I like the organized countries

There are no direct flights between Hat Yai & Denpasar, so my friend and I chose to stop in Singapore and spend a couple nights. I love this city! I could live here! I was teased about how I only like the organized countries. I enjoyed using their (very clean) public transportation & eating at the hawker stalls. I guess for me, the unorganized countries are nice to visit but..........

V-day feast

I've been cooking for myself before I was old enough to drive. I've lived alone for 10 years, so I'm either eating what I cook at home or going to restaurants that cook things better than I can or that I can't cook at all (these are all at least 30 minutes from my house). I brought my gracious Thai hosts Godiva chocolates and french macarons (not the Laduree they requested) and I was greeted with all of this great Thai food, just like when I visited a few months earlier. Before my last visit, I was nervous about staying in someone else's house, but I really enjoyed it (so much that I was back a few months later). Although Sathing Phra is not a tourist area, it was nice to see the places the tourists don't go. I couldn't even find Sathing Phra in my Lonely Planet book. I'm always making my own plans, but when I go to Thailand, I'm used to being taken care of & I enjoy it.

East Harlem

Today I had a chance to introduce my cousin to East Harlem. We drove in from PA & of course I suggested we eat at Patsy's (cash only!). 1 block north on 1st Ave., you can also get excellent red velvet cake at Evelyn's Kitchen. I've used the subway to get here (only nearby subway stop is the local 6 train which can get very crowded), but I've also never had trouble finding a parking spot when I drove.

My favorite restaurant

L & B Spumoni Gardens is my favorite restaurant in the world. There is no close 2nd. My favorite pizza places are mostly in NYC. I like this place because you have the option of parking (for free) or using public transportation. A walk along 86th street under the D train is always nice too. I'm always thinking about the future, but when I'm eating their Sicilian pie, I am really in the moment.

Amazing new friends

This was toward the end of my annual birthday trip. I made some amazing friends in the center and south of Thailand. Another country I thought I would never get the chance to see. 

I may have enjoyed KL more if I knew any locals

One of my favorite shirts (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)! The day after my 34th birthday, I flew from Hat Yai, Thailand to Kuala Lumpur. Like Hong Kong 5 1/2 years earlier, I felt like I saw what I needed to see in the city itself. Maybe I will see more of Malaysia some day?

Outside the Tune Hotel Kuala Lumpur

Me in Chinatown with a piece of dragonfruit. I can't help but think that I may have enjoyed Malaysia more if I had locals to show me around.

My favorite neighborhood in NYC

If there was one band I wish I could have seen live, it's THE CLASH. LONDON CALLING is one of my favorite albums. The East Village is one of my favorite neighborhoods in NYC as well. I love taking the L train to 1st Ave. and walking south. Luzzo's (in the picture) is probably my favorite pizza after L & B Spumoni Gardens.