Off the Map

Visit from the Future

Last night I hit the town with a couple German girls and their guests for 3 days, 2 former CU students. One's been working for a couple years, the other just graduated (and soon to be married) - both had their birthdays within the last 3 days (they celebrated one in Amsterdam, and the other in Prague!). But what really grabbed me was that the worker (who wants to start up a Doner shop in Denver this year, by the way) is a Regensburg Study Abroad alum, several years removed.

Sure, I've talked to other former Regensburg kids before - but that was while they were still in College. Watching this member of the Colorado workforce, removed from both Uni and Germany, reminisce about his life here - the friends, the city, the bars - felt like watching myself returning for the first time. Though he didn't say it, I chose to interpret the whole night as a warning in itself: "Use your time here well!"

Now I have to ask myself: "Can I do anything more in order to look back on this year with no regrets?"

No easy answers jump to mind - I've already taken care of anything so readily available. Rather, this is going to require deeper thought, and excellent foresight! Foresight? How does a college student find some of that?

Although I picked up themes in this man's most treasured memories, how do I know what will be important to me in 5 years. Or in 10, for that matter?

Too many questions - not enough answers.

posted by Jason @ 1:06 pm