“What people do in their own homes is their business, and you can choose to love whoever you love.” -Jay Z

My window this weekend 

I woke up extra early this morning and couldn't fall back asleep. But that was okay, since I was super excited to go watch some pride stuff! I called some friends and family this morning (since I had what I rarely have - time) and then got ready for the day.

As the morning progressed, the street got busier and busier. There were balloons and floats outside of my window... to the point where the walls looked like they were all different colours. It was quite nice. My friend came over and then both headed over to a friend's to have some chocolate chip banana pancake breakfast with all the works.

Everyone just hanging outside

It was delicious. Some of the Scandinavian girls had brought some pastries and it was quite good. We had a good time talking. But since it was about time for the parade to start, my friend and I headed out to try to get a good spot to see it.

We stayed there for about two hours, joined by two other people and saw some pretty awesome stuff. It was a great parade, you could tell that there was a lot of effort being put into it. 

Fun fun fun <3

But at the same time, I'm also kind of upset because I feel like Pride has also become very corporate. There were many corporations and big businesses there who were supporting pride (and that's great, don't get me wrong) but they were also giving out a lot of promotional stuff. I don't like the idea that pride is being used to sell or advertise these companies...
But I mean I can't complain. A lot of them do sponsor and help out with events for pride, which make them possible.

After the parade, we headed down to the festival where we were hit by a surge of free condoms, lubricant and other stuff. 

Pride flag!

It was pretty intense. We walked around the whole area and I just gotta say, I don't think I've ever gotten so much stuff my whole life.

I even got a t-shirt from Uniqlo for pete's sake! 

It was great walking around, seeing stuff and experiencing how New York celebrates pride. I saw so many colours, and people just yelling Happy Pride! It was awesome.

Pride festival

They had some performers performing karaoke on one side as well as people just partying it up on the street. 

We walked around for a bit more and then headed over to Christopher Street by Stonewall Inn where we caught the end of the parade. We stood there for about three more hours and it went LONG, it was supposed to end at 6 but at 7, we were still there.

We ended up heading back home and for myself, I made some dinner, sat down and watched "Maid in Manhattan" which is an interesting... movie... but cool because the whole thing was filmed a few blocks from where I live here now!

Hahahaha

All in all, a good day to go out and do stuff as well as relaxing with a movie.

Guess this was a pretty short post actually, but don't worry, many pictures will follow!

"Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures." Cesar Chavez

Chairs for everyone to use all! :D 

Today was a lazy day. I woke up much later than I thought I would... I ended up waking up around 10:50am, which is probably the latest I've ever slept in here in New York. Seriously. I could not believe how late I woke up but it was good. It meant that it was going to be a good lazy day. I called my dad to wish him a happy fathers day, kind of putt-ted around the apartment for a bit and then headed out.

Today I was going to go to an event called Egg creams and Egg tarts which was supposed to be an event where there was a huge amalgamation of Chinese, Jewish and Puerto Rican culture. I was really excited to see what it was like - especially because it is like a melding of all these different cultures, identities and foods to be put together.

A place to borrow board games/games

Since it was a lazy day, I decided to walk all the way down to Chinatown (which is by the Manhattan bridge) from where I live (which is by Grand Central Station). It was a pretty good idea.

I went out and on my way, I tried to hit as many stops as possible, so I started off by walking through Bryant Park.

Bryant park always makes me feel so happy because it is just such a good and positive park. There's so much to do, there's so much going on and I've never ever once seen it not full. As I walked by, I saw that there was an area to go and actually trade your ID card or library card for a board game! So at 11 in the morning, I saw people sitting by tables under umbrellas playing monopoly, Settlers of Catan and so many other games! I really do love it, not only do they

Found Chuck Shumer,
the New York
Senator

have a place for people to borrow and play games (which my friends who pay to play games would kill for) but they also have a place to borrow books on the other side (same day return).

The park itself is so amazing and there's just so much to do (they do movie nights, Shakespeare, dancing, settlers of Catan, and so many more events) and so much behind it. It is my favourite park in the city. Keeps you busy.

And you know what they say, keeping busy keeps you out of trouble!

I kept walking down the street to head to downtown and passed by this group of people who were crowding around this man who was talking on the camera.

I had no idea who he was, but there was a body guard beside him and a camera facing him with media reporters taking down notes.

Found another market.
These markets are how
I feed myself.

I wandered over to take a look and since everyone was taking a photo with him, I thought "why not?"Shumer, a democrat and one of two the Senators of New York State.'

and grabbed a photo with him. Welp. Photo with a random person, not the first time this has happened. I sent it over to a friend who is American and lo and behold, apparently I had taken a photo with Chuck

Well then. I met a very powerful and well-respected man today.

I kept walking on my way and ended up walking down to Madison Square Park, which is another favourite of mine, where they have music and a playground so that kids can play. It is quite a beautiful park.

I headed down to Union Square park afterwards (I am such a sucker for parks so this was the perfect city for me). Unfortunately, I was quite sad to see that the Market that is usually there was not there this morning, but I was happy to see that there was a different market there instead, where they were roasting foods and goods and giving out free samples

Beautiful place to sit and relax

(again).

I kept walking down, enjoying my views and turning any which way I kind of pleased to get down to Chinatown and the event.

When I finally got there, it was PACKED. Wow. There were so many people even though it was so hot out! People were out lining up to try the plates of dumplings, empanadas and other stuff, kids were at tents learning to make Puerto Rican fans, decorating kippahs and just having fun in general.

Manhattan Bridge.

It was amazing. it was just this beautiful amalgamation of all these different cultures and identities that may seem very different from all over the world coming together as one. It was a great way to expose children to these differences and instead of having it divide them, to unite them and familiarize them. It was just such an amazing event to promote acceptance and understanding rather than tolerance and ignorance. I loved it a lot. I really wish there were more events like this that combined all these different groups, cultures and ideologies. Especially with so many tents that are specifically for kids to learn and understand about other cultures, it really promotes this wonderful buzz of difference. I hope Canada or at the very least Toronto (or Ottawa), will start doing events like this to show the differences but all the similarities as well!

Little Italy is usually
closed on the weekends
so that people can walk
and eat on the streets

After the event, I went into a Synagogue for the first time and was able to really explore and see what it was like. It was a great learning experience - just to see how the building was built outside and what it looked like was eye opening.

Afterwards, I walked around for a little bit more, but I was so hot and sweaty from the weather outside as well as walking for over an hour! I passed by the Manhattan Bridge for the first time (it is quite nice, very imposing.

I headed over to this place called "Fried Dumplings" to pick up a pack of 30 dumplings for $6. Which, yes is a lot, but it is handmade and I get to support a local business (even if they yell at me and make me cry in Mandarin).

I started my long walk back home, taking in the sights, trying to pass by as many things as possible and seeing how beautiful the buildings were.

Making empanadas and dumplings.

When I finally got home, I grabbed my dirty laundry and washed it all up and hung it around my area to dry (since it was such a hot day, I figured, why not? It's better for the environment and I could spend that money on two slices of pizza).

I briefly met up with my roommate before she took the puppy dog out for dinner and then worked the rest of the night on the blog!

Honestly, I am so behind on this thing, I'm trying to say yes and live life to the fullest and oh my god is this blog is kind of taking the brunt of it... woops. At least I have fun stories to tell!