Moments of Magic

Browsing in the Big Apple

"Thank God we're done with exams!" I exclaimed to Brittany and Kirsten one month after my all time low. We had just finished our final exams the previous week, and we got to go on a field trip to the Big Apple with Principal G and Ms. Schmidt.

"Yeah! Aren't you relieved?" Brittany giggled. She was always bubbly and giggly, even when it was seven in the morning. We were waiting for our train to NYC to arrive. And it arrived sooner than I thought. The train ride was long, but I killed time by playing on my DS and talking to Principal G. Three hours later, we arrived in New York and set off for lunch.

After lunch, we made our way to the Tenement Museum, where immigrants would stay a hundred years ago. We got to go inside an actual tenement. It was left in its original state for all to see. I was really tired, as I had been up since 4:00, so I would zone out. On any given day, I would've been attentive, since 100 year old birth records were being passed out. I was a sucker for old stuff.

"And then on March 25, 1911...the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire occurred." The tour guide stated. At this point, I looked up. This sort of stuff perked my interests. I remember listening intently to a documentary of said tragedy in Ms. Fuse's Social Studies class.

"I actually learned about this in school." I announced.

"Really? Go on."

"So during the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, a fire started in said factory. 146 people died in this fire. The ladders of the firemen weren't high enough to reach the floors where the fire was, so women would jump off the roof. People were trapped in the elevator, and three women fell through a safety net being held by the firemen."

It was weird to think said event happened a hundred years ago. Ms. Fuse showed us photos of the aftermath of said incident. It was quite gruesome, and then there's the Holocaust footage. Don't get me started on that.

"I was impressed by how much you knew about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire." Ms. Schmidt complimented as we were leaving the Tenement Museum.

"Guess you could say I'm Hermione Granger." I shrugged.

"You're Hermione Granger?"

"I guess. I mean, we both like learning, and we're really smart." I always compare myself to Hermione. She's like my fictional doppelgänger. I don't have bushy hair, though. So we had dinner at a pasta restaurant and afterwards, we headed into Times Square. The thing I always try to find every time I go there is the ball. By the ball, I mean the ball that drops every New Year's Eve.

While in Times Square, we went to many of the stores there, including the Disney Store. While pursuing in said store, I found a plastic version of Kylo Ren's lightsaber.

"I'm gonna buy this." I said while holding the lightsaber.

"Go right ahead, I'm not gonna stop you." Principal G replied. And so I did. I could not describe the feeling I had when I paid $30 for the lightsaber. Finally, a Star Wars item to add to my fangirl gear!

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The next morning was spent at MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). I was dreading this visit, but I happened to enjoy it. The last time I went to New York, my mom took me there and I was bored out of my mind, despite the fact that I was into art. And the reason? When my mom took me there, loads of people were there, so I couldn't appreciate the artwork displayed. This time around, however, the place was completely empty. And did I mention that we got to spend 10 minutes in front of van Gogh's Starry Night?

"So we're going to take the boat tour around Ellis Island?" Brittany asked after lunch.

"Yep. That's where we're headed." Principal G replied. Soon, we got onto the boat and set off for Ellis Island. In the midst of it all, it started raining. During that time, we all thought it was a good idea to go outside to the front of the boat. I made my way to the front and posed spread my arms out far and wide. Kirsten then joined in and together, we reenacted the Titanic movie.

After that, we headed back to our luxurious hotel to prepare for the Broadway show, School of Rock. It was very inspiring...and loud. I almost swore I was going deaf while watching the show. As soon as the show was over, we headed outside in order to get autographs from the cast---and a picture with the lead actor.

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Then Wednesday rolled around. That was the day we had to leave, but not before taking a tour of NBC Studios and recording our own talk show episode. I played the guest speaker who was filming an action flick. I had loads of fun with it.

"As soon as you volunteered, I knew you were gonna kill it." Ms. Schmidt commented.

"Thanks." I answered. The entire school community knew of my acting ability after the school play. After lunch, it was time to leave. I was sad to go, but excited to go home and chill.

As I sat in the train bound for Washington, D.C., I began to reflect on my time with Brittany, Kirsten, Luna, and significant others who played a part in my middle school career. During these two years, I had created memories with these people that would last forever, from my first day to the very last. If there was one thing I was going to regret, it was the fact that I didn't get more time with these...wonderful...people.

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Author's Note: Phew! One more chapter to go!

Have you guys ever been to New York?