Starlings’ jet and dance above my prone form, pacing the clouds streaming by. A storm is gathering on the horizon and the dark billowing forms quickly gobble up the last light of the day. Soft music accompanies the movement of the weather, bringing back memories of our mother earth. My time aboard the Infinity has now reached the end of the third week and already the thoughts of rain and thunder from my past existence are distant and vague. I find myself spending more and more time in these simulation modules, watching the images that will soon be my only reminders of my previous home. It is hard to imagine how indistinct these things will become after my prolonged stay on the space station. Now I acknowledge the need for meditation practices that you have been driving into my head for the last decade. I will begin at once, when the memory of how raindrops feel on my face and the sound of the distant rumble of thunder are fresh in my mind.

The vessel’s constant vibrations have become a calming companion to the silent lonely hours in my living unit. Although I do venture out for most of my meals, a growing unease is keeping me confined to my solitary quarters for what remains of the ships day. This quiet relaxation station which I just described to you is near my quarters and is the only exception to my forced solidarity. The area only accommodates four individual occupants at a time, so I find it mostly vacant when I venture from my room. It is an ideal location to converse with you; similar to the coffee corner you described on your transport. The scenes of Earth provided are a quiet reminder of what I must focus on during my future meditation sessions on the Phycodurus 8. This practice, according to you, should keep my sanity intact. Some of the music is unknown to me, so I will have to add them to my embedded programs. Sound has always been a memory trigger for me, so it will be a favorable addition to the routines I loaded when still at Oxford.

Frost stars are now forming across the plasma screens, accompanied by the sounds of Liszt’s piano works. I can almost smell the chill air of the forest during one of the many winter walks we took in our childhood. The stone raven cradled in my hand as we explored the frosty countryside. How mother would scold when we returned home, covered in mud without our gloves or hats. I carry your frog with me even now and hope my talisman gives you the same comfort on your journey. It seems an eternity since I saw you. To you it has only been a few weeks, for me it feels like a lifetime. So much has happed to me in the last year, that it feels like I am a different person from the sister you left. I guess you will feel the same once I arrive from my long voyage. We will both have so much to catch up on. How will you have altered after spending an entire year on a new planet? Eating strange food and meeting native New Londoner’s, all these things will have a definitive influence on what you will become. That should be the first thing on my agenda when I arrive. Even before I visit my new lab, and yes it will even take precedence over the inspection of my home. I cannot promise you that I will not first take a peek at the Anomaly, but you will be hot on the heels of that amazing sight. I know my lab will be in good hands when you complete the work there, even when that task was originally slated for me. There is no doubt in my mind that you will have left me with an entire year of incredible data on our research subject. Even as excited as I am to review that information, when I arrive I will contact you first and get an earful of what your life has been like on this new adventure.

Ohhh!!! I am doing what I should not, living in the past and future instead of focusing on the present. Life is too short to not seize every moment and give it my full attention. I will close for now and disregard my nagging worries. I am now heading for the observation deck to take a look around before heading to the last meal of the day. Be proud of me for moving outside of my comfort zone. You know how difficult I find that to do.

Love 

Annalis