Today, I gave thanks once again. I’m grateful that God created such a beautiful world for me. I’m grateful that God made me human, and not any other animal. I’m grateful that the rain turned on and off just when I needed it. I’m grateful that I had such a wonderful time with my friends. I’m grateful I got stuffed with delicious food. I’m grateful for everything and anything, whether big or small, positive or negative.
Jane and I went to the Bronx Zoo today. Did you know that it’s pay as you wish day on Wednesday? Jane is so freaking cool to know stuff like that, and we grabbed the opportunity to visit the zoo at $2 per ticket, instead of the usual $15 you have to pay. Score! Thanksgiving number one!
Seems like many other people were taking advantage of the deal, because the zoo was crowded! Most of them were kids, but that’s okay…I’m a kid at heart too! >.<
Truthfully, I was rather ambivalent about visiting the zoo. I mean, come on, I’ve seen these animals already! How many times have I watched Lion King and Madagascar?
Okay, I know the expression you’re giving me right now. And yeah, I acknowledge I was a fool. It’s so different to actually be there next to the giraffes and the otters and the chimpanzees and the lions, breathing in their odor, listening to their grunts and growls, realizing again how amazing God is to create such spectacular creatures of all varieties. Thanksgiving number two!
But still, I can’t help feeling that humans are still the most complex and intricate beings that God created. I mean, an animal will be content as long as it has food, shelter, and protection. We humans need so much more than that basic survivals to be happy. God made us deep people. He made us more than just a physical body. We are complicated beings with philosophical thoughts, vivid emotions, a spirit and a soul. God made us so that we have more meaning and significance in life than the fulfillment of material goods and physical body. Thanksgiving number three.
Anyway, let me just share a few of the pictures I took:
Whoa! Total scary bug-eyes!
I was disappointed not to find a Ring-Tailed Lemur, because King Julian is just about my favorite animated character ever, but this one had to do:
I still prefer King Julian…He’s just that freaking cool!!
And check out this nice little kitty! Here, kitty kitty kitty!
Looks so cuddly and tame, you can hardly believe it’s one of the fiercest predators out there, can’t you?
And look at the little otters playing!
That’s the way we should live…just enjoying each other’s company, enjoying the nature God provided us!
I should take grooming lessons from this guy…
Now, right as we were about the leave the zoo, it started pouring! We only just reached the subway station in time! Thanksgiving number four!
We rode down to W 125th Street to meet up with an old friend of mine, Colleen, who came up all the way from New Jersey just to see me 
Luckily we had an umbrella, and we braved the storm to get lunch in this sweet little cafe:
Lyla’s Cafe on Amsterdam Ave. Look at that rain!
This was a clean, quaint little French-style coffeehouse. I found this on Menupages.com looking up for a good place for something I haven’t had since I returned from Singapore…
Guess what it is?
Yes, crepes!!!
Colleen ordered the Chicken Ratatouille crepe:
Chicken Ratatouille in buckwheat crepes served with salad
Jane had skipped breakfast, so she was ravenous. She ordered the chocolate crepe:
Traditional French crepes stuffed with chocolate, dusted with powdered sugar
And also the Beef Chimichonga:
Stuffed with beef, bell peppers, onions. Served with Pico de Gallo Sauce
I ordered the best item (in my opinion):
Turkey, Goat Cheese, and Ratatouille in Buckwheat crepe, served with salad.
Yum! Oh, dear, it’s been too long since I last had crepes! Remember my Out of the Pan obsession in Singapore? This was just as good!
I loved how the crepe was so silky and delicate, yet with a bit of bite and whole-grain substance from the buckwheat. And obviously, anything with goat cheese is awesome! Loved the ratatouille as well! Thanksgiving number five!
After that we ordered Crème Brulee for dessert:
Loving the hard caramelized crust!
A break in to reveal the golden-smooth contents…
I enjoyed the feeling and texture of the creme brulee, but it was way too sweet for me. My face puckered from its sweetness! Colleen seemed to love it though, so I guess she has a much sweeter tooth than me!
And we also ordered a tall bottle of wine to celebrate:
Haha, kidding! That’s just a bottle of regular H2O! I thought it was pretty cool how they served us water from wine bottles!
You know what the best thing is? Just as we were done eating, the rain stopped! How amazing is that! And the spookier thing was, when we reached the subway station dry and clean, it started drizzling again. Thanksgiving number six!
And now, here I am, warm and toasty in Jane’s apartment, blogging about my marvelous day. Thanksgiving number seven! To all of you for reading and commenting!
Question of the day: What are you thankful for today?
P.S. Check out my guest post at The Special K Treatment‘s blog here!
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looks like a great time with the animals! I just had a lightbulb to make crepes now!! I miss making them at a place I used to work at. pure genius! I’m thankful that my fiancee has a job interview today and I’m rooting for him
i absolutely LOVE going to zoos..i’m super jealous! the bronx zoo looks amazing, i’ve never been there before..the only one in ny i’ve been to is the central park one..which wasn’t too big but was still fun! sweet you got in for $2 though!!
love it..
that’s great that you’re able to look at life and realize how precious things are and to be thankful for them.
today, i’m feeling thankful for my supportive boyfriend, family, and friends. they keep me going
yes, i was indeed caught in that rain LOL..walked to times sqaure from midtown in it! hahaha
xoxo
lo
I have mixed feeling about this post. I’m delighted you had such a spectacular time. Everything looks so cute (animals) Delicious (food:)
when my grandkids called yesterday from Idaho (where they live) they told me they were off to the local zoo. Since it’s the week they were suppose to be coming to New York, I got a sad pang. Oh how I would love to take them to the Bronx Zoo!
What am I thankful for? I just happened upon a blog the other day that has designated Thursdays as Thankful Thursdays. How cool is that? Today I am thankful I have happy healthy grandkids who are excited about going to the zoo, Any ZOO!!! and for you and others who spark the light of thankfulness…
Oh wow, I love the lemur a all the otters. They all are so cute and playful! The food also looks amazing. A chicken ratatouille crepe? To die for. And that creme brulee looked perfectly cooked. I hope you have a good weekend sweets. Take Care.
Sheena
omg! the zoo looks like so much fun!
im so glad you had a nice time!
i want to go out to dinner with you because you always order the most delicious looking things
you are too sweet! 
xoxoxo
I love going to the zoo even though it makes me feel sad for the animals. Those crepes look so yummy! I loved this Thanksgiving post. I’m thankful today for my supportive parents who have given me a place to live because rents are so damn high here I can’t afford to move out unless I relocate. Have a safe trip home.
Oh I love this post Sophia! That panther reminds me of my kitty!
I was grateful for a rockin’ good time volunteering to help put out a community breakfast to raise money for local farmers.
I adored the Bronx Zoo when I was growing up! The cafe looks marvelous, too. I make crepes a lot for Sunday breakfast and will be making them tomorrow – we like to put jam or fruit or even smoked salmon and sour cream in them!
Your pictures reminded me of when I spent Christmas of 08′ at the San Diego Zoo. Great pictures, Sophia!
Mmm….creme brulee. I need to learn how to make that at home.
I’m a biologist, and I agree with you about how astounding it is to contemplate biodiversity (I’m making a career of it!). Great pictures, wish I had been there!
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