So what’s new and interesting in my life? Well one thing that’s noteworthy: when I’m not busy with school, working out, or whatever brand of fun or laziness I’m spending my time on I’m trying to write a story. I love to write for many reasons. It’s fun, it’s a good form of expression, and if I put some effort into it I’m not too bad at it. What’s cool about this story is that I don’t have to make anything up. It’s a story that I actually experienced so it’s very autobiographical. But it’s also sort of unusual since not many people can say that they’ve been through the same experience. In short, one day several months ago I went hiking with some friends on a mountain near where I go to school. We had a good time, but while we were leaving something unexpected happened: I got lost. And I mean really lost. The had to send search parties with guys on horses, tracking dogs, and even a helicopter. I spent the night alone in the woods, and was picked up by the chopper the next morning (free helicopter ride, sweetness!). I had been officially missing for about twenty hours.

It was exciting, it was fun (for me at least), and since there were no serious injuries it has now become just a funny story. But there’s a lot more to it than that. This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life (not THE most amazing experience, but still high on the list), and it changed me in ways that no one really knows about. My writing down what actually happened, both to me physically and in my head, is a way of affirming it to myself and a way of showing it to others.

Writing this story has also got me thinking. We are all complex different human beings, and everyone has had experiences that have changed them in meaningful ways. They may not be as extreme as mine (maybe even more so), but they’re still there. But you don’t see these things when you meet a person. Even if you get to really know someone you still may not see it. People are incredible, but they like to keep things to themselves. So everyone you meet has an amazing story that you don’t know about. A personal insight to life that everybody can learn from. I know what mine is, and it makes me wonder what other stories are out there.

-On a side note, I’ve written three text crammed pages already, but I’ve only made it through the first thirty minutes of the whole ordeal. If I keep this up I’m going to end up writing a novel.