#NYC – Coney Island, Brooklyn

If you think I’ve ended my endless throwback of NYC, you’re wrong.

Actually, I was wrong.

It was a pretty long subway ride from Manhattan to Brooklyn, but it was lovely. There was a total vibe change crossing the bridge between the two sides. Sitting on the subway felt like a plane ride.

 

It was cloudy, yet the skies were slightly tinted blue.

And people were happy.

So was I.

And I extended my stay thereafter.
Just a few days more, I told myself.
I like it here so much. And I can still feel that exact feeling today.

∞

#everydayepisodes HK & MACAU

If you’re into Astrology, you would know that we are in the Mercury Retrograde season, and I’m actually enjoying the “slower-speed” together with the throwback of the past. I’ve been going back to my past hobbies that I’ve placed aside due to college. Now that I’ve graduated and working, responsibilities starts to kick in and everyday seems like a toll, while the weekends goes by like the wind.

There was an article somewhere about the benefits of baking for people, in which it reflects the practice of mindfulness. No wonder why I’ve always baked for people while I was back home, with all my equipments at hand. I did not enjoyed eating what I’ve baked, but I was thriving in the process of it.

And I’m guessing photo or video editing is one of my replacement past time to baking. Let me just select specific songs, put some clips and adjust the colors to the vibes that I enjoy, etc. The end products makes me feel good, while I upload it online, but the process of perfecting it to my standard is satisfying.

Well, I dug up my Hong Kong & Macau videos from two years ago, and finally created my vlog that I failed to deliver then.

Not the best, but I’ve definitely enjoyed the process!

Jan 16~25, 2016
Winter in HK & MACAU

∞

#NYC – Chinatown & Little Italy

It’s been awhile. I’m back to blogging. Or at least I want to continue what I’ve never finished. Can’t believe NYC was another memory that is close to two years now. I have to say, it’s a place that is close to my heart. It never left and it keeps coming back from time to time.

Throughout the year, I’ve been trying seeking all kinds of opportunities just to get me back to this city, but failed simultaneously. Of it all, my finances was a toll. I had to put down my greed, and aim for stability. (At least as a fresh graduate, I had responsibilities)

Who knows? Maybe down the road, something might bring me. I believe if I’m meant to be, I will. In the meantime, I think I’m settling for where I am right now. Despite the hardships and having a job that I don’t have my heart for, but learning is a process, and that’s what keeps me going.

Living the Korean life for 4 years and going now. It’s already my 5th Spring.

I think it’s also an appropriate time to share my pictures from Chinatown (and snippets of Little Italy right beside), since I’m craving for all the Chinese food (!!)

NYC Chinatown is wonderful. A life of its own, buzzing with activity. Highly recommended by my Professor, I had to check it out myself, which I instantly fell in love.

It reminded me a lot about home.

Right beside Chinatown was Little Italy, separated by a street and different exterior. I didn’t venture too much into it due to time constraints, hopefully next time!

When will I be back?

∞

#NYC – By the Brooklyn Bridge (Night)

Dear Brooklyn, how do I describe you? Why are you so lovely?

Another tourist must-do is riding a Citibike across the Brooklyn Bridge. And so we did! I honestly underestimated how difficult it was going slightly ‘up hill,’ and trying to avoid all the other people on that bridge. Nevertheless, I loved it!

Before we ended our trip with a ride through the Brooklyn Bridge, we had some authentic pizza, and enjoyed the ambiance around the area. With the night falls, the night scene is what we have always pictured it to be.

 

Shots of joy.

∞

#NYC – Union Square

Stay chill under the sun, I really liked Union Square.

Stayed in an Airbnb in East Village for my solo travel week, and I kept coming back to Union Square. In fact, I really enjoyed the vibes of this place from day to dawn. It’s a pleasure to alight at Union Square, and either walk towards the apartment everyday through different sections and routes (which I usually discover something new/cool), or I might even take a bus around the streets.

On a side note, I think I spent way too much time at Barnes and Nobles, or at Sephora. (Even in the supermarket, snatching up some snacks and teas) Keeping things short, this area has everything you need nearby.

∞

#NYC – Spring St. / Washington Square Park / 9-11 Memorial / Grand Central Terminal

Do you feel like there’s somewhere out of your home that would suit you better? Do you feel like there’s a place somewhere you would love to settle down, because you feel like you will be at your best? Of course I wouldn’t say you should let your environment affect/restrict you, but I feel like every place you go to have different vibes, which could open you up, challenge you, requires changes, etc.

Where is a place that you feel strangely connected to? \ (•◡•) /

Spring St.

Night scene at the Washington Square Park, filled with students, laughters, and smiles on a Sunday night.

9/11 Memorial

Another Gossip Girl moment ≧◡≦ at the Grand Central Terminal ↓

–

There’s a certain feeling to every city. And I like how this city makes me feel.

∞

#NYC – the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Took an elective class in Positive Psychology this semester, and we took a VIA Characters Strength test. The results generate the rankings within 24 different strengths, in which we identify ourselves with the top 5 strengths – something you do naturally, something you’re good at, something you do that energizes you even etc.

Coming in 4th place was Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, and no wonder taking pictures, eating good food, visiting museums, and even a good cup of cafe latte would cheer me up. Something done so naturally, yet to be recognized in my everyday life. I do encourage everyone to take the VIA Characters Test and find out your top 5 strengths. It honestly helps with introspection, and improving oneself.

This post will be filled with my day at The Metropolitan Museum of Art aka The MET. The museum is huge, and filled with fascinating art exhibits. I personally really enjoyed it, and if you have Appreciation as your top 5 strengths, I’m sure you would too.

Definitely an xoxo, Gossip Girl moment.

Pretty sure this was a seasonal exhibit from last summer.

The museum was coming to a close at around 5pm, and there was a street dance performance right outside, catching everyone’s curious attention. Definitely a great way to get your audience!

∞

#NYC – From Chelsea Market, The High Line, to the Rockefeller Center

Nothing more cliché than waiting for the sunset from the Rockefeller Center/Top of the Rock. First time in NYC, definitely needed a visit to some tourist spots! We actually made a reservation the day before, on what timeslot we were planning to visit the following day, so do take note on that!

Had an early dinner settled at the Chelsea Market beforehand, right across from Google, for a lobster meal paired with baked goods. Finished it off with a little picnic moment at The High Line, enjoying Mexican food and pizza, while watching the locals enjoy their yoga.

And I wondered, how could people leave such a beautiful city?

∞

#NYC – The UN

I grasped this opportunity provided by my university on a wimp. Not just to visit New York, but also to attend a week of lectures provided by various UN staff members sharing their part in contribution. I saw it as a wonderful chance to learn, to explore, and open my perspectives. In fact, the more I understood, the more I wanted to contribute, the more I wanted to be a part of what they were doing for the world.

And so it began.

A journey I’ve been seeking.

∞

#NYC – Central Park + Midtown

I have honestly dragged this set of blog posts because I have so much feelings that I don’t know how to express. Last Summer, besides a family vacation to Osaka, I personally embarked on a trip to New York City. Definitely a bucket list I never thought I could tick off so soon.

Amazing sights, lovely sounds, wonderful atmosphere, and so many unique things strangely familiar due to the media, yet overwhelming at times to take in. It also left me with an unusual feeling of ‘homesick’ from this neverending city. Although it may just seem like a dream come true, but it was more than just that. I learnt a lot about myself, my hopes and dreams, opened my perspectives, which made me view life through a whole new lens. I’m still the same person, but I know I have been renewed.

2016 has been a travelling year, full of plane rides (and miles to accumulate HAHA). I am really thankful. As I began 2017, I also wondered if I could do this more often. I love exploring, and taking pictures of sights I’ve never seen. Scenic places and unique people are my favorite things. Of all triggers of vulnerability, travelling is definitely my favorite form.

Shall we start from Central Park?

It actually started drizzling, but the rain doesn’t stop us!!

We later head off to midtown area, towards Times Square before the jetlag starts kicking.

Never missed out on the LOVE sign, right?

I’ll see you on the next one.

∞