The Big Apple: From Homesick to Home

 Two years ago, right after I had finished my 10th grade board exams in May of 2022, I was on top of the world- overjoyed and convinced that nothing can stop me now from celebrating my 16th birthday with my friends, just a month later, and then life threw a curveball towards me. While I should have been enjoying my post exam freedom era, I was sulking, because I was going to New York City instead of having a birthday bash back home. Little did I know, that one trip would turn into one of the best decisions of my life. 

So there I was, depressed in the vibrant streets full of people with endless energy, trying to pretend I wasn’t secretly falling In love with the place. The New York Public library had me mesmerised on first view, it was like something straight out of a vintage movie from the 70s, with towering bookshelves and the kind of old-book smell that could probably solve world peace. I was hooked, even if I didn’t want to admit it to my mother yet, since I threw such a fit about travelling. 

Next up was Boston for a hot second (because why not?), where I snapped a pic of the Celtics banner like a true tourist. When my aunt said, ‘we’re going on the ‘Maid of the Mist’ tomorrow”, I was so lost, but as we walked upto the Niagara Falls, and I realised what I was getting into, I was scared, but also full of adrenaline and excitement. We wore our raincoats and went through the falls, now I realised how Jim and Pam must have felt and WHY they were smiling so much, cuz same. After exploring around, we got back to NYC, and that’s when things started getting real. St. Patrick’s Cathedral was drop-dead gorgeous, but the view from Roosevelt Island? That was the moment. Standing there, looking out at the skyline, I felt this weird mix of tiny and invincible- like the city was daring me to dream bigger. 

Of course, we had to do the classic tourist thing and visit the Statue of Liberty. We took the ferry from Manhattan to Ellis Island, and as we got closer to Lady Liberty, I started feeling like maybe this trip wasn’t such a bad idea after all. Hey, did you know that the statue was originally one with a reddish-brown copper skin? Her colour changed over the years to this blue-green tint all thanks to about 30 years’ worth of chemistry in the air of New York City harbor. Plus, we balanced out all that history with some seriously delicious treats—Levain cookies that I still dream about and Lady M cakes that were worth every calorie.

But let’s talk about Times Square, my new happy place. I’ve never been a fan of crowds, but Times Square had me feeling like I was in the middle of some kind of epic, colourful daydream. We visited it four times in two weeks, and I still couldn’t get enough. On our last night, my mom, sister, and I decided to walk there one final time. No plan, no map, just three girls taking in the lights, the energy, and the magic. Sometimes, you’ve just got to say, “Screw it, let’s do it.”

Princeton University at night was like something out of a fairytale, complete with twinkling golden fireflies. But the real jaw-dropper was Wall Street. Ever since I read The Wolf of Wall Street, I’ve been obsessed with the idea of making it big. Standing there, in the heart of all that ambition and energy, I felt like I could conquer the world—or at least, my own dreams. And let’s not forget the brownies and ice cream from Trader Joe’s. Who knew grocery shopping could be so much fun? Seriously, NYC grocery stores are on another level.

How could I forgot One Vanderbilt? It was one of those places that took me by surprise. I knew it was a new skyscraper, but I didn’t expect to feel like I’d stepped into the future. The view from the top? Absolutely mind-blowing. You could see the entire city sprawled out beneath you, like a living, breathing map of endless possibilities. Standing up there, I felt a mix of awe and ambition, like I was on top of the world—literally and figuratively. It’s one of those spots that makes you think, “Yeah, I could get used to this.” If I wasn’t already sold on NYC, One Vanderbilt sealed the deal.

Finally, I woke up on the morning on 21st June, excited see how I spend the day. As a K-drama junkie, celebrating my birthday in Koreatown and Harry Potter world was the icing on the cake. As we walked from 5th avenue to the 2nd, I felt like I was transitioned into the streets of Seoul. We ate authentic ramen, gawked at murals of bands on the walls, had the most AMAZING boba tea, and got a ton load of Korean skincare and merch. We even stopped by the Jimmy Fallon Show building and took a final stroll through Central Park, where I realized just how much the city had gotten under my skin. Visiting the Museum of Modern Art and seeing Van Gogh’s Starry Night was the cherry on top of an already perfect trip. 

Throughout the trip, I had the opportunity to explore universities like Princeton, Parsons, RISD, and my dream school, NYU. It was a journey of self-discovery, as I went from being homesick and depressed for the first five days to falling head over heels in love with the city. By the end of it all, I didn't want to leave at all. New York City had become a part of me, and I knew that one day, I would return to make it my new home.

Our adventures didn't stop there. We also visited New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Scottsdale, Arizona, making memories that will last a lifetime. As I reflect on that unforgettable trip, I can't help but smile at the thought of how far I've come. New York will always hold a special place in my heart, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me. Like they say, “The city that never sleeps never stops dreaming.” And now, I’m right there with it.