Cha Siu Fan!

Sometimes, the line outside the restaurant says it all.

At 9 a.m., people are already showing up outside of Wah Fung #1 Fast Food Inc. They can’t wait to get their hands on the $2.50 “roast pork over rice,” which is billed as an “all-day lunch special.”

“The line never disappears!” said Mark Xu, a local resident and frequent visitor to the fast food joint located at 79 Chrystie St. “It’s almost like everyone in Chinatown comes here at least once a week.”


And that includes many of the NYU students living in the nearby Lafayette dorms. Sometimes the wait can last up to 45 minutes. Once inside, customers squeeze through the 4-foot-wide hallway to place their orders at the tiny counter. At the end of the hall sits a lone table with four chairs. The place isn’t meant for sit-down meals. The message is simple: get your food and leave.

But the sheer quantity of delicious food that Wah Fung #1 delivers will entice you back. In addition to the signature all-day lunch special of either roast pork, duck, or chicken over rice, larger portions are available for only $3.50.

A whole roasted duck sells for $12. And about a pound of roast pork goes for $6.

In addition to the meat line, there’s a Fujianese steam table. Rice noodle rolls, which are sold along with fish balls are served up in small ($1) and medium ($2) portions. There’s also a variety of other dishes, like chicken curry, stuffed fried eggplant, and stewed green squash with egg sauce.

The wait is usually anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. I usually go in the afternoon and dinner time. Sometimes I order the larger version of roast pork and rice ($3.50) which comes in a 5 inch by 4 inch container with nearly equal amounts of meat and rice.

Many other Chinatown restaurants serve up this classic dish for $4.00 but there’s usually more rice. And they never pack in so much that the container can barely close.

During my last visit with my boyfriend, we went for the large orders. While we waited we watched the The rice was warm and fluffy and the stir-fried mix of cabbage, broccoli, and green beans was flavorful and delicious. But the main act is the pork: it’s smoky yet sweet, and tender to the bite. Definitely worth the wait.

Teariffic Indeed

I was at the Lafayette Dorm studying hard (cough Facebook stalking, online shopping, blog reading) when I got some hankering for some boba.

Yes, in the West Coast, bubble tea called BOBA. We're too lazy to say the entire phrase, but you know what that's like. Right, New York?

Thankfully, in the dead still of Chinatown at night, one bubble tea cafe is still open, offering wonderful drinks and snacks for hungry and thirsty college students like myself.

I walked out from the dorm outside to find...silence. Chinatown becomes a ghost town after about 9 p.m. One dark sign after another, I saw the light! Large 9 letters spelled out Teariffic shined in the dead Chinatown night. The menus are posted on both sides of the entrance doors -- which are always swung open graciously -- with a bright backlight to allure thirsty people wandering in the night to stop by for a drink.

NYU students might mistakenly think they walked into Saint's Alp Teahouse when they come in. Saint's Alp Teahouse is another bubble tea joint with the same Taiwanese flair in Union Square on 3rd Avenue and 10th Street. The tiny (and identical!) wooden tables with the glass tops and those goddamn low and backless stools can be seen at both cafes. Back comfort apparently is a nonissue for both cafes.

But I wasn't staying tonight. I ordered my drink from the waiter at the front desk left of the entrance and watched as they made my Passion Fruit Black Tea with Aloe at the drink bar in the back. The regular size is $2.55 -- a much cheaper price compared to Teariffic's competitors like Ten Ren Tea Time and Quickly that charge at least $3 for the same size. At my first sip, I was finally satiated. There was a generous heap of aloe in the bottom of my drink (which I paid an extra 50 cents for) and the passion fruit flavor mixed well with the black tea. Yuuummmmy. For those who aren't in love with aloe as I am, try the boba balls for your classic bubble tea for the same price.

I walked back to the dorm excited for the long night of papers galore that awaited me. But it's okay. I have passion fruit by my side.

For late owls, be warned. Teariffic closes at 11 p.m. So get your boba fix quick! Teariffic is at 51 Mott St. between Bayard Street and Pell Street. Call them up at (212) 393-9009.

Getting to know NYC: I've discovered self-guided walking tours

Here I am, an NYU student hailing from San Diego. I bleed California blood — but, I hate feeling like a tourist. Tourists are hicks. And I can't be like that here in the Big City.

Then my journalism professor gave us an assignment. She told us we had to take a walking tour. I was going to be graded on this.

I hate the idea of being herded by a tour guide with an obnoxious flag. I'm not a sheep. So imagine my delight when I came across the concept of the self-guided tour. I picked one for Chinatown. There was one packaged nicely in the Galt Technology, Inc. website, an Internet guide site, for those self-sufficient adults who can walk around on their own. 

The first thing you notice about Chinatown, well at least what I did when I went, is the endless rows of shops stretching up and down Canal Street. I bemoaned myself for not bringing any cash with me on the tour — I'm usually a debit card kind of girl. Most of what they sell are accessories: ranging from knockoff luxury brand handbags to scarves to fake silver jewelries. Some others sell fragrances and colognes — be warned, they're most likely watered down.

I walked up Canal Street and turned right into Mulberry Street, passed by a lot of grocery stores here. I made a mental note to stop by them again. The tour took me across Bayard Street, around cute Chinese kids playing together with their Yu-Gi-Oh cards while their moms gossiped in front of the grocery stores, and I was at Columbus Park.

As I was reaching the park, Mulberry Street curved around. The tour said the curve was known as "Muberry Bend" and described it as part of the Five Points, one of the most dangerous slums in the city during the 1800s. Columbus Park replaced the area in 1896 and now it's a family-friendly park with elders performing Chinese Opera and kids playing basketball and volleyball on the courts and fields. Big change if you ask me.

The tour then took me to Worth Street where I turned left and found myself looking at the arch that signified I was in Chatham Square. This area, also known as Kimlau Square, is a large open intersection with a lot of dimsum places around the area, like Dim Sum Go Go on 5 East Broadway and Golden Bridge Restaurant on 50 Bowery St.

The arch, also known as The Kimlau Memorial Arch, was erected in dedication to Chinese Americans who fought and died for freedom and democracy. It was named after Lt. Benjamin Ralph Kimlau, a WWII aircraft commander of the 530th Squadron.

After a round of confusing turns, I ended up on Pell Street staring at the Edward Mooney House. How did I end up here? It's the oldest row how in the city, dating back to 1785. Personally I've never noticed this building until today, and I'm not sure why not. It is painted bright red, bringing even more color to the vibrant area. It houses Confucius Pharmacy, Summit Mortgage Bank and Louie's Newstand.

I finally finished the tour famished and my knees wanted to collapse under me. Weaving through the dense foot traffic of Chinatown gave me a headache and in the end I wanted to find shelter in my dorm away from the hectic busyness of it all. The only thing that bothered me was the constant turns and change of direction. Turn here, turn there, turn everywhere. I was overwhelmed by being steered one way then another. It definitely took away from the entire experience. But the tour was informative in its own right, with just enough background information that didn't leave me weighed down with details.

STARS

Well, if you cross your fingers and camp outside Lafayette St., then maybe you'll be able to see some. And I'm not talking about the ones you have to drive to the mountains to see.

Those who live at, stop by, or are in Chinatown a lot have seen the obnoxious rows of film trailers that line Lafayette Street. According to the website On Location Vacations, the movie responsible for the huge vehicles is "The Other Guys" set to release on August 6, 2010. It is directed by Adam McKay, the man behind Will Ferrell blockbusters like "Anchorman", "Talladega Nights", and "Step Brothers". The stars? Get ready.

Will Ferrell (big surprise)
Samuel L. Jackson (really?)
Eva Mendes (oooo)
Mark Wahlberg (OOOO)
Dwayne Johnson (WHATTTT)

Some NYU students have been lucky enough to see The Rock roaming the streets of Chinatown. Max Stroller, a NYU Junior, twittered, "Just saw The Rock chilling on Lafayette Street." He said, "Yeah, he was just standing a few stores right of Lafayette, and people were coming up to him and talking to him. He seemed pretty chill."

As for me, I saw, not the people's champ, but Bobby Cannavale peeking his head talking to some guy right outside the dorm. For those who aren't fans of Will and Grace, he had a recurring role as Vince D'Angelo, Will's boyfriend, for which he won an Emmy for "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series". He looked tired and really confused while talking to the man standing outside his trailer.

The trailers have been at Lafayette for about 3 weeks, with a hiatus in the middle that left the streets feeling bare. You can still see students peering around while they walk to the bus or subway station, hoping to catch a glimpse of a celebrity before they head to class. As for me, if I get to see The Rock, I know I can die happy.

Eating Thai food in Austin Power's pad

During my 9:30 a.m. classes, I'm munching on just about anything I can bring from my dorm. But by noon when I meet my boyfriend for lunch, I'm famished.

We walked to St. Mark's out of habit until we realized...where the hell are we going to eat? We rattled through our usuals.

Gama?...Not enough money.
May's?...We JUST went to an all-you-can-eat sushi place, remember?! Oh. Right...
2 Bro's?...I want REAL food.
Chipotle?...You just ate there yesterday.

He finally remembered a place his friend had told him about: all-you-can-eat Thai buffet. We walked to 2nd Avenue and 5th Street to check it out. When we got there, first thing we noticed was the enormous poster plastered on the glass transparent walls declaring "ALL YOU CAN EAT LUNCH BUFFET $7.95 + FREE SODA". 

You really can't miss this place. It oddly stands out with its huge glass window and literally curvy build. The furniture had a mod feel, with uncomfortable white plastic chairs. But this place doubles as a bar/lounge at night, so maybe the daylight wasn't doing it justice. Basically, it's a bad attempt at rebuilding Austin Power's pad. 

We walked in and saw about 8 to 9 dishes laid out buffet-style right by the floor-length glass wall. We were seated promptly and the waitress asked us what free soda we'd like. Ginger ale for me, just water for Allan.

Their spread of dishes were surprisingly good. The Mango Chicken was fresh and sweet. I loved the Thai Salad with the peanut dressing. The pineapple fried rice was interesting for me because it was my first time trying it--verdict: not too bad. There was this noodle dish resembling Chinese lo mein in place of the pad thai you usually see in Thai restaurants, but it was delicious nonetheless, with pieces of beef and heaps of vegetables. The green chicken curry, however, was a little disappointing and bland. After going back one more time (twice for Allan), I helped myself to a plateful of fruits--watermelons, oranges and cantaloupes. So fresh and juicy!

The food was all-in-all decent, and for a buffet at $7.95 in the city, it's pretty worth it. We walked out full and satisfied, and shuffled along in the cold to our next class.

permanent solution for a temporary solution

I hope I never have to experience the anguish a suicidal person goes through. Because I hope I never even have to let the thought of killing myself cross my mind.

This morning, when I was crossing the street to walk to Cantor Film Center, I got a text. It was from my boyfriend --"Someone died at Bobst at 4:30 a.m."

An audible gasp escaped my mouth and my hand flew up to catch it. And the only word that I thought of was, "Again?"

I remember my Freshman year in 2007, a university student committed suicide in my residence hall. Later in the semester, another student took his own life at the Water Street Residence Hall. I remember thinking how real this all was, how students really suffer so much, to the point where they take their own lives because they just can't take it anymore. It was a wake-up call for myself and many of my peers.

Today, Andrew Williamson-Nobel, may he rest in peace, was found unconscious and unresponsive in Bobst Library's lobby. He was taken to St. Vincent's Hospital shortly after 5 a.m., where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of death is still unknown.

Andrew was 20 years old. He was a Junior--my year. I can't hypothesize on his reasons or even if it was intentional. But I pray for him and those who knew him at any degree. I feel the same way as I did two years ago: worried, thankful, and sad that I missed out on meeting a great guy.

Suicide is a permanent solution for a temporary solution. I've heard that somewhere and it stuck with me to this day. If you're struggling, let's talk it out. There's always an answer.

Tribute WTC Visitor Center Tour

I don't think I can ever substantially add to the countless number of voices that filled the web following 9/11. The witnesses who saw the plane smash into the North Tower, the firefighters digging through the rubble, the mothers who unknowingly saw their children for the last time. And the entire nation watched their television sets in horror.

I don't think I can add much because I didn't stop to feel the horror. On that morning, I was in California, sleeping. The time was 3 hours behind New York. My mother woke me up at 6 a.m.. She said, "Something horrible happened." I woke up to see what every American saw on the television that day: the planes hitting the towers; people trapped in the 93rd floor; other people jumping to their deaths; the towers collapsing into an enormous cloud of dust. My 7th grade self's first reaction? Write down everything. Know it inside and out to tell everyone about it. I ran into my room with a notepad and a pen and scribbled down all that I heard. One thought going through my head was, "How shocked will everyone be when they hear about this?"

Looking back, I can't help but feel shame for how I acted. In the back of my mind, I always knew it was a defining, if not the most terrible, moment in our history. But it wasn't until the tour of the Tribute WTC Visitor Center this morning that really opened my eyes to the utter impact the tragedy had on each individual personally affected.

When we arrived, we looked around the exhibit before we left for our audio tour. I put on my headset, pushed play, and all of the sudden I was hearing the words of people who witnessed the calamity.
That was what hit me that hardest, because it was the first time I was really exposed to that. It was tough for me to hear. Listening to the voices of firefighters, construction workers, loved ones of those missing, policemen and survivors talk about what they experienced was more than difficult.

The hour-long audio tour had my Journalism class walking from Liberty Street over the West Street Bridge into the World Financial Center. There, we looked over the construction site where the Twin Towers used to stand. It was eerie, as if the ghosts of the survivors were hanging in the air alongside the gray mist of the rain.

At the end of the audio tour, we walked back to the Tribute Center. We looked at videos, photos and recovered personal items from 9/11. Then our tour group had a private interview with Tracy Gazzani, a mother who lost her only son. Tracy, 67, talked to her son Terry, 24, for the last time when he left the house and as he did every morning, he said, "Mom, have a good day. I love you." She looked out the window, thinking, "Gee, he has his whole life ahead of him." That was the last time Tracy saw her son.

After the visit, I realized I never had to sympathize with the pain of these New Yorkers. Hearing their stories changed my outlook. I was grateful for the experience. But mostly, it made me appreciative for what I have and the people I know and love.