Family Trip to NY in the last month of 2024

2 minute read

posted: 01-Jan-2025 & updated: 02-Jan-2025

Cherishable memories of ours

This trip was more than just a vacation; it was a symphony of memories that will be cherished for a lifetime!

This past holiday season, from December 25th to 31st, 2024, Ghayoung, Beth, and I embarked on a memorable journey to New York to visit my sister, Jisun, her husband, Steve, and their kids, Lucy and Liam. Our hearts were filled with anticipation as we looked forward to creating lasting memories together.

Our real adventure began on Saturday with an exploration of modern art at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), where we marveled at the creative genius on display. Later that day we were spellbound by the enchanting performances of the String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. The music resonated deeply within us, setting a harmonious tone for the rest of our trip. (We had quick dinner at K-bap before the concert because we did not have enough time for quality food. I once again realized that our ancestors were correct in that “Hunger makes the best seasoning (시장이 반찬이다).” ★^^★)

On the next day following the concert, we ventured to Rockefeller Center, where the magnificent Christmas tree stood as a testament to the season’s joy and warmth. The nearby cathedral added a sense of tranquility and awe to our experience. To top off the day, we savored the delights of Pasta Corner 53rd, an authentic Italian cuisine, a feast that brought our families even closer.

One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to Mimi’s by Martine’s, an ice cream store near the Scarsdale station near Jisun’s house. The sweet treats were a hit with everyone, especially the kids, whose faces lit up with each delightful bite. This simple yet joyful moment reminded us of the pure happiness that comes from sharing life’s little pleasures with loved ones.

Amidst the festivities, I also had the opportunity to share my passion for technology and education. I conducted a remote AI seminar, ensuring that even my cousin, Christina’s family, who couldn’t join us due to an unfortunate accident-Adrian broke his legs a day before our (long-thought-and-planned) trip, could participate. Additionally, I demonstrated a software package I developed for high school physics education, which has evolved significantly over time. Cezar, Christina’s husband, expressed his enthusiasm about the software, making the demo a resounding success.

It all started with this simple *^^* physics problem ...

Then science got quickly evolved to deal with arbitrary configuration of point masses, springs, and what not!

Then hold on, why not create a whole universe in which objects obey the the physical rules I *dictate* *^^*; above, the force like the electric force is exerted on two point masses -it is *like* the electric force, because the two point masses are not assumed to have electric charges.

Our trip culminated in a musical collaboration that brought us all immense joy. I had the honor of playing the piano accompaniment for Lucy’s violin performance of Friedrich Seitz’s Violin Concerto No. 5 in D major, Op. 22, Third Movement (Rondo). The harmony of our instruments echoed the harmony of our families, creating a beautiful melody that will forever resonate in our hearts.