America's Latest Craze: No-Chip Manicures

As I sit here admiring my glossy nails that underwent a no-chip manicure 15 days ago, I can't help but worry.  After perusing the web to find a no-chip salon in Santo Domingo (yeah right, Tia), I researched the nail phenomenon and came across this article.  

And there is a striking resemblance to my real life: 

-The chemicals polish dried quickly leaving it impossible to screw up a nail on the way out of the salon.

-It has lasted two weeks already.

-It still gleams on Day 14.  I've never had shinier nail beds in my life.

But what does it tell me next?  THAT REMOVAL MUST BE DONE AT A SALON.  That DIY removal is not recommended and you're supposed to condition your nails daily?! Why didn't the nail tech tell me this!  

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What the salons don't tell you is that Essie makes a great quality no-chip topcoat that you can buy for a fraction of the price and its removal is like any other ordinary polish.  I'm so glad that I hunted it down on my third trip to Target in one week.

Now if only I can successfully scrape off the chemicals and start with my new and improved version of this craze...  That would be bliss.

3 Things Chicago: Food

The Magnificent Mile - Michigan Ave

Last week I got back to the DR after two full weeks in the States!  It felt like the perfect amount of time - I was able to see a lot of friends and family, and wasn't completely rushed in booking appointments, eye exams, hair cuts, etc.  Boyfriend came with me for the first 5 days, which meant some sight seeing and lots of introductions to my favorite Chicago foods.

3 Things to Try in Chicago

Caramel with Almonds

1. Garrett's Popcorn

I remember living downtown Chicago and the smell of Garrett's would linger in the air a block away from the store - it was a constant challenge to walk past Garrett's without stopping in for a bag.  Garrett's makes the best caramel, and a killer cheesy popcorn for those who prefer salty popcorn.  Despite what the cashier told me about it "losing its freshness" after a day or two, it was still amazing a week after gifting it for Mother's Day.  A perfect Chicago souvenir.  

Pizza at Due's

2.  Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza

I've had pizza in all parts of Italy, but if I had to choose between a slice of Italian or Chicago pizza, I would still choose Chicago-style!  Chicago pizza is a thick pizza with a softer crust, and the tomato sauce is what you see on top of the pie instead of the cheese.  Pizzeria Uno's and Due's are the most famous places to go for pizza in Chicago - not to be confused with Uno's the franchise restaurant that has sprouted all over suburbia - it is NOT the same pizza.  

Greek Sampler at Pegasus

3.  Greektown Chicago

If you don't have a Greek yiayia to make you food from the motherland whenever you wish, then visit Greektown.  Its very small, only a couple of city blocks, but its filled with authentic Greek restaurants and small shops - even the Walgreens on the corner has signs in Greek!  Saganaki (a lemon-drizzled sizzling cheese that the server will light on fire) and baklava will never let you down. 

Until next time, Chicago.

Surprise! Chicago

I'm home in Chicago! 

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I didn't tell many people I was coming, mainly because I wanted to surprise my grandparents.  And last night when I made it to their house, boy were they surprised.  The looks on their faces were priceless as they jumped out of their seats, although I think I nearly gave my grandma a heart attack!  We spent the next hour or so talking/laughing and they haven't changed one bit.

Me:  Papou, your hair is getting really long in the back.

Him:  Honey.  I'm bald.  {As if he's breaking the hard truth to me}  Why do you think I have so many hats? 

His sarcasm and ability to joke about anything never seem to die down.  Of course, yaya offered us food every 3 and 1/2 minutes, while papou told us things like, "Really, who could put up with 42 years of that?" while referring to my grandmother, so matter-of-factly.  They are in their late 60's and late 80's, and I love that I can still can have a good time with them.

Boyfriend is here until Monday, and I'll be here for two weeks!  

First stops on my list: Target and a proper haircut.  I can't wait.

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A Spa Day

Today I spent my morning at the spa.  

{Wish I said that sentence once a week}

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Boyfriend has a knack at getting me good gifts, and for my birthday last week he got me a spa package, which is exactly what I needed!  Its been 10 months (MONTHS) since I've been to a spa, so today I soaked up every second I had with my cucumber-slice eye lids on.  I had a good sweat in the sauna (I even begged asked for more minutes there), got my dead body skin scrubbed away by a madwoman, had a facial with some painful extractions (who knew I had so many forehead zits?!), and finished the treatments with a very relaxing massage.  

When boyfriend came home today he told me I looked more shiny {this word has been changed to "glowing" in my head and I'm pretending its a compliment}.  And tonight we'll take the more calming Hatha style yoga class at our studio, which will be the perfect way to end a day like today.  

Gracias, mi melón. 

PS - This afternoon I learned how to eat a mango thats not yet ripe:  with salt and lemon juice! Yum!  Oh, the things I learn from this Caribbean boy of mine... 

Hello May

Its been a week and a half since my last post - definitely the longest pause in my blog since its birth last summer! 

Things That Have Happened within the Last Week:

Birthday Girl

We celebrated my friend Anahi's birthday Peruvian style with ceviche and ají de gallina - if you haven't tried this dish you must!  Every time I have it I daydream about taking a foodie trip to Peru.

I started law translation work on the side.  Its just an hour or two a week when I feel like doing it, and it will give me fun money to pay for extra things like my yoga classes and salon visits.

A's nephews

We watched little boys play soccer on Saturday morning.  Its so funny to watch them because they sort of just run back and forth chasing the ball.

I had a meltdown because I'm on the verge of 25 {quarter life crisis} and sometimes it just feels impossible to live in this very dysfunctional country.

Lots of Clams

My very low key weekend involved too much eating.  We went to an authentic Spanish restaurant and had clams, patatas bravas, chorizo, and sangria.  My sangria consumption could be compared to that while living in Barcelona, because just the next night we had neon colored sangria at another eatery close by. 

Boyfriend and I ran the longest run we've ever ran in our lives!  7 miles after a huge pizza lunch; it felt like quit the accomplishment.  Only 2.3 miles away from our 15k!  Almost there. 

"Sangria"

I attempted to quit my job but it just doesn't really happen - I was even told, "I don't care if you spend 3 hours on Facebook everyday, just please stay!"  

I am taking a very-much-needed two week vacation off of work and the Dominican way of life.  The countdown for 2 PM Monday has begun.

In the meantime, my birthday is tomorrow!  I am half way done with my twenties - not quite sure how I feel about that!