Wishing you a Merry Christmas from my hometown of Palos Verdes! I only have beautiful memories here, probably because I only stayed here until the end of fourth grade, and the life of a fourth grader isn’t all that tough, but nevertheless, coming back here always sweeps me up into an ocean of good vibes, and I hope you are finding your holidays filled with that too!

This year I’m spending Thanksgiving break with Georgina, Ami, Grace, and Victoria at Georgina’s house in New York City. We’ve been anticipating this trip ever since fall break. And finally, after turning in my group paper for Cities and going to Chinese class and presenting my oral, it’s here!

Our bags packed, we hustle over to catch the SEPTA to get to the Megabus stop at 30th Street Station. It’s the day before Thanksgiving, so public transportation is crazy. We walk all the way down to the first car and grab whatever empty seat we can find, which unfortunately means we don’t get to sit together. On the bright side, #1 we don’t get ticketed because the ticketer can’t keep track of everyone, and #2 the stranger next to me strikes up some lovely conversation. When we split ways at 30th Street Station, we bid each other happy holidays. I think that was the first time I’ve talked to a stranger on public transportation about something other than directions. Strangers who initiate conversation make me so happy, because I don’t have the courage to do it myself, but it’s something I rather do enjoy.