Semester in Estonia
Ring them bells!
After a week of "goodbyes and good lucks," I have not too many tears left. Walking my friends to the bus station was hell. Through the days, feasts, talks, laughs, coffee, classes, trips, pictures, kisses, and parties, we have undertaken a journey together this semester. I have Italian, Polish, Georgian, Lithuanian, Georgian, Russian, Ukrainian, English, and Estonian colors stained on me now, and I don't really want to wash it all off.
"Love life with the absence of logic." -F.Dostoevsky
It seems silly to say this now, but all good things must come to an end sometime--otherwise they would not be good. This semester there was a lot of good. From the beginning, our "box", or "cage" as we call it, had something that other cages didn't have. I can't put my finger on it, but we just got along better than most. No complaining, no anger, no frustration, or reservations--that was us.
Cleanliness was not a common theme in our cage, usually it was a complete mess. Studying was also not a common theme. Neither was sobriety--we threw elaborate and frequent parties. But one common thread that seemed to hold the fabric of Cage 457 together was our Love. We shared a friendship and mutual respect for each other. This Love translated into every language, every mood, everyday.
I don't understand why good things must come to an end; I hardly understand life. But should I be able to? Can one understand this craziness?
No. (read quote above) After one long year abroad, I am not concerned with "understanding" life, but instead am content to "love" it. I think that this is the most important revelation to me during this time and I am happy to share it with you.