“… in New York, New York, New York.”

I put off the alarm of my phone. Since I arrived here in New York, I assigned Empire State of Mind as my alarm tone. Maybe to neutralize the home sickness I’m feeling. I got up my bed, and went to the shower. Despite the cold weather here, I still see to it that I take one before I go out. I sniff. I’m having a cold because of this practice.

I finally got ready. I went out to the kitchen and found a note on the table. From my Dad.

            I’m out early Janine.

Call me if you need anything.

Take care. Love you.

I got the note and slipped it inside my bag. “Well. Another day of job hunting Janine. Good Luck.” I say to myself.

After hours of making inquiries from almost all the local tabloids and spreadsheets, still I found nothing. I was starting to consider a job in a restaurant or a fast food chain. This is the United States after all. People don’t care about what job they do, as long as they have a handsome pay.

I was walking to nowhere in particular when I saw a coffee shop with lots of books inside the premises. Out of instinct, I entered the shop.

I was sipping my second coffee cup, and reading probably the nth book, when someone suddenly entered the shop and a mob followed her closely. Then she seated herself on the table near to counter at the front of the shop. Then people started crowding over her. I gave in to curiosity and peeped through the people.

I was so shocked when I saw who it was. It was one of my favorite authors – Joy Fielding.

I don’t know what got into me, but I suddenly grabbed a pen and paper inside my bag and stretched my hand out to her. I felt the smile on my face grow wider as I made my way through the crowd. When I was already in front, I remembered I left something on the table – my phone and my organizer. I was startled at the thought and made my way again out of the crowd. I heard someone complain but was too worried to argue with him.