I spent the weekend in New York City, visiting friends. My train arrived at Penn Station after 8 p.m. on Friday. From there, I tried my best to not overheat while navigating the subways to Greenpoint, Brooklyn, for my friends’ party. I am quite familiar with this neighborhood, as my father grew up there and we visited his family often when I was a child. For the most part, it looked like the Greenpoint I remember, but it now boasts hipper, younger residents. Upon my fashionably late arrival to the new apartment, I was greeted with sweaty hugs and a cold mojito. During the tapas-style meal, we enjoyed garlic mushrooms, chickpea salad, patatas bravas and paella. Eight people eating hot paella in a non-air-conditioned living room is not particularly ideal. It gave new meaning to the term “house warming.” Regardless, it was a wonderful evening with a great group of friends! The next day, with a cold bottle of water in hand, I met a friend for lunch at Sugar Beets in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This Thai restaurant was the perfect spot to take a break from the heat. We ate and chatted for close to two hours while our attentive waitress replenished our waters. From there, we went to Wild Ginger for coffee and dessert. The Thai iced coffee alone was worth the trip. Later that night, five of us went to Rockaway Beach to see our friend star in a local production of Annie Get Your Gun. First, we stopped at Plum Tomatoes for pizza — it doesn’t get much better than a true New York slice! It was a lovely evening. We were very proud of our talented friend, who lit up the stage. The curtain call signaled the end of our night and my stay in Brooklyn. I can’t wait to have another weekend like this one, but next time, without the heat wave. — Katie Skrzek, advertising and editorial coordinator