coffee and consistency

Jamie & J.D.

Last night, Elaina & I

Sunrise…

Click here for my entire NYC photo album.

If you only knew how many times a cup of coffee has seemingly changed my life. Obviously it’s the encounter—the prayer or conversation and not the cup itself—but praise Jesus for these mug moments. Denzel’s ‘Coach Boone’ put it best when he entered his football stadium. “This is my sanctuary,” he said, and I can relate each time I settle into a café window seat inspired by the aroma.

That being said, I’m nestled into an upstairs corner at Downtown Boone’s Espresso News. I’m trying to find the slightest urban vibe from this mini-mixing pot, but it’s obvious that I’m just not in Manhattan anymore. I’ve been home for one week, and yes, a lot has changed, but at the same time it seems that nothing has changed at all. That can only be evidence of God’s consistent presence and blankets of His comfort. From starting that Friday in the 15^th floor window sill watching my last Manhattan sunrise, to finally landing in Raleigh hours later, He was there all along. In my first few days at home, I’ve been overwhelmed by His goodness! You’ve heard it before, that God remains the same when who or even where we are doesn’t, but I’ve been continually washed over by that truth… With a future bound to see continual change, God has not only promised to be there but to be the very source of this adventure. In New York, the Lord showed His power by renewing me every morning and preparing me to believe and walk in His purpose daily. What made me think that this would cease when I left? There’s just something romantic about saying that the city changed me this summer, but it was only a tool, only the backdrop for God’s plans.

It wasn’t the skyline. It wasn’t my beautiful new friends. It wasn’t even a cup of coffee. It was Jesus. Only Jesus.

Your setting doesn’t make your experience, and the strength of your coffee unfortunately doesn’t affect the strength of your prayer. But the strength of your Saviour, that “is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9), is your only reliable source for real change—real joy.

All that being said, apologies for not writing sooner… I missed the chance to share many of my favorite New York times with you. As you can imagine, time flew as I came closer to leaving my beloved Manhattan and beloved friends, and blogging was a distant thought. So, in perfect slacker fashion, I will list off the most irresistible moments of my last few weeks instead:

1. I finally got to Brooklyn, the hippest place on earth. I explored its quieter, graffiti-laden streets on the hottest day of the summer, but loved every minute. I will live in Brooklyn before I die. Went back a few days later, and walked the Brooklyn Bridge with J.D. at sunset. Those kind of views stay with you.

2. I made some sweet contacts through DETAILS… I was able to eat with some editorial interns from Traveler, as well as go to a PR showcase and score some free Skullcandy gear. On my last day, I got a big ‘thank you’ from the team with promises to keep in touch and a box of Kate’s favorite macarons.

3. Jamie visited for a long weekend and we explored the city, ran down the Hudson and of course visited New York’s finest coffee shops. She got a taste of my entire summer in her short four days… Our favorite: Screwtape Letters on Broadway… The simple two-person cast definitely did C.S. justice with their raw presentation of his masterpiece.

4. My last week, I went to dinner with Josh in the Lower East Side at Panna II, the tackiest and most delicious Indian restaurant I’ve ever been to. It all began with that guy, and what an inspiration he’s been. If we can find each other on a yellow bus in Scotland and again in New York City, you know we’re just getting started… If it’s a friendship built on postcards and blog posts, then it might just be the most beautiful one of all.

5. J.D., Elaina, Kay and I celebrated an incredible summer on my last two nights with a Gallery prayer night (where I first met J and Elaina the month before) and with Cuban food and a walk down the Hudson on Thursday. We walked back through the West Village and said our ‘see ya laters’ as we went our separate ways… J.D. put it best, as always, simply describing our short friendship as “beautiful” and hugged me goodbye.

I guess that leaving New York was just one giant ‘To Be Continued…’ I couldn’t stay away even if I wanted to. “These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you. Let’s hear it for New York.”

slow pony home

“I held so many people in my suitcase heart that I had to let the whole thing go…” -the Weepies

I fly out of Manhattan tomorrow morning, and once again, I find myself wondering how to deal with leaving. We’ll find out.

article in the pilot

The Pilot

by: Kelsey Snell

New York City was a souvenir ring I wore around my finger for 10 years. It was a school trip. It was an unexpected Christmas gift.

This summer, New York City is my home.

My summer internship in Manhattan with Condé Nast’s Details magazine is the result of first falling in love with writing as a high school intern at The Pilot. The Southern Pines office might not stand tall in Times Square, or have the revolving doors and security guards, but the passion I’m pursuing here was first planted there.

Condé Nast boasts one of the most well-known magazine ­portfolios in the field with titles like Vogue, The New Yorker and GQ, as well as an innovative men’s fashion magazine called Details. That’s where I fit in.

I found out that I would be interning at Details about two weeks before I started. Through a web of connections and faith, my summer plans took a turn for the best.

I am working with the magazine’s creative services and advertising team, and although I’m unable to work with the editorial side, I get a valuable look into advertising, ­branding and the creativity that sells it.

Knowing why the reader picks up the magazine with your story inside in the first place will prepare me to better craft the story itself.

My internship at Details has only affirmed my consistent passion for writing. Pursuing truth with a pen, jotting down epiphanies on the nearest piece of paper, was the first step toward many of the beliefs and convictions I stand firm on today. Applying that habit to a newsroom setting was an easy transition. Journalism is a career I undoubtedly want to pursue.

Even more unexpected than a dream internship at a top publishing company is the inspiration I’ve found in Manhattan. This experience has been more than a “Beverly Hillbillies” storyline, where the small town girl goes to the big city. I’ve never thought of myself as that girl. I know where home is, but it’s second nature to want to discover the rest.

Each day has been a new adventure, from biking to exploring the villages on the Hudson River. It’s those moments of perfect independence — lost on a side street — that I treasure most. Life is as it should be when the only things I can find are a good cup of coffee and a window seat.

I was in awe as I watched fireworks from a Chelsea rooftop on July Fourth. Those explosions in the sky were a fitting backdrop for a city as explosive as New York.

It’s brimming with 8 million people, and the only thing this city reeks of is inspiration.

There is nothing like being part of a city watched by the world. This is the place where future leaders find their vision. This is the place where students taste their dreams. I feel right at home losing myself in this concrete jungle.

It’s worth being a small fish in a big pond — one in the 8 million — because the view from New York City is truly from the top of the world.

Kelsey is a rising junior and journalism major at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is spending her summer as an intern in New York City with Conde Nast’s Details magazine. Seven years ago she got her start as an intern at The Pilot.