Random observations from my first week with George

I admit...I was never a dog person. Never owned a dog, never really played with dogs, and certainly didn't think that I could have a dog until a couple of weeks ago. And now, I'm a proud owner of an 11-week-old morkie (that's a maltese yorkie mix) named George. George came home with me a week ago today, and I can certainly say he's already changed my life. Some random observations from my first week with him...

-Dog people are nice. People have been extremely helpful and generous with their advice, recommendations, and even doggie hand-me-downs. It has certainly made my transition to dog owner much much easier. Even random people on the street that I meet while walking George have been extremely helpful!

-The city person's "invisible shield" no longer exists if you are carrying/walking a dog. Kids, single people, couples, even homeless bums have no problem coming up to me and asking about my dog. It also doesn't help that George likes to meet every single person that walks up to him.

-Having a puppy is like having a kid (only a dog won't grow up and lie to you). The latter part of that statement being something that multiple friends appended when I commented about the similarities between late night feedings and George's potty breaks. What's with everyone fearing that their kids will lie to them?

-The pet industry is ridiculous! I admit it...George has a matching collar and leash, made by a yuppie pet designer. I just can't BELIEVE the amount of products associated with pets and how expensive everything costs! And I blame the Kiehl's doggie shampoo on Kai.

-Resistance is futile, and patience a necessity Your best laid plans...well, let's just hope you have a plan B. Having a puppy and raising it means that everything has to be planned around him. He just isn't going to potty whenever and wherever you want him to, and nor will he take a nap or want to play every time it strikes your fancy.

Okay, I know I have more observations but I'm exhausted, and George will be up for late night potty soon, so off to bed I go.

Latest pics of George are here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/leungv/George11To12Weeks

Trading two bridges for three, plus a couple of tunnels, too

So the cat is out of the bag. I'm moving to New York.

There, I said it. Despite how much of a surprise it was to many tonight and the past few days, it's still pretty raw and new to me as well. And my deepest apologies to those I have not had a chance to tell in person. In the past two weeks, I've gone from die-hard SF resident to finding a new home in NYC and looking for a puppy to bring along for the adventure. Perhaps I'm having a mid-life crisis. Or maybe it's my destiny. I don't know which, but I guess it doesn't really matter.

A part of me has been changed forever by San Francisco. I have found amazing friendships; laughed and cried; loved and lost. But now, it's time to move on. I don't suppose I'll ever know if this is the best decision, but I know that the decision is right for right now.

I've been wearing this Maya Brenner necklace for a while -- it's called "bi-coastal" -- but tonight it felt much more appropriate and bittersweet than ever before. Every time I touch it, I will think of you, San Francisco; of all of my friends who have made this place become home for me, and who made it so much more difficult to summon up the courage to leave. I am forever indebted to your love, generosity, and kindness. I'll remember our times together, good and bad, and treasure them forever.

And so, a new adventure begin in about 40 days...stay tuned.

Home is where the love is

(written earlier tonight during UA 863 from JFK to SFO)

Anyone who's known me for a while knows that I've always struggled with the concepts of "home" and "belonging". Other than the normal anxieties surrounding identity and cross-cultural immersion that come with every immigrant child's experience, I've tacked onto that a somewhat transient lifestyle that has taken me to over 20 countries and 100+ cities over the last 10 years. In the last year alone, I spent over half of my weekends out of town -- basically anywhere else but at home. And though my "home" has been San Francisco for the last 5+ years, it still takes me a split second to process and another one or two sentences to explain to any stranger where I'm "from".

But in the last few months, one thing has become clear -- home doesn't refer to a physical place, but rather an emotional place where you feel unconditionally welcome, happy, and safe. In the company of my family and my friends in Vancouver, San Francisco, New York and beyond, I've found home. My physical residence is just an address. Love is what makes any place a home. I am grateful to everyone who has formed a part of my home. You have all showed me that when a major part of my "home" fell apart with a breakup, you are all more than able and willing to make up the difference. You've also reminded me that love doesn't always or only come in the romantic form. And for that I thank you.

And as I think of all of you while I type this note somewhere over the continent on a flight to San francisco, I already feel like I've come home...

Faster than a New York minute

And so, it's come to my last night here in NYC. This "longest ever" trip to New York also seemed to pass by the fastest. Perhaps it's because I got to mix both work and play. I got to see friends more than once, and even spent time in Jersey. I'm grateful for the friends both old and new who continue to keep our friendship strong despite my parachute-style drop-in's into this city -- you guys are the best!

And as the night sets in, I'm having a Sara Bareilles moment, as they so often happen in the late hours. The eerily beautiful and haunting words of this song are stuck in my head right now...

Gravity - by Sara Bareilles

Something always brings me back to you.

It never takes too long.

No matter what I say or do 

I'll still feel you here 

'til the moment I'm gone.

You hold me without touch.

You keep me without chains.

I never wanted anything so much 

than to drown in your love 

and not feel your reign.

Set me free, leave me be. 

I don't want to fall another moment into your gravity.

Here I am and I stand so tall, 

just the way I'm supposed to be.

But you're on to me 

and all over me.

You loved me 'cause I'm fragile.

When I thought that I was strong.

But you touch me for a little while 

and all my fragile strength is gone.

I live here on my knees as I 

try to make you see that you're everything 

I think I need here on the ground.

But you're neither friend nor foe 

though I can't seem to let you go.

The one thing that I still know is that 

you're keeping me down.

Momofuku birthday

Momofuku means "lucky peach"...and of course, also happens to be the name of several highly successful Korean-fusion eateries in NYC. Tonight, I honestly felt like I was the momofuku, if not a "lil" one...haha I'm a dork. In any case, I've never had so much fun turning 25 again. Thanks to R, B, JK, JS, D, and M for spending their Saturday night with me. And although the excitement of my birthday may have been overshadowed by a certain announcement, I am so grateful that I was surrounded by friends, food, and lots of pork love. We ordered the bo ssam, which is an entire pork butt with all of the fixings to create our own ssam wraps. I think I am still having pork coma right now. And of course, dinner was followed by elegant drinks at the W Union Square (ah, the memories!) and then me pooping out from having slept only 4.5 hours last night.

Again. Thank you. I was definitely the momofuku tonight.

Reminiscing: NYC then and now

Yesterday I stepped foot inside the Hilton NYC again, eleven years after the first time I went with my grade 11 classmates for Model United Nations. Eleven years ago, it was the first time I visited New York City, and we were staying at the Hilton for the duration of our trip. Everything about that trip was exciting -- being in the one of the biggest cities in the world with your closest friends, boyfriend, and even a teacher or two. I remembering shooting one of my first photo essays in New York on that trip: the requisite Time Square shot, a homeless lady on a park bench, and a pedestrian weaving his way through a sea of cabs. Little bits and pieces of that trip come back to me now and again...getting ramen, hiding people in the bathroom during bed-check, that little black Armani...

Fast forward to today...things have changed in ways I could not have predicted. This time around, I was at the Hilton to attend a tradeshow for work. New York City is no longer a stranger to me. The city, while still exciting, has be become a tangible reality, as opposed to this almost-mythical place appearing only in movies and TV shows. Other than SF and Vancouver, it's probably the next city that I know best. And yet, there's so much more to be discovered. 

I've been to NYC over twenty times since that fateful trip in grade 11. But this current trip will be the longest consecutive stay I've ever had.  There's something almost fateful about that, but that's a whole different post. All I can say is, I <3 NYC. And there will always be a special place in my heart for this city.

Sunday Supper (redux)

It's been a while since I've hosted Sunday Supper. Tonight was the inaugural "single Viv" Sunday Supper and I think it went off pretty well. Here's what we ate and drank:

Arugula & Mizuna greens with Asian pear and Parmigiano-Reggiano
in a white wine vinaigrette

Traditional Beef Stroganoff / Mushroom & Tofu Vegetarian Stroganoff

Duo of Southern Pies (Pecan and Buttermilk),
served with duo of vanilla and eggless honey vanilla ice creams

Mini Carrot Cupcakes

Wines
Merry Edwards Russian River Pinot Noir, 2005
Etude Deer Camp Pinot Noir, 2005

Thanks to S, K, A, J, and B for joining me on this new culinary adventure! Can't wait until the next supper! :)