Ich vermisse dich

I miss you all, dearly.

Here are a few of the snapshots from my last day in Augsburg.  It was my dream day, mein Traumtag.  I went to school in the morning with goodies from the bakery.  Received all 2's and an 1 in conversation!  Went it to Pow Wow for a coffee with the kiddies after class.  Then went on an epic journey to find the big slide; went down aforementioned slide.  Drank a bottle of Italian wine on a bench in the park, that J had brought from Italy to New York, then back to Munich for my birthday.  It was delicious.  As it was Feiertag, made our way out to the suburbs (via bus! I rode the bus!) for beers in a tent in the middle of a field.  I couldn't have planned it, dreamed it, or lived it better.

Epic slide.  There's clearly toddlers waddling up the staircase, and a sign that says this Spielplatz ist fuer die Kinder.  Ich bin ein Kind im mein Herz.

M's holding the bottle, and those are cups commandeered from Pow Wow...

We're classy.

The Boys made fun of my American smile in all the pictures.  In this particular snapshot it appears M is holding my beer, but I assure you I can hold my own liter.  With two hands.

RIP Robin

Robin Gibb past away on Sunday.  This is a cheesy video of The Wallflowers' cover of Robin's best song, one of my absolute favorites.  I secretly (well, not so much anymore...) LOVE The Bee Gees.  They created their own sounds, melodies, harmonies, and perfected those very basic yet challenging elements of writing music and songs that will always be monumental and ground breaking.  Cheers to you, Robin Gibb.

Now What???

On Friday afternoon, as the 777 was descending, and Manhattan was standing so proudly out the window of my quite glorious first class flat bed seat, tears were streaming down my face.  It wasn't that I was sad to be home, it was that I had no way of knowing how I'd get back.  When I left Augsburg two years ago, I knew in my heart I'd be back again and without that same peace: tears.  I was so lucky and fortunate to have then spent the next few hours out to lunch with my best friends, then out to drinks in the City.  I'm currently at my parents' house, where I've been for the past 48 hours.  I spent every one of them lying down watching an embarrassingly large amount of television and eating meat (my host family was on a meat-minimalist diet).  There are a few things that are for sure:  I'm cutting off my cable in the apartment, I'm going to a different gym with classes because my knee won't permit me to be a marathon runner (and I'm okay with that).  I do need to make it to that soup kitchen and start volunteering.  And achieving fluency in the German language.  It's quite the list of goals, but all within my reach and all things I've always wanted to do anyway.  The time has come, the Walrus said, to stop talking of things and doing them ;)

Birthday Dress!!

Here's what 28 looks like with my new bestie Angelene :)

Meine Haare

After being here for four weeks, I finally figured out how to blow out my hair properly with my tonka truck sized blow dryer and limited styling product: excessive conditioner. Yesterday and today, my hair was bouncy yet smooth and almost frizz free. The beautiful sunshiny weather helps too ;)

Via iPhone

Shorty

I had a wonderful birthday!!! I can't even believe I'm 28, or that I've been flying for five years...


I had long since forgotten that I only party in Europe. It's been ages since I've been out... I think it was Vegas? The tunes were rocking - all the same stuff at home on the radio - the beer was reasonably priced; and we were out til the next morning. Super.

One's birthday comes but once a year and I was quite thrilled to have spent it here - again. I go home in four days and I'm running around town doing all my favorite things one last time. I know I'll be back - the plane leave everyday so says my mother ;)

Flying Nun!!!

Gotta love random, rocking Sister spottings!!! She was quite the speed demon.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Where The Wild Things Are

I brought my guest family's son a copy of aforementioned book to say thank you for hosting, feeding, and entertaining me. When I first gave it to Louis we sat down and read, and I did my best to explain in German what was going on. But tonight after dinner, Ingrid brought it out and I ended up reading the story to everyone.

It's been such a treasure and a joy to have been welcomed into another family for no other reason than just because. I'm more than half way done and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Let the wild rumpus start! cried Max.

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Kids

Things I learned today from hanging out with a five year old in a different language:

1. I'm not a kids person. You most certainly are not cuter than me, and don't make that face because I invented the face to get money from my parents, drinks from silly boys, and to get out of a speeding ticket. I'm not buying what you're selling, kid.

2. If and when I do have kids, I really hope I get the two for one deal. I can't even imagine spending my days off coming up with new and different ways to amuse you. If there's two of them then they can amuse each other.

3. Whatever you name your kid, I hope you like it. Because you're going to be telling it. A lot.

4. If you told the kid once in one language, they aren't going to listen in another, regardless of fluency.

5. I just haven't met him yet. It seems to me, that all these normal, self centered people who went on to reproduce keep telling me it's worth it; and I suppose they're right. Maybe it will be for me.... in like ten years ;)

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LUNCH!!!

I was doing my best to take this pic inconspicuously, whilst still capturing the wonders that is a brat with senf for lunch. I went for a run in the morning, and that means I can eat whatever I want. Including ice cream later ;)