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To Plan or not to Plan?

Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

As students, we are often told by more than one well-meaning parental figure that planning is a major factor in achieving success or failure. We’re supposed to have a plan for selecting a major; we’re supposed to have a plan to thwart the dreaded freshman fifteen; we’re supposed to have a plan for what we’re doing after school while we’re still in school…With so much planning, sometimes it’s nice to just give into a random impulse or spontaneously do something simply because the idea popped into your head.

I did just that last week, and now, I have a nose ring.

In the words of John Lennon: "Life is what happens when you're busy making plans."

Let me start at the beginning. It was nearing 11:30pm on a weeknight and my friend and I were craving pasta. We were supposed to go to bed early because we both had obligations the next day, but the more we thought about fresh vegetables sautéed in olive oil and served on top of ziti, the more our initial plan to go to sleep seemed absurd. So with aspirations of an impromptu pasta party for two, we began searching for ingredients.

First, we tried a Duane Reade, and were disappointed by the lack of produce. Additionally, there was no ziti to be found, only angel hair and elbow macaroni. By the time we trekked to Gristede’s, our fears that the grocery store had already closed were confirmed as the automatic doors refused to open no matter how much we jumped, waved, and stomped, hoping to trigger some sort of motion or weight sensor.

Close to giving up, I suggested we make the best of the minimal selection at a 24-hour CVS, but that’s when my friend recalled a grocery store on St. Mark’s that she though might be open all night. Hopeful, we power-walked east, soon immersed in the eclectic counter-culture that gathers on St. Mark’s.

Eventually, we reached what looked like a design for a tattoo parlor; an underground shop brandishing a logo of a heart with giant angel wings and a halo suspended above its “head.” But, it wasn’t a tattoo shop; it was our destination, St. Mark’s Market. A gourmet godsend with the promise of “Open Always.”

As I attempted to select the perfect garlic clove to flavor our midnight feast, my friend blurted, “Hey, isn’t that piercing place you always go to close by?”

When I confirmed that her suspicions were true, we somehow came to the conclusion that she should get a new ear piercing. After minimal badgering on her part, I agreed that pending the cost of our snacking spree, I would also get a piercing.

Thankfully, the bounty we selected from St. Mark’s Market was so well priced I was able to afford a stud for my left nostril. Sure, I woke up with a slight soreness from my fashionable puncture wound. And yes, I was a little more tired and full than I planned on being when I woke up for work. But the bonding session I had with my friend thanks to pasta and piercings was worth the minor inconveniences. Sometimes, it’s worth it to scrap the plans, and just go with the flow.

-Alex Agahigian-

Photo Credit: live4ever.uk.com

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Posted in onFun, onValues, Out On The Town | 2 Comments »

Urban Social

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

Hail a cab and head towards fun.

It is a common misconception that the only kind of social life in college that is obtainable and attractive is found in student dorms. But this is not at all the case for those who commute or are simply bored with the routine of beer pong and predictable frat parties. I remember a month or two into my first semester of college when I visited one of my best friends for the weekend at the celebrated private university that she attends in Boston. I was expecting to be wowed by her social life since I attend a commuter college in NYC, but I found it to be simply not my type of fun. I was surprised that in a place famed as a “College Town” there wasn’t much to do but roam from dorm party to frat party to dorm party again. The monotony of big school social life was just not exciting. I realize for some it really is but for me it just wasn’t.

I will admit it was rather nice knowing the streets were infested with people my age from all over the United States and the world, which I found to be inspiring in many ways. It seems youth is admired not just by the old, but by the young too. It was just slightly disappointing to realize that for all the different people from all the different parts of the world concentrated on those streets, individuality still fell prey to the uniform social life religiously followed by most college students. Don’t get me wrong––it was an interesting experience, and I continue to visit this particular friend throughout the year to get my fix of dorm life, since a change of scenery is always nice, but my heart and social life lie in the Big Apple.

New York City is a playground for college students because of its many hip neighborhoods as well as the easy access provided by the subway system. There is an abundance of things to do and see in the worlds of music, art, comedy, and of course nightlife. And don’t forget food! New York City is home to some of the world’s best places to eat, and also there are so many different types of cuisines to try, like great Indian street food, which you can find at Bombay Talkie in Chelsea. In simple terms: a city of immigrants makes for a city of delicious, diverse food choices. The city is also well known for its vast reserves of high quality standup comedy. Seeing standup is always fun when you’re with a group of friends because there’s the promise of drinks, food, and laughs. What more could you ask for after a week that most likely consists of sleep deprivation combined with the stresses of work and school? I highly suggest checking out the People’s Improv Theather, which is affectionately known as The Pit. The Pit is located right down the block from Baruch College and is very student friendly. Also New York is chock full of art museums and festivals to visit with friends during the day where you can soak up some culture and then later at night you can find a place to dine or drink on pretty much any New York City block. The club scene is probably the best in the nation, with many of the most popular ones concentrated in the Meatpacking District. There are also tons of live music restaurants (Café Wha? of Greenwich Village) and music venues (Music Hall of Williamsburg, Webster Hall, Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge) where college students flock throughout the week to listen to bands that are the epitome of cool, both old and new.

I would take the variety of my commuter social life any day over the bland one experienced by those that neglect to push beyond the dorm, or attend college out of NYC. I’m not saying that there is no such thing as fun outside of NYC but there are certainly more options when it comes to having a college social life. Sometimes it takes a trip away from home to make you realize how great the city that you call home is in the first place. I learned that fun isn’t necessarily confined to the four walls of a cold dorm room, and instead it infinitely surrounds me once I walk out my door and rush to catch the train.

-Anjelica LaFurno

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Posted in onCollege, onFun, onTravel, onValues, Out On The Town, Uniqueness in NYC | 1 Comment »

How I’ve Been Handling Confinement

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Three weeks ago I underwent surgery on my foot to fix a bone structure issue that interfered with my ability to walk. I had attempted to prepare myself for the weeks that would come, where I knew I would be unable to walk, or for the first week, even move about freely. Yet when the time came when I was actually unable to leave my house, let alone my room, I realized I was in for a rough few weeks.

Despite my attempts to convince my parents that I could easily use my crutches to get around outside, they reminded me of the doctor’s orders to keep my foot stationary and elevated for at least one week. And even after that initial week, transporting was still nearly as difficult because my arms were not built to hold my body weight for extended periods of time, and balancing on one leg put quite a strain on my hip.

Everything that used to be easy was suddenly impossible. I had no hands if I was using my crutches, so even something as menial as carrying my plate from the kitchen to the dining hall was impossible. I dreaded showering for fear of slipping and falling on the hard ceramic, as hopping and jumping one-legged in a shower is not the safest of activities. Even three block walks would wear out my weak arms, and as I fell farther and farther behind my friends, despair would set in and I’d recognize all the things I once took for granted.

The last three weeks have definitely driven me stir crazy, more than I even thought they would. Even I reach a point where I’ve read too many books—the girl who got in trouble through sixth to tenth grade for reading during class! The books were great (check out The Pillars of the Earth, The Diamond Age, and The Help, if you’re looking for a good read), and so was having all the extra movie and television time, but those days were more than I could handle. Everyone me started driving me crazy and I became short sighted, expecting my sister or parents to be able to read my thoughts when I needed their help, or be free every moment that I needed their assistance. I knew I needed to do something, anything, just to stop from going crazy.

So I started doing crafts and other artsy things. I’m not the most artistic person in the world, but I do think most anyone can cut out pictures from a magazine and make a collage. I experimented with melting crayon onto wax paper. I fooled around with different techniques on Photoshop. Next week I plan on making coasters with my sister for the new apartment she just bought out in Boston. I find a lot of crafts ideas online, and others I just make up as I go.

I also try to make sure that I get outside every day, even if just to buy lunch. I’ve scouted out all the inexpensive places within crutching distance, such as Bagel Bob’s, Goodburger, and Nanoosh (which all offer student discounts), and spend some time with friends or my sister.

If you’re ever going stir-crazy, or just want a fun easy activity to do with friends on a slow day, crafts are a great way to spend your time—they keep your hands and brain occupied, and the finished products are often rewarding. Head over to Utrecht for a 10% off student discount with your ID, or 30% of with the printed coupon.

/elizabeth Kaleko

Picture from: www.chumpysclipart.com

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Try Something New

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Now that the summer’s here, it’s time to step away from those complicated school assignments and step back to the fundamentals: reading. Despite being constantly encouraged when we were younger to read, we all know what it’s like to hit high school or college and forget what it means to read for pleasure. It’s easy to ask yourself Why should I read when I get the same value of entertainment faster and easier through a television show? There are many answers, but perhaps the most obvious reason is that it keeps your brain sharp despite the summer sun’s attempt to melt away your intellect. Getting caught up in a good story provides more than televisions twenty-minute quick fix for entertainment, and a good book will leave you thinking for days. Finishing a book also comes with a sense of accomplishment (and bragging rights among your friends!).

Take a minute and think about the last book you read. I think it safe to assume that most of you have read some or all of the Harry Potter series. Did you enjoy it? I’ll take your answer as a Yes. Did you continue on to read more fantasy or science fiction books? No? Why is that? Didn’t think you’d enjoy a fantasy book? Guess what? You already have!

Now, I’d like to propose something to you. Pick up a book this summer in a genre completely different than the one you’re used to; my suggestion, if you haven’t already, is in the science fiction category. They’re not so different from themes you’re already used to. They’ve got some romance, friendship, great characters, as well as thrilling adventures that keep you on the (metaphorical) edge of your seat. Delving into a new genre could introduce you not only to different styles of writing that help you as a writer, but also different people who share that genre with you. And you never know, you might find that you love this new world that you happened upon.

If you’re still hesitant, try something in the middle ground, like ‘Never Let me Go’ by Kazuo Ishiguro, the story of a girl growing up in a specialized school whose true purpose is kept a secret to the students. This book will leave you questioning the ethics of modern science while telling the touching tale of three best friends and how they reunite.

More than anything, take a break from the tight scheduling of college requirements this summer and try something new and different.

/elizabeth Kaleko

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The Family Curry Pot

Sunday, June 19th, 2011

A curry pot: It is an all-encompassing, all-powerful tool of sturdy construction and unlimited possibilities. Every home should have one, or certainly something similar to it. A curry pot can send out an aroma, a call that you can’t refuse to answer, triggering the senses with the scents it emits. A curry pot can be an alarm clock, clanging in dissonance with cooking utensils and waking you from an afternoon nap. A curry pot, with its cover, can be a shining beacon of culinary splendor, covering its contents from view until they are ready to be served. Among all of the traits a curry pot can possess, there is a fundamental difference with every curry pot in every household that contains one: a family’s curry pot is their own.

CurryChicken

A curry pot filled with delicious curry

In my family, we have a large, silver curry pot. But for others, the color varies. It can be silver, but it can also be black and maybe white or red. Some are multicolored. There really is no standard, though silver and black are common. My family’s curry pot is very rotund, and though most look like this, some are shaped more like cones: wide at the top and decreasing in circumference as you work your way to the bottom. In my family, the curry pot that is cooked with is the same curry pot that is used to serve. But many people like to serve their food in a more ornate pot or dish. Simply looking at the characteristics, one can already see the variances that come into play from pot to pot.

There is also the matter of how the curry is made. This alone largely separates one curry pot from another. Scratch that; this separates one family from another, because over the course of several years, you will find that a given pot will carry a distinct smell with it from being used with certain ingredients, no matter how well you wash it. The essential elements for a good curry sauce are cumin and coriander powder, vegetable oil and some garlic and onion (though I’m sure even the basic elements of curry are disputable). From there, any number of vegetables, herbs, spices, powders and peppers can be used to make your curry its own. In my opinion, the quintessential idea of longing for a “home-cooked meal” after having spent an extended period of time away applies more to home-cooked curry than any other type of food because of the endlessness of tastes that a given curried dish can embed.

Ask any one person, whose mother or father makes curried dishes time and again, and they will very well tell you that no one’s curry is better than the curry that comes from their own home. I myself certainly feel that way about my mother’s curry. Coveting the curry of the household is as normal as a hug or a kiss: it shows devotion and care for the loved one who’s responsible for their delectable dishes.

Sometimes leeway can be allowed, but this usually only occurs within one’s extended family. For example, I would claim that my mother makes the best chicken curry there is, but my uncle has her beat when it comes to lamb curry. Under no circumstance do I feel that anyone’s lamb or chicken outside of theirs is better when curried. My opinion doesn’t simply stem from stubborn pride either; I have tried many other curried dishes and still stand by my family’s curried creations.

A family’s curry pot is very powerful. Its use creates a bond that is difficult to shake or impede. Growing up, my mother and father both made a note of instilling familial values within me and my brother, but thinking back on it all, I don’t know if that was always necessary. The curry pot and its creations certainly accomplished the same mission in an intangible way. The interesting part is I know this is happening the world over, day after day. Maybe not always with a curry pot, but knowing the unions that families share over their food is a beautiful thing everyone should be able to share.

–Christopher Cusack, Hofstra University

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Posted in onFood, onValues | 1 Comment »

Food in Unfamiliar Places

Saturday, June 18th, 2011

One of my biggest worries when going off to college and leaving home was the food. I’d heard all sorts of horror stories from older friends—one friend came home over winter break saying that she loved college, but the food was like doughy rocks; another said she literally only ate at her dining hall about once a week.

Image credit: misterppizza.com

Naturally, I was terrified. Food is pretty important in my family. Most of my friends’ families around middle school began to eat at different times, but my family sat down for dinner together almost every day of the week all throughout my four years of high school. My family is slightly Italian-American on my dad’s side, meaning that he’s from Long Island, is a great cook and has stories about a man called Uncle Mike, but doesn’t speak much Italian at all. Despite being so Americanized, however, cooking in the kitchen and eating dinner together remained something of an important ritual.

Sitting at the kitchen counter and taste-testing as my parents cooked was an old habit for me. Even now, after having come home for the summer, I still plop myself down by the counter and steal slices of ingredients before they get to the pan. Homemade pizza is one of the best foods to make fresh at home. When I was younger, my parents would make the dough in the afternoon and leave it covered in saran wrap on the stairs to rise.  My dad would then stretch the dough, first with his hands, then wider and wider in the air.  I was always so amazed by this, sitting wide-eyed in the kitchen with corn meal all over the counter and the smell of dough everywhere. It was better than TV.

If I was lucky, I’d get to help spread the sauce, or even slice the mozzarella if I agreed not to eat any. That was a tough promise to make, though. We’d decide on toppings, which would vary depending on the night and what was in the refrigerator. Sometimes Dad would slice leftover sausage into pieces and sprinkle it over half the pizza; once we added bits of pineapple just to see if my mom and sister would notice. (They tasted something sweet, but couldn’t guess what it was.) And although there were some rare, unusual topping combinations that weren’t great, our homemade pizzas were otherwise always a hit. The crust was thin and brushed with olive oil, each slice hot and fresh out of the oven. Other dinners at home were equally delicious, from spaghetti to pork chops to curry.

Coming from a family where food is placed so importantly, I was worried when I heard these tales of doughy rocks. And despite so much time in the kitchen, my role was usually only to slice the lettuce or something along those lines—otherwise I’m not a spectacular cook. I can make macaroni, tuna salad, and cookies, but that’s about the limit of my cooking ability.  Although I figured at worst I could eat peanut butter sandwiches, I was definitely hoping it wouldn’t have to come to that.

So when I got to school, I was interested in checking out the dining hall. After all, I was wondering what I would be eating these next few years.  I found that the food was edible, if often fried and repetitive, with some exceptions including the more creative fish dishes. I even found that there was a whole separate section for pizza. Although the pizza at school was not quite as good as the ones my dad made, the dining hall pizza made up for this by being available all the time, and often having what soon became my favorite topping (zucchini).

As for the days when I got tired of the food in the dining hall, which seems to happen at every school, no matter where, there were certain little ways to make it easier.  Cooking or finding familiar foods always helped—I like having a package of ramen on hand, the same brand that my mom cooks at home, for days when I want something familiar.

There’s also always comfort food. Most people think of fries or chocolate as comfort foods, and I’m certainly not one to turn down chocolate in any situation. But I found that since my family always had salad after dinner, having salad with dinner at school the first couple weeks helped me feel like something was normal in an unfamiliar place. I became somewhat known among my friends for my spinach salad with olives, if there were any that day. And although I was sometimes teased by friends who don’t like olives, the salad bar helped me feel both more familiar and healthy in a new place. And when all else fails, there’s always takeout.

Anais DiCroce

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Great Expectations

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Train platforms are where NYC commuter college students wait for trains that serve as vessels to higher education enlightenment.

I feel for most of my life that I’ve been anticipating the grand event of attending college. Barely out of elementary school and still I would speak to any adult willing to listen about what institution of higher education I’d like to attend and what my major in college would be. Every year my top choice school would change as well as the major along with the career I truly thought I’d pursue.  Today I know that I was not meant to be a veterinarian no matter how much my nine-year-old self would like to argue otherwise. I really hope time machines are not invented anytime soon for my own safety and benefit. I also now know that you don’t have to attend an Ivy League school to develop into a successful individual.  It is not the name of your college that determines your future, the work and effort you put in is what makes your own name all the more valuable.

It is common for college to not meet your expectations, this is especially the case when you attend a commuter college like I do, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be a bad experience. It will be different from what you imagined for many people, not for all.  However, different can translate to good I’ve learned. My image of college as a kid was deeply concentrated in the mirage reciprocated to me by the media. Attending a commuter college is like being thrown into a dry desert alone and searching for an oasis. At first I was angry with myself for choosing a college that wasn’t meeting my expectations, but gradually I realized they were biased ones. Yes, attending a commuter college is rather different from the experience of my friends who attend schools like Northeastern and just about every SUNY College, but there is something rewarding about knowing I can handle the trials and tribulations of a commuting college student. I can deal with the stress of chaotic commutes, now know New York City like the back of my hand, and juggle a part-time job in the mix as well. This is not easy, yet I find it helpful because it’s a realistic experience unlike the typical college setting.  The commuter college is representative of the real world where life’s necessities aren’t catered to you personally; you yourself must go out and get them.

Don’t get me wrong it’s not only hard work because that would be plain depressing! Attending a commuter college means I have access to the fun and great eats that can be found in surrounding neighborhoods. I personally think the subway is tons more magical than that closet entrance to Narnia. Also, there are great places to eat and see by walking distance too, like Papou’s Pizza. I didn’t expect my college experience to involve falling in love with the hustle and bustle of New York City. I enjoy the fast pace and do-it-yourself attitude about the commuter lifestyle. It’s not what I expected but I’ve learned to adapt. And that’s a necessity in a world where the survival of the fittest theory reigns true in every realm. I plan on surviving because my commuting student experience has taught me to do just that. But again, I really do hope that time machine isn’t anywhere near finished.

Anjelica LaFurno

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Clicking for Change

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Is it possible to make change with the mere click of a mouse? Social media has forever changed the image of the socially conscious individual. The political uprisings this past spring in the Middle East and North Africa prove this to be true. If it were not for sites like Facebook and Twitter these revolutions would not have had the global awareness and impact that they did. The ability to connect through these tools has become an essential agent to making a difference in the world.

As a freshman in college you can at first feel very small (I know I did) and so very far away from what’s going on in the rest of the world, yet social media has filled this gap permanently. It is important to note that the most effective way of making a difference is by getting out there but for college students it’s easier said then done to just drop everything. This is why it’s important to educate oneself with world events documented via Facebook pages and tweets because it’s a step closer to being a worldly individual, also, in today’s world we are all so much more capable to be just that. Social media is in a way amateur journalism because the crises experienced around the world are related directly by the most legitimate source: the people who experience such events.
During the uprisings of Spring 2011 I realized this was the first time in my nineteen years I was conscious of revolution and also saw what it looked like. To be honest, revolution for most of my life equated to what I read in American history textbooks and The Beatles White Album. A perfect example of how interconnected the world is today is reflected in my own experience this past spring. I followed the protests in Iran via facebook pages like 25 Bahman, which aims to bring to light the plight of the Iranian people under the illegitimate rule of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The fact that an average NYC college student like me could experience this on what is meant to be a social networking site shows how social awareness has changed immensely. On this particular Facebook page videos uploaded by Iranian protesters documenting police brutality and updates of progress as well as setbacks. The majority of global outreach by way of social media involved the youth of such troubled nations like Egypt, Yemen, Iran, and Bahrain. College students essentially ran this youth revolution; social media was such an effective tool, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen were forced to resign from their Presidential posts. Internet can serve as a catalyst for change and that’s why it’s such an immense threat to foreign dictators. An example of this is China’s censorship of Google. President Obama and Hilary Clinton have both addressed that Internet usage should be encouraged globally and it’s an attack on individual rights to disallow Internet connection to the masses of a nation. The fact that not everyone is allowed  internet access makes it only more valuable and something to be greatly appreciated.

The revolution brought to you by Facebook.

If foreign college students can oust Presidents by mass text (Honduras ex-President Manuel Zelaya), organize protests on facebook, and update the entire world better than CNN can by way of tweets, than NYC students are just as capable of making change for causes relevant to their lives. In high school I created a facebook event promoting a local protest of a hate crime that took place in my own Queens neighborhood. Facebook made it exceptionally easier for me to reach a great number of people to bring about awareness for LGBT acceptance. My first experience with activism was rooted in facebook messaging and its endpoint for me was handing out anti-hate fliers at a televised protest, which you can do too if you stop by the Advanced Copy Center. The first step to being socially conscious is to make yourself aware, so I suggest following foreign facebook pages, twitter accounts, and blogs to keep yourself up to date with world events. This is a good addition to reading both national and foreign news publications. There are also several websites out there informative about how you can help and where, even if it’s just by clicking a mouse. For example, www.change.org is a website that allows people to electronically sign petitions for free as an aid for social change. These petitions are for just about every cause imaginable, like the public support for Saudi women to drive. All it takes is just one click for a better world! Social media and the internet have infiltrated the realm of civic duty and that’s a good thing considering you’re reading this on the internet this very moment.

Anjelica LaFurno

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Going the Distance

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

People didn’t start leaving me until I went to college. All my life people stayed close by. My older siblings all stayed within a twenty-mile radius for college and when it came for my friends and I to apply to college, we didn’t dare look beyond the tri-state area.

When I first got to college I was ecstatic to find out that my new friends and newly acquired boyfriend all lived within an hour of our school. My family would come and visit on a weekly basis and many of my friends were just a subway stop away for me; everything was going great. That is, until sophomore year. Mallori, my best friend since I was 8 years old, decided to study abroad. She wanted to go to Ireland for an entire semester to be exposed to another culture.

“But what about your family, Mal?” I asked.

Really, what I was trying to say was “what about me?!” I personally didn’t have what it took to live in another country, let alone live outside New York, (I have what they call, “fear of leaving the island”) and to see her go was hard. That semester, instead of going down into the city to meet and go out at night, we had Skype and calling cards on hand for emergency girl talks.

When she came back, I thought I was in the clear. I had the summer going into junior year with everyone home to keep me company. But that summer as my boyfriend and I became closer, he let me in on a little secret; he had decided to study abroad in Brazil for spring semester. At first it was okay, we had a few months left together and when he left, we would make it work… I hoped. I mean, a friendship could easily survive separation, but a relationship? Even on the day his plane took off, I wasn’t sure we’d make it. And as the days went on, it only became harder and harder. I suddenly realized I had to act like a taken girl but I was always alone. I had the commitment, but none of the perks of a relationship. No handholding, no kisses, no napping together—no nothing. That semester I hardly went out. My mindset was to just get to class, get all my homework done and get to bed at a decent hour. My two roommates, who were both in relationships, would try to include me and keep me occupied, but it always ended up making me feel sourer. They were constantly pushing me to go out with them at night but it was a rare occasion when I actually did. I hated the end of the night too much. My roommates would all go to their boyfriends’ apartments and I would do a lonely walk back to our dorm room.  There were many nights I would be alone and cry in my bed listening to the commotion of students laughing and flirting and having the kind of night I had to wait four more months for.

But it got better.

One day it dawned on me that I was the one causing my own unhappiness and maybe this separation could be viewed as a good thing instead of a bad one. And with that revelation, everything changed. A whole new part of my life emerged. I began socializing and making friends with people I normally wouldn’t have time for, I met with teachers and excelled in class, I worked on my writing and made time for new hobbies and even got this internship at the Campus Clipper! I was happy and felt content with myself. I realized that there was no reason to fear leaving or being left behind. New York is an amazing city—no doubt about that—but if an opportunity came where I would have to leave, it would be okay to go. College pulls people physically apart from each other; but that doesn’t mean you have to become estranged from one another! Even if you aren’t a quick drive from each other, you are still just a call or an email away. When you really care and love people, a little distance is healthy and can make you value them more than you have before. Now that my boyfriend is home, our relationship is stronger then ever.  Our time with each other is precious but we make sure to make time for ourselves and other parts of our lives. It’s important to remember that if you’re far away from home or someone you’re close with leaves for a college that’s far away, remember that yes, the distance is hard, but they can always come and visit! You’re in New York City! They can come stay at the Blue Moon Hotel that’s right between Little Italy and SOHO and spend your days running around the city together (you couldn’t ask for a better excuse to do all the touristy stuff).  It’s important to feel grounded not by where you are but by what you do, and to remember that life always gets better if you give yourself the chance to grow.

Jackie Aqel

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Spotlight: Satay Junction

Tuesday, April 26th, 2011

Inspired by flavors of the street food of Jakarta, “Satay Junction” is the only authentic Indonesian restaurant in the city, as other ones don’t feature street food. Therefore, if you’re in the mood to have something completely different for lunch or dinner, here is a great place for you to do so. The food has a distinctive unusual taste for an average New Yorker, but it’s fresh and palatizing, so it’s definitely worth trying.

If you are unfamiliar with Indonesian food, you may think of it as of Thai food, but made with different spices. Indonesians use a lot of lemon grass, candle nut, peanuts and coconut milk. The food comes out spicy (if desired) and sweet at the same time. Sweetness is especially pungent in desserts and drinks.

By the way, the drinks can be your desserts as well, as they taste like candy. For instance, Es Teller, which reminds you of a milkshake (but not blended) with soft coconut taste created by coconut milk and pieces of young coconut floating inside along with seaweed jelly and sweet jack fruit you can chew on. This drink is great as a last chord of your lunch or dinner or its sweet beginning you can indulge yourself in while you are waiting for your meal.

the variety of Satays you choose from

Speaking of meals, when one thinks of Indonesian food, first thing on his/her mind is probably, a Satay, small appetizing pieces of meat marinated and cooked on a stick with various seasonings. No wonder that this item is the most popular in “Satay Junction,” as the restaurant was originally created as a place where customers can savor famous Indonesian Satays.

Since there are a lot of Muslims among Indonesians, it is not guaranteed that you will find a pork Satay on the streets of the capital, although Jakarta is pretty diverse, and everything is possible. However, vegetable and tofu Satays are the invention of chef Raj Dodani especially for his vegetarians and vegan New York City customers. You can also find shrimp and lamb Satays in “Satay Junction,” so whatever meat (or non-meat) you prefer, you will find it here cooked to perfection and served with delicious homemade peanut sauce that you will keep wiping and licking from you plate untill the last drop of it disappears in your mouth.

Two great side dishes for Satays are Nasi Goreng (fried rice) or Mee Goreng (pan seared fried noodles). These sides may be served as an addition to your meal, with vegetables or tofu pieces, or as a separate dish, with any choice of meat you desire.

Besides Satays, there are other flavorful dishes on the menu. Try Gado Gado, steamed vegetables served as a cold salad with medium-spicy peanut sauce. The first thing that gets at your taste buds once you try Gado Gado is the freshness of the peanut sauce. It is amazing and a bit spicy. The vegetables are cold and juicy, and the flavors of the dish are not too strong.

A great snack when it’s hot outside, Gado Gado is one of those dishes that you can buy from a Jakarta woman who walks the streets of the city with a basket of vegetables and makes her fresh peanut sauce right in front of you. The refreshing taste of the dish is a light start for the meal, and it’s great if you are a vegetarian or even vegan. You may ask to have tofu in it if you want to get protein in addition to a full serving of veggies.

And yes, if you are a student, here is a lunch and dinner special for you: $9.99 for a side of fried rice or noodles with any 2 skewers and a soda – great student discount for tasty authentic meal, something that is worth trying, at least, once.

However, if these Indonesian street delicacies don’t sound too enticing to you, and you crave a burger instead, “Satay Junction” has it for you here as well. Ask for the specialty burger with a homemade patty marinated with Indonesian spices on a bun with peanut sauce. There is a side of Gado Gado that comes with it, all for $10 only. It’s a great lunch special for students who are watching their students savings when it comes to food. It’s a filling, yummy and inexpensive meal you can take a break for in between your classes.

In addition to regular menu, there are specials changing from day to day and curries from various regions of Indonesia. There are also catering services and prix fixe menus. For instance, Pijsttaffel from chef Dodani (which is translated as “rice table”) is a set meal for only $35. You choose the main entry and get an omelette, corn fritters, seasonal greens and yellow rice with it. This “rice table” serves two people, and it’s a great deal for the large amount of food offered. You can also ask for a prix fixe menu for your private party. You pay one set price, and the food keeps coming out from the kitchen until you beg them to stop. The closed events usually take place later in the evening, after 9.30, or can be arranged earlier if it’s a weekday. Catering for office lunches and student parties are cool as well.

simple & tasteful

As the restaurant is quite small, you will not host a large party in it, no more than 15-20 people. “Satay Junction” is a great place for a meal, neat and tiny, almost like a cozy home for flavorful Indonesian food. The design of the place is unpretentious. The tables are mostly for two people, and there are beautiful pictures on the walls that bring about ethnic spirit of Indonesian art. Aside from that, there are no more decorations, which leaves the impression that the restaurant is simple and tasteful.

Ekaterina Lalo

Visit my blog at http://nycvalues.blogspot.com.

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