What happened to the summer?

Kliche!!! But here we go anyways... It disappeared. The summer simply disappeared like the sand under your feet on the beach. Just a moment ago it was all in front of me with plans of all the things I had to do... The sensation of bare feet and sun on my shoulders - Ice cream and late, bright nights. Now everything is going the opposite way and I am feeling a bit empty. The first half of my Photography School has ended. We graduated on Friday and now half the people have left Missoula. Only 50 out of 101 are continuing on... I feel sad because most of the people that I spent the majority of my time with are not staying. They left! I should be used to the "hello" "Good Bye" thing by now. After more than 4 years in Afghanistan you learn say goodbye to people on a weekly basis - with promises and hopes to stay in touch! It just really rarely happens that you manage to follow through on promises or the hopes... Even if you want to. Even the people you thought were the best friends you could ever have... I guess we just all return to a reality were staying in touch is something you do on a computer and you can do that as easily today as yo can tomorrow - so why not just send that email tomorrow? Or the day after? Anyways... I met some awesome people here... Now I moved out of the apartment by the river that I loved so much... Am now sitting in a hotel - exactly where I started the day I arrived in Missoula. Tonight my first professional studies course begins. 'The Personal Portrait' - and I am sure it is going to be a fun week! Except that I could use a break ... and a place to move in to ...