In sixth grade, after creating a narrative essay about the wonderful adventures I had on a trip to Six Flags Theme Park, I knew that writing was my passion. After grading my paper, my teacher complimented my use of descriptive adjectives and adverbs. I remember her telling me that they “brought the story to life.” Now, every time I write something, I want to make sure it lives as well.

After writing more stories and creative pieces on my own time, I told a few people about what I wished to pursue. Eventually, I was introduced to the topic of journalism, and I immediately became intrigued. I spent a few minutes of my free time almost every day looking up schools in the United States with reputable journalism programs.

Then I found my dream school: New York University.

In seventh grade, I fell in love. I would never stop blabbering about how I will leave Georgia as soon as high school ends and fly down to New York to live off my dream. The more I did my research, the more I rattled on.

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My parents were slightly concerned because they were the only people aware that I was not familiar with the “New York lifestyle.” At the time, I had never even seen the classic New York movies where the main character is in a big rush so he or she desperately whistles for a taxi while a whole bunch of drivers fight over whose car horn can honk the loudest. I didn't even know what the city looked like — I was unaware of the tall buildings, the studio apartments and the famous national buildings that tourists adore.

So, in eighth grade, I took a trip there myself. Well, it was with my school for a National Model United Nations Competition, but same thing.

Visiting the city was like taking a trip to paradise; there was not one second of it that I did not enjoy. My friends and I went sightseeing, visited museums, walked a ton, stayed up late, snuck out of our hotel (but we don’t need to go into detail), attended the Model U.N. conference and enjoyed a countless amount of other things that made the trip unforgettable.

I know for sure that it was one of the best weeks of my entire life. Of course, I was sad to leave, but I was elated to have finally known for sure that New York is the city that I see myself thriving in a few years from now.

I have to say, not only am I excited, but I am definitely surprised — I never imagined my dreams would stretch all the way from Six Flags to New York.