I heart NY

There's something to be said about a place where you can spend $5 on a loaf of bread, $13 for a movie ticket (matinee, no less) and hear 75 different languages all in the span of about 15 minutes. If I ever felt small standing next to the ocean, I feel about as big as an ant in this city, and though I have three months to take it all in and explore, I don't think I'll ever be finished. I haven't even started my internship yet, but that will be a whole other adventure to take in, one for which I am splitting my emotions between terror and elation. Terror that I'll fall flat on my face and be exposed as the green amateur that I am and elation that I actually have the chance to do just that. Since I am here interning with a group through the American Society of Magazine Editors, I have the opportunity to live and meet other people going through the exact same experience which is rare and unique and very comforting. Finally, I feel like everything I've been working for in college for 3 years is going to pay off and if I succeed this summer, then my plans post-bull dawgs will be set in stone - I have to live here, simple as that. I have to be here every day, walking these busy streets and paying too much for cereal and getting caught in muggy city rain showers on the way to the subway. I want it all. I knew when I was 16 that I would be a journalist, so sure of myself that I made no backup plans if I didn't get into j-school and listened to no one who tried to tell me I would get paid nothing and be miserable; and I am thrilled to have found the place where I know I will spend the best years of my life growing up and learning in this industry, climbing up the ladder until I reach the top. In the meantime, the view from the bottom wrung is pretty nice.

The People's Prez

The race is coming to a close and I've been quiet about it for a while, but I could not be happier with the way things have gone. Obama has faced some major obstacles (eg: Rev.Wright-gate and this week's ridiculous accusations from W) and emerged on the other side a stronger, better candidate than when this spectacular journey began. In the beginning, I supported Sen. Obama based on a gut feeling, a faith that I acted strongly upon and for which I faced constant criticism. I got those stares, you know, the ones that said,"Oh, you poor thing, you must not know better." But if anyone understands how it feels to have his beliefs tested and ridiculed on a regular basis, Barack Obama is that person.
Now, more so than ever, I believe that he is more than a talented, inspirational politician and Time cover boy, more than a devoted husband and father, more than an image of what the future of America should and will be. He will be the People's President. Pundits and the media will continue to speculate about his experience, but mark my words, in 2009 when he takes his oath and carries his beautiful family into history, this country will change. For once, we will have faith in our president. For once, we'll believe that America really is the land of dreams as it has oft been fabled to be.