summer friends

i've had the privilege of meeting some truly wonderful people and i'm so excited that it's only just beginning. and whilst we all just found ourselves on the same orbit for the next few months, i'm already getting nostalgic at how quickly time's passing. like, i'm pre-emptively missing the people i've only just met but might never see again after exchange. i don't like the word 'never'. there's an ominous finality about it but then again i'm not going to be over-optimistic. i'm blessed with a brand new circle of friends who i genuinely like and respect. it's strange but it's so much easier to make friends over here. friends in both the loose and tight meanings of the word. sounds preposterous now but before i left i was absolutely certain i'd remain friendless here in stocks. in part because i'm too lazy to get out there because i sleep too much for my own good, and in part because i'm told i'm not very likeable. but i guess the swedish summer got the better of everybody and suddenly i'm surrounded by people who fascinate me with their intelligence and emotional depth.

something i really respect about my friends is their knowledge and interest in their home countries. it sounds almost cliched to say that singers youth are generally apathetic but it's somethng that i'm guilty of myself. but the people i've met so far know so much and a little about everything which's impressive and enviable. and they're such a fun bunch! it's been one continuous party and i appreciate the work/life balance i've established over here. school's been good, challenging, even. but everything in moderation ;)

i used to think (erroneously) that friendship was a culturally relative thing and was under the misconception that there'd be a limit to how close you can get to people from a different culture, narrow-minded and xenophobic as that sounds. and while there's definitely a limit to a shared understanding (if there's even an understanding in the first place), i'm fast finding out that you don't need to be from the same background as someone to understand and appreciate them. i've discovered that humour is universal, and so is sarcasm. and the two go very nicely together when you meet people with similar wavelengths from a world away.

now i just need to stop thinking about having to leave these lovely summer friends and enjoy the moment while it lasts. and if it lasts beyond, then that's a bonus.