Memoir Excerpts: New York
As we age, memories, even those that were once extraordinary and rare, gradually become ordinary and fade away. But even though they become less vivid, they're still important to us. Just the other day, I was chilling and suddenly wondered where we were last December (2023). When that happens, I either had to swift thru Insta or check my calendar to remember - turns out, we were in New York for the holidays!
New York has become our go-to spot for that cozy Christmas vibe. Beyond the holiday season, we often find ourselves drawn to the city for various events. To preserve those memories, I took a stroll down memory lane.
Christmas Holidays
2021: New York was our "baby step" trip after the pandemic. We brought all our lysol gear, even got those UV sanitizing thing for our beds and other surfaces, vitamin Cs and of course, masks galore. It was surprisingly crowded as always, as if the pandemic didn't happen. We wanted to stay as near to Central Park as much as possible (coz, outdoors 😄). But we made sure not to miss watching a broadway show too. I was so happy to see Wicked again. It's always a delight!
2013: It was my first New York trip! After watching those romcom shows all those years, New York was my dream destination! So I prepped for my first winter experience, we bought our "gear". Most importantly, I was excited to finally wear a boots in New York! I got myself a new one, it was fabulous! It snowed during that trip, and we were so excited, we went out with my fabulous boots, and walked around Central Park. Halfway through, my feet was suddenly hurting, I felt that there was ice in there. You probably guessed it right, the fabulous boots are not fabulous after all, it was ruined by just a few minutes of walking in the snow.
I invested in an UGG after that (which is still alive and well up to this day).
US Open, Summer 2023
I have an approach to a sport before I could pursue some fandom about it. I thiught, before I start following certain Tennis stars, or Tennis in general, I have to know how to play first! So I took lessons, and proud to say that I could now swing a racket! Seeing a grandslam tournament became a goal. And where better to start it but in my home turf! I have got to see or experience a US Open at least once! And that year was extra special because a core friend is coming with me! It was truly a surreal feeling. Aside from the US Open, we watched Moulin Rouge! on Broadway. We are big Moulin Rouge fans since college, we're probably the only ones there singing Come What May without looking at the lyrics (there are portions in the show where the audience can sing, so yas we were up there haha).
Again this is something that I do not want to "lose", it's a core memory!
Makeup Forever Academy, Summer 2016
Back in my twenties, I had this dream of going to a makeup school. I even dreamed of attending the Makeup Forever Academy in New York. It was thrilling to think about. But then it happened Summer of 2016. My makeup artistry hobby found me a ticket to Makeup Forever Academy New York (MUFE). Incidentally, that's also when I discovered my love for halal food, mainly because it was the most accessible and affordable option during our lunch breaks. I remember taking out halal food and eating in the break room at MUFE. But as I spent more time there, I realized it wasn't as special as I imagined. It was just like any other workplace, with regular staff and an ordinary break room. It lost some of its magic for me after that. Partly because converting my makeup hobby as a profession after that didn't work for me. I started to know myself more, and I know that being an MUA is not my goal in life. It would just stay as what is is, a hobby.
I still treasure the things I learned there. It sparked a level of creativity, and hey airbrushing is a useful skill! 😊