August 11, 2009

• Somehow I fell in love with NYC all over again...but WRONG neighborhood!!! ack *self-rant*

  ....well as least compared to how my ideals and beliefs run.

  man, cant believe i fell in love with a *hipster*/overpriced neighborhood tonight (Williamsburg). I normally do not like areas with "pockets of phony" within it!

  it was totally by accident though!..as i was walking with one of my classmates (who is Polish) from her home in Greenpoint, i guess we unintentionally wandered into Williamsburg!  She, being newly moved into Greenpoint, had no clue of the boundaries.  And how would I know, I'm just normally in school and Queens these days! 

  Greenpoint btw was def intriguing and not what i expected.  Some lovely brownstones and parks and i could soo see the potential for the area. i certainly wouldnt mind living there, it definiltey seemed safe and ppl were firendly for the most part (i mean, no one stared at me as if i had two heads, even though i didnt see ANY Asians in the area at all, just Polish and other Caucasian-looking ppls.  My friend claims there are a good amount of Asians in the neighborhood though.)  While there, we went to Christina's Restaurant, wellknown for their hearty homemade Polish food, and we each had some delicious blintzes...I wanted to try pierogies or even a goulash but my friend was soo ADAMANT about pulling me toward Cafe Rivera where I could barely finish a chocolate poppy seed dessert (it was damn good though!)

  Then we walked down to Nassau Avenue, made the turn at MCCARREN PARK (so this is where it is!!!!)  walked all the way to the waterfront and turned left -- hit Bedford Avenue....and lo and behold a neighborhood with a vibe i couldnt explain. but it was soo boisterous and full of young professionals and JUST AMAZING. i couldnt get enough of it.

  Then...i found out it was WILLIAMSBURG -_- blahhh

  random musings: how is it that when i went to eat at SEA...i didnt feel this vibe at ALL (in fact i thought that area was overrated!) but that i felt it tonight? And am i mistaken, or has EVERY Asian friend ive ever had just brought me to SEA as the place to eat at, cuz its a bit overrated and i now decline any offers to go...cuz seriously there are SOO MANY other more intriguing smaller restaurants we could be going to!!!!

  but, yeah back to discussing location and vibe of area... maybe i just lost my bearings cuz i am normally driven to the area...SEA isnt THAT far from Bedford is it?????- ok ppl this i need ppls expertise on!!! thanks

  ive always sworn to keep away from those type of areas.  Now overpriced and kitschy, it has been for awhile now and it will only get more expensive as time goes on, yes i know that!!!! But goddamns, it soo beckoned to the 'artist' part of me -- so much so I swear it wasnt funny.  you know how u just FEEL a neighborhood? Goddamns. its been awhile since a neighborhood struck my interest...and forever since ive had my own apartment.  Since graduating from college in 1996 till 2002, ive moved *5* times -- Chinatown/LES, Jersey City, Murray Hill/Manhattan, Bay Ridge, then Elmhurst.  im feeling those stirrings *again*.  

  **not that i havent appreciated Elmhurst all these years. its been the longest that ive stayed anywhere and for that i am DULY grateful.

  But there is sometihng about being wholly 'independent" and to know u can take care of urself, to NOT live under your parents' roof.  Because no matter what, their influences wil be felt, and ive seen too many peoples lives stagnate or become inhibited due to wanting to please everyone but themselves.  To move, to wander, to explore a new neighborhood to see what it can offer you. To have my own fullsize kitchen where i can cook. To be able to walk up the block and shop for groceries.  To be able to try new restaurants wtihin walking distances and to develop a favorite where it can be 'YOUR' place to go.  To see ppl i know within the community, and to smile and wave.  To know i was in a place to call my own...to come and go as i please, to be able to buy furniture for (omg so addicting, so expensive, so exciting!!)

  ...to be a HOME

  To know that you are STARTING YOUR LIFE  on ur OWN terms, without ANYONE to answer to...whether it be on ur own or with ur significant other. I swear, possibilities abound...a future unfolds right before you...in a place bound for adventure.  theres no other rush ^_~ and one cant really KNOW all these things until they leave their preciously & coddled safety net.

  ***i swear, there is NOTHING like catching the glance of ur also single dwelling neighbor around ur own age who lives next door, or ur signifcant other, and u exchange a glance, KNOWING...UNDERSTANDING.  Here we begin our lives yet unwritten...may the sky be the LIMIT <3***

  <b>Within 2 yrs time i hope to be able to follow thru. </b>At least it might be the perfect interim spot to live at while i see if my San Diego dream is a reality or not....and if not there, then the NEXT up and coming area....ill definitely be paying attention from now on!!!

  man just goes to show you, i AM a Brooklyn girl at heart. so far ive found more history, character and soul in every Brooklyn neighborhood ive visited than anywhere in Queens.  To this day i remember Bay Ridge more than even the condo apt i dwelled in @ Murray Hill.  Of course i <3 the West Village and surrounding areas the most but i feel its completely out of my price range and optimal space i would want as a home.

  but yeah thats my bias and i dont claim to push it on ANYONE. lol

  <3

  P.S. altho i hate hate HATE the nickname 'BillyBURG' that the 'hipsters' have given the neighborhood. UGH.

  • 11:59 pm
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