Astronauts have taken a spectacular nighttime picture of Italy from the Cupola observation deck of the International Space Station (ISS).

Backing up: I jumped on the train at roughly 4 a.m. and arrived in Minot just after 9:30 this morn. Every seat was full with college students (with the same travel dilemma as me) and families on their way to their respective turkey get-togethers. The vibe was largely anticipatory and I was happy to see Mom, grab coffee, and go home to shower.

So what’s changed? For one, there is a significant thing missing from home: Willow. I mentioned that our faithful canine passed on in September, and while her death came as no surprise, it was and still is sad. In her vibrant years she’d come running—barking—to the door when I came home from school. As she aged and grew tired, the greeting came slower—but she was still there to say hello. Now that she’s gone, there’s only a feeling to latch on to at the door: the void of a bark, something to pet, someone to lick your face unconditionally. In a word, it’s weird.

Otherwise there are little home improvements here and there, new beds and bed-swapping (my 24 year old brother decided it was time to move on from the twin bed he’d been sleeping in since 1998) and of course, the perpetual practice of forcing myself out of “my room” (which no longer feels like my room). Brothers seem to have new facial hair and/or bellies garnered from college and office life, Dad’s little projects are sprawled about, and there seems to be a TV or two that I don’t quite recognize (must have been elves that brought them).

Tomorrow brings a day of leftovers and good friends. It’s my only full day here, so I hope to rise early to the occasion…

I opted out of staying here alone and eating Pizza Patrol in place of the whole Thanksgiving spread (though PP is always tempting), and instead garnered a ticket to ride the rails. I’m jumping on the friendly, stinky and ever-wandering Amtrak early tomorrow (like 3:30 am early) to make my way north+west. The train may take a little longer, but it’s guaranteed excitement. For example, the only thing exciting about driving by yourself is singing REALLY LOUD and off key for four hours. Which gets boring. With Amtrak you’re guaranteed a complete assault of every sense: the smell of various, questionable body odors (just try not to think about it), crying children, itchy seats, everyones crazy uncles and snoring senior citizens—all the spices of life, crammed together in a mobile frenzy.

So I’ll make it to Turkey day tomorrow with family Christen after all—but not before dealing with a few characters along the way. On the bright side, I don’t have to go through a full body scanner…

xo

j

I MET HOLLY IN AUGUST 2006 when we were “randomly” assigned to be roommates in the freshman dorms. I found her to be beautiful, curious and delightful. Over the years we’ve learned through one another our strengths and downfalls. We’ve laughed so hard through sunshine and cried together on tough days.

Over the past five years, she’s been my confidant, long-lost sister, and comic relief. I can’t picture our dorm rooms without her cereal bowls scattered about, procrastinating nights without the pizza and impersonations, roadtrips, sleepovers, her consoling words or hugs when I needed them. I can’t imagine college without Holly—college wouldn’t be college without Holly. She has built me up as a person and a friend and made my life so, so wondrous. She has changed my life!

In August 2006 I was “randomly” assigned a best friend, who will be with me until we’re gray and golden, through grandchildren and good times. Holly is forever my friend and sunshine on my soul.