2017 The Year in Review - Part 1

once again its time for the year in review.  This time its 2017.  These are not necessarily the best photos of the year, but ones that represent moments good or bad that made 2017 one to remember.

Women's march 2017

3 of my Morgenthal Frederics pieces hanging on the wall of the Society of Illustrators annual advertising/institutional/uncommishioned show.

finally got a couch, wedding present from the parents.  Adulting

got this super cool walnut belt driven turn table from U-Turn audio.

this illustration about Chopin's cat like sensibilities would be chosen for the Society of Illustrators annual show 

collecting records

got to see steven's horrible sledding skills twice in 2017

Illo for the cover of the Progressive, March 2017

a successful brew

Mexico city Lucha Libre for Yoon's sort of bachelor's weekend

oh the food in Mexico City!!!

Yoon got married and the next day we flew to Japan for our honeymoon a year later

but Air China had different plans for us.  Flight was delayed so long that we had to stay in Beijing because we missed out connecting flight to Osaka.  Luckily I used to live there and was able to call up Zizzo and he took us out on the town.  What a good guy and what a way to turn lemons into lemonade.

the next day we made it to Osaka and stayed with Akira and Masami who were so nice to us.  It was cool seeing them play at a members only tiny club somewhere in Osaka.

my favorite time and place in the universe Maruyama Koen in Kyoto at cherry blossom time.  I've been wanting Jen to experience this and it was Jen's first time in Japan.

wandering around Arashiyama is just fantastic, and so are tanukis.

Akira and Masami told us about this down and dirty okonomi yaki place in the Tenjin Bashi Shotengai in Osaka, it's called chigusa

then for second dinner she took us to this sushi place of their friend Hiroshi Shibasaki and I asked him to make us non standard stuff and it was amazing.

then we went to a super sento bathhouse which is another of my favorite things to do.  This was a cold room with snow falling in it.

saw a bunch of tokyo buddies and did more hanami in Shinjuku gyoen.  Too bad Jen didn't get to see its luxurious grass in season.

we moved onto night hanami (yozakura) in Yoyogi park and it was a sloppy party scene so from there on out it was a giant party night ending at 5am because Steven and his brother happened to be visiting Japan at the same time and we all met up with Agnes and Taka and combined friends.  This is Rock No Cocoro bar in Shibuya in that building that is a pogoda of bars.

saw JP cuz he was in Tokyo for business.  Ate more sushi, stayed with John and Masako in their swank apt, ate ramen, walked along the cherry blossom lined river in Meguro

the seaweed market somewhere in Seoul Jen's parents took us to

The Yoo family golf course in Wonju

my new favorite thing to eat in Korea, Makguksoo, black spicy buckwheat noodles

Tokyo again with more buddies.  Other highlights were Tsukiji market, the Ghibli museum, wandering around Shimokitazawa.

I really like Nara, it's out of the way and you can just resign  yourself to wandering around at a slower pace, not affected by the crowds of Kyoto.  The deer of course are a nice touch.

here's to discovering new corners at Fushimi Inari Taisha at the top of the mountain.  I think this place will keep on giving and I'll never see all of it.

possibly the best bar I've been to in Japan.  Kyle Stecker told us about this place run by Kai Fusayoshi and everyone was so friendly 

we stayed at a couple ryokans.  We had a great time and I'm glad Jen got to experience Japan with me.  We are thrilled.

Mother's day in Canisteo, Steven was bob's replacement.  It was still cold and I flipped over in Mom's little unstable kayak and it was horrible and freezing.  I also had the post honeymoon blues pretty badly, seeing a glimpse of my old life and Japan and having fun not in America for 3 weeks really depleted my happiness reserves but there were other things on the horizon for me in 2017 and it was only May.

3 newfs.

full page illo for Banana Magazine about asian american identity.  This would later be chose for the Communication arts annual

still in Carroll Gardens but preparing for moving to Park Slope and the roof top garden I've dreamed of.  The miracle of life playing out on my windowsill.

Moved to Carroll gardens with the help of Bob, thanks bobbers.  Prior to moving day we periodically moved tons of stuff in the car after work.  Of course as life would have it there were many things that were wrong and had to be fixed.  The gas company were being big a holes and made it insanely difficult to get our gas turned on after the previous tenant's relationship went south and the girl moved out with the gas in her name and didn't pay the bill for months.  Also had to get this pipe installed or else the gas guy would go away, all whilst simultaneously dealing with the building management company and the super.  Also the key to this boiler room was lost so I bought a lock picking kit and tried for hours and finally had to call a lock smith.  We spent many days painting the apt and the ceiling which was a horrible neck breaking day.  But we finally live in a 2 bedroom apt with a rooftop deck, washer dryer and dishwasher, south facing super sunny windows, elevator.  Thanks Papa Yoo!

another Jazz Age Lawn Party on governor's island

the Summer entry in my giant breed dogs and fashion girls series.  This was inspired by my first ever gardening experience