Sick of BBQs? Come to NO PASSPORT REQUIRED III: The Taj Mahal in NYC

Did you go to a barbecue this Memorial Day Weekend?

This past weekend, I headed over to my cousins house for a barbecue. Lucky for me, this barbecue was nowhere near as painful as the one he had on July 4^th, 2009.

That was the unfortunate day on which I walked into a cactus.

Twice.

This Cactus only looks innocent!

I really wasn’t paying attention to where I was going because I was busy watching the July 4^th fireworks-- a tradition that no American can go without on Independence Day! The most painful part wasn’t even walking into the cactus because actually walking into a cactus doesn’t hurt all that much. It’s the realization that you’ve walked into a cactus which shocks you and then hurts like crazy. When you finally realize that you have a million cactus needles in you, your throat starts to close, your legs start to wobble, and your body feels like it's going to collapse. Alright, perhaps I’m being just a little bit dramatic…

As a result of this terrible experience, I’m always on the lookout for other events that I can go to instead of my family barbecues where I am likely to run into another cactus. I’ve been scoping out some of One To World’s events, especially their ‘NO PASSPORT REQUIRED III’ event at Taj Lounge on June 14^th.

All proceeds will benefit One To World’s enrichment programs so it’s a great way to help make a difference while having a good time. There will be an open signature cocktail bar , a live DJ, a luxury raffle, and guests from all over the world. I’ve also heard that there will be some amazing raffle prizes, including high-end design items from Moss, Andrew Marc, Knicks tickets, and more!

If you buy tickets now, you’ll also receive a special early bird discount! Click here to buy tickets now!

NO PASSPORT REQUIRED III: The Taj Mahal in NYC

Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Time: 7:00pm – 11:00pm

Location: Taj Lounge @ 48 West 21st Street (Between 5th & 6th)

10 Things To Do...

I’ve been sighing a lot this past week. Mostly because my daily caffeine intake and crime shows (I live vicariously through Criminal Minds!) have not been cutting it for me. I just haven’t been getting my usual thrills and chills from them.

That, coupled with a foreboding sense of doom created by the mere thought of an impending job search has effectively turned me into a not-so-chipper blob of humanity. Which is why I decided that I need one of these to inspire me to be a normal person: “10 Things You Need to Do in NYC Before  _____”

The blank is open to artistic interpretation. For me, it’s “Before It Gets So Hot That All You Want To Do is Watch Movies for the Free Air Conditioning.” But you can fill it in for yourself – whatever floats your boat!

If you have things that you feel should be on the list, feel free to let me know in the comments!

1. Do a Bar Crawl. You can sign up for one through sites like this or just pick a list of however many bars you that you want to go to. 
2. Visit Coney Island. I just had to throw this one in here because I’m from Brooklyn. But the boardwalk is pretty amazing in the summer and the famous Mermaid Parade takes place there in June. For more stuff to do, check out this site.
3. Have a Picnic in Central Park. Just because everyone does.
4. Visit All the Ethnic Neighborhoods in NYC. Irish. Italian. Chinese. Jewish. Ghanaian. Albanian. Korean. Dominican. The list goes on and on!  
5. Watch something at Madison Square Garden. Like Cirque du Soleil? Or maybe you’re more interested in a sports game. Whatever the case may be, you can check out the schedule here. 
6. See a Broadway Show. If you have the time, you can probably try to score some cheap tickets here. 
7. Go to the Farmers Market. Check out locations here. 
8. Ride a Bike at Governor’s Island. Governor’s Island is pretty spectacular. It’s open only in the summer and there are free events there almost every weekend. Learn more here. 
9. Spot a Celebrity. This make take a bit of homework but you have sites like this and this to help you with that. 
10. See a Rooftop Film. Screenings of independent films on rooftops throughout NYC. This is a great way to do something relaxing and which requires minimal movement (so you can minimize the amount you sweat in the summer).Take a look at the film schedule here.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn

I have never taken the G train. Whenever I see a connection for the G train at the station that I'm in, I will automatically turn and stare, wondering what magical creatures and adventures lie in wait for the lucky commuters on the G train.

Don't get me wrong though. I know that I am mistaking commuters' haggard faces for faces full of pure bliss and subway rats for dragons or unicorns but I will be unhappy if you tell me that the G train is not bound for a happy marshmallow filled destination. At the very least, I know for sure that it takes you to Hippieland (also known as Williamsburg!).

Murals in Williamsburg.

So what more needs to be said? Just the fact that it is a hippie haven makes Williamsburg cool beyond cool: which is why I'm secretly jealous that I don't get to take the G train to work. The neighborhood used to be an industrial area but it now houses a thriving art and music scene, giving the area a sophisticated glamor reminiscent of that in Manhattan. But if nothing else, the rent in Williamsburg resembles that in Manhattan.

More murals in Williamsburg.

Even if you don't live in this neighborhood, Williamsburg is the place to be these days. It has a number of thrift stores if you're looking for some stylish or vintage clothing and some of the best restaurants in New York, including the famous Peter Luger Steakhouse. Or, for those who like to wander, Williamsburg has quite a few art galleries to explore as well.

All in all, Williamsburg is definitely worth visiting. If you're interested in spending a day in Williamsburg, be sure to sign up for One To World's walking tour of Williamsburg scheduled for Sunday, May 22. Click here to reserve your spot now! If you're really anxious about checking Williamsburg out before then, you can check out things to do in Williamsburg here.

The Roebling Tea Room
in Williamsburg.

Williamsburg is also home to
Brooklyn Brewery.