Anchors Aweigh

In honour of a close friend's birthday, we chartered a vintage Hinckley two weekends ago for lovely a sail on a warm summer's day. Having had the luxury of sailing on the Sydney Harbour many times, I am slightly embarrassed to admit that while I've been in the city for three summers, this was my first time out on a boat on the Hudson. (And no, the Frying Pan does not count!). 

NYC Social - August

It is August and I am frantically trying to squeeze as many outdoor activities before temperatures begin to dip. So far my summer has been concert-heavy - I saw Justin Timberlake with Jay Z two weeks ago, and Beyoncé just last night. And on the dance front, I am looking forward to Drive East in a couple of weeks.  

Regardless, don't forget to check out the May, June and July calendars for events that are still running - namely the Jazz Age Lawn Party mid-month. Otherwise, here's what's taking place in August:

1. Summer Streets - August 3, 10 and 17

via

Seven miles of NYC - from Park Ave at 72nd Street to Centre St at Brooklyn Bridge - will be closed to vehicles for the annual Summer Streets celebrations. While there will be no cars, you can ride your bike, rollerblade or just plain walk the streets - eating, participating in fitness classes or viewing a variety of art exhibits and music performances along the way. The highlight this year is the Voice Tunnel -  an interactive voice and sound installation within the Park Avenue tunnel running from East 33rd to East 40th Streets. For further details, check out the NYC Gov website here.

Flying High

(I have been meaning to write this post for nearly a year but I misplaced the photos and only just found them so here we go)

You know how there is this tiny group of people who can't do really fun things most people can? Like roller-blade, ice-skate, ski or even play freaking ball games? Well unfortunately for me, that tiny group includes me. Though what I lack in skill, I make up for with courage. I will attempt anything ONCE, and predictably, fail miserably at it.  

So when a co-worker (Hey Rob!) suggested we go to a trapeze class with him, I immediately thought right, here we go. let's do this once, I'll say I've tried and then I'll never have to do it again. Which is how we found ourselves at in Chelsea Piers on a BEAUTIFUL Sunday afternoon last Spring.

There's Rob!

Summer bucket list

Inspired by the blogosphere and the fact that I have more time on my hands now that dance season is over, I decided to list down all the things I would like to experience/accomplish by the end of this summer i.e. in the next 6 weeks eeek!

1. Visit the recreation of Claude Monet's Giverny gardens at the New York Botanical Gardens
2. See a couple of movies on the big screen: Magic Mike (done - with smuggled cans of Sofia) and Batman Rises
3. Swim in the ocean (we are off to Fire Island this weekend!)
4. Make some headway into the The Song of Fire and Ice books
5. Finish off French For Dummies now that my European vacation is but a month away!
6. Practice yoga in the park
7. Cull the humongous pile of outdated magazines I have lying around in the apartment
8. Have a picnic/eat lunch in Central Park or Battery Park (it's so silly I have hardly spent time at the latter even though I work very close by)
9. Put for sale items in my wardrobe I can't keep - (I've started here)
10. Go bike-riding in the city - ideally somewhere car-free like Central Park or Governors Island
11. (BONUS) Bake. Something. ANYTHING.

What do you have on your summer list?


Image via Hitha (from Pinterest)

The Help

I am crazy about reading. I have always been. When I was little, dolls and toys were ignored in favour of any book I could get my hand on.

Hence I am slightly ashamed to have only just begun my summer reading. Let's blame it on the numerous visitors coming through our home ever since the first hint of warm weather arrived in New York.

Better late than never.

I started on The Help a few days ago and I could not set it down at all. I have so many romantic feelings about the South and the vivid portrayal of life, love and sadly hate between white families and their domestic help was truly enlightening in both good ways and bad.

Such a compelling read that I wish I had picked up sooner.

I know most of you may have already read this but perhaps a second read is in order before the release of the movie on August 12. I know I will be there on opening weekend.