You know that I could be in love with almost everyone.

I would say something dramatic referring to the possibility that this week was my last first week of classes ever, but let's face it, I'm a big nerd and will likely be in school forever. This week might have been my last first week of classes at Temple though (but somehow I doubt that, too).

Anyway, it was a pretty good week.

I met a man in a coffee shop who had ridden his bike across the world in memory of a friend who died on 9/11. He told me that one day I will be so much more than I can even imagine right now. I finished my coffee, went back to class, went on with my week, but still haven't lost the thrill of a complete stranger telling me how exciting my future will be. There's something incredibly exciting about a person, who is completely unattached to you and your well-being, having total confidence that your life will be an amazing adventure.

You don't meet people in the suburbs like you do in cities. Cities make me feel alive.

Exhibit A: Street Yoga

Well, here's to a premature three-day weekend. You'd think they'd save these things for when I'm desperately in need of sleep at the end of the semester. I'll be enjoying it anyway!

This is the first day of my life.

Sometimes we build things up in our heads, and when whatever we've been waiting for finally comes around, it's not nearly as exciting as we remember it being. Well, that's not at all how camp was this week. Every year I wait twelve months for the best week of my year and it never disappoints.

The only disappointing part of this week was ending up in the hospital and having to leave camp early. That's irrelevant to this post, though. (Don't worry, I'm fine!)

Camp always opens my eyes to the beauty that I often shut out. It revives my awareness of the little things in life. It confirms my passion for caring for people, and it erases my inadequacies about doing so.

It was a great week at Esopus. I wish every day of my life could be a camp day, but I guess that's what makes it so special. It has to be savored. But at the same time, why can't every day of my life be a camp day? I guess I have that kind of power. We all do.

My mind is racing with thoughts of this summer. From the moment my plane took off for Quito, Ecuador, two months ago, this summer has completely flown by. I tried my best to process and organize and document all that this summer has given to me, but to be honest, it felt like a whirlwind. A very exciting whirlwind.

So now I'm off to Philly this week, ready to take on a new adventure. I can't believe my senior year of college is creeping up on me already. It's right around the corner, ready to be taken advantage of completely. I know that with a little help from my friends, that task will be done and done well.

A big thank you to everyone who made this summer all that it was. I could've done all the same things by myself, but it never would have been as special without the wonderful people in my life.

Esopus.

Let me tell you about a magical place. A place that goes unmatched in my book.

Sometimes it feels like a bubble, but I think it's okay to live in a bubble every once in a while.

This place is green and warm, except for the chilly nights. The sun always shines, even on the rainy days when there's nothing to do except play games and watch movies. Gym games and High School Musical and we're soaring, flying. There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach.

All are welcome. All are welcome to laugh and play or scream and cry. All are welcome to be exactly who they are, free of judgment. Free to fly.

It doesn't matter who you are or where you come from. All that matters is if you like walks down to the river and golf cart rides. And if you don't, well that's okay too. We can just sit in the big wooden chairs and sing Beatles' songs all day long.

We can take a nap in the room with the walls made of rock.

We can sing and dance but if it all gets to be too much, we can go to a quiet place to sit and talk. We can talk about your family and your school and what scares you and makes you smile that beautiful smile. You'll make me laugh. You always do.

Tea parties in the kitchen. One black tea with honey and one peppermint tea, or coffee with milk on the tired days. A peanut butter cup for each of us. And one for your friend, who only you can see.

Roasting marshmallows around a fire and singing songs, always dedicated to that special someone.

Kiss the girl. Let it be. Sometimes your courage brings tears to my eyes.

A midnight swim for the one we lost. Remembering our friend and holding onto one another for support. His bravery, his love, his wrist filled with all the girls' hair ties. I can see you in the summertime. (I wish that I could see you one more time.)

You say more to me with your eyes than anyone has ever said to me with words. And you offer your favorite thing in the world to me and we play without all the unnecessary sounds. Just shared looks, as your plastic chain swings between us.

I'll sing "The Way You Look Tonight" to you all night if you'll just close your eyes. I can't sing that song without you coming to mind, and literally, the way you looked that night, when we danced in the gym and you couldn't stop smiling.

Your love is free and it flows through the air, over the acres of land in upstate New York.

Your love has no limits and it carries me through my year, as the months slip farther and farther from August, and then closer and closer until we're back.

And then we're laughing and singing on the bus and we're all headed to our favorite place on Earth and nothing is as beautiful as this moment.

Nothing is as beautiful to me as the time I've spent at camp, in Esopus, with the special people I have met there. The people that make "disability" a meaningless word, because their abilities are so profound. They love with every fiber of their being, and I am so blessed to be the recipient of that kind of unconditional love. This world is a nicer place because of them.