July 28, 2007

Dalian (CHINA)

Closing a Chapter in Dalian

Today I began the process of closing out the life I spent two months carving in Dalian in preparation for Sunday's morning flight to Beijing. Other than compressing my entire life into luggage - a skill I am becoming quite proficient at - the other item at the top of my agenda was saying goodbye to the other REU students.

Knowing I would not be going back with the group was easily one the biggest downers over the past couple of weeks. Listening to the other REU students talk about all the things they cannot wait to do back in America was somewhat frustrating because they are things I would also like to be doing. It isn't like I would ever trade positions with them - backpacking across southeast Asia is a dream come true - but it was tough nonetheless. It isn't like I can go on and on about all the amazing things I am about to embark upon because if there is one thing I have learned from traveling it is that many people often don't enjoy listening to things they cannot do.

Also, it is beginning to get frustrating saying goodbye to friends just as quickly as they come into my life. I have kept in touch with everyone since arriving in Asia, but I still have a difficult time committing to strong friendships when I know in a few months I will move on to somewhere new.

My biggest fear is that: "First we make our habits, then our habits make us."

Maybe it is a good sign that these things get to me because it means I am not completely lost out here in Asia.

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