The Beginning of the End
And so it began.Everyone's back from 2 months of break, the weather is warm and sunny for the first time since September, and its staying light until 8:30PM. Students are energized by the prospect of new classes and reunifications with old friends. Bodies litter the patches of green between the concrete campus buildings like so many seals on a beach.
Last semester I felt distinctly like a stranger in a foreign land, which, now that you mention it, I was. Even though I'm still getting kicked out of classes because they don't have space and exchange students are low priority, instead of feeling like: "Oh no! What did I do wrong?" I've advanced to "Ah, here we go again, ha-ha!"
But the weather and improved adjustment aren't even the best part. Its the people (its always the people, isn't it?). I've got friends now, and all over. Germans that I was just getting close with before the break have brought me into their circles full-stop. Seeing all my international and American friends again is like a big family reunion ("Ah, here we go again, ha-ha!").
Perhaps this has all been amplified by the knowledge that there in an expiry date. That date is sometime in August, when I return to the real world (or is this?). Although not yet a sense of urgency, I feel a need to get the most out of my final months - which is going to involve lots more travel, lots of Biergartens, lots of BBQ's with Germans, lots of outdoor sports, and swimming in the Donau. Most importantly: taking advantage of every opportunity I can.
posted by Jason @ 6:46 pm
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