts. (Also here's pregnant Rachel at my birthday two months later.)

Me and Jaime at Pio Pio

Afterwards we went to sing karaoke in private booth at Karaoke Duet 35. I've never been in a private karaoke booth before. It's a lot more fun because you don't have to embarrass yourself in front of strangers, wait for your turn to sing, and you can be as loud as you want. We had a really fun night out.

Jaime is probably singing Barry Manilow

Yay- group shot!

Afternoon with Akua 2013

Do to a failure of retrieving iPhone photos, I skipped over my fun little outing with Akua. We haven't seen each other in way-too-long, but the universe has organized it so that I've recently been seeing and reconnecting with some people from my old job. We met in the afternoon between lunchtime and dinnertime, but you don't think that would actually stop us from eating right? I'm a little (a lot) obsessed with Koreatown lately because it's the only decent place to eat near Penn Station where the train drops me off, and it's actually delicious. We went for a little walk beforehand so we totally burned the extra "afternoon tea" meal. (By the way, why haven't we adopted this from the British yet? Americans love extra meals!)

 

Me and Akua outside BCD Tofu House in Koreatown

So we ordered some Korean at BCD Tofu House, and some Korean rice wine, and caught up on our personal and work lives. We talked about vacationing, our ability and lack of ability to party, small businesses, jewelery, etc. Basically, it was like not a day had passed since our offices were next door to each other, and we shuttled back and forth. Next time, it won't be a million years until we see each other again. Oh and this is not advertising -- no one paid me, I just think this is fun-- Akua's friend makes jewelry and named a necklace after her. So here's what Akua looks like as a necklace.

The rain didn't stop us from walking everywhere

Sarah and Aaron Take Manhattan 2013

Sarah and Aaron spent their first wedding anniversary enjoying the sites and restaurants of New York City. They were here for the whole weekend, but I saw them on Monday, the actual day of their anniversary, exactly a year since I traveled to Charlotte for their wedding.

Sarah and Aaron- still cute a year later

With my buddy Sarah W.

We got Korean buffet for lunch at Woorijip in Koreatown. I'd recommend it if you're familiar with Korean food or if you're adventurous, since you get to have a little bit of lots of different things. We had good food and even better conversation. It was so great to see you both!

After enjoying some Korean food.