I know it's silly

It's just food, and I know some people who would think that to be so excited about such a simple thing is unnecessary, but I say that those who find joy in the simple things can find the most joy in the profound.

This is my lunch. It is pretty close to the exact same thing that I make most days. A grilled sandwich. The difference today is that I used locally grown, organic vegetables that I picked up at the farmers market yesterday. You guys. . it made SUCH A DIFFERENCE. The bell pepper not only looked amazing, all multi-colored and marbled red and orange, but it SMELLED LIKE A BELL PEPPER. Also, I kind of have trouble with how much I cook things. Generally, I don't know when to stop and my tomatoes are mushy and my bread is a little black. Today: perfection. And, because it is rainy and cold out I made a little mug of mulled wine, which was not over-spiced or over-sweetened.

The howling wind and falling rain outside is in perfect opposition to the candles and little warm lunch inside.

I found myself in autumn.

Arriving in Penn Station, I found my way to a map that helped me find my way to the train that would take me to my new home. For a moment I considered going outside to take picture, but realized that as it was my new home, time was not of the essence. Making my way to the 2-3 train I bought my unlimited ride card, awkwardly got myself through and headed toward the place I would know.

Once in Brooklyn I got onto the F train, and after just a few moments I came out from underground for the first time in New York. The sun was setting, and the buildings were casting shadows about the landscape. Between my expression of anticipation and back loaded with bags, a man beside me caught me as new and asked, "This your first time seeing it?" I'd been to Brooklyn, but since it was a whole new feeling and a whole new situation, I just smiled and said, "Yea, kind of." He went on to tell me a bit about Brooklyn, and pointed out the highest tower in downtown. When I told him I was moving he wished me good luck, and I got off to find my home.

Seeing my street was odd, since I had spent so much time Google Mapping it the last few months. At my cross-street I stopped for a moment, took it all in, and my heart jumped with joy. After all that had happened, I had actually made it.

That was four days ago, and since then if feels like I have been settled in for weeks. Having friends here has made the transition so smooth, and so enjoyable. Our tiny apartment is a beautiful place, and our plans for it are big. Our tastes are coming together wonderfully, and as I sit here drinking my cinnamon soy coffee, listening to the innocence mission with the sun finding its way to our basement windows, I feel quite content. I love to find the beauty that is around me, and this seems like it will be an easy place to do that.

D.C. to N.Y.C.

My time in D.C. was lovely. A great rest, and a nice transition back into a more permanent and comfortable living situation. My sister and I went to the farmer's market, made pasta sauce and pizza, went with my childhood friend to the movies, played with Jaklin, and hung around the house. She and Erik (my brother-in law, who happens to have great taste in music, which i appreciated through listening to his vinyls), are great parents, and great people to be related too. I really like them a lot.

Monday morning I made my final trip up to NY. On the way I stopped in Philly, which maybe wasn't the best part of my trip. Anxious to get to Brooklyn, I wandered about half-interested and only found the college and the bad side of town. Maybe I will need to go back, to give it a more fair chance.

Getting to New York was exciting and wonderful. I will make a whole new post about my time here, but arriving was exciting (I listened to Sufjan as I caught my first glimpse of the skyline from New Jersey) and easier than I had expected (except for getting stuck in the turnstile. . turn-style?).

Being in NY is certainly bitter-sweet. I miss being on the road, but I do love it here so far.

Chicago! Days 1-4

Chicago felt like an end of an era for me in my travels. My laptop was back in hand, and people I knew were around me. It was entirely different, and I wasn't sure how to feel. Although most uncertain about my time between LA and Chicago, that time alone, facing uncertainty and being met by both great adventure and great peace, felt like a time I was not yet ready to leave.

I arrived in Chicago on Monday, where I went immediately to take the tourist picture in the bean. With my pack and bags I got plenty of comments and looks, from a cop questioning me about why I was in the city to a polished older German lady who told me about her similar travels at my age.

In Chicago I was glad to be with my brother, my friend Stephen, and my brothers friends who have become my own in my visits. As usual, my brother tried to convince me to move, and as usual a part of me wished I could jump in and say yes. We ate vegan food, drank Caribou coffee, and played games. Stephen took me to a wonderful deli, then showed me around the art studios at Wheaton college. Just so you all know, Stephen is so great as a person and as an artist. It was great to see his work, and great to spend time with him. My brother is great, his friends are great. . .

In the end, although sad to see the first half of my trip end, I cannot say it was not a wonderful time relaxing and enjoying friends. It was also nice to find myself closer to NY, and able to say that I could visit again soon. A turning point, to be sure.

Montana Day 3 and North Dakota

I guess I need to get on top of this story telling. Montana Day 3 and North Dakota was almost a week ago, now.

So last Sunday I woke up on the stopped train to the feeling of the car moving. In a delirious state and with my eyes bleary from my sleep on the train floor, I couldn't quite tell if we were on our way or not. Finally, once I actually came to and heard my train mate tell me he was jealous of how long I slept, I knew that we were back on our way.

As we started out I was glad to have some granola and banana that I had bought the night before. I read and wrote, and listened to some music. After spending my nights in the seats, I decided to spend my waking hours in the lounge car, with the views and the window facing chairs. This decision ended up making my day.

Because of the train delays our car was offered free coffee and water all day. Free coffee. . . all day. Another reason to spend time in the view car. While I was down in the lounge reading Moby Dick and jotting notes to recall the scenes, a guy across from me asked how I was holding up. I started talking with this new friend, Limey and another guy (I don't like the term, "guy," by the way, but I don't know how else to describe a young man without saying "young man." Trouble.) Omni. As we talked Omni and I started talking about cities and trading, minimal living, and communities. We spent the rest of the day talking, laughing, reading and enjoying the long ride.

Realizing that I could not only make my way through the country alone, but find people with whom I could connect so easily gave me a great assurance that my love for being on the road was not something that came from short endeavors with those I knew. It is a love that is real, and that I hope to continue to pursue. This became one of the most beautiful days, finding myself quite where I wanted to be, and learning from the things and people around me. It was a time that I was honestly sad to see end.