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Published: December 11th 2013
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A stark difference between British and American companies is their attitudes towards philanthropy. This is not to say that either nation is more or less philanthropic but rather it is simply different and lets face it for the companies it's about PR. My company invites all employees to get involved in charity or charitable causes. My team decided to become involved with a charity that renovates and spruce up homes for returning veterans.
This was sold to me as a paint and polish type job. I thought I can do that, no sweat. When we arrived in Yonkers city (outside of new York city) in our shuttle bus. I was surprised to see a full blown construction site. So, this was essentially a bunch of bankers pretending they could do what construction workers do, as though it's that easy. Unsurprisingly, it was very macho in the morning, and then in the afternoon lots of people suddenly had emergencies in the office that required a lot of time on their BlackBerrys.
The whole experience was interesting, and the views of upper Manhattan were amazing. I did ruin my cricket jumper (you know the one) with blue paint, so you win some you lose some. The organiser kept calling me London when my name became too much for him and I didn't understand his Hindi. Yes, he was attempting to speak Hindi to me.
Another experience that is novel to America is watching a film that involves the marines in a cinema.
I decided to treat myself to a cinema trip when taking a break from my essay. We chose Captain Phillips. As you may know it's about Somali pirates. When they were 'handled' by the marines, the audience starting cheering which was completely surreal. Definitely not what I expected or enjoyed experiencing.
Something that is not very big in America is Formula 1, but as you know it occupies a special in my heart. A friend who works for another company was invited to a corporate event which Susie Woolf - development driver for Williams F1 would be giving a talk. I asked if she could somehow get me a ticket. She's pretty cool, and gave me her's. It was amazing she said she loved my necklace and she thought my top was pretty cool (checkered flag) and signed my book. She is absolutely lovely and very inspiring.
Upon coming out here, I made a Twitter account and have taken it more seriously and have managed to find out about cool things that are happening in NY as a result. I follow a guy from a TV show (the mindy project) and he is really talented, he said on Twitter that he was going to be in NY for a show. My friend is a huge fan and the tickets were only $20. Turns out it was a freestyle rap comedy gig. The crowd shouted out jack hammer and the foursome rapped about jack hammers for 20 minutes. The venue is really cool, which of course means its in the East village. From this, I learn that Twitter has its uses and is not completely evil - so don't believe what the papers say.
Food:
Cherry - Japanese: This place looks good, but the sushi isn't very. Also, they messed up our order and gave us free drinks. The drinks were actually very good. Also, the chocolate orange mousse was light and delightful.
Grimald's - pizza: This is dubbed as one of the best places in NY for pizza. It was very good, but expensive for what it was. $23!!! Hence, you would have to be craving pizza to pay that.
Alice's tea cup, chapter 1- afternoon tea: This place offers a mad hatters tea service. It is quaint, lovely and Lewis Carroll would be proud. The tea is some of the best I've had here. Though, it did bother me that the server poured the tea without the sufficient brewing time accounted for. The scones were a mix of flavours, such as chocolate and caramel. Berry and banana. The sandwiches were ok. The chocolate mousse was nice too. Though, it was the tea and scone show. Also, spotted Cynthia Nixon chilling with a cup of tea.
Thanksgiving pecan pie- yes it deserves all the rage it receives.
Latzanni- Italian: Was ok, seafood risotto was cooked well. Some of the fish was overcooked. They messed up the orders pretty bad so they gave us the meal for free. The benefit of booking through a review website. Wink, wink.
Cake boss- cake: As, the Italian was not a great choice of mine, my friend and I went in search for dessert. Cake boss dessert is gorgeous but also very heavy. So would be a great afternoon treat after wondering around midtown.
Curry in a hurry- curry: was quite a walk from midtown, but the garlic naan was really good, among the best I've had. The chicken tikka Masala was good enough, after you've been wondering around for an hour. The sweet was awful, good thing I'm not much into Indian sweets. In case you are wondering the curry did indeed come quickly.
Grey dog- American diner ish: I arrived horrendously late and so didn't get to finish what I ordered. Though, I am completely converted to the idea of Mexican breakfasts. I had a breakfast quesadilla. It was so tasty and I feel my breakfasts have been pretty below par in comparison. The place is in near union square it's pretty cool and all the hip young things have breakfast/lunch there.
Tea leaf and coffee beans- tea and coffee place: I have walked past this place many times and have never gone in. However, it felt the right time when it was minus two and snowing. The tea was lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It wasn't anything to rave about but as (an almost) independent tea/coffee place goes it was quaint.
It is snowing as I write this, which is beautiful but also makes you feel like you will never feel your toes again (an alternative version to make me feel your love Adele/Bob Dylan).
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