“Always say “yes” to the present moment. What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to what already is? what could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now? Surrender to what is. Say “yes” to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.” W

Wow. Beautiful style.

Today started a bit late for me as I took Chris to the one thing he didn't get a chance to see, which was the inside of the New York library, I was blown away by it as well, it was beautiful. We headed over and grabbed some street food, a hot dog - and it was the worst hot dog of my life. I think the guy boiled it instead of grilling it and I kind of got sick (what a way to start a week)

We grabbed some McDonalds afterwards and had a very lazy morning of just sitting in each other's company before I dropped him off to get on a plane. It was quite depressing actually (I won't sob about it here though). We'll just leave it at parting is not sweet sorrow. It is simply - sorrow. 

Inside is old school too.

Got into work a bit later but I still got to help out and do some other work. I didn't have lunch, but I snacked on some of the snacks in my cabinet drawer. It was a very lax day with not too, too much to do. 

When I headed out, I went home to change my shoes and then headed over to this great pub, 5th and Mad which was having this really cool Yelp Elite event! 

My friend that I had met a little while ago, during the Central Park tour, invited me today (and even though it was last minute, of course I had to say yes) and I very happily agreed. During the event, I received quite a few drink tickets to get any drink I wanted at the bar and on top of that, they were sampling different foods from the restaurant! I got to try lobster rolls, sliders, jerk chicken, chicken tenders and calamari. It was all delicious. I even got a pair of yelp gloves, haha

The Menu!

The idea of the Yelp Elite and having the Yelp Elite events to help promote new places or even places that have just renovated or want to have more coverage is an excellent idea. When the food first came, I saw everyone taking out their phones and snapping photos (my people) of the food before grabbing it. It's a great way to feed people and get feedback from people who are very active on review websites like yelp. It's pretty cool and I like to think that everybody wins.

Afterwards, I headed back home and worked a bit on the computer (on my yelp reviews to be honest) and just chilled out for a bit before heading to bed (especially after a week that was so jam packed with so much to do, I didn't even take out my computer once) before heading to sleep (seriously my body is so tired from the past week)

"Performing live actually thrills me. Just get me a stage, get me a mic, and I'm going to be happy." - Rita Wilson

Today was the first day back from the long weekend and man - people were grumpy.

THESE BENCHES ARE LITERALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF
THE INTERSECTION?!

There was quite a long line up at the metal detector (yes, as a lowly intern I do have to go through the metal detector every time even though everyone else [including interns at the permanent missions] gets to go in through the normal doors) and as a "staff" or "staff affiliate" I walked through the huge crowds this morning (don't these kids have school?!) and went straight to the back and by the metal detector. This lady cut in front of me, grabbed a basket and started to take off all her metal stuff when I was already so I said "excuse me" and she snarled back "Excuse me what?" and so I just put my stuff in front of her and walked through the detector. Don't think she was too happy but I mean I was ready.

The security officers then yelled about me waiting for my friend in line and kicked me out.

Love these books

Hot weather doesn't seem to do anyone much good, does it?

I walked into the building and talked to my friend for a bit (he works in the giftshop) and then headed

over to work. I was one of the first ones in so I sat down and got right down to business.

We had a few meetings today with some Core working groups. Nothing too exciting, just populating some charts with some -confidential- data and information (How cool am I, seriously).

During my lunch break, I was sitting around on my phone and I joined yelp for

the first time! I figured, I blog anyway, I write a lot about things I learn and things I experience here for my friends and family, I may as well write for other people and give them my pure and honest opinion about places.

HA, I wish i had more money to buy this stuff.

On top of that *Life pro tip here* if you write good reviews often and frequently, you can become an *Elite* member and that means that you will not only be an elite member, but you also gain access into several exclusive parties where you can try the food and drinks so that you can be one of the first people review the place! How cool is that? I recommend everyone try it.

Afterwork, I actually planned to go home and rest, write up in the blog, but I got pulled away by an invitation to go down to the Lower East Side to go to a cafe/bookshop called Bluestockings.

So I hung out and saw a friend when I got home and then changed into a different outfit (I was going to a hipster cafe, I wasn't about to go in with UN formal work clothes on). I walked down and really

enjoyed my view and the weather (even though it was crazy hot).

Great singer. Really great local singer. 

When I got there, the street was really cute, the area is quaint, busy, with so many people. It's definitely one of those areas where it's artsy, not hipster. People are artsy, free spirits and they do things because they really love it, not because it's cool or in style.

While walking down, there was this really cool intersection on a big road and in the middle of the intersection was benches. For people to sit on while traffic and life goes on around them. It is such an amazing experience to just sit there and enjoy.

I found my friend there, we sat on the bench and talked for a bit before we headed into the bookstore for their gay/trans open mic night. When we went in, I was blown away by the amount of really cool feminist, gay, activist books in there. It was just a cool atmosphere and everyone was just doing their own thing without caring about anyone else.

It was refreshing.

We took a seat and listened to three spoken word artists (I clapped, I didn't snap, I'm sorry) and a singer. They were all so creative and wonderful in their own respect. All their spoken word poems were about things that really affected them mentally and physical and the singer, gosh she was just amazing. Her voice was wonderful and her songs had sad lyrics but a really great hip beat behind them.

The whole experience was surreal. At one point I just couldn't believe that I was in New York, sitting in a real artsy, laid back, just really "cool" bookstore/cafe listening to some awesome spoken word and live music.

I'm so lucky to be here.

My super hipster photo