New York, you done me well.

New York City, you've done me well.

It's hard coming back from big, fabulous trips because no matter how eloquently you explain the details of the trip to those who did not go with you, the true feeling and depth of the experience doesn't seem to be communicated very well in words.

How is one to return to the normal after such an extravagant affair has taken place? How is someone to go back to Starbucks after a Stumptown coffee has been tasted? How was Bilbo supposed to return to his small, quaint hobbit hole after trekking through such great adventures? How were the four Pevensies to live a normal life back in England after ruling in Narnia for so long? I feel like the memories that have been made and the lessons that have been learned over the last week in New York will soon slip out of my grasp if I don't write them down or take them to heart or keep replaying them over and over in my mind. 

The Phantom of the Opera.

Aunt Re never went to college, came from basically nothing, yet she has worked hard and has rightfully earned a way of living that is one to be greatly admired.

The Christian and the Jew disputing over religious beliefs and theology on the side of the road.

The Irish pub experience.

Dean and Deluca's monstrous iced mochas.

The constant hum of horns honking, people talking, subway trains passing through the bowels of the city, steam billowing up from the sidewalk vents.

Turkey Sligos.

Delightfully finding out that I am Irish, not German.

Lulu and Charlie.

The almost hurricane storm.

Deep fried Oreos.

The Jersey Shore.

The realization that going to school in New York is a dream that is well within reach.

New clothes.

Inspiration to become better, and understanding that it is I, not anyone else, who needs to be the change I want to see in me.

A new, meaningful ring.

Maybe my heart was simply caught in one place and forgot that there was more to what the eye could see, more than life outside of Portland. Maybe my soul just needed something new and fresh to awaken the objective eyes that can look at myself and see what really needs to be changed in order for success to happen. 

I'm sure I will bring more thoughts from my recent trip to NYC up in later entries, but my eyelids are begging my voluntary muscle system to close them for the night (or morning)...