it shocks me how vast the world is, and how few experiences i'll have had at the end of my life. but not in a depressing way, in an "i'm so happy life isn't boring" way. i can't imagine boredom. it also strikes me funny that i assume my life has to take a certain course in order for it to turn out well or okay or [insert antonym to craptastic]. megan struss is going to uganda at the end of high school. i'm amazed with that. of course, i have the initial reaction of no way! take me to africa right now and let me bang on a drum in a hut next to a giraffe. and then i have the subsequent reaction of oh yeah, now i remember about things like revolution and nelson mandella, and really it's not safe at all over there. and then i have the final reaction of why am i here studying eubacteria when i could be walking my days under african skies?