Independence Day

Journal: When I arrived at NYC 

Yueyin Hu 

6/24/2013

(published with the permission of Ms. Hu)

             Actually I have came back from my country for 1 month. This was the second time I came back to NYC. I still remember my feeling at that time when I saw the extravagant night view from the window of the plane. As the plane was landing, it changed from very small to big, until we also joined in this attractive city. I knew it was the time to come back and I need to face, I need to be strong. At that time, I wrote this note on my phone: “ One more night I arrived at NYC alone, everything is wonderful, everything is the same as usual...”

            There is no denying that I love this city; it always bring me surprises and experiences I have never met before. And this city taught me how to grow up. I met various kinds of friends in this city, they are geeks, they are full of passion, they let me know I cannot judge people by appearance. Although they pretend themselves with a tough, exaggerate outside, they still have an Children’ soft heart, easy to get hurt. They are talented, loyal and dedicated to their art work.

            But sometimes, I feel unstable here, because I think I have never belonged to this city. These days, I’m thinking about the definition of “home”. People usually live in different cities when they are young. To study, to dream, for love or for money, they never stop on their way for future. We are always on the way and finding another way to go. I followed this rule to find a reason for myself to stay in one place. In my mind, “home” is where I can stay with my family.

            I think these are some fragments of my experience in NYC. It cannot include all of my feelings about this city, but it’s real. I think my experience here is a mingling of hope and fear. But I think many people have the same feeling in their mind. It’s a perfect city and it’s also a challenging city.