countdown

30 hours to go until take off! people keep responding to my summer plans with, "wow, really?" i'm not sure what exactly is so curious about my trip... that it's so far away? that i'm going alone? that i have zero plans so far? to me, taking this trip seemed the only thing i could possibly choose to do with my summer, the only thing i know how to do, the only one that feels right and natural. so in 30 hours i'll be passing through security at LAX, about to board my first flight. what will i do when i finally land in indonesia? TBD. i know i want to get my hands dirty with some volunteer work, i know i want to do some diving, i know i want to befriend some locals, i know i want to find a deserted beach somewhere and feel alone with the life forces of water and sun, i know i want to do some trekking, and i know i want to get lost enough to find my way.

this all hardly feels real still, as i've already been away from home for three weeks but am still in the land of stars and stripes takin' it easy. missing loved ones already, though i barely feel i've gone anywhere. really looking forward to getting off the grid--not being accessible by phone and email 24/7... i will absolutely relish in the disconnectedness.

!!!!! me stoked.

in the meantime, happy 4th, america! bottoms up to rich displays of fireworks, BBQs, pool parties, and most of all to the healthy dissent that defines us--may it grow louder and continue on...