remembering john lennon.

a year ago today, i was in new york.

and a sketchy-as-all-hell subway ride had dropped us out in front of the dakota apartments.

weeks before, when i found out we would be in new york on the anniversary of john lennon's death, i made the boys promise that we would go to the apartments in remembrance of him - celebrating his life with the other people who would surely be doing the same. 

so i was a little stunned when the only thing i saw outside of the dakota was a police car.

"any of the lennon hippies giving you trouble?" someone asked the officer.

"nope. we're making sure they're keeping their distance" he replied.

we walked around the perimeter of the apartments, hoping to find some candles or anything, but there was nothing.
then, off in the distance we heard a group of voices singing "strawberry fields."

it was the most ironic thing, to cross the street into central park and to the strawberry fields memorial, as the crowd sang that song.

we found ourselves in a group of the most diverse individuals. homeless men, families with children, hippies with cigarettes in their mouths, old ladies, punk teenagers, some preppy twenty-somethings, and us. 

and at the time of lennon's death there was a moment of silence. 

and people put peace signs in the air above their heads.

and after a few minutes, this random assortment of people started singing 'imagine' together.

and it sounded pretty terrible.

but it felt pretty amazing.

it will forever be one of my favorite memories.

so glad that john's spirit lives on in so many people and in his amazing music.

thinking of him today.

how can i be homesick...

for a place i've only been once?

i'm not really sure.

but i dream of new york often.

and especially on rainy days like today,
i ache to go back.

maybe next time i'll stay a while.

posts from last year's NY trip : here, here, and here.

east coast trip : in review.

We ate at wonderful places.

We drank bottles of champagne. And cocktails with pretty names.

Met musicians who are as amazingly talented as they are passionate.

Saw gorgeous old buildings and walked on rainy streets.

Reunited with old friends. Made new ones as well.

Shopped, photographed, sang, and remembered.

And in the timeline of my life, this stands out as one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had.

And I'm proud of myself for finally making it happen.

And when I got back, there was a family so happy to see me.

And a puppy who had lots of kisses to give.

And a bed that was my own in a room that was my own.

And a bowl of home-made soup. My favorite kind.

And a pile of Christmas cards from happy clients.

And I realized that New York is lively and exciting.

And Boston is lovely and charming.

But home is pretty sweet too.

leaving new york.

It breaks my heart to report that our New York holiday is officially over. Now we are in Boston and the boys are working right now which gives me a little time to look through the pictures I've taken over the last 5 days (there are a lot of them - I'll post some of my favorites as soon as I get time to edit them) and do a little blogging.

Hi, mom.

Although Boston is lovely, I already miss New York.

Maybe soon I'll be back. And maybe next time I'll bring my things and make a couple years of it. 

Yes, I'd quite like to live there.

There's a lot I could learn about myself in New York, I think.

my first day in new york.

It is 2:10 in the morning, New York time.

California time, it's 11:10 pm.

Which means that instead of sleeping like we thought we'd be, Weston, Michael and I are feasting on popcorn and microwave ravioli, listening to Christmas music, and enjoying our apartment.

After a bumpy red-eye flight and a ride in the death cab (seriously, I thought I was going to die a few times) we made it to the apartment, dropped off our luggage and walked through the streets of Williamsburg to Pies N Thighs for breakfast. I didn't have my camera for breakfast but after a morning nap at our apartment, we took the subway to Manhattan and I managed to take quiiiiite a few pictures....

I'm only going to post a few of my favorites here, but the rest of them will be up on Facebook eventually.

I can say though, that I've only been here for a day. And I've only seen a little bit of this wonderful place.

But I think it might be my favorite place in the world.

Stay tuned. :)