I'm finally getting over my jetlag and getting readjusted to life here. I'm sure that, like all Germans/Europeans, two things kept catching my attention: the huge cars and the American flags. Both are everywhere! But I'm starting to get used to it again.
Not much has changed here. I finally have my own room (after having to share one with my brothers for years). And I have arranged and decorated it to my likings. One whole wall is filled with various paper items I collected over the year (picture below). My family also has a new addition: a 9-month-old German shepard-black lab mix, who is way too big for his own good. The outside of the house got a new paint job, and the shack has a new roof. Other than that, it's pretty much life as usual here.
I guess you guys might like to hear a bit about my trip back to the US. Three of my friends rode with me on the train to Hamburg, which was nice, because I had three pieces of luggage, and they were happy to help out. Saying goodbye was kind of tough. We all cried. They gave me a book with pictures from my going away party and where each person there wrote a message to me. It made me cry as I was waiting for my first flight.
I had a layover in Dublin, in which I got my passport stamped for no reason (I was confused by the signs and where I had to go next). And I got to the next plane just as they were calling the final time for people to get on board, because we had to go through customs there. I got to meet someone, though, who had also spent the year in Germany, which was kind of neat. He goes to college in Wisconsin.
On the flight to Chicago, I sat next to a girl who had also spent the year abroad, but she had done a semester in England and a semester in Germany. That flight wasn't too bad, except for the fact that I couldn't sleep at all, because my seat was stuck in the up-right position and a kid kept kicking the back of my seat. However, we finally made it to Chicago, where I then had 3 hours to hang out in the airport.
I decided I wanted to surprise my family with the dirndl I bought. So, when I had about an hour left, I changed into and waited for my flight. I got a few strange looks and one lady asked me about it, which led to a nice conversation about my exchange year. I was really excited to get going once we were allowed to board.
The flight to Milwaukee took just about 20 minutes, and they flew by (no pun intended)! I called my mom as soon as we landed. When they opened the doors, I hurried out, grabbed my bag and made my way toward baggage. As soon as I came out of the secure area, my family was there. It was so nice to see them again! We hugged and laughed. My dad told me he's a fan of the dirndl.
On the drive home, I had my first rootbeer in over a year. It was great! We talked and joked and laughed just like it always has been in my family.
At the moment, I guess I'd have to say I'm pretty glad to be back, but that's not to say I don't miss Germany and everyone there terribly. I know I'm going to go back. I just have to figure out when.
I'll be posting once more here, probably in another couple of weeks.
Bis dann!
The Wall of Stuff
