Leia, 16, NYC
2009 has definitely been one of the best years of my life. Life has changed drastically in so many ways I don’t really even know where to start. First of all, I graduated high school, moved to Brooklyn in my own apartment with my best friend, and started as a photography major at Parsons. To narrow it down to having just one, “best day” is sort of impossible for me. This was such a great year overall.
In March I went to SXSW with my then boyfriend and two friends. I had a blast, but then again, I always do at SXSW! In June I was part of a photo show during Northside Festival in Brooklyn. I had 7 large prints placed in the Music Hall of Williamsburg along with 7 other BrooklynVegan.com photographers. It was so amazing to see my work blown up like that. A lot of my friends came out and supported me and it was definitely one of the happiest, proudest moments I’ve had. I felt like I really progressed as a photographer this year overall. With the photoshow, being published on NYMAG.com and Vogue.com, I’ve started to feel like I’m actually becoming something.
I had an amazing summer this year. I spent most of it at home in Tuxedo Park and became very close to a group of kids that lived in my town. We had such a nice group. We would go on hikes, have barbeques, have dinner out on the lake, sit out on the boat all night talking and watching stars…exploring parts of our town we never knew existed.
It was really amazing, I have never appreciated where I’ve grown up before until this summer. I also went up to Maine with my then boyfriend and two friends where another of our friend’s had a house on an island. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and I took some of my best photos to date there (I think so anyway!). That trip my boyfriend and I broke up, and that was fine since it was mutual and we still remain friends.
I guess the worst day so far has been the days where I’m just feeling down because things aren’t the way they used to be. I’m stressed out a lot due to the amount of work I get (don’t get me wrong, I love it, but it really takes a toll on my body and mind), and nostalgic for the past. A lot of my closest friends went away to college and I’ve felt really socially distant from them all, as well as people at my school. I don’t dorm and I’m so swamped with work that it is hard for me to meet new people. This is just a rut though, so I am sure I will get out of it. I have over a month long break coming up in two weeks and I couldn’t be more excited!
Another amazing day this year was the first time I saw Bruce Springsteen. My room mate is related to him, and her cousin was his tour manager (he has since passed away, and she is still dealing with it. He was such a nice guy and my heart goes out to everyone that he meant something to. He was the first person I ever knew who died, and that was pretty hard to take). She took me to see him play the last Giants Stadium shows in New Jersey before they knocked it down. I got to go backstage, hang out with the crew, see the show from the stage…it was mind-blowing. I have since then been to 7 Bruce shows, each one as amazing as the last. I even met him a few times and he remembers me now! Crazy stuff.
Oh! Also, I got bangs. I look a lot different than I used to and I think they are going to stay.
2010 should be a good year for me. I am looking forward to my second semester at Parsons, getting an internship, etc. I am excited for the summer and the adventures it will bring. Each year I’m surprised, the future is so funny…I can’t predict at all where I’ll be this time next year. I would never guess in a million years LAST year that where I am currently, is where I would be.
