I moved in to my snug loft just a week before. However, I didn't need a week to become infatuated by New York culture. I was in love with this city from day 1.

And as we all know, you're not a New Yorker of you don't perk up at the sound of a six letter word: BRUNCH.

Earlier on the day of the bombing myself and a bunch of young professional friends were shooting off text after text about where we would go to brunch the next day. Cookshop? Soto 13?

Out of respect for the establishment, I won't say what we decided. But we were pumped. That was, until I got that dreaded notification: BOMBING IN NEW YORK CITY.

This was my first experience of "fear" while living in New York City. I never thought that I could be blown up simply by walking past a garbage dumpster. And when I found out that it also happened in nearby New Jersey, I became even more fearful. The last thing I wanted to do the next day was to go to brunch. I was scared.

After all, was this a terrorist who did this? Was this a political activist targeting areas of minorities, similar to the Orlando shooting or African American church? Was it some psycho who wasn't finished? The news made it clear that he was still on the loose.

My friends and I all went back and forth in a group text about whether we should go to brunch the next day. I was against it. But one of our friends, a male I have a huge crush on, took charge. He made it clear to us that if we don't go, the bomber won.

That point hit home with me. We all reluctantly decided to go, for no other reason than to prove to the terrorist that we are not afraid.

So off to brunch we went. We marched on. The 8 minute walk felt like an 8 hour walk. Each dumpster or garbage we walked past felt eerily similar to Vietnam vets walking past land mines.

But we made it to our destination.

When we got there. We noticed a bunch of other groups out as well. But everyone was silent. The restaraunt was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was shaken up about what had happened the day before.

As the morning went on, everyone started loosening up (well maybe it was the mirmosas lol). Everyone started talking more. Members of different groups would exchange smiles and nods.

A cheerful waitress asked if we minded if the establishment play some music. We all agreed that this would be awesome. All of a sudden, Flo Rida "My House" started playing loudly through the restaraunt speakers. We all looked at each other with a pause and a smile. I remember making eye contact with a girl at the other table. We nodded at each other.

And then the brunch started dancing.

All of us at the brunch, maybe 50 people total were all on the tables dancing, laughing and having a great time. It was the first time after the bombing that we realized that we won't let fear get in our way of a good time. We moved on.

I've only been here for a "New York Minute," but at that moment I realized what makes New Yorkers the toughest people on the planet and that I was made for this city.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3411205&forum_id=2#31801077)

Dear God.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3411205&forum_id=2#31801160)

This is definitely flame. Enjoyable flame though.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3411205&forum_id=2#31801173)

Was this a political activist targeting areas of minorities, similar to the Orlando shooting or African American church?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3411205&forum_id=2#31801195)

One of several 180 gems.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3411205&forum_id=2#31802765)

180, which poaster was this?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=3411205&forum_id=2#32148193)