I have two weeks until departure and plenty to do. Buying new socks is chief on my list. Boston has emptied itself of all my friends and you can tell autumn is coming. But for me, the sweaters will stay in the drawers, the flannel in the linen closet. I am trading in seasons this year for two springs and summers. I am excited, apprehensive. The time has come for me to face the fact that I am out of college, I am leaving most of what I know, and I am embarking on a journey. Exiting America is necessary. Not that I feel like James Baldwin or anything, because I see how easy my time here has been. How full of comforts and joys, and very rarely hardships. But to leave will be good. I want to focus my own energy and youth into something that will be positive and not just for my self. Do I need to leave my home country to achieve such ends? Probably not. But I am leaving with the knowledge that everywhere one turns there is something to do. And when I return, I will use the knowledge gained to effect positive change here as well. I depart an idealist. I'll keep you posted...