Who is getting ready for the GiGi’s NYC’s 6th Annual Fashion Show?-Written by Fatima, GiGi’s NYC participant

Happy March and happy spring season, GiGi’s NYC!

I would like to share some wonderful spring holidays to celebrate in March. For example, International Women’s Day, National Meatball Day, Saint Patrick’s Day, National Ravioli Day, World Down Syndrome Day, National Chip and Dip Day, National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day, Palm Sunday, and Easter are all celebrated in March.

International Women’s Day is on Friday, March 8th this year. This is a day to acknowledge and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. There are speeches and parades that take place on this day. I am planning on celebrating this occasion by going out for dinner.

National Meatball Day is on Saturday, March 9th this year, and a lot of people celebrate their love of meatballs in different ways. Some people like to invite their family and friends over and have a meatball rating contest. You could also make meatballs from scratch and enjoy them at home. My grandmother, Katherine, used to make special meatballs from scratch by adding some mozzarella cheese in them. I love having spaghetti with meatballs. My favorite restaurants to get spaghetti with meatballs are Pasta Pasta in Port Jefferson and Palermo Restaurant and Bar in Astoria.

Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated on Sunday, March 17th this year, and a lot of people celebrate the occasion in different ways like having Irish-themed parties, getting into the spirit by wearing green clothing, eating corned beef and cabbage with green-colored foods, and going out to the pub. People also like to attend parades on this day. Saint Patrick’s Day is recognized by shamrocks, leprechauns, and everything green. On this day, I am planning on staying over at my grandparents’ house and having corned beef and cabbage for a family dinner. 

National Ravioli Day is celebrated on Wednesday, March 20th this year, and a lot of people celebrate the occasion in different ways. For example, people like to make a delicious Italian dish of raviolis of all types. Ravioli can be filled with any combination of cheese, meats, fish, or vegetables. You can also have it with a variety of sauces. My favorite types of ravioli are lobster, cheese, and spinach. I like to have ravioli with either four cheese marinara sauce, regular marinara sauce, pesto, or Alfredo sauce.

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on Thursday, March 21st this year, and a lot of people celebrate the occasion in different ways. For example, people like to wear blue and yellow outfits, educate themselves, support local organizations by volunteering or donating, share important information, advocate for inclusion, and organize a fundraiser. This is a day that we recognize and celebrate people with Down syndrome.

National Chip and Dip Day is celebrated on Saturday, March 23rd this year, and a lot of people celebrate the occasion in different ways. For example, people like to celebrate the day by inviting their family and friends over to have a chip and dip party. On this day a lot of people have chips and extra dip at home. Tostitos chips with nacho cheese, salsa, and avocado salsa are my favorite to eat when I go to the movie theater.

National Chocolate Covered Raisin day is celebrated on Sunday, March 24th, this year. This is a day to enjoy this delicious snack in many different ways. You can enjoy chocolate covered raisins by themselves or make a trail mix with them by adding your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits. I enjoy eating Raisinets very much, especially when I’m at the movies.

Palm Sunday falls on Sunday, March 24th, this year. On this day, many people go to church to get blessed palms, see their families for dinner, and visit the cemetery to visit loved ones who have passed. I plan on going to the cemetery to visit my grandmother and my boyfriend’s brother, Yianni. I also plan on going out for dinner with my family and my boyfriend Peter, and his family at Palermo restaurant and bar.

Easter Sunday is celebrated on March 31st this year, and a lot of people celebrate the occasion by going to church for special services to celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection after his crucifixion, visiting with family, decorating eggs, having Easter egg hunts, and putting together Easter baskets with money, lottery tickets, chocolate, and candy, etc.

Also, I am looking forward to starting the spring season back to work with the Mets baseball team at Citi Field as a food service helper. I begin the new season at the end of the month. Let’s go Mets!

Before I end the March blog I just wanted to share my experience at one of my favorite Italian restaurants. It’s called Forno Siciliano. It’s in Astoria, so it’s very close to my house. When I go there, I usually order penne siciliano, gnocchi siciliano, an eggplant parmigiana hero, penne alla vodka, fried calamari, octopus, and frutti di mare over linguine pasta. It’s good to support a local restaurant. 

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the GiGi’s NYC’s 6th Annual Fashion Show taking place on Saturday, March 9th, at 2pm at the Cooke School in Manhattan. There is also an after party with a lot of food and dancing. This is one of my favorite events with GiGi’s NYC because I get to walk down the runway like a model. Please come out to support us all on this really fun day. Here is the link to buy tickets: https://one.bidpal.net/nycfashionshow2024/ticketing(details:ticketing-summary)  

Sending my love to everyone.

Love,

Fatima