Colleen is a rising junior interning at Legal Momentum for the National Judicial Education Program (NJEP) in Manhattan. NJEP educates judges about gender inequities in the courts  and the ways in which gender bias factor into civil, family, juvenile, and criminal law, and how to prevent it.

I glance at my watch—12:30 am.  The mixture of hot dogs, cigarette smoke, and urine combined with the flashing lights from all directions hyper-stimulate my senses.  Absorbing these alien smells, sounds and sights dull the throbbing pain running through my feet.  I head back to my dorm on the trek  from Chelsea Piers with Deja and Sunny and think: how is the girl in front of me wearing four-inch stilettos and still standing?  While Giselle-girl glides on her stilettos down the street, I look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame—bent over my wedged heels with a slow crawl forward and a very distinct limp, a scowl on my face.  By this point, Deja has her shoes off, preferring the cool sidewalk to ease the pain in her aching feet despite the mysterious stains on the sidewalk.  I look around me as people briskly walk past us.  If the city never sleeps, how come people aren’t limping around like me or roaming the streets barefoot?

In the past two days I have moved in to my NYU dorm, cooked dinner in Brooklyn (successfully taking the subway thanks to the Hop Stop app on my iPhone).  I have met the inspirational group of Moxie interns, jumped into work at my internship for Legal Momentum.

I also volunteered at the Sanctuary for Families benefit at Chelsea Piers on the Hudson River, wearing my winning smile in hopes to sell raffle tickets in support for the organization, while also eating from the decorative rock candy centerpieces to keep my blood sugar high.

I also got asked for directions to the nearest Forever 21—how’d I manage to fool them?

Finally, I’ve walked. Blocks on blocks on blocks.

Arriving to my new home a little after 1:00 am, I sit on my bed to examine my feet.  On my left foot I spot a blister the size of the coin dollar.  You know, the one with Sacagawea on it.  This new growth on my foot is impressive.  It represents my immersion into city life.  Although my feet are not used to the fast pace, my blisters will soon heal to be replaced by tough, calloused skin.  I am ready to hit the streets and start my bucket list of activities to do around the city.  Goodbye Hunchback of Notre Dame, hello foxy blonde!