I was leaving probably one of the greatest organizations in hte world at that time for what was probably one of the least like, and, by God, this is America.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.
Well, my relationship to America at the time I left was very limited.
It was wonderful to find America, but it would have been more wonderful to miss it.
I am surprised and embarrassed to be a part of the first American generation to leave the country in far worse shape than it was when we first came into it.
What I got out of it was a great experience working with great people and it becoming a tremendous - basically - a family at the end that none of us wanted to leave.
Those who joined us for selfish personal reasons, for a career or other motives will be the ones to leave.
After Sept. 11, New York wasn't the same, and that's part of the reason why I left.
I helped to restore America's leadership.
I had to walk away from America, and say goodbye to the biggest part of my career, because I knew otherwise my demons would get the better of me.
I'd never left America until I was 18.