On the first cold day of the season, after a blissful week of spring-like weather, I huddled among the masses to witness the lighting one of New York City’s seasonal landmarks – the famous Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center. At precisely 7pm, in a moment, bright green tree was bedazzled in blinding, multicolored lights that seemed to have an iridescent glow that could visible from even outer space. The majestic sight officially marked the start of the holiday season and gave way to the realization that this eventful year was about to come to a close. However, as I stood gazing up at the tree I’ve grown up seeing, I couldn’t help but notice that each year it seems as though either I grow a lot bigger or the tree gets a lot smaller.

Walking down Wall Street these past few weeks was like walking into an alternate reality. An art form in itself, the Occupy Wall Street protests mimicked something of a live, passionate musical number straight out of a Broadway show. The throngs of protesters were passion-filled artists, singing and dancing along to the music of their stomping feet and the lyrics of their messages, desperately trying to be heard. Whether you agree with their song or not, it’s difficult not to stop and listen. This spectacle shows no signs of slowing down, and is definitely worth a visit. Whether you are taking part, or are simply in the audience, the passion of the growing crowd clearly resonates, as the show seems to grow larger by the day.