Category: Brooklyn

WTHIB: the where-the-heck-i’ve-been edition

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I went to Long Island City, incredible waterfront views of Manhattan abound…

[click to view larger]

My fantastic fellow North Dakotan friend Mitch came to visit from LA, and we enjoyed delicious crêpes at
the delightful Café Henri in Long Island City

I went to DUMBO — Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass
Mitch & Chi in DUMBO
Chi’s the best
Adam came to visit — always a welcomed visitor
I saw the hilarious David Sedaris perform a reading at BAM in Brooklyn
I went to the Project Runway-famed Mood Fabrics in the Garment district, where I was super inspired by all of the
patterns, textures, colors and kinds of fabric.
Finally — I WENT BLONDE.

• • • • •
Time for a much-needed weekend!
xo
j

room

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I want to share something bittersweet that recently happened in my life. Several days ago I moved, but not far. I loaded my arms with my belongings and settled in a new room across the hall, after a roommate moved out.

I had written about my former room way back in January, two weeks into my stay in New York. The room was very stark, but such a beautiful place to me. It meant so much and I know that no one could ever look at it the same or understand the significance. It contains my feelings and a period of my life that cannot be described.

In my old room, I was a guest and a traveler ready to uproot. My possessions were scarce enough to pack my suitcase and return to where I came from if things didn’t work out. I slept on a cot for those three and a half months, my toes dangling over the edge and four inches of mattress below me. Yet I hardly noticed what I didn’t have; I had a room, and that was what I needed most.

Each morning, and again in the evening I would walk through the door. I was met by a window that faced the street, my outlet to the sidewalks and neighbors of Prospect Place and all the goings-on below. It was my window, in my room, and the light that came from it, too, was my light. I loved the feeling of ownership that came with the 7.5′ x 12.5′ space — they were my 94 square feet in Brooklyn, New York. No one else’s, no where else, but I would share every inch with any visitor, I was so proud.

Looking in to my first room, now empty.
Looking out of my first room.
My first room from the doorway.
• • • • •

My new room is beautiful, but in a different way. It is not my first room in Brooklyn, and it feels heavier— as though I bear an anchor to this room, and will stay in this place for some time. A full size bed is snug in a corner, with a wardrobe opposite that teems with my belongings. I am growing here in every sense. The window no longer overlooks the street, but instead faces the brick wall of an adjacent building. There is still light — my light, that I wake up to every morning, well-rested, my first thought always, “My, this is nice…”

xo
j
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Happy weekend, everyone! I’ve been having a good time showing my apartment to prospective roommates, as we are currently in the market for one. I’ve met some amazing women, several of them in the same situation I was when I moved here. I wish I could help all of them!

Seeing people looking for a place to live has really made me understand how lucky I am to be here. I had 60 people respond to the ad I posted for the room, and managed to dwindle it down to seven ladies. Many of the women I met today have been exhausted from looking at dirty, sketchy, unsatisfying apartments. I was so fortunate to walk into my living situation — sight unseen — and have things turn out completely wonderful. It was all the outcome of trust. The woman that let me have her room trusted me, despite not meeting me. In turn I trusted that she would provide me with a safe, healthy environment, despite never seeing the apartment. I didn’t have to see a single dodgy apartment. I didn’t have to schlep around town. I simply trusted, and she simply sensed that I urgently needed a place to live because she, too, had been in my situation. I count my blessings every day.

I have been helped so much in my journey during the past three and a half months. I cannot wait to pay it forward, to give someone the feeling that I’m experiencing.

Best,
j

super saturday : the botanic garden edition

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I love me a good Saturday. Sleeping in (until 8:30), some greasy eggs over-easy, and a completely directionless afternoon are exactly what I yearn for. Yesterday I was excited to wake up, and even though I didn’t have plans, I knew my feet would take me somewhere special.
I started walking in the same direction that I always do, and I’m glad I did. Fate brought two confused Asian tourists my direction looking for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and when I realized we were all just a stone’s throw away from it, I decided to check it out for myself.
Wow. Wow wow wow wow. I never thought that a city could squeeze in such a natural attraction, but it was the most incredible escape from the concrete and skyscrapers that surround me on a daily basis. The garden was sprawling — it took me a good hour to make a round through, and I didn’t even venture onto a fraction of the offshoot paths. Each direction led to beautiful surprises —herb gardens, ponds, fountains, blossoming trees and conservatories. Seeing thick patches of grass brought a smile to my face. 
It was a peaceful walk, and a very reflective experience. It made me wish I could walk with all the people I love, like so many around me. It made me think of my mom, grandmother, and aunts, all who would have enjoyed the great gardens and scenery. And it reminded me that I am in this place for a reason — for whatever reason, I have yet to learn, but it exists.
Some days are easier than others. Those ‘others’ are the days I wonder what on earth I’m doing, and sometimes the only answer is I’m being young and growing up. 
  
 
best,
jc

weekend wrap-up: ______ is in the air!

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 W E E K E N D  H I G H L I G H T S :

( 1 ) An evening out with my roommates to a fun neighborhood place, The Crown Inn, to enjoy a few drinks and relax.
( II ) An unexpected visit from Midwest friends on Saturday evening (always welcomed)!
( c ) The most gorgeous weather I’ve seen since my arrival, which naturally led to a Sunday stroll in my new favorite Prospect Park, and which I’ve now decided is going to be a tradition. Prospect Park is incredible. There are runners, bikers, walkers, dog walkers, speed walkers, picnic-ers, strollers, people-watchers, book readers, sun baskers, frisbee throwers, horse riders, fishers, sporting events, a gigantic lake (with SWANS), even a zoo! I am in a little slice of heaven when I’m there.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
W E E K E N D  W E I R D N E S S :
• Finding a U.S. passport on the street
• Getting locked out of my apartment
• A Jamaican woman preaching at the top of her lungs on the train
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

I must say, the only thought on my mind today is it feels so good to be alive!
xo

J