#5: Enjoy a hotdog from Gray's

I feel like I mention New York quite a lot in my blog. What can I say? As much as I try to be fair to my readers who may not be anywhere near NYC, there are just certain aspects of the city that is very difficult to overlook. Either way, Tip #5 will probably have you on the next flight, train or bus. Destination: New York City.


So, when's the last time you've had a hotdog? A good hotdog? No, no... I mean a good hotdog?

Store front || Courtesy of ronsaari.com

Gray's Papaya is a 24-hour hot dog restaurant which is a chain founded by its former partner Papaya King in 1973. I remember the first time I went to Gray's--I walked in hungry and walked out satisfied. (Laugh as you may, at this cliche, but it's true!) I knew it wouldn't be the last time I returned to that place. Well... unfortunately, I only had a few more opportunities to go to that specific Gray's Papaya on W 37th Street, because before I knew it, it permanently closed down... leaving just two remaining in the entire city.

Between the upper west side (Broadway at 72nd Street) and the West Village further south, I chose the West Village, right on 6th Avenue at 8th Street, to be my personal spot whenever visiting Gray's. Of course, I was still satisfied.

Did I mention it's 24 hours?

From the "Home Run" (with sauerkraut & NY onions) to the "Slaw Dog" (with coleslaw & sweet pickles) or from the "Cheese Dog" (with jalapeno cheese) to the "Original Frankfurter" (my personal favorite with some good ol' ketchup and relish), it's all about quality and you'll leave with your hunger needs met and money still left in your wallet. So, not only does Gray's Papaya satisfy your taste buds, but the hotdogs are inexpensive!

Now, don't think I've forgotten about the vegetarians or anti-meat individuals out there. (This goes to shows you just how important it is to read all the way through!) Gray's Papaya has crinkle cut fries on the menu, which you can choose to order regular or with cheese and also a sandwiches option. The drinks that are served at Gray's Papaya come in a variety of refreshing selections. According to the company description, listed on their Facebook page, the "papaya" in the establishment's name refers to the fruit drinks sold there, which include orange, grape, pina colada, coconut champagne (non-alcoholic), and banana daiquiri (non-alcoholic) in addition to papaya.

What's not to love about Grays?

I suggest you give Gray's Papaya a chance, because it's definitely worth whatever travel you have to make and the mere cash you will have to shell out.

It's open 24 hours. No excuses.

WHY Gray's Papaya?
Why NOT Gray's Papaya? (But if you prefer your own frozen hotdogs in your own kitchen with your own stove, be my guest).

#4: Be a tourist... in your city

New York City || Courtesy of galadarling.com

As a born and raised New Yorker, I know just how easy it is to forget how special the city truly is. For those living in NYC, you may have grown accustomed to the hustle and bustle of city life, your fast-pace walk and effortless maneuvering through the crowds of people on-the-go, and the familiar skyscrapers and landmarks. Ever wonder if visitors and tourists have seen more of the city than you have? Ever slow down to fully absorb the beauty that's around you in the city that never sleeps? Ok, so that sounds a bit corny, I admit it. Beauty? Absorb? But seriously, you know I'm right. Just keep on reading to see why #4 is perfect for any and all insomniacs.

Grab your camera, a map (or maybe you have the convenience of Google Maps in your phone, like me), and comfortable shoes. A friend/travel buddy is optional. Set out to your nearest city, whether it be New York, Chicago, Boston, D.C. or Los Angeles! Make use of the public transportation and get out there and put yourself in the shoes of a tourist who is getting a feel of everything that is around. Don't take your usual route, go someplace new! Chances are there are certain places you haven't gone to before and will find just as fun.

There's so many things you can do. Take New York, for example, the lights and vivacity of Times Square can be so overwhelming, but if you're used to it, it can be so... normal. So, how about just standing there--in the midst of it all--and look up. That's right, look up. New Yorkers tend to have their eyes on their destination, no matter how far, forgetting to look up and admire the lights, colors and pizazz of the city. Take out your camera and snap some photos. You'll suddenly realize how fast everyone and everything is moving, all because you are standing still.

Now, let's look at Boston; a bit less fast-paced than the Big Apple, yet has a pretty dynamic night life. Look up hot spots of Boston on your phone and check it out! Instead of heading to that one restaurant or bar you like so much, take a look around and admire the aesthetics the city has to offer. Boston has its own artsy look that I found to be beautiful, when I made my first visit and those who don't take the time to view the entire picture may not grasp it in time. At the end of the day, write down your experience and all the little things that you finally took time to notice.

So, get out of your comfort zone, hit the city and walk a little slower... breathe a little easier... and open your eyes to what's REALLY around you.

WHY be a tourist in your city?
Because too many people are in a rush! Living in New York and simply taking the time to observe my city teaches me to slow down sometimes. I've taken the time to take pictures of eye-catching buildings and other appealing aspects and have always felt a sense of excitement. It was as if the norm had transformed into something just a tad bit fresh and new.

#3: Start a fundraiser

For those of you in college, you may have witnessed numerous events on campus, hosted by various clubs and organizations. Whether students encouraged you to wear purple for Domestic Violence Awareness, pink for Breast Cancer Awareness or red for AIDS awareness week--it was all for a cause and this kind of awareness is always meant to bring about a positive change for the promoted cause.

So why not start a fundraiser of your own? If there is a specific organization that is of great importance to you, get involved... Night-Owl's-Guide style!

Let's take St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for instance. I have admired St. Jude for quite some time now--most importantly their promise to never deny a child treatment because of the family's inability to pay. Its motto "Finding cures. Saving children." is one that has been resonating for years. Feb. 4, 1962 marked St. Jude's 50th anniversary of doing just what its motto states. According to their Mission Statement, their mission is "to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment... no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay."

If you're on college/university campus, how about spreading the word about an After Hours Fundraiser? Whether it's a pajama movie night on a big screen with s'mores as a snack or a game night with raffles, it should be fun, provide an incentive and be ready with information about the cause to which fees and donations will be sent to. You're already at a very good advantage--one can only imagine the turnout (given that there is effective and sufficient promotion, of course).

Do your research, create flyers, band with a friend to make this work and spread the word! Once the event has concluded and you see the donation jar filled up, you will feel a sense of accomplishment--not solely due to your efforts, but because children at Saint Jude will be appreciative of the gift of life.

To donate to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital, click here or visit www.stjude.org.

WHY start a fundraiser?
Helping to raise money for a cause that is important to you is such a selfless way to get involved. There are so many organizations out there that need our attention, and the time you can take out of your busy schedule to help another life is such a blessing.

#2: Experience Teppanyaki

When was the last time you went to a nice restaurant? Not bow-tie-and-gown fancy, but... a really nice restaurant?

When was the last time you let your taste buds try something new? And I'm not talking about a new skittles flavor... I'm referring to a full fledged meal.

Ok, so when was the last time you tried Teppanyaki? (Got you there, didn't I?)

Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cuisine using a hibachi grill. For those of you who have never experienced Hibachi cooking, grab some of your closest friends and head on over to the nearest one--immediately! Not only is the food delicious, but the atmosphere (especially if you are from an entirely different culture) is amazing.

Our meal being prepared at Sakura

My first experience was with several friends for a birthday celebration. When I first saw the food being prepared by the chefs on an iron hot plate, right in front of me, I thought it was the most phenomenal thing ever. We all sat in our seats in anticipation as we felt the heat from the tall flames that the chef intentionally created. He performed little tricks like flipping his spatulas around and catching them with ease and then tossing pieces of chicken or shrimp in our direction so that we could attempt to catch them in our mouths.

As much respect as I have for places like Red Lobster, Applebees and T.G.I. Fridays, I must say that it felt really great stepping out of the usual comfort zone and trying a new restaurant for once. Sakura, in Westport, CT, is the Japanese restaurant I went to, for my first Hibachi experience. The latest that this place is open, is 11 p.m., but that's only on Fridays and Saturdays. It may not be open the entire night, but after your delicious meal, you and your buddies can find something else to do if you please.

Have no way of getting to a Hibachi Restaurant? How about preparing your own teppanyaki meal? Portable teppanyaki grills are available for purchase and you can cook a creative meal right in your own kitchen! With Valentine's Day around the corner, this certainly makes for a perfect meal with your significant other! It beats all the other cliche dinners and allows you to be innovative together.

Check out http://www.cook-n-dine-usa.com/ for more info.

WHY experience Teppanyaki?
Because it's an opportunity to take part in a different culture by accepting its cuisine as part of your appetite! This certainly does not exclude those of Japanese backgrounds, because often times we get so attached to our own style of cooking that we don't think about trying out a restaurant (from our own culture) that everyone else is going to! Give your taste buds a party and try teppanyaki!

Spotlight on Vincent van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh|| Photo courtesy of entertainment.ezinemark.com

Vincent van Gogh’s work has always been intriguing to me. His use of colors and his technique will remain a unique one, in my opinion. I won’t bother digging into a Designer’s Handbook for the proper terminology for describing artwork, so I’ll just proceed with a profile on this renowned painter AND insomniac.

Yes, the late Vincent van Gogh was said to be an insomniac; but how about we backtrack a little bit? (Waay back… like, 19^th century back). Van Gogh was born in Groot-Zundert, Holland on March 30, 1853 (Hey! That’s my best friend’s birthday; only… over a century earlier! Ok, now back to Van Gogh...)

He decided to become an artist between 1860 and 1880 and studied art in Belgium. He apparently suffered from malnutrition, excessive alcohol consumption and overwork. Overwork. Hmm… sounds familiar. As a college student, and senior at that, it seems as though “burning the midnight oil” and stress are quite common (for a majority of students). Van Gogh produced over 2,000 artworks in just over a decade which reveals quite a lot of dedication—but I wonder how much dedication was given while the moon was in the sky.

“The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh || Photo courtesy of VanGoghGallery.com

A collection of his letters, titles, “Van Gogh’s Letters,” reveals excerpts from Van Gogh to his brother, Theo van Gogh, and one from his parents to his brother, related to insomnia and being unable to sleep. Vincent Van Gogh had completed a painting very late in the night before and later on in the day was actually amazed at the work he, himself, had done. This is a good example of how creative we can be during the hours many individuals find unusual to be awake.

Unfortunately, Van Gogh’s mental and physical health were nowhere near perfect and on July 27, 1890 he attempted suicide by shooting himself in the chest with a revolver. Luckily, he survived this ordeal, but two days later, he succumbed to his injury and passed away. It is sad that a man of such talent would choose to end his life, but he left behind thousands of his creations for the world to admire many years later and even more years to come.

                                                

Sources:

1.      Vincent van Gogh: Biography. http://www.vangoghgallery.com/

2.      “Van Gogh’s Letters” http://www.webexhibits.org/