November 3, 2003

3:47am

I've heard so much about you that I had to come see for myself. You are more than just a visit to a fancy mall, you are like a visit to one of the biggest, best, brightest cities in the world. For you, I have to mentally prepare myself and strategically plan for.

When I arrive, the moon is at its peak and I see stars in your eyes. You're cold, but I have on extra layers so it'll be more difficult for your coldness to penetrate and discourage me from wanting to experience more of your world.

You are so bright on the outside so you attract a lot of people who only want to know you externally. I want to know you internally. I want to visit your museum and learn everything there is to know about your history, your culture, your beginning. Don't get me wrong, I'll cherish your flashing lights, your tall buildings, your art, but I know there is more to you.

They say you never sleep. So I just have to wonder what are the endless options of fun you have to offer throughout a 24 hour day. As I walk through your streets, I visit all your high class stores. I don't stop there, I even partake in the the simplicity of all your street vendors and local markets and plazas.

You're beautiful. You are the most beautiful has the warmth from your sun radiates through my hotel window and and stirs me. You want my attention, it's yours and undivided. Today, I want to spend my day going deeper with you. As I descend deeper into your city, I touch your walls. I hear your different types of music. I experience you. I know you move fast, with a mission on your mind. but you slowed down just enough for me to keep you in my sights.

They say you're the hottest tourist spot, that you're made for tourists. But I know you despise them. They come from all walks of life to take from you, make you feel special and wanted, but to them, you aren't home. You might even get attached to some, but in the end, they leave with broken promises of return.

You want to despise me. In your eyes, I'm one of them. But you don't know my intentions of being a permanent resident. I want to make your culture mines. I want to contribute to your lifestyle and be the one you can rely on for stability. I'm not a tourist because, I didn't come here just to make a memory and then leave you. I want to make memories with you and reminisce about it all when we grow older.

You became everything to me. Every moment with you I feel like it's 12 AM on New Year's in New York, and the ball just dropped. I fell for you. I'm here for you. I won't ever leave. Even though you are silent, your actions speak louder. You show me the parts of you that no one has ever seen, and that means a lot because, you are a tourist attraction so one would believe they've seen all of you.

Your heart is the greatest attraction there is.

Your heart is where I reside.

I love you, Manhattan.