Dear 2012

Welcome.
Please be a good one.
Sincerely,
Goodbye 2011

Dear Snow,

Where art thou? Don't you usually make a dramatic appearance by now? Do you know how long I've dreamed of winter in New York, with the streets magically decked out in Christmas lights and snow? The perfect picture in my head is not what is before me. Seriously, you not being here is getting old. Can you get a move on?
Sincerely,
Impatiently waiting for your arrival

Dear Semester,

Well haven't you just been fun. From the chaos of orientation week, to the confusion of a new building debacle, to the disastrous no ID card situation, to the delightful class lectures, to the unbearable awful professor who really shouldn't be teaching, to the hellacious required class that everyone is glad is over (including the professor. what's up with that?), to the rainy trips to the Met, to the stressful cram sessions, to the bonds with other students over said situations I dare say you've been quite eventful. Please, next year, try to be a little bit calmer.
Sincerely,
Glad we've reached the end

Dear New York City,

Its the little moments, I have found, that make me really love you so. Like walking out of the subway at just the right time of day to catch the sun hitting the buildings just perfectly so. Or arriving at the street corner just as the light changes so my stride never comes to a halt. I needed both of those today, so thank you. Those little things day to day remind just why you are my favorite city. And why I love you as my home.
Love,
Always a fan

Dear Grad School,

I get it now. That time at the start of the semester when the second year told me that the moments I feel beyond overwhelmed and that I will never get through it are completely normal moments everyone has. That time my advisor said there will be moments we want to quit, give up, call it good, and truly believe it was a mistake we ever got accepted into the program are normal thoughts. That time my professor said at one point or another we will all want to cry all the way home on the subway because of how much is left to do, and that breaking down and losing it and essentially becoming a great big ole hot mess is acceptable to do and will happen and its not big deal. Each of those times in the moment I didn't get it. I never thought I would feel like that. I get it now. Those moments have each come. So nice of you Grad School to make everyone feel connected through similar feelings. Thanks for that.
Sincerely,
Two Weeks till freedom

Dear Subway Goers,

You cannot just slowly, mosey your way on up the stairs coming up out of the subway. No. That's just not acceptable. Now those who physically have a more difficult time getting up each step, understandable. By no means is this directed to you. But to those who have complete capability to charge on up those stairs please do so. Better yet, you need to. To the couple this morning who took their sweet time getting on up, who decided it was necessary to pause on each and every stair, I ask you--what were you doing? What was so interesting that you found yourself needing to pause every other second? The glorious art of the subway stairs? That can't be it, there isn't any. Were you lost? Because last time I checked, stairs aren't hard, its either up or down. Not to mention the fact that you both took up the entire stairway. Seriously? You, the slow-poke couple, made me miss my connecting train. Thanks for that. You ruined the pace of my morning. You must be tourists.
Sincerely,
The peeved individual who unfortunately got stuck behind you

Dear Umbrella,

This is now the 3rd day in less than two weeks that I have left you behind and had to walk home in the rain. I have to say, I am not a fan of getting wet with all my books and papers. Ink does not respond well to wet paper. My mother told me never to forget you, and yet I have. Multiple times. From this day forward you will never leave my bag.
Sincerely,
Your Wet Owner