much ado about . . . everything

i went to lunch today by myself in hopes of getting some cheese one more time. "sajnos, nincs" (unfortunately, there was none). which is probably for the best since my body is screaming for nutrients. so i got some sort of meat. maybe pork. i don't know. it was fried, so i didn't care. as i sat there eating in Sztoczek (which was virtually emtpy), all i could think about was how thankful i am. for everything. i think perhaps i've learned more about the world in the past 4 months than i have in the past 4 years. all i've dreamt about since i heard about studying abroad is going somewhere completely unknown and just being completely submerged in a different culture, a different world. and i got it. my dream has come true . . . and it's been one of the best ever. man, i've learned so much. do you have any idea how small this world is? it's incredible. i love the fact that i personally know another human being in spain or germany or france who's carrying on just as i am, who's going through the same things as i do day in and day out, who's going through completely different things as i do day in and day out, and who's just come away from a once in a lifetime experience just as i have. i dont know if i'll ever see any of them again . . . and that breaks my heart. ...i can't get over how many amazing people there are in this world. i think we get caught up in our own little worlds after a while and just develop paradigms about others and how we live. and of course this is only natural. how could it go any other way? if you're ever allowed to remove yourself from that, if only for a short period of time, do it. you won't regret it. i can remember talking with sam about me going (or wanting to go) abroad and i remember telling her that i felt like i had to. for myself. i had to know what else was out there. i had to know that there was more to this world than what we see everyday. and now i do. now i know that this planet is full so many differences that only God could do more than scratch the surface of seeing it all. You are truly astonishing, God.

i don't know if any of my fellow exchangees will ever read this, but if you do, i want you all to know that i love you so much and wouldn't trade my time with you for anything in the world.

jesse, my family, guys, get the enchiladas ready, because i'm comin' home.