Hellooo 2011.. . I've missed you

Sorry kids – I’ve been MIA for quite sometime, but part of my new year’s resolution was to get better at blogging again…. Its February 14^th (gulp) well better late then never I guess. And at an attempt to make up for my tardiness here’s a snapshot of The Adventures of Michigas’ in January 2011

It started with the wedding of one of my best friends. She was the most stunning bride imaginable and the wedding was an absolute blast!!

The following weekend, I headed out to Cali for some fun in the sun. We spent a night out on the town in LA & then headed up to Santa Barbara for some wine touring. The trip was one for the books... it was filled with non stop laughter, love, and of course plenty of michigas.

See my blog posts on Travel Bug Bites for the full review of the wineries & the rest of our California adventures.

Kalyra Winery

Bridlewood Winery

Sarloos & Sons

After an incredible weekend in Cali, I was forced to head back to NY in the midst of all the blizzards (which was pretty miserable). But in true michigas style... if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em! Which led me to the mountains for some boardin’ and fun on the slopes.

There was also the AFC championship game. Despite being a Giants fan, I had to show my support for NY; as the Jets (minimal) attempt to beat the Steelers and secure a spot in the Superbowl. Unfortunately, we all know how that ended... but I ended the night on youtube (check it out below at the 1:08 marker)

On the 26th, was my favorite January holiday - Australia Day! No better excuse then to celebrate an amazing country. So we headed to the nearest Australian bar and surrounded ourselves with Ozzies and their undeniably charming accent. When in Rome (or in this case Sydney)...

Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oy Oy Oy!!

Last but certainly not least, some other January highlights were the engagements of 2 of my very close friends. I'm so excited for you both!!! Can't wait for all the fun and celebrations!

It's been a great start to 2011 and I have many more adventures already planned for this year! Stay tuned, plenty of more michigas to come...

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my twin sister.
Thanks for always inspiring and adding to the crazy Adventure of Michigas...
Starting from our cribs when you used to throw your diapers at me, to the cartwheels we used to do on the soccer field instead of actually playing, to always pretending to be me when you cut class in high school, to your love of international men with accents,to the Playtpus you always bring to Fire Island, to our world travels together, to always being my wing man, best friend, and other half. I love you!!

Happy 9-02-10 Day

The Platypus

A Fire island staple for the past few summers has been The Platypus a.k.a. The Pus (take from that what you will -- I promise you won't be the first one to come up with many names and jokes about it) Moving on...

We fill this meant for "water pouch" with vodka and some sort of juice and sip on "The Pus" throughout the day on the beach. It makes for a nice cocktail and alternative to the beer filled coolers.

We've even found other ways to make a game out of drinking from "The Pus"

Apparently we are the only one to come up with new alternatives to attaching liquid to a pouch and drinking throughout the day..
"This Wine Rack is a $30 sports bra containing pouches for liquid attached to a straw, so you can finally enjoy the long-awaited thrill of drinking from your own boobs. "

Maybe for next summer kids! Stay tuned...

Aqua Al 2

A restaurant frequented weekly while I was studying abroad in Florence was Aqua Al 2. If any of you have been to Florence, I can guarantee you’ve eaten there. It is a huge tourist spot and filled with all Americans. None the less it is delicious with their signature pasta sampler appetizer followed by their entrees of balsamic or blueberry steak. That was our weekly order no questions, no changes, no need to look at the menu. My mouth waters just thinking about this meal and restaurant...

San Diego also is home to another Aqua al 2 and while on our trip there, how could we not stop off at one of our Florence faves. The restaurant was designed to look like the rustic Firenze spot with plates lining the walls. As soon as we sat down and the bread was served in those brown paper bags, I asked the waiter if there was salt on the bread. He informed me there was not and I knew we were about to have a replica meal. The menu was exactly the same and there was no need to check it out, I ordered the pasta sampler and balsamic steak. The only thing about this meal not authentic was the wine was bottled and not served in jugs.

The Pasta Sampler included:

Farfalline ai Funghi Porcini
Bowtie pasta with sauteed porcini mushrooms and imported mascarpone cheese

Rigatoni alle Melanzane
Tube shaped pasta with a tomato eggplant sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

Maccheroni alla Vodka
Penne pasta with a milk and vodka sauce and a touch of tomato sauce.

Fusilli Lunghi ai Mascarpone e Funghi
Long fiasilli pasta sauteed with porcini mushrooms and imported mascarpone cheese.

Topini al Radicchio Rosso
Small potato dumplings(gnocchi) with our house tomato sauce, Italian red cabbage, mascarpone cheese and Parmesan cheese

The meal was just as good as I remembered it, the company was even better, and although San Diego is a fabulous city, next time I hope to be eating at Aqua Al 2 back in Firenze where I first fell in love with it.

BYOT (Bring Your Own Twin)

I guess the flight should have been an indicator that this would be a theme for our weekend in Cali.

We’ve all sat next to or been that guy who throws a few drinks back while flying. Well on my Thursday night flight to LAX, I was seated next to an obnoxious drunk. This guy was cut off 2 hours into our flight and the flight attendants threatened to have the police arrest him when we landed. Thankfully that was enough to shut him up and force him to pass out for the remaining 3 hours. The guy sitting in front of me took this opportunity to aggressively hit on my twin and myself for the remainder of the flight. His pick-up line “So are you two identical or fraternal” (real original!) Low and behold he was an identical twin himself, saving himself from his corny pick-up line and mildly entertained us for the duration of our flight since our in flight entertainment was on the fritz.

Twin Story #2

While at the newest hottest club in la my twin spotted Benji Madden and his motley crews of Pete Wentz look alike at the bar. She went up to Benji and said "yo dude where's ur twin tonight I brought mine?" (as if Joel and Michigas are the latest accessory hotter then the iphone4 that you can't leave home without). Needless to say Benji laughed and told my sister that Joel was at home with the Nicole and the kids and then bought her a drink.

Twin Story #3

Down in San Diego we attended a beach party for July 4th. My twin had gone over earlier in the day and I was meeting her there. She became chummy with all the characters there. A few hours and a few drinks later, I arrived. No one realized that I wasn’t my sister and every time I introduced myself they responded “dude we already met” so I continued on letting them think there was just 1 of us at the party. Fast forward some more and the party finally caught on that we were twins. But now after many hours and drinks later they were completely blown away by the tricks we pulled on them and soon were the highlight of the party… Nothing like 2 hot Franks to spice up any 4th of July bbq

TEAM USA

Now we all know my love for football... so I gotta show my support for the "other football". Especially for Team USA and their big W today. 1st time in history that Team USA has won Game 3 and their qualifying group since 1930.. that's what I'm talking about!!

Here's a pic of the star of the game Donavan crushing it & celebrating with his teammates




And a little MICHigas from USA midfielder #22 Benny Feilhaber lip-syncing to Jordin Sparks’ “No Air.”

GO TEAM USA!!!