Daily Life Food Inspiration New York

Some quiet and a familiar hour

I grew up pouring over paperback ghost stories, eating fruit rollups after school, and reading Anne Frank’s diary in bed. I remember telling myself that I really needed to write in my journal because it would be very important to other 11 year olds in the future. In elementary school, I used to write in huge block characters, in Korean. It was serious business! Case in point, I wrote this particular entry when I was 8 years old, and it’s all about how I had missed some days of writing in my journal but that I was determined to keep it up in the future:

diary

I told myself I’d give up most things I couldn’t carry to New York, but I couldn’t quite throw away my old journals or other little knickknacks. So I have a couple boxes on its way to be stored in the west coast. I joked to Taurin that I needed the “I left my heart in San Francisco” t-shirt. I’m excited about planning our California wedding–a grand reunion of things/people I love. It’d be nice to have a big open kitchen, a place for all my books, and lots of house plants. One day!

Until then, I’m focusing on New York: indulging myself in simple pleasures (or occasional over-consumption) and spending time with new and old friends. I’ve also learned to cook small meals for myself, very much inspired by Ai’s mantra: you are what you eat. Tomorrow, my friends and I headed off to Queens for a day of eating. And before it gets too cold, I’m hoping to organize a pie picnic on Central Park. I’m starting to really love autumn in New York!

lobsters

koreatown
Koreatown soondubu soup + little pastries.

challah
Baking challah from scratch with Adrianne and Stefanie for Jewish new year.

friendz
I just really like this photo.

bldg92
The Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Untitled
A beautiful abandoned house in Brooklyn, near the Navy Yard.

institution
My home institution and old-fashioned card catalog.

archiving
Learning to be a historian and digital-storyteller!

friends
Photo after a work meeting and evening outing with friends.

hairmodeling
I was going to grow my hair out, I swear, but I couldn’t say no to hair modeling for Nick Arrojo!

Untitled

“A certain darkness is needed to see the stars.” – Osho.

15 Comments

  • Reply
    catarina
    September 28, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    oh my, your old diary is the sweetest thing πŸ™‚ i used to keep all mine, but one day something happened inside my head and i got rid of them all (and they were several!). i burned them or cutted them into pieces, i can’t be sure. i don’t know why, it was such a drastic thing to do.
    more positive things – a pie picnic in central park seems amazing, i’d be so into it, and your hair looks just stunning πŸ˜€
    hugs! <3

    • Reply
      Sewon
      October 12, 2012 at 11:31 am

      I’ve definitely had that feeling before, though I don’t think I ever went through with getting rid of the old diaries. I hope I’m not a hoarder of memories! I know I’ve been thinking about that picnic and it’s time to make it happen. πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    winnie
    September 28, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    I really adore these pictures and you have such a way with words that these instagram (?) photos are so much more engaging to how I usually present them. I love the sound of your Californian wedding but also have major food envy too – you eat the most wonderful food!

    • Reply
      Sewon
      October 12, 2012 at 11:43 am

      I need to get back into taking out my camera more, but I’m becoming attached to carrying small things like my phone and my lca film camera these days. P.S. I feel likewise about your food instagrams! πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    Veronica Fish
    September 29, 2012 at 10:23 am

    Oh my god I miss NY so much – love these photos!

    • Reply
      Sewon
      October 12, 2012 at 9:30 pm

      πŸ™‚ It really is a city full of surprises!

  • Reply
    christian
    October 1, 2012 at 1:18 am

    lovely pictures as always

    • Reply
      Sewon
      October 12, 2012 at 9:30 pm

      Thank you, Christian.

  • Reply
    kelly zarb
    October 1, 2012 at 5:08 am

    Sewon the photo of the abandon house in Brooklyn is amazing. Also I have added you onto my paper swap and I will send out your partner info soon. So exciting!!

    • Reply
      Sewon
      October 12, 2012 at 10:05 pm

      Thank you for adding me to the swap list. I’m so excited to finally participate!

  • Reply
    Rina
    October 3, 2012 at 2:38 am

    Hi SeWon!
    Glad to see you’re enjoying your New York indulgence!
    As I’ve mentioned before, New York would be the one the best places to visit for a food vacation.
    I don’t think I could bring myself to throw away my old diaries either!
    I would love to look back on the past and read through them. But I think most of them have already been trashed by a younger and embarrassed me. ),:
    But I’ve started keeping a journal again, for my Japanese. I try to write in Japanese, mostly, so I can practice vocabulary and penmanship.
    Oh, A California wedding! You must be so excited. Can’t wait to see what you’re planning : )
    Take care!
    xo
    ps, I still have some little gifts for you! ; )

    • Reply
      Sewon
      October 12, 2012 at 10:09 pm

      Hi Rina, and yes, New York is a wonderful city for eaters, but not so friendly on the pocketbook… Keep a diary in different languages is such a good idea. Lately I’ve been thinking about how my languages are slipping away due to lack of practice. P.S. Let’s do that swap we’ve been talking about for ages!

  • Reply
    Sarita
    October 4, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    Long time lurker, but I thought I’d post a comment for once to tell you I’ve always admired your photography! That shot with the woman on the couch is great!

    • Reply
      Sewon
      October 12, 2012 at 10:12 pm

      Thanks, Sarita! πŸ™‚

  • Reply
    teresa
    October 23, 2012 at 12:41 am

    i love the photos of your journals! and i’m so glad you’re enjoying ny! i would go crazy with so many food options!, hehe.

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