My first impression of New York City was from the movie Little Manhattan. If you have seen the film, I know this reference just flooded your memory with nostalgia of little Josh Hutcherson roaming New York on a razor scooter.  And if you haven’t seen the film, then the only thing you need to know is that it was by no means ground-breaking, but it was a love story of two kids who grow up in Manhattan. This movie taught me that New York City is a playground. 

My second impression of New York City was from the all-too-familiar The Devil Wears Prada. I was nine-years-old, and my mother told me I wasn’t old enough to watch it. So, naturally, I stole the DVD from my mom and secretly watched it on my portable DVD player that I had saved up for. I remember all of the beautiful clothes being worn by beautiful women, and for the first time, I saw the glamor outside of my small, rural town. But more importantly, this movie taught me that New York City is for those who have grit. 

My third impression of New York City comes from Glee, season two. I can feel you rolling your eyes, thinking “Here we go again. Another kid who grew up watching Glee during her pre-teen years, and she still can’t stop talking about Glee.” Well, yes. That’s completely true. And just know that though I’m not necessarily proud of it, it did influence my perception of New York City. Behind all of the problematic plots and the adult Kids Bop cover songs, this show taught me that New York City is a place for dreamers.

My last impression of New York City came from Sex and the City. Having seen this as a full- fledged adult living on my own in a dorm room, I was immediately transcended into a different kind of New York City. This show taught me that New York City is for the independent. But it also taught me that the Big Apple can be for those who make it up as they go along. 

So where does this leave me? Unprepared. It may come as a shock, but there are not enough 2000’s pop culture references in the world that can truly ready a person for a city as notorious as New York City. But when I arrived in New York, the one thing I was sure of was that New York is a different experience for every person who dares to stomp its streets. I wonder what it has in store for me. 

// Olivia Howe, copywriter