Running Through My Veins

September 5, 2008


My first memorable visit to the windy city defined my present ideas about where I want to go in this life and defined my most important characteristics. I stood hand in hand with my mother waiting for that taxi that would take me to the life changing city. Eyes glazed over, I stood on the sidewalk until a yellow flash averted my stare. There was silence for only a moment and then the vehicle sped off with jagged movements. My brain scattered unable to maintain focus as various images flashed through the windows. After about five minutes the driver screeched to a stop and shoved my mother and me out the door while grabbing for the valuable green paper slips. Frantic movements possessed my mother as I became hypnotized by the humbling new scenery. Not much time passed before I realized that this place now defined me and my existence.
Chicago developed an appreciation and a love for variety in me. The second I stepped foot on the experienced sidewalk, more people than I ever knew existed blurred before my eyes. It is said that people fear what is different than themselves, but the sight sparked curiosity and interest in me about what was out there hiding from me and my quiet home town. My mother, troubled by my quickened steps, held onto me with both hands hoping not to lose me. At last, the friction my short legs produced came to an abrupt stop when the Sears Tower intruded on my path. My glance creped up the building’s surface: It must have taken a minute or two for my eyes to reach the top. Jaw dropped, I jolted back into reality with my mothers questioning words. "Elena, Are you feeling well?" It took a much time for me to shake off my astonishment but I managed to continue the day’s adventure. The moment I put myself back together I turned around to take in all that information I ran past just moments before. At this time, the sun seemed to shine brighter to frame the numerous buildings and the hectic motion seemed to slow down as the sounds ceased. Time stood still as I developed my feelings for this place and the place became embedded in my soul. From that moment on I knew that my life's journey would include the beautiful scenery that the city had to offer. Chicago engraved itself in my dreams.
Ever since that first visit, the city molded my characteristics. The need for speed flows in my veins thanks to the constant movement that defines such a populous area. It is as if the city never sleeps. This quality defined me in that I must always have a task at hand or I feel discomfort and concern. I must be doing something with my time or I feel like I am falling behind and the world is passing me by. Whether this is a good quality or a bad quality, it is a quality none the less that has changed the way I live. My mind works like a city runs; no event, no mater how huge or life changing it is, can stop the pulses in my brains nerves.
Along with my new active self, the city has also engrained an appreciation for variety that was never there before. Each day, I see at least a thousand people I have never seen before. Each person has there own story and own ideas that could marvel me for days. Just thinking about all those lives humbles my personality; there are so many people out there that my life almost seems insignificant. Every time I roam the city, I find myself looking at each face that passes me by and try to make a story for them. As I shuffle my way through the pigeon sea, I find a man sleeping on a bench with next to no possessions. Once a wealthy man, he now sits unable to find the money to afford his medication. My quickened steps take me to yet another individual that lives quite a different life. Her black stilettos and revealing dress proves that she is on her way to see that special someone. He has been in her life for only four months and she is already convinced that she is in love. The white glow that shines past her lips hints to the public that her man is in sight. I am introduced to yet another character down the block that is so different from me that I have trouble understanding him and his situation all together. He came from another country to find a better life that will provide for his family. He speaks next to no English and wanders the street with fear blazing through his eyes. I learn from each individual in a way so minute that I almost do not recognize the lessons at all. Depending on my situation, I use the lessons these people teach to live my own life. The variety provides for a vast knowledge that could get me through any conflict.My rambling about the city and its wonders has encouraged my friends to label me with a nickname: City girl is now my accepted title. I go where the population is great and time does not stop. That first visit to Chicago made all this clear. Thanks to that trip, I now have a passion for the blaring horns and the people that flow like streams. Now, I have a love for the constant motion that fails to stop no mater what the circumstances might be. Now I find joy in looking at all the people in the world that are so different from each other that there is no way to even consider them the same species. This place impacted my life more than any other place my eyes have seen. No matter where I am, Chicago will always be on my mind.