silver lining.

In a world where nothing ever goes wrong and weather never has the power to affect your travel plans, I would be waiting patiently in the Chicago O'Hare airport right now, barely able to contain my excitement to catch only one more plane to the land I call home. But alas, multiple different storms decided to bombard the country, not only in the northeast, but also in the midwest where my layover was supposed to occur, and also in Seattle, where my not-so-little brother was waiting on the tarmac for over an hour just to take a 2 hour flight home the eve before his big sister.

When I received the automated voicemail from United Airlines informing me of the cancellation, my heart sank. Now, not only would I not be able to get home as soon as I desired, I would have to be on the phone for at least an hour, trying to get refunded and rebooked (or, if you're me, you pawn the annoying situation off on your mother after you realize you can't understand ANYONE who gets on the phone with you...Thanks Mom!). 

My disappointment was so severe, I was forced to log in and try and find some silver linings to the situation. While nothing really beats the fact that I rarely get home and I spent good money to be able to come home today, there is ALWAYS something positive to focus on.

- I would have had a small window of time to pack last night and thus, would have been rushed and probably forgotten a few key elements. Now I have the whole day to slowly take my time and if desired, only pack a few things an hour!

- I get two extra nights with Nick and the roommates in our cute, cozy little apartment.

- People who I would have wanted to see last night but who had work today will now be able to come out tonight since its Friday

- no work today!

- Jesse and Mary are working and Nick kept his plans to go snowboarding, so I get a few solid hours of solitude, in which I plan to clean, pack, and watch definitely one but maybe two of the netflix that I have had in my purse for over a month

Ok, I'm breathing steadily now. I'll be on my way by this time tomorrow. Maybe I lost a day, but at least I get to go home at all. Many of my friends could only get a few days off for the holidays, while I have well over a week. Can't wait.