Blog Post – Post Germany
I have arrived “home” to Norwich, only an hour behind schedule! I had decided to take the bus from Stansted instead of the train because it required the least amount of changes, and there is a drop-off point right on campus, a quick 2 minute walk back to my flat. However, I wasn’t expecting a 50 minute delay, changing my ETA to UEA from 11 to midnight. But, what can you do?! I found some busy work to do in the meantime (like writing this, as though I had already experienced the drive to Norwich, not sure why…), uploaded pictures from my last mini-vacation within a vacation and composed a nice e-mail to Anja letting her know that I made it safely back to school and relentlessly thanking her for her hospitality and her generosity over the last 4 days.
Why is it that when looking for something, or scoping out the shopping scene (no matter what it is for), 9 times out of 10 you end up right where you started?! Aside from seeing Connor play and visiting the Marquardts again, I had a goal of finding another Christmas Pyramid – to replace the one that I carelessly left in the Hannover Airport bathroom in September – and lo and behold the Karstadt Christmas store in Celle was my first and last stop!! But, I must say that I am very pleased with my purchases (prices in Euros converted to US dollars ignored)! At first I had decided just to get one for Jon and Tovah as a unique wedding gift, but then I realized that if I like them so much, why don’t I get one for myself?! So I did. A 40 minute shopping experience in one tini-tiny store making decisions (with the lovely help of Anja), 2 boxes packed and secured, and a trip to the DeutschePost (with a hefty air mail fee for each), I am ecstatic about getting it all done!! Jon and Tovah, you should have a box arriving within 6 days. Mom, the box going home will take a bit longer (it was heavier, so I just sent it non-air mail so it’ll probably get there the Monday I’m home… even though I wrote you a lovely explanatory letter inside, but now it is insignificant as I’ll be there to receive the package myself!
I can’t even tell you how much I enjoyed Germany. If I had only started learning it earlier (freshman year) or if SOMEBODY taught me growing up, I could have studied there. England was a default location – and don’t get me wrong, I HAVE enjoyed being here despite all of the negativity that comes out of my mouth and fingers – but, had I gone somewhere that I really had my heart set on, I do believe it would have been a different experience in a positive way. But, how true is it that we always want what we don’t have?
I have 9 more days here, and I really can’t believe that the appropriate time has come to start thinking about coming home (as opposed to me thinking about it and be excited about it in October…). But, this next week will be busy! As I have really waited to do my work (I work better under a bit of pressure. Enough to get me motivated, but not so much to stress me out and make me pull all-nighters). Between work, a bit of shopping left to do (some of you people are hard to shop for, even if they are souvenirs!), and as much social fun and fantastic Norwich nightlife as I can fit in with all of the fantastic people I will probably never see again (and while I can still legally drink until March – but don’t worry, I’m always responsible), I think I’ll be plenty busy until my bus ride at 4am next Saturday morning.
I think that is enough update for now! I might get into what I’m actually thinking and get a little too contemplative on such a broadcast...

love and miss you all!!

xoxo