As Sunday evening begins, it's nice to finish the weekend off by just hanging in bed.  

I've been on vacation for the past week, so I need to decompress and mentally prepare for Monday morning. My time off was great though, and much needed. It began with the wedding of a good childhood friend, and then a trip out to California to visit other friends who recently had babies.

Natalia and I have been friends since high school, and she moved to San Francisco a few years ago to be with her boyfriend, Mark. The two of them eventually became engaged, and the happy couple got married in New York last Sunday. Natalia and Mark both looked beautiful together at their wedding. Throughout the ceremony, I couldn't take my eyes off the bride's face. I was just so happy for her. Sitting there and witnessing this huge milestone of hers, I couldn't help but reminisce about all of the other big moments in life we had gone through together. I'm so proud of her and wish nothing but the best for her and Mark. 

I saw a lot of old friends I hadn't seen in a while as well, so the wedding's intimate guest list made the reception feel like one the best reunions ever. Fifteen years ago, my friends and I were all just kids from Queens about to start our freshman years of college. And now a decade-and-a-half later, here we all we were, celebrating the wedding of one of our very own with the growing skyline of Manhattan's west side all around. A lot has happened for each of us since our college days when we spent much of our time together. But none of that mattered. Being there with everyone as we laughed, danced, and shared stories, it brought out these emotions that made me feel like we were all back at that age again. It's that feeling of exuberance one has before the reality of adulthood seems to beat it out of you. I had completely forgotten about how it invigorates every cell of the body, drowning out everything that does nothing to contribute to its merriment---where limitless hope in the promise of tomorrow seemed to be the foundation to our days. Later in the night when one of my friends remarked that I had the same giggle from high school, it left me a little stunned. All I could wonder was wow, you still remember my giggle from high school? There's actually someone out there who remembers that about me from so long ago? 

Natalia and Mark's wedding was humbling on so many levels. On top of seeing a good friend get married to their soulmate, it left me feeling a bit stronger about who I am and where I'm from. I needed that reminder. 

The day after the wedding, I flew to Los Angeles to visit my friends Jenn and Daniel. I can't believe it's already been three years since I lived with them and moved back to New York. There's been a lot of change for them since then, mainly in the fact that they have two lovely children now. Their youngest, Isabella, is just over a month old, and their eldest, Bradley, will be three in February. Seeing Jenn and Daniel again and finally meeting their precious kids was such a joy. Staying with them for a week gave me a glimpse into the lives of their growing family, and all the hard work and love they put forth into their daily lives. They're such great parents and I'm so proud of them as well.

This past week was great with lots of glimpses of the past, and it's left me more than ready to forge on in my future.

June is looking to be a good month.

While it was rainy, cold, and miserable today on the 1st, it still hasn't dampened my excitement for the next 30 days. The weather has been really summer-like the past few weeks, so I'm sure it'll be hot again in no time.

I'm going to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, next week and it's exciting because it'll be my first business trip with my current work place. It's going to be nice to get away from New York for a bit to spend time with my bosses and colleagues outside of the office. It'll be my first time going to Florida, let alone to a tiki convention. The week after Fort Lauderdale, I'll be going to Aspen, Colorado, for the best American culinary event of the year. This trip will be a bit sentimental because it's for the food magazine I used to work for, and at an annual event where I once helped plan and produce. The event has just continued to grow tremendously since I worked it years ago, which makes me all the more look forward to seeing everything in a few weeks.

My friends Jenn and Daniel will also be coming to visit in June, on top of some other guests. But I'm especially excited to see them because they're the friends I used to live with in Los Angeles, who so kindly allowed me into their lives out there and helped me out so much. I haven't been back together with them in New York since we were all roommates in the Upper West Side before I left for Asia, so it's going to be awesome to see them here. They've also had a beautiful baby son since we've last seen each other and there's much to catch up on.

I'd really like to just stay mellow and have a good time this month. Traveling and seeing old faces will be a great way to start off the season.

With the temperature here in New York City starting to become warmer, it was nice to actually be out of my apartment today and walking around. 

It probably wasn't just due to the winter weather, but I feel like I've been in hibernation mode for the past 10 months or so. I've gone out every so often during this time period, but for the most part if I wasn't with my two best friends or at an obligation I had to attend, I spent a lot of the time plopped on my couch, eating in stretchy pants. Going out just got really tiresome, and vegetating at home far away from crowds and strangers felt so nice. I started working service jobs in the restaurant industry a long time ago, but a lengthy stretch of last year was especially exhausting because I was doing it 7 days a week, with a lot of that time being on my feet. Any opportunity to relax at home became such a luxury and I milked it for all that I could. The last thing I ever wanted to do was be at some crowded bar or restaurant, and so my apartment transformed into a safe space for me to decompress away from the world. 

I mean yes, essentially any true home should provide that, but moderation is key. After I eventually stopped working 7 days a week, constantly staying in slowly mutated into hiding away from the world. But it was only from walking around for hours today that helped me finally realize that. Not being in my twenties also has had a large part of my evolution of becoming a homebody, but that doesn't mean I should shut myself away from society at such an extreme. In my lifetime, I've spent way too many years at home just eating and watching tv, and then eating some more and watching tv again.

I met my friend Judy today around noon at Fort Greene Park. It felt really nice to be there because I've become used to this stale routine of always being in the same neighborhoods at the same times of day. I'm usually either at my place in the Financial District, around the Flatiron District for work, or if I'm at all out with friends, it's most likely in the East Village or somewhere else nearby downtown. Being in Brooklyn during the daytime today with so many people out and about helped me recall what I've been missing out on during my months of always doing the same exact shit.

We spent a good chunk of time at the park, catching up on stuff while people watching. Afterwards we stopped by the Brooklyn Flea before getting some food close by on Fulton Street. By this point I was feeling good from all the fresh air and change in scenery, so when I ran into an old friend I hadn't seen for years in the restaurant we were eating at, it all just felt so right. The fact that this friend lives in Los Angeles and was only in town for a short while made it feel all the more auspicious. Judy and I parted ways after we ate and I decided to take advantage of the remainder of the day by walking to DUMBO, and then finally heading home by foot from there over the Brooklyn Bridge.

Right now in my life, one thing I have to keep reminding myself of is that going out should not always have to equate to eating at a restaurant or getting plastered at a bar. Working in so many busy service industry jobs that had me busting my ass during shifts sometimes makes it hard to remember that going out can consist of a million other things, especially in this city. Because for a while it seemed like being out meant being at work in a restaurant, and being out at a restaurant seemed like being at work.

In a way it feels great that I've outgrown going out to only eat or get drunk all the time, since that was basically my all of my twenties. But at 32 now, I've got to discover new ways of being outside the house while feeling somewhat productive in whatever way possible and not like I'm getting sucked into the same behavior. It's time to at least try to break out of my comfort zone in a smart and sensible way, because now that I'm in my thirties, it just seems like the natural route to go down.

Below are some pics from my gorgeous Saturday today.

Winter in NYC is officially over, and it feels so invigorating to be able to enjoy the city and just walk around again. This past winter was pretty damn brutal, so not having to step out of the house into frigid and tortuous temperatures anymore is a real treat. I can't even bear to look at my peacoat another day until it gets cold again, and so I therefore happily bid it its long overdue farewell.

And with a new season comes some new changes in life. A little more than a month ago, I started a side weekend gig waiting tables in Williamsburg. I'm still working my regular office job in TriBeCa from Monday-Friday. Not having any days off in the week can be grueling at times, but eh, I'll live. The transition of working this new weekend job has been pretty smooth though, luckily because I'm working with some old coworkers and acquaintances from an East Village restaurant I used to work at years ago. This new restaurant I'm working at is cozy and pretty low-key, which I really like and appreciate. I've also never worked in the neighborhood before, so it's been nice seeing all the locals and folks who chill around the area. For the most part, the majority of customers are friendly and easygoing, but then of course there will always be those certain guests that are just a pain in the ass. I haven't waited tables since I was working at a restaurant in Venice Beach last year, but it really is like riding a bike. The unfamiliar newness of any job can be daunting, but having been able to get used to things in the past month has helped me finally find my own rhythm and pace of work. And then of course I can remember all my old methods on how to deal with specific types of annoying customers. Most of the restaurant's diners are really nice though, so striving to provide them with good efficient service and a quality experience is something that I'm more than happy to do. In a weird way, I usually have moments where waiting tables can feel extremely fulfilling when I know people leave the restaurant feeling merry and satisfied after having an awesome time. However, if I never in my life had to explain gluten-free options from a menu again or bust my ass for some dickhead who will just always be an asshole when they dine out, well I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Something else that I'm really excited about right now is that in a few weeks, my friend Junho and I will be moving into a new apartment together! Since returning to NYC last July, I've basically been couch surfing and living in somewhat unconventional living arrangements. That's why I'm beyond happy to finally have a place to call home, and have those simple things like a bed and my own room. Our new apartment is downtown in the Financial District and close to City Hall and the Brooklyn Bridge. I've never lived in that area before, so getting to know the neighborhood really well is going to be great. And one of the best parts of the new apartment will be the fact that I can walk to work within 10 minutes.

Alright, well it's passed 2am and I've got work tomorrow morning. The adrenaline from working a shift earlier tonight is slowly waning, and it's probably time that I try and hit the sack.

Good night, and happy Monday to you all.

Happy 2014!

With no Internet at my current living situation, it's difficult for me to get online with my computer on most evenings.

Right now I'm sitting with my laptop at the Starbucks inside the Union Square Barnes & Noble, but it's really difficult to concentrate here. With the endless stream of seat-seekers, customers, loiterers and crazies as distractions, I don't know how people get any actual work done at this place.

I was recently doing some self-reflecting upon my year that just passed, and it feels like I got a few things here and there accomplished. Overall it was a good year, but the one thing I really hope for in 2014 is some stablity. I honestly feel like it's been quite some time since I last truly felt this, and I'm adamant on making it my goal of the year. Stability in income. Stability in a place to live. Stability in health care. Stability in a career. Stability in a relationship. Ahh yes---stability.

The only stability that I do feel like I've had in the past five or so years was thanks to my sister, and also close friends. Whenever things in my life were rocky and volatile, I knew I was able to count on them for some moral support, a shoulder to comfort me, or even a couch to crash on---and I thank them so much for that.

Well, it's still the beginning of the year, so lets all make it a good one!

Happy Monday.

I just can't live anywhere where there's no energy in the streets.

After 3 years of wandering and living away, it finally felt like the right time for me to move back to NYC.

In total, I spent 6 months in Korea, 2 years in Thailand, and another 6 months in LA. Each place had its own charms and annoyances, but I can honestly say that living in Thailand's capital city of Bangkok was my favorite. The two years I spent there living alone was really a nice chunk of time for me to just clear my head and figure some stuff out. I truly feel like I've returned much wiser with a better understanding about myself, other people, and how things in life work---and I'm so humbled and grateful for that.

Words can't describe how happy I am to be back in NYC with my family and close friends. And now, it's time to start over once again---but thankfully this time I'll be doing it in my hometown.

Also, thank you so much to my friends Jenn and Daniel for everything in LA---you guys are truly the best.

It's so nice to be home.

NYC, I'll never leave you again!

In about 6 hours, I'll be boarding a flight for Anchorage, Alaska.

The circumstances of my visit are saddening, but I look forward to paying my respects to my uncle.

Along with a lot of relatives, I'm also going to be reunited with my parents for the first time in over three years since I left NYC for Asia. They're currently living in Chicago and their flight will be arriving within minutes of mine, which should make for a nice meeting at the Anchorage airport.

It's been 15 years since I last stepped foot in Alaska. My family---along with practically all relatives on my father's side---have some sort of roots and connection to the state. I myself lived there from the 3rd-7th grade, and my memories of that time are very fond and often something I enjoy reflecting upon.

Returning after such a long time away will be nice.

Waiting tables again has been fun so far.

My neighborhood here in LA has been on lockdown all morning. 

Two police officers at a nearby precinct were ambushed with gunfire early this morning before sunrise, but managed to survive the attack. The LAPD have been on the hunt for the gunman since, and that explains all the helicopters that have been constantly hovering above in the sky. It's funny because it seems like LA already always had helicopters continually in the sky, but what's going on right now is like that situation on steroids. The street I live on is also closed off by police officers, and some from the parked cruiser at the end of my block even told me to get back in the house earlier before when I went out to walk Madden.

This police precinct the shooting happened at is apparently much larger and important than I imagined because it covers a lot of different parts of LA. Knowing of its proximity is comforting I guess. Anyway, it's my day off from work, and I wanted to go to yoga this morning but oh well. Guess it's another day of staying in.

A cloudy Monday morning is a great way to start the week here in LA.

Time to work brunch.

Ahhh, LA... hahahah.

"Cause a chick got to live."

From the song All N My Grill by Missy Elliott.

Seriously! 

It's my day off and I don't know what to do.

It's past 1am and I just got home from work.

One thing I forgot about working in the service industry is the fact that the adrenaline from just having finished working a shift can stay with you throughout the night.

And now I'm home, pretty wired and channel surfing.

Ah, yes...

Ohhhhh, LA.

LA's pride celebration is this upcoming weekend.

I'm definitely curious to check it out, but we'll see.

"Let me tell you the only way you can get up a lot of these mornings is if you can't wait to see what's around the bend."

Said by Diane Sawyer in her episode of Oprah Presents Master Class. OWN Network.

The baby kittens have disappeared.