In the Heart of the Big Apple

8 Things I Experienced Returning to My Birth State

New York City. Home to Madison Square Garden, the Late Show, and Saturday Night Live. Known for it’s style of pizza, terrible traffic, and Broadway. Its rich history — from the arrival of Beatle Mania to the events that took place on 9/11 — is in record books. The Big Apple is considered among one of best cities in the world. It is not known for one thing, but for countless endeavors. Yet when I think of New York City, the first thing that comes to my mind is not how great the sports teams are, the delicious food carts, or the cold weather that creeps up all the time and never seems to leave. None of that. The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of the Big City is my birth state.

As part of the Mt. SAC journalism program, I was given the opportunity to come back to the place where I was born. A place I haven’t laid two feet on since I was two weeks old. I knew right when my adviser, Toni Albertson, told me I was going with her Substance editors and the PR group that was going to be a trip of a lifetime for me. To finally go back after 20 years is mind-blowing. I never thought of going back after being in California all this time. But when she told me, I was as happy as I ever have been.

Just days before leaving on March 11 from LAX to JFK, the editor and of the Mountaineer and my mentor, Albert Serna, told me while eating at Denny’s that he was going to give me a list.

“A list,” I said with food in my mouth. “Why are you giving me a list, bro?”

“Because, Nick. I want you to experience New York City how I would have wanted to when I first went,” Serna said. “Just little things that will make this a more memorable trip than expected. You’ll see.”

At this point I was very eager to see this list, but Serna said to wait until we get to New York. He would not even give me a hint of what was going to be on this list. I for sure thought it was going to be like a P.S. I Love You type of letter, or a scavenger hunt thing. Either way, I was anticipating the trip even more.

However, once we all arrived at our hotel in Time Square, Serna insisted that I wait later due to me being sick and tired. Even though he was right, I was still pissed. I wanted to get going on his list for me. It felt like a mystery I could not without having any piece of evidence.

Finally, after a couple sessions at the College Media Association journalism conference going on at the Sheraton Hotel, Serna handed me the list. It was on a small piece of notebook paper, written in blue ink. I laid down on the bed and began reading.

Nick in The Big City

Nicholas, here’s a list of shit I want you to do in NYC, nothing too crazy, but it’ll be eye-opening
-Albert

I looked through it all. None were going to be difficult to accomplish, but a challenge it was for some of the things on the list. I did some without even knowing of it the night before.

The list goes as is and how it was fulfilled:

. Spend Time Alone — walk the city by yourself and get lost, but not too lost

This one was obviously the easiest on the list, but the one that required more substance. Of course walking the streets of New York City would be an adventure for me, but I had to make it more unique than walking just a straight line from the hotel to a 24-hour McDonald’s. On two separate occasions, I left the building to linger out into this land I have not seen. Once at night and once at day. Each have a distinct feeling about it. Morning is filled with business men, tourists, and athletes running around getting to where they have to be whether its there job or just some show at Radio City. At night, even though people are at clubs and what not, the city cleans itself, getting ready to do it all over again, like a machine. One thing I truly noticed during my jog around is this one man. He was homeless, cold, and depressed. On TV and movies, you see the bright lights and celebrities that fill this City from top to bottom. Yet, it never shows it shady parts like that man. I see it all the time back home in Redlands. Poor people asking for money, but never did I expect it to be at a place like New York. I was sadly wrong.

. Be Assertive — talk to as many people as you can, but don’t act a fool

To be honest, I’m a bit shy. If certain things are brought up, I have a tendency go on and on for hours. On other certain things, I’ll stay quiet and avoid the subject matter all together. I have learned throughout this year that the key to being a great journalist is to be outgoing and having as many acquaintances as possible. So I had to get out of my shell for this one. I did get to meet people I thought I would ever have a care in the world to meet.

When I was with a group, the last night before going back home, we went to go eat at the Cafeteria on 7th ave. Since I was one of only two guys in a group of 11, the main conversations going on were about drama, the food, and how mind-blowingly, out-of-this-world amazing New York has been. It’s the second to last day, and I have heard enough of this already. The other guy, Ernest Gonzales, was busy keeping his girlfriend company, so I just went outside for some fresh air. The security guard of the restaurant was outside, doing his job in the freezing cold air. I spoke to him for a bit, getting to know a little about his social life and giving me tips on how to pick up girls at clubs with my girlfriends. Great stuff that I’ll never forget.

I also got to know a taxi driver while on the way to Toshi’s Living Room. His name is hard to spell, let alone know how to pronounce. He came from West Africa, hoping to give a better life for his daughter in the land of the free. Although he does live in the Bronx and having to take the train home every day after his shift, he is very optimistic for the future of his family. Unfortunately, there was not enough time to finish our conversation as we arrived at my destination. I did tip him well for a good talk.

. Try New Things — Do shit you normally wouldn’t back home, just be safe

Going back to the homeless man I saw while I was wondering the city, I did something more out of kindness than for the sake of karma. I gave the man my jacket. It was raining and the wind was blowing hard, people walking by this man with not a care in the world for him. Not a dime in his cardboard box. I got on one knee and asked the man if he wanted this. He looked at me and said thank you. After that I walked away. I’m not sure what that man will do with it, whether he will keep it or sell it for drugs. It is up to him. I hope he uses it to his advantage in this state. All I knew is that I have money and he does not. I can provide for myself when he struggles to. I can buy myself a new jacket when he most likely has to find one in a garbage disposal.

. Be Yourself — Forget what people think and enjoy the city

Right from the beginning of the trip I let myself loose and be as weird and crazy as I usually am, according to my friends and family. When the whole staff arrived at the first subway, with the cold breeze making our body shiver from top to bottom, I took off my jacket, beanie, and gloves and jumped in the air as I truly felt what it was like to be cold. Then the whole group shouted at me to put my clothes back on before I got pneumonia.

One thing for sure was that, at some point or another, each member of the group had a heart-to-heart with another. Although it seemed like, I had four or five all during the trip, the one that stood out to me was when Serna, Ayala, Pablo Unzueta, Jennifer Sandy and I were all chilling at the bar before heading back to the airport to catch our flight home. While at times I did leave our table to go check Sportscenter on Bracketology, I would come back to hear a certain topic on depression, homosexuality, and much more. For the first time I let a group of people, barely known in a little of a year, into my head and outlook on things. I told them about my stained relationship with my father. I told them my view on gays. I told them how I thought everyone, no matter how happy a person can be, there is always a moment in their life of weakness and self-hurt. And though we all have our different view on subjects, we all got close with one another. I could not be happier than to show another side of myself that I rarely let people outside of my small herd of people I trust see.

. Eat One Good Meal — Spend a little extra and treat yourself

I accomplished this number on the last day at a small brunch restaurant in Bleeker St. It was not memorable in any way. Although the the salmon with a small salad on the side was above average, still was not my type of place. Also, I had a bloody Mary that was disgusting. I barely touched it after the first sip. It tasted as if sour-flavored tomatoes were crushed into water. Don’t even get me started with the bill. Now I am even more broke than before.

. Take Chances — don’t sweat it if things don’t work, try something else

Unfortunately, I was unable to do this one. I had this plan that I was going to do this at the last minute in New York City, and that was the problem. I waited until the last minute to do this and I missed my chance. I was going to find the most beautiful girl in the area at the moment, come up to her, and kiss her before I had to run off home and never see her again. I had a chance at the bar with a hot waitress. Serna said she looked like the girl from Dead Sara, but I thought she was beyond that. She was a star that shined brighter than most. I was just too shy get up and do it. I will be back and I will see her again to kiss her next year.

. Embrace the City — It’s the center of the world and you’re in it! Let it guide you, but use good judgement

Other than for walking the streets of Time Square, going into more gay bars than straight bars, and having a glimpse of the Garden, I visited the Sept. 11 Memorial.

I didn’t know what to expect, but once I arrived, it hit me. I could feel the lost souls in area. All the lives lost that fateful day. It was bigger than I imagined. Not a single piece of trash or graffiti on it. Not a word said. Simply silence. In my head, I could see it all happen. The planes hitting the two towers back-to-back. Serna shedding tears and everyone needing a moment alone, it was difficult to be there for. Even though I was only six when 9/11 occurred, it leaves an impact on people’s lives. Even when I touched the names of the victims, it just gave me a sense of feeling that all can change in a matter of a day. This city alone had to rebuild itself up from the ashes, and are back in shape.

. Get to Know People — ask questions and bond with the team. If they don’t want to that’s on them, but try

As Sandy said on a Facebook post, “We left as colleagues and returned as friends.” She cannot be anymore right. I was not really close with anyone, other than Serna, in the group. A few side conversations here and there. But I didn’t really know anyone. I knew what everyone was talented at from graphic designing to photography. Yet there is more to people than meets the eye.

For example: Ayala. I thought this guy at first was just a happy-going guy in the newsroom who was really into tech and Pokemon. He seemed like a quiet guy and only let himself go when it was to metal music. I learned this man has a voice. A voice of a man that wants to be heard in front of a hundred people at a bar doing karaoke. This guy wants to rock n’ roll all the time. Although he does keep to himself at times, he is a pretty cool dude and glad to have gotten closer with the big guy.

Cynthia Schroeder, if it wasn’t for running into her in the middle of the hotel, we would not have said a single word to each other during the whole convention. I would have just seen her as the talented designer girl that showed up once in a while in class for the rest of the time. So I was going on one of my “Spend Time Alone” sessions and was doing my best to avoid everyone as best as I can. Before heading out the door, she saw me. I was not going to be rude and ignore her, so I stayed and talked. What else did I have planned? We sat at the hotel bar and began talking about whatever was on our minds at times. Without getting into specifics, Schroeder and I have stuff in common. She’s a really caring, and great person to be around with. Definitely a leader in my eyes.

I did hope to get closer with others, but time flies by these days when you are a journalist/student/courtesy clerk at Stater Bros. Gonzales and I were planning to go visit Yankee Stadium, but each of our plans kept piling up and caused us to miss our chance. Next time for sure. Unzueta, on the final day, gave me glimpse into his world. I got to see his art and how he works on becoming the next best photo journalist. And I can’t possibly forget Mr. Albertson. Even though I was sick and partially deaf during the whole trip, I listened in close to whatever this guy had to say. I don’t know why, it was just cool to hear what all this guy knew.

In the end, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience in the Big City. Serna made this trip even better for me than I hoped it would. My newly found brother. Thanks to Albertson for allowing me to go along for the ride with her fantastic group of writers. I would like to congratulate both Serna and Sandy for getting the chance to meet the with Medium. I can’t wait to see them both sky high with journalism. Great job to Adam Fuentes for earning third place in the photography competition at the convention. I’m happy for them all. I can’t wait for next year to come back home and explore more of what of what I have missed out on.

New York City, I’ll see you next year.