As a history major doing so much historiography this semester, I know hindsight changes everything. I know there are at least two layers of memory in every recount, retelling. One of the actual experience, and one from where you are now, looking back.

What did I get? I have to admit it's much more than a line on my CV. I will always feel kind of bittersweet when I read that one line because it seems so... inadequate in summing up everything, these 8 months. I will write again when we officially step down. (We. It's hard to explain. I think I've largely been an "I" in university. We is unnatural and new.)

Would I have done it all over again? I can't say. Again, as a history major, I know, I'm not the first to commit acts of pure hysteria.

Perhaps the contradictory conclusion I will take is that... it wasn't worth it but I would have done it again anyway.

A great excerpt from last night:

"I believe in "care for soldiers" from the army... think about it, you're asking them to go out there and die for you..."

"I think you'll find it's really not that different here."