My First Impression at Yale

    Finally. Back on the coast that had become a part of my summer ritual. As soon as I walked out of the plane the transition from dry heat to the humidity that I found myself feeling sticky. A question a majority of people ask me when I come back to the East Coast every summer is "Doesn't the humidity bother you?", simply the answer is no. I enjoy the change of setting, weather, scenery, people, culture, and more. I enjoy noticing the change in surrounding plants, coastlines, roads, buildings, and people. I found my father and I back in a familiar spot that felt nostalgic -- riding a train. Moving through different cities, seeing the change of lifestyle in different people, it made me feel like I was in my own personal movie. From light grey skies in Long Island, to large lakes filled with boats near Greenwich, up until the dark sky with a yellowish tint illuminated by the lights with the words "New Haven" surrounding me. Songs about fulfilling dreams and passion in their blood all urging me to be aware that I am in the right place, and that this experience will uniquely have a strong hold onto my character -- my experience at Yale.

    As soon as my father and I walked out of Penn Station I found myself smiling as I was happy to once again be here in New Haven. Waiting for Uber that said they would be at my location in 5 minutes, yet those five minutes felt like an eternity. I felt myself eagerly anticipating for the car to show up and take me to a location that will heavily impact my life as a High School student, my last summer as a High School student and I was spending it at a dream I have held so tightly since I was five years old. Finally, the car pulled up to the side of my father and I, the driver telling us stories of growing up in New Haven and how she so desperately wanted to leave and head West in the future. Me however, I noticed a juxtaposition between the driver and I, I desperately want to leave the West and head East, if only her and I could switch positions. Then a stream of lights, booming fireworks, and gothic buildings fell upon my sight. I once again found myself smiling as I knew I was at Yale. Upon arriving at the hotel I found myself having that feeling of anticipation, waiting for tomorrow to come, telling myself "if only tomorrow can come faster." Opening a window and looking out to see tall gray buildings feeling like they are calling me and telling me "Come here!" I felt as if I could stare at this beautiful view for hours as there was always something interesting going on, whether it was hearing the bells go off, seeing busybodies running around frantically trying to go to class, or even the families cruising along the pavement and showing their kids the area and all it has to offer. This small town was beautiful in itself and I could not get enough of it. 

    Then, tomorrow came and I was rushing to get ready and head off to the campus with my father. We rush out of the door and within 10 minutes I am on the campus looking at the buildings with a look in my eye you could find from a five year old opening their dream gifts on Christmas morning. Again, the beauty of the school grabbed my full attention, it was as if the world paused around me and everything just tuned out. I was happy to be here, yet words could not express the joy I had. The tall gothic buildings again extremely captivating, everything in sight just seemed to have their own uniqueness to their building, something different from the rest, even if it was just a small detail. When arriving to Cross Campus and seeing the tables lined up to help my future self be directed to a new way of life for the next three weeks, I immediately rushed with my luggage in hand and my father trailing behind me with an even heavier bag. The lush green hovering over my eyes, I have never been so excited to see my favorite color fully surrounding me. Despite the gloom everything still was so beautiful and distinct, the repetition of those songs filling my brain, those lyrics describing passion and independence, urging me to remember I am here for a reason and everything will be memorable and worth it in the end.