We climbed through hiking trails, walked in three-inch snow without slipping, went downtown for boba tea, went uptown to Walmart trips; woke up at sunset, and slept at sunrise. We sat in a corner wondering in sadness but having been to some boring parties as well.
Saw me fail, saw me succeed. Saw me smile, laugh, and saw me cry. Witnessed as my playlist changed, and so did I. Explored NYC, watching my happiest moments. Been there when I was holding an umbrella on rainy days, eating McDonald's ice cream in freezing temperatures, and Turkish kebab.
Saw me sleeping with my shoes on on random couches in the library and common rooms. Met my professors, and loved them. Been there no matter how I dressed, casual, formal, or cultural. Been there in my midnight uphill walks to my dorm. Saw me getting a perfect GPA, saw me struggling hard in classes as well. Witnessed my messed up sleep schedule, and saw me drinking high amounts of caffeine. Saw me earn money and spend more than I earn.
Saw my friends supporting me at all times, and watched as they scolded me as well. Met some of the most caring people in my life. Watched me from knowing no one here to knowing half of the campus. It saw me talking to my friends back home for hours. Saw me make friends, saw me lose friends.
This pair of shoes saw me being independent, saw me waking up after six alarms, saw me missing classes. It saw me being careful, saw me being careless. Saw how I missed home and cried but never showed it to my mother. Saw stars with me in the clear sky, saw me depressed on gloomy days.
This worn-out mountain boot is the only thing I am throwing out from my freshman year; everything stays engraved inside me.
