Daiyel and Nayamarie2009 fall into these categories.
There are doing to right things.
They are getting exposed.
When I mentor entrepreneurs, I told them this is the Superman effect.
They need to be exposed, to be seen.
Talent agents need to see them. People need to champion their talent.
On the other hand, entrepreneurs that have failed apply the Invincible Man effect.
They have great ideas are so scared to share it.
They think self promotion is selling out.
I learn this from mentoring sessions with Martin Yan “Yan Can Cook”
He uses humor as a vehicle to engrave a deep impression, a lasting one into people’s mind.
So don’t be afraid of self promotion, there is simply too much “NOISE” and talent in this world so make yourself known like Superman.
I just realized that among my friends, I don’t have the nicest cars or the high flying career, but I am a very happy person.
perhaps I just simply aim for things that truly make a person happy
Relationships. 90% of our happiness relates to having healthy relationships. So keeping good relationships is paramount for happiness. Forget the little things in life that may bother us and stay away from having enemies. Forgive, forget. No grudges.
Friend inventory. check your inventory. If you think you have been hanging out with losers (negative people) who brag a lot, do little, seek new friends. Avoid shallow materialistic people.
Watch Sex in the City or Entourage. If you have three other friends that have brunch every Sunday, you’re in good company. True friends are ones that support you in good and bad times. When you’re sinking, count on them to save your butt.
Volunteer. Feed the homeless at soup kitchens, help out a starving entrepreneur with your skills (hint,hint). Once we serve the less fortunate, you realize that your life is not too bad.
Content. Be happy with the NOW, the present. If you’re single, embrace this time of freedom. If you lost your job, now is your chance to seek a career you enjoy.
Risk. Take some. Meet new friends, change jobs. Sing at a Karaoke bar.
and don’t forget..
Talk less, listen more.
Take less, give more.
Judge less, compliment more.
New York City Adventure
Highlights: Lawrence Lue entrepreneur talk + running into Jade Liang
Meals: Dinosaur BBQ, Viniero’s, Sobaya
One of the hardest things in life I have done is become a full time entrepreneur.
+no income source
+just pure will to succeed
+lonely adventure
So for lunch, I enjoyed a great conversation with entrepreneurial minded Lawrence Lue.
He currently manages a Rock N Joe. I admire his courage. He could have stayed in corporate world and have a comfortable job but he left to pursue something that he was passionate about.
He stories of struggling to live in costly New York City area and his vision to achieve his dreams is admirable.
One thing I stress about being an entrepreneur is that it is not romantic. We essentially need to do anything to get things done.
This may include
+sweeping floors
+moving home with the folks to cut down on cost
+delaying vacations
+sacrificing dating opportunities
Lawrence Lue and Rayfil Wong at Dinosaur BBQ in NYC
If you want to open a restaurant, be prepared to take out the garbage, cook when the chef is absent, and work long hours.
Over tender bbq ribs at Dinosaur BBQ, I just enjoyed listening to his stories. Law and I great up in Sunset district in San Francisco. While many of us have stayed behind, Law had courage to go after his dreams.
For dinner, I had dinner at Sobaya with a programmer and talked about tech languages.
But serendipity arrived. The waitress tapped me on the shoulder with a note that read “turn around.”
I happily saw someone that I had been with in my previous life.
New York City Adventure
Highlights: sublet hunting
Meals: Riki sushi, Decibel sake, Halal Cart
New York Street Performers
Sublet hunting in New York day 2.
A small room with a shared kitchen can run around $1000 in Murray Hill area.
I think would enjoy living in New York City as long as I belong to a few communities.
+ tech/gluttony/church community
Nevertheless, I can see how New York can be a lonely place. I have traveled around the world. Europe/Australia/Asia/North America and each city has a distinct vibe.
Riki Sushi Rayfil Wong Elsye Putri Joe Yang Sarah
Take Hawaii. I have family there and people are just so nice and down to earth. Sydney people are just nice and value quality of life versus quantity of life.
And then there is New York. This place is a concrete jungle. I think if you can survive this city, then your character grows to become very strong and you will begin to have thick skin.
New Yorkers are nice, in a different way.
When they are at social events such as a bar networking event, expect them to be friendly.
When they are working in professional settings, expect them to be focused and ambitious.
For dinner, Joe Yang/Elsye/Sarah/me go to Riki. Follow Campusfork Food Blog for info.
New York City Adventure (Day 7)
Highlights: coffee Lan Phan, sublet hunting, Columbia University
Meals: Hungarian Cafe, MOMA, Kambi, Angel Share
Rayfil Wong and Lan Phan
There are very people I would consider a life adviser, Lan Phan is one of mine. My dear friend from UC Berkeley, I have not seen her in a few years.
Currently a student at Columbia, she is an amazing writer and philosopher. I remember around ten years ago, we were walking along UC Berkeley campus and I said to her “look at that person in the wheelchair, isn’t that so sad.”
She looked at me and remarked that maybe the guy in the wheelchair is looking at me and thanking God that he does not look like Rayfil.
A few years later, she is still kind, caring, and down to earth.
I told her to never change.
MOMA poster
Lan and I just simply caught up about life. We both agreed that New York is the biggest city with a lot of lonely people.
You can see many people eat by themselves and simply just listen to music on the subway with sad faces. The key is to find community in NYC.
If you’re a designer, find friends at AIGA events.
If you’re a believer, get connected with a church group.
I have been told that people meet people to get ahead in life.
Previously that morning, I had been visiting a few sublets. Via a church connection from Thomas, I was introduced to Eddy. For only $600, the sublet included a swimming pool and gym at a nice condo. At the end, I decided on a place in the West Village.
For lunch, I ate at New York’s Number one pizza joint, Joe’s Pizza.
The crust is chewy and the sauce is just right, not too tangy.
In the early evening, I dashed over to MOMA for their free admission Friday. One of the staff workers remarked that she knows that I was not from NYC since I had a big smile. She admits that New Yorkers like herself give out a hint of edginess.
Moma pause poster
MOMA highlighted included great industrial design faces along with the long light of an inefficient coat check.
I had dinner with Joe Yang who is gracious enough to host me at Kambi, a Japanese Ramen restaurant that was a miss.
I ended up at Angel Share talking about worlds travels with Spanish friend Laura Andres Martin.
New York City 6th Day
Highlights: SF Friend: Stephanie Andrews
Meals: none, seriously
Rayfil Wong and Stephanie Andrews in NYC
Wearing a vibrant red jacket, she approached me. Gently whispering, “are you here alone?” The Asian girl with her pretty face instantly flattered me at the bar in the W hotel, boosting my ego to the heights of the Empire State building.
I though, “damm, I’m hot. Boy are NYC girls assertive.”
She instantly dashed off, not before give me a square card. On it, her name and number. Then a British gentleman chuckled and told me she was an escort.
God chooses to humble yet again.
So NYC has been awesome in many ways.
Tonight, I got approached by an escort and my San Franciscan dear friend Stephanie Andrews arrived at the Big Apple.
I have met thousands of people, but few are like her.
She is white but was raised by black folks.
Noticeably, she prefers hanging out with Asians people.
Remarkably, she is one of the most positive people I know.
Trust me, she has had her share of family tragedies but somehow, she chooses to be happy.
This is why I consider her a great source of inspiration.
She also has great friends that I met that night. Robert/Sue/Hannah/Megan
New York City 5th Day
Highlights: MET + Grand Central
Meals: Tsushima Sushi + Gray’s Papaya + Maoz + Mad Chicken
I treat getting to know New York just like getting to know an attractive lady.
Instead of hip hopping through the city and cram my schedule, I enjoy talking to locals and just try to see through their lens.
Starting off my day, I had early lunch (11am) with Pamela Koo, a UC Berkeley friend from back home in San Francisco.
She moved to NYC a few years ago. Now attending NYU’s MBA program, she still has her spunk but now with a dash of NYC.
After talking to a few local friends and transplants, NYC has a vibe and culture like no other
4 things I have learned
+ People in NYC are in a rush, so ask for direction and then leave them alone
+ If you want to meet people, go to a bar or go to an art gallery
+ It is expensive in NYC, a studio can easily start at $2300.
Time is $
+This city can be a lonely place. Compared to San Franciscans, NYC people are more career oriented. Don’t expect Silicon Valley culture with Ping Pong tables and chats
Food porn: Tsushima for lunch was on par. Authentic Japanese chef. My sushi lunch cost $25. Notable mentions are the buttery tones from hamachi and sea sweet salmon. The knife skills are on par. Read food blog at www.campusfork.com/blog1
Next, I went to the famed Metropolitan Museum. The museum will please the senses
UC Bekeley buds Pamela Koo and Rayfil Wong
with a vast array of art from European to Asian. Personally, I enjoy only modern art. They suggest a $20 admission donation but feel free to suggest less.
Next, I went to Columbus Circle just to roam around.
Food porn: Gray’s Papaya. It is a must eat tourist trap. For $5, two hot dogs + papaya drink. The dogs have a slight snap but over all over salted and lacks gourmet character. Top Dog in Bay Area is twice as good. The papaya is refreshing and a winner.
Next, food porn: Maoz for falafel. My first date with fresh veggies. Amazing nutty tones from falafel balls and all you can eat veggie bar. Very nice for just $6. I first had Maoz in Amsterdam.
Then I needed to walk off my food.
My 2nd Visit to Times Square was great. The vibrant lights and energy. I finally admit that this is why New Yorkers think that they are bass ass edgy.
Next. I had food porn in Korean Town. All the signs were there. Kareaoke, K pop looking kids, and my first encounter with a bunch of Asians. Living in East Village, there are less Asian. In San Francisco, almost half the population is Asian.
Elsye Putri + Rayfil Wong at Mad For Chicken
Few hops away, I had finally arrived with cheerful New Yorker Elsye Putri at Mad Chicken. Very things can be better than soju + flavorful fried chicken.
New York City 4th day Highlights: Empire State Building+Nude Gallery +Chelsea Market Meals: Murrays Bagel + Ray’s Pizza + Please Don’t Tell Timeline: 2pm till 2am
When I am in New York, my primary goal is not to hit all the tourist attractions.
Instead, I like play detective.
I like talking to locals
“How can you afford Manhattan?”
“How much is rent around hear?”
“Where is a good place for a bagel?”
At the moment, it is fair to saw that New York is amazing.
The buildings, the food, just the amazing energy.
I enjoy walking around ritzy Park Ave and Time Warner Building.
Just amazed at the buildings and wealth around the city.
The doorman and limos that escort people around.
I also finally had my first New York Bagel.
Murrays bagel has a chewy texture.
Next, I tried Ray’s thin New York pizza.
Greasy but nothing worth nothing.
The Chelsea market is a building hosting bread shops, fresh fruit shops and other artisan stores.
Reminds me of the Farmer’s Market in San Francisco.
Next, I passed by and went to Milk Gallery.
Milk Gallery in Chelsea
Noticeably, I saw lots of tall models walking around.
The featured photos were actually of nude super models.
I felt like I had just arrived in a Sex and the City gallery scene.
Hoping to the subway, I went to the Empire State Building, all the way to the top.
Empire State Building New York City
For just twenty bucks, I got to see the skyline of New York City.
Amazing.
How was this city formed?
How did these building go up?
Ending the night, my buddy Joe Yang brought me to PDT, aka Please Don’t Tell.
Entering through a hot dog restaurant, this speakeasy bar requires patrons to pick up a phone in order for the staff
To open a secret contraption door.
The bar tenders dressed charmingly in tuxedo vest serves up great drinks.
New York City 3rd Day Highlights: Katz Deli + Chinatown+ Soho Shopping Meals: Katz Deli + Menkui Tei + Joe Shanghai + Chinatown Ice Cream Factory Timeline: 2pm till 2am
Rayfil Wong and Ippudo Chefs
I am a ramen whore.
I run toward ramen as my choice for comfort food especially during these long winter days.
Starting my day off, I ran into the master chefs at New York’s best ramen house, Ippudo.
These are trained ninja chefs that treat every bowl of ramen with artistry.
Starting my food porn trek, I tried Menkui-Tei. Okay, I see Japanese workers and thought, lets give it a try.
Boy, I was wrong and this was my first date with my first bad meal in New York City.
If I could, I wanted a refund.
The tonkatsu ramen broth just was too salty and lack a milky texture. Two slices of pork that lack careful attention and just tasted flat.
The noodles lacked the egg notes that make noodles worth slurping.
Tip, save your money and time and run away from this place.
But thank God, Katz Deli saved my day.
Known for the fake Meg Ryan orgasm scene from when Harry Met Sally, Katz Deli is an icon.
But many iconic restaurants don’t deliver.
Katz clear delivers.
Sampling a few slices of the corn beef, I confirmed that is was too salty.
The pastrami sandwich ($~16) was on par. Soft rye bread huge tender slices of meat that is perfectly seasoned. Slight lather of mustard provides spice and tartness. Be sure to ask for a plate of sweet and sour pickles, they are fresh tasting and awesome.
Charming notes are the famous photos of celebrities along with workers with the New York attitude or you can otherwise consider charming.
Attempting to burn off my calories, I journey to ground zero.
Frankly, seeing the site makes me sad.
It reminds me that life is short and we simply can not predict the future.
A few blocks away, Wall Street featured business man and woman scurrying around to the subway.
Talking to a retired police man, he mentioned that he was just across the river when 911 hit.
Next, I visited my people, Chinatown.
Like every other Chinatown in the world, they are consistent features.
These include street vendors selling veggies, t shirt shops, and great Chinese food, so I thought.
Avoid Joe’s Shanghai, a tourist trap. But try it so that you can say I’m right.
Deemed as the king of Shanghai Dumpling, I avoided the crowds and ordered the crab and Shanghai dumpling ($7.25) to go.
Yes, there is plenty of soup in each dumpling but the soup lacks sweat and vibrant flavors. Instead, the soup is bland and flat.
The meat has an uninviting texture.
When Shanghai dumpling is done right, the meat is so and tender and the soup is vibrant.
Surprisingly, another tourist landmark saved the day.
Chinatown Ice Cream Factory has an interior that is chaotic and lack design consistency but the ice cream delivers.
The chocolate and leeches hit every right note. The texture is inviting to the palate featuring creamy texture and notes that highlight each ingredient.
Two thumbs up.
Next, I walked briefly around Little Italy and then in SOHO.
That is where I discovered Manhattan Industries, an apparel store that started with awesome bags.
Started by a husband and wife team, the staff is friendly and the designer backpacks and messenger bags are good looking.
So, I got myself a few back packs.
Brooklyn Industries
Ending the night perfectly, my UC Berkeley buddy Joe Yang took me to Angel Share, a speakeasy located inside a Japanese restaurant. Push through a secretive door and Asian bartenders dressed charmingly in black vest serves up New York’s best cocktails.
