JOURNAL

Weekend Stories: Officially married|33

Posted on by Hanna

And we’re married!

With my family unable to fly over due to Australia’s strict quarantine rules (they need government approval to fly overseas, as well as quarantine for 14 days in a designated hotel upon return), we decided to keep our original wedding date and get married virtually. It was all last minute in terms of deciding on a Zoom wedding, albeit with many changes in between.

Overall, there were elements of regret and relief which I guess you’d inevitably have with an under prepared virtual Zoom wedding. I attempted to brush off the feeling of regret by reminding myself that all of this is a novel experience for everyone and nobody really has any expectations, hopefully.

In the end, the most important thing is that we got to share the very moment we became husband and wife with our loved ones live online.

The great thing was that when the ceremony was over, we had the rest of the day to ourselves. Our staycation honeymoon was at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge where we spent the next two days eating, lounging and swimming in the rooftop pool and treating ourselves at the River Cafe nearby for dinner.

We were back home on Friday night. We continued the staycation honeymoon by going out for brunch at Sonny Boy on Saturday and then dinner at Oxalis in Prospect Heights on Sunday.

20.8.20
A day I will cherish forever.

Weekend Stories: Wedding bands and other errands|32

Posted on by Hanna

We went to Hudson Yards to buy our wedding bands on Saturday. It was nice to walk around West Village and explore the area that we rarely visit.
It felt luxurious sitting down and choosing our wedding bands, hearing explanations on the difference between platinum and white gold. I don’t wear much jewellery as you can tell.

We walked by a fusion Chinese-Cuban restaurant in Chelsea and decided to grab lunch there. It was OK but probably won’t go back. Last minute shopping was the final task of the day, frantically looking for a decent dress (of course, no luck).

With only a few days left, I have been upping my vegetable intake and lower calorie input.
Although, S and J came over for dinner on Sunday where N made us white wine pasta with clams. I couldn’t resist and had a whole bowl.

Weekend Stories: A surprise dinner and outdoor dining| 31

Posted on by Hanna

On Friday night, we ventured out to Midtown, specifically K-Town, and was pleasantly surprised by the outdoor dining scene. No cars, cleaner streets, music on the streets and the smell of Korean food. I kept telling N how I felt like I was in the streets of Seoul!

We had dinner plans on Saturday night at my friend A and J’s place for, at least we thought, was A’s last dinner before she goes to Sydney for two months.
We arrived at their door and it turned out to be a surprise dinner for us!
I had mentioned in passing to A that we might just get married on our original wedding date and apply for a marriage license to do so.
Knowing that she won’t be here for the ceremony and that I won’t have family or friends in Sydney coming, nor a bachelorette party, A, J and S had prepared a surprise wollamssam dinner for us! I was so shocked – my friend said they saw tears, momentarily, glistening :’) I got to wear a bride-to-be sash thanks to them.

Sunday was spent enjoying the flower bouquet they had made for us.
Always grateful.

Weekend Stories: Dining outside in DUMBO and SOHO | 30

Posted on by Hanna

It is scorching hot in NYC.
Everyday is 30 degrees plus and is so humid you feel like you’re in a sauna.
I try to venture out after 7pm to avoid the heatwave. On Saturday, my friend A and I went out to DUMBO Westville for dinner. She came over after and we played Just Dance for the first time. It was a comedic sight to say the least, oh, and quite the workout.
On Sunday, we stayed home most of the day, where N made his famous shakshuka (and my favourite) for breakfast. In the evening, N and I went out to SoHo for dinner at Nyona. NYC is in phase 4 now and it was nice to walk around SoHo and see the people of NY once again.

Weekend Stories: Slowly recovering | 29

Posted on by Hanna

I’m slowly crawling out of the rabbit hole. All I did was wake up, work, eat, watch BTS content (a rabbit-hole I never knew I’d fall into) and then sleeping really late.
However, I am slowly getting back to the groove of things, I think.
Started reading a new book, going back to my Anki deck cards and, of course, posting on this blog to be up-to-date. I didn’t take – or should I say, I forgot – to take photos throughout the week. This one I actually took on Monday. The cover of this book is pretty.
Next phase is to get back into daily yoga, walks and studying. It’s all a process.

Weekend Stories: Outdoor dining | 28

Posted on by Hanna

Another slow weekend around the neighbourhood.
We had brunch outside for the first time in months. We went to Miriam’s and sat outside in the summer heat with an iced coffee and breakfast platter.

After a stroll around Prospect Park, I went back home and didn’t do much.
My morning routine is out the window, my daily structure is non-existent since the weekend trip upstate.

To the woods

Posted on by Hanna

A much needed escape from the four walls of our Brooklyn apartment.
On the July 4th weekend, we left on the Sunday to immerse ourselves in nature for three days. I specifically wanted a place where I can step outside right into the woods. Our little wooden cabin in Willow, NY, was the perfect getaway (next time I will remember to spray insect repellent over my arms and legs).

I loved the little porch outside our cabin. We sat there eating our breakfast, drinking coffee, talking, reading and sitting idly.
We went on daily hikes, stopped by bakeries and explored Woodstock nearby.

Weekend Stories: The mid-year lows and highs|26

Posted on by Hanna

I feel like the month of June was a blur.
Each week was a repeat of the last one. I definitely got into bit of a funk, compared to May. I wasn’t waking up early, doing less, skipping some days on yoga and avoiding people. It could be just a cycle and all I have to do is ride it out.

It was the final weekend of June 2020. A weekend, again, consisting of coffee, reading, parks and walks.

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