New York, New York

After a lovely weekend away with some of my closest friends this weekend, I have realized my time living in New York is limited. And for the better. New York City has always been attractive to me. It has always made me determined, envious, loyal, and yet rushed. The big apple is perhaps the biggest and most richly populated city in the entire world, people from all over dream of visiting, living in, and experiencing New York. But the city that never sleeps is just that- it's always on the go. It's always rushing, and while rushing it's keeping it's head down and keeping to itself. The city never sleeps nor do the people that call it home. This might be because of the airplanes taking off every few minutes, loud to those Queens and Long Island natives lucky enough to be located near the two main airports. Or, maybe we don't sleep because there are always sirens, always car horns, there is always loud music, and on certain nights, don't forget the garbage trucks. Music to my ears. Being a Connecticut native has its ups and downs but after living in New York City for over five years, it has far more ups than downs right now. Connecticut has grass, it has nature- beautiful trees and flowers can grow without the fear of being treated like dirt by the dogs that walk by. Connecticut is one of the many places that seems to shine over New York lately, despite all the bright billboards and city lights. I have recently visited Washington DC, Texas, upstate New York, and New Hampshire. Each and every city has it's attractiveness which draws me in in a different way than New York used to. After experiencing hustle and bustle for five years it's soothing to experience peace, quiet, a beautiful view, a starlight sky and colorful sunsets. My life is not run by money and fame or by people who are in too much of a hurry to hold the door or simply say hello. I have learned to appreciate the simple things and I have realized that it's not where, but who you're with that really matters. I quote one of the most inspirational speeches-turned-song is called Wear Sunscreen; "live in New York City once but leave before it makes you hard." This is exactly what I intend to do. I thank New York for being tough on me and getting me in shape physically, mentally and emotionally. But I don't want to be hard. I want to always be friendly and smiling and I don't want to turn into the jaded New Yorker. I do believe that if you can make it there you can make it anywhere, which is why come May when I graduate again, I will be look elsewhere to call home...but I promise I will visit.