There is nothing quite like the force of New York City. It’s an incredible melting pot of individuals who came to satisfy their hunger for adventure, chase their dreams, or simply to reinvent themselves. Everybody here has a story, and that's part of the city's gravity that pulls in approximately a quarter million new residents every year.

(Photo via Tumblr)

I visited the City several times as a kid, but never before in a professional pursuit (as I am doing now). The last time I was in the City, I was thirteen years old and seeing a Broadway show with my mom. This time around is very different. No Broadway. No mom by my side. This time, it's all me in the fast-paced business world.

My mission? To venture out to The Odyssey's New York headquarters and spend the week directing a special project for the company. So I hopped on a train and navigated my way to the city that never sleeps.

(Photo via Giphy)

The first 24 hours has been a mix of being absolutely enthralled and equally overwhelmed. I have come to two conclusions: I will 100 percent live here one day and I'm a city noob. As Chandler Bing would say: could the subway be anymore confusing? It's amazing how much I've learned about city life in such a short amount of time. Here, I've put together a complete list of all the lessons I've learned (the hard way) in my week shadowing as a city girl:

Lesson 1: Walk with purpose.

Straggling is not in the vocabulary of a New Yorker. Every step they take is a stride of confidence.

(Photo via Joyreactor)

Lesson 2: Always carry a pair of extra shoes.

My blisters have blisters. If my feet could talk, oh the foul things they would say to me.

(Photo via Pinterest)

Lesson 3: Cross the street even when the WALK sign doesn't appear.

Don't be that person who presses the button and waits.

(Photo via Pinterest)

Lesson 4: Get used to being beeped at.

If you are offended by arbitrary car horns, NYC is not the place for you.

Lesson 5: Eat lots of bagels.

This is a big one.

(Photo via Snapchat)

Lesson 6: Make sure there's no cream cheese in your hair before you meet the CEO of your company.

Damn you, delicious fresh New York bagels. Please friends, learn from my mistakes. First impressions are essential, especially in the craze of the corporate city atmosphere. Carry yourself with confidence.

Lesson 7: Bring a newspaper or book to read on the subway.

The subway is cool because it feels like one of the only places left in the city that isn't driven by cell service or wifi. The morning commute is a perfect place to read about the world and become informed like a real human being.

(Photo via Instagram: @HotDudesReading)

Lesson 8: The revolving door is your friend.

Seriously, they're everywhere.

Lesson 9: Let the city swallow you.

Be willing to get lost. You will, inevitably, hop on the wrong train or end up somewhere unexpected, but let it happen. You can walk out of this city with the most exciting stories if you let life happen to you.

Lesson 10: Apps are the key to city survival.

Here are some popular apps that I found useful this week.

• Uber: Snaps for easy transportation.
• Seamless: Food delivery and pickup. Bagels may or may not have been delivered to our office. Several times.
• Task Rabit: This is a cool one. Basically, you can hire people to do any household chore or errand you need done, but don't have time to do.

Lesson 11: Falafel stands do not accept debit cards.

Do yourself a favor and always carry cash on you.

(Photo via Tumblr)

Lesson 12: Embrace your sense of smell.

There are a multitude of aromas at every given moment. Learn to recognize and appreciate the diverse scents around you. This especially comes in handy when passing delicious pizza places.

Lesson 13: A little hydration goes a long way.

It's easy to forget about drinking water, especially with all that "cawfee" you're drinking. But, don't forget to hydrate! Nothing is worse than being dehydrated on the train.

Lesson 14: Take it all in.

The Big Apple is an eclectic conglomeration of people and dreams. It is an environment unlike any other. Though overwhelming at times, it is nothing short of inspiring. Hard work, passion, struggle, love, hate, anxiety, zeal -- all of these emotional phenomena seem to ooze from every corner. Embrace the absurdity that is embodied in the streets and take in the adventure that is New York City.

Do you have a New York love story? Tell us in the comments!