experience with the train

“Rawrrr.” From far away I can hear the sounds of an angry animal followed by a loud “crash!” The sound of thunder built by the gods, fused with the sound of a clashing blade and “whoosh” suddenly a gust of wind, my body wobbled; “Bing Bong” the train doors close. I could have sworn a giant monster had just swallowed me whole. It was my first time ever riding a train. All of a sudden the floor starts to dance, shaking. I felt the vibrations from my toe send a signal of danger to my brain. I was terrified; I thought I was in the middle of an earthquake! It seemed like the ground was about to split open and an evil hand was going to reach out and pull me into the darkness. My body felt out of balance like a leaf being blown by the wind. I grasped onto the pole tightly as if it were my safety jacket. I was afraid, but somehow excited, maybe because I was curious about what would happen next. Like moving from China to the USA and beginning my new life, there was fear but there was always hope.

If you have ridden a NYC train, most likely you’ve experienced rush hour. This is when the train is extremely crowded. “Bing Bong” once the train doors open, people become like a flood rushing out. And you’re like the little fish being pushed by a giant wave, following the flow. Like my life in New York City, I was overwhelmed by the amount of information and opportunities. There’s always so much going on. I was like a sponge absorbing everything around me. One train can lead to many places; there are countless paths you can take. However the decision of which train and path I’m going to take is in my hands. I’m clear in my choice of direction and I’ll use the map and direction signs to guide me and make sure I am being on the right path. My next stop on the map is Parsons The New School for Design.


I’m not afraid of trains anymore. Like brushing my teeth, riding trains has become a part of my daily life. I read, draw, work and even sleep standing up on the train. What was once frightening sounds; are now an invigorating symphony. What was once a fearful monster; now feels like a comfortable home. No more earthquakes, just vibrations that feel surprisingly calm like ocean waves. I imagine myself surfing at the beach, with the bright sunshine and gentle wind. “Look at me, I can surf with my arms open without holding onto a security jacket.” I give myself a big bright smile. Sometimes the waves become mischievous. I end up swinging, hitting the wall, bumping into the pole or knocking into other people. Still it’s all right because I’ll get my balance back. I deal with the motion of the waves on the train the same as I deal with anything else. You can’t learn how to walk well unless you’ve tripped up a few times. Like the trains one day I’ll get used to my college life.