Moving from Kentucky to New York City was full of surprises. Here are 5 things I learned.

• When I moved from Kentucky to New York, I realized that reality was different from my expectations.
• Though New Yorkers have a reputation for being rude, most people I've met are friendly and helpful.
• I didn't know I was going to go through so many bandages before I started walking around the city.

The summer before my senior year of high school, I was standing in the middle of New York City's Times Square when I saw an advertisement that read, "Inspiration is everywhere."