This past weekend was a big one for NYC. The Mets played in the World Series, it was Halloween, and the TCS NYC Marathon was on Sunday. Somehow, I made it to do something for all three things. However, it left for a sleepy Sunday morning and a necessary chocolate earl grey doughnut from DOUGH in Brooklyn. While watching 60,000K people run by, I tracked a friend, caught up with another and I’d say this last weekend was a success.
Birthday is over, its Monday, October 19. The weekend brought so many things and I can’t recap right now because I should be working on a few important projects. Instead, I am thinking about moments like this when you’re walking in a dark street mixed between dark warehouses, brownstone houses, and the middle-of-nowhere “Cocktail Truck” with string lights and fenced off yard. The moment you know you need to take a picture because who know when you’ll see this sight again. After all, it was Bed-Stuy and when am I ever out there?
It’s crystal clear I’m still in awe with the city and that’s good. All it means is there will always be something to look forward to seeing again.
Command + Z was not an option.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and if this one could talk, there would probably be two thousand words to say about it. Pingy is my confidant. He has heard more of my life stories than he might ever care about and I heard my fair share of third grade drama, Minecraft scenarios, and reasons why band is “the worst.” Today our secrets revealed the tides are changing for both of us but there is nothing we can’t handle—especially in a Hawaii`i shirt.
Got nothing on HAWAII shave ice.
Third grader keeping it real on this Monday with some pencil motivation. The mind of a child is fearless. At least that’s what I have learned. Being able to spend everyday with one has sent me daily reminders about what it means to live, take risks, and love.
Ping isn’t concerned about what anyone else thinks of him. He will put temporary tattoos all over his arms, wear an outfit that doesn’t match, and burst out in song at any street corner. He will do all these things with extreme confidence. He takes the risks that many adults continue to hold back from in fear of what someone else might think. Ping also loves. While love right now might only be for video games, cartoons, and his iPod, he is passionate about all these things. Ping is an open book with no walls to hide behind. He works hard to get what he wants and does it with all his heart. When he wants something I see him try his best. Disappointment also comes across his face if he misses his goals. This mini-person has shown me what it really means to be true to yourself.
So it was fitting when I saw these words Sharpie’d onto Ping’s pencil. He’s only nine but he’s already figured out how to give himself what he needs to motivate himself. I know he knows what “BEASTMODE” means better than any adult I know because I see it, everyday and it never gets old.
Don’t be good, be great.
People, they all look the same but on the inside they are different.
Only nine with a refined mind.
KISS. Keep. It. Simple. Stupid. Far too often I catch myself overthinking, overexerting and over-doing things. Trying to mesh lots of things into one design or do too many things at once. This only makes for a lot of “less good” things done at one time, or not enough great things being done. Less is more and quality over quantity. I’ve learned this in New York, more than anywhere else I’ve lived so far in my life. Here in New York, you can get almost ANYTHING you want to eat. It’s a blessing and a curse. We can get that $1 pizza slice, or you can get that $5 pizza slice that has the tag line “Organic” or “Farm fresh” in front of it. While the cheap price point might be on point, you get what you pay for most of the time and it’s not always pretty. Definitely not as pretty as the meal above or even the one be low.
Okonomi is the cutest little restaurant tucked away in the BK. That’s Brooklyn, Williamsburg to be exact. Thanks to friends who live in the neighborhood, I have only heard good things about their traditional Japanese set breakfast. Over a year later, I finally got to try it myself and it did not disappoint. The colors, the flavors, the presentation, the ambiance. Everything so simple, yet tasty and made from local, fresh ingredients. Every time you go it’s different, and this time I selected to have the sake-marinated Big Eye Tuna. Combined with picked veggies, egg and swiss chard, it was divine. Living up to it’s hype and then some. Not to mention the company. This was my second time at Okonomi, the first was for a ramen birthday dinner, and I would go back again and again. With only 12 seats and 1/3 of them being at the bar, it’s not great for big parties so keep it simple, stupid. Bring A friend, not 10.
And then there’s Umami Burger. Straying away from the small quaint vibe, to the borderline loud boisterous bro-bar. This California implant holds a special place in my heart because of the times I had Umami in LA. The burger isn’t big, the choices are also changing and not of a wide variety, but the burger is done right. I am a burger girl. I love to eat a good one cooked just right with a little pink. Not really a fan of the Whopper Jr. anymore and will pay for quality over that White Castle quantity. Umami hits the spot, and when you get your plate and think “that’s it” trust me–that’s all you need.
New York, as complicated as you are, thanks for the reminder to KISS. That’s right–keep it simple, stupid.
With 5 weekends in a row of snow (make it 6 if the white stuff falls tomorrow), a record breaking February (coldest since 1934), and six more weeks of winter (thanks Groundhog), I feel like I’ve hit a new low (body temperature). My nose hurts when I breath, if breathing is even possible with icy air blowing through my face. I walk with caution, everywhere looking down at every step because I don’t want to slip and fall (did that once already this winter). I even have to add 10 minutes before I leave to go anywhere to put on those extra layers before wearing my warmest coat. WINTER BLOWS (really cold air). My friends got a new plant though so until spring decides to show up, I’ll just pretend to be in a tropical paradise.
The technology complex is a big one. We live in a world where we never really have to “wait” for anything anymore. In fact we are doing more. Things come and go in an instant. We can upload and delete seconds later if we change our mind. We can go back in time and change history if we really wanted to–digital history. We no longer have to think about precious portraits like the ones that came from cameras like the ones above (seen at the Brooklyn Flea), because our iPhone 6 Plus with 128GB of storage can save and delete them ALL, for free. The growth of technology has changed the way we live our daily lives. I know it has changed mine. I can take pictures or videos with the touch of two buttons, then two clicks later share it out to hundreds of people. In an instant, someone hundreds and thousands of miles away from me can see what I am doing.
I love that technology keeps us so connected. Most of my friendships have continued because of technology and some have even blossomed because of it. We have a fine line to go between. The one that puts us on the side that depreciates precious moments–the real face time–we spend with people and the other side that gives us priceless moments our devices won’t capture. We also have to remember to give people a chances and hear what they have to say beyond the blue, green and gray bubbles on our phones. Just another way technology can change things in an instant. We have a lot to think about these days; what we share, how we say it, where it goes, when we do it and all of this, we do, in an instant.
The first month of the new year is over. Oy. Yeah, that happened fast. With the cue from the groundhog we also know we have six more weeks of winter. Now that’s pure evil. The island girl in me wants to cry but I will tough it out. Sorrytherestofthewordsweretoomuchbrainpowertomakeintosentences.