Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed big and had a soul full of passion and desire. I was a girl full of ambition and nothing or anyone could stop me. I didn't believe in sitting around waiting for destiny; I believed in doing everything and anything to make the things you wanted so badly happen. I remember making scenarios in my head about my life, my future, and how things would go. I've gone through many things in my life and have wanted to call it quits more times than I'd like to admit, but the one thing that has always kept me going is my future, my desire to succeed and my ambition to reach the goals I have set for myself.

One of them was moving to NYC. Whenever I step foot into Manhattan my face can't stop shining and portraying a smile from ear to ear, I feel safe and protected, my soul and heart get filled with love and happiness like the sky replenished with stars during the night, and my insides feel like they're going to burst. I feel as if I'm the most powerful woman in the world and like I can conquer anything and everything I set my mind and heart to. When I'm there, I'm my complete self, I'm the happiest I've ever been and I have a feeling of belonging, something I have struggled to find for the past 17 years of life. I may not have been born in New York but I am not ashamed and couldn't be more proud to say it is my home; after all, they do say home is where the heart is.

Last week, I was supposed to be moving to New York City into LIM College's dorms to start my career in fashion. I had met so many amazing people, had found the roommate that I wanted to live with, and had made beautiful friendships that I couldn't wait to keep growing. It was an aspiration I had wanted since I was in ninth grade and everything I did from then until my senior year was for that dream. I worked so hard and did everything in my power to get there. Unfortunately, there are some things you can't control no matter how badly you want or try to and I had to postpone my studies into the big apple for a while. Sadly, life doesn't always work out the way we want to and we have to find a way to live with that. Seeing all the Snapchats and pictures in social media of the girls moving in, their dorms, everything they're doing has definitely brought back memories of my times in New York and I definitely can't wait to step foot in it again very, very soon.

Although I know in my mind, heart, and soul that NYC is the place where I'm headed, life decided to take me through another road for me to get there and that there were a few things I needed to do and a few places I needed to be in before I could finally conquer that. I'll admit it was definitely frustrating when I learned that I wasn't going to be able to attend college in the city. I was sad, angry at the world, at my family, at life, I was depressed, I lost track of what I wanted in life, of my future, and felt like it was the end. I didn't have motivation to attend college anymore it took me a while to find my way back and realize that I couldn't just throw away my life like that, this is just an obstacle along the way to my desires and I need to have my head in the game because it was already February and most colleges deadlines weere right around the corner and if I didn't act fast I would be left with nothing. Thankfully, I was blessed to have found a college that would give me a very good curriculum in the degree I chose, a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, a roommate that is practically my long lost sister, and so many great friends that I can't wait to spend the next 4 years with.

The road to college hasn't been an easy one, but I'm more than grateful to have had my best friends by my side helping me through it, my dad for making me realize that I may not have been able to study in the city but the path that was ahead of me could be even greater than I imagined, the girls from LIM for helping me get through the hard times, being by my side no matter what, my rock when I've needed it most and helping me find a school that could give exactly what I wanted and needed (you know who you guys are), and for everyone at Montclair that I have met or talked to so far because one way or another, you've helped me become comfortable with the school and helped me see that things definitely happen for a reason.

In 2012, I said that in 4 years I would be going to college in the U.S., that I would study fashion, living in New York City, and that as soon as I was graduated from high school and done with prom I would be moving from Puerto Rico to the United States. Now, it's 2016, 4 years later, and I am proud to say that 2 weeks after prom I moved to Florida, this upcoming Saturday I am moving into my college dorm, next week I am starting my first day of college classes towards my degree in Fashion Studies, and am going to a college in New Jersey, just 30 minutes and 19 miles from New York City. I may have had to delay my living in the big apple for four more years but I'd say my reality is pretty damn close to my dreams and the people of Manhattan aren't even ready for when this girl finally conquers the city of dreams.

*I want to dedicate this article to all the LIM girls. Congratulations on your move to the city that fills our veins with love and the beginning of your college life. You're all amazing and I can't wait to see what all of you have to offer and I know you will shine and rise like the stars you all are. Thank you for the incredible support you guys have given me. Can't wait to see you all very soon. Enjoy your journey and never forget to appreciate every little opportunity and challenge you have placed in front of you. I love you guys, have fun!