In 2013 the CW network released The Carrie Diaries, a story about a girl bored of mediocre suburban life and risking it all for a once in a lifetime opportunity working for Interview Magazine in New York. This glamorous New York City lifestyle of Carrie Bradshaw, pre-Sex and the City, shows the young highschooler searching for her big break in the fashion industry. Carrie is swept away by the new fast pace, electrifying city, and surrounding herself with interesting people. Her aspirations towards reinventing herself grow, developing into the realization there is no returning to her old life, and that New York is where she belongs. This show accentuated the alluring side of the city while demonstrating how people can become what they desire and achieve their passions.
Every August before the new school year began, I would watch the show and dream of one day experiencing the admiration Carrie had when working. It built a romanticization of New York City; a version of bliss in chaos as people rush around only focused on themselves; it becomes a place of projection. Imagining different versions of yourself and others, becoming whoever, you want with no questions asked. I found myself searching for the same experience, the high of the city.
Every chance I got I was there; concerts, shopping, going out with friends or museums, just taking it all in around me. The only thing I was missing was the dream job. When I heard of the opportunity to intern in the city, I immediately applied and interviewed. I felt a sense of independence never achieved before, have had jobs, and always worked, but this time was different.
The train would take me into the city every morning, the ride was peaceful, staring out the window with a dramatic soundtrack playing in the back. I was living my music video moment. Arriving in Penn station, I felt like the main character wearing colorful clothes, strutting towards the subway to arrive at my adult job. I was invincible… the wind blowing my hair with a stone-cold glare, no one could tell me anything. At the Starbucks down the block, they knew my order and I was stopped numerous times for directions, I achieved a new level of feeling like I live in the city. After work I had freedom, I could do anything and explore the city I have always loved. I truly felt like myself in a way, almost as if I was missing a piece and finally found it. This was everything I wanted, following the lead of Carrie Bradshaw… I achieved my dream.