The streets of New York are both my inspiration and my gym. Earlier this week, I came across this inspiring poem on the wall of the Subway by poet and visual artist, Dorothea Tanning, that really struck me. Having graduated from college in the economic downturn of 2009, I couldn’t help, but be reminded of my own graduation from Syracuse University as I sat on the moving train. It should have been the perfect moment. Vice President Joe Biden spoke and I sat in the Carrier Dome in my cap and gown surrounded by esteemed professors and classmates.
But, the truth is May 10, 2009 was the scariest day of my life. I was terrified of never getting a job, defaulting on my student loans, and no longer being able to be under my parents’ health insurance. The only thing that made it less terrifying was when the Valedictorian got up on the podium telling us that in spite of everything, we should never forget to have fun. He then reminded us that the Commencement Ceremony was essentially a huge costume party which really helped to put everything in perspective. I’ve come to realize that since then, my life has never been more interesting. But, it hasn’t been easy and a difficult world can be hard to love. At the same time, I’ve had a chance to do something most people only dream about, the chance to live and work and Manhattan which is truly the center of the universe and for that, I couldn’t be more thankful.