Welcome to Lyx and the City!

During my first visit to bustling Times Square in 2008, A vibrant mix of bright billboards, iconic yellow taxis, and energetic crowds. (Photo: Alyxaundria Sanford)

Sixteen years ago, my mom and sister packed me and my two suitcases into the car for a "turn and burn" road trip from Cleveland, Ohio, to New York City. They drove me straight to my new chapter, said goodbye, and made the long drive home — all in one day. That’s Midwest grit for you. I had $500 in my bank account, a dream to make a life in the news industry, and absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into.

Enjoying a meet and greet with Al Roker during my internship at the Today show. (Photo: Alyxaundria Sanford)

But this wasn’t my first NYC rodeo. In the spring of 2008, I interned at NBC's Today show. To be honest, I didn’t like the city at first — the constant noise, the crowded subways, the frenetic energy. It was overwhelming. But when I got back home to Cleveland, I realized I missed it— the pulse, the possibility, the way the city seemed to challenge you just by existing. New York had left its mark on me, and I knew I had to go back.

So six months after my internship ended, I returned to the city in January 2009 to pursue my master’s degree in criminal justice at John Jay College. My New York “starter pack” included a tiny bedroom in a two-bedroom apartment converted into three. A Polish couple, who didn’t speak a word of English, lived in the living room, while two random white women shared the other bedroom. I, at least, had my own space—small victories, right? Surviving on an intern’s salary, which thankfully got bumped to $15/hour after a state minimum wage adjustment, and student loans, I learned how to stretch every dollar and make it work.

This city has tested me in ways I never imagined. One of my first “welcome to New York” moments was on the subway when I saw a young man curse out an elderly woman. I was shocked to say the least. But I quickly realized that New York wasn’t here to hold my hand. I had to toughen up, adapt, and claim my space in this city that could chew you up and spit you out if you let it.

Fast forward to today: I live in a luxury building with a rooftop and amenities that would’ve felt like a dream back in 2009. I’ve built a solid career as a digital journalist — after many career detours. And while I’ve seen friends come and go on their New York journeys, I’ve been able to forge relationships that have sustained me through the highs and lows of city life.

Marquee of the Broadhurst Theatre displaying a 2008 production of Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" featuring prominent actors in the NYC theater district. (Photo: Alyxaundria Sanford)

New York has also given me more than just a career. It reignited my love for theater — a passion sparked during my childhood in Cleveland. I’ll never forget my first experience getting rush tickets for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2008 and feeling the magic of Broadway wash over me. Seeing stars that I grew up watching on TV in person, on stage cemented the fact that life outside of Ohio was just different. It reminded me of how transformative art can be, and it’s been a part of my life ever since.

This is my love letter to the city that shaped me. Here, I’ll reflect on my past, explore my present, and envision my future as I navigate life in this vibrant, ever-changing metropolis. I hope to share stories that resonate, inspire, and remind you that the journey — no matter how challenging — is always worth it.

Thanks for coming along for the ride. Let’s dive in together!