Out of Cortex

Tropical Getaway

Want to get away?Try the Ladera Resort on St. Lucia island in the West Indies, or the Blue Diamond Resort in the Riviera Maya (the Mexican Caribbean).

LADERA RESORT

I saw this deal on Ideeli where you can save between 35%-50% off on a 7-night stay at this lovely mountain top resort. There are some limitations as to date and such, so I think that's why the sale is going on. The asking prices for the most affordable 7-night stay is $4,130.00 for a particular set of nights between July and September, for the Gros Piton Suite. At the discounted rate, it's $2,750.00 for the same stay. The six deals range up to the most luxurious stay, in the Hilltop Dream Suite from March through April, with an asking price of $8,302.00 and a discounted rate of $5,500.00! The views for any and all suites look simply amazing.  The accommodations are similarly lovely. I like the private pool overlooking the hillside, as well as the luxurious sitting room, and oversized bed. It looks like there is a screen you can pull down from the ceiling on the outside to keep out instects, but there's the added protection of the canopy around the bed as well. My only question is, where are the bathrooms? I hope you don't have to venture to far out where the mosquitoes will likely devour you. I guess it'll depend on when you go. I'd love to go in September!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

And if you were worried about food, don't be. The dining looks similarly exquisite. And who could ask for a better view while enjoying a romantic evening?  If I had the time (and the funds), I would book up one of these trips immediately. I'd probably spend the first of the seven days relaxing and doing nothing but sip tropical drinks, sun myself by the pool, enjoy the scenery, eat delicate meals, and read while enjoying the company of Mike, hopefully! As long as he would want to go. But then, who wouldn't?!  

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

BLUE DIAMOND RESORT

Another great place I'd like to go (also found in Ideeli) is the Blue Diamond Resort in the Mexican Riviera. I am in pain over how beautiful this experience is. The lowest asking price for a Cenote Deluxe Junior Suite for 2 Adults is $920 a night, discounted rate starting at $490 a night. The six deal package prices range up to a two night stay at the Palafitos Junior Suite for two adults with an asking price of $1,150.00 per night, discounted rate starting at $800.00 a night. 

 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

A little bit more settled looking, isn't it? I guess it depends on the kind of vacation you'd like to take. I think I prefer taking the 7-night stay at the Ladera Resort. Part of that might be my fear of Mexico and the ongoing civil strife, what with the cartels and military human rights abuses, but also because the peacefulness of the St. Lucia island beckons more seductively.

But then, who am I kidding? Having a chance to stay for a week or so at either of these lovely resorts would be a dream come true. Seriously... what wonderful resorts. I am definitely keeping these in the arsenal of "places I want to stay" one day. One day, one day. That seems to be my mantra, doesn't it? I think things are worse because I'm in Ithaca, where it isn't a snowy wonderland and it isn't nearly warm yet either. Dreary, really, to tell the truth. Oh well!

Epitome of Restraint

Usually, I don't like to pat myself on the back, but today I will make a small exception. I think I deserve a high-five or at least a snuggle for my accomplishment: I haven't shopped since I've been in Ithaca! Well, that is, I haven't done more than window shop! And look at all the wonderful things that I would buy if I could! See some of the things on Edition01!  

Pictured above: 1) Ben Amun's Flower Vine Bracelet. ($415.00); 2) Bibhu Mohapatra's Satin Deco Gown ($3,575.00); 3) Peter Pilotto's Mar Dress ($1,620.00); 4) von Holzhausen's Periwinkly Furt Crocodile Clutch ($985.00); 5) Yigal Azrouël's Tissue Jersey Caftan (a more affordable $325.00); and 6) Reem Acra Lace Back Gown (ouch, for $2,860.00). Delicious.

Click here to win a $3,000.00 wardrobe! So if I win, and I go shopping, it still counts as "restraint" right? RIGHT?! Sigh. Well, I am off to enjoy some less expensive pleasures: i.e. watching a Knicks v. Heat game (I am feeling kind of bad for Jeremy Lin right now) and eating chicken wings with friends. Fair trade-off, I think, for wealth and beauty? 

[edit]

Jeremy Lin was crushed by Lebron James throughout the night. It's tough to blame him though, considering the Heat are just so dominant and athletic as well as skilled. Oh well. Eating wings, drinking beer, and bemoaning the loss with friends made it easier to take. After that? We went to a party at Andy/Bob's apartment and watched the remainder of the Lakers v. Thunder game. Similarly defeated. Kobe did not look happy. Alas, we will rally!

Cash Mobs

A new trend aimed at helping locally owned mom-and-pop businesses is reportedly gaining traction across the country. Unlike their flashier counterpart, however, “Cash Mobs” don’t involve a song and dance routine — just a bunch of people eager to invest in their communities.

 The blogger who started it all, Buffalo-based engineer Chris Smith, explains that cash mobs are “sort of a reverse Groupon” in that people support local retailers, but instead of getting a discount, they pay full price.

Smith says he hopes cash mobs lead to a “longer-term relationship with customers” who gain new-found respect for locally owned stores.

So far cash mobs have been organized in 32 states. There have also been international efforts in Canada and the UK.

A website called Cash Mobs aims to help people organize local events. They’ve even set March 24th as National Cash Mob day.

“It’s not just about the money that comes in that day, it’s about a real small business that doesn’t have a lot of money and a marketing budget,” says Smith. “They get a little earned media coverage they wouldn’t normally get that allows them to establish themselves a little bit more.”

Ah. Faith in humanity returns.

A Week of Love

This whole week has felt like it was dedicated to Valentine's Day, what with a few memorable things such as this zombie heart (below). I think it's pretty neat, no?  

Redditor oldpunker‘s daughter made him this Z-Day V-Day card to express her undying love. I guess it's not quite the same as a bouquet of flowers or chocolates or something, but it's just as sweet. Mike was skeptical until I pointed out that the painting didn't have to be done by a small child. It could have easily been done by someone older. Duh! :) But I realize, now that I have a steady boyfriend whose company I greatly enjoy, that Valentine's Day is not so annoying even though it's just a Hallmark holiday. It's just a reminder to love each other, and although not everyone needs to be reminded, sometimes it's nice to have a day other than your anniversary to celebrate each other. Oh, you got me, I'm just a sucker for being showered with gifts and delicious food by Mike! 

But with the official day of love just barely past, we went to Wegman's to do our grocery shopping and guess what? Everything is GREEN already. Ah St. Patrick's Day, how I look forward to seeing you. Still, we had one more thing to look forward to this weekend... KYLE'S VISIT! But before he could come, we of course had to get in the mood of things. Thus, Sam eating congee with pastry on her face, but you know... that's how we roll. 

 When Kyle got here Saturday morning, I was all abuzz because that mean we were headed to John Thomas for a delicious meal. Little did I know that this would become the best meal of the three times I've been to John Thomas with Mike.

We all split a large ceasar salad and a bottle of the Larkmead 2008, Napa. Both parties ended up getting two sides each (German Fried Potatoes, Cream of Spinach, Tomatoes and Mozarella, Sautéed Wild Mushrooms) as well as the surf and turf (thus two orders of the Porterhouse for Two with Half of a Maine Lobster) as our main course. It was AMAZING. For dessert, we got the cranberry-rasberry cobbler à la mode (Sam's choice), the New York Cheesecake (Kyle's choice, and the clear winner), and the flourless chocolate cake (my choice, and boy was it rich). Mike opted out of dessert. We all got a personalized pot of hot tea to wash it all down. 

***Note: Sadly, the thumbnails below don't show off the enormous portions. I was so involved in eating that I forgot to document the gargantuan lobster and steaks. Sigh. Well, just click to enlarge! 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

By the end of the night, I was too full to do anything. We lounged at Sam's house waiting for a party to start at Ruth and Priscilla's, but when the time rolled around, Mike and I couldn't hang. We ended up sitting around painfully waiting for our food to be digested while we played through a lot of Dead Island. That game, by the way, is quite engaging the longer you play it.)  And after trying to sit off the food until 3:00 am, Mike and I finally gave it up for a bad case... but one we did NOT regret! And when we woke up... It was to the sound of Samantha calling us to eat lunch at The Piggery. Ah, who can say no to that? Lunch was wonderful, although I felt a twinge of regret because I've been trying to cut pork out of my diet (partially for health reasons, partially because I feel guilty for eating such amazing and smart animals... it's kind of like why a lot of people won't eat dolphins or dogs, because we see them as being smart or we relate to them in some ways). Still, I can't deny that the locally produced food was really, really tasty.  

 I ended up getting the "Three Little Pigs" so I could try a little bit more variety on the menu. The pulled pork was mouthwatering, and the hotdog was good as well, but my favorite was likely the taco. The flavors were bright and strong, but not blunt or overwhelming. Really, really great overall. And the frozen chocolate? What a nice drink to wash it all down. Dessert and a refresher all in one!

Afterwards, we went to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the Knicks play Mavericks. Jeremy Lin was pretty stunning, and led the Knicks to a victory over the defending champions, which was something to see. I am so proud that an Asian American can show the world that Asians aren't just unatheletic nerds. AND he went to Harvard, so there! Well, this wonderful weekend must come to an end, and Kyle is leaving on Monday, but cheers to a great basketball game, a great time, some great food, and great friends. Until next time, Kyle (i.e. two weeks for Barristers!). 

Love Ever After

Something that I'm hoping will apply to all the good people in my life and their significant others... Lauren Fleishman is working on this project of couples who have been married for 50 years and up. I think the photos are fantastic and their quotes are so simple, yet poignant. I love this.

Love Ever After will share the love stories of couples who have been married for at least 50 years. Inspired by a letter my grandfather wrote to my grandmother during World War II (and rediscovered after he passed away in 2007), I began photographing and interviewing couples in the New York area as a way to preserve their stories and to illuminate our universal experience of love. 

"April 14th will be our 68th wedding anniversary. That's right, you heard it! Friends ask me how I managed to get someone like Jean. So I have one expression. I prayed well."  

Abe Small, March 2, 2011.

 "We met when we lived in China. I was on vacation in another town and we only saw each other for three days. We lived very far apart and so, when I returned home, we sent letters. At that time we didn't even have a telephone! We wrote letters each week but it took about 20 days for our letters to reach each other. We did this for five years." 

Jin Lin Chen, March 15, 2011.

"Everyday my wife expresses her love for me. She says, did I tell you how much I love you today? Everyday. Everyday she says that." 

Moe Rubenstein, August 24, 2008.

 "He asked me to go to a party with some of his army friends. You know, I had never thought of him romantically! He looked at me the way a man who has just come out of the army would look at a sexy woman."

Sheila Newman, Flatlands, Brooklyn.

 

Beautiful, no? To see more of the project that has been slowly compiled through the last three years, you can check out her gallery thus far on her website, or this slideshow (I like page 11 and 12 the most - the second to last and last ones). So, in the spirit of things... 

Happy Valentine's Day!

This weekend, Mike and I are celebrating at John Thomas, our third year running, and perhaps our last one that will be celebrated there for the foreseeable future, as we are not going to be in Ithaca next year. Thank you, John Thomas, for making our Valentine's Day special for the last three years. And this time, as an added plus, Sam and Kyle are coming too on a double date (double the fun!). Cheers!