Meine Lieblingsjahrzeit

It's that time of year again:

wishing I had a fan in my room
beginning to look much more alive with color
lots of time @ the 'beach' (well, the closest thing...river)
SHORTS! every day
white stripes on my feet (the 'flip-flop' tan line)
struggling to drag myself to class
...and beautiful, beautiful sun/sommer (almost)!!

I was told a story this weekend about how when my mom was pregnant with me, she would lay out in the pool tanning her belly (with me in there). Renate says she thought I would be the 'sonnigkind'=sunkid. hahah, maybe that is what happened to me. I am normally a happy person, but when its sunny/summer...it is greatly intensified.



Anyways...I'm heading off to Italy tomorrow. Will be spending the first couple of days in Milan, then onto Pordenone...and Aviano. I have not seen my uncle/aunt/cousin in a couple of years! I'm quite excited, and also to explore more of Italy. Put my Italian course to work...although it was a year and a half ago. I bought a travel book today to learn a bit more, had dinner with a friend tonight too, and he taught me to order in Italian. Will be a nice trip. =)

Here's a picture from my last visit, I bet my cousin has grown up so much too!



And to oma: Gute Besserung! I hope you feel better. Love you.

Familiezeit

War in Münnerstadt für das Wochenende. Sehr schön, wie immer. Meine „Familiezeit“. Heute waren wir nach Wasserkuppe geganen, der in dem Rhön ist. War viel Spass, eigentlich mit meinem kleinen Cousin...das kannst du hier klat sehen :)

Fotos

Holiday again today. Heading out to Muennerstadt to spend the weekend with my family. Just wanted to share some new pics before taking off.
Day trip to Nuernburg:


















More out and about in Wuerzburg...


Pictures don't do the city here at night justice...





























Trip to Muenchen on Thursday for a Conference at the Amerika Haus put on by diplomats, for people in Germany who studied in America, did Fulbright, etc. within the last 60 years. (A friend studied in California...invited me along.)

Komm Wochenende, Komm!

May 4…I can’t believe it’s already May, or that I’ve already been here in Germany for a little over two months. Yesterday was a quite productive day, and included making/revising travel plans:
-Booked tickets for Italy yesterday—will be staying for a week. I fly into Milano on a Thursday morning and will spend the day there. Catch a train to Venice, then onto Aviano and stay with my uncle. Not sure what exactly the plan it, but at least I know now that I will be there for sure. Then, I fly out of Venice, as it is not too far from my uncle.
-Katieloo is coming!!!!!!!! She’s going to stay for about 2 weeks, and it will be her first time here. She would also like to see Italy, so we are going to explore Rome, as it is also a place I want to see while I am here.
-Working on organizing a surfing/camping trip to the atlantic coast of France. I’ve met a few people who have done this and offered to give me some advice. (Trying to get as many people together as possible, already have a few.)
-My mom and oma come also in August. One thing I want to do is a castle tour in southern Bavaria (see neu schuanstein). Perhaps go to Belgium, as my uncle will be moving there?
-And today…I’m getting ready to meet some friends to go buy tickets for…Rock im Park! It’s 3 days, camping…85 bands I believe? Wir sind Helden, The Sounds, Smashing Pumpkins, The Used, Scissor Sisters, Papa Roach, My Chemical Romance, Linkin Park, Evanescence…and the list goes on and on…should be amazing. One of the girls going (from Austria) offered to drive, so we’re going to load up and camp out for the three days.
-And any other opportunity that pops up, I will be jumping on it.

So, it’s Friday, I have one class…then basketball. Then…Suse gets here this evening! I am so excited to see her, it’s already been a year since the last time I saw her in Oregon.

Anyways that’s all for now, things in my life are shifting, but I feel good about change…and new ideas. It’s the first time I have felt so incredibly open to change. It’s nice.