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.”

“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.

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.

I have a $1350 front row seat to tonight’s lightning storm from my window. It’s the best view of the city I’ve had all summer, and I can’t see a thing. Manhattan needed the rain tonight. I needed the rain tonight.

“If thou fill thy brain with Boston and New York…” -Boston native, Ralph Waldo Emerson

Don’t underestimate Boston.

Amy and I wondered how spending a weekend in New England could compare to our Euro couch-surfing experience. Although English isn’t quite as fun to pronounce as Dutch, it took us no time to realize that we had plenty to see in Boston. After a noisy reunion inside South Station, Amy and I picked up right where we left off in Glasgow… We checked into our hostel that overlooked Fenway Park and had a chill Friday night on Newbury Street catching up over used books and fro-yo.

Saturday started bright and early at a spot Amy had read about called Café Vanille. Nothing says, “Good morning Boston,” quite like an Americano in Beacon Hill. And just like that, a weekend of history was in the making… We laid down on Acorn Street. We met a rock star on the Charles. We ate Boston Cream Pie. We went everywhere a stranger named Tina told us to go (including Jamaica Plains, Boston’s modern-day ghost town). We got lost and sat in a movie theatre lobby. We saw the Harvard Yard and Boston Common. We ate falafel. We made Ivy League friends. And before we knew it, Amy and I were saying goodbye at South Station on Sunday promising that this was only the beginning of a travel tradition in the making.

I feel much more American now that I’ve been to Boston. We may have skipped out on the Freedom Trail, but we just kind of made our own. I mean, travel is all about taking ‘roads less traveled’ anyway, and that little Italian bakery was totally worth it.

In other news, it was exciting times at DETAILS this week! Emily, a new intern from Northwestern, joined our team and we’ve totally clicked. We even had every intention of meeting at the Rockefeller Center at 5 a.m. this morning for a breakfast picnic before seeing John Mayer play the Today Show. You can probably guess what happened to that idea… Nevertheless, I’m stoked to have Em around. I also got to work on some big projects this week like my very own proposal for DSQUARED, and I helped RJ book a band for an upcoming event. We had our editorial walk-through for the September Issue on Monday, which always reminds me of the passion that lead me to this city and Condé in the first place. I love seeing the final product of something I’ve been even the tiniest part of. … And this was great: “Yeah, what are you gonna do? It’s a boob. And a gun,” said Editor-in-Chief Dan Peres, during walk-though. “And yes you can hunt in a Rolex.”

So, I’m trying to wrap my head around having just two more weeks in Manhattan. I was thinking how much my settings have changed over the past year. One flight takes you from one world to the next. Scotland to North Carolina. North Carolina to New York City. New faces, new streets and transition after transition. It’s beautiful.

One consistency: the presence of God. “Then we will exclaim, ‘He has been here all the time!’ At critical moments in our lives it is necessary to ask God for guidance, but it should be unnecessary to be constantly saying, ‘Oh, Lord direct me in this, and in that.’ Of course He will, and in fact, He is doing it already!” (My Utmost…7/20)

Some of my best travel memories are with this girl, and it’s about time we add to our collection. We met in the airport the first day I arrived in Glasgow. We walked down the beach in Ayrshire, Scotland. We sat at Big Mouth Coffee Co. and planned our hippie coffee shop and travel guide company. We got stuck in Amsterdam. We met Dutch boys in Utrecht. We binged in Brussels.

Tea party, Paul Revere, the Revolution. Looks like we’ve got a little more history to make in Boston…

I watched one of my best friends here get baptized yesterday morning. I felt like I was standing with family as we walked back to support JD. In that moment, I was assured that God brought me to Manhattan to be right there. Can you imagine a scene more beautiful? A man God sought out for His glory sat chest-high—humbled by sin and covered by love—ready. “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit…”

I watched a life begin again, and I felt the water wash over me just the same.

At the beginning of the summer I said that God meets us where we are, but what an understatement. God pursues. He fights for us. Christ faced abandonment on the cross so we would never have to. Unfathomable love. Surrender every second and every thought, and we owe Him still more. So, that’s it… I lose daily battles, but He has won. As inheritors with Christ (Romans 8:15-17, Galatians 4:6-7), we are victorious because He was first.

Absolute power. Answered prayers. I’ve been too inspired lately to write about it. Words have seemed too small, but if I’m a journalist, that couldn’t last.

I think two brilliant new friends may have something to do with the inspiration overload. Although I was determined not to make friends this summer, something rare and beautiful has begun in my friendship with JD and Elaina. I first met them about three weeks ago in that Wednesday night prayer meeting mentioned in my last post. Since then, we’ve spent days together, constantly in awe of Jesus and the love we have for one another. Sometimes we can only shake our heads and smile at the three-week-old bond and brutal honesty we share.

Meet JD (J. Elquist, you’ll see that in lights one day… or on the president’s favorite suit): He is a gentleman, a fashion designer, and a steadfast, born-again leader.

Meet Elaina: She is an artist, a Georgia peach made for Manhattan, and God’s love truly emanates from her.

We can’t stop talking about Christ and His living words. After making breakfast for dinner (classic, right?!) to celebrate J last night, it wasn’t long before the three of us were praying together on my bed. On the 4^th, watching the fireworks above the Hudson together from a Chelsea rooftop, we couldn’t believe the view that we call ‘home’. Three in eight billion, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This past weekend, my parents came for a quick visit! I walked them to death and fed them back to life—the life of a New Yorker. We explored the villages, ate cake at Magnolia and lattes at Think, people watched and I even managed to get a back scratch. We started Saturday morning at Amy’s, the same bakery that we ended our Big Apple vacation years ago… There was something special about that moment—sitting at the same window together—just grown up and grown closer. I was glad I could share my world with two of my favorite people.

A few more lessons learned:

1. Ugly people shouldn’t attend DETAILS parties.

2. Don’t under dress when grabbing Stumptown Coffee.

3. Renting a bike to cruise the Hudson is a city must-do.

4. Stick with Jack’s Sat. morning cycling class, the brawny Swedish man on Wed. plays elevator music and sounds like a character from Mario Kart.

5. Hibernate and lock your doors for Pride weekend.

6. Even “grunters” in the gym can listen to Taylor Swift.

Next stop Boston.

Somehow I got to another weekend without writing about my last one. I’m thinking that’s a sign of a good week. Here are the good parts…

Last Saturday and Sunday were great days. Saturday after cycling (which was comparably less entertaining… I think Jack had a long night in Chelsea), Evan and I explored the East Village. Fueling up is always a good place to start, so we found MUD Coffee, the hippest coffee shop on the East Side. I mean it oozed ‘cool’… we’re talking tatted and bearded baristas and calling coffee “mud” kind of cool. Southerners don’t stand a chance—we sat outside. Next, we wandered through a street fair, a bike film festival (which is apparently where all the hipsters from MUD go), briefly through Chinatown and back into SoHo. Time flies when every corner is new, and it’s days like that where your love for the city takes root. Later, I met Chelsea for yogurt and we sat in Washington Square Park. It’s the arch you’ve seen a million times in movies like When Harry Met Sally or August Rush. I could’ve stayed there to people watch with her for hours. New York City is great for that… lots of sidewalks and skyscrapers, but like Union Square, Washington Square, Bryant Park, they knew just where to put these mini-melting pots. It’s like the Quad at UNC, just a little dirtier and not quite as many familiar faces.

Sunday morning I met Josh for brunch at spot called Elmo just around the corner. It was my first sit-down meal in two weeks and it was breakfast, so it couldn’t have been better. Josh radiates genius, and as we talked it was humbling to remember that I probably wouldn’t be here without him. If you get the chance, read his travel blog… It can be pretty heavy, but Josh sure can write.

Sunday night I went to The Gallery Church, made some great new friends and really got to rest in worship. After, we went to an Irish pub (of all places!) near Times Square, and tonight I’m headed to Roosevelt Island for a church hang-out. God loves this city, and He has appointed people to come here to change it. I’m so inspired by this intimate community I’ve found at The Gallery.

“It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart, but the welcome I receive with every start.” –Mumford & Sons

I’ve been so blessed to find great churches and communities everywhere I’ve been. Summit, Re:Hope, GU Christian Union, The Gallery—I think part of my love of traveling is due to the fact that if I’ll go, He will do the rest. Before I know it I’m shaking hands with people that already love me because Christ loved them first.

I also went to a prayer gathering with The Gallery on Wednesday night. We just sat in a circle and had a little acoustic worship and prayer. So powerful. “For where two or three are gathered in my name…” (Matthew 18:20)

I’m still going strong at DETAILS as I continue to learn from my team and get to know them better. Of course, lunch breaks are always spent in Bryant Park listening to live music or getting sun… Ah just another day in the life. And lastly—it was bound to happen—yesterday I fell/sat on a guy in the subway. I was that girl. Alison put it best in her text, (336): oh the perils of nyc.

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…’ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

I knew before coming to New York that I had some work to do. I was so convicted before I left of things in my life that need work—things that I can’t keep ignoring because I’m ‘young’ or busy or above. God promises to meet us, in Kenya or Alaska, Greensboro or Northern Ireland, or here in Manhattan. God is working. I will say, growing pains are a little more painful when you’re on your own, but praise is due even for that. Isolation and distance are sometimes necessary to remind us of our weaknesses which surely glorify Jesus. “…For my power is made perfect in weakness.” Looks like it’s back to the basics for me, learning the gospel and why it’s imperative to wrap around my heart and mind every morning. The character of Christ has to be sought in order to find strength in Him—in order to fight.

Sorry to start so heavy, but honestly it’s kind of hard to write about a day at the office or running on the Hudson before getting all of that off my mind. God uses this blog, making what He’s doing much clearer when I’m writing to all of you…

Okay, well favorite find this week: Hudson River Walk. I actually just got back from there after getting sun/walking, but on Tuesday it was so beautiful that when I started running to the gym I got distracted and kept going. Ended up on the Hudson. At sunset. The path curves on and off the water with cafes and piers and rollerbladers and sailboats and basketball courts and an awesome view of New Jersey. Then sure enough, while I was already awestruck, I see that I’m running toward the Statue of Liberty. Needless to say, I did the same run on Wednesday… This punk ran by me in a Krzyzewskiville shirt , so I sped up and caught him for a while (a step ahead of course) but unfortunately couldn’t hold it… Sorry to disappoint guys, homeboy was sprinting. After that it has been fun to look for people wearing Carolina gear. I kind of do that daily, like yesterday a guy with a coveted Intramural Champion shirt walked by me on 7^th, and a guy playing ball was wearing tarheel shorts. I’ll try to take pictures, like I Spy or something.

DETAILS work was great this week, got to go to some meetings that cleared some questions up, one meeting was a walk-through the August issue which was so cool to hear about. The editor-in-chief, Dan Peres, took the staff through the vision behind articles and different stories about each piece. Also went to a status meeting with just the advertising team, great group of people. We casually talked about a beach party with Zac Efron, is this real life? Also was able to catch up more with Lisa, she’s unbelievable—so lucky to be working with her.

Lisa and Christy invited me to a beauty sale that Glamour was having during our lunch break. I was clueless but grabbed some cash and headed up to the 16^th floor… They were selling all of their sample products for ONE DOLLAR. Jackpot.

By the way, thanks for all of the support. I’ve gotten some encouraging phone calls, hugely thoughtful packages from Jamie and Lauren in N. Ireland, and even a letter all the way from a special someone in Kenya (pray for Ben as he’ll be teaching in a village called Morloo for the next two weeks!). Mail always comes at the perfect time, thanks for loving me guys.

Exploring the East Village after Jack’s cycling class tomorrow… if I can’t afford anything, I’ll let you know where to get the best cup of coffee and a scone. I’m convinced that’s what exploring is all about anyway.

Big city. Small world. The second day I was in Manhattan I ran into Chelsea, a friend of Jamie and I’s from Carolina. She lives a block away from me, which has been, praise God, way too convenient! We’ve met up twice since then, once for burgers and once for a walk on the Highline. Then, on Friday, I was crossing the street in the West Village and I saw a Carolina shirt. I was already excited to see that oh-so familiar shade of blue in this melting pot, and then I realized it was my good friend Evan! We both had to double-take. Ends up he is interning at MTV in Times Square—unbelievable. Many lunch breaks and adventures with him to come.

Saturday started off strong. His name was Jack. It was my first time taking the cycling class at NYSC (my gym) and it definitely didn’t disappoint. Not only did Jack put on a killer class, but he was quite the entertainer. As we warmed up, Jack soulfully danced and sang to a Bollywood remix of “Naughty Girl”. Only here… I tucked my face into my shirt and had to laugh. No doubt that will be a Saturday tradition.

I was on a mission for the rest of the day. This was the plan: First, start at the BBQ Block Party in Madison Square Park (no relation to Madison Square Garden) where I unfortunately did not have the paper or the patience to stand in line for an eight-dollar N.C. barbeque sandwich. From there I would head down Broadway to Union Square for the farmer’s market and a falafel lunch, then south for shopping in SoHo. I wasn’t wearing a fanny pack (this time), but I was in vacation mode. I mean I was having a great time, and there’s a lot to be said for having a “plan”, but I realized as I was mall walking to SoHo that I’m living here for the summer. Live. As in I could go shopping in SoHo every day. Live—like I could go to that chocolate shop with free samples if I had a rough intern day. Live—as in I can Google map one day and play “eenie meenie” the next. I’m really thankful for this, just don’t think I’m taking these two months for granted.

This morning I went to one of Summit’s partner churches in Manhattan. Ah, it was good to be back. Once again, God cooly reminded me of how important Christian community is, even in a fifth floor room of strangers. I really don’t know how people can survive in the city without it. It was a small gathering, but I loved it. Check out their site: gallerychurch.com

The teaching at the Gallery along with some pretty raw prayer/journaling time I had on Friday morning has been good. I know God can work in huge miracles, alter fires and epiphanies, but that’s not the norm. It’s His whisper—it’s His presence that is the greatest comfort. While my mind searches for plans and solutions, God just asks for my trust.

Man, all of that and it’s only been eight days…