Ever since I can remember, I have loved comedy. At the ripe old age of three years old, I sat between my parents in their bed (these things became ritualistic for one who had been an only child for the first five and a half years of her life) and watched Seinfeld with them every week.

The day after, I would skip merrily into my Pre-K class and teach all the other girls such phrases as “Yada, yada, yada.” In addition, I would engage in a discussion with my teachers (Mrs. Holohan and I, in particular, were “mad tight”) about last night’s episode next to them on the playground bench, while all the other children played on the jungle gym, or the swings. Yeah, I was that kid.

My most intense experience of my love of comedy, however, has been my near ob­session with 30 Rock. From the first episodes I watched, I knew the sarcastic and witty humor matched perfectly with my own. Not only that, I related with Liz Lemon, Tina Fey’s TV counterpart, all too well … Let’s just say we share some of the same socially awkward tendencies.

As a result of this, Tina Fey has become more than just my favorite actress in Hol­lywood: she is a role model; a perfect example of what I strive to be when I am older; a principled woman; not afraid to be herself and armed with enough talent and wit to take on anyone, or thing, in her path.

On September 9, 2009 (yes, folks, 9-9-09… believe in the magic!), as I sat at the win­dow of a lovely prepared food market in my infamous neighborhood, New York City’s Upper East Side, my friend Annie uttered a sentence that shook me to my core. “Eliza, do not freak out, but I think that’s Tina Fey crossing the street.” I immediately dropped the brownie I was devouring (that’s a big deal – I love food just as much as Liz Lemon) and sprinted out the door and around the corner, practically knocking over any and ev­eryone in my path to follow her. However, when I turned the corner, she was nowhere to be found. I began to feel my heart break, but then I spotted her! She had crossed the street and was headed back in the direction she had come from, but on the other side of the street.

Yes, I do believe she may have been running away from me. I ran parallel to her and crossed over to her side of the street, heading her off. To my surprise, I heard my own voice say, with particular confidence, “Hi.” As her head turned to look at me, with a pretty confused look on her face, I might add, I realized that this was one of the coolest moments of my life.

I proceeded to tell her, with a huge grin on my face, “The last thing I would ever want to do is bother you, but I wanted to let you know that I’m a huge fan. 30 Rock is my favorite show and I love all your work.” She laughed and said thank you, with a slightly embarrassed and humble smile on her face. She shook my hand and told me, “It’s nice to meet you!” and we parted ways.

I enjoy telling stories; friends of mine have told me I have a talent for it. I like to think I’m funny, and that I can be a sort of Tina in my own right some day. Until then, I can face the world knowing that she thinks it was nice to meet me.