Dear NYC: I Miss You

 Last weekend in NYC, July 2011

Two years ago today, I took a one-way flight to New York City and spent 10 months in the Big Apple - working/interning and exploring the city. Then I returned home.

On my last day, I wrote...

"I'm positive that I'm leaving. Do I want to leave? Not really but I feel that going home at this point in my life is a good choice, healthy even."

Looking back, I think I do regret leaving...

Sometimes I look back and think I didn't do enough to stay in New York. I could have done a more thorough job search to land a public relations internship. I could have done a better search for apartments. I feel like I just ran out of time and ran back to a place of familiarity and safety.

Now don't get me wrong. Upon returning home, I got another job (or two or three or four) and worked like no other. I enjoyed the comforts of home and being surrounded by family, and I gained useful skills from those jobs. In addition, I met some amazing people at the same time.

I'm thankful for my combined working experiences to bring me where I am today as an intern for a global public relations agency, which was one of my goals this year too.

However, at the end of the day, was it worth working so many jobs and nothing else? It seems like such a waste of my youth to work so much to make ends meet.

I wish I spent more time hanging out with my new friends, but every time an opportunity came up, I declined because of work. :(

Moving forward, I seriously need to stop thinking so pessimistically about my past mistakes and look toward the possibilities ahead.

Isn't that what optimizing opportunities is all about? 

I just need to keep reminding myself that if I'm meant to return to New York, then it will be. 

P.S. Definitely had a more positive attitude about this situation last year...

NYC: A Year Later

New York City from Top of the Rock

A year ago today, I embarked on my New York adventure...

Back in January, I was convinced I'd still be in New York at this time, but my plans were never finalized as I just tried to make it a day at a time.  I miss being there.  However, I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be there.  Thankful for experiencing life in a big city through all the seasons.  Thankful for the skills and experiences I gained from my internships and jobs.  And of course, thankful for the friends I made there.

I know I'm supposed to be there, and I really hope I get the opportunity to return.  It may not be this year or next, but I know someday I'll be back in New York City.  I'll do it right with a plan and everything.

But for now, my life is back on the West coast.  Still making adjustments but things should be fine.  Might as well enjoy it while I can.  Who knows what's in store next? 

P365: The Capitol [084]

Explored parts of downtown Sacramento, including the park around the capitol.  I haven’t been there since fifth grade for a class field trip. Good times. :)


Taken on Casio Exilim. 

P365: Peter Pan [083]

After watching Toy Story 3 again, I decided to visit my old pal, Peter Pan. He sits on top of my desk nowadays, but when I was little, I played with him all the time, taking him everywhere with me.  Sometimes I thought I lost him, but he always came back.  

Guess it’s true that toys always come back when you need them. :) 

P365: Dorm Life [065]

When I lived in the dorms, we had name tags on our doors.  Since I lived in there for four years, I collected one from each semester.  Now they are all on my door at home. Aww…good memories! :)

Reflection: Harry Potter

So it's been a dozen days since the release of the final installment of the Harry Potter series, but even so, people are still reblogging HP material on Tumblr, still tweeting about it on Twitter and definitely still posting about it on Facebook.  Let's face it...Harry Potter was a huge part of this generation.  Well not just huge...it was:

Monumental.  Phenomenal.  Fantastic. Mesmerizing. Magical. 

While people have been saying this is the end of an era, is it really? I mean I understand you won't be anxiously awaiting the midnight release of another Harry Potter book or the midnight showing of another Harry Potter movie.  However, you'll ALWAYS be able to revisit those adventures at Hogwarts, managing mischief flipping through over 4000 pages, soaring on broomsticks through over 1000 minutes and defeating You-Know-Who over and over again.

The magic continues on with the fans and 
everyone who continues to bring it to life.

"I don't think the end of the story happens tonight. Each and every person...will  carry this story throughout the rest of their lives and it will effect what they do."

- Daniel Radcliffe

It's synonymous to how Star Wars effected a generation 30+ years ago.  While the film series ended, the story continues with its fans, the conventions, the cartoons, the books,the toys and much more! And who could forget Star Tours at Disneyland?!  Especially since they just updated that so guests can experience over 50 different tours.

Like Star Wars, Harry Potter will be passed on from generation to generation, keeping the magic alive at Hogwarts...always.

"Stories we love best, do live in us forever.  Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."

- J.K. Rowling

P.S. And just for good fun, I took a Sorting House Quiz.  Usually I'm sorted into Hufflepuff (yeah, yeah, yeah), but this time I got Ravenclaw.  Definitely not complaining.  I feel like I fit into either house really.

Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?

P365: Top of the Rock [042]

On my final day in New York City, I went to the Top of the Rock observatory to see an amazing 360-degree view of city.  It was the perfect way to end this 10-month NYC adventure!  While I was gazing out and enjoying the view, I saw all the different places I went to while I was here, and a rush of memories came to me.  Then I got all teary-eyed thinking of all the people I met and how much I would miss them.  Another reality check that I was leaving New York…

P365: Lincoln Center [037]

After running into and spending time with friends from Macy’s, I was hit with the realization of leaving New York City.  Sitting on the steps of the beautiful Lincoln Center, my eyes were filled tears, but then after some comforting, it also became apparent that I should think positively by remembering the wonderful memories with good friends.  :)

MOVIES: Toy Story 3

I love Toy Story 3! 

If you haven't seen it yet, you need to see it! It was AWESOME!  It was an excellent closing to the Toy Story trilogy.  Pixar did a fantastic job bringing back the beloved characters, while introducing new ones.  The storyline was great too!  It definitely takes you on a ride, trying to figure out the welfare of the toys as Andy prepares to go to college.  I'm not going to lie; I teared up at the end of the film.

I was just reminded of how I used to play with my toys and what happened to them once I out grew them.  Some of them were handed down to my younger cousins, while others were sold in garage sales or given away to family friends or children in the Philippines.  However, some are still in the house...somewhere.

I know that my Peter Pan doll is in my room.  He sits on my dresser.  I used to carry him everywhere.  I loved Peter Pan so much when I was a kid that I was him for Halloween one year.  Kinda like how Andy dressed up like Woody or Buzz. 

After watching Toy Story 3, I wondered where all my Barbie dolls went.  I think I probably played with them the most with my sister.  We enjoyed changing their clothes and creating different scenarios of families and friends.  It was fun.  I'm glad Ken was introduced in this movie.  I found it funny that he had a whole closet of clothes.  I'm pretty sure my Ken dolls only had swim shorts and if we were lucky a suit.  Pixar made some additional shorts with Ken, including Groovin' with Ken (found below) and Ken's Dating Tips. 

As we grow up, there will always be a special place for those things we grew up with - toys, childhood friends, places and more.  I'll never forget those things or the memories I made with them.  I'll always be a kid at heart. :)