After touring the magical Chichen Itza ruins, we went swimming at the hotel. Their pool was cold but I had to swim in it, because who can say they went swimming in December? Me! We only stayed one night at our hotel since it was sold out, so we had to stay at another hotel across the street, which we didn't like that much since it was small, but was super cheap. Instead we went to Mayaland another hotel down the street for dinner, cards, and drinks. The next day we woke up early to drive to the Coba Ruins then our Tulum Airbnb. The drive to Coba was boring and long along route 180. You are surrounded by jungle on both sides and the radio only played Mexican songs. which we didn't know. So it took a while to pass the time and get there. Once we did, it was in the afternoon and packed with people. Upon researching Coba, I read you should rent bikes to get to the ruins, which only cost 50 pesos (~$2 USD). because it is a long walk, so we did. It was very hot and I could tell Matt didn't like the crowds or the heat, but we survived. The main temple is at the end of the bike path and is very steep. You could walk up it and there is a rope you can hold on to, but I said to myself "No Gracias". It looked dangerous and I read people have fallen there. The Coba Ruins also had a ball court like the one in Chichen Itza, but much smaller. It also had smaller temples and it is located in the jungle. After Coba, we finally got to Tulum. We stayed off a dirt road on the outskirts of downtown, which is fine with me because Central Tulum is packed with tourists, restaurants, shops, and speed bumps. That evening we went out to dinner and shared a Mexican Platter. We decided to wake up early to beat the crowds to see the Tulum Ruins, then go to the beach. Tulum was a trading center during the 11-16th century on a 39 foot cliff, looking out at the sea. I don't think there were any sacrifices going on here, it was too relaxed and calm. Matt and I walked around the cliff and looked out into the waters, wishing the beach was open to the public, but no dice. The waters looked so inviting and beautiful. Since our place wasn't on the beach, we decided to try to get a beach pass and pay for chairs and/or an umbrella to hang out in for the day. Our Airbnb host suggested Ziggy's beach. Though all the chairs were sold out, the hostess said we could use the beach for free and order food. It was so hot and I couldn't wait to get into that water! Ah, that beach was so nice and the water was warm and gentle. I loved it so much! After a long, hot day, the husband and I headed home. I definitely got some sun and tan lines. We took a shower and headed to Burrito Amor and ate delicious burritos with amazing sauces. I also put a dent in my book.
The next day was windy and we were granted beach passes to chairs and umbrellas at La Luna Cabanas. This place also allowed us to order food right on the beach! It was nice to be able to sit and watch the wind surfers try their luck. We spent the whole day there and took a walk during sunset along the beach.
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The husband and I decided to go to Mexico for vacation this year during my December break. I/we stayed there for a week and then Matt stayed by himself for another week for more rest and relaxation. We flew into Cancun and right away I noticed how verdant everything was. It took some time to get through immigration, customs, picking up our car, and getting pesos. Then we drove 2 long hours, west on route 180 to Chichen Itza and finally reached our hotel: Hacienda Chichen, which had back yard access to the Chichen Itza ruins. We made it through the interesting village of Piste and arrived at 8 pm at our hotel. Matt and I reserved our tickets to the ruins and a guide at 6 am for the next morning. It was a long, stressful travel day! The day before we woke at at 5:30 am to travel to Mexico, and day 2 we also woke up at the same time to see the ruins. We didn't want any people invading our photos and wanted a quiet experience. The sun was slowly coming up and the ruins were coming into the light. Since we were coming from another entrance, we saw this first. It is called the Nunnery or Iglesia (Church). The façades are decorated with geometric patterns and animals that we learned about. The Mayans worshipped snakes, eagles, and jaguars. Below is called the Temple de los Tableros. Our guide was nice, funny, and knowledgable regarding the site, giving us a lot of information. We proceeded to the Caracol, thought to be an observatory, where priests determined the date. The next thing we saw was called Tomb of the High Priest or Tumba del Gran Sacerdote. This pyramid had tombs inside. Finally as the sun and clouds were in the sky, we reached El Castillo or Pyramid of Kukulkán. I learned there are 365 steps, 9 platforms, and is 98 feet high, The Mayans were into astronomical and astrological ideas and incorporated this into the pyramid. They also worshipped snakes, eagles, and jaguars. Apparently during the equinoxes, the sun will hit the 9 square terraces forming a snake like body shadow running down the pyramid with a carved head of a serpent at the bottom of the temple. I couldn't believe it until I took a picture from the side. This was such a magical experience for me since I always wanted to go to Mexico and visit the ruins. The husband made all my dreams come true! I also found out there are 2 smaller pyramids inside El Castillo and a cenote. Our guide said this is symbolic to the Mayan religion of people's souls entering down towards the underworld. She also said if you clap (which she did) between El Castillo and the Temple of Venus (which I did not take a picture of) you can hear a chirping duck/bird sound! Next up was the Temple of the Warriors, where the statue Chacmool sits at the top. I learned that Chacmool is a statue where human sacrifice were performed. It is like a table or sacrificial vessel where it receives gifts of food like tamales or blood and human hearts. We couldn't climb us to see the Chacmool statue on top of the temple (you can see the silhouette in my photo), but our guide showed us a close up picture of it. Another statue of Chacmool was found inside the El Castillo pyramid, along with jade and a statue of a jaguar. Adjoining the Temple of the Warriors, is the Hall of a Thousand Columns. The columns also go around the back of the temple. We continued on to the House of the Eagles. Here our guide explained the carvings: a chief/warrior wearing a headdress, holding a head and heart of his sacrifice and the blood returning to the top and the bottom of a snake. Right next to the House of the Eagles is the Wall of the Skulls. Apparently, this is a base for the stakes on which the decapitated heads of were impaled. This platform was used to memorialize past victims, heads of sacrificial prisoners, enemies that had died in battle or players who lost the Mayan ball game. Speaking of the ball game, we entered the Great Ball Court and it was huge! Plus no people were in our photos! 545 feet in length, 225 feet in width, and 39 feet high walls with rings in the center, I wondered how the Mayans played ball here. The players were not allowed to use their hands or feet to get the rubber ball into the stone rings. The losers got decapitated as shown on the panels on the sides of the walls. What a gruesome game, but Matt and I are still smiling nevertheless. The Temple of the Bearded Man is behind us in the picture below. The Temple of the Jaguars is built on one of the walls of the Great Ball Court and unfortunately that was the last temple we saw because we had to leave at 8 am, before the crowds arrived. But I think we saw everything, except the sacred cenote. That was closed and that is where the sacrificial victims were thrown in!
I celebrated my birthday last night at the Brooklyn Safe House with friends and of course the husband. I had a long day at work, which needed to be over due to me being frustrated with one of my experiments. Then I went to bang out my frustration on the drums before heading over to the bar. I was pleasantly surprised to see Heather and Monica there early sitting at the bar. I love being early and punctual people! Then Walter came and we played pool. Later Sam and David came over, played pool and delivered some incredible shots! Sam bought me several gifts as well as other people! Sam knows me so well. Those matcha Kit Kats were my favorite! Walter got me chocolate and a card where when you open it, the card plays the Peanuts theme tune! Allison also got me chocolate and I went around the bar passing them out. I can't eat all that chocolate! Irena got me cat hoop earrings and her boyfriend's daughter made me a card! Fiodora also got me a little deer/bull/impala/great kudu which we named China. Rachel got me a solar panel ant which we name Sunny. Ken got me flowers and I meet his girlfriend, Faith. I found out she likes comics just like me! Hopefully we can go to CAB next year together. Last but not least, JM got me stickers. It is the 2-headed cat logo that we are using for our band! I can't wait to play out in 2020! It was a wonderful night being surrounded by friends. Earlier in the week on my actual birthday, the husband and I went to Maialino; it is the restaurant where we discussed marriage 7 years ago. He also bought me a book and jewelry from Quimby's. My birthday is really the only day I feel special throughout the year and this year didn't disappoint.
As part of the North Brooklyn Community Boat House, we are continuing on with the Bio/Art classes and this month we learned about salt marshes and tides. We also did a flip book and made it into a Gif! It is my first one and it was super fun. The group had a good time talking, drawing, and sharing our flip books. I can't wait for the next class! Below is my flip book that entails the tide coming in and a fish leaping out of the water.
After being betrayed by Creek and Kills, I joined a new band called Twiice with two i's and our logo is a two-headed cat. We are also working on a cover by Queens of the Stone Age: Little Sister that uses a jam block! Stay tuned,
On Friday night (9-20-2019) our band had its record and release show at Way Station in Brooklyn. Fisty, The Shook Ones, and The Lousekateers played with us! We also showed our new video and had backup singers, which included my dear friend, Victoria! The sound guy was also very helpful, and a lot of my peeps showed up including Finora, John, Sam, Aaron, Isabelle, Dan, Ken, Lucas, and of course the Husband. Thanks for hanging tough until the end. We played last at 11 pm. Our friends Patrick Bryant, Ian, and Heidi sent me photos of the show. Thanks so much guys! Here's a link to Ian's page here. Special thanks goes to Max, Manny and Amy for our record and video. We also had a dinner at Marc's house in their honor. Below is our video from Ian called Valhalla. Just got back from our vacation to Mackinac Island! We took 2 planes, a shuttle, a ferry then walked to get there. We stayed at Haans 1830 Inn on Huron Street which is an 8 minute walk from the ferry docks. I never been to the island, and we were there for the husband's family reunion. There are no cars allowed on the island and everyone bikes or takes a horse drawn carriage to get around. I felt very safe here for some reason. It felt like I was placed back in time where life was a bit more simple. Though I did still lock our hotel room every single time we left. The reunion offered a week full of activities and Matt and I went to some of them. We had dinner every night with the 150 or so family members, which all were very nice. But mostly we biked and walked around the island by ourselves. I didn't take a lot of photos nor bring my phone with me because I wanted to be in the moment and experience all that the island offered. But now I kinda of regret it. When we biked around the island, I noticed the water was so clear and beautiful. I wish I had my camera to capture it. In addition to biking we also went swimming in cold Lake Huron 3 times. Matt told me the waters around the island was cold, so he bought me a wet suit. He is the best! Though I didn't wear it, I did go swimming and really embraced the cold water. Lakes are beginning to grow on me. There is no sand, no waves and no creatures that can harm/kill you like the beach can! Since we walked around a lot, I noticed Mackinac has really nice flowers all around the inns, bnbs and hotels. This is a Allium flower and reminded me of a bigger version of a dandelion. I hope to return to Mackinac Island again since it was so nice and relaxing, though I wish it was warmer. Next time I want to stay at Mission Point Resort. Matt and I swam there, played cards, drank/ate there and walked around their huge lawn so I know it is going to be amazing if we slept there as well.
I am part of the North Brooklyn Boat House where I go canoeing and kayaking around North Brooklyn. The club also offers educational classes such as using a Marine Radio, Trip Planning, Nautical Knot Tying and knitting all run by the multi-talented kayak trip leader Monica. I attended all these classes and more! We also have a book club where I was talking to Monica about science. Monica was thinking about incorporating a short science lecture then art class related to the topic. She was going to give a class about Plankton and I said I was very interested in helping her. Monica also suggested we try other topics that center around Newton Creek and the NY harbor where we canoe and kayak. She said you should give a lecture on Sea Squirts and that is what I did! It was so much fun. I gave the lecture which was short and broad, then we went to the dock where we sketched sea squirts led by Monica (since she is also an illustrator!). Below are some of my slides. We sketched the sea squirts during the sunset on a dock. It was kinda magical.
This month we played on top of building for our music video! It was a hot 92F day and I was wearing all black. What was I thinking? You can see the Empire State Building in the background along with some of the NYC skyline. We played our song Scaith about a fearsome warrior queen from the Isle of Skye. We had to take breaks due to it being a hot day and I didn't want to get sunburned. Photos by Patrick Bryant.
I need more art in my life! I discovered Leonora Carrington a while back, but didn't really blog about her. She was a surrealist painter who lived most of her life in Mexico City during 1940s until her death. Leonora wrote a book called Down Below. She illustrates all that was done to her-ruthless institutional therapies, sexual assault, hallucinatory drugs, and unsanitary conditions while in an asylum.
Last week my sister and niece came up from Baltimore to see me. They stayed at an Airbnb a mile away and it was fun! First day we took a walk around my neighborhood, had bubble tea then went into the city to buy some anime stuff. We went to the Kinokuniya bookstore then K-town for beauty products and dinner. The next day we went to Chinatown to visit the Elizabeth Street mini mall where Sophie purchased more beauty items. We ate Chinese food at Canton Lounge on Mott Street which was surprisingly good! You never know with Chinese food. After eating and sharing dumplings and rice we walked over to P!Q (pronounced pick). I always wanted to go there but haven't had a chance until now. There are 5 locations and we went to the SOHO store on Broadway. I wanted to go to the at the Hudson Location on 4/12, for this skeleton race show, but I was busy. Then we went to Bookoff on 45th Street and 6th Ave. I haven't been to Bookoff in so long. It's been so long that it moved and expanded to not just selling anime books, but musical instruments, CDs, games and DVDs. It was a tad overwhelming due to the size, but I am glad there is a used bookstore in NYC that sells this stuff. For dinner we met the husband and went to eat Italian food in Williamsburg. What a long day! On our last day we went to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden to see the cherry blossoms trees. It was a cloudy day, and we hoped it wouldn't rain. Not all of the trees were in blossom, but there were enough that people took photos and selfies. Below are flowers from a Magnolia Tree. I have been to the BBG several times, and they have an indoor Tropical Pavilion that I always go in to. I love the Monstera leaves and huge elephant ears which are all the rage on Instagram. We walked over to the Cherry Esplanade where all the Cherry Blossoms were. Here is where all the activities are during the Cherry Blossom Festival. I went to the festival when I first moved to NYC, about 16 years ago! It was a great time. Who wouldn't have a blast with Taiko Drumming, Japanese food, anime cosplayers, and beautiful Cherry Blossom trees? After walking and exploring the garden, I suggested walking to this store called The Peculiar Planet. While I was researching Kawaii things to buy around NYC, Google suggested this store. Since the sun came out, we walked up Washington Avenue to the store. My favorite items were the cross stitch wooden loops with funny expressions on them. We walked up Washington Avenue towards the G train and I noticed that there were so many brownstones in this neighborhood-Clinton Hill. They were so beautiful and upon researching Clinton Hill, there is a street where there are a lot of 1880s mansions. I didn't walk up this street but I have to next time I am in the pretty neighborhood. Brownstoner.com has a walking tour of all the mansions. Check it out here. Below is 280 Washington Ave also name the Pfizer Mansion! It is both townhouses put together and apparently you can stay there as a guest on Airbnb.
Today I went to see The Vessel with Sam and Jenny. We didn't get tickets to climb aboard but we had a good time catching up and walking around the Hudson Yards. The Shed (right next door) will open up soon and Bjork is playing there, but it is sold out! Boo!
Every year I go to the Westminster Kennel Dog Show with my maid of honor, Olivia! Well we try to go every year. I skipped 2017 because of school, but for the last 4 years or so, we trek in the cold and snow to midtown Manhattan and watch the dog run around with their trainers! Here are my favorite dogs. From the Herding group, Corgis! Ever since I watched Cowboy Bebop and saw Ein the Welsh Corgi in action, I have had an infinity for these little guys! From the Toy Group, Pomeranians are so cute and little. Of course I want to play with them all day and dress them up. From the Working Group: Akitas! The famous deaf, blind author and political activist, Helen Keller, is credited with bringing the first Akita into the United States in 1937. She was said to have been inspired by the legendary Hachiko, the loyal dog who became world famous for waiting nine years at a train station in hopes his dead owner would return. Keller found the dogs to be “gentle, companionable, and trusty.” From this link Lastly, from the Non-Sporting Group, the Chow Chow. I love that name! Originally from China, it has a blue tongue!
My band and my husband's band played El Cortez today. I love playing with A Devil's Broadcast! They are such superlative musicians, and I always get so excited watching them play. I made a flyer and the husband took pictures! There was also a point where the fog machine on stage would not stop working! The stage was so full of fog, that we couldn't see my husband's band! It was so funny.
This year for my birthday my friend Irena and I went to the Whitney Museum to see the new Andy Warhol exhibit. Lucas, who works there let us in for free and it was 4 floors of Andy Warhol! Below are my favorite paintings.
Walking around my neighborhood is fun when it comes to Halloween, which is my favorite time of the year! I like watching horror movies, learning more about spirits and looking at the outdoor decorations when it comes to October 31st, I volunteer as Events Lead at the North Brooklyn Community Boat House. We always throw a haunted canoe ride on the superfund site, Newton Creek every October 31st. I am charged with land responsibilities like managing the volunteers, cleaning up and making sure we don't run out of ice, food and drinks (but we did run out of veggie burgers!). I decided to recycle my comfortable skeleton outfit this year, since I would be running around the boat yard making sure everything was running smoothly. Noah another awesome volunteer wore this super cool outfit and brought his own light source, which just added to the mysterious allure. Below is a picture of all the paddlers, musicians, performers and of course the husband about to go on the creek.
My band recorded this month with Max from These Outer Spaces! In preparation for recording, Kate and I practiced with the metronome for 3 Saturdays in a row and it totally paid off. I also felt more confident, but man using the met is stressful! I also did vocal tracks on 2 songs, and of course, used the cowbell in 3 different songs! Below are some photos from our session at Max's studio, which is pretty cool.
Since I started a new job, I haven't been able to go away on vacation that much this year. So far we only went to the beach at Jacob Riis once, Tarrytown, Otis, and Wallkill. NOT ENOUGH! Must go away more next year!
Since we have a backyard now, I became a plant mom this year! There are so many exotic domestic plants now a days, especially on Instagram, where you can discover trendy plants. You can even buy some on cheap and evil Amazon, which I did! Anyway here is the Fittonia, which has pink veins! This is the pink polka dot plant, or Hypoestes Phyllostachya which I got from a cool, new plant store in the neighborhood. Tend's owner is really nice. This is a Fiscus Ruby where I found from a corner bodega store a block from my work. This deva of a plant is a Begonia. Like the pink polka dot plant, it has polka dots. The underneath is a pink-reddish hue color. It is also called angel wings. The watermelon plant. So damn cute! Alocasia polly plant's veins are insane! We also have a snake plant, a rubber plant, a Croton Gold Dust plant and a spider plant. Lastly, we have spearmint, basil, lavender and curry growing outside!
Pictures by Allison Cohn. Ah, 4th of July! Heat, crowds, grilled foods, roof top parties, and fireworks. You expect them, all especially in NYC. But this year, I decided to do something different and canoe and watch the fireworks from where the mouth of Newton Creek meets the East River, right across where the Macy's barge! I volunteer as Events Lead at the North Brooklyn Boat Club where we provide free public paddles, and educate the community about our waterways. We also include fundraisers and canoe/kayak trips. I emailed a couple of trip leaders and asked if I could go on a canoe to watch the fireworks, and they said yes! It was so amazing and magical.
Matt and I were running late, so we were the last people to launch from the dock, but as we did, the fireworks started! It was so cool to canoe to the fireworks with our buddy, Lisa on the stern. We caught up to our boat club friends that were already there and watched them with a smile from ear to ear. We could feel the vibrations from the explosions in our bodies and hear their deafening sound, but it was worth it! I can't wait to do it again next year! It was one of those only in NYC moments that I want to collect. Sam and I went to the Mermaid Parade down in Coney Island and it was a blast! It was very hot and crowded, but worth it! I tried to get my boat club members to form a group and march in the parade, but everyone wasn't responsive. I'll try again next year! This woman brought her chicken to the parade! My favorite instrument: The Drums! Plus they are all women! Where can I join that club? One of my favorites- the woman in the back is walking her pet octopus!
After 6 months of looking for a UX job, and only having 6 months of rent saved up, I had to go back to my science career. It was a disappointing journey since I spent a lot of money on GA's boot camp school and couldn't land a job. Everyone wants at least 5 years experience, and I only have 3 months from an internship. It is very competitive here in NYC, and most employers want a Master's Degree in HCI (Human Computer Interaction or equivalent). The thing that bugs me the most is that employers don't even have a design team, yet they want an experienced UX designer. What a bunch of crap! Take a chance on someone that is willing to learn, grow and bring value to your company! I am a little bitter but I did meet some new people and learned brand new skills. Here's an article that also pissed me off, but I guess that is true: https://medium.com/@danmaccarone/the-ux-of-learning-ux-is-broken-f972b27d3273 But now I am working at Mt. Sinai doing research on designing monoclonal antibodies. I will continue on trying to save the world instead of helping design it. Really loved this website: http://playdoh-lagaleriedesespeces.com/en/
It is called the Gallery of Emerging Species, all playdoh creatures! Below are my favorite species! We moved and have a backyard now. The owner is cutting down the tree and we get to have a sunny place to relax, though it took him forever to remove the branches! I moved them to the perimeter of the yard, so at least we could look at the ground. Matt also helped the cable guy drill from the basement so we could have a wireless connection. Check out how long that drill is!
We are moving! Well only 5 blocks down the street, but it has a backyard! I am excited because after living in NYC for 14 years, I finally have a backyard where I can go to and relax and enjoy the outdoors. We are going to buy a fire pit, grill, string lights, and patio furniture. I am also thinking about Cornhole and Laddergolf as outdoor games.
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My short blog topics include: photography, music, science, crafts, vacation photos, movies, events in NYC, and of course stop motion animation.
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