Wandering

A little late night posting before a obligatory productive week:
  As I heard from one of my friends recently, who undoubtedly quoted someone else, "Not all who wander are lost."  A realization of this came to me this week with a hike on Wednesday with my friend who goes by the name Kiwi.  Elise actually ran cross country with him at Luther and told me that he had dark curly hair and would be studying at Otago.  I approached a man fitting said characteristics and lo and behold, there was Kiwi!  We finally got around to meeting up and going out for a hike out to no where in particular.  I figured we would just find a near by trail but we passed the turn off for the nearest one without me noticing to later and end up going just outside the city to the north.  We stayed on a mountain bike trail for a little while before eventually climbing over a barbed wire fence and up through a grove of Eucalyptus trees to an open pasture.   I never would have imagined how good it felt to get off the trail.  It was so nice just walking through pure New Zealand.  No maps, no other people, no idea where we were.  Just us, some sheep, and the swirls of thoughts in our heads.  I feel like I took a lot more in that afternoon than usual.  It could be that I'm getting more comfortable and open to the subtle miraculousness of the country but I think there's something to be said for exploring your own way.   I was way more attentive to my surroundings and my interactions with them when it was up to me to decide where to go.  Nothing was physically leading us to a great view or around prickly bushes.   We did in fact find a great view and I think I only ran into one prickly bush, but the reward was so much greater than previous hikes.  Sometimes walks on paths can feel like a movie reel being played as I walk.  It was great to be the director this time.  I hope to do more wandering off the path in coming weeks, months, and years.  At this time, anyone looking for a good post can stop reading now; anyone wanting to help me make a decision can continue reading....
It's decision time for whether or not I keep my Physical Geography class.  I like the subject matter but have missed the last two labs and would have to spend all day Friday to make them up along with doing this week's lab.  In addition, I would have 3 more Fridays this semester where I would be locked into staying home for the weekend due to late labs in the afternoon.  Whether I drop or not makes no difference what time I graduate it would just be an extra 3 credits of electives.  When answering the question "Would I regret dropping the course when I look back at my time in New Zealand?" I quickly say no.  But the good student and conscience inside me is telling me to bite the bullet and finish the course.  Shouldn't I finish things I start?? Particularly when it comes to knowledge and education?? Most of my learning here so far has happened out of the classroom but this subject material is interesting in regards to city planning.  So are my other 3 courses though.  Anyway, it's no longer wandering time on this decision and if anyone reading has any advice I would love for you to comment and post it.  Thanks a bunch! Love ya.