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Brooklyn, Murakami, LIRR.

ChazNugget — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:05:25 +0000

One of the perks of living in FoHi is having an LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) stop for two reasons.

1. Options and convenience. We have the E, the F, some local services AND the LIRR. So we decided to jump on it and head down to Brooklyn and check out the Murakami exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum with Jennifer. Grubbed at Chavella’s , checked out the exhibition, met up with Mr Softie, and grubbed Columbian style in Queens.
2. I just think that it’s designed well from a graphical standpoint

Forest Hills LIRR @ Station Square.

Watching the LIRR pull up to the platform.

Transferring to platform 3 to Flatbush.

Eating at Chavella’s – my dish: bistic & onions, over easy egg, fresh fried tortilla chips, beans, cheese.

Exterior of Brooklyn Museum.

Look at ‘dem lips. Muah.

Now THIS is a transformer I’d like to see. (Anime girl > Jetplane)

Shrooms.

How to make Murakami shrooms.

“Queen & Princess in Flowers” Real life, Digital Ink on Canvas.

Tierras Colombianas

Pan-chan & Baba.

California Recap

ChazNugget — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:01:48 +0000

We are safely back in NYC. Our trip to Cali was great — friends, family, food, weather (sort of), places, etc. Some quick shout outs to:

Jerel, Ollie, and Paul — for making it out to Coronado for a wonderful yet wet round of golf. Damn those haters behind us.

Joe & Rona — for having us over at your new apt, and for the nice presents for the kids! Sophie and Baba miss jumping on your back and head, Joe! (also for the great laker gear! go lakers!)

Ron, Janelle, and Jaron — for meeting us at Gib’s to watch the Lakers beat the Spurs, having cupcakes and thai food, and for the thoughtful gifts for the kids as well. Keep us posted with Jaron’s progress!

Francis & Irwin — for the dope homecoming party at Casa Dulay. You know I would have never planned something like that, and definitely not as good as you guys. taco truck, drinks, more drinks, laker game, dj, poker, and for gathering all our friends, even people I haven’t seen in years. I can’t thank you enough for your hospitality and generosity.

Mom & Dad — for having us over for 3 days of fun. The kids miss your house and your company already! Thanks for the 2 rounds of golf, dinner in Chinatown, Filipino food, and your hospitality. I wish we could have stayed longer! I can’t thank you enough for taking care of us! (Mom, thanks for peeling 30+ loquats for the kids!)

Gibbie — for spending tons of quality time with my family and for letting us hang at your pad. The kids will definitely miss you.

Jun — for the generous gift for the kids. I’ll make sure to get them something nice from you.

And to everyone else — our trip wouldn’t have been as fun without your company. The one thing I miss most about LA/SD is the people: Family. I have my real family and my ‘friend’ family. Before this gets sappy, lets see some pix! (My first pass at pictures, I’ll add more later, enjoy!)

For the entire album click here.

Golf at Coronado Golf Course, San Diego

Oliver letting it rip!

Jerel, eying his next victim.

“This can’t be mine, I should be on the green!”

Me: Doing it lefty style, cranking it!

Ivy / Marvin Wedding, Chula Vista, San Diego

Group shot at the ugliest church I’ve been to

Posing

The family in front of Grandma Abby’s House

Natalia, Nori, and Joanne

The kids, after a bath at Pechanga Hotel, Temecula

Homecoming Party at Casa Dulay, Chino Hills, Los Angeles

Uncle Irwin holding Sophie (yes, she’s finally smiling with him!)

The kids giving Uncle Joe a deep tissue massage.

Sophie wondering what the hell Ninong Jerel is up to

Partyboy Jon is back with the 5 second Jack swig (Francis, what’s that on your shirt?)

Poker with the guys

Golfing with the family at Roosevelt Golf Course, Los Feliz & Eaton Canyon, Pasadena

The Americana at Brand, Glendale, California

Papa, Baba, Sam and Sophie at the water fountain

The remains of ice cream, mmmmmm

Sophie making a wish

The Drueco Residence, La Crescenta, California & Full House Restaurant, Chinatown

Thanks Ninong Joe and Ninang Rona!

Thanks Nana!

Baba with his new Speed Racer toy, from Joe/Rona.

Grubbing at Full House

Coming Home

ChazNugget — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:39:52 +0000

The Drueco Clan is coming to Cali. It’s been over a year since leaving California for NYC and I’m so anxious to visit.
Here’s what’s in store:
Thursday: Fly to San Diego, Get some mexican food, Visit Joanne’s Mom.
Friday: Golf at Coronado Golf Course with Jerel, Ollie & Paul, Drive to Pechanga and get my hold’em on, drink/chill with the guys.
Sat: Attend Ivy’s wedding and stay at the Marriot in Mission Valley.
Sun: Chill a lil more in SD before driving up to Chino for the homecoming partay at Casa Dulay: more poker, taco truck, drinks, friends, etc.
Monday: Golf at Roosevelt in Los Feliz, Hit up the beach (Zuma?), Dinner at Full House in Chinatown, Meet up with Joe/Rona.
Tuesday: Golf in Pasadena, Check out local stuff in Glendale/Burbank, Meet up with Janelle/Ron/Jaron.

Still have to squeeze in the following: more mexican food (sorry nyc peeps – ain’t got nothing on la mexican food), In-n-out, Tommy’s, Season Thai, Leo’s Taco Truck.

Westside!

Quick Post – March 08

ChazNugget — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:23:30 +0000

Just a really quick update. Jenn, Wali, Joanne and I went to the Guggenheim on Friday to check out Cai Guo Qiang. After, we taxi’d back to Queens and ate at Sripraphai. Delish.

…I don’t really post about politics, but with the whole prostitution scandal, I caught this wonderful image of Spitzer on CNN.

Nutcracker @ Lincoln Center

ChazNugget — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 19:00:29 +0000

So for Joanne’s bday, Natalia got us tix to watch the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center in Manhattan. Its was our first time at the venue and it was beautiful. It had just snowed/sleeted so all around was snow and icicles. Joanne loved the ballet while I was having a tough time with the first part of the ballet – it just dragged. During intermission I decided to go outside on the balcony to get some fresh air, bought some Nutcracker tree ornaments, and headed back in to watch the second half. The second half was much better and much more tolerable. To sum things up, I’ve seen Swan Lake and The Nutcracker – two of the most famous ballets. I’ve really given it a fair shot, but have come to the conclusion that ballets just aren’t for me. Something about no dialogue what so ever, no desire for ballet, seeing men in tights, and music that I can listen to if I wanted a soothing nap all equates to a so-so time. Nonetheless I had a great time hanging out with Joanne sans kids – we need to do that more often.
After the ballet we jumped on the 1 train uptown to Flor De Mayo. I’ve blogged about this place before and take most of my guests there. Once again the food and service was great. On the way home, Joanne picked up some coffee and we jumped back on the trains. Watching her fumble her coffee, look lost, and losing her balance on the train was a trip. She looked like she never road the subways here in NY or was in such a dreamy state of mind because she was having such a blast with me (lol!!!, jk). Anyways, we went to Jennifer’s place in Elmhurst and picked up the kids and went home. Here are a couple pix at Lincoln Center.

“I’m leaving, on a jet(blue) plane…”

ChazNugget — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 15:52:28 +0000

I leave for Los Angeles tonight. I can’t wait. Its going to be my last trip to Los Angeles for at least 12 months, which makes me a bit sad. My brother, sisters, mom, and dad all live there so it’ll be tough not seeing them for the most part of the year. All my friends are there too. I thought it would be easy to replace them (just kidding!) but I’m really going to miss them. I’m going to LA to wrap up our move and get my family!

Here are some things that I’d like to do while in LA:
Leo’s Taco truck
In-N-Out Burgers
See my family
See my friends
Eat real chinese food
Porto’s Bakery
(ok at this point I’m realizing that this is mostly about food here)
Enjoy Burbank for the last time
Shop for some clothes at my usual stores

I’ll miss you Los Angeles.

My First Visitors in NYC

ChazNugget — Thu, 24 May 2007 20:52:11 +0000

So Irwin and Maria are in town. What a pleasure to have some LA peeps in NYC. I met up with them yesterday and we had lunch at Haru – Japanese restaurant in midtown. After lunch I went back to work for a few hours and met up with them again at Rockefeller Plaza – NBC studios to watch Conan! I barely got there in time, and we were lucky enough to get front row seats! We had a good time and a lot of laughs even though the guests were not that popular. After, we headed up 5th Avenue and walked by all the foo foo shops and ended up at the Apple store. They checked it out for the first time and we took some nerdy pictures of us pushing our sunglasses up on the middle of the frame (ala nerd style). We decided to walk to the Met via Central Park. Unfortunately the Met was closed but they took some pix there and we moved on to dinner at Flor De Mayo. Peruvian food – mmmm. I’ve had the Lomo there already, so I decided to try their famous roasted chicken. It is no joke – the best chicken I’ve ever had. Zankou, Seban, and Royal Chicken – you have no chance. After dinner it was time to get our drink on, so we headed to the meatpacking district to APT bar. No sign, only a door. At first it was a bit lame ( I guess its cuz we got there at 1030 – a bit early for nightlife in NYC), but as time passed, the space filled up and the vibe was nice and chill (well maybe this also had to do with the fact that I was buzzing now). I ended up leaving the bar and Ir/Maria at 1am. $40 taxi ride to Forest Hills, and I was at home.

I’m taking the night off tonight as I am in deep need of some shut eye. Gonna watch some Netflix DVDs, some NBA action, and call it a night. JV and Wally arrive today in NYC (yay!) and its Wally’s birthday tomorrow, so I’m sure we’ll be up to no good.

Memorial weekend – Got invited to watch some UFC action with a co-worker, invited to a BBQ by Jenn and Wali and company, plans to go to SOHO with Ir/Maria, party with JV / Wally, and hopefully get more rest. I’m glad i don’t have work on Monday.

Preparation for the first week of work

ChazNugget — Sat, 07 Apr 2007 05:15:56 +0000

So today I started preparing for my first day of work. Went to the company website and did some reading and research. I confirmed my arrival time at the office and found out I have orientation at 9am till 11ish. Last night Wali and I did a dry run of my train ride into work. Not bad at all. Jump on the 6 train, transfer on 42nd to the S train, and them I’m 1 block from work. Roughly a 30-35 minute commute!

I also ironed all my work shirts and completed my unpacking. Everything is now in the dresser or hanging in the closet. Getting used to staying here, now I just have to get used to my surroundings and the city. Tomorrow I’ll be doing some errands with Jenn. Groceries, household supplies, etc.

In regards to food, I ordered some fresh sandwiches from a local joint and it was pretty decent. Trying to find all my food places. Tomorrow I’ll try something new. My goal is to keep trying new things until I have a good collections of good places to eat.

Chinese Food = CRAP

ChazNugget — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 16:28:20 +0000

Ok, the chinese food here really sucks! I ordered some orange chicken. I mean, come on, can you really fuck that up? well, it tasted like overcooked orange peel. And I asked for pan fried noodles. I got those crispy wonton type of noodles that are appetizers, with the sweet and sour sauce. Finally I ordered some chinese broccoli. i get some regular american broccoli in some brown sauce. Boy do I miss the chinese food in LA. Full House I love you. Good thing we had that before I left LA.

So I took the safe route for lunch today. Ordered some sandwiches. BLT, and a grilled cheese. I hope they don’t fuck that up here either. We’ll see in about 20 mins.

Jenn introduced me to this wonderful website for getting food in your hood. http://www.menupages.com/restaurants.asp?areaid=31

You get to pick your area of Manhattan and narrow your search by the type of food, price, meal, etc. And it has all the menus on here!