June 2015 Monthly Roundup: NYC Life, Highlights, Challenges, and Upcoming Europe Adventures
In my monthly roundups, I reflect on the past four weeks of travels (or lack thereof), what succeeded and what didn't, updates on Globetrottergirls.com, and my plans ahead.
Where I've Been
June was my slowest travel month since August 2014. I didn't venture beyond New York City—not even out of state, aside from a brief 30-minute detour spotting deer in New Jersey. Commuting between Manhattan and Brooklyn doesn't quite count as travel. Still, I've been incredibly busy and feel the need to slow down. As you'll see in 'What's Next,' July offers little respite.
What I've Been Up To
Stepping off the subway at JFK felt like coming home. Picking up where I left off last November, I realized New York feels more like home than anywhere else right now.
The month brought emotional ups and downs—details I'm not quite ready to share yet.
Beyond that, I dove into NYC life: scouting new coffee shops and favorites, hunting the best pizza, reconnecting with friends and making new ones, resuming workouts, exploring art and movies, indulging in incredible food, enjoying outdoor films and concerts, park picnics, street art discoveries, High Line strolls, riverside sunsets, and all the summer magic. Pride weekend was massive, amplified by the Supreme Court's marriage equality ruling on June 26.
June Highlights: What Went Well
Daybreaker: Morning Raves
Discovering Daybreaker—a 7 a.m. dance party at Highline Ballroom—was a revelation. Launched last year, it swaps workouts for DJ-fueled energy before work. I left buzzing, dreaming of daily dance starts.
Culinary Delights
The pizza speakeasy SRO, hidden behind a Spanish tapas bar (knock and use the password), ended my best-pizza quest dry spell—outstanding and worth the premium. At Red Rooster in Harlem, chef Marcus Samuelsson's mac 'n' cheese was life-changing. NYC's food scene is paradise. Stay tuned for my new favorites list; my off-the-beaten-path NYC guide Part II was popular.
Meeting Lola
Love at first sight with my bike, Lola Warrior Princess. After Citi Bike last year, owning her has been liberating—no sweaty subways in summer! 
Running Routine Revival
Resuming runs felt amazing after humidity halted them during winter island-hopping. NYC's routes are endless.
Financial Stability
Rare relief: steady income after lean months. As a freelancer, this stability is a game-changer.
What Went Wrong
Near-Credit Card Disaster (and Debit Card Saga)
Idiot move: washing pants with my credit card and subway pass inside. Both survived miraculously—especially vital with only one card left.
Forgot to mention May's debit card cloning in LA. Bank refunded swiftly but replacement delays persist.
Prior mishaps (highway scare, flight denial) kept stress high; June was relatively smooth.
What's Next
Tomorrow, I move in with Gomez, an adorable Wheaten Terrier, house-sitting his spacious NYC home while his owners travel. Endless possibilities await.
A special visitor arrives next month for NYC sightseeing, beaches, maybe Hamptons, and urban adventures—details next roundup.
Travel plans: End-July UK flight as visa expires, then a 2-month Eurail Pass for trains across 28 European countries. Details from London next.
