Keeping Kosher

As most of you may know, my internship this year is at a medical center. A Jewish medical center to be exact. These days East Flatbush, Brooklyn is certainly not a Jewish neighborhood anymore, but the Jewish origins of the hospital can still be felt. There is a Rabbi's office, and kosher options in the cafeteria. My favorite though, is a kosher vending machine I just noticed a few days ago. Upon noticing it, I immediately became fascinated by this vending machine that was like no vending machine I've ever seen. (And I've been to Japan!)

What makes this vending machine special is not just the fact that it's kosher, it's the selection! What do you do when you're craving potato knishes? The kosher vending machine! Cheese pizza? Kosher vending machine! Onion rings? Kosher vending machine!

Ok, you're probably getting the idea. But I mean, the food is not only kosher, but completely junk food! I mean, what would you really expect from a vending machine, but it just seems extra special gross that the food will somehow be heated up by the machine before it's dispensed into your waiting hands. I just really like imagining though that there's some kind of system that will dispense and microwave your food for you. Food that's been sitting for who knows how long in a vending machine.

So yeah, anyone wanna split some onion rings or mozerella sticks? I hear it's kosher!

Picking up Strays

First of all, I promised I tried to update again from time to time now that I've left you all for the city that never sleeps. So, I'm doing my best. See, look! I'm posting!

Wandering around my neighborhood I often see things left on the curb calling out 'Hey! Take me home with you! I'm free.... and you're a starving grad student... you know you want to.' These things range from clothes, to books, to furniture, and even mini-Christmas trees. Generally, though, I resist the temptation. Anyone who helped me move knows that I already have plenty of material possessions to fill my apartment so there's really no need to add to the clutter. This past Sunday, I finally gave in. On my way to go meet friends for dinner (and eat AMAZING asparagus tempura sushi) I noticed this sad little wooden blue chair with a woven seat. I know the description doesn't sound impressive, but I said to myself 'If that's still there on my way home, I'm picking it up.'

So an hour or two later, filled with sushi and sake I make sure to take the same street home, and there it is. My little stray blue chair. I veer over to it's side of the sidewalk and snatch it up without even slowing my pace. It may have looked strange to the guy passing by on his bicycle, but in New York City you don't have to worry too much about looking strange. I got my new pet safely up to the fourth floor, and here it is sitting proudly in my room:


Ok, yeah I see that the seat is kinda busted. But! I have a plan. Just picture a new seat woven out of neckties. Yeah, you like that, huh? I really think it will look great when I get done with it, and then you'll all want to come visit if only to see the finished chair. Plus, stray furniture is easier to care for than stray pets and it can give me a creative outlet. I'll just have to start putting my other stuff on the curb to make room for my finds :-)

P.S. Nicole- I finished putting the mirror in the window frame. yay!