By far my favorite song off her latest album. Unfortunately, she was too messed up at the time to put together a real video. It would have been so hot!
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Turkey - Is It East or West?
Taken from the New York Times.
Turkey — Is It East or West?
By Anwar Ali
Anwar J. Ali is an Iraqi journalist working for The New York Times in Baghdad. She recently went on vacation to Turkey. It was her second trip outside Iraq and her first outside the Arab world.
Before I went to Turkey I thought it was an Oriental country. After I arrived, and even though I’ve never been in Europe, I felt I was in a European world.
It is not like the Orient I know: the clean streets, the fancy and high buildings, what people were wearing, the number of Turkish women with such a modern way of wearing the hijab, lovers kissing each other openly in the streets.
When I arrived in Istanbul I went to the city center, the European side of the city. I was so eager to see that tremendous world that I suddenly found myself in.
I stayed near the Sea of Marmora, and the weather was wonderful and refreshing. I felt that my complexion changed for the better, and I really liked the colorful flowers and the fountains near the Sultan Ahmed mosque, the Blue Mosque. I also liked people’s happy colorful faces and the endless electricity.
I saw so many alcohol bars. Women and men were drinking openly. So many foreigners feeling free — Danish, Germans, Indians. Here in Iraq we haven’t seen foreigners for a long time. I see only journalists and American forces.
There are thousands of mosques in Turkey. Very fascinating, huge historical mosques. But the number of foreign tourists is much bigger than the number of people praying. I saw Japanese women wearing shorts allowed to enter a mosque, although one of the mosque officials gave them a hijab.
The streets and the market and the restaurants were something like those I see in France on the TV.
The women’s fashions are the same as those on TV. Even in the bazaars, the currency sellers deal with dollars and euros. And for the sellers, language is not a problem because the language of money is always clear.
There were different kinds of shops. I saw a fashion store four floors high and other huge shops, and the streets were full of people. People who looked so hopeful, with clothes so colorful and stylish. It was something like I have only seen on the TV, or in American or European movies. It was just like a paradise for me!
I took a tram for the first time to see the city. Although there was no need, because walking in those nice streets made me enjoy it so much. But it was very interesting. The tram was air-conditioned and very clean, the tickets were just like coins, and everything was in good order
They have fancy markets and air conditioned underground walkways. In Iraq it is dangerous to enter such tunnels. Under Saddam Hussein’s regime, drunk people used them as WC’s. And since Saddam, those places are not safe, lit or clean, and are mainly safe for wild dogs to live in.
Turkey — Is It East or West?
By Anwar Ali
Anwar J. Ali is an Iraqi journalist working for The New York Times in Baghdad. She recently went on vacation to Turkey. It was her second trip outside Iraq and her first outside the Arab world.
Before I went to Turkey I thought it was an Oriental country. After I arrived, and even though I’ve never been in Europe, I felt I was in a European world.
It is not like the Orient I know: the clean streets, the fancy and high buildings, what people were wearing, the number of Turkish women with such a modern way of wearing the hijab, lovers kissing each other openly in the streets.
When I arrived in Istanbul I went to the city center, the European side of the city. I was so eager to see that tremendous world that I suddenly found myself in.
I stayed near the Sea of Marmora, and the weather was wonderful and refreshing. I felt that my complexion changed for the better, and I really liked the colorful flowers and the fountains near the Sultan Ahmed mosque, the Blue Mosque. I also liked people’s happy colorful faces and the endless electricity.
I saw so many alcohol bars. Women and men were drinking openly. So many foreigners feeling free — Danish, Germans, Indians. Here in Iraq we haven’t seen foreigners for a long time. I see only journalists and American forces.
There are thousands of mosques in Turkey. Very fascinating, huge historical mosques. But the number of foreign tourists is much bigger than the number of people praying. I saw Japanese women wearing shorts allowed to enter a mosque, although one of the mosque officials gave them a hijab.
The streets and the market and the restaurants were something like those I see in France on the TV.
The women’s fashions are the same as those on TV. Even in the bazaars, the currency sellers deal with dollars and euros. And for the sellers, language is not a problem because the language of money is always clear.
There were different kinds of shops. I saw a fashion store four floors high and other huge shops, and the streets were full of people. People who looked so hopeful, with clothes so colorful and stylish. It was something like I have only seen on the TV, or in American or European movies. It was just like a paradise for me!
I took a tram for the first time to see the city. Although there was no need, because walking in those nice streets made me enjoy it so much. But it was very interesting. The tram was air-conditioned and very clean, the tickets were just like coins, and everything was in good order
They have fancy markets and air conditioned underground walkways. In Iraq it is dangerous to enter such tunnels. Under Saddam Hussein’s regime, drunk people used them as WC’s. And since Saddam, those places are not safe, lit or clean, and are mainly safe for wild dogs to live in.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Vicky Christina Barcelona
The movie itself is great enough already, but Penelope Cruz is truly amazing both as an actress and a stunning beauty. She can turn emotions on and off at the drop of a dime. She is truly a mesmerizing sensation to watch, as in Volver, and I only wish every scene in the movie included her. All the others are only supporting actors, despite more screen time.
http://www.apple.com/trailers/weinstein/vickycristinabarcelona/large.html
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Giant Panda Birth
Thankfully not as disgusting as I thought it would be, unlike humans. No blood. No slime. No pain. It just slips right out! Except the baby looks nothing like a panda at all.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7585607.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7585607.stm
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
What the eff???
Um...somehow, I don't believe Selena Gomez is actually singing this song. She has no attitude or edge or anything at all. Send this one over to Avril or Kelly, please!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Like it "Like This"
For some reason, I was really feeling this song today, even though it's from quite a long time ago. Kelly is smokin' in this vid!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Restaurant Review: Kampuchea
http://www.kampucheanyc.com/
Drink: Lychee fizz
A delicious and refreshing blend of ground up canned lychees and ginger ale. Who knew???
Zagat rating: 3
Appetizer: Catfish crepe
Nothing terribly special, except for the good amount of catfish. But it was covered in a very salty and sticky sauce. Good texture though.
Zagat rating: 1
Entree: Chicken katiew noodle soup
Delicious broth and a lemongrass undertone. Noodles were well cooked, and chicken was super tender, and Chinese sausages were a nice kick of sweetness. Very well done, but slightly pricey.
Zagat rating: 2
Conclusion:
A good meal, but probably not truly worth the money. Dislike the high tables and chairs with no backs. This is no place to relax or find shanti. It's almost a cafeteria setting, good for a quick meal. Still, the noodles are a true highlight, and apparently there's no other Cambodia noodle place in Manhattan, so there you go.
Zagat rating: 2
Drink: Lychee fizz
A delicious and refreshing blend of ground up canned lychees and ginger ale. Who knew???
Zagat rating: 3
Appetizer: Catfish crepe
Nothing terribly special, except for the good amount of catfish. But it was covered in a very salty and sticky sauce. Good texture though.
Zagat rating: 1
Entree: Chicken katiew noodle soup
Delicious broth and a lemongrass undertone. Noodles were well cooked, and chicken was super tender, and Chinese sausages were a nice kick of sweetness. Very well done, but slightly pricey.
Zagat rating: 2
Conclusion:
A good meal, but probably not truly worth the money. Dislike the high tables and chairs with no backs. This is no place to relax or find shanti. It's almost a cafeteria setting, good for a quick meal. Still, the noodles are a true highlight, and apparently there's no other Cambodia noodle place in Manhattan, so there you go.
Zagat rating: 2
Restaurant Review: Sumile Sushi
http://www.sumile.com
Appetizer: Duck Gyoza
More like fried packets of duck than traditional gyoza. Came with green leafy vegetables spread on top of five or six gyozas. Couldn't really taste the duck, and both the sauce and the vegetables were overly salty.
Zagat rating: 1
Salad: Sesame Seared Tuna Salad
A very heathily portioned seared tuna salad for only $10, with plenty of avocado slides, a couple of cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. This was truly delicious. Each piece of the tuna was not evenly seared (points off for presentation), but was incredibly tasty, especially with the sesame bits. A tiny bit too much dressing for the salad, although the yuzu flavor was never too heavy.
Zagat rating: 3
Sushi Roll: King Crab California
Nothing special here, and could not really taste the crab, but Sumile has amazing rice, and that made all the difference. The taste and consistency were both perfect. Wish I had tried something more creative.
Zagat rating: 2
Entree: Miso cod
Bare presentation that really highlighted the perfectly cooked fish.
Zagat rating: 2
Dessert: Black Sesame Chocolate Mousse
Incredibly delicious and decadent cold mousse with bits of sesame cracker and a scoop of strawberry sorbet. Couldn't have asked for a more delicious ending to the already superb meal. It was more like a pudding than a mousse, but it didn't really matter. The sorbet was also a perfect compliment to the sweet chocolate.
Zagat rating: 3
Dessert: Housemade Doughnuts
Covered with matcha green tea sugar/powder, this was also delicious, especially with the condensed milk (?) dipping sauce. This is definitely a dessert to share, as it is impossible to finish at the end of a meal.
Zagat rating: 3
Conclusion:
A meal of extremely high quality at a very reasonable price. The service was gracious, and environment was quite shanti. I can't wait to go back.
Zagat rating: 3
Appetizer: Duck Gyoza
More like fried packets of duck than traditional gyoza. Came with green leafy vegetables spread on top of five or six gyozas. Couldn't really taste the duck, and both the sauce and the vegetables were overly salty.
Zagat rating: 1
Salad: Sesame Seared Tuna Salad
A very heathily portioned seared tuna salad for only $10, with plenty of avocado slides, a couple of cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. This was truly delicious. Each piece of the tuna was not evenly seared (points off for presentation), but was incredibly tasty, especially with the sesame bits. A tiny bit too much dressing for the salad, although the yuzu flavor was never too heavy.
Zagat rating: 3
Sushi Roll: King Crab California
Nothing special here, and could not really taste the crab, but Sumile has amazing rice, and that made all the difference. The taste and consistency were both perfect. Wish I had tried something more creative.
Zagat rating: 2
Entree: Miso cod
Bare presentation that really highlighted the perfectly cooked fish.
Zagat rating: 2
Dessert: Black Sesame Chocolate Mousse
Incredibly delicious and decadent cold mousse with bits of sesame cracker and a scoop of strawberry sorbet. Couldn't have asked for a more delicious ending to the already superb meal. It was more like a pudding than a mousse, but it didn't really matter. The sorbet was also a perfect compliment to the sweet chocolate.
Zagat rating: 3
Dessert: Housemade Doughnuts
Covered with matcha green tea sugar/powder, this was also delicious, especially with the condensed milk (?) dipping sauce. This is definitely a dessert to share, as it is impossible to finish at the end of a meal.
Zagat rating: 3
Conclusion:
A meal of extremely high quality at a very reasonable price. The service was gracious, and environment was quite shanti. I can't wait to go back.
Zagat rating: 3
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Hot Tamale in Mary Murphy
My only comment is that she looks a little top heavy, and she looks insane sometimes. But what amazing legs!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Teenage Love Affair
I've been obsessed with this song today. I can't believe I was a teenager once also...
A winner has been chosen!
Well, I'm pleased with Joshua's win. And Katee's half win. Imagine if it were tied. That would have been famazing. But congratulations to all four of them. I can't wait to see Katee's future career. And Joshua in Step Up 3D!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
SYTYCD Finale
I was really rooting for Courtney at the beginning of the show. Her hip hop was full of the wonderful energy she brings on stage week after week. But she had to fight the hardest to keep up with the rest of the dancers, and it really showed, starting with the jive, which was really sloppy.
Katee should win, without a doubt. Like Mary said, Katee is flawless in everything she does. And the way she moves can bring a smile to anyone and everyone. The foxtrot sealed the deal for me. She is true magic.
The boys were impressive, but Twitch is not as well rounded as Josh, and Josh also got tired. His jive was terrible...basically just plopping around the stage to music. There was no jiving at all.
I am hoping that tomorrow, the top guy and the top girl will be Katee and Joshua. And then Katee will be crowned America's Favorite Dancer.
Katee should win, without a doubt. Like Mary said, Katee is flawless in everything she does. And the way she moves can bring a smile to anyone and everyone. The foxtrot sealed the deal for me. She is true magic.
The boys were impressive, but Twitch is not as well rounded as Josh, and Josh also got tired. His jive was terrible...basically just plopping around the stage to music. There was no jiving at all.
I am hoping that tomorrow, the top guy and the top girl will be Katee and Joshua. And then Katee will be crowned America's Favorite Dancer.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
SYTYCD Top 6 Performances
The most amazing performance by far...Mark & Courtney's jazz routine.
Katee and Joshua's Paso Doble was also one of the best on the show ever!
Chelsie was on fire with her Mambo, but unfortunately for Twitch, he couldn't keep up...
Katee and Joshua's Paso Doble was also one of the best on the show ever!
Chelsie was on fire with her Mambo, but unfortunately for Twitch, he couldn't keep up...
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