best ever

11/29/08 an excerpt from my journal. "i feel like the city and suburbia have ruined me. The openness of the midwest, it is grandiose and simple. almost bleak, especially since it is winter. the leave have changed and fallen, the trees are exposed. its briskly cold. But most of all it is so calm here. small towns, few roads, and just long stretches of land, and big trees. Its beautiful. you can see for what seems like miles and in every direction. It gets so dark at night, the stars are so bright. The quiet is incredible, there's no sound but the occasional passing car. In town everything is so quaint, all the houses are lined up just so, there are little parks, and brick sidewalks. I just love looking around, taking it all in. I don't know what it is exactly but i just really love it here. i feel alive here, and truly at home." central illinois. sounds boring. but let me assure you my four days there simply incredible.