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Category Archives: Reviews

Overdose of Cheese Bread, Soap Operas and Casino, a bit of Broadway and a couple of paintings

14 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in Daily Life, Food, Mosaic and other crafts, Reviews

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My Mom’s stay in the US came to an end last week.  One month went by so fast.

When Mom is here I get the Brazilian Channel so she can watch her soap operas.  Soap operas in Brazil are huge! They are always on prime time TV and almost everyone watches and talks about them, that includes men and children also. Unlike in the US where a soap opera lasts forever until canceled, in Brazil a soap opera lasts around 6 months.  They tend to be a bit melodramatic and overacted.

The best part for me is the scenery.  Getting to see my Brazil is always a plus.  They are always filmed on location, never on studios. In some cases they introduce Brazilians to new cultures.  In the current soap opera, “Salve Jorge”, all things Turkey are introduced, as it is filmed in some turkish cities.  It is also filmed in Rio de Janeiro, which because of  the landscape makes it one of the most beautiful and recognizable cities in the world in my opinion.  The name of the soap opera is a reference to Saint George.  I am not sure the complete connection but I know that the main character is devout of Saint George.

All of a sudden Brazilians are doing the Turkish veil dance, drinking raki and wearing turkey inspired fashion.  I am sure Brazilians will be choosing Turkey as a travel destination more now.  The same thing happened a couple of years ago with the soap opera “Caminho das Indias” when everything Indian became all the rage in Brazil, and with others before that.

Truth is I think Brazilians watch too much TV, and TV has such an incredible power to influence Brazilians. I would say that TV influences every day life in Brazil more then any other country in the world.  At least some authors are using this powerful medium to instruct as well as entertain.  In Salve Jorge, human trafficking and black market adoptions (specifically stolen babies) are the major theme, so kudos to Gloria Perez, the author,  for exposing such atrocities and forcing Brazil to face it instead of sweeping it under the rug.

Normally as soon as Mom leaves I call the cable company and turn it off, but this time I will still have it on until Friday.  Friday is the last day of this soap opera, so I may as well finish it. 🙂

Casinos

Another place Mom and I go are the casinos.  I used to have a lot luck gambling, but not lately. Perhaps that is why I don’t enjoy them as much, but I still go many times when mom is here since she enjoys them so much.  We now have one 20 minutes from home, so we don’t have to go all the way to Connecticut or New Jersey.

Broadway

We always try to make to one Broadway musical and this time we went to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. I will not go into a full review here, and will just say that it did not disappoint, we both enjoyed it.  The costumes were beautiful and the Prince was charming in a goofy way.  The best part for me was Cinderella’s dress changing in front of our eyes and I still cannot explained how they did it.  Mom says it is magic, I say it is Broadway.

Cinderella always have a way to make me both sad and happy. Sad because I realize that I have no Prince Charming next to me and happy because it makes anything seem possible.

Cheese Bread

My freezer is stocked up with soups, rices, meats, cakes, in sum, an assortment of cooked meals and desserts to last a couple of months.  Mom enjoys feeling she is taking care of her little baby.  Pão de Queijo, cheese bread, well it is more like a cheese puff, is one of those treats.  It is made with tapioca flour.  Growing up I didn’t care for them, now they taste like Brazil to me.

Paintings

Mom turned 78 while she was here and she likes to say that not knowing how long she has left she needs to hurry up and leave her kids with memories of her.  That to her means leaving us with some of her crafts.  Mom is amazingly talented with her hands. Some of her crafts are hand stitched dish towels, macrame bath towels, crochet vests and tablecloths, knit scarves, paintings, etc.

This time she left me with 2 oil paintings:

A fun renditions of a Brazilian Favela located in Rio de Janeiro, as you can tell by the Christ the Redeemer atop the Corcovado Mountain.

Favela

A young shy couple from the Brazilian northeastern region, as you can tell by the foot and hat wear and by the cacti.

Shy Couple

I am blessed with the energetic, talented, full of life mother that I have.  May I be able to be less critical and open to fully learn all she has to teach.

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Is the point of a holiday dinner to bring employees close together?

14 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by in Daily Life, Food, Reviews

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We had our holiday dinner on Tuesday night.

It was a repeat of the previous years, which means great place, great food and drunken co-workers (and the boss) behaving badly.

We went to Pietro’s Restaurant in Manhattan, NY.  It is a first class Italian Restaurant.  Every single dish was amazing, and we pretty much had every single item on the menu. (our bill attests to that!!)

There were 14 of us, 12 male and 2 females.

Unfortunately, as it is always the case, the guys leave work at 3:30pm and head to a bar and start drinking.  By the time dinner time arrives they are already drunk.

It is sad that, after being in this male dominated industry for over 20 years, I have gotten used to this behavior.  I pretty much ignore it and leave the party/dinner when it gets too much or when management throw us out.

These are not happy drunks talking and singing too loud.  No, no, no, these are obnoxious, rude, crude, totally unaware of their surroundings kind of drunk.

There were complaints from some of the other tables, but the waiters never said anything to us.  My boss goes there all the time.  His bills are normally very high and he tips generously, so they were probably more patient than usual.

A very drunken co-worker got up before dinner was over and announced that he was going home, but not before he loudly told 2 co-workers that they didn’t know how to broker (that is our profession),  told another 3 that he didn’t like them and told a last one that he will eventually kick his behind (well, he said “ass” but since I am a lady I couldn’t repeat that).   The next morning he conveniently didn’t remember any of it!

I was happy to see him go and things calmed down a bit after that, but we were still too loud.

The sober ones left right after dessert while the drunken ones went bar hopping.  That is, after 2 of them got into a physical altercation outside the restaurant and had to be restrained by the others, not once but 3 times as they walked one block.  I was happy I was not there to witness that.  Fights scare me, and in this case I would have been terribly angry too.

I am happy to report that things at work have been peaceful.

I think next year I am putting my foot down: I will not attend dinner if they start drinking ahead of dinner time.

One bright note: I have a huge piece of chocolate cake and tiramisu in my fridge that I brought home from the restaurant.  Sugar always brightens my day and my mood!

I hate to sound judgmental but why do grown men, and women for that matter, have to drink until they are no longer in control of their actions?  I guess that is the control freak in me asking.  Is their lives so bad that they have to escape it?

That is one of the reasons I never got drunk and never smoked anything in my life, I am terrified of losing control!  Plus I am already high on life, and if you throw some dancing music in there then that is the icing on the cake! well throw in some cake and the room really starts to turn!!

So if the point of a holiday dinner is to bring employees close together my company is totally missing the point! Yelling, name calling, fighting should not be a part of it!  Why can we just be like other companies with some good old fashioned terrible dancing and/or making out with someone you shouldn’t?

 

Clash of the Titans

10 Sunday Jun 2012

Posted by in Daily Life, Reviews

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I was one of the 81,994 fans that attended the Clash of the Titans match at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ yesterday. That was a record attendance for a soccer match at that stadium!

The game was between my beloved Brazil and our archenemy Argentina.

Brazilians are one of the most friendliest people in the world.  We love all and are loved by all.  But when it comes to our neighbor Argentina things can get a little dicey.

Both countries think they are the best country in South America. Both think they have the best natural resources, most beautiful women, and of course best soccer players.

There is the never ending debate in the soccer world as to who was really the best player: Pele (Brazil) or Maradona (Argentina).

I, and thousands more, was really looking forward to yesterday’s match. And it was all that it was promised and more.  They both had their best players from their national teams (as it was agreed per their contracts).  Brazil brought their  Olympic team, which is a younger team, but equally talented.

I was there with a group of 22 co-workers and clients raging from soccer fans to soccer players to “don’t even know what soccer is”, and the general consensus at the end of the game was that it was an amazing game.

Unfortunately Brazil lost! The score was Argentina 4 goals, Brazil 3.  Of course I wanted Brazil to win, still I have to concede that their best player, Lionel Messi, had an amazing performance.  He scored 3 out of Argentina’s 4 goals.

Everyone, players and fans were well behaved, for the most part.  There was a little scuffle at the last 2 minutes of the game between a couple of players but it was minor and it didn’t really make the game any less great. As far as the fans I didn’t witness any misbehavior, only the usual taunting and loudness.  Mostly all had fun with their loud music, singing and dancing.

I was just a bit confused by the halftime entertainment.  It was not really necessary to have any.  I don’t think any fan would have complained or even mentioned the lack of anything during halftime.

First they brought 3 Argentinian couples dressed in black fancy attires to dance the Argentinian tango … on the grass.  It just looked weird and so out of place, I felt for the dancers.  They should have, at least, put in some type of floor covering.  Then perhaps would have made more sense.  Can you imagine dancing wearing high heels on the grass? the tango nonetheless!

After that they brought Brazilian drummers and male dancers performing soccer skills and some capoeira (a type of martial art and dance).  It was more fitting than tango for a soccer match, but still it was a bit lackluster.

All in all it was a great day with tailgating pre and post game. I cannot believe that even after 2 hours after the game had ended the parking lot where we were was still half full!

It was only a friendly, exhibition match, it didn’t really count for anything.  At the end of the day, we still have 5 stars on our jersey for each of our World Cup wins, while Argentina has only 3!  (sore loser? yep, a little bit!!)

First e-harmony Date

29 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Daily Life, Dating, Reviews

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I would say that my first e-Harmony date went pretty well.  Everything close to perfect. It would have been perfect if I had liked him in a romantic way.

There was no chemistry.  At least on my part. Him?  I can safely say he was smitten and wants to pursue a relationship.

Let me give you a summary of the date.  We met in the lobby of his hotel (he is from another state). From there we took a cab to the Hurricane Club http://thehurricaneclub.com/

The place was a little louder and larger than I would have liked for a first date, but we started talking and enjoying ourselves that we just forget the loudness and largeness of the place.

The food was great. I specially enjoyed the Double-Crispy Beef.  The meat is so tender it melts in your mouth. Of course I had to have dessert and even though I am not eating chocolate for now, I managed to enjoy some of the Samoan (angel food cake, coconut and caramel). Coconut is my second favorite thing in the world.

Now, ladies and gents, I have a question.  Is it okay to take home the leftovers when you are on a date?  I hate to waste, specially food, so there was no way I was going to leave that beef behind.

**

From there he wanted to go to a roof top bar.  One would think that because I have been working in Manhattan for the past 12 years I would have a good idea of where to go – I didn’t! I managed to get lost while trying to find this one bar that I used to go to years ago.  We ended up near the Empire State and he suggested we go up.

Perhaps kind of lame, but it was great!

Even though they were announcing zero visibility we could see plenty. We stopped awhile at the 86th floor observatory and from there we went all the way to 102.

There were no lines, barely anyone was going up since they said you couldn’t see anything. I think that employees just wanted to leave early or something, you could see everything. The pictures don’t do justice to the view.

After that we took a pedicab to Times Square, and then walked to Grand Central, where we said good bye and I took my train home.

He was a true gentleman, evertyhing was perfect, the conversation flowed, we have the same values and habits, but I couldn’t see myself kissing him. And that to me is a deal breaker. If I can see myself kissing this person there is no way this can go any further.

What is your test to see if a second date is warranted? Does chemistry can suddenly materialize? I don’t think so, I think is either there or not there.

He has e-mailed and I replied saying I want to be just friends. He replied again and ignored that and when on to ask me how I want to be treated.

I am glad I got the first date out of the way. It was fun playing tourist and doing things I never done before (Empire State at night and pedicab ride). I was lucky that it went so well.  It got my spirits and hopes revived.

Next!!

Review: Kykuit-The Rockefeller Estate – 4 stars

06 Sunday May 2012

Posted by in Daily Life, Reviews

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Kykuit is the house that John D. Rockefeller built for his family in the Hudson Valley. It is a magnificent property with extensive gardens with tons of sculptures throughout.  It sits at the top of Kykuit Hill with majestic views. John D. Rockefeller was the founder of Standard Oil, now Exxon.

They offer a variety of tours. We chose the Grand Tour which is the one that you get to see the most of the house and gardens.  It is impressive the architecture and the collection of Modern Art in the gallery in the basement.

My favorite part was the gardens and all its sculptures. The sculputres all from the 20th century belonged to Nelson Rockefeller.  He was NY’s Governor and also US’s Vice President under Gerald Ford. He was a lover of the Arts, of well knows artists, such as Picasso, but also unkown NY artists.

We also got to see the Carriage House that now houses a collection on Antique cars and carriages.

The guide was very knowledgeable and really gave us a background on the house and all the families that lived there (4 generations of the Rockefeller family).

The tour lasted 3 hours and went by very fast. I highly recommend it!!

Please see my other blog for the pictures taken there http://listuniverse.wordpress.com/

Review Documentary: What I Want My Words to Do to You – 4 1/2 stars

05 Saturday May 2012

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This is a documentary done in 2003 featuring the Writing Group of Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in Bedford Hills, NY.

Eve Ensler had conducted a 4 year writing program with the women of the facility by the time this documentary was done. Eve Ensler, you may recall,  she is known for writing The Vagina Monologues (which I never saw, but I think I will track it down and see it)

the documentary showed the women participating in a series of exercises and discussions about the crimes they committed, their guilt and the reality of living behind bars.

It ended with several actresses including Glenn Close and Marisa Tomei among others, performing the women’s writing for the inmates in prison.

I highly recommend it to every woman, actually, to everyone.

It  was very powerful.  It hit me very hard.  I cried at varies points while watching it.  I realized how much I have in common with women sitting in prison.  Not only I, but we all have a lot in common, but for some reason we make the right decision at the right moment.

One thing most of them had in common was they didn’t think they had any other choices. And that is where I differ from those women.  I know I have choices and I plan on taking full advantage of them.

But the truly sad part is to realize that there are a lot more people that are imprisoned but invisible walls that they put up.  Anyway, that is a topic for another post.

Gotta go to sleep now.

 

Review Restaurant Sweet Potatoes (4 1/2 stars)

30 Monday Apr 2012

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So finally I was able to go to Sweet Potatoes, located in New Rochelle, NY.

We (Ex, his mom and I) got there around 5:30. The place is tiny with only 4 tables.  We were lucky that there was 1 table empty. The table needed to be cleared, but we went ahead and sat.  The waitress came and changed the tablecloth. I joked with the mom that I needed my iron because the tablecloth was so wrinkled.

But anyway, that is a minor detail, the important is food and service.

I ordered the fried chicken with collard greens and steak fries.  Ex ordered the fried catfish and sweet potatoes fries. Mom ordered friend shrimp with macaroni and cheese and candied yams.

We were pleasantly surprised that we were served a delicious green salad with a delicious dressing.  We were even more pleasantly surprised when after the salad we were served some yellow rice with 1 fried shrimp, 1 crab cake and some chicken strips as appetizers.

The entrees came and were huge and I have to say delicious. If I were to complain about something it would be that I wish that after frying the friend stuff that they would lay the food on paper towel  to soak up some of the oil first.  Ex pointed out that perhaps they did.

We brought 3 desserts home, peach cobbler, apple cobbler and sweet potato pie. I haven’t tried any of those yet.  Honestly those types of desserts normally don’t do anything for me.

The owner of the restaurant took us 3 doors down where he took over the space where used to be a barbershop and made it a lounge/restaurant. It is beautiful and cozy.

If you ever have a chance to visit Sweets Potatoes, you will not regret it. I give it 4 and a half stars (out of 5)

My first Pilates session

29 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by in Daily Life, Finding Me, Reviews

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As I tackle items on my “To do list of self improvement”, that I mentioned in a list on my other blog “http://listuniverse.wordpress.com/”, I will be reporting my progress on working on that list right here.

So today I had my first Pilates session.  I feel great.  First for having tackled one item on my list and second for the overall benefit of doing something for my body.

Some of the positions and exercises were a little hard and at times even painful, but it was a good type of pain. The pain of my body being challenged.

G., the instructor is a woman originally from the Dominican Republic that has been teaching for 10 years.  She was great.  Her English was somewhat limited, but it didn’t seem important at all.

I think that she rents space in a house, because I met her at a house that it was clearly she didn’t live there.  You could hear the kids and the other sounds of a household going about on a Sunday morning.

I guess if I were to have one complain it would be that: the noises around us.  But I am not complaining.

The first step on anything is really the hardest, but I also believe that the next phase maintaining and keeping up with some project is probably even harder.

So I bought 10 sessions of Pilates because it will force me to continue with it at least for another 9 sessions.

I realize it is a monetary investment as well because it is not cheap, so I plan on being fully present for each sessions (not let my mind wonder), as well as stretching and attempting some exercises at home also.

What about you, did you ever take a Pilates session?

How about improving yourself, what steps are you taking?