September was a big game of WHERE IN THE WORLD (or really, just the USA) IS BARAMEE. I spent half the month in NYC, a week in MN…and then I was finally back home in Chicago…to a full house. Also, I’m still alive and well, but I think I’m starting to really go stir crazy. (quick note: the title of this post is in reference to Park Shin-Hye’s new zombie movie on Netflix)

My last two weeks in NYC were definitely more fun than my first two weeks, which were spent in Brooklyn in a self-imposed 2 week quarantine. I was super productive so there’s that. Retirees can have moments of productivity, right?

My NYC Adventures:

1. Industry City, BK – new destination in spot that finally not filled with people
2. Errands running, NYC (SomTum Der, InnisFree, Sunrise Mart, H Mart, Target) – sometimes you’ve just got to stock up on goodness
3. Chinatown, NYC – because I love it down here…the goodness of food and good company
4. The Whitney Museum – I’ve never been and they’ve since moved and are now located at the end of the Highline. They set up they had for COVID measure was really well done and the museum itself was interesting. Maybe not my favorite, but it wasn’t bad.
5. Fleur Noire Tattoo – following what is now becoming a trend of getting skyline tattoos of not the city I’m in…NYC skyline in Mpls, Chicago skyline in NYC. What is next? Jack was awesome.
6. 9/11 Memorial – this may have been the first time I’ve visited on actual 9/11, always a place of reflection and peace
7. K-Town – because I had too. They closed off the streets so the restaurants to could take full advantage. It was a lot of fun. Visits to UDON Lab and Soju Haus.
8. Restaurant Row – closed streets and good food and fun times. Visits to Tito Murphy’s, Deacon’s and Back Pocket Bar.
9. Long Island – Labor Day (all day) was spent at the beach. I’d forgotten I’d been a vampire all summer, so got a bit sunburned. Then a visit out to Seaford & Merrick to visit some cool people. Visits to Sequa Deli and All American.
10. Beach Day – Labor Day all day beach day and catching the sunset, but also OCEAN!
11. Brooklyn Bridge Park – it’s been expanded since I was last here and it’s so nice. We also came across an oyster bar on a boat (Pilot), so I had to. Also, I have not crossed the Brooklyn Bridge in forever.

NYC Food Staples MUST gets:

1. Bagel – Long Island everything bagel with cream cheese (not pictured)
2. Pizza – so much pizza, but all so good (most of it was from Tony’s, but totally okay)
3. Xi’an Famous Foods – that spicy, tingly beef noodle is my jam (I’m also super convinced its just one really long noodle)
4. Cronut – this month’s flavor: pumpkin and rice pudding ganache with a cinnamon sugar dusting
5. Breakfast Sandwich – thank you Anthony & Sons
6. Pastrami Sandwich – sadly this did not happen, but it wasn’t a super strong craving…

My MN Adventures:

1. Oktoberfest, Waldmann Brewery – blue and white checkered table cloth, 3 beers and some kasespaetzl
2. The Pearl & The Thief Pop-Up, Octobar – 7 courses and a cocktail, I miss meals like this
3. Uncle Chay’s 55th Birthday – Lao food buffet (with some tropical fruits) and a hotel room party, of course there was “gambling” and drinking involved as well…even some dancing
4. Hiking at Interstate State Park – check out our little video of our 2 hour hike with an unexpected elevation gain of 500+ ft. And, it’s leaf peeping season.
5. Gizelle’s first visit to MN – included a trip to MOA for some shopping, Spoonbridge and Cherry, Bellecour and then games…because #pandemic

Consumed Media:

1. Was It Love? (Korean, Netflix) – a little slow at the beginning, but then it got good and the pace picked up
2. Perfect Wife (Thai, YouTube) – loved, loved, loved
3. My Precious Bad Luck (Thai, YouTube) – still on the fence, but at this point I’m hooked and invested and it got better
4. Chun Cheu Busaba (Thai, Viki) – I enjoyed this one and OMG, all the food. I want the food…and it entertained me because the female lead has the same nickname as my mom
5. Ngao Jai (Thai, YouTube) – I just enjoyed this one
6. Neung Nai Suang (Thai, YouTube) – this one was also enjoyable
7. Rang Pratana (Thai, YouTube) – OMG, the drama and the episodes are so short, but love it…and there’s so many episodes
8. Doctor Who: S11 & S12 (English, HBOMax) – good for a change of pace…AND female doctor!
9. All Together Now (English, Netflix) – movie, it was cute
10. The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia: P1 & P2 (English, Netflix) – not for most adults as it’s a show about a teenage genius, but I still enjoy it
11. Sapai Imports (Thai, YouTube) – my cousin told me I had to watch it for a laugh. It was funny, but I think I had higher expectations.
12. Kleun Cheevit (Thai, YouTube) – better than expected. Ended up actually liking it. I was on the fence after reading the description.
13. TraBarbSeeChompoo (Thai, YouTube) – I kind of hate, or at least dislike, revenge plots, but I really liked the female lead
14. Mulan (English, Disney Plus) – live action movie, thank you to my brother for getting premier access. I heard it was a hate it/love it kind of movie. I loved it even though it didn’t quite follow the animated story line. I still think she was pretty badass.
15. Alive (Korean, Netflix) – movie, little on the scary side and not quite like the “Train to Busan” or “The Kingdom” zombies, but I enjoyed it…I love Park Shin-Hye.
16. The Charming Stepmom (Thai, Netflix) – I’ve watched this man times over during quarantine and before. I find it cute…and really funny. Nevermind the age-gap, but it always leaves me laughing and then awwww.
17. KlinKaSong (Thai, YouTube) – just started this one. Yaya stars in it. I’m on the fence…so far, not a super big fan of the characters…
18. Fade Away (Thai, YouTube) – so far, it’s pretty decent…but why do there always have to be bad guys?
19. Mulan (original version) (English, Disney Plus) – movie, have always and will always love…and had to watch it so I could sing along.
20. Beauty & The Beast (live action) (English, Disney Plus) – movie, love both versions of this movie…and Emma Watson, and all the songs.
21. Enola Holmes (English, Netflix) – movie, so good…she is perhaps the BEST Holmes and also, Millie Bobbie Brown
22. Lomsonrak (Thai, YouTube) – really enjoying this one
23. The School Nurse Files (Korean, Netflix) – this show is so weird, but oddly intriguing…and hey, it’s an easy binge (there are only 6 episodes)
24. Hollywood Game Night (English, Hulu) – brainless, enjoyable fodder where I get to play along too
25. Let’s Eat (Korean, Netflix) – I think I’m here more for the food than the story development…but I also want to know what’s up with the Insurance King
26. Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father (English, Netflix) – great for the laughs, the Magic Mike episode in Las Vegas, ROTFL stuff

If you’ve made it this far…you know the rest will be a photo dump: