Thursday evening was the first time I flew into Orange County’s John Wayne Airport at night.  I spent the day running around at work trying to attend to student needs, get in last minute details regarding the Emergency Preparedness Expo and the Ready Campus Summit planned for next week, and addressing upcoming projects involving the program.  Of course, all of this was in a steady rain that had its way with my hair and made my cute made-for-sunny-California-weather clippety-clop high heel shoes look like a wholly irresponsible choice.

So by the time I got to Hector Airport I was already a hot mess (visually and mentally) and my situation wasn’t improved by the fact that I had to park in the back forty of long-term parking at the airport.   I trudged with my barely-under-the weight-limit suitcase and my computer bag and my purse in a fairly decent wind and steady rain in my decidedly light clothing (as no coat is required in So Cal and I could not see the utility in carting one with me) and my inappropriate for rain and mud shoes from the back forty to the terminal with my bright green umbrella being the only indication that I had any sensibility whatsoever.  When I arrived at the United desk I looked such a mess that the agent audibly laughed – and who could blame her?  I looked like something the cat drug in to be sure.

So I looked like hell, but no worries I thought – I am soon to be on my way to Orange County, California and then all will be right with the world.  So I spent a few minutes in the restroom trying to remediate my hair (that was a wasted few minutes) and then I visited the gift shop.  The fact that the gift shop had the presence of mind to have this big guy out front representin’ for NDSU made me happy. 

That coupled with the ladies representin’ NDSU’s volleyball team at my gate made me stand a little taller, smile a bit wider and carry my NDSU computer bag with a bit more pride.  I do so love that feeling of college pride that one feels in Fargo.  So my mood was changing and by the time my fanny landed in my seat on the tiny little United flight I was on to Denver I was caring less about what I looked like on the outside, because I was happy on the inside – but I still would not have minded having a hat.

From Denver it was a short wait and then on to Orange County.  I slept a lot on both flights – something about not enough sleep the night before and the movement on airplanes in general pretty much guarantees I will be sleeping on the plane.  I woke up about fifteen minutes prior to landing in Orange County and it was shortly thereafter that the pilot denoted the clear skies and beautiful view.  I had my traditional window seat (the better to sleep in) so I opened the shade and took a gander.

It was then that I saw them – the lights – millions of them in a variety of colors and sizes – sparkling like a tapestry rich with color and design.  It was breathtaking and it went on and on as far as the eye could see.  I can’t even tell you how long it was that I sat staring out that window mesmerized by the beauty of it all and thinking about what those lights meant – the millions of them sparkling individually while creating collectively an artful display that made one feel they were dancing amongst the stars.  And each light, each sparkle in that clear night represented a home or a street light or a business or a car making its way home – each light represented life.   To add to the whole experience, we landed and then taxied for a few minutes under the light of the brightest full moon I think I have ever seen.

I have to tell you folks, getting off the plane I felt so refreshed and alive – it was as if the universe had breathed new life into me.  Of course, I still looked like something the cat drug in…but I didn’t care a lick.  Ah yes, there is rest and rejuvenation for the wicked. 😉

Day four hundred and forty-six of the new forty – obla di obla da

Ms. C