I'm adjusting to being back in NY a little bit better than I have been. The background on my home computer now is the best shot I got of the sunset in Waikiki to remind me that, even if work is back to daily insanity, I actually got to be in Hawaii. I saw so much that is gorgeous and foreign, and my job allowed it to happen. Today I walked to the southwest side of the 37th floor of my building to see another NYC sunset. Different perspectives, but I took my time instead of rushing back to my desk and came away with a similar feeling of awe and appreciation.

There are times here in New York when everything seems normal, but I understand that in many ways it's not. People come here for a vacation experience, and if they're lucky, at Top of the Rock or the Empire State Building, they might see the sun set over NJ if it's not a cloudy or rainy day. I see the equivalent view from my office building at least 2 days a week and often take it for granted. With the people you talk to in Hawaii it's the same perspective. It's where they get up, work their day job, and if lucky (and not too busy), they catch the natural beauty of a sunset over the ocean as a matter of course. I get that. It's hard after many years to be aware of that tourist feeling; the ones who really feel that gut punch of "Am I here now? Is this really happening? And can I really have been privileged to witness this?"

So I stood for half an hour watching the gold and pink sunset that played across the clouds and illuminated World Trade Center 1. I am one of the lucky ones to have that opportunity on a regular basis, and I should remember that. Occasionally I should think like a tourist.