THANKSGIVING

I roll out of bed with a smile on face, ready to fly to Chicago to go see all my friends. Thanksgiving, for the first time, would be spent with no family, yet, mostly by myself in airports.

Alicia drove me to Ft. Lauderdale early in the morning to catch my flight into Chicago Midway. Not really thinking, I had thrown on my shorts and flip-flops to fly in; comfort, both wearing and weather wise. I usually don’t throw on jeans and bundle up when it is 85 degrees outside. This would seem smart until a bit later in the trip: obviously!

As I checked in, I noticed that I was in the very last spot to board the plane. Southwest has a system that gives you a number, then you line up in that order, then board the plane and take the seat of your choice. Being the last I didn’t have much of an option. However, I did spot an exit row seat empty next to a larger older couple so I took it. It was the most leg room I have ever had on a flight. Only bad part was, this man was large and loved to talk. While being squished against the window, I managed to make space for conversation.

After 4 tiring hours, I finally got to Chicago, and back on my own without the “couple” protecting me as if I needed protection from two 80-year olds. Come on! I live in the ghetto of Miami! Oh well, I shouldn’t complain that someone is looking out for me. After collecting my bags I sat and waited for an hour until Nate could pick me up and continue the trip to Champaign, IL to get him hitched.

While I have grown up in Kansas for 22 years and been in Miami only 3 months, I was extremely weird to drive through Illinois and see nothing but fields. I never knew you could be converted to a different place so fast. This place is just so desolate. The only skyscrapers I see are elevators and the only people to look at are white and speak English. Something I have not been around for quite some time, but I must say, it is finally comforting to speak English to anyone you know and KNOW that they will be able to respond. Never in my dreams did I think I would feel a slight but uncomfortable being surrounded by white people. (Not that anything would be bad in this situation obviously, but with what I have learned in my time down in Miami, it is just weird to not see any diversity.)

The rest of the evening was spent catching up with friends and eating Burger King, which, happens to be the only thing I ate for Thanksgiving this year. Twice. Burger King for lunch as well as supper! I saved a turkey this year!