Category Archives: home

November 6, 2012

Fundraiser for Staten Island Hurricane Sandy Recovery + Giveaway!

**Even if you don’t want to enter for prizes, please consider donating anyway! Every bit helps. Thanks :)

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If you read my last post, you know how much physical and emotional devastation there is on Staten Island following Hurricane Sandy. I was born and raised in Staten Island. I have memories on every inch of the areas that have been devastated. It is my home. It’s painful to see how badly it has been damaged, how much precious life has been lost, and how people just like you and me are struggling. Recovery will be a long, slow process but if its one thing I know as a Staten Islander it is that the local community will be with the victims every step of the way.

This close-knit community has always had true pride and resiliency that is unlike anywhere else I’ve been. Residents care about each other and work hard to maintain this amazing borough every day. The strength of the island and its residents has always amazed me and continues to do so in every possible way. I have never been prouder of where I was born and raised, but now its time to do my part to help.

That’s why I created this fundraiser and giveaway to raise money for Staten Islanders in need. Together with some AMAZING companies and the Stephen Siller Foundation, I have created this fundraiser/giveaway to help support the local community and its residents. They truly need your help and every little bit really does go a long way! Please donate to help my home, and also for your chance to win some great prizes!

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Here’s what you can win (there will be MULTIPLE winners! Yay!):

Chobani
Build your own case of Chobani (12 pack). This is some amazing yogurt, and its healthy.

Sparkly Soul
One thick and one thin headband. These headbands really stay put during running and working out. Plus they are bright and fun. A must have if you love running and glitter!

Road ID
Two winners will each get a $35 eGift card. These amazing wrist bands help keep athletes safe on the road, you can personalize them and include your personal information for ID in the event of an emergency. GREAT product!

Pro Compression
A pair of compression socks. I can’t say enough how much I believe in compression, and these socks are at the top of my list of compression products. They are comfortable and effective, plus they have fun colors!

Aspaeris Pivot Shorts
A pair of compression shorts. This company is amazing, caring, and has been a great friend to me. Plus their shorts are truly fantastic. They make a huge difference in running performance and in my recovery after long runs.

Nuun
Four pack of Nuun and a Nuun waterbottle. This great product has been helping keep me hydrated for as long as I can remember. These tablets flavor your water and provide much needed electrolytes. Plus, its tasty!

Hydrapack
A Gel-Bot waterbottle. This is one amazing waterbottle. You can squeeze an energy gel into a middle compartment and fill the bottle up with water. Adjusting the nozzle allows you to access either one when you need it!

Gu Energy
Mix of gel products. Energy products are crucial for athletes, and Gu is one of the best. They have gels of various flavors and styles to suit your needs for quick fuel on the go! Great company.

Injinji
3 pairs of performance toe socks. If you run, you know how important socks are. These moisture wicking socks are designed to manage moisture and provide comfort with a design that protects your toes!

Megan’s Prize
I will also be creating a box of various items to be sent to one winner. It will be a collection different products with some great goodies that I love!

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I want to thank each and every one of these sponsors from the bottom of my heart. I truly believe in these products and recommend that even if you don’t win, check them out! Lets go support them!

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How to enter:

  • Visit my fundraising page to donate to the Staten Island Hurricane Recovery Fund by clicking here (please read Important Information section!).
  • Quickly register for entry into the giveaway by clicking here.
  • Tweet, text, blog, facebook about the fundraiser so we can raise as much money as possible for Staten Island! This is not mandatory, of course, but appreciated :)
  • Come back on 11/26/2012 to see if you are one of the lucky winners!

Important Information:

  • You can donate without entering into the giveaway if you’d like. Every bit helps!
  •  Minimum donations are $10 for entry into the giveaway. Number of entries per person are as follows:
    $10: 1 entry
    $15: 2 entries
    $20: 3 entries
    $25: 4 entries
    Donations $30+ will earn 5 entries (plus a virtual hug!!)
  • Multiple winners will be randomly chosen and prizes randomly distributed to each winner. Unfortunately, you cannot request to enter for a specific item/product, it all goes into one pool of entries.
  • All proceeds will be donated to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund, to be distributed directly to the Staten Island community for recovery.
  • Donations to my personal fundraising page and giveaway entries will be accepted until 11/25. Winners will be announced here on my blog on 11/26 and contacted via email!
  • Remember, you are awesome for getting involved and helping a great cause!!!

Any questions? Let me know!

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November 4, 2012

I’m a Staten Islander

I was having a hard time writing blog posts this week and it even took me a few tries getting this one going. Things have been so emotional lately in the city in general, but in particular for me because I went to my hometown of Staten Island this weekend to volunteer with clean-up. Since the trains from Brooklyn to Manhattan and also in SI were still out at the time, I rode my bike to the SI ferry and took it across. I’ve taken the ferry hundreds of times in my life, but for the first time ever I was nervous sitting on that boat. I’d seen the photos online but wasn’t sure what to expect seeing my hometown in person.

I rode my bike from the ferry down to the beach where I’ve spent childhood summers, BBQs, beach clean-ups, runs, and bike rides for my entire life. Most recently, I finished a Memorial day 4m and my first duathlon along Father Capodanno Blvd and the pathway along the beach. All wonderful memories. But when I got there, it wasn’t the road or the beach I remembered.

Somewhere near SI University Hospital there was a musical tone playing caused by the wind hitting beams at a nearby construction site. At the same time the conditions became worse, the roads were muddy, dust was in the breeze, and the beach and homes were destroyed. At this point I broke down and immediately regretted coming by myself. I truly wished those news reports were wrong, that the island was as it always had been. But being on SI proved to me that it was even worse than they showed on the news. I have memories throughout every inch of the island, and they all came flooding into my mind at once.

Its too much for me right now to post photos of the destruction. But I will show you the beach for now. There was a running/biking path here, the path I finished my first duathlon on.

At this point I wasn’t sure if I could keep going and honestly considered going back. But then I saw a local deli destroyed and all the furniture stacked outside. I thought about how much my neighbors lost and knew that I owed them enough to be strong and composed like they were. So I kept going despite my emotions.

After riding past the command center at Miler Field and through the neighborhood, I arrived at a donation site and decided to help sort clothing and supplies for the victims. My parents were elsewhere near my house also doing work. But it was AMAZING and overwhelming to see how much people were donating and how the community of Staten Island came to help one another. I know the Red Cross was there on the island somewhere too, but most of the efforts were just neighbors helping neighbors. Tons of volunteers, supplies, and love filled that donation site.

One smaller shipment of clothing. There were 10+ shipments like this plus extras in just one day, as well as countless volunteers.

I am so glad I didn’t turn back earlier. Although it was an incredibly emotional day, I got to be a part of helping my neighbors. And I saw the generosity, dedication, and selflessness of a community who always sticks together and supports one another. People walked around in the streets handing out home-cooked meals, volunteered to help others clean out homes, and offered support and love for people who lost everything. It was a display of pure humanity and respect for the lives of others. The destruction is unfathomable, extensive, and horrific. And some people have lost everything, but the island will help them try to rebuild what they have lost. Together.

Staten Island has always been unlike any other place I’ve been in my life. Its close to NYC but has kept its charm and small town feel, even though its growing in size. Even though I live in Brooklyn now, Staten Island will always be my home. It is the island that raised me and gave me so much. And I will always be there to give back. I am a Staten Islander.

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I am planning a blog fundraiser/giveaway for Staten Island, plans are in the works. Stay tuned in the next few days for the announcement. Planning on this one being big.

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June 18, 2012

My Weekend in Pictures and a Few Words

Warning: Lots of food pictures in this post! Yum.

Hope everyone had a great weekend :) It was a big one for me: Father’s Day, my dads birthday, my first big fieldwork assignment (lots of work), and I got a bike. I also had a delicious dinner date with Karl.

First and most importantly, I want to say happy birthday and happy father’s day to my dad. He has ALWAYS been there for me through everything, is my best friend, and is truly the greatest role model I could have ever asked for. He always puts everyone else’s needs before his own and has always set a positive example for me and my siblings. I can’t thank him enough for all he does (which is a lot!) but he is the reason I am who I am today. Thank you dad, I love you!

Us in Lake Placid. Happy Fathers Day and birthday to the best dad!

Isn’t he the cutest?!

In addition to this weekend being two important holidays, I also had a nice dinner date with Karl on Friday to catch up from the week. Thing have been crazy with me adjusting to fieldwork so we set aside some time for just us. We went to our go-to restaurant BLT Prime for some amazing steaks and food. I only really eat steak at good steakhouses and have been craving it lately so I treated myself to a nice filet mignon cooked medium (it was perfect on the inside!).

First things first. They give everyone pate to start on toasted bread but the signature item at this place is the popovers that they give everyone. We crave this restaurant sometimes JUST for the popovers. They are perfectly cooked and are served with butter and salt. We tried to replicate them once but it didn’t work even though they give out the recipe. If you eat nothing else here, you have to try the popovers.

POPOVERS!

I love the cow thing in my meat!

The sides at this restaurant are arguably as good at the steaks. They are on the smaller side so we had a few to try and loved each of them: artichokes (it was a special), creamed spinach, and stuffed mushroom caps. Delish!

The artichokes with some bacon. Wish these were on the menu permanently!

Creamed spinach.. to die for! Its probably on of my favorite things on the menu.

Stuffed mushroom caps. Not what I expected but really tasty. I love a good fungi!

After dinner I talked Karl into going on a long walk with me down to the East Village to get ice cream. A while back we saw on the Food Network (our favorite channel) on “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” about a place called the Big Gay Ice Cream shop (they also have a food truck). The person who chose it on the show called it the best ice cream they ever ate, so we HAD to try it of course. We had it this past winter for the first time and became obsessed. So I talked Karl into taking me after dinner, although he didn’t need much convincing :)

The signature item there featured on the Food Network is the Salty Pimp, so of course that’s what I ordered as usual. The Salty Pimp consists of: vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, sea salt, dipped in chocolate and in a cone. Its AMAZING.

When we arrived there was a huge line but I was determined. Plus, you know its good when there’s a line. While we were waiting, we also got a show! Some Gossip Girl-looking prep school boys in blazers and ties randomly showed up and started singing A Capella. I have to say they were pretty good! Dessert and entertainment :)

The Salty Pimp. Sorry, I took a bite before I took a picture :)

After an intense night of eating, the next day I picked up my NEW BIKE! I showed you a photo in my last post, but it wouldn’t be a weekend review without showing it to you again :) I rode 7-8 miles Saturday on her and about 5 miles Sunday. I can’t believe I didn’t buy a bike sooner!

She’s taking a ride on the SI Ferry

I spent Sunday working on my assignment for fieldwork and hanging out with my dad for the holidays before heading back to Brooklyn. It was so nice to see him and hang for a bit to celebrate! Plus the weather was pretty good, which never hurts.

Even though I had a bunch of work, this was a really nice weekend filled with good food and family! So tell me…

How did you celebrate Father’s Day?
Did you eat anything good this weekend?
Whats your favorite dessert?

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