“And now, Harry, let us step out into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.” -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Once again, I find myself preparing for another semester of college. Although I have become accustomed to life at a university, it is always challenging to go back and deal with the swells of homework.

I like new things. I like new books. I love new ideas, such as my idea for A Little Mermaid adaptation. I like my new apartment with a walking trail in my backyard.

But I like old things too. I don’t cling onto them like Gatsby clings onto Daisy in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, but I do like looking at birthday cards from the past, letters from friends and family, books that have tape on the bindings and that distinct old paper smell.

As far as adventures go, I’m not exactly the one for them. Like Bilbo Baggins, in a way. I have been on a sailboat once before and my stomach told me that it wasn’t for me, but I love rafting, especially when there are rapids involved. And the one time I was on a cruise, I preferred going on the excursions rather than staying on the ship. And when I tell people that I don’t ski, even though I’m a native Coloradoan,  they are shocked. But I tell them that it’s way too expensive. And also it doesn’t really appeal to me. Give me a sled or hiking shoes or  a tent and I’m happy as a bear eating blackberries.

But adventures don’t have to be big. Actually I think the best of them are small and not monumental. I would count driving around just for the fun of it under this category, as well as going to restaurant with kinds of foods that you’ve never even thought of trying before (For example, I once had a carrot shake with ginger. It was delicious).

School is an adventure for me, even though I’ve been going to school for most of my life. Every day can be an adventure. And if every day is an adventure, can you ever really get bored?