"Imagining The Lowline" Exhibit

Last Saturday, I walked across the Williamsburg Bridge into the Lower East Side to check out the "Imagining the Lowline" exhibit (http://thelowline.org/exhibit) because I wanted to see what this underground public park space would look like. Seeing the success and thoughtful design of the Highline on the west side, I'm pretty excited for another public park cool enough to take my family or friends to visit. The exhibit was in a warehouse on Essex and Broome and included a nice history lesson on the Williamsburg Trolley Terminal beneath Delancey Street where the park is to be built and a cool installation of the sunlight-capture contraption that allows plants to grown underground. That was a terrible explanation, but you can read more about it here.  

 Beautiful day for a walk across the Williamsburg Bridge

 

Everything You Wanted to Know About My Engagement

I usually don't blog about my personal life but a recent turn of events has convinced me that this is a moment where blogging would be appropriate. Meaning all your questions about my engagement to Sean will be answered in honest detail and true NY Mag Absolute Moron-style.

You're engaged?!

Yep! Crazy, I know.

To who? I didn't even know you had a boyfriend.

I do, I mean, I did (he's my biancé now = boyfriend + fiance). His name is Sean. He works for Random House. 6'2'', used to skateboard and loves milk and cookies. We've been together for over 8 years.

No shit, that's cray.

Yeah, here's some pictures to prove it:

This is literally the first time we met at Punahou Carnival on February 6, 2004

And here we are on the night of our engagement on June 17, 2012

You're so young. What are you like 21?

Age is just a number, not a measure of character. And, no I'm not 21... but I'll take it as a complement.

Who knew you'd get married a 100 months later.

Sean did. Even after being with Sean for so long, this was very unexpected for me. I really had no idea he was going to propose on Sunday. But since day one, he's been sure of "us" and I love him for always knowing. His stubborn dedication reminds me of Adam from Girls or Ryan Gosling from The Notebook, you can't help but find that commitment attractive and endearing. He's been a huge part of my adult life and I wouldn't change any part of it. Plus, he cooks a mean lasagna.

So, back to the engagement. After it happened, did you update your Facebook relationship status?

Ha. I thought about it but realized I don't even have my relationship status filled out on Facebook. I didn't want to be that girl who changes her relationship status from 'In a Relationship' to 'Engaged' and have the entire world respond to it. So instead I thought it'd be more subtle if I tweeted about it...

Wow 184 likes and 74 comments. Real subtle.

I KNOW! I was totally shocked. I might as well have changed my relationship status. I was overwhelmed by all the love I received on facebook, text message and phone calls--it made me realize how awesome my friends are and all the wonderful people I have met over the years. Really, thanks guys. 

Whoa, wait. You didn't know how to ride a bike?

Nope. I can't drive either. Learning how to ride a bike was one of my New Year's resolutions, and since it was so nice out this weekend, Sean decided to teach me.

Pics or it didn't happen.

So how'd he do it?

It was at the East River Park in Williamsburg, my absolute favorite view of NYC. Every time I come to this park, I fall in love with the city all over again because it feels like home, like the place I belong. I can name many instances where I've come to this park with Sean post-Smorgasburg, my family and friends for photo-ops and often by myself to think. 

We just finished my second bicycling session at Brooklyn Bridge Park (Sean said that I can't say I know how to ride a bike until I've done it twice) and took the East River Ferry back to Williamsburg. It was about 7pm when we got off and he suggested we stop at the park to watch the sunset. 

The park was more crowded than usual, probably because it was a Sunday and so nice out. Sean was being picky about where we sat (this is when I started to get a feeling something was up) and he finally settled for a log on the sand near the water. Not gonna lie, I was super tired at this point and kind of wanted to just go home (but then, I thought to myself, if something was up... I couldn't ruin it by being a whiny turd). Then, Sean started to say things. Really sweet things. Things I already knew, like how I make him the happiest person in the world, how we've had our ups and downs--it was at this point, I knew he was going to propose and instantly froze. THIS IS HAPPENING. 

He got down on one knee and pulled out a velvet blue box. STILL IN SHOCK. He may have asked me a question, something about having a future together--I don't remember because the moment was a blur and I sat there speechless. When I realized it was my turn to give an answer, I told him he knew my answer. Yes, of course. I then proceeded to ball like a baby, because 1) this was unexpected, 2) the ring was beautiful and 3) I am finally growing up.

The view from where Sean proposed

Did people see you? Did they clap?

No, we were on the secluded side surrounded by high bushes so no one saw. I prefer it that way. But we did ask a stranger to take a picture with our cell phone:

OooOOoo, can I see the ring?

It's a vintage ring. To be honest, I didn't have a specific ring in mind. I think all I've hinted at was "vintage", "square", "art deco" and "moon rock". No joke, I told Sean I wanted a moon rock. But I guess a diamond will do. Just kidding. When I saw the ring, I realized how well Sean knew me, often times better than I knew myself. I love the little details like the two triangle diamonds on each side that remind me of the rays on top of the Chrysler building and the elevated square setting which accentuates the rock e.g. makes it look bigger!

You should really get a manicure before you show people your ring.

...

WHEN'S THE WEDDING?!

... 

I'm giving myself time for the engagement to soak in before I think about wedding planning.

Are you getting married in Hawaii?

Yes, both of our families are from there so it would make the most sense.

Am I invited?!

Reference two questions back. 

How does it feel to be engaged?

Weird. But good weird. The type of weird that makes me think I'm finally comfortable being in my late 20s. The good weird where you know things are going to be great because you're beginning a new adventure with someone who makes you really happy. The good weird where you accept all the mistakes you've made as a teenager and in your early 20s and move on from them knowing you're wiser because of it.

The good weird knowing someone is crazy enough to love you this much. 

Get High Lined

My friends and I took advantage of the sunny weather and checked out the recently opened 'High Line' park on Manhattan's lower west side. The High Line is an elevated train track converted walkway/park that over looks the Hudson River and is one of the best designed public spaces I've seen. You'll understand when you see the small details in the design of the benches, landscaping of the flowers and materials used to build the park. Architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro (who also designed Boston's ICA) and landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations are responsible for the brilliant transformation of a railway that maintains its identity but also screams I'm a park for the future and so NYC.

A quick note about the High Line logo (shown above). The High Line isn't just a park, it's a branded park. From High Line volunteers sporting navy blue t-shirts with a giant eco-green High Line logo on their chest to their community friendly website, the High Line sells a unique upscale park experience. High Line redefines "parks" not as a rundown patch of grass for dogs to poop in, but as a cool place to socialize and makeout with your girlfriend.

Visit the park if you haven't yet. There's multiple entrances: Ganesvort St (next to Helmut Lang store + Standard Hotel), 14th, 16th, 18th and 20th streets.

Photo recap: