A Postcard from...

Moments during my first summer away from New York

Hi Friends!

It’s so nice to be saying hello again <3

I wanted to introduce a new series of posts, “A Postcard from…” where I’ll document and share bits and pieces of my summer trip to Europe!

I’m headed to my first writing retreat in Orquevaux, France from mid-June to early July, road tripping with my mom the week before, then road tripping again with her for two weeks after, and then some mini trips here and there for a few weeks after that.

Since I’m not really an Instagram girlie, and honestly not very good at starting text conversations either, I figured sending Substack “postcards” would be the best way to keep in touch with my people and share pictures and stories along the journey— plus maybe a poem or snippet of something I’m working on. This postcard comes to you from my desk at my apartment, but soon there will be much more interesting locales— everything from basic economy on a budget airline to my own studio during my sojourn at French chateau. We love a diverse portfolio.

I truly can’t think of a better, or more fun way to start solidifying myself again after a mind-morphing first year at Columbia’s MFA Writing program. I had the time of my life and am so excited for year two this fall, but I was relentlessly stretched and molded and imprinted on like silly putty all year. I’m so excited to splay out and breathe again. It’ll be interesting to see what stuck from school as I let myself work a little more leisurely and without so much critique. Shoutout to all my consultant friends out there, I understand what that sharp cut feels like now after you’ve worked tirelessly on something and your boss/teacher says, “This is a good start.”… *cue the single tear*.

I leave tomorrow night and I’m already missing all my friends and New York so much. As excited as I am to have another incredible experience, the thought of being away for almost three months makes me realize how happy I am in the city. I went away to camp most summers when I was a kid and I’d get debilitatingly homesick. The days leading up to camp I’d get terrible stomach aches and want to cry all the time. Even though I knew that I loved camp, I was worried about the unfamiliar and I missed my mom. Those feelings aren’t as harsh this time around, but I still feel like crying when I think about the birthday parties, park hangs, and rooftop get-togethers that I’ll miss. New York gets such a bad rap in the summer because it’s humid and hot and smelly, but when you’re with your favorite people, the sticky air and scent of hot garbage as you dodge past tourists on your way to Christopher St Pier just feels right.

Despite the NYC FOMO, an adventure has always felt right, too. I’m so excited to make more of the world feel familiar and share those experiences with you!

To kick off this postcard party, here are a few photos from my various birthday celebrations recently. HAPPY GEMINI SZN✨♊!!!

Annual MDW girls’ trip to Montauk got Natasha and me like…

She’s a local.

Personality shot of the Montauk girlies, me, Rachel, Katie, and Natasha.

Real life Montauk fishermen make a special guest appearance at our dockside photoshoot.

Katie and me after “Call Me Izzy”. Jean Smart and I had a good laugh.

Birthday cake and so many wishes sponsored by fellow Gemini, New Yorker, and best editor in the game, Era <3.

Tiffany, Era, me, and Sandy, AKA “The Moters”, along with Toasty the hot water bottle, because cramps don’t care if there’s a birthday party on.

Powdering Natasha’s nose at The Central Park Boathouse with my new Hello Kitty skin care set from Korea, courtesy of Alexis Yoo <3

More cake and more wishes ✨♊ 33 is looking stellar so far.

Leave a comment if you want and I’ll respond!

Until the next one

<3 iz