A letter to Golden Gate Bridge

Dear Golden Gate,

It’s been a while.

Unfortunately, during our break I found someone new and it’s pretty serious. His name is Brooklyn.

He’s not as young as you. Nor does he enjoy such fame as you.

He’s not as strong as you. Nor does he appear as frequent as you in photos.

He’s not as tall as you. Nor does he have a dreamy appearance like you.

He’s not as modern as you. Nor does he dress fashionably.

But he’s unquestionably charming and does age handsomely.

He’s reliable and he’s cultured.

I love his Gothic style, and at night his tie lights up just like a diamond necklace.

I love taking a walk with him from one borough to another.

Or even a drive.

I love sharing an ice-cream with him on a summer day.

Or a pizza in winter time.

I love looking at the sunset with him.

Or at fireworks on the Fourth of July.

But best of all, I genuinely love looking at him,

Even from afar.

With love,

KT

Central Park: a portal to wonderland

In this bustling, if not chaotic, metropolitan that is New York City, it can be hard to find a quiet corner to get away to. That is until I find Central Park. A door to Narnia, a rabbit hole to Wonderland, a secret portal to a distant universe - Central Park is a gateway into another world thousands of miles away from New York City while being physically surrounded by the city.

Stepping into Central Park, I can easily lose myself in the quick escape from the rush of daily life. With my school being only two streets away from the south entrance of the park, this is my backyard, my playground, my Zen garden, and the muse for my photos.

Over 150 years in age and expanding 843 acres, Central Park is the lung of the city as well as the most visited urban public park in the whole country. It is so well designed and maintained that no matter how many times I've been there, I still can’t help but fall in love with its seasonal charms and appeals.

In the spring, Central Park celebrates life with the brightest and most colorful of assortments: Peonies, Tulips, Wisteria, and Cherry blossom. White. Yellow. Purple. Pink. All mix together to create a palette of spring. Like a lively vibrant dress. The wind occasionally comes by, waltzing away romantically with the flower petals. Strolling under the rows of cherry blossoms in Central Park, I travel back to my first spring in Seoul where in the warm bright sunlight I walked on Han River bank, totally mesmerized by the dance between flower petals and their partner, the wind.

In the summer, Central Park puts on the most beautiful silky green dress one can ever find. Especially after a heavy rain, the park is full of youthfulness. Walking in the Mall, I would inhale the fragrance of different plants mixed with the earthy smell of the soil to create the signature scent of summer. Birds chirp. Butterflies flutter around. People start to put their umbrellas or raincoats away. Closing my eyes, I could travel back to Kyoto where I listened to hundreds of cicadas rejoice life with a symphony all season long. I could recall my time in Singapore where I went to the night market for a beer every day to avoid the heat, only to eat more hotpot and delicious fried food. I could bring to mind Shanghai where I roamed the street as free as a bird on my first overseas trip alone.

As the temperature drops when autumn comes, the park changes its dress to a luxurious gown of red, brown and orange with a bit of green accentuating here and there. It is at Central Park that I see what autumn looks like in person for the first time. A first time just like that first time one goes to school holding their parents hand tightly, afraid to be left with strangers. I can’t help but think back to autumn in my childhood in HoChiMinhCity where in the early morning my dad would take a sleepy me to class on the first day of school.

Winter. I love Central Park in winter! She is the most elegant and most attractive to me during winter. Wearing her long sleeves bridal gown made by layers of laces and sparkling jewelry, the park falls into a deep sleep waiting for her Prince Charming to come in spring time. Standing on Sheep Meadow looking towards the city, I’m overwhelmed by amazement.