1993

Found this photo today. Took it about eight months after I moved to Manhattan, with my godmother's point-and-shoot, using the self-timer. I was living in a studio sublet with separate kitchen on West 15th Street. Roaches in the kitchen—in the mini-fridge and everywhere else—and in the bathroom, even in the shower. I took this photo in the main living space, putting on a big enthusiastic smile like I was having the best time ever. Truth is, I was and I wasn't. That's how it sometimes is when you're starting a new life.