Sisterly Love, Part 1 — The Curly Commentator

Jun 15

Jun 15 Sisterly Love, Part 1

I was exhilarated long before I felt the strong, cool breeze at the doors of LaGuardia Airport. The night before my flight I couldn't sleep, kept up by the same excitement that I get at midnight on Christmas Eve. Why?

My cousin graduated!

After four long years and SEVERAL hours of waiting in the hot sun, Sham walked across the stage and accepted her well-earned diploma, smiling all the way.

As I said in the prequel, we're practically sisters. Sham and I similar in so many ways and education is no exception. In a lovingly competitive and very supportive way, we've pushed ourselves and each other to do our best in our respective programs. We've been there for each other through major/career path changes, weeks fraught with midterms and frustrations, and points of pure exhaustion. With social media at our disposal, we've cheered each other up and on with hair tutorials and comedies on YouTube, pictures of puppies, and random emojies, as well as constant refrains of "Stop worrying, you'll be fine, do your best, you got this."

I was more than proud when I saw her walk across the stage. I was inspired. To know how hard she has worked, not just these four years but for her entire life, to graduate from a top institution and still maintain her sweet and funny nature...it was beyond moving. I knew, and know, that if she can do all of that, I can do it too.

I didn't cry, though.

Diploma and suitcases in hand, we left her school and headed back to New York for a few days of food, fros, and fun.

Contrary to my nature, the first food stop wasn't brunch. In fact, we never had brunch in New York. We made it into the city mid-day and stopped at Fulton Market first.

Chocolate waffle, Crazy Vanilla ice cream, Oreo, hot fudge, condensed milk, chocolate banana Pocky

Our first taste of New York wasn't necessarily breakfast food, but at least we can say we got a waffle! Or should I say, a wowfull?

My mom and aunt went with some more body-friendly choices.

We walked it off by the water...

...then got tired and sat back down.

Next we went to Chelsea Market.

I think I could spend a week in this market and still not eat everything there is to eat. But I had to make a decision, so I went with crepes. We took our fruity, Nutella-y creations back out, this time to the High Line.

We hopped off and went to Central Park next.

After a few more miles of walking and train riding, we made it to Dallas BBQ.

I dove into a virgin daiquiri the size of my head, and conquered a rack of ribs and a pile of French fries with Sham. Miraculously, I didn't fall asleep on the train ride home.

More New York adventures next time!