Emma Zayer

Answer: It's both.

Bear with me, I'll try to keep this as cliche-free as possible. Though a lot of things have got me thinking about the future lately, most compelling right now is the impending departure of one of my best friends. To Africa. For two years. With the Peace Corps.

Laura and I forged a relationship over banned chewing gum in math class and a shared off-beat view of seventh grade life. (Specifically the ridiculous over-emphasis in English of style over substance...and I mean actual, arts-and-crafts-type style. Neither of us can forget the comment on our historical tea party project - like it sounds, we pretend-invited historical figures to a pretend party - that our invitations could have been better color coordinated.)

We lived through awkward phases together and through some of the biggest changes in our lives up to this point. And while I could brainstorm the characteristics that make a good friend or a good relationship I think pinning down the exact bit of magic that keeps it all together is beyond my immediate grasp. One trait that springs to mind, however, is trust. I value all my relationships very highly but believe it is exceptionally special when you have enough comfort with someone to not worry about being judged or think twice about opening yourself up. Yes, sometimes there turn out to be nutty, insincere people you really shouldn't trust in the first place and I've had a penchant for finding them in the past. Yet I have also had more than my fair share of meeting kind, genuine people whose friendships make me feel so lucky. Laura's friendship is one of those good ones.

So, back to the matter at hand: Laura leaves next Friday from D.C. for a two-year stint in Zambia working on HIV/AIDS outreach. She already has several years of experience working with HIV/AIDS families and is a nice balance of a nurturing soul and an all-around tough cookie, so I know she will do really well in the gig! Plus she's heard great feedback from people who already served the Peace Corps in Zambia.

For me, her departure marks a signal that summer is winding down. Yeah, yeah, it's not even August which is definitely part of the heart of summer. Laura is the first to leave though. I remember when it seemed like forever till she'd get her assignment. Now she's suddenly about to go? I anticipate that the rest of summer could move just as quickly, as one-by-one my other friends go off to school and gear up for autumn at work.

Where will I be? I don't know. I'm still enjoying the time off and there's plenty to keep me busy while job-hunting. Having my dog sleep at the foot of my bed most nights has also been a nice luxury of spending time at home. Still, I'm ready to work. I just don't know what exactly the right job is for me and how to get it. Getting your foot in the door anywhere is hard enough these days! I have at least two interviews scheduled in the next month though, so it's really not all so bad.

The real end of my college-life chapter is coming. I feel pretty positive that once the wheels really get cranking on the next phase that they will take me through a very exciting new adventure, perhaps figuring out what I want to do for much of the rest of my life. It's a strange thing, having so many options available yet feeling daunted by getting your foot in the front door.

At least in the meantime I'll have lots of cards to make and letters to send Laura! Snail mail is such a lost art to my generation...

From left: Laura, me, Allison (another middle school friend). Huntington, N.Y. July 2008