Monday, July 25, 2005 9:49 pm

We're flying over Lake Superior; I can't see it now because it's cloudy, but I did before. The sun has moved now and I can look out. Through bits of clouds I can see Wisconsin.

They showed The Pacifier, which had almost amusingly bad acting, and Because of Winn-Dixie, which I didn't watch because the sound was fuzzy for the first half. I've been amusing myself by reading Eragon (entertaining, but hackneyed--it's obvious that the writer was 15; he even goes so far as to give a description of the hero that mirrors his photograph exactly) and by keeping an eye on the cute Dutch boy sitting in front of me. He has a lot of features that look like mine. I wonder if I got anything in my appearance from Mom. One or two people have said I resemble her, but I don't see it. Most say that I look like Dad.

I will be glad to get home. I have only a month left of summer, and there are so many things to do. I will have to start in on them tomroow, but tonight I think I'll just rest. Maybe I will unpack; I don't have that much luggage, and I am eager to show everyone the kvass and the marshmallow candy.

I am tired. I am having a hard time finding pleasure in things. For example, I find all the food I'm given boring and unpleasantly exotic, but I can't think of anything I'd rather have. I thihnk that, most of all, I am looking forward to wide open space. I cannot wait to unfurl my cramped limbs and spread out. I've spent two months hunched over, folded in on myself, trying not to rub against the strangers who cuddle so close. I also long for American men, who take no notice of me, and for my friends of the intelligentsia elite, who understand the shock of unwanted familiarity. I admit that I will miss the safe distance of the respectful "you" form, however. Why, oh why, did we give up our thees and thous?

I expect us to arrive soon, but I have no idea, really, because there's too much light for me to see the screen. I can't wait to go home.

It's 3:10 pm in Minneapolis.