The fleeting, transient nature of youth is magnified and made ever so apparent to me during this period. More than ever. Not really because it's going to be my 21st year this year but more because I realize when I'm old and saggy, I probably won't possess the same youthful exuberance, excitement, and effervescence. I declared myself an old soul before, I know, but I still possess a thirst for adventure and (I would like to believe) a healthy dollop of curiosity about things around me. I still have the energy (and probably the lack of responsibilities) to do many crazy things.

Like ...running for buses, trains, and planes, whilst being burdened and bogged down by heavy backpacks that pull painfully down on shoulders. Eating bread and biscuits for breakfast, lunch and dinner for days on end. Sleeping wherever I can, on trains, buses, floors (of friends' places.), and staying overnight at budget airports. Walking around in the most dangerous district of Paris at 4 a.m. and approaching every corner with fear and trepidation. Packing on the day of departure itself within 2 hours or less. Climbing forts instead of using damn expensive cable cars. Rushing through gantries... heh... Missing numerous trains. Fending off pickpockets. Speaking in foreign languages and signing/playing charades where former option is impossible. 

All that, and more. 

Am I being melodramatic about growing old? Don't really think so. Not going to kid myself and declare that I will do all, or even half of the above again. The truth is that I probably will not. And it's for this reason that I realize how fast youth passes us by. 

So really, 'carpe diem' is the most appropriate (yet the most cliched) quotable quote I can use here. And I sure cherish the fact that I'm able to experience a most amazing experience in my youth - without which there'll be a Swedish shaped hole in my heart. :)