My Experience with New York
Emily Baker
English 1101 11:00 A.M.
2 October 2012
Experiencing New York as a Marching Band Member The city lights, attractive sights, and bustling lifestyles were what I had only seen on television and dreamed of at night. I had only heard stories of this place, always imagining what it would be like to live in such a colossal city. This was a gift; my chance to do exactly what my mother did her senior year of high school. The people and places I saw, the events and experiences I got to see and do, and the memories I have the honor of carrying with me are all reasons why this trip to travel to New York City has been one of the most memorable experiences I have had in my young life so far. Before I even signed up on the roster, I had to know if I could afford to go. Given that this was an optional trip, it was asking for a plethora of money to be shelled out by the band members and families. Though the trip was announced in September and was planned for March, money became tight. My parents told me I would not be able to go, and that they were sorry for disappointing me. As I gave out my wishes to my friends who were going, I prayed that I would miraculously still be able to go. After our Michigan Christmas road trip, my family and I stopped in Virginia with my grandmother for a vacation away from vacation. What I didn’t know was that my grandmother talked to my parents about paying for me to go on the trip in full as a graduation gift. They kept it a secret until my mother went through my band director, who is like a second father to me, to see if there was any way I could still go. As if it was meant to be, someone dropped out a couple months before the trip and I was put on the roster! I came home one day, still down about my friends going to New York without me, and was told that grandma wanted me to call her. After both my parents were by me, I dialed her number. Once the usual small talk was finished, my grandma asked about this New York trip I
English 1101 11:00 A.M.
2 October 2012
Experiencing New York as a Marching Band Member The city lights, attractive sights, and bustling lifestyles were what I had only seen on television and dreamed of at night. I had only heard stories of this place, always imagining what it would be like to live in such a colossal city. This was a gift; my chance to do exactly what my mother did her senior year of high school. The people and places I saw, the events and experiences I got to see and do, and the memories I have the honor of carrying with me are all reasons why this trip to travel to New York City has been one of the most memorable experiences I have had in my young life so far. Before I even signed up on the roster, I had to know if I could afford to go. Given that this was an optional trip, it was asking for a plethora of money to be shelled out by the band members and families. Though the trip was announced in September and was planned for March, money became tight. My parents told me I would not be able to go, and that they were sorry for disappointing me. As I gave out my wishes to my friends who were going, I prayed that I would miraculously still be able to go. After our Michigan Christmas road trip, my family and I stopped in Virginia with my grandmother for a vacation away from vacation. What I didn’t know was that my grandmother talked to my parents about paying for me to go on the trip in full as a graduation gift. They kept it a secret until my mother went through my band director, who is like a second father to me, to see if there was any way I could still go. As if it was meant to be, someone dropped out a couple months before the trip and I was put on the roster! I came home one day, still down about my friends going to New York without me, and was told that grandma wanted me to call her. After both my parents were by me, I dialed her number. Once the usual small talk was finished, my grandma asked about this New York trip I