Long Overdue

I just realized that I never posted about my incredible spring break. Probably due to the quick turn around between St. Barth's and interviews in New York, I somehow forgot. Anyway, now's a better time than ever, especially since this will be my last post for PR 352!! Finally!

We started the week in Puerto Rico (which I thought was a very odd destination, as I've never met anyone who had been there before) at the Ritz Carlton. The view walking in was incredible. The lobby was spacious and full of windows and overlooking the pool and the beach. Our room was also unbelieveable - we had a one bedroom suite with a living room, dining room and kitchen with a walk out balcony on the ground level over looking the pool and beach with two connecting one bedroom suites. The beach wasn't exactly "bahamian" water, it kind of resembled more of a Port Aransas ocean, but it didn't matter because we stayed near the pool the whole trip anyways.

On the first day (a Sunday), we ventured to a little town where we were told they held pig roasting festivals each Sunday. After 45 minutes of driving through the mountains, we finally reached Wyaccan. It was very interesting and reminded me a lot of Mexican markets that I've seen before, but all the same was entertaining.

That night we ate at the hotel at a New York based restaurant called Il Mulino which was fabulous. The next day, we relaxed at the pool all day long, ate room service and went to bed early because the boys had a big fishing trip planned the next morning. The boys woke up at 6 and went to meet the fishing guide, Armando, at the dock. Around 6:30 we received a phone call that a sting ray had jumped over the boat and struck my brother's friend in the leg -- they were headed to the hospital...After 3 hours and some illegitimate doctoring, we left the hospital with a stingray barb and an injured leg.

After a week touring and relaxing in San Juan, we left Puerto Rico and flew to St. Barth's to meet some family friends on their new sailboat, the Christopher. I think the photos speak for themselves.

Needless to say, my spring break was a blast...can't wait to take a spin on the Christopher when it comes to visit NYC this summer!

FAST FIVE

Although Fast and the Furious and movies of that genre are not typically up my alley, I agreed in my lazy Sunday mindset to join my boyfriend for a viewing of the fifth Fast and the Furious - Fast Five. Let me just say, I was pleasantly surprised.

It was very similar to an Oceans' Eleven type movie, but with a hilarious cast and a "so stupid its funny" plot. Not to mention Paul Walker. The movie was action packed, drama filled, and surprisingly, not very centered around cars or racing which I enjoyed. Although usually I'm more of a Tangled or Something Borrowed kind of girl, I highly suggest going to see this thriller while its still in theaters.

Dreaming about NYC...

After I got my internship in New York, I immediately started researching places I want to eat at while I'm there for the summer. Here are a few I've come up with...

La Esquina - a small little taco "shack" with a little known underground restaurant where the likes of Mick Jagger and Bono hang out at regularly. My parents went here for a friend's birthday party and said it was incredible.

Torrisi Italian Specialties - a small hole in the wall italian sandwich shop by day, a 20 seated italian restaurant by night with a wait list of over a month

The Shake Shack - I saw a picture of their burgers on Eater and immediately started salivating. If there's one thing I love its a cheeseburger and a milkshake and it looks like this is going to be my new hang out.

STK - this place was recommended to my by a friend and the atmosphere looks so NYC chic - the menu also doesn't look too bad ;)

Don't worry...I'll keep you updated as I try them!

The Royal Wedding

I, along with every other girl and woman in the world, wish very badly that I had been born Kate Middleton (or Pippa). They were married in the wee hours of the morning American time last Friday and as I watched it on DVR the next morning, I was much more emotional than I thought I would be.

Kate's dress was stunning, as was Pippa's. The whole ensemble was just fabulous. One intriguing fact was that the tiara that Kate wore as her "something borrowed" was a 1936 Cartier tiara owned by the Queen. I think the best part of the whole day was Kate; she is pure class. Although I've never met her, I feel as if I know her and she is just a regular young woman, marrying the love of her life. What a joyous occasion for the world!

Buried at Sea

Last night, Osama Bin Laden was announced dead. After 10 years of hunting him down, the U.S. Military finally found him, hiding in a mansion in the heart of Pakistan. While this is such an incredible victory for America and provides some sort of closure to families of those who were harmed in the tragedy of 9/11, I do think it is a little odd that his body was given a "proper burial out at sea."

America is going through a celebratory time after this completed mission, yet I do think that I will need to see some sort of evidence to fully believe that the body was actually his, and that this was not a ploy by the government or Osama, and instead of bringing his body back to the U.S., they threw it in the ocean. Not only does he not deserve any kind of "proper" burial, but Americans deserve more details on what actually happened.

Obama is apparently taking all of the credit for this mission, which while he is acting President I guess makes sense, but I do feel George W. deserves to be thanked. I am so happy for everyone who was affected by 9/11 and their families that this ultimate criminal was finally brought to ultimate justice, but I also think that we as Americans deserve a little more detail.

ARW

This past week and this week were the two famous Austin Restaurant Weeks here in town. ARW goes on from Sunday-Wednesday of two weeks during the year in which notable restaurants throughout Austin present sampler three-course menus for either $15, $25 or $35. Its an amazing deal and allows residents around Austin to try restaurants they may not otherwise be able to.

Although it proves pretty difficult to find a week night to go out to dinner for students, we were able to make time last night to venture over to Ruth Chris. Although I've been here a million times with my parents, I rarely the the chance to go to a nice meal without them, especially since my boyfriend lives in a different city. Ruth Chris was a nice change, and although the portions on the restaurant week menu are much smaller, and my mashed potatoes were literally swimming in butter, the steak was incredible.

Last week, we went to a restaurant none of us had ever been to - NoRTH in the domain. It was absolutely incredible...we all got different appetizers to share, all different entrees and all different desserts. I highly recommend it. Some other restaurants I would recommend giving a try during ARW are Uchi, Uchiko, Cippolina, III Forks, Sullivan's and Ranch 616. I also really wish that Eddie V's would join in on the fun, as well as Perla's.

If you haven't visited the website and checked out the menus, I highly suggest you do just that.

J Public Relations

On Monday I received the wonderful news that I got a job this summer with J Public Relations - a San Diego based boutique PR firm with an office in New York (where I will be working starting on May 18).

I'm so excited not only to be moving to the big city this summer, but also to be working for such a wonderful company. JPR specializes in travel and hospitality public relations with clients such as the Fairmont Hotel in Whistler, Canada, Sprinkles Cupcakes and Nobu. With excellent media relations and savvy social media, JPR is really on top of the innovation game in the world of boutique public relations.

I've been to New York plenty of times over the years, but I've never experienced it the way that I will this summer and I'm thrilled to find out what it's going to be like taking the subway to work every day, living in a studio apartment and going out on the down.