Germany. Saying goodbyes.. Packing and cleaning my little room.

I honestly can't believe I leave to go back to the USA tomorrow.
These past four months although they went by incredibly quickly also seemed to last a very long time. I've been so lucky to have all the experiences that I've had.. I have so many stories to tell now.

My trip to Germany was wonderful!! (Photos above!) I did fahrrad tours with my opa all around Enniger and saw the Bodies Exhibit in Bremen with my cousin (second cousin? step-second cousin?) and attended a neighbor's (nachbarin) 70th birthday party where everyone sang accompanied by accordion and saxophone. I learned some new recipes and wrote them down and read two books (Lolita and The Virgin Suicides) and went to the Mohnesee and to Soest and I made the local paper, too. It was lovely to say the least.

My suitcases are somewhat packed.
Things aren't fitting perfectly, so I've had to sit on them to shut them. (Albeit carefully on the one containing the wine and champagne, tee hee) .. Still, I hope I can fit my pillow in too.. sigh.
I can honestly say that I've learned an insane amount about life during these four months away. I did believe my friends and everyone that I talked to before I left who told me these months away would change me completely,  make me more independent and more individualized, but I really didn't think I could grow up quite as much as I have.
I think that coming home tomorrow (getting up at 4:30 AM woot woot) is going to show me just how much I've changed, too.

Tomorrow's schedule is this:
4:30 AM - wake up/eat/make sure all is in order
5:00 AM - return sheets and pillowcases and key to the front office
5:15 AM - catch the metro
6:10 AM - train to Charles de Gaulle from Rennes
9:30 AM - arrive at CDG
9:30 AM - 2:15 PM- hang out in airport/go through security/etc..
3:45 - arrive in Reykjavik and change planes
6:30 PM - arrive in USA's Boston airport


It's going to be quite a long day... but it's so worth it. I'm sure I can get through as long as I have plenty of good playlists. . . And tissues, too. I think the crying will commence today and end after I see everyone from home... It could take a while to get it all out. :)

I can't even put into words how deeply I've missed everyone from home. And there are so many things I've missed.
I've missed inside jokes and Sunny and just being with everyone that I love. I've missed the convenience of walking to Cumby's in Keene at 2 AM just because I want a snack and I've missed how places are OPEN ON SUNDAYS. I've missed living with roommate(s), eating at the Dining Commons, and sitting outside Brewbaker's with iced coffee on warm spring days. All these things are of course a huge part of missing my insanely amazing friends. Because all these things I miss would not make a difference if I did them by myself.

However, in being far away from home I have also come to appreciate greatly the place and people that I left. I have realized how important and dear my friends and family are to me. I didn't take anyone for granted before this journey, but after this journey I can honestly say that I never will.

So to all my friends and family, I love you all and I absolutely not wait to come home and give each and every one of you a huge, huge hug!

The semester wraps up : rainy days, finals, the park, saying goodbyes, etc.. etc...

The weather actually stopped being weird for one whole day on Sunday so that Meagan, Sarah and I were able to spend the whole afternoon out at the Parc du Thabor and have a picnic!!! 

Also we were able to walk around the rose gardens which, sadly, haven't bloomed yet, but we did get to read all the names of each individual rose bush, which was so cool. A few of the names included Toulouse Lautrec, Marilyn Monroe, Princesse Grace de Monaco, Exciting, and Quebec. Hilarious, I know.

However, my personal favorite was "Joie" :)

Finals have started and everything is starting to wind down... 

I'm hoping to have a few more adventures before I leave... A trip to Germany is in order at the end of the month and I'm hoping to see Gogol Bordello with Pretty Bright Lights the night before I leave in Parissssss :D 

Only time (and funds) will tell if this will be possible, but I really hope it happens!

This weekend should be especially good- I'm planning on going to a football (soccer) game on Friday night and there are also some traditional Bréton celebrations this week and weekend, which I hope to get to!