Why Aren't More People Doing This?

For the past few months, I've been searching for a volunteer organization that I can participate in.  I kept running into one's that were full, had very sparse orientations to become a member, or didn't fit into my schedule.  I then stumbled upon New York Cares, and all was right in the world.

This organization is great!  There are 100s of different activities that you can participate in and can volunteer at any time of the day.  I got so overwhelmed over the project list, because I wanted to get involved in everything.  There were so many things on there that related to my interests, and what a great way to give back to the community while doing something that I love.  After attending a half-hour long orientation last week, I was ready to start.

Because some of the more popular projects tend to fill up quickly, I was only able to try three different ones this past week.  I started with giving manicures to senior citizens at a nursing home.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I always have my nails done, and 99% of the time I do it myself, so I thought this should be easy.  I must admit that for my first project this was an experience beyond my expectations.  I arrived at the nursing home on time and it unfortunately took me about a half hour to figure out where I was supposed to go, because this place was like a maze.  When I finally reached the right wing, I was able to catch up with everyone else, and learn the specific procedures of the place rather quickly.  There was only enough time for me to give a manicure to one, a woman who had just turned 96 years old!  She told me how she lived in the same home in the Upper East Side from the day she was born til a few years ago, when she woke up one morning and could no longer walk.  Just by looking at her and noticing her behavior, I could tell that she was a gorgeous, girly-girl back in her prime days.  When I asked her what color she wanted, she said pink, and I showed her some of the options we had.  After turning down several shades of the girly color, she finally settled on a shinny hot pink that she loved.  I feel so lucky that I had a chance to get to know her, and hope I will get a chance to do this project again.

Another project I tried was Music Explorers at a daycare.  The kids were in the 3-4 age group, and could not be more adorable!  Basically, the volunteer's job was to get the kids excited and participate with the teacher who led the group with songs on her guitar.  Most of the children cooperated well while a few were all over the place, but I had no problem dealing with it.  It was so sweet to watch them enjoy what they were singing, and even ask the teacher to repeat the "name song" when a new kid entered the room.  That particular day, the teacher wanted to introduce a new song to the class that involved the kids saying different types of food that "Aiken Drum's" clothes are made out of (anyone heard that song before...it was new to me!).  These kids were shouting out foods like tomatoes, lettuce, and carrots more than typical things that kids like.  Makes me so happy that these children are in an environment that encourages healthier eating!  This is an activity that I definitely hope to go back to.

The last one for the week was a walk/jog in the park with an organization that helps athletes with disabilities.  I figured this will be a great way to get me to workout, because my definition of an exercise is a short time on the treadmill and lifting a couple weights that are not even that heavy.  I chose to go with a group that was only going to do a 4 mile brisk walk, because the 6 mile jog and walking service dogs was just not for me (I'm not the most comfortable person around dogs).  The main focus of the group was a vision-impaired man who had recently ran the Boston Marathon.  This guy wore me out!  The "brisk" walk turned into occasional jogging, and 4 miles seemed like a lot more considering I had already walked 2 miles just to get to the meeting place.  I did, however, enjoy talking to this guy and the others around me.  He even knew exactly where he was in the park just by listening to his surroundings, and I also learned from him that the lamp posts list what street we are closest to – MIND BLOWN!  After an additional 2 mile walk home at the end, I think it's safe to say that I got a good workout in considering it's a couple days later and I still can't feel my legs.  I signed up for next week, so I'm hoping I can keep up next time.

This entire week as I experienced each project and signed up for some new ones for next week, I kept thinking 'why haven't I done this before?'  I really wish this was something that I thought of doing earlier in life, because this experience has been very rewarding so far, and I'm doing activities that I really enjoy.  Another thought...WHY AREN'T MORE PEOPLE DOING THIS?  This world would be a much better place if everyone devoted some of their time to help someone else.  There are no excuses for this, there's always a way to fit even the smallest opportunity into your schedule.  And if it is something you enjoy/are good at, why not?

Coffee, Baked Goods, and Biscotti...OH MY!

Lately, I've been thinking of trying some new coffee/bakery places around the city.  There are just so many around here that I need to branch out from my weekly trips to my nearest Dunkin Donuts (as much as I plan to always remain a loyal customer!)

I decided to finally try this one place called BisCoLatte.  They specialize in 60 different flavored biscotti and they are HOMEMADE.  I love the cozy, coffee shop feel that has a colorful twist – the interior is very cute.  I got the 5 flavor sampler to get a variety that ranged from oatmeal-coconut-chocolate to fig and hazelnut, all of which were delicious.  They also feature soups and oatmeals of the day that I didn't get a chance to try, but definitely makes me want to go back.

During a Saturday of obsessively watching the Cooking Channel, Levain Bakery, was featured in one of the shows.  Watching "food experts" talk about the delicious special cookies and coffee cake, made me want to rush over to their location on the UWS while my mouth was still watering.  I ordered the Chocolate peanut-butter cookie and the sour cream coffee cake.  Their cookies are huge mound shapes that are soft and fluffy, which is my standard for a perfect cookie.  The coffee cake had this gooey cinnamon-brown sugar mixture at the bottom, that put me in a sugar overload for the rest of the day.  The space of the bakery is very small with limited seating, but you can watch the bakers work while waiting in line for takeout.  I got a glimpse of the cookie dough and wanted to jump behind the counter to taste it before it went in the oven.

I had arrived a little early to an event in the Upper East Side one evening, and decided to find a coffee shop to take up some time.  I stumbled in a place called The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.  I had to keep myself out of the customer line for a couple minutes, because I was overwhelmed by so many choices.  It was a little hot out that day, so I went with the Coffee-Ice-Blended flavor Black Forest.  Of all flavored iced coffee drinks I've had, this one is my new favorite.  I know this is breaking my "no sugar in coffee drinks" new years resolution, but I think this is a good once in a while treat.

Do you have a favorite coffee/bakery shop that you regularly go to?  What are some of your favorite menu items from there?