cats can fall in love again

Pre-Dentist

As a first time cat owner, I had no idea that you had to reintroduce cats after one had been at the vet for dental work. Surprise! What a glorious weekend spent dealing with Zoya who was high as a kite and Boris skittishly hissing and growling at her. The good news is, after 2 days of separate living, salmon as treats and videos of kittens meowing (it worked!) they are now back to cuddling with each other. Phew. Family love cuddly snuggle time restored.

Post-Dentist

london calling

I took my mum to visit the UK. A crazy last minute decision because I was heading with Ami back to the London to visit family. We flew in on Saturday spent time with family and then mum flew in on Monday. Three days were spent me running around London with mum showing her the city Ami grew up in. I always forget how incredibly green London is; it's such a gorgeous city and seeing it for the first time through mum's eyes gave me a new appreciation for something that has become normal for me. After so many years in New York I've gradually become more accustomed to the frenetic energy and fast pace of a big city, but I haven't notice the change in me at all; until going back to Edinburgh. I've been lucky enough to visit Edinburgh four times now and this trip was the first since moving to New York. I didn't expect Edinburgh to feel like a small town because in my memories it was a big city, not a metropolis like London but bustling city nonetheless; however this time it felt no bigger than Victoria. I guess I have changed and grown as much as I deny that the city has changed me.

We headed up into the Highlands and the Isle of Skye which was amazing, spent a few days in Perth relaxing after so much driving and then off to the Lake District. I drove a left hand drive and apparently said "sweet jesus" anytime I met oncoming traffic on a corner, which in the Lake District is pretty much everywhere. The trip was full of bucket list ticking for mum and I. 

family crest

Ami made me the most amazing family crest to ring in my thirtieth birthday. I do believe that my personal favourite is Boris sporting a dandified top hat and a monocle! Boris is just so refined, he needs an earldom. Our ever present spirit animal the narwhal is also featured as well as Zoya being significantly less refined in her play mode. Next step: get family crest printed on matching hoodies. I'm not sure if he'll ever be able to top this gift!

was this really yesterday?

Was this really only yesterday that I was able to sit outside in the morning on my patio enjoying my homemade brunch and by the evening watch tango dancers in Union Square with envy? Today we are definitely experiencing more of a west coast spring day (read thunder showers) and here I am without any rain gear to offer protection. To anyone visiting NYC, city rain does not smell of earth or tomato plants but rather of a humid, sweaty city.

I derive absolutely no pleasure from the rain in the city. I do not want to put on wellies to run and splash through puddles, but rather think of the day Alyson told me she avoids all puddles in San Francisco as you never know where the puddle originated from. Photo documentation: oil slick, cigarette butt and (possibly the worst aspect) the unknown!!

subway first

I've experienced many firsts in New York but today is the first time I've seen a 6'2 man in a Chester Cheeto costume. I should mention that not one person on that entire subway car said one word about it or gawked for an inappropriately long time. I think what made this seem almost normal was him carrying a box of baked goods onto the train with him while still wearing the head portion of the costume. He got off at 42nd and disappeared into the craziness that is Times Square.

My only question that I would've asked if I had time; did he wear the head while ordering from the bakery?

Best Coast Dreaming

Heading home in 3 weeks. I miss everything about my coast: the smell of ocean in the air, the greenest greens, the slowed down "island pace", the quiet and most importantly the community of family and friends who still call home home. It's weird to feel like I have two homes, one here in New York and another on the West Coast. I feel stretched, with half of me always thinking of Victoria and the other half present in NYC and the life Ami and I have created here together. If only life were a muppet movie and I could travel instantly by map.

window love

photo credit Ami