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Since I was young, I’ve always wanted to live in the city. Growing up on Long Island, Manhattan always seemed like a magical place that was so close, but just out of reach. As a result, every time I ventured into the city with my family I savored the experience. At first, as a child, I was enchanted by the bright lights and the sensory overload that I felt every time I visited. When my older sister attended college in the city and told me of all the adventures she’d had and places she’d been to, I became entranced by the possibilities within the city and every time I visited her I’d beg her to show me any part of the city, just to have a taste of the urban lifestyle. As a teenager, I was intent on living in New York City as early as possible and, thus, I applied to numerous colleges within the city and decided on attending City College. Despite dreaming of exploring the city and being a real “New Yorker”, in my first few weeks as a college student I found myself sucked into my academics, barely leaving my campus unless it was necessary. When I went to see School of Rock-the Musical for Arts in NYC, however, I experienced a moment that reinvigorated the wonder I had momentarily forgotten for the city. Walking from the subway station to Time Square, I stopped thinking about school or grades or anything else and just stared above me and took in the splendor of the city, from the skyscrapers that seemed to go on forever to the lights and commotion that surrounded me.  At that moment, standing in the middle of the greatest city in the world, I realized that I hadn’t appreciated living in the place I had dreamed about my whole life. Since that moment, I began to stop rushing everywhere I went, as I was so used to doing, and actually take a moment to marvel at my surroundings, whether I’m surrounded by bustling traffic and tall skyscrapers, or I’m simply walking from my class to my dorm. In the gallery below, I’ve included just some of the pictures I’ve taken in moments where I’ve been captivated by my surroundings. Now, I’m eager to use my free time finally exploring the city in as many ways as I can and taking a moment to just stop and appreciate that I’m lucky enough to live in New York City.