2010!

Photographer: Eden

It is 2010.

I am in New York City! My adventure began when I arrived in JFK less than a month ago. My bags were packed for a year in NYC. A year of struggle, dreams, hopes and possibilities. A year that I was going to make my own and experience EVERYTHING life has to offer. I am 24 years old, single, organised, talented, and formidable. I am going to make it in the most amazing place I have ever been. One of humanity's technological monsters--New York.

It wasn't hard packing up my life into a small suitcase and a back pack. After all, I am a 2008 graduate and in Ireland that meant very little opportunities and few hopes of breaking into the market (unless you are well connected). Never one to give up, I tried my best and eventually got a job as a Commis Chef that gave me a sense of confidence and made me believe that I can make life work. It utilized my organisation, teamwork, artistic and practical skills. I made honest friends, who taught me how to chill and enjoy live. However, I wanted more than just to survive. While I suddenly had a future (not the one I had initially dreamed of but one that was rewarding), I wanted more and I figured that New York was the one place where wanting more wouldn't be considered a bad thing. So, here I am. It is 2010 and I am filled up to the top with possibilities.

This is my first time in New York City, my first time out here on my own! My first New years eve party in a new city. The evening started with great potential, I had been invited to a party, I got to do my makeup in a photographers studio and play under his lights being photographed (feeling fabulous). It will always be a great memory and an opportunity I would have missed if I had gone to the party...I know. He shot tonnes of pictures of the lot of us messing and acting out. Then we set off through the crisp, snow frosted streets of Manhattan.

But after being reluctantly whisked by the main attraction (time square and the party) and herded into an IMAC Cinema. I wished fervently to get lucky. Instead, I enjoyed a minor flirtation with the cashier who sold me a diet coke. I contemplated the dream of some hunk jumping off the movie street and dragging me off over his shoulder to watch the fireworks...except it was a cartoon and the fireworks were just outside. The only thing stopping me was myself.

Instead, I pathetically watched it go midnight on my mobile phone which was sneakily hidden in my handbag as to not offend the lady who I had gotten to turn off her phone early. I considered taking sadistic pleasure in kicking the chair of the guy infront of me and elbowing the person to each side but decided against it. This was my new year...I have to become better not worse. Be the person I want to be.

So, what have I learnt?

True honesty, is not biting your fucking tongue and grinning. TRUE honesty...is doing things you want. It is being true to yourself. It is living your dream. And for this lesson, I will always be happy. Therefore, my evening has had a super lining of hope and dreams and insanity. We managed to make it to time Square (about 26 minutes late) and take a few pictures. Then caught the free subway home with the dashed dreams of what New Years Eve should be like ( haven't seen those pictures although I would love to).

....what is New Years eve? Is it a time to just chill with friends & family (like I actually did) or a time to get all dressed up and hang out with complete strangers and have a hallow ideal 'experience'. If I had gone to this party I would probably have not enjoyed it and besides. I would never have had the chance to have a professional photoshoot that made me overcome my inhibitions to perform for the camera.

But like my wise cousin once said,

"Any decision you make, changes your life irrevocably."

And weighing everything. I made the right decision. I chose the real experience...relaxing and consolidating my friendships with my family to the temporary amusement of a party where I knew no one and would have regretted going to the moment I arrived.

Now I watch the ball drop on Youtube....happy that I was warm and surrounded by friends when 2009 ended and 2010 started.

What better start to my new life than that???

p.s Youtube ball drop in Time Square http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hATF1zWc1k

Suggested music track for this piece: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mzSFcUEJWU