My new address

Box 103
3909 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Coming to Philadelphia

So I woke up at 4 this morning, on three hours of sleep. I got the rest of my stuff together, and our family apparently got out of the house too late (4:40), for a flight at 6! I got a window seat, and the setting was amazing for takeoff-a distant glimmer of sunlight on one horizon, a full moon on the other. And the only thing that could drown out the din from the plane engine was the sorrow overflowing within me...

Just kidding! I mean, yeah, I was sad and all, but I'm not gonna give you guys another emo post. Come on!

Yeah anyways, our flight to Denver was fine, and I remembered the hideous sight that was the Denver airport from the air. Seeing as we had extra time, I took a decent chunk out of the 300 pages I had left of summer reading (shudder).

We then boarded the plane for Philadelphia, which was surprisingly short (just over three hours). I tried to sleep, but to no avail. First, it was exceedingly cold in the plane, and this baby behind me would not shut up! Arrggh, it drove me nuts. The only thing of interest on the ride was that I saw clouds that reminded me of popcorn (plain, not buttered or kettle). Hmm, perhaps I flew over North Park, you never know...

Anyways, we just got back to our hotel after walking around campus for a while. I've gotten only 8.5 hours over the last two days, so I'm gonna go to bed. Peace.

Going away.

Today is the 11th anniversary of the day when my family came to America. Back then I was just a little, unassuming boy who had almost no knowledge of English or of America. We were only supposed to stay for two years, but I guess there was a slight change of plans...

How is it that I have already spent eleven years in Eugene? I can still remember how confused I was upon learning that I was living August 26, 1996 for a second time after unboarding the plane. The past eleven years have been a blur, and now it seems absolutely absurd, unfathomable, to think that I will not be calling this place my home.

Right now I feel like I can empathize with my nearly hollow closet and drawers. Toughest is the fact that this last year of high school has been absolutely amazing, and I have made so many friends, many for whom I have such a deep respect and appreciation. Seeing Collin, David, Kaylee, and Andrew off has actually not been as difficult as I had thought, but now the realization of their absence, and of how much they had meant to me, has really sunk in. To be almost 4000 miles from people one has called friends for years, perhaps from elementary school, is a grief one cannot quite put into words, save perhaps the phrase 'Woe is me'.

As I have been packing, I have run across artifacts that brought up memories both old and new. I've come across a Switchfoot concert stub, a penguin-pencil, a Darth Vader Mr. Potatohead, a happy birthday paper crown, recyclable pants, a copy of a matchmaker quiz, and numerous Ultimate jerseys. All of these have brought me such happy memories from over the years.

The only thing that is keeping me sane and composed is the the fact that some of my friends are still here. I have spent the majority of the last three days with James, Aubri, and Greg, whose presence has kept me from straying into a deep metaphorical forest of isolation and sadness. Even today I parted with James for the last time until winter break. I am dreading the evening when I myself must bid farewell to the likes of Greg, Aubri, Ginny, Reed, and whomever, much like those who have departed before me. I can only apologize to those who I will leave behind, and hope that they will not be left with as much sorrow as I will be upon boarding my flight.

-

No, I'm not colorblind
I know the world is black and white
Try to keep an open mind
But I just can't sleep on this tonight

Stop this train
I wanna get off
And go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
But honestly, won't someone stop this train?

Don't know how else to say it
Don't want to see my parents go
One generation's length away
From fighting life out on my own

Stop this train
I wanna get off
And go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
But honestly, won't someone stop this train?

So scared of getting older
I'm only good at being young
So I play the numbers game
To find a way to say that life has just begun

Had a talk with my old man
Said "help me understand"
He said "turn sixty-eight
You renegotiate"

"Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
And don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly we'll never stop this train"

Once in awhile, when it's good
It'll feel like it should
And they're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
Till you cry when you're driving away in the dark
Singing

Stop this train
I wanna get off
And go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
Cause now I see I will never stop this train

- "Stop this Train", John Mayer

I guess I'm not one to be saying this, but it would be nice if we could all have stayed in Eugene, or local, at least. On the other hand, going to college on the East Coast, with new surroundings and completely new friends, holds a strange intrigue for me that I cannot wait to experience.

It is true that I will be all the way across the country, in a different school, sub-culture, and even time zone (from most of you, at least). I will be just about 2500 miles from the place I have called home for the past eleven years. But it is also true that I am only half a day's travel away! It only takes slightly more time to come back than those in Spokane or Walla Walla. So I am really not as far as you might think. And winter break will be here sooner than we know it. If eleven years in Eugene have passed by so quickly, then four months should be nothing.

As hard as it has been, and still will be, to say goodbye, to see you all again in December will be a joy unlike any other.

So, until then.

Packing

Some clothes in my room, along with a few other stuff.

Last days in Eugene

So my last few days have been spent with a few of the wonderful friends who are still in Eugene. I'm just getting ready to move out, but I want to make sure that I hang out with friends as much as possible, because I won't see them again for quite a while...