At the United Nations

My fourth visit to the United Nations Headquarters was a pleasant one, but every time I am there I can't help but laugh at how incredibly outdated everything is. Walking into the the General Assembly Hall is like stepping back into a bygone decade with its interiors of gold, green, baby blue, and orange. The decor throughout the hall is unabashedly and unapologetically retro.

In order to preserve the goal of international and equal representation, there are no gifts in the room from any individual Member State. The only gifts in the hall are two abstract murals that were commissioned by an anonymous donor and designed by French artist Fernand Léger in 1952.  I find it ironic that a building with so much international and historic significance is lacking in modern features, and yet it so fitting and appropriate for the UN. Rumor has it that the GA Hall will undergo renovation soon, but I've been hearing that for the last three years, so I won't be crossing my fingers. After all, it is the United Nations, and even decisions such as an extreme makeover must be made diplomatically.

Too see a 360 panoramic of the General Assembly Hall, click here.

The UN Coffee Shop is still cash only.

The UN Gift Shop is filled with gifts that come from each of the UN Member States. This set of dishes is supposed to be representative of the United States. I'm pretty sure it looks a lot like my grandmother's wedding dishes.

At least the UN treaties have gone digital. The old paper versions are now
on sale in the UN Bookstore for a whopping buck.

I love this colorful tapestry in the lobby area.

With my fellow Head Delegate and best friend, Kaitlyn.

The emblem of the UN is the world as seen from the North Pole,
framed in an olive wreath to symbolize peace.

New York: Why I Love You But Will Never Call You Home

I still remember my first trip to New York in the summer of 2006. It was the first megacity I had ever visited, and I was fascinated by its fast-paced vibe. The enormousness of everything felt so foreign to me. My fifteen year-old self was convinced that New York was the place for me; I was destined to live there. And when I came across this billboard on a walk, it was like a beacon from the heavens, reaffirming my decision to one day pick up and move to the big city.

I have since returned to New York three years in a row, and though I still love to visit, my sentiments toward living there have changed. The winters in NY are bitterly cold, and even when the sun is shining you are forced to walk in the cool shadows of tall buildings. I crave sunshine and need wide open skies every now and then. Having grown up in the south, it's also difficult for me to imagine daily dealings with strangers that don't slow down to ask you how you are doing. Life in New York is too chaotic for me; I could never keep up.

Thought it is unlikely that I will move to NY anytime soon, I have a strong admiration for the city. There is a certain creative energy and buzz that I find completely infectious. I love the overabundance of small independent shops and the endless options for ethnic food. I love that each borough has its own distinctive character and that I can hear a multitude of languages just sitting in a restaurant or on the subway. The city that never sleeps is always an exciting place to be, and I hope my semi-frequent visits won't discontinue along with my involvement in the Model United Nations conference.