Exploring New york City

Rediscovering New York

It has been several years since I’ve started this blog. I had imagined updating it frequently, documenting my twenties with joy and excitement. But the world had different plans. The world shut down to cope with a devastating pandemic just as I started to stretch my legs. And when the world finally learned to cope, I decided I was ready for a big change – law school. I worked full-time, studied full-time, got married somewhere along the way. Managed to break all three bones in my right ankle. I got surgery; learned how to walk again. Went on five big trips abroad in 2 years, visiting seven countries. Took the bar exam and passed the bar exam. Got furloughed and then returned to work. And am still somewhat worried I’ll go back on furlough, or worse. The timeline of that crisscrosses at a dizzying speed. In short, life got hectic. And now I am 29. Documenting the ups and downs of my twenties was one of the things that fell off the radar first.

In that long but also very short period, the city I loved and continue to love has changed a lot. Sans frequent late-night dinners ordered for pick up from the Chinese takeout on the block and daily midnight trips to see Melissa the bodega cat at the bodega on the corner—the neighborhood seems so different. Many beloved restaurants and cafés have changed hands or closed. It almost feels like I lost all my go-tos overnight. Catfish and Butter & Scotch, I still mourn for you. 

It’s not just the places that have changed; the people have too. It seems there are fewer and fewer familiar faces on random night walks. I still choke up thinking about my dearest Thanksgiving and Buddy (bodega cats), who lost their home (the bodega that had the best ramen selection three blocks over) to a cannabis dispensary. It seems thousands of them have sprouted up overnight.

Now that I am finding my footing after a whirlwind of five years, I think it is time to start fresh. I must rediscover my neighborhood, and frankly, New York. I hope to find good coffee, good food, and good people as I start this journey again. August 4, 2025.