I saw THE northern light. I could not believe it. Initially, I was outside stargazing and relaxing after a long day of sightseeing. The night was pitch black with the stars twinkling to reveal themselves throughout the night. From the remote location of the hotel along with the clear night sky, the darkness was transformative. I was fanning over the moon and its magnificent crescent shape that had been illuminating in the dark. Suddenly, one of my classmates shouted “there they are” and the northern lights were right behind me. The green lights rippled and swirled through the dark night sky. The lights shimmered with waves of color, cascading across the sky in luminous ribbons. I had dreamt of this very moment with my sister, Maya, where we obsessed over the lights for years. I found myself taking my phone out, not for pictures but to call her in hopes that she can hear the excitement in my voice, and to feel a fraction of the magic unfolding before my eyes. As the auroras continued to dance, I found my feet carrying me into the midst of the open snow fields where I twirled with the lights. Time slowed and I absorbed the beauty of the moment with my classmates where I was able to finally understand that I am watching the northern lights uncoil before me.
p.s. shout out to Carson for taking my picture to help me remember this magical night.
Swanson School of Engineering 