Diversity / Surroundings

Coming back to Manhattan, I have never felt so alive. My classes are better than last semester's, and I am actually looking forward to all of them. I started my first Graphic Design assignment today. I have to take pictures of the environment, and being in New York City, it's the best environment to capture. It really helps me appreciate the art that not all people would even think is art.

To get me started on my journey, I bought a pair of shoes from Zara (7.99, God bless sales). Was it necessary? To most people, no, but to me--of course. Shoes take you on a journey, and I was starting a new one. Why not get new shoes? 

Crossing Canal Street 

I head up Broadway, and make different turns as I explore SoHo and NoLIta. The graffiti and fashion billboards all over these areas in the city open my eyes. The weather was perfect for this enduring adventure. Being in Maryland for a month really shut me down. I became emotionally drained, and had no motivation for anything (not trying to throw a pity party, but I seriously sat in my house and did nothing). There is a reason why I came to the city: I knew that I wasn't ever going to be hurt. I go on a new adventure every day here, and with being open to all the diversity, I never feel out of place. 

Whenever I go on my usual stroll up Broadway, I never really turn to see the surprises that the city bring. I just hit my usual stores and get annoyed by all the slow mouth breathers on these barely two feet wide sidewalks. I turn down a random brick road which exposed me to a variety of beauty. 

150 Lafayette Street 

I saw art that would just be considered garbage or vandalism back where I am from. I like to find the little things to be appreciative of. Well, for example: noses. Everyone has a different nose. Sure, people can have similar features, but noses can define someone's history and heritage. I would consider noses to be art because every single person's nose is unique. I used to hate my nose. I thought it was huge and would always compare it to Squidward's long bulbous nose. However, I realized at an older age that it's who I am. I have a small arch thanks to my mother's Italian side, and I rounder and wider tip thanks to my father's African-American side. Heck, whenever I smile it gets wider, but I just like to see it as when I'm happy I show more of myself. It's the beauty that I never thought could even be called beauty, kind of like the street art in the city. You never would have thought about how how this can represent someone's past.

452 Broadway 

New York City is a symbol for my personal definition of beauty: Diversity. I see different people everyday walking these streets, and I never get bored. I wonder:

 Who are they, REALLY? 

A lot of the time, I sit in parks and people watch. I swear, it isn't as creepy as you may think it is. It's just, seeing different people interacting reminds me that not everyone isn't like me; that I am the only me, and the girl with pink hair and piercings is only her. We are all one of a kind--we are all beautiful. 

ALSO:

I'm at a Starbucks as I'm typing this up, and I ordered a tall cappuccino. The barista called my name and someone else's, and we basically took each other's drinks. I ended up with a tall white chocolate mocha (I mean heck I wasn't mad at it).