New York City! (or Eli7 Gets Sad About Graduating)

I have a confession to make. I've never been to the Thanksgiving Day Parade. I've lived on Long Island--about an hour away from The City--for essentially my whole life. I've lived in The City for the past three and half years. And I have never done a million of the things that are quintessentially New York. I've never been to the Empire State Building or the Statue of Liberty. I've spent woefully little time in Central Park or the Met or MoMA. I haven't explored the different neighborhoods that make up this city. I haven't bought a fake Coach bag in SoHo or taken nearly enough subways at 2 a.m. I've never been on the Staten Island ferry.

I love New York. For its diversity, for its multitude of opportunities, for its multiculturalism, for its culture, for its museums, for its 24-hour fast-paced existence, for the people, for everything it is. But I have not nearly taken advantage of this city. Come this time next year, I don't know where I'm going to be. I don't know if I'm going to have the opportunity to go to the Thanksgiving Day Parade then.

I was reminded of this last year. But it's time to take action--take advantage of this city. While I still have the chance to do so.