work and winter

Walking through the Siedlung today, on my way to the arabic/asian store. When I left Goettingen in September, we returned still expecting summer but were surprised with the colors of autumn. Now I leave Goettingen in winter, and when I return it will be spring. I asked Horst tonight what we will miss this next month. And he said, "Here?"

Two of my favorite people this last month. Tonight's unofficial Meredith-and-Jacky-will-be-gone-for-awhile falafel dinner. In a rare show of honesty I'll tell you that with one I will be spending the toils of the next month in close quarters and the other I will be trying my best to forget.

Its ironic that I am sitting here right now, waiting up all night so I don't oversleep and miss my train, talking about how great Germany is, when she is the one I'm leaving for so long. I am typing to Eleanor, a friend of mine from Santa Cruz that will be coming to study for a semester in Goettingen in April. I am doing my best to share the wisdom I wish I had had before I came, and I am really waxing poetic. She is saying things like, wow, I am so glad you like it so much. And I feel like I should almost be saying, but yeah, it isn't the crazy party year that everyone makes out going abroad to be, not to expect- I don't know. I am almost wanting to tell her it isn't what people like to make it out to be, but then I remember: it doesn't matter. I am the one saying these things, and not the one responding in awe. I am here and I am living this, whatever this is, and man can you believe it? Sometimes I still can't.

If anyone feels so inclined, I should be checking my email at least now and then so I don't feel completely disconnected from the outside world. Write me and tell me how you are!