New York, I Love You

This past April I went to NYC for the first time in a very long-time. I saw my family. I gained perspective. I laughed. I cried. Coming home to KC was a very clarifying time in my life. I decided that I wanted to spend more time in the city I love the most with those I love the most. That decision has been one of the best ones I have made in a long time. I spent seven days with my family in this beautiful city that has endured despite going through so much. I was so happy to be apart of it all. Here's a little recap of my time in the Big Apple.

I wasn't sure what to pack for this trip because I've never visited NYC in the fall. Layers are always good idea for NYC. The weather was in the mid 70s minus one day in the 50s when we went to Hudson Yards. Overall, I was super comfortable. The one edit I would make would be to bring only one turtleneck/sweater.

Rockin' kicks in Queens Village.

Celebrating my Uncle's 60th!

Pretty sure Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Aaja is what got me on the dance floor.

My cousin took us to the Edge, an observation deck in Hudson Yards. I've never seen anything like this in my entire life. What a view.

The High Line

The one thing I wanted to do in NYC was walk around Central Park with my aunts. It makes my heart happy that we were able to go on one of the warmest days on record in October.

As we passed through Red Hook I saw a mural for Steve's Key Lime Pie and then we stumbled upon the shop. When you see a key lime pie shop in Brooklyn do as the Brooklynites do and order a gluten-free one. Thanks for existing, Steve.

Pier 41 in Red Hook, Brooklyn. You can see the Statue of Liberty from here!

Before I left for New York my friend Toni kept telling me to see this place that Diane von Furstenberg and her husband Barry Diller created. Turns out Toni was talking about Little Island, a man-made park built on the Hudson. Little Island is a beauty. A little oasis. Fun fact: those pillars behind me are called tulips!

Cream Ridge Winery in Allentown, New Jersey. Wearing my aunt's Maui Jim's.

Hallock's U-Pick Farm & Greenhouse. Careless greens is my new nickname, btw.

Listening to Harry Styles and picking peppers in my cousin's UGGs.

My aunt and I harvested her bitter melon.

BROOKLYN

Checking out the Pepsi-Cola Sign in Long Island City, NY.

This visit to NYC was different than my last trip in April because I am fully gluten-free. I mentioned I had some health issues earlier this year and one of the long-term changes I've made is by completely eliminating gluten. My cousin Kristi also suffers from a gluten allergy and has been here for me through this journey. I am so grateful for her. On my last day in NYC she took me to ShopRite and spoiled me with all these gluten-free snacks. ILY, Kris.

Last time I went to NYC my cousins took me to Oasis Cafe and I had to return. The food is fab. Plus, its not a trip to NYC without flan, tbh.

I felt like I really saw New York during this visit. I got to admire her from so many different views. I didn't intend to post a travel blog about my trip, but we ended up taking so many pictures as we went along. Things that weren't captured but made my heart full include: laughing with my family until we cried, seeing the full moon on a drive home from Jersey, cutting produce in my aunt's kitchen, holding my cousin's hand, drinking lemongrass tea from my aunt's garden, and eating a bounty of Indian food at my grandparent's house. If anything my time in NYC reminded me that I have so much love in my life. Life is short. Spend it with those you love. Eat flan. Be well, beautiful people.

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