It's 4:30 AM, and I have to leave my dorm in about 20 minutes so I'm going to make this quick.

It turns out that I finished my internship earlier than expected.  It's bittersweet, really.  I'll be on my way to the airport at 5 AM.  I'll be driving past the beautiful skyscrapers, weaving through taxis, and remembering every single moment I spent here.  I love this city.  I don't know whether to cry because I'm leaving or jump up and down because I'm going home.  I kind of just want to do both.

I would like to leave one final thought before I'm out of New York and the moment is gone.  I believe, out of all the lessons I've learned from being up here in such a short time, there is one that stands out the most.  It all comes down to this: live your whole life. I often found myself walking these streets, darting in between tourists taking pictures and New Yorkers on their blackberries, and wondering what the heck I was doing here.  And every time I thought about how I got here, I just had to smile.  It was literally just an idea that popped in my head about seven months ago on a rainy day in Starkville.  I was just really wanting some life experience outside of my normal boundaries.  Next thing I know, phone calls are being made, resume is being perfected, and I'm flying up to New York City for an interview.  It happened so fast and I really don't remember my thought process along the way, but I do know this much:  it happened because I never doubted it would.  It happened because, at the time, it was the absolute right thing for me to do at this time in my life.  I have to encourage anyone who reads this to make up your mind about where you want to be, or where you think you need to be, and just do it.  Really, nothing is stopping you.

I have several people to thank for getting me up here (and getting me back home!) And I do intend on making this blog longer.  For now, though, I have to go.  As sad as it is to say, this is my last blog I'll be writing on my New York summer while I'm still in New York..  but I can't wait to write the rest when I get home.

Here is how much I miss cooking:
1. I watch the Food Network almost daily and write down little kitchen appliances/groceries I need when I get back home.
2. Today, while at the library, I checked out 3 cookbooks and bought a composition notebook so on this lovely Saturday evening in New York City, I could sit in my dorm and write down Barefoot Contessa's recipes for chicken and biscuit stew, parmesan roasted asparagus, mustard vinaigrette... you get the idea.
3. I already have an online Target shopping cart of the kitchen appliances I want upon returning to my beloved kitchen.

Moving on.
I have THREE weeks left in New York! This summer has really flown by.  I can't believe in three weeks, one of my very best friends will be getting married. Where did the time go? Although she will be a married woman soon, I will always remember Grace from our freshman year at MC- thinking we own the place, listening to Taylor Swift nonstop, and eating cream cheese and wheat thins on a daily basis. (Oh- and might I add, driving to Ridgeland one day so she could go in Fusion and check out hot stuff Tyler Douglas when I first met him.) Now she has to go off and get married and make us all feel old. ;) (Just kidding, Graceypoo.)

Oh, so, I guess I should update everyone on the New York trip.

I may be coming back for fashion week in February! Apparently interns are very much needed that week at Ford, and it's a lot more hands-on.  And I mean, you know, it doesn't hurt that I could be watching some of the shows. ;) I guess it just depends on my school schedule and whatnot before any concrete plans are made.

J and I had a pretty adventurous night on Thursday.  We're both laying in bed around 11 PM, trying to fall asleep, then some of her friends came in town from Long Island and she asks me if I want to go out. Why not? I hadn't really done much since Tyler left anyways.  So, we left our dorm around midnight (gotta love the city that never sleeps.) On the way to Greenwich, we talked about how we aren't the kind of people to stay out all hours of the night but more of a hang out for a bit, then go back home around 11 kind of people.  And, obviously, we "can NOT stay out until 4 in the morning."  Our first stop was Paquito's in Greenwich, then we met up with everyone and walked around Greenwich.  One of the guys was from South Carolina (where J is from) and just wasn't digging the Greenwich crowd.  So we all piled into a taxi and headed towards some southern-style bar on 31st street.  Literally the moment we arrived, a girl walked up to me and did the Alfalfa hand-under-the-chin move and asked me what movie it was from. I said, "Little Rascals, of course." She was so excited that she offered to buy me a drink.  Gotta love those strange... hospitable New Yorkers.  Anyway, against our word, J and I got home at exactly 3:58 AM. So much for not staying out late.

Bailey called me today and told me there is a little bug problem in our apartment again- and by little, I mean roaches. I'm kind of scared. If there are bugs in our apartment, they usually come from my room. (Mom & Dad- I keep my room clean there so that's not the reason! Promise!) Apparently my room is just nice and cozy for those little creatures. I think they go in there because they know I'm too afraid to kill them. Why me?

Last but certainly not least, if you (whoever you are) ever go to New York, go to Silver Spurs and get the eggs benedict. I don't know if it's because I haven't had eggs benedict (or just any real food) in a while, or if it really is just the best thing on the planet, but I have to recommend it.  Deeeeeeelish.