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Courtesy of The Essence of Success

I've been in a music rut lately but I came across this Lauryn Hill song on YouTube and had to share. I'm quite sure it's new, as I've never heard of it before but she's still got it, great melody, beat and lyrics; it's on repeat everyday. Right now she is rumored to be working on a new album. Check out Repercussions.

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Crystal Castles (II)
The second album by this punk/electronica band was released on April 19 due to some leaked tracks and early demand. In my opinion, there's only 2 songs that stand-out but they are addictive. Listen to Suffocation and Celestica.

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Fort Tryon Park

The Cloisters
Associated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Cloisters is a collection of artifacts of medieval Europe housed in a building that represents the architecture of that era.

Fort Tryon Park
Located on the northern tip of Manhattan Island, Fort Tryon Park is an oasis that has the look and feel of upstate New York, the green rolling hills, but is only a subway ride away.

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The xx

Dream pop beats that are catchy but must be in the mood for.
Listen to Shelter (original and the remix) and Crystalised and Islands.

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The Little Prince

Travel

Labadi Beach


Kitase-Aburi


Big Milly's @ Kokrobite


Cape Coast Castle


Kokrobite Beach


beach @ Akwidaa


Canopy walk @ Kakum National Park


Wli Falls in Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in West Africa, The Republic of Ghana is a country full of lush green forests, dry sandy roads and miles of sandy beaches. With stylish restaurants in Osu and streets filled with cars in the capital of Accra, there are alternative places to explore- expect the unexpected.

Highlights include Big Milly's Backyard which is a watering hole for locals and travelers alike, staying for the weekend to visit Kokrobite Beach, eat some comforting food and to have some fun including reggae nights under the moonlight. Cape Coast Castle transports you back to history and tells the harrowing story of the West African slave trade but shows how far we've come. The various parks located throughout the country offer a unique experience to 'walk through the trees' and witness a waterfall up close. If you're looking for a quiet, tranquil weekend, head to the eco-friendly Green Turtle Lodge which is located on a remote beach near Akwidaa. With individual huts scattered throughout the area, you are welcomed by the ocean within feet of your front door.


view@ Green Turtle Lodge

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photo courtesy of zagat

KAFANA
"Cafe" in Serbian, Kafana was one of the first Serbian restaurants to open in the city. Located in the East Village away from the clamour, this cozy restaurant is tucked away in the quiet neighborhood of alphabet city offering classic Eastern European fare. My chicken kebab dish was paired with a light, vinegar cabbage slaw which was a great complement to the meat. The recommended bottle of white wine was great and priced well.

Kafana
116 Ave C (nr 8th St)
Cash Only

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photo courtesy of myspace page/graham hill

Beach House is the best in it's class- dreamy-pop...lyrical, at times dark but at times bright. Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand make-up the Baltimore-based band. Their third album, Teen Dream, was released on Jan. 26, 2010 and it's their best yet.

I'm obsessed with the tracks: Take Care, Zebra and Walk In The Park.

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Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Muhammad Yunus, a pioneer in the concept of microfinance tells his story on how he started the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. He offers his opinions on how to reduce and eliminate world poverty and initiatives he hopes to see in the future to aid all. Inspiring.

Eat

A lobster roll from Mary's Fish Camp.

Listen

to 'Two Weeks' & 'Slow Life' by

Grizzly Bear

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Beautiful Gifts.