the feeling of home + the end of an era

My room, my corner.

This is going to be my last post on this blog. It feels scary to say that, but I think it's important that the last post I do is before I leave New York, and that I move on to other blogs, other websites - a new start.

july, july

Having now moved out of my apartment, I am a couch-surfing nomad for the next week and a bit. Until I can wrap my head around leaving for long enough to formulate some thoughts, here are some snapshots of July, just a few moments from my last summer, and last full month living in New York.

A lovely day in McCaren Park: Lucky Peach magazine and a very juicy peach

on change

I've tried to keep this blog pretty emotion-free for the past two years. I've talked about being busy, working hard, and occasionally stressing out, but I haven't really delved into my feelings too much. Family members have joked that this blog basically existed so I could post mouth-watering pictures of cupcakes. But now, for the first time since I moved here, I felt like this blog might be a good avenue to work some of my feelings out.

Michelle's super-awesome NYC guide!

So here it is: my NYC guide, and let me tell you - it was fun! Going through all my favourite places in the city has felt like a really fantastic summation of the last two years, and all the places that filled my heart with joy.

What you won't find on this list: tourist traps,  Subway sandwiches franchise locations, or reputable bus tours.

What you will find on this list: great cafes, bars, restaurants and favourite hang outs, organized loosely by neighborhood, followed by a short list of my preferred non-annoying NYC tourist sites.

I will update this list if something I forgot about (which is inevitable) pops back into my head, but please leave a comment if you want a specific recommendation. I will not pretend to be an expert on NYC dining, especially not when it comes to the upper east and upper west sides, but if you follow some of these recommendations I can promise you'll get a great taste of the city, its all its weird, amazing dimensions.

So click ahead for the guide!

coney island...is the world + wd~50

Yesterday was a pretty major day: yesterday Joe got on a plane and said goodbye after his last NY visit ever. That's not to say we won't be back together many (many) times in the years to come, but this past weekend was his last visit while I am living here. It was the last time we'd share the bed in my Alphabet City apartment, and while there is something really wonderful about not having to do this hello-goodbye dance, there is also something a bit sad. Each visit has been an adventure, for him and for me. This last one was no exception.

the faces and places of june

The menu at Mission Chinese

Its finally hit. Summer, that unforgiveable season in New York where the heat often gets unbearable and you are forced to take shelter in whatever air conditioned space you can. But before true New York summer hits, you get  a wonderful taste of late spring, a time of 20 degree days and cooler nights that actually make frolicking in the city something that's easy to do. Here are some pictures from early June, a time when the weather was (mostly) forgiving and fun times were had.

spring beauty + end of a chapter

The coveted ramps at the Union Square Greenmarket. Spring is here!

I can't believe I'm standing here, on the other side of it all. Yep, I graduated. After 2 years of hard work, thousands of pages of reading, what must amount to hundreds of pages of writing, I now proudly hold a Masters degree. So how does it feel?