Turning 37 in the Big Apple

I turned 37 last week, and it happened in one of my favourite places: New York City.

This birthday was extra special because I celebrated it with my sister Julie and some good friends, Andrew & Isabel. I'll remember this for a long time.

Isabel & Joanna @ the Circle in the Square Theatre, Broadway to watch "Spelling Bee"

Isabel surprised me with a real treat- tickets to "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", Broadway's No. 1 hit this season. The production was a laugh-a-minute, and thoroughly enjoyable. Although it appeared innocent and playful on the surface, the 6 elementary school characters managed to address some serious issues. I could identify with Marcie Park- an overachieving Asian schoolgirl who's petrified about not living up to expectations, and wanting to break free. The other characters were equally loveable, despite their idiosyncracies.

Julie & Joanna @ Carnegie Deli, Seventh Avenue at 55th St

Food is always on my agenda, and this trip was no different. We ate the biggest pastrami sandwich in New York at Carnegie Deli. It's called the "Woody Allen" and had lotsa corned beef and lotsa pastrami, just like it said on the menu. Despite sharing, we had an uphill battle to finish the sandwich. But we managed, with the help of lotsa pickles and sauerkraut. Needless to say, we didn't bother with birthday cake after that :-)

The Carnegie Deli is described as a quintessential Jewish kosher style deli, but our waiters were from Bangladesh, Thailand and China. Huh?

Aunty Jo-Jo @ MOMA beside Van Gogh's "Starry Night"

I capped off the day with a trip to New York's Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) because that's where Van Gogh's "Starry Night" is displayed. Hmmm...I must admit being a little disappointed because it wasn't as large or vibrant in real life. My favourite Van Gogh is still an image of a patch of grass in the asylum at St Remy, which is on display at the London Art Gallery.

Still all was not lost because I discovered a host of other wonderful modern works by Mondrian, Picasso and Warhol.

Aunty Jo-Jo @ MOMA admiring Andy Warhol's "Campbell Soup" series

This painting surprised me. I've heard of Andy Warhol but always thought his work was too pop and modern for my taste. And yet when I stood in front of his famous "Campbell Soup" series, I got it. It felt playful and homey, and yet was as meticulously executed as a Monet or Rembrandt.

This MOMA collection has definitely piqued my interest in modern art.