More Walks

Life in NYC has been the same with the pandemic. There was an  improvement and then a rise in cases again in the present time. Some of us are doing our best to still enjoy some leisure time despite of it all. We do what we can.  

Let me share another notable walk that happened in early September. 

A friend of mine joined for the walk and she knows how much I embrace diversity. With her company, I was able to embrace Brooklyn so much more with the walk we had. Almost every block, or an avenue, is a whole different atmosphere. Seriously, how did I get so lucky to be able to experience this? The diversity opens options for food (my personal favorite about cultures) and I am grateful to be able to experience this in the city. 

For those who don't know me, I thrive in diversity while embracing differences. It is awesome. 

The walk started in Green-Wood Cemetery. Personally, I did not expect to adore a cemetery since it is commonly known for its ominous aura or a place meant for grieving (for some people). In this cemetery, it is well-kept and has plenty of greenery and a body of water. It was gorgeous. I might actually just want to sit at a bench, stare out in the water instead of hanging out at Prospect Park.

I also teared up a bit taking this photo. Relationship goals, anyone?

The exit of the cemetery brought us a few blocks away from Industry City.  The food hall was worth checking out (of course) and I claimed an AllSet promo for some thai chicken wings. I paired it with Singha beer. 

The outdoor setup of this food hall was so gorgeous. I would like to go back and try the other food options there. 

We walked more avenues and blocks to get to 70-ish street. Back to what I mentioned earlier, the diversity was amazing. I still regret not stopping by this lady's elote cart because I've missed a good corn on the cob. The way the neighborhoods just magically transforms is something I can definitely appreciate. 

Then we got to an interesting Arab neighborhood. We met an Algerian (also wearing the football jersey of his country) who was feeding the birds and worked at a nearby grocery store. I would have loved to buy snacks but was unable to buy any. There are lots of bakeries and so I got a delicious backlava and another sweet delicacy. 

We stumbled upon a Yemeni restaurant within the neighborhood and got some lamb. Amazing cuisine. I need to go back to try some more food and actually remember the names of the food that I eat. 

Until the next walk! 

Random Walks

Here is a random example of a typical weekend whenever I choose to take a walk in Manhattan. I need to explore Brooklyn more for sure (especially since Prospect Park is within walking distance, for example). 

In the midst of the pandemic, I continued to make an effort in establishing a social life (outside of my relationship, of course) here in NYC. I am comfortable exploring on my own but it is nice to see a friend (or two) in the midst of it. It helps with my mental state. Compared to my last entry, NYC made it to phase 4 even if it is still filled with other restrictions.  Fair enough though. I am grateful that other places had opened like the High Line where controlling the crowd is possible by having visitors book a time slot online. A few weekends ago, I finally went with a lady friend and despite the heat at the time, we had a lovely stroll. 

In San Diego, I did engage in some hikes, a few walks by various boardwalks but it wasn't until I moved here without a car that I appreciated the 'longer' walks. Strangely, even my patience grew. I like observing people by nature so I often feel that with all the life that NYC has, I fit in just fine. It is hard to believe that next month would already be my first year here in  NYC but a huge chunk of my explorations (as someone with fresh eyes..) was put to hold due to the pandemic. COVID-19 made it all feel different, perhaps even slowed down time in some situations, but I am grateful that I've managed to safely explore (and try restaurants even by means of food delivery) when I can. 

While taking a stroll at the High Line, I thought this was a beautiful view. 

From the High Line, my lady friend and I grabbed a latte and walked toward Chelsea Piers to sit on the benches. It was a nice sea view. Eventually, I parted with my lady friend and it was about (but not really..) a half an hour walk to Madison Square Park. I went to meet my better half's cousin who was in the area at the time. To be honest, I've been to NYC a good amount of times before deciding to settle here but never took the time to explore this area. It did not disappoint. 

Not featured: A jazz quartet on the left side of this image playing wonderful music. It wasn't crowded during this beautiful Saturday afternoon. 

I think that the surrounding buildings and shops around Madison Square Park was simply nice to look at. I like looking at buildings, obviously. 

Not a lot of people in an area where crowds would usually go. 

I parted with my better half's cousin from here. I am not one who is easily bored so maybe my opinion will not matter much but NYC is not boring at all.. Not at all..

If you're like me who likes a bit of exploration, just remember to wear a mask and try to remain being in a safe distance around other pedestrians. Some situations in the subway will make this impossible but do wear a mask and cough on your sleeve if necessary. Taking a nice walk outside is possible if done safely. Lets be mindful of one another so we can all enjoy a good walk every not and then. 

Phase 3 of Reopening in NYC

If there is one thing that I am grateful for about phase 3 of reopening, it would be services such as the salon and eyebrow threading place. At the moment, I don't need a haircut but my eyebrows are happy with the treatment that they received. Unfortunately, the place I liked going in lower east side that is supposedly closer to my work had closed down so I have to commute half an hour to get to another place that does eyebrow threading. I am grateful. I made sure to tip properly in support of local business. 

Also.. just the fact that I made it this far during the pandemic without any illness is something to be grateful for. It truly sucks being in the healthcare field during these trying times. It's so crazy that the shelter in place started four months ago and yet here we are. It is sad reading about other states that are now going through an increase in cases. 

Indoor dining is still now allowed so I find it interesting that restaurants found ways to be creative about their outdoor dining setup. Along with a shade, the current weather makes it such a great experience. As customers, we just need to keep in mind to to wear a mask especially when talking to a server and bring a hand sanitizer. Of course you can remove your mask to eat haha. Be kind. 

The whole set up about outdoor dining works and brings some kind of normalcy for some of us who likes to eat out. I haven't seen a lot of what outdoor dining entails in the other parts of the city, but while I was in lower east side for my sisig and turon fix, I was able to pass by a lot of food places and their outdoor dining. I wish I took a photo but I was in amazement most of the time. 

Food has kept me sane, clearly, and pursuing cravings is something that I take quite seriously (haha). Ube cheese pandesal has been such a quarantine Filipino food favorite that even people are learning to make it and are making businesses out of it. I doubted for a moment about NYC having it (haha) but of course, they have it! The "hype" is definitely real about these delicious ube cheese pandesal. 

Ube cheese pandesal from Kape't Torta in Queens! Lovely bakery.

In addition to the ube cheese pandesal, I got my mango shake fix and it reminds me so much of the homeland. I feel that the best mangoes for me are the "Manila mangoes."

I also crave for some pastel de nata. My first pastel de nata experience was from a bakery called Frankie's Portugal and it was a delightful experience. Unfortunately, the place is closed (at least according to Google) and I've yet to verify if this is true. I found a place just as good, maybe even better, called Joey Bats Cafe. 

Some would compare them to Chinese egg tarts but there is definitely a big difference. I have no preference but some days would make me crave for one over the other. 

I made a list of cuisines that I want to try and Uzbek cuisine is at the top of the list. Brooklyn has amazing options for Uzbek cuisine and that is another thing that I will be grateful about NYC and moving here -- the food options are endless. There are 11 cuisines on the list and NYC has them all! This will be fun. 

Another work week will start and I can only hope for some improvement about this pandemic. Stay safe, all. 

June Thoughts

My life is still an ongoing spiral of work, home, eat, binge a show, and going outside in limited occasions. Trying to take a stroll. I've made a conscious effort to improve my social life in the city by trying to converse with like-minded women on an app but unfortunately it is a matter of "when" if I can actually grab coffee with anyone. Although given my (bad) luck with females, I've lowered my expectations and do find comfort in solitude. I realized that lately I've been struggling to talk about things that I like because of how irritated I get when being shut down. I do not mind differences, but it is that quick, snobby dismissal of someone else that irks me. I simply have an affinity toward open-minded individuals but I wonder if that makes me a picky person. I still look forward to getting to know people in the city despite of that. There has to be a platonic term related to being a "hopeless romantic" because I am like that in friendships (hahaha!). I will really try for a friend until I am given reasons not to. I am quite hopeful for lasting relationships.

If there is one thing I am consistent with, it is definitely my skincare routine. Having a 7-step routine may seem too much for some but it really isn't bad. Some people think that women who obsess about skincare and cosmetics are ridiculous. Well, I am proudly ridiculous. The older I get the harder it is to control the facial imperfections that I dislike about myself such as noticeable pores and blemishes (unfortunately, I care about crap like that). I feel that whatever it is I am doing to my skin is working for maintenance. Also, I am an oily skin type so keeping the sebum at bay without totally drying my skin out has been the top of my skincare goals. Also, it is so fun and relaxing to do after a long day. I come home filled with the city's impurities. 

Food has been my source of comfort. I do not consider myself a "foodie" in a way that I want to find facts and details or look for only the "authentic" cuisine. I can't even stand food snobs. I just simply like to eat whatever my palette considers good and fortunately that is a wide variety. I like being introduced to new dishes and appreciating the version of whoever makes them. I feel that I've given some people the impression that I am some sort of food encyclopedia. I love learning about cultures but I am not knowledgeable like that (willing to learn though). 

It is a good thing that I commute to work because I know I should weigh more than I currently am. Wednesdays are for fried pork. 

I finished reading a novel recently and started a new one. At least I have that to look forward to. I've been switching from a classic, contemporary fiction, sometimes historical fiction, and nonfiction. There are four books that I am juggling the same way as I would juggle TV shows. 

I think I've found the right therapist for me. I think it is funny that in my chief complaint I put worry. It's not even about the state of the world but the state of my life, rather. 

Hang in there NYC. Sooner or later, it will be phase 3. Outdoor dining is looking good. Do not lose sight of your goals, if any. Unfortunately, I am officially over with COVID-19. Don't wear a mask in an open area but please value physical distance, carry a mask and wear them when close in proximity around people, and be mindful of stores that require it and abide!

Unproductivity

Weekends are for not doing anything. 

That is such an awful mindset to have. I loved exploring the city on my day off. I cannot wait to resume this habit. Come on, I finally landed a job that has weekends and holidays off!

I read the news as a habit and being updated gives me the illusion of being productive. Unfortunately, the world is full of bad news and that leads me to feeling unmotivated and listless. The state of the world is awful. The front page looks like word vomit. I need to stop reading the news during the first morning of a weekend. I need to stop making my mornings feel like crap. Damn it. 

Oh social media. Twitter has a lot of toxicity and it is not for the faint of heart. But.. I still choose Twitter over Facebook. I can lurk on Twitter endlessly and actually have the time to troll. Another ingredient for being unproductive. 

Streaming services are cool but could easily take my whole day or my whole weekend. I had started to binge a lot of shows especially when the shelter-in-place happened. I rewatched some of Parks and Recreations and started /continued the following: Money Heist, Upload, The Big Bang Theory, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, Brooklyn 99, This Is Us, etc. I know I am missing a few more. I am juggling all these shows. I am a fucking couch potato.

All great series so far though. I should start adding the Star Trek series on my list. 

Thankfully I DO NOT have a PlayStation!

I am lagging on my reading. I have so much books on queue. I have so many great books that I am looking forward to reading. I would feel so much more accomplished if I just start binge reading. Ugh.

I wish I have the motivation to go for a walk as a habit. Take my phone away.... but I seriously wont go outside without any GPS access.

I am grateful for food delivery services. 

Finally Some Greenery

In lieu of what is going on, I am grateful that I remained sane. The uncertainty of COVID-19 in the beginning caused me some anxiety but that gets brushed off with the idea that I have to be at work anyway. I feel that since the healthcare field is the only job I know how to do as an "employed" person, it grew me a thicker skin in certain situations. I just have to be mindful about how I choose to protect myself because obviously I cannot predict the actions of others. 

I am over wearing a mask but I understand that it is necessary. 

I had been living in NYC a little over seven months and Prospect Park is not too far. It is such a BEAUTIFUL park. It took an interest to participate in a protest at Grand Army Plaza to finally walk around the park. It is so green, so serene, and a lot of people are getting their fitness on by biking or running. I got inspired to run (haven't done it yet). In addition, it is so great to see a group of friends or family doing their own thing by having a picnic, hanging out, playing sports, etc..

Beautiful path!

Beautiful lake!

I definitely miss going to Central Park during my Sunday Manhattan walks with my better half's cousin but I am so thankful to have this nearby. The better half has wheels so it is definitely an easy access.

As the weather is now warm and often humid, icecream shops has my attention and I am grateful for them being open. My favorite kind of milkshakes are from chocolate icecream. The one I had recently from Ample Hills Creamery at Prospect Heights surpasses my previous favorite from Miami called Vicky's. Dark chocolate icecream that is so chocolatey and not overbearing with sweetness.

Milkshake around Prospect Heights.

I may be at the epicenter of the outbreak but I am so grateful to experience a life in NYC. I hope it gets better from here as the phases that are necessary so NYC can be open are getting evaluated. 

Quarantine Entry 2

One of my biggest worries in the city's current condition is that I will spend my weekends drinking alcohol.. Well, wine specifically. I can definitely down a bottle (and a half) by myself knowing that my limit is probably only half a bottle. I am glad that is not the case lately. I had been drinking tea instead thanks to Sipsby. Sipsby is a monthly subscription box that contains different teas to sample. It is amazing because they would send me teas of different caffeine levels. I will dedicate a post to review my box in the future. If you like tea that is not limited to just milk tea (haha), I highly recommend it. My girlfriend from the Netherlands has been my tea supplier for many years and she definitely expanded my taste from a regular green tea to a lot of fruity ones. Tea also helps increase my daily fluid intake.

As of a few days ago, I had been officially living in NYC for 7 months. I plan to stop keeping track after my one year anniversary with the city (bare with me). Again, I cannot believe that a pandemic will be happening around the time when I am still adjusting living here or adjusting to my (new) job. I imagine the moment when the shelter in place order is finally lifted. I think I will be in tears, seriously. This pandemic has taken a mental toll on me as a healthcare worker and as someone who is new to the city. It affected everyone no matter what occupation. Regardless, I have no regrets in moving here and I still plan to survive. I have to.

Personal goals does not stop even in the midst of a pandemic. I have a list of things to do in the city and I plan to accomplish them. I've walked the Brooklyn Bridge numerous times, crave the walk, and I realized that I even miss it when a tourist would stop me on my walk to take a photo of them. I liked their reactions.

On my days off during the quarantine, I usually have no desire to do anything unless it involves a food delivery. That does not require a lot of movement. There has been a lot of moments when ordering a food delivery is the only option to cope (ha!) even if I should be saving money. With that in mind, I am grateful for restaurants that are open and the people who safely deliver the food. I was able to get my sushi and roast duck fix over the weekend, thankfully. I had been trying to keep active, gave up on the Splits Training on my last week, but continued with my twice a week exercise via the FitOn app. All my rice consumption is catching up in my belly, seriously. At the same time, I am perfectly fine with this.

I had been quite hooked on the show Money Heist. I also got another expansion for Sims 4 and bought their seasons expansion. It is interesting. I made all the characters from Sex and the City and pursuing the careers they had at the show. Fun game but I could also use a replay of the Mass Effect trilogy.

I attempted to cook the Filipino style chicken curry last week and I've put so much curry powder that made it bitter or maybe I did not put enough coconut milk (or the coconut milk itself is unsweetened).  I intend to try this again. I need to replenish the pantry for other recipes but it seems like we will be stuck with pork adobo, pork or beef mechado, and baked salmon this week. I moved to NYC with a fully stocked kitchen and my better half has an Instant Pot. That gadget is one of the most amazing things to have in the kitchen especially since I come home right at dinner hours. It simply cuts the cooking time in half.


There are more thoughts to add as the day goes by. I wish the best for everyone.

Quarantine Entry 1

I am finally going to add a label just to document this whole quarantine. As much as I am grateful about having a job in the midst of this pandemic, it is so risky to go out there and commute. I cherish the moments when I do not have to work so I try to do other things to keep my head clear. So far I had one mental breakdown throughout this whole fiasco which isn't as bad as I thought. I need the tone of this entry to be positive.

I started playing SIMS 4 on Xbox One and bought the City Living expansion. I decided to finally take a whole day of break today because it is so easy to get into the game and waste the whole day. Time definitely passes by when playing this game. If you are someone with a lot of errands, steer clear from this game. I wish I am playing the Mass Effect trilogy though..

I am not claiming to be a cooking prowess but the amount of time I spent in the kitchen increased. In fact, moving to NYC increased my time in the kitchen. I know that my access to Filipino food is not the same here in Brooklyn compared to San Diego but I am so much more eager to try and cook my favorite foods from home.

Over the weekend, I started cooking mechadong baka using the Instant Pot. For years now, I had been referring to Panlasang Pinoy for my Filipino cooking needs. Some of my influences came from my father who tends to make Filipino food with healthier alternatives. I've come a long way from just baking salmon to utilizing the Instant Pot. I am happy to say that the mechadong baka turned out very well. Tender beef, flavorful, hearthy.. Amazing stew! The better half had three servings of it! I look forward to trying pork pochero and beef nilaga (buto buto!) next.

A friend of mine also recommended that we do the (splits challenge) and I had successfully done day 12 last night ( we started April 1st) and I don't believe I can learn the splits in 30 days but I feel the progress doing these stretches. It works in little ways. It is my current physical activity right now when I should be trying harder because of my eating habits (I consume so much rice!).

Currently binge watching Brooklyn Nine-Nine and it is giving me so many good laughs.

Take care!

Some COVID-19 Thoughts

The work from home and encouraging people to stay home has helped healthcare workers like me to commute smoothly. Social distancing CAN happen in the train. I am actually afraid that one of these days I will be infected with COVID-19 and be a source of transmission. I've been self monitoring, checking my temperature, and just going with my gut at this point. I do not remember the last time I felt sick outside of a mild cold and cough.

 It is sad yet necessary to see the streets of lower east side during my commute to and from work to be empty and not congested. The foot traffic tremendously decreased. The shops placed their tables and chairs away to make it clear that their business is for dine in and take out only. I still feel quite lucky to have these services available to us though. I am quite surprised that I haven't experienced "lining up" for some stores. Union Market, to name one, has not been congested. 

Being at work feels like a lottery, almost. I hope I don't have to deal with an infected patient but at this point that is inevitable. The best thing I can do for myself is to take precaution as much as possible and not neglect checking in with the providers and colleagues I work with. Working in healthcare is emotionally draining and the more I get to know the providers I work with, the more I realize that these people are just human. I am lucky to be able to work alongside a nice group of providers too. 

I haven't been successful in making friendships in NYC (at least outside work) but it would be nice to just have someone to talk to about matters. This experience has been so anxiety-inducing. The panic and hysteria is not there but I miss my friends and my family. 

I craved for alcohol to drink and ended up not finding it appealing. 

I hope I survive the next week. 

Getting Nauti in Miami

I want to document my thoughts about the Disney Cruise which is also my first cruise experience. I have tons of photos but will definitely limit the sharing. It is taking me awhile to adjust to my regular routine ever since. We had been paying for a laundry service and had my better half's amazing cleaning lady do our household chores (she is amazing, by the way). Laziness at its finest.

I flew from NYC to Miami. I strangely ended up needing to take a Dramamine after the flight. I hope I do not have airsickness. I flew 20 flights last year!

Would I initially go to a regular Disney cruise? Probably not. How about one that involves Marvel? Hell yeah! In addition, I was able to see Miami again so I can drink fresh guava juice (haha).

It was a simple 5-day Bahamian Cruise. My ports were the Keys, Castaway Cay, and Nassau. I was on the ship for one whole day for the Marvel Day At Sea event. Most of the time, I preferred being on the ship to line up and take photos with characters, eat, and just simply enjoy the service. The diverse staff was so awesome. Unfortunately, it wasn't an open bar so I was mindful about my cocktails. I went all out on the themed cocktails though! My appetite was all for eating at the buffet area during breakfast and lunch. The food options caters to different diet types. I love it! The ship itself was easy to navigate and there were all sorts of activities that catered to all ages. Initially, I thought most events would be for kids until we started participating at trivia, karaoke, and various evening shows. I learned that I am quite knowledgeable with 80's music! 

My favorite part of this cruise was interacting with people in their character mode. From the mascots, Disney princesses, and Marvel superheroes, mostly everyone stayed in character. I thought it was amusing being asked by Doctor Strange if I was interested in learning about the mystic arts (haha). Tiana also asked me if the person I like was once a frog. I totally felt as happy as the children who believed that the characters on the ship were real. The most disappointing character on the ship was Thor who did not get our beer references. There was a passenger dressed as fat Thor who did a better job at playing in character. I also partied with Star Lord, Gamora, and some ravagers in one of the the evenings. There was just so many shows and events to share. Other things to note: an amazing Rapunzel play which had amazing visual effects and everything about the Marvel Day at Sea which included a live show. The Avengers fighting and Spiderman swinging. Iron Man became the fireworks. Amazing pyrotechnics! I also killed it at the 80's trivia and rick rolled the ship by singing "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley during karaoke.

Frozen is one of the most popular ones so I had to sign up for a time slot for a photo. 

We celebrated Rapunzel's birthday.

Some random things to note while on port..

Castaway Cay

I had a key lime pie at the Keys. Key lime pie is not my favorite pie but I enjoyed its tartness. 

The Castaway Cay, Disney's private island, was amazing. Spent some time chilling by the beach. The photo on the left showed our seats. I also got some braids and enjoyed the complimentary BBQ lunch. It was a great day on port overall.

I did not take much interest in Nassau. I went down for a bit to walk, ended up buying a pair of earrings made of conch, and got overwhelmed by touristy offers. I was over it after five minutes, went back to the ship, and enjoyed the complimentary amenities and photo ops. I had way more fun there.

I was definitely spoiled at the cruise when it came to service. I got what I paid for. I am quite convinced that the Disney Cruise is like no other because it is an entertainment company. Everyone was so pleasant wherever I went. My host was lovely and I always returned to a clean room. He tidied my room and bathroom twice a day! I was also appointed with the same servers during the duration of the cruise and we had a fantastic service. I enjoyed the breakfast buffet, lunch buffet, and their restaurants that I was able to rotate in almost nightly. Some foods to note would be the escargot and lamb. I feel that listing all the food would require another post. Anyway, the cruise was fantastic and will 10/10 go again!

I decided to spend a few days in Miami. I was able to revisit some places, see my friends, and eat a lot of Cuban food. I also went back for the guava juice. 

It was also Superbowl Sunday during the time I was in Miami. I personally have no interest in

football but it was great seeing people being festive everywhere. I stayed in a lovely Airbnb in downtown and spent a lot of time at the Bayside Marketplace because it was close by. I even did something super touristy and rode a speed boat. I spent a good amount of one sunny afternoon walking at South Beach. The walk by the shore was amazing. It was so nice to get a break from winter and finally have some sun even if most of the time it was sweater weather. At least there was sun though! Other places to note included a brunch at Coral Gables, walking and eating at Little Havana (including happy hour priced oysters, haha!). I tried the free trolley and metro mover (cool mini train) to get around town. I ended up at the Brickell City Center which was stunning but most of the shops are posh so I couldn't do much shopping (not that I planned to..). I did buy a new coat from Zara because it had a good discount. Really good one.

Anyway, I hope to come back to Miami and eat more food. 

And I also hope to finally go back to our regular routine.  It will be almost 3 weeks since then!

January Thoughts

One of my first impressions of NYC (as a tourist turned to a resident?) is that almost everyone is in a rush. Most people cross the road before the signal turns to "walk" and I am amazed by how people are quite vigilant about the stoplights. They know when to start walking. Up to this day, I still feel scared crossing the road sometimes especially when I am in some busy streets like Union Square or Times Square.  A lot of cars that I've seen on a red light would honk at the car in front of them the second the light turns green. I thought to myself, you ought to give the driver in front of you time to accelerate! Definitely take my observation with a grain of salt, even if this is one of the common "stereotypes" people have about people living in NYC. Before moving here, I wondered if I would become impatient about time. I did not want to pick up on the trait. 

Thankfully, I haven't. This is probably part of my honeymoon phase with NYC.

I feel that not having a car in NYC contributed to having more time. I dreaded not having a car and did not quite imagine a life without it. Suddenly, here I am! My work hours became much more normal as well. The time spent not driving has been spent doing other things I enjoy such as reading. I like to avoid situations where I would need to "run" toward the train (only if I am with another person, like my better half, who would definitely sprint if he has to). I personally do not mind waiting some more depending on the time of day or the task at hand during the day. I would grab the book out of my bag and continue to reading. I am strangely happy about this. 

I feel that the schedule and time I have now is the perfect way to make friends although that is still a struggle. Back in San Diego, my work hours made it so difficult (took me forever to establish non-work friends). I find myself attending Brooklyn's "Girly Book Club" two consecutive months in a row and I've recently just signed up for the February meeting. I bought next month's book at Book Club bar here at lower east side during my work lunch break. As far as social life goes, attending a book club seems quite promising.

Time. I used to wonder if living here wont make time enough but the opposite happened. I have more time. I have more time to think, meditate, and wonder. I have more time to see places to and from commutes. My alone time is balanced with my better half's busy work as well. So far, everything is in a great balance. 

I also thought having a "full planner" means productivity. No, actually, I embrace an empty planner and would rather jot down thoughts on it than "plans." I embrace having a free time at the moment. 

I guess everything is through a certain perspective and how I would want to go about the situation presented to me. To be miserable or to be impatient is a choice. I am quite thankful to find myself being occupied with something productive. 

Did I mention that I truly enjoy reading?

The Book Club

One random morning during my walk to work, I took another route (because there are multiple ways to get to work and it is nice to see random establishments along the way). Sidenote: I love how there are so many food places and cafes here in lower east side. Of course there are plenty all over the city but I spend more time in lower east side because of my job. It may be obvious already because it is NYC but I can't help but still be amazed. I love cafes and love being in a city where I can be in a different cafe almost daily if I wanted to. A plus side: an option that is not only Starbucks!

Love the interior!

There are major bookstores (like Barnes and Nobles) that actually has a cafe inside its premises. There would be tables too. What made the Book Club bar so cool for me is that it is an independent bookstore. It is also nice being able to be in close proximity with all these books. They plan to serve alcoholic drinks and small eats in the future (according to their website.. can't wait!). I believe that people can host a book club here. This space is available as long as they are notified in advance via email. I am just unsure about the duration and fees.

There are probably other cafes that functions like this one but I think I got lucky to be able to have one en route to/from work/home.

Unfortunately, the books in the shelves are not meant to be borrowed or read for a long time even if one would intend to sit down in the cafe. The books are brand new and are for sale. In my opinion, I think the selections are amazing.  There are various genres and a lot of notable authors. Keep in mind that there is a "sit down" fee (which basically means buying a beverage to be able to sit down). I intend to buy my next book here to support the business.

I was sitting at a table next to this area of the cafe. 

This hidden gem in lower east side is worth a visit especially if you are a person who loves coffee and books. Personally, there is something comforting about being able to drink coffee while reading and being next to a bookshelf. I am so grateful that such a place exist in an area that I frequent in. The area itself is not an "upscale" neighborhood and there are definitely some "interesting individuals" lurking around but being here balances the mild chaos that exists in the streets.

I hope to come back here with my laptop as well. This is a strange realization but being in this environment inspires me to write something and work on my planner (to make an attempt of getting my life together, haha!)

Looking forward to coming back.

The Commute

The subway can be the most horrible experience for some people, but I refuse to let that fact overpower me. The subway is a necessity for me at this point from getting to point A and point B. I am lucky that Eug's flat is conveniently located near a station. On top of many other things I miss about San Diego, I miss my car. I mentioned that it was given to me by my father so it has a lot of sentimental value. I do miss driving but I am not fond of the idea of driving around NYC. I feel that it is more rough here and the drivers are more impatient. I noticed that drivers honk right at the second the light turns green. Come on, give the driver in the front a chance to accelerate properly! 

I've had some negative experiences in the subway. Just like everyone else who experienced commuting, the pushing and crowding is inevitable. It is frustrating especially during rush hour. There are people from all walks of life who has to use the train and people from different social status, if that is the proper term for it. There are so many stenches from expensive perfumes (the ones that would make one nauseous) to people who probably haven't showered in a month. There are also tourists who may be just confused about where to go, where to stand, where to hold on, etc.

From my personal experience based on my daily commute from point A to point B, the beginning of my ride in the morning usually starts mellow. It depends how early I get up. Before 07:45, I am guaranteed a seat most of the time. As the time gets closer to 08:00 or after, it can start as mellow and end crowded by the time I get to my stop. People are definitely grumpy as they wait for their caffeine to kick in.

On my way home, it can start crowded. I do love the fact that by the time I get to my home station, it becomes close to empty. So it can start with grumpy, tired people and end with people who finally calmed down and potentially miss their stop by falling asleep.

I can appreciate the fact that I start my day rough but could conclude my day calmly.

There are a few things I've learned to do to make my trip much more bearable on the daily. I meditate. Yes, there will be some pushing and some grumpy people around but I am thankful to be one with my thoughts for the most part. I just simply like to think. Some things that I would normally think about is food (as in what to eat for dinner or what to buy at the grocery store which leads to me updating a shared to-buy list), my family, the future with Eug, the plans I have with my friends, specific things that I want to do with my sister, Ate Cam and her family, and some other creative things pertaining to writing. Recently, I decided to have this silly goal of submitting a story for the New Yorker but hey! One can hope! I just need to start writing.

I also read, read, and read! Just like almost everyone else on the train. I just don't know how much they enjoy it or if they just do it to pass the time. I feel happy seeing people read no matter the reason. I definitely enjoy reading and it helps with the time. I try to be productive while on the subway instead of thinking negatively about the experience.

In the entirety of it, it simply feels nice to get out of my stop feeling accomplished about something -- it doesn't matter if it is just finishing a chapter of a book or being able to plan dinner -- and that I also feel grateful to be able to arrive to my destination safely.

First post, yay?!

I am definitely not a writer but I spent most of my teenage years blogging (on Livejournal). It was private and the people that had read that blog were friends who I met online. It was a virtual life away from real life. I am also a diary keeper but I enjoyed sharing a part of my life with people who became my friends. Some of them are people that I still talk to up to this day.

Looking back, I don't think I would ever consider moving out of San Diego. Life is not perfect, but the weather, food options, and friends are amazing. The closest friends I have were not even locals. In San Diego, that was where I lived and learned about my dating life. Moving forward, an experience after another just made me realize that it was time for change. Unfortunately, I did not reach the peak of my career there. I don't plan to give up though.

I would say that the build up to my move in New York started in mid-2014 but that is a long tale to tell. In short, I finalized my move to Brooklyn, New York last September. I was in my late 20s (still am) and it is partially for a person and partially for a change. The move took three stressful months (to meditate, to transfer my LPN license, and to make sure my plans in San Diego can be done there as well) and a little over three months after the move, this is a decision I have not regretted yet. It was definitely necessary.

I can list some differences between San Diego and Brooklyn, or NYC in general, but I feel that I will just be stating the obvious. I definitely used an umbrella here way more than 18 years of my life in San Diego. I am not entirely new to NYC to the point where I needed to do all the touristy things but I definitely adjusted comfortably to resume my day-to-day life. If anything, I feel that I was more productive here than ever. I was lucky to be able to find employment during my first week and I eventually just got used to a life without driving. I miss my car because of its sentimental value (given by my father) but it is with the best person who can have it -- my older sister. Since I don't have a car to drive here, riding the subway has been a great way to catch up on my reading. Life in San Diego became so off track that I lost sight of my own hobbies but was easily picked up here.

The move has its plenty of positives, of course. For some, maybe I am just in a honeymoon phase with NYC. Overall, I'm glad I pursued this change. There is so much to do here and so many places to eat. I do not know where to start. I look forward to experiencing NYC with some fresh eyes as well (perhaps family and friends who will end up visiting). I have yet to make (more) friends.

Perhaps this is just another attempt to start a public blog. Maybe someone out there will be able to relate to the bits and pieces of my life that I will choose to share.

I also dedicate this blog to my beau who is a big inspiration for my writing.

My name is Ciara.

Welcome to the snippets of my life here in NYC.