Confessions of a homeschooler

Wow, Derek's post was so insightful it's hard to compete. Showoff.
Anywho, I really hate school. I always have and I always will. Whenever I'm feeling so bogged down and exhausted that I think I'm going to fall and hit the floor any minute, my mind always seems to wander back to Germany and the amazing people I got to meet and hang out with for one perfect month. It's nice to know that no matter how bad it gets either today, tomorrow or for the rest of my life, there was one month that I felt happier, freer and more excited to be alive than I have ever felt before.
I think a lot of the feeling sprang from a lack of responsibility, and I know I felt wonderfully welcome by Miriam, Lars, Margot, Freddy, Karsten, Michael, Ferdinand, Denny, Bruno, that New Jersey Guy, X-treme Drummer (she made a great screwdriver), the girls that showed us where to buy cheap shoes and beer in Duesseldorf and of course our strange little bus driver on the sound of music tour. After I showed my mom all my pictures she asked me if I stuck my arm around every hunk I saw. The scenery was so beautiful that it seemed to bring you closer to God, knowing that he created such unspeakable beauty.
I think one of the most surprising aspects of the trip was how well I got along and really came to love some of the people on our trip. I was almost certain when I left home that I wouldn't really find anybody to connect to because there are very few people that I hold in high enough esteem to actually like, much less call my friends. So many great friendships and good feelings came with those people I met and it was such a surprise.
Dr. Wasser wanted to know if I ever plan to go back to Germany and I'm not really sure what answer to give. On the one hand, I only got a tiny taste of so many beautiful and unimaginable places, people and things and the thought of not ever going back just doesn't make any sense. On the other hand, I have to wonder if any future experiences there could ever come close to being as good as the experience I had this summer. It's almost impossible to imagine myself there again in the future without my girls and my bros. Without living with my host mom and listening to Dr. Wasser belt out songs at the top of his lungs while nearby strangers gave him weird looks. It's hard to imagine not having Kit there asking where I am every 5 minutes and I don't know if I could go back without having my drunken kareoke buddies to dance on stages with. I think I can only wait and see what happens. If an opportunity comes along I would be the stupidist idiot in the world not to take it, because this past summer was solid proof that unique opportunities can be the most incredible and liberating investments you'll ever make.
I have homework and responsibilities piling up now, it's hard to believe that it was all just a month ago. Reflecting on everything I saw and did there is almost like having a recurring dream in extreme detail. Thank God for cameras or I might never believe I was actually there.