It’s April! I’ve been wearing dresses and cardigans all week, soaking up the sunshine and watching the city change with the seasons. I am still swamped with work, but I can finally see the light at the end.
March was an odd month because I was wallowing in deep winter hibernation mode. It was just one of those days when I received a phone call from Jannese about having dinner with a visitor from Japan. Over a hearty Meatball Shop meal, I met the talented and adorable Ros of Polkaros who came to the city from Tokyo on a short trip. Walking around familiar streets with a new set of eyes and good friends, I was reminded of just how much I do love where I am and how much this place has become a home.
It’s been over a year since I moved to New York. I remember the city was disorienting, far from the quiet mountains of Yunnan and Kunming, where it is always spring. It had snowed a foot when I woke up in Brooklyn, walking miles along almost deserted Bushwick lofts, hoping to walk into a warm place to call home. We walked into a restaurant, which turned out to be Roberta’s. And so it all worked out, as it always does.
“APRIL is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.
Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee
With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade,
And went on in sunlight, into the Hofgarten,
And drank coffee, and talked for an hour.
Bin gar keine Russin, stamm’ aus Litauen, echt deutsch.
And when we were children, staying at the archduke’s,
My cousin’s, he took me out on a sled,
And I was frightened. He said, Marie,
Marie, hold on tight. And down we went.
In the mountains, there you feel free.
I read, much of the night, and go south in the winter.”
–From “The Waste Land” by T.S. Eliot
20 Comments
Winnie
April 12, 2013 at 5:41 pmI love that NY is very much home now – these photos are lovely and that sketch is pretty amazing. I wish Spring would hurry up – it’s yet to make a proper appearance here in the uk!
Sewon
April 12, 2013 at 6:17 pmThe sketch is by my friend, an amazing artist named Debra Ziss! 🙂 Spring was totally here all week, but today’s been rather chilly and rainy. Where are the cherry blossoms? 😛
Rina
April 12, 2013 at 6:12 pmI know what you mean about those winter blues!
With the exception of the last two days, the weather has been simply fantastic.
I’m so happy I can comfortable stay outside for a long period of time, without worrying about freezing!
I’m glad to hear that the weather has been kind to you as well. That art exhibition looks so cool! Is everything crocheted? such skills!
Sewon
April 14, 2013 at 12:32 pmEverything was crocheted at the exhibit. Pretty amazing! Ah, glad to hear you’ve had good weather, too, Rina. 🙂
jannese
April 12, 2013 at 6:18 pmawww..this is awesome thanks for all the cool pics 🙂
Sewon
April 14, 2013 at 12:32 pmThank YOU, Jannese! 🙂
Matthew Pike
April 13, 2013 at 12:12 pmi’m missing out on a world of fun over in ny, i can just live in ny through posts like this. great post and images
Sewon
April 14, 2013 at 12:33 pmYou should take a trip here! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Matthew.
Amelia
April 14, 2013 at 5:05 amI want spring weather to wear dresses to (although I don’t own any dresses).
Sewon
April 14, 2013 at 12:34 pmDress weather = t-shirt weather. 😛
Sophie
April 14, 2013 at 1:25 pmI love your photographs because I always feel like I’m transported to a different era. 😉
Sewon
April 17, 2013 at 8:35 amThanks, Sophie! 😛
Angélica
April 14, 2013 at 5:05 pmLovely pictures, I really hope to go to New York someday! It looks so wonderful 🙂
Sewon
April 17, 2013 at 8:55 amThank you, Angelica. I hope the day’s soon! 🙂
Sara
April 16, 2013 at 6:25 amNew York by your eyes is very inviting 🙂
ros
April 18, 2013 at 12:18 pmWow! Such lovely pictures! Thanks for capturing those good memories! I really enjoyed the day we met at your nearby cafe and you gave me a tour of your neighborhood. You sure seemed at home there! Thank you once again for everything! You are guys are amazing!
x ros
Crystal
April 30, 2013 at 12:01 amI always love your pictures! You always find the perfect moments and things to photograph. I first read this post when you posted it, but didn’t comment right away and I was pretty jealous of your spring weather as we were still getting snow. But now all the snow is melted and we have nice, spring weather now too. 🙂
pau
April 30, 2013 at 2:29 pmHey Sewon, what is this? http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8546/8642714673_8df947c174_z.jpg
Is it real people or just mannequins?
Sewon
May 30, 2013 at 2:04 pmReal people!
Ceri
May 13, 2013 at 1:39 pmOh god, I miss NYC. <3 Didn't I tell you I was there for a while last month, hun? Living in Brooklyn. I'm planning to be back at the end of the year so hope to catch up with you then! 🙂 We could go for tea or something.