new year, new york.

I spent New Year's Eve in New York City with my old college roomie and best friend who moved out to the City That Never Sleeps after we graduated. I've been a few times before, so I avoided most of the tourist traps and instead spent a lot of time walking around her neighborhood near Little Italy to see what it offered. This year is already insanely busy, so I knew if I didn't post a few of these now I'd never get around to it — so without further adieu, here's a few NY favorites I quickly picked out this afternoon!

OK, I lied — I also went to Times Square for about 5 minutes, then promptly got right back on the subway 
after getting this picture cause the crowds were immediately far too annoying for me to handle. :)

The Strand - the nation's longest bookstore at 18 miles! Eighteen miles of book browsing! I was in heaven!

I do not know why I was so drawn to this gentleman during one of my walks, but I was. I find his face very kind and tired, and I'm glad I have this photo to remember him by. It's one of my favorite pictures I came back to California with.