The other day, I looked at the stars. It’s usually cloudy here, so it was a real treat to see the stars. The sky seems strangely empty, though. Everything is so bright, and there aren’t too many stars. I seem to remember seeing more. After spotting Orion after getting out of the car, I had to go to the backyard and just look at the stars. It felt so weird because I hadn’t seen the stars in so long.

I was reminded of the last time we had a blackout. When I went outside, the world was brighter than it should have been. I couldn’t figure out the source of this eerie bluish light, if all the power was out. It took me a while, but I finally realized that it was coming from the moon. The world was bathed in moonlight. It was so alluring, I almost wanted to stay out there all night and perhaps dance in it. Yet, it was too cold.

It was even colder the night I was looking at the stars, but I had to anyway. I found Orion once more, and I could see not only the belt, but the dagger and the entire constellation. I found the W that was Cassiopeia. But what I really wanted to find was the Big Dipper. The constellation that should always be in the sky no matter what the season… the constellation that helps you find the North Star, so you can find your way home. Only I was already home, and I wanted to find something else. I remembered seeing the Big Dipper as a child (Hah, what am I saying? I’m still a child), and I just wanted to recapture something. But I tried and I tried, and I couldn’t find it. I couldn’t find the Little Dipper either. It was really really frustrating, and even my dad and sister couldn’t find it. I was so disoriented. The sky no longer felt familiar, and I felt as if I should’ve known where everything was, but I couldn’t find anything. I left the night sky very disappointed. I don’t know exactly why, but I really really wanted to see it.

So, if there’s anyone out there, with a clear view of the night sky… take a picture of the Big Dipper for me. I’ll keep looking every night, and as soon as I find it, I’ll take my own picture.

And no, sticking glow in the dark stars on my ceiling is not enough.