On Labour Day weekend, I flew to New York with my friend Matt. The trip was so spontaneous that I had no other plans aside from basically just tagging along with him. He was there to visit coffee shops and has agreed to hang out with me if I didn’t have anything to do. However, I found out just a week before flight that the first weekend of the US Open will fall on the same weekend I’m visiting. Fate has intervened! I was determined to see RAFA that weekend no matter what happens, regardless of how much it costs.
On the Saturday we arrived, I had brunch with Sarah and Matt at a cute little corner in Manhattan called “The Butcher’s Daughter”. The name is a little misleading for a vegetarian restaurant but the food was scrumptious nonetheless. We treaded along Broadway Ave to check out stores and just peek into anything that tickles our fancy. I grew tired after a few hours of walking and decided to head back to Sarah’s place in Brooklyn to take a nap. I was sleepless from the night before because I stayed up to watch Rafa’s third round match and wanted to make sure he makes it through. He didn’t. I was disheartened.
In the evening, I met Matt and his New Yorker friend Ben for dinner. Ben ended up taking the role of a personal map and guide that evening. After dinner, we headed to Williamsburg to meet up with Sarah and her friend Cara. We went dancing and we all had a wonderful time. I took it easy with the drinks since I know I had a full day ahead of me the next day.
I caught up on my sleep a little and woke up well rested and ready for a full day at the US Open. I bought day and night tickets to Arthur Ashe which gives me access to all courts and a reserved seating at the main stadium. Before going, I made a stop and had breakfast at Jollibee! How I missed it! It was perfect because it was just on the way. I arrived at Flushing at around noon in time to watch the first match of the day, defending champ Marin Cilic vs some player I don’t know. I immediately made friend, a middle-aged Chinese woman from Michigan, who was very amiable and motherly. We ended up sticking together the entire day taking each other’s pictures and watching tennis matches. I saw the Williams’ sisters in action, Djokovic in practice and during his match, Martina Hingis, Sania Mirza, Feliciano Lopez, Fabio Fognini, and so many more tennis superstars! Around midnight, Sarah was already checking in to make sure everything was ok. I had completely lost track of time. Despite missing Rafa, it was still one of my most memorable experiences. Definitely something I could cross off my bucket list.
I also celebrated my 26th birthday ten days ago. It was nothing special, I went to work as usual but had a nice dinner with my Hali family at 9+9, my favorite Chinese restaurant in Halifax. They gave me a travel-themed luggage as a gift. A perfect present for my oncoming departure!
I had already written about how eventful and amazing this summer has been. Going to New York and turning 26 just made it even more wonderful.
I capped off my summer by packing my bags and moving all my stuff back to my Mom’s place temporarily until I move yet again. This time to another chapter of my life. Hong Kong.