My Eleventh Month as a New Yorker

After a slow start in April, the city really started to come alive again in May. It seemed as if the tulips, cherry blossoms and beautiful blooms would never get here, and then it started to seem as if they would never leave. Then suddenly they were gone, replaced by greenery that, thanks to a few substantial storms, has made summer feel as if it's here to stay for awhile.

I spent a lot of time in the outer boroughs, returning once again to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (finally catching the cherry esplanade in bloom) and making frequent visits to Queens, home of so many World's Fair and diner delights. I was finally eligible for health insurance at work (boo waiting periods!), saw Sarah Jessica Parker speak, partied like it was 1994 with the Counting Crows, walked by Katie Couric during my morning commute, skipped an Ingrid Michaelson concert I really wanted to see because I just didn't feel like dealing with a crowd of people, saw Mario Batali and his Crocs at the Domino Sugar Factory and stalked Martha Stewart in East Hampton.

In short, May was nothing but delightful from beginning to end — a few more highlights from my eleventh month as a New Yorker:

I bought a taco change purse at a work rummage sale for 50 cents  /  My commute through Central Park every day was almost too beautiful too handle  /  The Conservatory Garden tulips were super late to the blooming party, but the Brooklyn Botanic Garden was a hit as always, with their tulips, desert collection and cherry blossoms (finally!).

I visited Astoria Park, with a beach made of glass and wonderful bridge views / I tried on some wigs and discovered a bizarro version of myself / I did (the chilly and windy) Walk MS and raised $1k for Multiple Sclerosis Research (a very big thank you to everyone who donated or walked with me!) / I continued to fall even harder in love with the crazy tulips popping up everywhere / I couldn't resist a petal-covered manhole cover.

My beloved cherry blossoms started to fall and still managed to look beautiful  /  I spent a rainy day at the movies (Neighbors was hilarious)  /  I got my mom the best Mother's Day card ever made  /  I continued my diner adventures at the Airline Diner in Queens /  I took what may be my very first "jumping" photos with the best of friends on a sunny rooftop, right before we watched the sunset over the Hudson.

The Conservatory Garden tulips finally bloomed, and they were beautiful (although not as good as two years ago)  /  The wisteria was unreal  /  Coworkers who bring donuts are the best coworkers  /  I got new glasses from Warby Parker and made use of the (free!) photo booth in their new Upper East Side location during my lunch break  /  I celebrated the fifth birthday of these crazy cute grey bunny feet (and their loud and annoying but wonderful owner, Mozart)  /  I spent a lazy Saturday wandering around the Brooklyn Flea and Fort Greene Park.

A group of us went to the World's Fair 50th Anniversary Festival, where I finally realized my dream of seeing the Unisphere fountains turned on, toured the amazing New York State Pavilion and saw the Batmobile (and BatPhone!)  /  My coworker, Francesca, introduced me to (the incredible) Molly's Cupcakes and I bought a few for her birthday  /  I sniffled my way through the newly-opened 9/11 Memorial Museum and had the best mail day ever (Mozart approved).

I spent a rainy Saturday at a surprise party for Francesca on the UES and walked home across the park just in time to catch a beautiful sunset over the Reservoir  /  I attended a rooftop BBQ in Brooklyn with amazing views and delicious treats  /  Jim and I spent Memorial Day pretending to be fancy in East Hampton, where we visited the most beautiful cemetery, hung out at the beach and I went home happy with a pocket full of vertebrae (and sea glass!).

I went to see Grey Reverend at Rockwood Music Hall and he was amazing — so was the stamp they used on my hand  /  We went to see the Kara Walker exhibit at the Domino Sugar Refinery, then over to Roosevelt Island (Jim's first time!) for some tram action, the always-amazing Smallpox Hospital ruin and Four Freedoms Park.

Growing up, summer was always my least favorite season, but I think New York is changing that. I can safely say that I now love all four seasons equally, even if there's really no use in hating any of them — they'll all happen eventually with my permission or not. I definitely don't feel as if I missed out on any spring activity or colorful bloom, so I feel fully ready for all that summer has to offer — free movie nights, park picnics, bench naps, beach days, outdoor dining, rooftop drinks and a few  very exciting trips outside of the city.

It's hard to believe that I only have one more month left before I've officially been a New Yorker for an entire year and can stop counting my time here in months. Of course, that doesn't mean that I'm going to stop having adventures — believe it or not, I'm just getting started.