And so, tomorrow we leave the city. I’ve been here a full four years now. Four years sounds so short, but much like New York itself, it has been extreme dense and full. I truly love this city, but it is time to move on and take this adventure elsewhere; all the way to California!
Thing I will not miss: The noise. I am so ready to experience some semblance of silence, especially at night and in the morning. At our apartment, on the streets, at the office… my eardrums are constantly bombarded. The smells. Especially this time of year, the stench is just out of control! The subway construction. It has gotten really awful this year and it’s only going to get worse. I am thrilled to be getting away from our shaking building, yelling construction workers, jackhammers, and the general disarray and destruction that goes along with all of it. The office. I have been stuck in this windowless place for nearly 4 years and I have been climbing the walls to get out of here. I count myself so lucky that I have job I can do form nearly anywhere. I hope never to set foot in a traditional office again! The people. Some days I have more patience for it than others, but it feels as though, recently, my tolerance for slow people and large crowds is incredibly low. I am looking forward to some more personal space.
Things I love: My friends. We have met some really amazing people who have made our lives in NY so rich and exciting! The people. Even though the masses of people get to me sometime, I don’t think I’d have it any other way (aside from the “tourist lanes” haha!). It creates such a vibrancy and energy, no matter what time of day or night. The subway. Yet another piece of the city I have a love/hate relationship with. But really, as much as I complain about what the MTA is lacking I know that having access to such an expansive public transit system is a luxury not provided in most cities (I’m from Atlanta, so trust me, I know). The sites. I am so amazed to think that I live within walking distance of Central Park, The Guggenheim and The Met! I work with the Empire State Building, Time Square and Bryant Park right out side! All I have to do is take a short train ride and I can see the Statue of Liberty or Union Square! I’ve walked up and down Broadway and Fifth and Madison Avenue more times than I can count. I am sometimes just completely caught off guard by how amazing this city is. New York I love you and I know we’ll be seeing you again really soon!
For the next month, during our road trip, I’m not sure how frequently I’ll be updating the site. Maybe weekly… but we will have to see how things feel once we’re on the road. I’ve also put the stores on vacation mode. At the very latest we will see you in September!
This weekend was just as busy and fun as I thought it would be!
Friday
Immediately after I got off of work I met up with the parents and Jack and went to the top of the Empire State Building. This was both Jack and my first time up there, so, aside from the (numerous) lines, it was very very cool! Dinner at Genesis and then I passed out!
Saturday
Brunch at Bondi Road (our NY crew’s usual brunch place, but my parents had never been) and then it was on to DUMBO. Last time I took the parents out to DUMBO it was cold, uncomfortable and unpleasant, so I wanted to take them back knowing my way around better and knowing things would be more lively in the summer. Once we were back in the city we roamed around SoHo for a bit and met back up with Jack. Then we traveled back into Brooklyn for dinner; this time to Williamsburg. Dinner at Fada. We found an amazing church festival near the restaurant. They had rides and games and music and everything!
Sunday
I awoke extremely early (6:15!) to meet my dad so we could walk the island! It took a little while to get all the way to the Northern point, having to deal with a bus crosstown and then the 1 uptown. It was a tougher walk than I thought and feet began to give out on me around 34th St. Thankfully, I had my Dad there to pull me through to the end and we made it! Mom and Jack joined us in SoHo and we had a late brunch at Aurora. We further wondered SoHo, then uptown for a shower and quick nap (which at this point I desperatly needed!). After getting a little dolled up we all headed down to Chelsea / Meatpacking District, checked out the newer parts of the High Line, wonderful Thai for dinner and coffee at Doma.
For more picture from the weekend, check out our Flickr feed. Mom and Dad are currently on a day-trip out to the Hamptons and I’m about to head out for Monday Night Bingo. Talk to you soon!
Paul Ramírez Jonas has created a Key to the City that is not only a symbolic award, but also a functional key—opening spaces across all five boroughs of New York City. This Key to the City is intended for everyday citizens, who will award one another the key for reasons large and small. Once in hand, the key launches a citywide exploration of back doors, front gates, community gardens, graveyards, and museums that suggests that the city is a series of spaces that are either locked or unlocked.
Oooo, the ever-lovely Krisatomic recently took a trip out to Nice, France and took some glorious photos along the way! I’m so excited to see it myself soon!
Check out Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3.
Well, this weekend couldn’t have been any better if we had actually planned it!
Saturday: Jack and I went with our tried and true method of taking a train to the end of its line and seeing what’s there. This time the LIRR! The plan was Montauk (where Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet meet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind!), but due to its less than stellar schedule, at the last minute we went with Greenport. It’s about a 3 hour ride out there and though it’s not along the water, which we had hoped for, you do go through so neat vineyard, farmland and woods. We nibbled on macarons, made some phone calls, played with these adorable French flash cards my mom sent and watched the landscape go by. Arriving at about 5:00, we found that the last train of the day was going to leave in an hour. So, it was either find a place to stay for the night or have to rush any sight seeing and run back to the train. Luckily, at the last minute, we found a great little inn, dropped off our bags and poked around the town.
Sunday: We woke up early and checked out. We poked around the town further, now getting to see some of the shops that had been closed the night before. Great antique stores! Though the main strip was wonderful, my favorite part about the town are its neighborhoods. It was adorable house after adorable house. I wanted to move in, right there and then! We talked to a bunch of the locals and took in the incredible weather while sipping coffee in the park. It was the perfect spur-of-the-moment vacation!
I’m looking forward to our next trip out. We’re going to rent bikes and take the ferry out to Shelter Island! Exciting!!
More pictures from the weekend can be seen in this Flickr set!
I think I remember Jack saying he would love to get into something like this!
Unlicensed restaurants have long prospered overseas. In Hong Kong, si fang cai, or speak-easies, in private homes are considered by many to have the best food in the city. But clandestine kitchens are a more recent phenomenon in the United States.
And now, just a little fun to get you through those Wednesday blues!
My adventures in the Pittsburgh International Airport during the worst snow storm of the century. After arriving late for a flight at 7:40 PM to LGA I decided to stick around my gate until my flight at 5:40 and had a BLAST!
Once upon a time a California boy met a Georgia girl in New York. They didn't get along, at first. But, little by little, they fell in love. Today they are happy and still very much in love, running a business and a blog together.
… For our Valentine’s weekend tradition to the Jersey Shore! I’m suuuuper excited! I will see you on Monday; have a wonderful weekend!
Once upon a time a California boy met a Georgia girl in New York. They didn't get along, at first. But, little by little, they fell in love. Today they are happy and still very much in love, running a business and a blog together.
