New York, New York!

Never in my life did I dream that I'll get a chance to work and live in New York. Well, maybe the brief thought once crossed me in 2005 when I first laid my feet on Times Square. I was then 19 years old. Dear oh dear, I haven't even seen the big "2" then and now I'll be at a "3" if we play the rounding-up game... :(

So life is queer with its twists and turns, as many of us sometimes learn... with my life in 2 suitcases in 2 years, I think I've really gotten to see a lot, experience a lot, grow a lot. The journey hasn't always been smooth, but it has been good.

My company has put me up in a A-class fully furnished corporate apartment. I feel undeserving of so much attention but am grateful nonetheless for this little 1-month perk. More of what my current place looks like -

I have had 5 places to call home (Santa Monica, Irvine, Koreatown, North Hollywood, New York) in the past year - isn't it crazy? I definitely have a clearer idea of things to consider when buying one! :) But beyond that, I think it almost reminds me that there can be no home on earth that isn't temporary.

And given that home is where the heart is, I think one reason why NYC is growing on me is because I've got at least a family member here - my cousin! He's a wild one - but has taught me lots of wisdom about life, and I'm so glad I get to see this part of him that I never knew in all my >20 years of knowing him. Sometimes life can be so unique and interesting - you know this guy for 20 years and you've barely spoken more than 20 sentences. Then you come to a new place and suddenly in 2 visits, you feel like you've known each other for 2 lifetimes... :)

This is also the same cousin I visited last October, where I spent my weekend painting his brand new apartment and helping him get set-up. Now we can compare and contrast the differences in his house - isn't it amazing? :)

Almost reminds me of the phrase: "Live life once at a time and make it a masterpiece!" I really think there's a reason for everything. Really.