[new york, new york]

I have been picked up from the airport by a driver, who even had a sign with my name on it.

I have now officially been to Connecticut.

I have slept in an apartment that is the home of my sister and her husband. Weird.

I have taken a train into Grand Central Station.

I have navigated the New York Subway system by myself.

I have walked along Park, Madison and 5th Avenue.

I have been to the Met, and wandered around for hours. I want to go back to Europe.

I have walked around the Met to my own personal soundtrack, which includes songs by Katy Perry, Michael Jackson, and Rhianna.

I have been to the MoMa bookstore.

I have traveled back to Connecticut successfully, after a speedy jog through Grand Central to find my right track.

I have pretended to be a New Yorker as I walk through the streets, refusing to smile at people. Only smiling when I see sights like the Waldorf-Astoria, decked out in Christmas lights.

I have taken the express train into New York City.

I have walked along Fifth Avenue, with the thousands of people out on the sidewalks, looking at stores like Louis Vuitton, Bergdorf Goodman and Tiffany & Co, all decorated for Christmas.

I have seen the Plaza, against the beautifully dry and wintery Central Park.

I have gone to Radio City Music Hall, and saw the huge tree.

I have hugged Kerry Cass, a friend from Vanguard. It's always weird to see someone outside of where you usually see them.

I have had an amazing New York hot dog, bought from a vendor who had us wait until he was done with his 4 o'clock prayer time.

I have walked along the streets of New York City, when the wind chill brought the temperature down to 20 degrees.

I have watched a movie in a New York movie theatre.

I have been to a bar in a snazzy hotel, and got to sit in the fashionable couches.

I have eaten in an expensive Mexican restaurant...believe it.

I have ridden the train back to Connecticut with all the slightly drunk people, tired after their night of living it up in the city.

I have slept in, taking naps over and over again before getting out of bed officially.

I have had Sunday brunch at a French Canadian couple's house, with other friends from Switzerland.

I have been to Stew Leonard's. Look it up, it was on Ripley's Believe it Or Not.