I have officially been to the city that never sleeps. It was big, bright, loud, and everything I could have ever imagined. I fell in love with the buildings that were too tall to fit in one picture. I now know that no other pizza will ever measure up to the New York style pizza. I can talk about how sore my feet were and how badly my calfs burned, but I know they look great after I walked 12 miles in heeled boots. New York has captured my heart and has taught me the lessons that I will carry with me.

New York teaches you to never settle.

New York makes you feel like you can do anything you want. It is a city of opportunity and excitement. It gives you the feeling that you don't have to give up, that you can keep moving and achieve all of your dreams. Do you want a slice of pizza and a drink for under $5.00? You can get it at Fluffy's. Do you want to walk the entire city in one day? You can do it, you can even do it in heels.

My friends and I accomplished our New York dreams and we never stopped. When my Fitbit told me I hit 10,000 steps, I wanted to quit but New York taught me to never settle so we continued on for almost 20,000 more steps. Whatever you want from New York, no matter how big or small, you can get it because it's New York. The lights and sounds push you to your dreams. New York showed me its beauty in the ambition and told me that I didn't have to compromise.

New York teaches you to get out of my comfort zone.

This was my first trip to New York City, and it was like nothing I have ever seen before. It was crowded, loud, and dirty. People were shouting things at you, they were honking for no apparent reason, and they shoved pass you even when going to the same place. It was uncomfortable at first, but that is what's so great about the city. It makes you try new things. It makes you walk across the street while the sign says no walking because that's just how the city works. It makes you look up at the sights and sounds when all you want to do is make sure you're not going to run into someone. New York showed me its beauty in the uncomfortableness and told me to try something new, which is something we all need to do.

New York teaches you to be confident.

While New York forces you to try new things, the city also teaches you to be sure of yourself in the process. New York carries this aura of sophistication and class. My friends and I do not carry this same atmosphere (well, they don't). We were obviously tourists, but we were confident tourists because New York makes you feel powerful, strong, and classy just by being there. We walked down 5th Ave. and into Tiffany's with our heads held high because we felt like we belonged there. New York has the power to make you feel bigger and better even when you're surrounded by the biggest and most beautiful buildings. The city makes you walk a little faster, stand a little taller, and be a little prouder. New York showed me its beauty in elegance and told me to be fearless.

New York teaches you to accept God's blessings.

My first trip to New York City is one I will never forget. To make a long story short, our bus to get back home to New Jersey was canceled. You see, there was a blizzard rolling in, but it was not expected to get there until early morning the following day, so we never expected it to affect our travel plans. Sometime during the day the storm accelerated leaving all buses and planes leaving New York canceled and not expected to resume for a few days. By the time we realized our bus was canceled it was late. and we were scrambling. Other stranded travelers were running around, we were running around, and It was a mad house. Our options were bleak, snow started to fall, and we were about to be trapped in New York during a blizzard. While we were standing outside the bus station planning our next step of action, a cab driver offered to take us wherever we need to go.

At first, we declined his offer, but the pieces fell into place and we found ourselves in front of him again, this time accepting his offer. As every mile passed, the snowfall got heavier and heavier and just one hour after leaving the city, New York declared a state of emergency and canceled all public transportation asking everyone to stay inside. You see, had it not been for that cab driver we would have been sitting in a train station waiting for a train that was never going to leave. In our time of need and fear, God gave us a blessing even if we didn't see it the first time. New York showed me its beauty in chaos and told me that God can still find me in the craziest of places.

New York teaches you to appreciate the good things.

The things I will remember most from my trip to New York are the simple things like when my friends and I stood on the steps of the New York Public Library reciting lines from The Day After Tommorrow really badly, standing in awe and appreciation of the bright lights of Times Square, or our inside jokes about Dunkin' Donuts and Lightly Salted Pringles. We didn't see every sight or go into every museum, but that doesn't matter.

It's the laughs we shared, the adventures we began, and the stories we have to tell that make you step back, take a deep breath and appreciate all we've done. We won't remember how much we walked or every single thing we said and did, but we'll remember the good things, the simple things, and we will appreciate them and this opportunity for the rest of our lives. New York showed me it's beauty in adventure and told me to enjoy all of life's moments.