Always Sunny

Greetings from Philadelphia! It has been a crazy two weeks. I graduated from NYU, first at Radio City and then at Yankee Stadium. I was so proud and fortunate to have my friends, boyfriend, and family there to support me. My last couple days in New York were spent hanging out on rooftops and celebrating graduation alongside friends. The stress and fear surrounding packing and moving to a new city was dwarfed by the joy and hopefulness that new adventures bring. Don't get me wrong there were tears (of both frustration and sadness), but in hindsight those emotions weren't as powerful as the joys of graduation and the excitement of moving away from my college stomping ground to somewhere I can start fresh. Since I've been here I've explored my new neighborhood both on foot and on my new bike! Last night I went to see Luke Bryan with my love. That man is one heck of a performer! My boyfriend and I were swaying from side to side while watching Luke's (yes, we're on first name basis) antics unfold. With the beautiful night and songs about sunny days and drinking beer, it was the perfect start to the summer. While I'm currently unsure of what the future holds, I know the warm weather will bring good things along with it!

Booze Cruise

Well it's officially senior week! This means the count down to graduation begins with a week of activities. Last night - a boat cruise on the Hudson River. In between tearing it up on the dance floor, we headed onto the deck to check out the views of the city. I've been so focused on leaving New York after graduation, that I sometimes forget to look around and take it all in. I really do live in a magical city, which I take for granted all too often. I'm afraid that I won't be able to truly appreciate it until I'm gone, gone, gone. What a better way to rekindle my urban romance then with some activities that make me stop and reflect on how beautiful this city is? 

Sunday Sandwiches: Smorgasburg

This was actually two sundays ago...but who's counting? Anyway...on this particular Sunday Chloe and I went to DUMBO in search of two things: puppies and good food. We spent a while "awwing" all of the dogs in their various costumes. I've included numerous pictures to satisfy your cuteness craving. I like picturing the interactions how they would be if they were not costumes, like a shark sniffing a dinosaur. 

After we got our puppy fix, we headed down to the water in search of food. I've been to Smorgasburg in Williamsburg a couple times and now know the best way to navigate it - do a lap and make note of what you want to eat, then go back to two or three places. Too often have I bemoaned the choice currently in my hand, seeing a stand I didn't know existed and wishing I had made a different choice...I'm very particular about my food stand choices. I like things with cheese and/or slow-cooked meat, preferably on a stick or in the form of a dumpling. 

I ended up getting a turducken sandwich with slow-cooked turkey, foie gras, chicken sausage and pickled vegetables, a corndog made from chorizo on a stick covered in cornbread batter, and infused lemonade. I think it's clear that when it comes to my love of all things food, I don't mess around. One reason I love Smorgasburg is the unspoken commitment by vendors and food-lovers alike to go all out. To make a sandwich with everything on it, then to eat it without guilt.

 This is my last post with blue/green hair! I'm currently in the process of dying it back to a normal color. Right now it's kind of a mess and forces me to wear a hat when in public, but it should be back to a recognizable color soon.

One Year Anniversary!

 

  

 

Say 'Happy Birthday' to my blog! It's officially old news. It doesn't feel like I've been blogging for a year, but I'm assuming the internet is more reliable than me for memory...which is why I started blogging in the first place. It originally started when I studied abroad in Italy, as a visual diary for my friends and family who wanted to keep up with my adventures. I was so fortunate to be able to travel as much as I did! I went to London, Paris, Berlin, Brussels, Madrid, Amsterdam and all over Italy! Studying abroad was one of the most rewarding times of my life and I was forced to mature quickly. It sounds like a cliche, but I don't care...people gush like valley-girl cheerleaders about study abroad for a reason!

Looking through this last year made me so thankful for all the things I got to do and more importantly - the people I got to do it with! I don't know where I would be without my supportive family and great friends (including some recent, but wonderful friends). In addition to traveling, I ATE unbelievably well. The pictures from my archive made my mouth salivate like a dog in front of recently cooked meat. I've been a lucky girl!

Thank you to everyone who has continued (or recently started) to read my blog! Ultimately, it will always be for me, but I'm happy if others enjoy reading it as well. I'm not stopping anytime soon, so keep reading for my New York City adventures! I look forward to the upcoming year!