Soak up the Sun, the Experience, and the City

Seven.

Just seven days left to enjoy New York.

I have been here a solid 70 days and I feel accomplished. Accomplished to have learned what it’s like to live on my own and to not fear the future. Accomplished that I’ve never been afraid to be alone or do my own thing. Accomplished to have *almost* completed my bucket list. Accomplished in my work at NDSS and at Haagen Dazs. Accomplished to have soaked up the sun, the experience and the city. And lastly, accomplished to know that…

I am capable and I am joyful and I am thankful to have had this opportunity.

Here are seven of my adventures from the last week:

One. Statue of Liberty

Seeing the statue from far away does not justify it. It’s something you just have to see up close in order for you to fully grasp it’s importance as an American symbol. It was beautiful and although I did not get off the boat to look around the Liberty Island itself, it’s something any tourist and local alike should do. Cameras were flashing! 

Two. Ellis Island

Ellis Island evoked a lot of emotion as I walked through the museum. I had been wanting to go here for a while and it was on my bucket list. There was something so haunting about the place that made it that much more interesting. To know that my ancestors walked through those hollow halls in order to create a life for themselves made it real. Plus, the photography was amazing.

Dobbins was here was etched in all the walls. (Just Kidding). But who knew that Dobbins count be spelled so many ways?

Dobbins. Dobbyns. Dobbens. Dobins. Dobyns. Dobens. 

Three. Avenue Q

This show caught my attention mostly because it was about a young boy moving to the city to see if the city could fulfill his purpose. The show as an adult Sesame Street and is hilarious with a lot of corny. I could instantly relate when the young graduate came out singing about what he was going to do with his B.A. in English—Something I’ve wondered about my choice to also major in Psychology. The show also elaborates on the definition of purpose and knowing that things only happen for a short period of time and to not harp on the bad things in life. The show fit my times here and although I don’t suggest you rushing out to see the show immediately, it’s something you should see if it travels near you.

Four. Goldman Sachs Day at NDSS

This week we had Goldman Sachs Day at the National Down Syndrome Society. For the last couple months, NDSS has been gathering pictures of children and adults with Down syndrome and we hold a photo contest. The 200 plus pictures that are selected get to have their photo put into a video that plays in Times Square the day of the NYC Buddy Walk on September 24th. Goldman Sachs volunteers are the ones that choose the pictures. It was a long process and the volunteers had a really difficult time choosing the finalists because all the pictures were wonderful and demonstrated that people with disabilities can do anything and everything—a wonderful message to shout out to the world.

Although I do not have pictures from the event itself, I do have a picture of a little girl who is a friend of mine’s neighbor. This was one of the pictures that was submitted for the contest. Erin from Charlotte. She’s precious and a recent graduate!

Five. Haagen Dazs Creativity

I learned how to make and decorate ice cream cakes! Yes, I’ll make them now for all things birthday.

Six. Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Today was quite possibly the most beautiful day in NYC that I’ve seen. Beautiful temperatures. Beautiful sun. Cloudless sky. Nice, cool breeze. So I made my way over to the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens right outside of Prospect Park. It was so nice to hear running water, to see green grass and trees, to hear the buzzing of bugs and chirping of birds. And I missed that North Carolina sweet smell of pine which overtook me as soon as I entered the gates.

I’ve missed nature here.

The sun wrapped me in its rays like a blanket and I was content. I couldn’t help but smile because I was in my element.

The flowers smiled at me.

Seven. West Side Highway

I love the West Side Highway and although I had walked a large portion of it before, I decided to do it again. Because… it’s fulfilling and it makes me have that content feeling where you know that nothing could ever go wrong and beauty is all around. I love that feeling and today, I’ve had it a lot.

And I’m sorry North Carolina, but New York has the best sunsets.

My little pink camera “done good” today.

Mom and dad come on Thursday and they have no idea how excited I am for them to come! This adventure has taught me a lot, it is true, but there is nothing more special than showing your parents what you’ve learned and done. Learning how to be a New Yorker has been similar to that math test that you put on the front of the refrigerator that has an “A+” sticker.

There’s also nothing more special than North Carolina and I am excited to begin a new adventure: Senior Year. I am a southern belle, it’s true—missed my sweet tea and southern twang. But more importantly, I am ready to take what I’ve learned here and apply it to my experiences in the next year.

I hope that this blog will remind me of my times here constantly and the things that I’ve learned.

I am capable and ready.