Teh Scottie

I realized today what it is about Fall here in Minnesota that is so lacking, and Yes, i realize that we are definitely in winter, as the single digit temperature can show. But it was a moment this past Wednesday when I was reflecting on another time I was homesick, namely when I was in Japan.

It was just after a typhoon and the wind was really strong, but not typhoon strong or anything, just the build down from the big typhoon. And so even though Okinawa is a lot like Hawaii or maybe a Caribbean island in terms of temperature and climate, instead of it being beastly hot and humid per usual in the summer, it was weirdly cool and very windy. Very Fall-ish. And it brought up memories of home.

Here at Gustavus, im on a campus that's basically on top of this giant hill that basically just flattens at the top, a sort of plateau I guess. And everything in general is flat here, so we have wind. But what I realized is missing, and why that time in Japan made me miss Home and the Falls here in Minnesota don't, is that they don't have the big tall trees. You know the sound of the trees in Connecticut when its a windy day? It's a loud sound, really, in terms of background ambiance. They don't have that here.

And its funny, because despite the wind and the temperatures that I like, its like we skipped over Fall, which is my favorite season.

I really miss home. What sucks is that I go home during winter break and thats it. Theres no leaves, and less wind.

Oh, i wrote a poem that I kind of liked, during this 24-hour prayer room thingie that we had on campus. It was a really sweet deal, and i suck at poetry in fact if you asked me on any other day I'd tell you I hate poetry. This seemed appropriate though, i guess.

          You who are choked by the thorns
          Do you dream of the sky?
          Do you long for the growth and the height
          Of those who stand nearby

          From my mouth comes a double edged sword
          The cut will hurt but it will set you Free
          Oh you who are choked by the thorns
          Don't you long for the sky?
          Won't you dream of the sky?

          And when you are cut free
          There will be harvest
          a hundredfold
          Oh, your stalks will reach out and touch the sky

Today I feel as though I've never wanted to break a promise any more than I do right now.