The Curious Paths We Take

What a journey I have had in the last 5 months.... I decided to take a very nice and long break from the city and go back to California for a while. First I stopped by Utah to visit some friends and family. Utah must have been unhappy with my presence because it decided to greet me with a crazy wind storm that knocked out power for pretty much my whole visit. Two of the friends that I saw are both married now, in fact I even stayed with one for 2 days and she has been one of my bestfriends since high school. It is such a trip that most of my good friends from school are married now.... and well I'm only going to be 21 in a few weeks. I just couldn't imagine settling down yet. Non the less, they all seem to be happy with their situations, so of course I am happy for them.


I returned to CA just about 2 weeks before Christmas so I didn't miss out on any of the holiday baking and cheer. Actually, the holidays at my mothers house this year were a bit intense. After getting married in May, building a house over the summer and moving into the place in October with new husband and two teenagers... everyone seemed to be a bit uptight. Don't get me wrong, it was lovely to come home to a much bigger home than I grew up in with a room of my own and all, but I left NY to get rid of stress, not be in the central system of it. After Christmas and New Years things seemed to calm down a bit. I started doing all different kinds of yoga regularly, started a painting and finally lessons for learning to play the piano. I had many play dates and craft days with my 4 year old nephew; even got to go to his birthday party that looked like spongebob threw up on everything, even the cupcakes.


I'd say the most eventful thing to happen was our fun-packed first ever Kwanburn family vacation. My stepdad has 3 kids and a son-in-law, and my mom has 4 kids. Also our wonderful family friend Connie came so that made a whopping 11 of us. We had a huge ship with unlimited amounts of frozen yogurt and New York styled pizza. Off ship we were able to walk on white sandy beaches along side turquoise crystal clear ocean. Dolphin, manatee, monkey, lemur, iguana, crocodile... and many other animal encounters. We all had our fair share of cute/hot/funny/weird tour guides and adventures along with them. But most importantly, we all got to know each other so much better and I know I can't hardly wait for the next vaca with one of the craziest families in town.


Heading back to New York only 2 days after we got back from our cruise was an exciting thought, but running off of zero sleep and ridiculous time changes made it slightly hard to be enthusiastic. When I left in December, I couldn't wait to get out of the city. I thought I would never want to come back, that I could easily go back to my plain life in California and go to school and focus on another profession. But truth be told, the moment I landed in New York, my heart was overwhelmed with joy. I was back in my beloved city, the city that understands my craziness. The place where I can be whoever I want to be without being looked at weird. I can talk about fashion and people don't think I'm speaking a different language. The truth is, once you become apart of this world, its hard to leave it. Not because of the money (cause I'm sure not making that right now) but its exciting and different, its loud and crazy and the reasons why a lot of people hate, are the reasons why I love it. Sometimes we try to hold onto old memories that we thought made us happy, mad or sad, but the cool thing about life is there are always new memories to be made. When one door closes another one opens... or is waiting to be opened.

NYC I'm back.

Change of a Season

Wow, well once again it has been a while since I have written. Not much happened in the month of August. Just worked at the hotel and focused on losing the stress in my life. Once September rolled around I had all of the fashion week castings. It was a rough season for me to say the least. I got really sick, half way into fashion week.... bronchitis to be exact. But I still had to prevail and did 3 shows where I thought I was going to pass out at each one.

I was really sick for the next week and a half when I finally gave in and went to the doctors. See I was raised my whole life to heal naturally when I got sick. I have NEVER taken an antibiotic. I have had tonsillitis, nasty colds and flus and even stepped on a rusty nail. Call me crazy but I healed naturally every time. Well this time around I was not getting better and I didn't have my mother, a boyfriend or any other friends to take care of me. I have never felt so sick in my life. You cant breathe with this horrible sickness so you get exhausted at doing pretty much anything. After losing 12 pounds from not eating and drinking so much water that I flushed everything out, I decided that going to the doctors wouldn't hurt. I live in New York for heavens sake, and life goes on; I had to get back to work and function like a normal person. It only took 6 days for me to start feeling better and I have never felt so alive and grateful to be healthy!

Now that the anticipation of fashion week is over, its time to get back to my normal schedule of castings, but sadly I don't have the motivation anymore. I have realized over the last few months how badly I want to go back to school and get started on my real career. I never said that modeling was the only thing I ever wanted to do, and I didn't say how long I would do it for, I only said I would try it. I am young and always on the go, always looking for the next best thing that is going to make me happy. Well the idea working with kids that have disabilities just thrills me. Its a job that doesn't focus on me and my benefit only. It is to benefit the lives and families of others; truly making a difference in the world.

I have a greater purpose in this world then just taking a pretty picture or having an amazing walk. Or even what celebrities I have met and what jobs I am booking. At the end of the day, none of these things matter and I am so thrilled to begin my new life...... coming much sooner then I or anyone else expected.

Appreciate What You Have

It has been SO hot in the city, although last summer felt much hotter so I can't complain too much. Because I was new to New York last summer I didn't know how to get "water access" you know, pools, lakes, river, beach.....

This summer I have been fortunate enough to find my own water/outside sanctuaries where I can appreciate NYC summers and not feel like I am dying.

The first is the Thompson Hotel pool. This place literally saved my life. On the 90+ degree days this place feels like heaven. It is a little pool on the 3rd floor of a hotel in the lower east side. I got my first sunburn of the summer here and gained a tan. Because I couldn't travel anywhere outside of the city this summer, this place was like a mini vacation. Laying out, taking a dip in the water, eating fresh fruit and having ice cold lemonade. HEAVEN

Thompson Hotel pool


Another place I love to go is the beach. So far this summer I have only had the chance to go to Coney Island, not very impressive but I can still appreciate a beach. There is something really beautiful about ocean waves that it doesn't matter where you are, still amazing.

Coney Island



There is a place called Dumbo, it is the spot right in between the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. It is a beautiful, green area that has an amazing view of manhattan. I was fortunate enough to be taken there and had a quaint little picnic . Very peaceful



4th of July is always a fun holiday for us proud Americans. Last year I was in the city, brand new infact so I didn't know anyone. I still saw fireworks, but had to stand in the crazy crowds and was not very comfortable. It was still a fun experience but this year was a million times better. My friend rented a room at the Standard Hotel (I go to hotels a lot) which is right on the Hudson river which is where they show the fireworks. Our suit had floor to ceiling windows which gave us an AMAZING view. This picture was sunset before they showed the fireworks. The sky does beautiful things.

4th of July and the Standard Hotel


Finally my last favorite place in the city is Central Park, who would have thought? I just went there the other day and took paths I had never taken before. I found a fountain I had never seen, sitting areas, woods.... this place is so big I am always exploring new places. I could sit in there for hours. I took a cat nap on a rock there the other day, it was so peaceful. All you can hear are birds and nature. Normally I don't really like nature or camping, but sometimes when you are around so many buildings and people, its nice to get back to the natural world of how it was before we even had buildings. PLUS its not as hot because it is shaded by so many trees.

Central Park



On a final note, I have been very busy the last 2 months with work. I was filming on Project Runway as on of the models on the show. It was a great experience filled with excitement, stress and sadness. It opened my eyes even more to the modeling world and helped me get ready for fashion week in September with all the walking we had to do! Love all the designers, models, judges and crew that made the show! Please tune in every Thursday 9/8c, the premiere date is this Thursday, July 28.

MODELS ON DECK

Trying Something New

Cinco De Mayo

These last few months have really flown by, I can't believe it's already half way through May, which means we are almost half way through 2011 ALREADY... its crazy. Not much has changed. Still working at the Soho Grand, although our outdoor space, The Yard, is opening and I will be working out there, just as I started last year. The only difference is I will be serving 2 nights a week and hosting 1 night. It will be a good change, money wise and also a change of scenery and people. I'm not sure why, but I am always in a constant need of change. I used to hate change, but maybe since I have moved to New York it has changed my thinking. I am not in once place for long and there is always a change somewhere in my life. I have found it to be refreshing though, I'm not sure if it's the people or the city it's self, but every few months I feel like something should change drastically.

Sometimes this change isn't necessarily what I wanted though. For instance, I just got my hair cut... really short, like an inch below my chin. I was not too happy, but my agency thought I needed a "style". I guess they just didn't understand the concept of me wanting to grow my hair out. Oh well, it is after all only hair, and will eventually grow back. Looking on the optimistic side of things, it will be great for summer. It would always be up in a bun anyway from the disgusting summer heat.



Some fun things I have had the opportunity to do in the last month was see my first real concert/show. It was The Thermals, I went with a friend and we took a bus to New Jersey. Needless to say, it was pretty awesome. I also had my debut on TV on a recent episode of Law and Order - Criminal Intent, it was fun and interesting to see how that aspect of entertainment works.

The Thermals

Law and Order


For Easter, my friend and I painted easter eggs which was messy, but fun. I used to always do this with my family as a tradition. We would then have the eggs for breakfast over the next week. That's not quite how it happened this time around, but we definitely had fun dying them.



One last "new" thing I did recently was eat at a soul food restaurant. There are TONS in Harlem and I never really had interest in eating at one. But on mother's day some friends and I were hungry so we decided to go to one for brunch. It was the most disgusting yet delicious food I have ever experienced. Picture is self explanatory.



As far as modeling goes, it's been pretty slow. I have done a few test photo shoots and am a fit model for one designer right now. Work should pick back up next month though for showroom. And then once september hits, it's fashion week all over again. I will also be going home next week for my mom's wedding which should definitely be fun/interesting. Going home is always an interesting experience, but I love seeing my family. But I am mostly excited for what's to come when I get back to NY. This summer will be EPIC.

May Lin Goff

Sunshine Kisses

The other day it was 80 degrees for the first time. Spring is turning into summer. When I walk outside, especially in midtown it smells like hotdogs and anything else you can bbq. There are ice cream trucks EVERYWHERE and I bought my first one of the season on Sunday. I can actually wear shorts, or wear pants and a tank. The heater officially has not come on in at least a month. And in 3 days it will be May!!!

It's so crazy how fast time flies. I came to NY a year ago in 2 months. This time last year, I was finishing up my finals getting ready to quit my job and anticipating my bit trip to NYC not knowing what would happen once I left CA. I think about the life I have created since then. I came here with a suitcase and now as I look around my room I have a bed, dresser, night stand, chair, curtains a normal closet. I have 2 amazing jobs where I have made many incredible friends and met a lot of talented people. At this point, I couldn't imagine not living in NY.

I am traveling back to Sacramento in a little less then a month to see my mom get married after 14 years! I will get to see my best friend, my nephew, sisters and brother. I will get to see extended family which I have not seen in years. Every second that I spend in my old home is filled with exciting moments with the people I love because I can never stay more then a few days. Not to mention enjoy the amazing CA weather compared to the humid NY weather.

Once I get back to NY for the summer though, this time around it will be spent enjoying every min of it, unlike last summer when I was just trying to figure out the city. I want to go to the beach and amusement parks and the river and go to DC or Boston and not worry about the little things until Sept hits again. Freedom.

Cherry Blossoms

Wow, it has been 2 and a half months since I last wrote. A lot has changed since the new year rolled in. Another season of fashion week came and went. Many new relationships made and a few lost. I moved apartments the beginning of March and was very successful with modeling jobs in February.

I just got back from California to see my best friend since 5th grade get married. What a trip that was, talk about my life flashing before my eyes. The next time I will be back there is the end of May to go to my mom's wedding. It seems like a lot of change has been happening lately and it seems bitter sweet. I hate change, but at the same time it is necessary. Sometimes it is good to start from scratch again.

I really want spring to come. I miss the sunny days when I can feel the warmth on my face. It's already mid March though and it will come in time. I still work at the Soho Grand Hotel which is nice. My mom came to visit this weekend and we had lunch there. it was nice to show her my world.

I think what would make me happiest more then anything would be to travel right now. I love New York, but I want to see other big cities around the world. Unfortunately you have to have money for that. But now that I live in a cheaper place I can start saving more money. My birthday is in less then 2 weeks, I will officially not be a teenager anymore!

And one more thing - my life would be incomplete without music.

See You Later 2010

Recently I have been pretty busy. After fashion week, it was pretty dead for me, actually the whole month of October was sooo slow. November I managed to book one modeling job. It was for a reality TV show pilot. Basically, what the show entails is that 2 designers are up against each other and they have 24 hours to make five outfits. Then at the end of the show, they have a fashion show to show off their designs. I was one of the models, so that was pretty cool. If it airs, it won’t be until summer of 2011, so we’ll see. But now I have experience with TV, check.

Then the month of December has been great so far. I was able to do 2 modeling jobs, which were both in the same week. The first was last Tuesday. It was my very first PAID photo shoot ha ha. It was a look book shoot for a cashmere company called SOH. All I can say about the clothes are…. AMAZING. We shot in a warehouse in Brooklyn on one of the coldest days in NY so far this winter (20 deg) and the warehouse itself was probably about 30 deg. If it weren’t for that cashmere I probably would have gotten hypothermia. With that being said, I mustered through and we got some amazing shots. I also have a package from them to look forward to opening when I get back from California. Hmmmm maybe a nice sweater? : )

The second job I did was on Friday. It was just a mini fashion/trunk show for the designer’s friends. The designer was Yuna Yang, and I actually was in her s/s 2011 presentation so it was cool to take a closer look into her designs, which are also amazing. Hopefully I will be able to be in her fall/winter show in Feb.

Of course I still have my job at the Soho Grand Hotel, hosting for their restaurant. I really enjoy working there, it is almost like a family for me, I am so close to a lot of the people I work with. But I am currently in the LaGuardia airport waiting to fly to Dallas, to then fly home to Sacramento for Christmas!! Unfortunately I will only be there for the weekend because I have to be back in NYC for New Years Eve, but I’m just glad I can be there for the holiday.

Speaking of which…. I can’t believe a whole other year has flown by!! The year 2010 was interesting for me. The first half, I was miserable and had a lot going on with my personal life. And the last half has been amazing, crazy, fun, adventurous and just all around eye opening. I have realized there is so much to life. I am surrounded by people of different race, ethnicity and backgrounds. I love the life I live and am so happy that I am right where I am supposed to be. I am also extremely excited to see what the year 2011 will bring me. Hopefully extensive traveling? Yes!!