There are two weeks ’til 2008 and I’m going to wrap up this this blog until the new year. I’m so very ready for 2008 to begin, even if the idea of a “New Year” is really just a proverbial turn of the page constructed so we can have a champagne bonanza. This year was a topsy-turvy one: five months of travel, leaving New York, returning to New York, a road trip, 4 fainting spells, quitting one job, starting another, and the ebbing and flowing of many a friend and personal relationships. People still ask me what it’s like to “be back [in New York]” from time-to-time even though I’ve been back for 5 months. I think it’s a little like trying to get comfortable in a new house. It has its familiarities, its amenities, but it takes a while to make a house a home.

So: high highs, low lows, and lots of baking and art & crafts. I’m ready for a healthy, happy, fruitful, less dramatic 2008 that kicks off with two feet of fluffy white snow. Also, in the midst of this whirlwind, my camera has been gathering dust now for a few months with my head hardly in a picture-taking place. Time to reinvigorate and get that party started again, eh?

In no particular order—a few things I learned this year:
+ Given the choice between photographing intimacy (things I know well) or novelty (things foreign or new to me) my inclination is to delve into the latter, but my satisfaction lies in the well-executed capturing the former.
+ Routine amounts of work enables routine amounts of leisure, and I’m a much happier person with both in place.
+ Extended travel will really winnow down your friends to two groups: those whom you put forth the effort to stay in touch with (and they with you), and those who don’t.
+ Babies aren’t as fragile as they look.
+ Flowers really help one’s mood; so does good lighting. Both are worth investing in.
+ Netflix is also worth investing in.
+ The West coast rules in coffee, artisanal breads, most produce, micro-creameries, and Mexican food. The East coast rules in bagels, pizza, apples, a greater variety of ethnic restaurants in proximity to one another, and offers 1000% more options for late night eating.
+ The cross-country road-trip isn’t overrated at all. It’s very much worth it; I hope to go on another route soon.
+ I think it’s good to force oneself to endure uncomfortable situations because it makes you infinitely more comfortable in subsequent (inevitable) uncomfortable situations.
+ While traveling, a journal is more indispensable than a camera.
+ As a general rule, I’d rather be at home than away.

And, this year in cities (places I spent at least one night):
Galway, Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
Cleggan, Ireland
La Paz, Bolivia
Cochabamba, Bolivia
Villa Tunari, Bolivia
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
Oruro, Bolivia
Rochester, NY
Blue Ash, Ohio
El Dorado, Arkansas
Brady, Texas
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Phoenix, Arizona
Santa Monica, California
San Francisco, California
Magalia, California
Monterey, California
Chico, California
Ashland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Boston, Massachusetts
Scarborough, Maine
Niskayuna, NY
… and New York, NY

Ok, that’s all from me. Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating and cheers to 2008. Also, please do say hi if you’re feeling so inclined.

xo youngna

p.s. go see Juno

Published Monday, December 17th, 2007 at 9:12 am. Filed under Daily Life, Lists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.