Wednesday, May 13, 2009

New York City

I just finished spending 6 days out of the past two weeks in New York City. Last week (5/5 - 5/7) I stayed in Brooklyn and conducted a training at SUNY Downstate. The administrator responsible for arranging our training is familiar with our software from a previous institution where she was employed. Another trainer and I stayed at the Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge. We were fortunate enough to be in the newly renovated section which was quite nice!



The traffic getting from the hotel to the training each day was a nightmare. We didn't leave early enough either day and arrived at the training location at the last minute which always starts off training on a shaky note. But the training group that I had was wonderful! Lunch was provided to us and the administrator in charge even drove us back to the hotel the first night so that we were able to avoid another cab ride.

Amanda has spent a great deal of time in NYC and was very familiar with how to navigate the subways to get us where we wanted to go. We spent the first night in and around Rockafeller Center, Chinatown and Little Italy. The second night we spent around Times Square. We ate at Ellen's Stardust Diner which was really fun!

My second trip was a solo. I stayed at the Park South Hotel which was really cute! The rooms were TINY but it was very clean, free wifi and wonderful, free breakfast. The training went very well. The group that I worked with was wonderful! I ventured out and about to Macy's flagship store, Madison Square Garden and even took the subway by myself to Chinatown and Little Italy.

Here's a few of my observations about New York:
1. Traffic - supposedly no one owns a car yet the streets are FULL of them and they sure don't go anywhere quickly!

2. Communication - no one speaks English. Even people who think they speak English have such a think, East coast accent that it's difficult to tell that it's English.

3. Juxtaposition - the randomness of it all. The Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church in the middle of Chinatown?

4. Fashion - everyone - men and women - wear scarfs and carry handbags!

I anticipate that I will be spending a fair amount of time in NYC in the future as we have MANY clients in the city. Please leave me a comment as to what I should see and do and where I should eat at during future trips.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

This was a busy weekend so I didn't get to post as I would have liked. We have been working really hard over the past year or so not to eat out so much. We are down to Friday night Happy Hour and Sunday morning breakfast during most weeks. Occasionally, we order a pizza on Saturday night but recently, if we don't have some function to attend, I've been making Buffalo Chicken Pizza. It's quick, easy and satisfying! Here's the recipe/instructions:

I brown about 2 to 3 pounds of chicken breast that is chopped into small pieces. I remove the pan from the heat and add about 1/4 cup of butter mixed with about 1/2 cup of Franks Hot Sauce and let it soak for a bit.

On a greased baking sheet, I spread out a pizza dough (I usually make 2 pizzas at a time). Son works at a pizza shop so sometimes I use theirs, sometimes a store brand or sometimes Pillsbury - what ever is handy. On top of the dough, I spread about 1/2 to 3/4 of a bottle of blue cheese salad dressing. Then I sprinkle chunks of blue cheese on top of that. Next, I add the chicken and hot sauce and then cover with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for about 17 minutes and dinner is served!

I hope you enjoy!