Reason #37 to love New York: LIVING SOLO

living room of my ues apt

This week, I came home to my first NY apartment to myself. I’m looking forward to this new chapter and decorating!

Reason #36 to love New York: DIM SUM

wakiya gramercy park hotel

Chinatown still has the best dim sum and tea in town. On the other side of town at Wakya, I was happy to walk out with their fine chili paste tightly saran-wrapped in my purse – thanks to the resourceful busser.

Reason #35 to love New York: BRONX ZOO

guerillas of the congo, bronx zoo

Some might argue that it’s inhumane to keep animals in captivity. I think that without access to observe these rare creatures, we’d be more ignorant of our responsibility and relationship with the natural kingdom. The cost of admission is a small price to support the Bronx Zoo. Don’t they look peaceful spooning?

Reason #34 to leave New York: BALANCING ACT

barefoot in olympic park, atlanta ga

For the first couple years, I wasn’t sure if New York was right for me. But finally there comes a moment when the major areas of your life come together in balance from career, family, friendship and love… and you know you’re exactly where you belong.

Reason #33 to leave New York: AIRPORT ARTIFACTS

boston airport

In a fast-paced city like New York, I never seem to have enough time anymore. So whenever I’m delayed at the airport, I try to find one unique characteristic about the airport to photograph. Boston airport has one of the most eclectic displays of art, rocking chairs and even a chapel!

Reason #32 to love New York: LADY LIBERTY

view of statue of liberty, the office

Some places are great to visit, some are great to live. NYC is both. When you experience New York for the first time through the eyes of an 8 and 11yo, it truly proves what an incredible, historical city this is.

Reason #31 to leave New York: YOSEMITE

half dome wonder, glacier point trail, yosemite

Listed as one of the 1000 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE, Yosemite National Park is about a 6 hour flight to my hometown of Fresno plus another winding 2 hour drive to the valley floor – it’s SO worth it.

Reason #30 to love New York: TASTE OF SUMMER

fresh summer salad

There are tons of restaurants to dine or deliver in New York. I opted to spend Sundays playing with ingredients. If I had to describe the taste of summer, it’s ripe yellow and red tomatoes fresh off the vines.

Reason #29 to leave New York: MARTHA’S VINEYARD

bridge jumpers, state beach

Aside from the all American Norman Rockwell picturesque views, we randomly met other New Yorkers and friendly foreigners on Martha’s Vineyard with their own unique life stories to share.

Reason #28 to love New York: FARMER’S MARKET

true love

The key to cooking is farm fresh ingredients. There’s an heirloom tomato lady expert who helped pick out ours: “The uglier, the better.” Don’t these look like they’re kissing?