Daily Life

Uncertainty, black tea, and 冉 life

Lately I’ve been wrestling with the familiar yet jolting feeling of uncertainty. I received all the best news from graduate school admissions and I’m slowly building a home here in the city. At the same time, everything is up in the air, and I don’t really have any answers. But I think everyone feels this way from time to time. And it’s these moments that bring me to write in my journal, drink tea with old friends, spend hours in the kitchen baking something savory, and dream of new possibilities.

“Uncertainty and mystery are energies of life. Don’t let them scare you unduly, for they keep boredom at bay and spark creativity.” – A quote by R. I. Fitzhenry

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Ran Tea House is a lovely tea shop and experimental venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. I dropped in after pottery class last week. With high ceilings, potted plants, rocking chairs, and plenty of light, it’s a perfect place to relax with a cup of hot tea.

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Taurin and Lotus.

ran teahouse
Matcha coated pumpkin seeds and puerh tea.

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I spent the weekend home in Virginia with my family and Taurin’s family. Plenty of eating and driving!

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I love lunch dates with my mom. After shopping, we ate freshly made cold buckwheat noodles.

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Driving in suburbia.

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And back in New York: a tiny moon.

23 Comments

  • Reply
    teresa
    April 3, 2012 at 11:51 am

    congratulations! keep embracing the flow! xo

    • Reply
      Sewon
      April 3, 2012 at 7:02 pm

      Thanks, Teresa! Ah yeah, embrace the flow!

  • Reply
    Bonjour Juliette
    April 3, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Hehe, i’m in the same mood, embracing the flow of changes too, kissing uncertainty sometimes with smiles filled up with hope, sometimes my heart skips a bit in doubt… But optimism keeps coming back and smiles are all over * GOOD THINGS ARE AHEAD, for they’re attracted by our smiles, aren’t they?

    • Reply
      Sewon
      April 3, 2012 at 7:03 pm

      I love the way you put it, Juliette! We’ll just keep smiling and let all the good things come to us. 🙂

  • Reply
    Marlous
    April 3, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    Lovely pictures! I just installed instagram for Android but it doesn’t work as good as the iphone version (I’m missing the tilt shift option!). Luckily I’ll get an iphone within 2 weeks 🙂

    • Reply
      Sewon
      April 3, 2012 at 7:04 pm

      I’m starting to get lazy with my camera thanks to my iphone! I really love following people on instagram.

  • Reply
    Ru
    April 3, 2012 at 8:23 pm

    Indeed, sometimes we just have to take what life gives us! I love the ambience of the cafe and have a good time potter-ing! 🙂

    • Reply
      Sewon
      April 4, 2012 at 6:45 pm

      Thanks, Ru! The cafe really does have a calming atmosphere. 🙂

  • Reply
    Studio Meez
    April 4, 2012 at 2:28 am

    I would love to drink some tea there and the noodles are looking delicious.

    • Reply
      Sewon
      April 4, 2012 at 6:46 pm

      You should stop by there for some tea, if you ever visit NY! 🙂

  • Reply
    Veronica Fish
    April 4, 2012 at 11:19 am

    Aw I feel that way too, at least once a month – then it dissolves and things are solid again

    You have an exciting future in store!

    • Reply
      Sewon
      April 4, 2012 at 6:46 pm

      I’m waiting for things to solidify, I suppose~ Thanks, Veronica!

  • Reply
    ねこちゃん
    April 4, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    Thank you for the lovely quote! .. I think it’s true 🙂 Change is essential for evolution! The last picture is so so awesome… It’s probably the contrast of sharpness and diffuseness! I would love to attend a pottery class!

    PS: in my defense, in Europe you’re not allowed to drive when you’re under 18! 😛 But that’s only a lame excuse, I know 😉 I could have done the licence with 18!.. but I didn’t T.T

    • Reply
      Sewon
      April 4, 2012 at 6:48 pm

      I didn’t drive for at least two years while living abroad and I rarely drive nowadays. Maybe not driving is better! 😛 But good luck with the driver’s license test and everything~

  • Reply
    Crystal
    April 4, 2012 at 11:29 pm

    I think it’s good to feel uncertainty sometimes, as it can accompany periods of change in life. That’s when I feel it the most. I love the quote that you posted about uncertainty…it’s so true! Congratulations on all the good news that you heard from grad school admissions! That’s exciting!

  • Reply
    Rina
    April 5, 2012 at 12:45 am

    aww, a little moon!
    Congratulations on your admission in to grad school!
    I have those exact moments sometimes as well. But I think as long as one is working towards something he or she really like, or they are doing something they really like, then one can be certain they are on the right path. There are always uncertainties, but we have keep working hard at what we want. We have to take things slowly, right? : )
    I would LOVE to visit that tea house! it looks super cozy♥ I also wouldn’t mind some cold soba night now.
    ; )

  • Reply
    kelly zarb
    April 5, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    Don’t worry sewon things always work out for the best in the end, you just need to keep moving forward with your dreams and it will happen.

  • Reply
    alma
    April 6, 2012 at 7:25 am

    The place looks incredible!
    Something left my place to get to your home! Watch your mailbox!
    Hugs

  • Reply
    greta
    April 6, 2012 at 2:18 pm

    aah. cozy photos!

  • Reply
    Vicky
    April 7, 2012 at 3:25 pm

    You look stunning with that hair, like a doll. It’s so perfect on you 🙂

  • Reply
    Johanna Tagada
    April 8, 2012 at 3:30 am

    There is so much to write about how your feel, to your last mail … I decided to send you a letter and other things 🙂

    Photographs & words are both touching. (like to see your Flickr!)
    And you look beautiful,

    Warm Sunday hugs,
    xxx

  • Reply
    Pink Ronnnie
    April 9, 2012 at 7:58 am

    Is that Yakault? My most favourite drink in the whole world!
    Ronnie xo

  • Reply
    nar
    April 9, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    This is going to sound weird but you look soooo much like that one actress (Jung Yumi) in a korean drama called Rooftop Prince. Even the haircut.

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