06/23/15
There was so much excitement, anxiety, and apprehension coursing throughout my parent’s house… Today was the day we were waiting for. This was it. No more time to plan, only execution. For the past few months, this class was the only thing on my mind; not just because of the adventurous trek ahead with some fellow artists, but because the closer the date got, the more unrealistic it sounded. Finally, we were all presented with the trip of a lifetime; one that was immersed, steeped in art. That time full of anticipation and anxiousness arrived; the day upon which we embarked on our journey.
Security was a breeze, my nerves however were not. Apprehensively, I walked to my gate unsure of what awaited me once I got to NYC.
Seattle to Dallas, Dallas to JFK. Seemed simple enough— get to the other gate I needed as quickly as I could, board the plane, sit and wait. Turns out that plan had holes…
I got off the plane in Dallas, asked where my gate was, went to the gate I needed only to discover my gate assignment had changed; I had forty minutes to go to the opposite side of the airport that was only accessible by a light rail. Flustered, hot, and exhausted, I boarded the light rail, and hoped that by a miracle I’d find my gate, everyone would cheer, there would be balloons, cake, and flowers; all would be swell.
Boy, was I wrong!
In my anxiety ridden state, I got off at the incorrect stop, had to re-board the light rail, and pray a lot harder that I’d make it on time. I got to the appropriate gate when the man behind the counter says, “ Ladies and gentlemen, just letting you know that the flight to JFK, flight number 256 has been delayed due to extreme weather conditions. Right now, I’m waiting to hear back when exactly we’ll be ready to board, but as of right now, we’re looking at about 2 and a half hours from now. I’m sorry for the inconvenience!”
The worst part? There was no coffee anywhere in sight…
At long last, we boarded. I was freed from the hot, stifling, tiny terminal and able to begin the last leg of the journey.
The view from up there was beautiful, though my fear of heights surfaced a few times. Eagerly I examined the view from up there, the marvelous lights of cities beaming up at me, wondering which one would be our final descent.
Almost instinctively, New York laid itself out on a marvelous carpet studded with lights, dimension, and mystery. All too quickly, I knew that this was the New York I was about to see.
-Rebekkah James