Linky Dinks!

These aren't just links to cool websites/places. These links represent places and people (and a few online toys) that I personally endorse as being super awesome. Please support them however you can. Visit a blog, toss money in a virtual tip jar, go out to eat, see some live music, or just spend a few hours playing a pointless game online to give your brain a break.

Assumption Catholic Church - a Byzantine Ukrainian Catholic church in Perth Amboy, NJ, where I have been a lifelong parishoner. My church is full of vibrant, awesome people, and we do some vibrant, awesome stuff throughout the year.
Assumption Catholic School - a fully accredited, Pre-K through 8 school in Perth Amboy, NJ. I went there, and now I teach there. My mother has served as principal there and also as a teacher. It is a great school, end of story.
Artwork by Dianna Shmerykowsky - Dianna is one of the most talented artists I know. Her art is influenced by her strong background in Ukrainian dance.
McCarthy's Bar and Grille - a great steak house/pub in Bridgewater, NJ. Their quesadillas and salad bar are awesome. Live music on Tuesday nights (sometime I perform!).
Otomata - To be honest, this is really hard to explain. But it's, like, a really great little musical toy. There is some ridiculous math behind it.. or maybe it's science.. I don't know. Haha. But it's so much fun!
Perth Amboy Catholic School - a fully accredited, Pre-K through 8 school at two campuses in Perth Amboy. I have just recently started teaching here, and it's a great school!
Raritan Music Center - a local music studio and store. If you are a musician, I strongly suggest you support your local music store, wherever it is. Of course, if you can, you should support Raritan Music Center, but if you can't, any local music store will do. Their prices are on par with the big guys, their staff are just as knowledgeable (if not more so), and your money is going back into the local market instead of getting poured into some big corporation somewhere. And, oh yeah, I teach there, too. :)
Soyuzivka - located in Kerhonkson, NY (Catskill region, about a 20 minute drive from New Paltz), this is a wonderful Ukrainian resort I visit throughout the year. from the mountain views, to the Ukrainian entertainment and art, the wonderful food and drinks and amazing company I always find myself in, it's really as close to heaven on earth as I think I will ever get.
Troy Restaurant - a Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant in Perth Amboy, NJ. Don't even get me started on their food because I will not stop. Everything is delicious. Their chicken shishkebabs are seasoned perfectly and totally juicy (I hate dry, overdone food.. I will never eat well done meat). The apple salad is delicious (I usually add feta, sometimes chicken). The yogurt in the chicken and yogurt dish, and also the manti (similar to ravioli) is so good they could put it on a rotten banana and I would probably still eat it. I.. I will stop myself. But I am usually there on a Wednesday night so if you need food recommendations, stop in on a Wednesday and just ask me!
Terrazza - a great and chill bar and restaurant in Perth Amboy, NJ. The drinks are on the pricey side - but totally worth it. On off times, the bar is totally chill, but on the weekends, the joint is JUMPING.
Veselka - a great place for a cup of coffee and fresh varenyky (that's pierogies, to the rest of the world) on 2nd ave. and 9th st. in Manhattan (just a block up from St. Mark's Place) any time of day or night. You should always check back for their monthly and seasonal varenyky. I think pumpkin varenyky season is right around the corner!