Love Always, Carrie: Serenity: Sometimes You NeedtoBreathe

One of my favorite artists, NeedtoBreathe, just released their new single today called "Slumber". The main line of the song says, "Wake on up from your slumber. Baby, open up your eyes."

I cannot tell you how much I can relate to those lyrics, especially recently. There isn't anything I don't want to try here. I've been "awakened" here, opening up to possibilities that aren't typically comfortable or settling. There isn't anything I don't want to see before I leave. It's like you are constantly hungry, soaking up anything and everything anyone offers you. Like I said yesterday, you are always stumbling upon things that seem so incredible like discovering a treasure.

Today was no different. After hearing my friend tell me how crazy I must be for not having experienced the West Village's newest jewel, The High Line Park, I hurried over with my roommate tonight to walk the park. It's about 300 yards up above the city and it runs by the river. It was an old train track that ran above the city and it's been turned into a beautiful, modern and artsy walking track overlooking the city and water. The sun was golden and orange as it began to set around 8 o'clock. Full from eating quesadillas and a plate of chips with a variety of salsas, we welcomed the chance to exercise. The weather has been so perfect lately, with a slight breeze and never topping 80 degrees and I hope (though I know it won't) that it will stay the same for the remainder of my time here. The park was lined with eccentric flowers and tall grass and we watched as we walked, seeing the city change from day-to-night.

I cannot believe how comfortable I feel in this city, like I've been living here longer than 3 weeks. However, I do realize that my constant "fever" of wanting to be doing something at all times every day does not exemplify the lifestyle of a typical New Yorker. That and my camera stays perched at arms length at all times with the flash going like fireworks.

What can I say? I'm in love with this city.

And I'm in love with gelato. I had been told that this was the best place in the city to get gelato and I somewhat doubted it because I've suddenly become a connoisseur on anything cold, frozen and served in a paper cup. But I'm only going to say two words: nutella gelato.

Love at first baby-spoon taste. Maybe tops Crumbs...but whatever, that's really pushing it.

Also, I wanted to share this video (posted after all the pictures). This was taken in Washington Square Park, which is also another wonderful park that never fails to entertain me at any hour of the day. And yes, that's a grand piano, full drum set, and several guitarists and about 100 people singing and dancing along. Amazing.

My point of today is to say this. Open up your eyes. I surely have on this adventure. From this journey, I've become more accepting of both myself and others. From this journey, I've learned that this life is too short to spend it wishing you could do something... do it! Seize that moment to meet a new person. See beauty in graffiti. Find beauty in someone's differences. Seek beauty at a park at sunset.

You don't have to be in New York City to do any of these things.

Wake on up from your slumber. Baby, open up your eyes.