It’s exactly what it sounds like; never been to anything like it. This was taken at Hand in Hand in the Highlands.
Lost in Atlanta
a yankee doodle's guide
Happy 2012
New Year’s dinner as prepared by my Ukrainian friends.
Hoping for a happy, healthy new year for y’all!
Merry Christmas Atlanta
My Charlie Brown Christmas tree! December has been a busy month as expected. As fun as all the company holiday parties and get-togethers can be, it has also been tiring. I haven’t had much time to blog, and I realize I’m not updating my social media and taking photos during festivities and outings as much as I used to; I guess I’m just enjoying the moment instead.
Will try to update the blog more often for the new year 
Happy holidays and happy 2012!
Stone Mountain
The first time I heard of Stone Mountain was last year when the brother of my Korean tutor in NY asked me if I ever heard of it. I didn’t.
I guess you’d only know of it if you live in ATL. It doesn’t help that I didn’t take a photo of it but just took photos of the views at the top. Anyhow it’s a nice, short and easy hike, but you have to pay$10 just to park. Other than that; I would say it’s worth visiting at least once for the nice views when you reach the top. When I went last week you can see the foliage and even some falcons.
It feels like time flies so much faster at the end of the year; perhaps because it’s darker out and it’s Christmas before you know it. In any case, I’ve been so busy that I will consider it a miracle if I can blog at least once a week. But fall has been fun; just a lot of football (Georgia!) and won a small, informal 5k for my boyfriend’s friend’s non-profit. Also enjoyed Thanksgiving lunch and dinner and trying to keep that attitude of gratitude.
The Plaza
Went to the Plaza for the first time last night to see Urbanized. It was great since I scored a free ticket by being a volunteer. I got to talk to the director, Gary H, briefly who struck me as a very nice, down-to-earth guy.
If you haven’t heard of the documentary, it’s a look into urban design and making cities better in many respects with transportation, environment, security, and community. From the bus system in Bogota to New York City’s Highline, it’s an educational look into the small measures we can take to make cities livable and enjoyable.
I was hoping that there would be some magic solution to fix the traffic in Atlanta in the Q& A with Ellen Dunham-Jones (interviewed in the film) and Gary but there wasn’t. There are different solutions for different cities and what may work in Bogota or Copenhagen may not work in the ATL, but we have to do something more than Peach Pass, which seems to be a band-aid solution to the rush hour madness here. Urban sprawl, America’s dependence on cars, and the deterioration of our rail system has to be addressed; it’s not just ugly, it’s just not useful.
Halloween
I don’t have any children or pets of my own so I made them pose for a photo that I can contribute to the Internet for Halloween.
I went over my boyfriend’s friend’s house where I helped give out treats. We ate Costco lasagne which was pretty awesome and Publix wings which were equally awesome. I finally got to meet Spence or “Big Red” too. He’s a good-looking, smart, super tall, red head so if there are any single ladies out there let me know. My boyfriend actually has a handful of good guy friends who just haven’t met “the one” yet, so ladies, post a comment if you’re interested.
I’m glad I’m not dealing with the white Halloween in the Northeast, especially with the power outages. I hate the cold as it is so I’m going to try to enjoy the fall as much as I can o’er here in the South.
Heirloom Market Barbecue
Heirloom Market BBQ is amazing.
I’ve been there three times now and the quality of food and service has been great. The third time around I was the first customer at 11:00 a.m. this past Wednesday because I couldn’t resist as I was passing through.
I had to try the Korean fried chicken and although it wasn’t the best fried chicken I’ve had, it was still pretty good, and combined with all the other dishes it came with, the whole meal was really great. First of all I have to say that it’s not the typical Korean fried chicken that is usually smothered in sauce and the skin is super thick since it’s double fried; usually I even pluck the skin off because it’s so heavy and greasy.
But this fried chicken at Heirloom was nothing like that. The skin was light and thin that I was able to just eat it. I ordered the fried tofu which was also light and nice. The chicken meal also came with spicy cucumbers and a small radish salad which complimented the fried chicken really well. The whole meal was $11.13 but it stuffed me for the rest of the day without making me feel gross.
I have to say I still like Publix fried chicken, even more so than Popeye’s or KFC. But you can’t be disappointed with Heirloom…the brisket and ribs are absolutely fantastic. All their meats are tender and juicy and should be eaten alone without the sauce. But to mix it up, they have plenty of sauces to choose from including Hotlanta, a sweet and spicy orange sauce, and Settler Sauce, which is simple and subtle.
Be forewarned, the restaurant and parking lot are both small so get there early.
Unapologetically Southern
Not me, but this beer:
“Weep for your Northern brethren: Long winters, suspect college football, and perhaps worst of all no Red Brick Beer. Since 1993, we’ve been brewing fine craft beers for the South, and only the South. We’re proud to stand alongside grits, hound dogs, and mama as embodiments of the Southern lifestyle. We’re proud to be beer from around here.”
I guess that would describe the North and South. It’s aight, considering I’m more than a decade older than Red Brick.
Occupy Atlanta
No more. The protestors have all been arrested and removed from Woodruff Park.
Tensions probably ran really high when this was taken but I’m finding the photo from Creative Loafing pretty funny. I guess it’s the police officers’ solemn faces juxtapositioned with the guy screaming.
Funny that I am reading Atlas Shrugged right now. Ann Ryand would have none of this.
Mary Mac’s Tearoom
Does this look appetizing to you? Besides the fact it was taken with my cell, it still looks unimpressive, no?
I wanted it to be good but it was a pretty sad meal for an established institution in Atlanta. I ordered the fried chicken (I opted for 3 legs instead of 1 breast) with a side of fried okra and fried green tomatoes. I have to say the fried green tomatoes tasted the best, and there were only two slices of those. The okra and chicken were just SAD.
My boyfriend had the country fried steak and he said it was terrible. (I didn’t even want to try it from the looks of it.) He ordered the mac and cheese and it was terrible.
Trust me, Publix fried chicken is so much better; it might even be the best fried chicken I’ve had so far in Atlanta. Also if you want good fried okra, get it at Heirloom; it’s amazing. And if you’re looking for mac n cheese, get it at Twist in Phipps Plaza in Buckhead.
I don’t mean to be a hater but the meal was pretty unremarkable. It was pretty spacious inside and our waitress was nice but I really have don’t see myself going back there.