Rating: 💋 💋 💋 💋
Happy New Year and welcome to 2020! We survived the first week, go us 🎉
Upon reviewing my year, I would not call it a bad year, per se, but it was not my happiest. Overall, I’d consider the year a challenge. We need to face challenges so we can become stronger people. It "builds character," as the dad in Calvin & Hobbes always says. That was my 2019 in a nutshell. Every year is filled with ups and downs; this year’s were especially poignant.
Early on, I had some tricky moments with my health, but I’m fine now and feel better than ever. Plus, I strengthened my yoga practice and started meditating this past year, which has definitely been a positive influence in my life. The guy I dated at the end of the year jokingly asked me if I am one of those girls with crystals. Not yet...
I lost a few people I really care about. They all impacted my life in very meaningful, different ways and there is not a day I don’t think of them and miss them. In addition to the pain of the loss, I think I really struggled because they all passed away right around the same time, so I was just in shock for a while. All the people I love were facing these struggles as well, and it hurts very much to see the people you care about suffering. Everyone grieves differently, and I find it is important to respect each personal journey and be there however they need you to be. My way of dealing with all of it is, I just want to make the loved ones I lost proud. I make a conscious effort every day to be resilient and honest with my intentions for my life. Life is too short to live in fear or to hold yourself back. If I’m going to make them proud, I need to face every challenge head on and live every day as fully as possible. None of them wasted the time that they had, and I won’t either. Some days are better than others, but I am working on it.
I cut out a lot of negative relationships. As difficult as it was at the time, I know I am better off for it. I feel so much stronger now, and so much more capable of accomplishing my goals because I am not weighed down by the toxic energy I lived with before. The people that I do have in my life are all such positive forces, and I am so grateful to be surrounded by their love. Keep the people who lift you up and forget the rest.
As for love, that guy I mentioned dating? Yeah, he’s canceled. I’m not hung up about it. I’ve always felt like love is great - duh - but if I’m going to do it, I want to do it right. I don’t see the point in having a boy friend just for the sake of being in a relationship. Who has the time to fake a relationship you’re not even really into all that much? It seems like a lot of wasted energy to me, and I need as much energy as possible to focus on my career. Ellie Schnitt summed it up perfectly when she said that she has a lot of fun hanging out with herself, and why would she give that up until she finds someone who is even more fun? Much agreed. They're out there, somewhere. In the meanwhile, I can wait. Lorde also spoke to me (as she always does, cos I am oh so slightly obsessed) when she talked about the value of being your own best friend. I feel that deeply. So I’ll be my own best friend and have a ball hanging out with myself, until I find someone who makes me even happier. I don’t fall for people easily, but when I do, I really am your biggest fan. One day I’ll fall in love and it’ll be amazing. That day just didn’t happen in 2019. I consider it something to look forward to in the future.
There were fun little experiences too. I created a documentary for my senior thesis gallery exhibit in the spring, then graduated college (the thing I've been working towards since I started preschool at the age of three - wowza). I had one of my favorite professors cheer on my writing and give me a call to action: I was born a writer and it is my duty to express my unique perspective on life with the essays, stories, and screenplays that I create. His support means the world to me. I got my first adult job, so that’s something. I moved to a new borough and visited Coney Island for the first time. I had my first taste of truffles. Finally, I finished off the year with the best New Year's Eve I have ever had.
Rebecca and I wanted a low-key New Year's celebration because we are superstitious people. A drama-free New Year's means a drama-free year, right? What better way to ring in the new year than with one of my favorite people, enjoying a great restaurant, while wearing a sparkly top and rhinestones on my face? I can't think of anything to top that.
So we made reservations at The Dandelion in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia. This British gastropub by Stephen Starr is located in a gorgeous old building, and the inside is always done up with the prettiest decorations around the holidays. The staff members are super friendly, and we had a very charming waiter who paced the meal well, was happy to answer any questions we had, and served the rose we ordered with a flourish. It was a delicious wine; light and crisp, it could have paired well with any dish. We loved the name too - La Vie En Rose. Sounds like a great attitude for all of 2020. When we clinked our glasses together for our first toast of the night, Rebecca wished "happiness, success, clarity, and laughter" in the new year. It is going to be fabulous.
In addition, the bread was thick and flavorful, with a dark, chewy crust and a delicious salted butter to go with it. We were so caught up in our conversation we almost forgot to try it, but thank God we remembered. It was bread worth sneaking into your bag to take home, if that's your style. (We did not steal the bread, but now that I'm thinking about it, I would not have judged us for making that move. It was really freaking good.)
For her entree, Rebecca ordered the broccoli rabe and lemon zest risotto. I was tempted by the risotto, but decided it was too soon to taste broccoli rabe again after that pizza incident. When I confessed my concern to Rebecca, she cried, "No! Don't do it, Mary Kate. You promised!" So I did not and I am well-satisfied with that decision. I tasted a bite of hers, and it was okay, but I know if it had been my whole meal, I would have been disappointed. The dish was not very creamy, and I think that is the key to a quality risotto. The rice was slightly under-cooked and could have maybe a bit more broth and cheese to soften it up. It was so gritty you could differentiate between every grain of rice. As for the lemon, it can be summed up best by Rebecca, who warned when I went to take a bite, "Don't worry. You get used to the lemon." It was a bit strong. Fortunately, I did not have to get used to it, I stopped at one forkful. While the dish was fresh and conceptually great, it could do with a bit more tweaking in the kitchen to get the proper texture and right medley of flavors.
Before ordering, I went back and forth between the chicken tandoori and fish and chips. Decisions, decisions...What broke me was, the chicken tandoori came with a cucumber cilantro yogurt. I happen to be one of those evolved human beings born with a gene that not everyone has. This gene gives me a special power: I can taste a specific chemical found in things like cucumber and cilantro that others cannot detect. As a consequence, I know the truth that cilantro - as well as cucumbers, unless they're pickled - taste awful. Absolutely awful. Bleh. I tried to reason that perhaps in the cream the cilantro would taste okay, but then I came to my senses. Why risk it? We don't want any bad vibes on the table when the clock strikes midnight, and a sad last dinner of 2019 would certainly not do us any good. So I got the fish and chips. My God, what a phenomenal decision! We are talking a crisp beer-batter that tore away to reveal hot, juicy codfish. The fries were also piping hot, thick, and had just a bit of skin and salt to solidify their spot on the list of Top Five Fries of 2019. The tartar sauce was super zesty and went great with both the fish and the chips. I was super happy with the experience.
The entire time we had lively conversations about our goals for the new year, our resolutions, and recent episodes in our lives that we had yet to fill each other in on. Rebecca was on a roll. She pointed out that whenever I am being a diva queen, she is around to raise her eye brow at me and take me down a notch. When she is being dramatic, I do the same for her. We have an amazing skill of always taking turns, so we're never both being outrageous at the same time. It creates a nice balance. At this dinner, I would have to say Rebecca took the dramatic role. It started off when she noted that she is not easily amused, and promised she is "bringing disdain into 2020." When discussing social issues, Becca gave us this gem, "You don't even want to talk about climate! Risotto and rights, that's what your blog should be called!" She accentuated her point by banging her fist on the table. I ended up keeping a list of things she said, because she was being absolutely ridiculous and hilarious. As our meal came to a close around eight o'clock, Rebecca looked at the clock and said, "What have we got - four hours til midnight? Okay, I can talk for three hours." I willingly accepted the one hour I was allotted to speak.
We did not end up ordering dessert, opting to hang out at the upstairs bar instead, but I would like to take a moment to direct your attention to the second pudding on the dessert menu. Why did they name it that? Why haven't they changed the name since? How many people do you think actually order "The Spotted Dick"? I for one, don't think I could keep a straight face. Even my parents agreed that it was funny, so don't tell me I am being immature. I am sure the Richard the dessert was named after was a lovely man, but really?
Anyway, the downstairs bar was too crowded to even stand by the wall, but the upstairs bar had seats available so we snagged two stools and settled in for the night. The bar tender who served us til midnight was absolutely fabulous. We started off simple. I ordered the Strongbow golden apple cider from Herefordshire, England, which was fresh and sweet and super yummy. Rebecca's Wells Banana Bread Beer from Bedford, England reminded me a bit of Heineken, with some more spice. The after taste was genuinely reminiscent of banana bread, which was almost bizarre, though also the favorite part for me. I am not too crazy about super hoppy beers, which hers was, and she doesn't love cider. We got into a bit of a tiff, arguing for our sections of England via our beverages, until Becca laid down this trump card: "Are we going to agree on Brexit?" So. Much. Drama.
We decided to steer away from politics and instead focus on the absolute fire playlist they have at The Dandelion. We got excited about every single song that came on, it was just so good. When 'American Boy" by Estelle played, we absolutely lost our minds. That was our favorite song back in fifth/sixth grade. We used to perform it at recess with Rebecca on lead and MK on backing vocals. I also choreographed. Rebecca decided that was our sign: we were meant to spend our New Year's at The Dandelion.
For our second round, we decided to try the cocktails with the cute British-themed names. I ordered the Sweeney Toddy, a variation of a hot toddy with a base of warmed chamomile bourbon. No, I did not like it. It was too strong and too bitter. Sad. Rebecca ordered the Shakespeare's Sister solely because she liked the name, and that was enough. It was The Dandelion's version of a whiskey lemonade and it was super, super good. Sweet, lemony, and refreshing, I envied her just a bit.
We discussed what we are leaving behind in the new year, turning it into a game. "Name two people you're not going to bring into 2020." "Name one event you're not going to dwell on." "Name one place you'd like to visit." A 'thank u, next' mentality ruled the evening. It was a very cleansing experience. We didn't give explanations, we simply evaluated our lives and rid ourselves of what wasn't serving us, while setting positive goals for ourselves. I have been keeping those goals in mind ever since, and I really do feel lighter. It was Rebecca's idea. She always is so wise, leading with big and small decisions. As she claimed during the end of the night, in what was a small decision to my mind but a big deal for her, "there's nothing like a cup of coffee, am I right? I know I'm right. When am I not?"
It was nearing midnight, so we were hoping to switch over to a more sparkly drink. The lovely bar tender was happy to oblige, pouring us beautiful, bubbling Prosecco in Gatsby glasses, on the house for the midnight toast. Nothing tastes better than a free glass of bubbly.
We were sad there wasn't much build up to midnight, but I guess that's the rub of doing a low-key celebration. While 'Midnight City' did very fittingly play in the last few minutes of the year, there was no countdown, no organization, no confetti. We looked at the clock, suddenly saw it was 12:00, and did our first toast of the decade. Happy New Year!
Despite the lack of buildup, the starting vibes of 2020 were fabulous. A little after midnight, we strode out of The Dandelion to the beat of 'New Year's Day' by U2 (the playlist never took a breath from being fabulous) and took a free PATCO train home. I love how Philly so generously allows for everyone to get home safely from their revelry at no charge. Philadelphia looked beautiful as ever when we crossed the Ben Franklin Bridge, which is one of my favorite views. It was the perfect ending to a perfect night, and a wonderful way to start the year.
I returned to New York on New Year's Day with a Tupperware container full of Christmas Eve's leftover pork bolognese for dinner for my sister and myself. You need to eat pork on New Year's Day to give you good luck all year long, apparently. I'm feeling the luck, you guys. I'm feeling the good vibes. I unpacked and cleaned out my room while having a dance party, I'm settling back into my work routine after my vacation, and I'm looking forward to some of the projects and events I have lined up in the new year. More to come on that!
All in all, I’d consider 2019 the year of the growing pains, that awkward phase between all the good stuff. Having surmounted these challenges, I am confident that in the 20s, I will flourish, and I believe you all will as well!
XX,
MK
You are just as adorable as one could be😍