I have been very lucky to have the opportunity to live in several cities in the United States. I was born in Chula Vista, California (which is NOT Mexico, contrary to "popular" belief). My family moved to Massachusetts, where I really grew up. I never thought that I would leave Massachusetts. Why would I? All of my friends, my entire family, the Red Sox...what more could I ever want or need?

Well, I suppose I would need to be accepted into a college or university in Massachusetts, since college was the path I chose to take...but that did not happen. Although I was completely heartbroken after receiving rejection letters from the Massachusetts universities I applied to, I realized I could just attend a semester, maybe two, at a school in New York and then transfer back to Boston College or Northeastern- the schools I really wanted to attend.

After three days at Hofstra University, I determined that I hated New York, Long Island, and all of the people associated with it. I packed up my freshman dorm on a Friday afternoon and was getting ready to go home. I figured I could take the semester off, work for my father, figure out what I really wanted to do. As I stormed across the parking lot, determined to leave New York forever, I bumped into some guy who lived in the dorm room directly above mine. I didn't even look at him- why should I aknowledge him when I'm never going to see him again anyway?

Well, that guy somehow managed to pick me up, throw me over his shoulder, make it through the security booth, and bring me to his dorm room. I spent the night with him and his roommates, woke up the next morning, unpacked my life once again, and I haven't left New York ever since.

New York is so different than Massachusetts - the people, the places, the laws. It wasn't finding freedom from my parents that made me realize I should stay in New York. Boston is such a small, clean city compared to New York; I love that about Boston. The homeless people are usually more well dressed than the "normal" people, there aren't stray cats running around, and schools are closed for "Evacuation Day" - which conveniently falls on St. Patrick's Day.

But what does Boston have for me? It seems that everything that I need for my future is in New York. The world's biggest PR firms, marketing companies, advertising agencies, sports teams, and corporate headquarters for almost any company you can think of, are eight miles away from my apartment. If I wanted to work in the marketing department for Samuel Adams or Dunkin Donuts, Boston would be the better choice, but I like knowing that I can keep my options open in New York.

New York is such a fast paced city. Hopping from subway to subway, running uptown, downtown, and cross-town through midtown was scary and intimidating until I actually did it. Working in Manhattan is an experience in itself. I've worked for several different companies in the city- Central Entertainment Group, The Agency, and several bars and restaraunts - and I had different learning experiences every single day.

I know, I know. I have been in New York for almost all of my adult life. While I was in Boston, I wasn't even old enough to do most of the things that I have in New York. But Boston isn't home to eight million people. There is such a vibrant blend of culture in New York that Boston just doesn't have. I've gotten used to hearing people speaking their native languages walking down the street- Russian, Chinese, Farsi, Spanish, Italian, and sometimes, even English. Every different neighborhood in New York has something to offer, and you can find anything you need at just about any time.

In films and literature, New York is usually portrayed either as a city of glamour or as a grimy, corrupt city built on broken dreams. It depends on where you're standing, but New York is both and I've seen both sides. I've seen how the rich and famous live, but I've also seen how the homeless form panhandling unions across the city. I'm perfectly happy right where I am- smack in the middle and watching how it all goes down.