scenes from brooklyn

Brooklyn was a side of New York I didn't expect. In Williamsburg there were hardly any taxis, tourists only here and there, and throughout the day it was easy to find quiet.





My room had big, wide-stretching windows so I always woke up with the sun.



After spending most of the day in Manhattan, everything just felt slower here. I found my new favorite restaurant, we spent the last night singing in the streets, and upon looking across the East River, the city felt worlds away.

five hours

It's weird stepping on a plane and knowing you'll be back in a week. My past few plane trips were for extended stays so they felt like big life changes. Last Tuesday was nerve wrecking in a different way since it was my first "business trip."

One thing I like about airplanes is that they force me to disconnect. I had those five hours to read, nap, organize files, and edit photos. I was in no rush to be anywhere and if I had been, there was nothing I could do about it.

It's nice to just sit back.

23 unedited

If the past couple of days are any indication of the year to come, I think there will be a lot of change.

Right now, I like to wear my hair down more than I wear it up. My bangs are always in my eyes and my hair tangles more than I like to admit.

I believe in birthdays.

My bed is always a mess. I use it as extra storage space when I don't put things away and have, for most of April, slept with my ukulele.

I wake up early. I love mornings. Coffee does nothing for me.

It takes me less than 10 minutes to get ready in the morning. Once, only 3.

It's cat eyes or nothing.

I don't stop to smell the flowers unless they're jasmine. I stop to take photos.

My phone/keys/cell phone are constantly "missing." They're usually in my pocket.

The best thing anyone has ever said to me was, "your soul has a right to breathe." Thanks, Danny.

The funniest thing a stranger has ever said to me was, "so what do you like about me?"

I start with the lower right when brushing my teeth, the upper right when flossing, the left everything when dressing, and the right contact lens always.

I'm not sure if I have a favorite meal. I like to say rice with anything, because it's comforting. Eggs make everything better, too.

This post is taking a lot longer to write than I thought it would. I started earlier this morning, fell asleep, and am back at it.

I'm partial to mustard yellow, lavender, and mint green.

I hope I'll always have freckles on my lips.

23

8:00 am

9:00am

10:00am

11:00am

12:00pm

1:00pm

2:00pm


3:00pm

4:00pm

5:00pm

6:00pm

7:00pm

8:00pm

9:00pm

10:00pm

Another birthday (almost) documented hour-by-hour. This birthday was different, I spent most of it alone running work errands. I was feeling a little defeated until a taxi driver finally agreed to take me from downtown Brooklyn to Williamsburg (several drivers had already refused). When I stepped into the cab, it was flooded with classical music. I chatted with the driver, Jean, who spoke French and was from Haiti. He asked where I was from, where my family was from, and told me the only Tagalog he knew: "mahal kita" ("I love you").

 I finally got some off-the-clock time and saw a filming of The Daily Show (!!) and eventually made my way to meet my coworkers for karaoke in Koreatown. After lots of delays and a quick bibimbap stop, I was worried because I was running late. I walked into our room and everyone started yelling and cheering, then breaking out into a huge chorus of "Happy Birthday." Most embarrassing/heartwarming/sweet.

 This time last year, I:
- had just met JGL (haha)
- was panicking about my future post-graduation
- began reading for fun again (homework be damned)
- was getting ready to become an au pair
- couldn't believe I was going back to Europe again.

 I don't have any "landmarks" coming up-- graduation is over, I have my first adulthood job. This next year is big and open and I can't wait.

(See 21 and 22)

this time last year...

Ha! Here's the original and here's the story.
(Yup, that's Joseph Gordon-Levitt.)