Writing Territories

Fears: Tornadoes and earthquakes
Annoyances: Ignorant people
Accomplishments: Being involved in the community and receiving all "A's".
Confusions: The concept of theoretical math
Sorrows: The loss of a family member or friend
Dreams: Working for the State Department or for an investment bank and living in Europe
Idiosyncrasies: I tend to zone out when I am bored and when I focus my attention back to the person, I am usually quite rude saying things like "Are you still talking?"
Risks: I convinced my parents to let me explore New York by myself for a day without supervision.
Beloved Possessions, Now and Then: Laptop (Now) and my stuffed elephant/Cleveland Indians cap (Then)
Problems: Stress about the future and success

Risks: My exploration of New York

As a child, I traveled to New York several times and I am quite familiar with the City, but last March my dad and I went to visit NYU and I was able to spend the day before my visit exploring what I consider the greatest city on Earth (aside from Paris, of course!). I started my day taking the Lexington Avenue Express from Wall Street to 75th Street on the Upper East Side and though I know several New Yorkers and the City, the city's diversity did not make an impact on me until that day. From old to young, from Hispanic to White to Asian American, during my ride on the subway I saw more different kinds of people that one could see in  a lifetime at home whether it be children on their way to school, a businessman on his way to work, or a new mom with her baby, the subway is where all New Yorkers come together to share a ride. Because is was an entirely full day, I will only mention two of my favorite neighborhoods, the Upper East Side and Lower East Side. When I alighted from the subway at 75th Street, you are in one of the wealthiest areas of America, you can find cafes, expensive private schools, and sweet Central Park views, but for me besides Dylan's Candy Bar at Madison and 65th, this section of the city symbolizes what you can become in this city of possibilities, you can win big and make a name for yourself just like the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Rockefellers before you. While the UES is the symbol of American success and sometimes greed, the Lower East Side shows me the origins of that success, the hard work ethic and dreams of success that are still fresh in the minds of immigrants that arrive in this city just like the many nationalities that inhabited this neighborhood after surviving a hellish trip from overseas and an inspection at Ellis Island. I guess what I can see most clearly now after this trip is that not only New York, but it is still possible to succeed in this country regardless of what politicians may say, they need only to look at New York as the shining example of success without attention to background.