Big Apple Circus, NYC
Filed Under Family, Friend, NYC | Leave a Comment
Entering Big Apple Circus! Lincoln Center, NYC
Thank you Beppe and Dani for an awesome fun Christmas gift for us! Gael was already over the moon for the last 10 days to get to go see Big Apple Circus and I was secretly excite of course! Saturday 7:00pm, we had marked a big circle on our calendar and we were ready to rock and roll!
The big one we got!
Slowly but surely filling in ( because they are all in the line to get pop corns!) and getting one step closer.
Much inspired by Tim Burton, the circus is a big hit for all the kids. They were going nuts!
These awesome group of Asian Oompa-Loompa (just me calling them) were the one of my favortie. They are funny, fun, greatly flexible and entertaining!
Great outfits, aren’t they?
This is a taxi driver, Andre’ sitting on a imagination chair.
My Oompa-Loompa are back with the second outfit and more elaborate acrobatic!
This guy has the fastest hands in the world. 2 visible and 5 invisible.
Porcupine.
Pig.
OK, What’s this guy’s name?
It’s like Tim Burton for Comme des Garcons.
Always a highlight of any circus, Trapeze! Gael had taken a Trapeze class once, so he really related to this. Fun Fun Fun!
Finale!
Of course, clowns and much more are there and you should be there to see it all! Laugh and have fun with your kids, nieces and nephews. It’s a big fun time! Dani and Beppe, “Thank you again for a wonderful wonderful gift! Gael loved it!!!” and personally, I had a good kick out of groovy outfits of Big Apple circus!
It was a starry night in Big Apple.
LOvE NYC!
Santa Maria Di Leuca, Puglia :The final Point of Italy
Filed Under Culture, Family, Friend, Italy, Travel | Leave a Comment
The typical coast line of South of Puglia. Here we are at Santa Maria di Leuca, the lowest point of the geographical “Heel” of Italian Peninsula.
About 3 hours of car ride down south from Beppe’s home, Bitonto, We are here at Santa Maria di Leuca, the very final point of Italy, the very tip of the heel of Italy and also the meeting point of the waters from Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. Is that why the reason the water looks particularly gorgeous here? Or is that just Italy is the land that much blessed with rich soil and sun, and enviously beautiful ocean and the ocean life… Anyway you will see this most gorgeous view of Ionic ocean from literally any point of the town of Santa Maria di Leuca and along the coast of the Southern Puglia.
Here I like to show you the map of Puglia so you have a good idea where we are traveling through this time!
The green dots show where we are starting and where we will end at through this trip. Bari is the main airport we had landed also because of our friend Beppe’s Home, Bitonto is literally 10 minutes away from there and Beppe and Dani are on this trip with us for the first 3 days. 2 years ago we had already traveled through “Brindisi” area such as Alberobello, Ostuni and all as you can see in this map. So if you go on a main highway from Bari, it would take about 3 hour car ride to get to the very final tip of Italy, Santa Maria de Leuca! We are now based here for 5 nights and 6 days to travel through by running, swimming, boating and dinning at near areas and planning to drive through and do town hopping and snapping pics of the most gorgeous coast line of Puglia.
Let’s start with the town of Leuca! No this is not where we stayed at but this was one our favorite typical Italian home in the town. The warm yellow wash and perfectly placed 2 palms and the most beautiful garden just melted our hearts. Apart from Olives, Cypress and Pines are maybe the 2 best known trees when it gets to Tuscan area but down here in south, you will see more of Palms and all different kinds of palms. And exotic Fig trees and tons of Oleanders, ” The” flower tree you may call Italy’s National flower trees through out the country. That’s Gael on the front!
Rundown but gorgeous. As Leuca actually means ” White” in old Greek language, you can see white washed homes dominate the town.
I realize any hot weathered places share one thing in common. Simple lines in Architecture. Despite of strong presence of Baroque style down in many parts of south of Italy such as Lecce and Sicily, you can see majority of homes of public are built in simple lines as in Yucatan Mexico or Greek.
A small beach front right in the heart of the town of Leuca. Whenever passing by the beach in the morning, I felt like I was in one scene of old Italian Movie. Sofia Lauren running into Marcello Mastroianni! Also Bit San Tropez..? Did we swim here? Naaa, wait for something better. Much much better!
More palms in town.
Now we are in the car hunting the perfect spot to swim and spend all day in the ocean. 5 minute ride from our base in Leuca, we find a nice big parking lot in front of this cute Trattoria. Also great for after swim Apperitivo!
Approaching the tip of coast line. Dying to know what’s ahead of us!
What else do you really need?!!!!
Need a throw down with Caribbean ocean!
With our Casarosa’s adventurous spirit, No rocky cliff is hardly any obstacle for us! Gael well trained by Emi in Livorno, we are just 2 seconds away from climbing down and jumping into to this sweet gorgeous ocean!
Yeap! That’s my 8 year old son Gael from NYC! I mean who would think he’s from the middle of the crazy city? Gael fits right in with tough locals!
In the water with Dad. Gael earned a nick name during this summer: Il Lupo di Mare. The Wolf of Ocean!
From left, Beppe, Gael, Emi and the far right, Dani. Did I swim too? Of course!!
Now the 4 boys from Rome.
They are showing us off Sea urchins they collected. They said they would it raw with a piece of bread.
We loved it all. We loved it so much, the next day, we had rented out a small boat for 7! Now Gigi, Beppe’s brother and Vivianan, Gigi’s girl friend had joined us for today’s adventure! Captain Emi launching the boat!
Yeah!!!!
Gigi and happy Gael!
Approaching one of million caves along the coast!
It reminds me of Cenotes in Tulum!
Viviana and me.
Sail, stop, swim, lunch, prosecco and sail, stop, swim , snack, prosecco. Now repeat !
Beppe and Dani. What a hard life we live..!
The Light House of Santa Maria di Leuca. The second most important light house of the entire Italy after the one in Genova.
Going home…
Special thanks to Captain Emi, the man capable of so many things in every way. I love you so much Emi! And Gael, my brave proud son who keeps up with anything and everything that is ahead of us. And dear friends carrying on amazing friendship that is becoming family-ship now… I love you all and thanks for the one of the most beautiful day of life…!
LOvE Puglia!!!
Again, Puglia!!
Filed Under Architecture, Culture, Family, Food, Friend, Italy, Restaurant, Street, Travel | Leave a Comment
Giovinazzo by night. A view from a locale, Ecclesia.
Now it has been already 2 years since Emi and I had visited beautiful Puglia. First encounter with Mamma Lucia and her gorgeous Bocconotti, Love at first sight in Poligano, Endless night wonder at Giovinazzo, pretty white city Ostuni, exotic distinctive Puglia’s architecture : Trulli at Albero Bello… So much beauties in so little time then, it definitely made us want to come back to Puglia to see more. And here we are back to explore down further south through Lecce and on. Stay tuned for “The next Toscana of Italy”, Puglia!
Sweet moment. Truly it is an “Open” bar with a view of the port behind. After a day of long lunch with Beppe’s family, running in the park and the gorgeous dinner filled with plenty of fresh Riccotta di Bufala at the piazza of Giovinazzo, here we are stopping by for some cocktails and friends. The bar is located on the tip of fort at historical town and it’s elevated location gives you plenty of cool sea breeze and amazing view to the town.
Beppe and Emi
Dani and me
The time goes by, it get’s more lively. The music is going and people are dancing. Kids are running around and everything is just cool.
There are enough of sitting and lounging area and you can also have some food here as well. Gael fell asleep on a chair…
Gaetano. He’s a friend of Beppe and the owner of this cool bar, Eclessia.
Walking the night away. The breeze tingles you around.. It’s so perfect!
The lively piazza of Giovinazzo. It’s almost like a Christmas here! There are many little festivals throughout many cities and towns of Italy this time around. Notte Bianca, Sagre… Tonight, there was a parade of people in historical costumes through the town of Giovinazzo.
Streets are blocked from the cars and literally everyone is out and about!
Made through a big crowd and waiting for a dinner!
Spec and Ricotta salata. Wait for the next one!
Fresh Riccota of Bufala. ( Buffalo in English) This melts in your mouth. Sssso light! So milky! So smooth but not dense. Airy, fresh and just delicious!
Gael loves anchovy and olives. So Italian he is. Cheese~!
Nite Nite….!
Un Piccolo Amore: Cherry Grove, Fire Island, NY
Filed Under Book, For the Weekend, Friend, NYC, Travel | 1 Comment
Sunset at Cherry Grove, Fire Island, NY
What a lovely lovely day! I decided to go to Fire Island by myself and just took off on early Sunday morning as Emi and Gael are still in Italy. Walking down to LIRR Atlantic Avenue station, I found myself humming to silky breeze and gorgeous morning sun. I felt good about getting out of home on a early Sunday morning. I felt a couple butterflies flying in my stomach from slight excitement about my little adventure ahead! A small deli in front of the train station tells me to grab frozen water bottles instead. He knew I was going to go to beach. Smart! These 2 bottles will surely get me through the hot day on the beach. Thank you!
2 water bottles, a book, a small bag of cashew and almond, 2 peaches. And most of all, my happy spirit for a day full of adventure! Come follow me!
LIRR at Atlantic Avenue. Get $31.00 full package pass for a round trip train ride, taxi and ferry ride. Simple.
My reading for the day. ” Please Look After Mom” by Kyung Sook Shin. There’s an English edition too. About to get on a train!
I’ll say the highlight of the whole trip is actually the ferry ride. This 20 minute ferry ride always makes going to Fire Island that much more special. It makes you feel like you are going somewhere far far away from the city! Don’t forget to apply sunscreen!
It’s absolutely a perfect day! Crisp breeze and beautiful sun. It feels amazing on a ferry!
Arriving!
There are lots of restaurants by the port. Actually port is called ” town” as this is where all the shops and amenities are. It’s a small and friendly community.
Getting into the town. Entire island is connected with famous board walk passage. It’s really cute!
Lovely board walk is blessed by never ending beach shacks. Wish I had one…!
Dear crossing! They are super calm in Cherry Grove. Just don’t touch them. You know why!
Hello my Dear!
More shacks…
It feels amazing walking and poking around!
Can’t help myself with these cutest board walks. And all those trees.. Awwwwoooooo!!!
Totally bumping into old friends here in Cherry Grove!!!! Simone and Alison were staying at one of these cute shacks literally 30 seconds away from the beach! Charlie, her baby next to me! We are totally hanging out here today! Fabrizio and wife Anna are here too! What a small world!
Super calm and clean beautiful water! There’s no one around. It’s great!
I swam and swam and took a nap, chatted, lovely lunch back at Simone’s, swam again and… Repeat!
Washing off sand first before a quick lunch!
Emi and Gael, I so wish you were here with me! We will come back together!
To know how to get to Fire Island,
Click here.
Enjoy!
Ana’s gorgeous Raw Creation, Dates and Raisin Pecan pie with Edible flowers! So smart! So delicious! And So Raw!
It was So So So nice to have spent some descent time with Keith and Ana again! It has been so long since the last time we hung out together, which I honestly don’t even remember when exactly that was. A year? or More? The fact that Keith and Ana getting on this raw food journey they have chose for a more than a year now actually somehow distanced us physically a bit because we used to meet up and have quite a cook offs together. Ana will chop, Keith will peel and Emi will stir and simmer. For hours and many nights. I’ll say the food-ing definitely bonded us. Apart from many interests we have in common or not in common as we all are quite eccentric if you would call it. Art and Design for sure and crush on certain crazy artists and musicians we share. Nothing wrong about eating cooked food but as Ana was sort of suffering a bit with indigestion and maybe even some allergies as many of us do. Like wheat, dairy and so on.
Keith and Ana were always healthy eaters, but complete change to Eating only raw food sounded quite extreme to me I have to say. I mean what would it be like? Would it be boring? Do you only eat leaves and carrots? Will you be hungry sometimes? How are you going to eat beans? They usually come dry. You know what I mean? I had asked myself many times what it would be really like even though I am completely ” IN” for the idea just imagining how raw food will sort of clean your system and my quite “well bred common food knowledge” as an Korean especially grown up with my family like grandma, aunt and my mom who all are absolute sort of food freaks making everything from scratch in such healthy way. I mean I had already mastered what specific colors of food group really means to your body by when I was like 8 years old. It was so common my mom and aunt will call out what is what and how you should prepare them not to waste any nutrition. Then there was the master of masters, my grandma making everything at home from Tofu to facial moisturizer.
Thursday dinner with Keith And Ana had answered me great deal of my curiosity about eating raw food. It opened my eyes bit about creating your own food culture in very healthy ways and I also realized it would ask quite a bit of creativity and food brain. And surely being open minded.
Flax seed and Zucchini flat bread. Keith and Ana use great deal of food dehydrator and processor to create certain textures and consistencies. This bread was prepared by using a dehydrator. My verdict? It has great bite to it and has really nice nutty flavor. I am a nut lover, so anything nutty, I love!
Ana prepping a starter. Avocado mousse with dried porcini mushroom. It’s packed with flavor and supper fluffy. It melts in your mouth! A kick from Cayenne pepper is really nice too.
Drizzle of olive oil and fresh black pepper at serving. This was quite filling I didn’t t finish it up.
Cherry tomato and Zucchini salad.
Anna called it rice. It’s actually finely chopped parsnip and pine nuts and seasoning. This got that rice like texture. It’s satisfying like you are having cooked carbohydrate like potato or rice. It has quite intense flavor. I don’t know why I always thought raw food would not have same level of flavor as cooked food. I was totally wrong about it. Raw food actually tends to have more flavor as you are eating the ingredient raw as it is. There’s no hiding. That straight up flavor is quite impressive.
Simple tomato salsa. Nice one!
So we are building sort of Open sandwich like. Bread, then spread ” Cashew nut spread :blend the Cashew with bit of water, salt, olive oil, onion or what ever other flavor you would like to add, this comes out super creamy and naturally bit sweet, You know my mom has been making this instead of using Mayo!! Then add Cherry tomato and Zucchini salad on top. And Ana had also other couple toppings like chopped olives and simple bell peppers. You build however you like. This open sandwich is SO DELICIOUS! Every ingredients come through nicely with it’s own honest flavor. It’s super refreshing. It’s clean and delicious!
No Not red wine. Keith and Ana stopped drinking when they started Raw food. This is hibiscus flower tee. Earthy and strong. It’s quite great.
We chatted and chatted. It’s great time we were having! And Ana totally surprises me pulling this fabulous raw number for dessert! Isn’t it so gorgeous?!!!
For a second, it feels like autumn has arrived! The earthy and rich colors of edible flowers… Everything feels so smart tonight!
It’s not over yet! Ana also makes Banana ice cream to accompany her gorgeous pie. Nope. No dairy in here! So clever how she makes this. Freeze couple Bananas and throw them in a food processor with bit of water added. That’s all you need to do. I guess you can add Vanilla, or even other fruits a bit in there? The secret is the banana itself. When it gets all meshed up, it got that perfect smooth ice cream texture. Delicious!
Ana mentioned there are good amount of beautiful raw dessert recipes out there. Ana, I forget the name of the book you showed me…!
Ana cutting it and Keith serving it!
And Yes, that was So mine! Delicious!!!
First, I like to thank you two, Ana and Keith for the wonderful food you made for me and for our friendship! I had a great time with you guys! And also I don’t know why we haven’t got together more in the past year. We can always meet for galleries or films, or over a simple cup of green tea. And I am totally going to make you guys some raw dishes I like to try! At the end, we have quite of raw food we eat daily or drink. Don’t we? Any pickles or any salad, the fruit juice… Wraps, fresh corn on the cob as I like to eat them raw many times. We got some basic going on so I like to try some innovative dishes for us next time! Thank you for teaching me to utilize all the great food sources out there! Raw is exciting!
Stay tuned! xx
Ultimate Summer Party: MoMA PS1, NYC!
Filed Under Architecture, Art, Culture, Dance, Design, Events, Family, Fashion, Film, For the Weekend, Friend, Music, NYC, Queens | 1 Comment
Awesome Breezy Entrance at MoMA PS1. Warm Up Ps1: the Ultimate Summer Party for NYC!
I can’t believe it’s already the 14th year now MoMA PS1 is holding this music, dance, art installation that’s all happening in one gigantic outdoor party on Saturdays all summer long at this cool industrial area in Queens, NYC!!! When we all heard then MoMA was branching out a sister MoMA out to Queens: PS1 taking over formal Public School #1 on Queens, We all were bit skeptical even though there are a few prominent Art and Design institutional places like Noguchi museum in the same neighbor hood. \It felt bit out of the way compare to the mail one is on posh and touristy uptown in Manhattan. But PS1 had proved that was only a worry that we didn’t have to have at all after all. PS1 now has grown into a proud and even more rebellious and interesting little yet not so little sister of MoMA fueling Powerful Energy of New and Young Generation of Cool NYC peeps. And maybe even of the “World” as you will be surprised to see and hear how many international visitors at not just “Warm” but maybe more of “Hot” summer Dance parties that PS 1 is housing year after year. Every year PS1 holds a competition to design and doll up their envious grand schemed concrete and grabbled awesomely modern yard, and I personally like to thank to MomA doing this so as this is an absolutely a brilliant idea and also a another definite reason what attracts me and sure all other visitors to go visit PS1 as the yearly brand new Summer installation is something that you must not miss.
This year’s simple yet breezy and green installation is another winner that you want to see and I highly recommend the actual exhibitions that are going on in this beautiful formal public school space as it’s filled with much entertaining (I rather like to call it entertaining! ) Rayan Trecartin’s Any Ever : the short film series, and my absolute favorite of all, a screening of Alejandro Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain ( the screening ends on July 24th) which I ended up buying the DVD at the bookstore is another one you should not miss!!
The Warm Up Summer party at PS1 runs until the September 3rd with various DJS from around the world, So you haven’t missed much but certain exhibitions will do end at certain point, so if you are not sure what to do on Saturdays, pS1 Warm up party will be the perfect thing to do for this entire summer!
Now I like to share some pics from my visit to PS 1 Warm Up party this Saturday, July 16!
Yes the kid are welcome, but if you like to bring your little ones go early and live early. It get’s bit intense for the little ones later on. The party hour is 2-9 pm.
Hay Garden. No Smoking!
Real good seating this year. Not too obscure to sit down and there were plenty of these to mingle and chat.
Loving the fact they had brought quite an amount of trees this year.
Gael, no worries, I promise you I’ll take you here! The September 3rd, We will come back all together with Dad!
Yes, we will play ping pong too! Love you. Miss you Gael!
Loving the Crowd. The People. All together. Can’t help it!
DJs and Bands rotating all day.
Inside the Museum building. Entrance at Ryan Trecartin’s.
There were 6 rooms I believe set up in all different way with Head sets for you to use. Plenty of odd and fun seating were built for the audience. And comfy!
Hospital beds turned to mega seating.
I have mixed thoughts and feeling about Laurel Nakadate: Only the Lonely work series. Hmmm , If anyone likes to discuss about it with me, shoot me an email!
I adore PS1’s staircase murals!
Permanent collection: James Turell’s ” Meeting”, 1986
Visitors gaging and enjoying this wonderfully opened up room with natural light and air coming through.
Here’s the movie I was talking about. Crazy, beautiful photography, not normal, disturbing, funny, sick, calm, tripping and everything else. Alejandro Jodorowsky: The Holy Mountain, 1973 and couple more scenes from the film below.
The Book store.
The cafe.
7:30. Now it’s really crowded! Music’s pumping, people are dancing, being silly, whatever!
Ahhh Emi, I so wished you were standing right next to me!! I miss you Emi!!
With Adriana and Dani.
Good job Sir! The last DJ.
If you haven’t yet, go check it out!!!
The Young Italian: Sunset at Marina di Pisa.
Filed Under Culture, Design, Friend, Italy, Travel | Leave a Comment
The young Italian at Sunset Cafe, Marina di Pisa, Italy
“Aperitivo” in Italy is one loaded word which describes layers of Italian culture in only 8 letters. Relaxed mind, food and socializing. “Happy Hour” wouldn’t quite justify what Aperitivo does. People take time on Aperitivo. Especially the Young Italian. You will go to dinner after but you get to nibble on some real good appetizers. All the local places will serve nice range of complimentary snacks along your order of drinks. Mostly like in a buffet style. They will serve all sort of things like riso freddo (rice salad), pastas, dips and cheese, olives, fruits, nuts and even cold cuts if you are in better places. So actually drinks come bit more expensive but you also get great deal of nice nibbles.
But this is not the only reason why Aperitivo works differently from Happy Hour. I think it’s the mind set. The mentality. Peace in your mind. Aperitivo is a Nice Stylish Break after a long day at work or even all day of playing at the beach if it happens to be the nice hot summer weekend. You have taken a refreshing shower already and put on a clean outfit after the day of whatever that was and you step out of the house with recharged body and soul. And you are ready to mingle now. A sweet one. You meet up and plan for the dinner or even for the night or whatever next thing is. You catch up sipping on glass of prosecco or delicious cocktails with friends and family. It’s really a nice time. Life feels real good here. There will be good music there some times even the live one. Any hot new Aperitivo spot is a definitely a good deal to talk about.
Especially when it comes to one just like the ” Sunset Cafe” in Marina di Pisa!
A good friend, Alino with Emi catching up at the bar. Alino is an amazing hair stylist. He did my hair for our wedding!
A few private areas for gatherings. They will set up a separate appetizer bar for you.
A sexy Summer evening at Marina di Pisa.
Do not miss it!
Tan and Dan’s Wedding, Freshford, England
Filed Under Events, Family, Friend, London/England, Travel | Leave a Comment
Tan and Dan happily walking down the hilly winding road of Freshford surrounded by loving friends and family after the ceremony, July 2, 2011.
Between Emi’s and my pictures, we may have good 600 photos emotionally following Tan and Dan’s this special day and one picture is more beautiful than another to my eyes as every moment is being celebrated and blessed by loved ones including myself over this new and young family with a just born little baby girl, and Tan’s amazing strength and Dan’s impressive support and diligence to Win it All is something we all took away to learn for our everyday’s life. “Love is bigger than anything.”
Tan and Dan, we are so happy for you two and a little one and truly wish the healthiest and happiest lives ever after for all of you!
Looking up to St. Peter’s Church at Freshford, England. The wedding begins now!
July 2, 2011
Tan, Dan and the Baby girl, the new Family.
A little Paradise, Lagoon Yal-Ku, Akumal, Mexico
Filed Under Family, Friend, Mexico, Travel, Tulum | 3 Comments
Yal-Ku Lagoon, Akumal, Mexico
It’s a hidden gem. We realized not that many people know about this spot. The spot maybe the one of the most beautiful one on the Riviera Maya. We’ve traveled around quite a bit of Tahiti, Hawaii and Virgin Islands but Yal-Ku feels quite special from anywhere else. The perfect intimate size that does not feel too small to feel it crowded. The shallow water is silky and warm from the sun. There are ton of beautiful fish that you would not expect to see in such a shallow water. It is absolutely crystal clear with softest white sand and pockets of chunks of limestone to attract all the fish you want to see. There is even a small piece of beach. Yal-ku is where clear salty water of Caribbean Ocean and the sweet fresh water of Yucatan peninsula meets. It’s perfect. I’ll call it a little paradise!
It feels like you are invited to a small private snorkeling party here. It’s a perfect spot to go with your kids, nieces and nephews or hang with your best friends. You can explore the water or park yourself somewhere and just read and sunbath. It’s quiet and lovely. Everyone behaves here. Maybe because the Lagoon guides you to do so…
Gael really had well learnt swimming and snorkeling. I couldn’t swim until the 4th grade. What a wimp I was! I missed out so much fun thinking back. I mean look at him he does so much!!! We have met a wonderful family Bork this trip. The owner of Posada Yum Kin where we like to stay often in Tulum village. Owner Dan and BV’s 2 amazing kids, Sam and Andrew were down in Tulum , so Gael had the blast with them! The 3 little gangs below snorkeling together. 3 of them can rock the world!
Sam, Gael and Andrew looking for a Barracuda! ha-ha!!
This pic is only taken by me standing outside of the water. The Yal-ku lagoon is sort of a natural aquarium.
The mangrove island.
Peaceful Yal-Ku end of the day. So gorgeous , isn’t it…? Perfect natural pool with ton of beautiful fish in nice shallow water…. Wooo. I want it!!
Yalk -Ku is raw and well kept it that way. No sunblock is allowed and a tee shirt is encouraged! It opens everyday 8:00-5:30. Adult $9.00. Kid $6.00. 25Km from Tulum. Go have fun, relax, sun bath and don’t forget to respect what the nature offers us!
Booooooooooo!
Filed Under Family, Friend, Halloween, Street | Leave a Comment
Booooooooooooooo, Clinton Hill!