departed

1 week ago i left germany to come back to america.
why does it seem like so much longer?


we flew lufthansa. i didn't steal another blanket,
even though i really wanted to. i've changed!
some people got drunk before and on the flight,
but that's nothing new as far as the program :)


i sat next to brittany grassar again due to our names
and possibly my mid- and end-year reports.
i had a great time chatting with her about the year
and reminiscing about tick bites and kidney stones.
she lives close so i'll see her again no doubt!
back at home and coping with feelings of repression...
more to come!

playing catch up

backtracking quite some bit...
on the train to DC with fouaddi,
missing germany and my gang overseas,
enjoying the time with a touch of sadness!


it's been a battle of reverse culture shock,
(i forgot about EZpass!)
and i go from sobbing on the phone,
overwhelmed and home(?)sick,
to being fascinated with the number of
loud, english-speaking fatties.


the shock will continue, no doubt!
a few more posts should wrap up the year perhaps.

lieblingsfotos: anna

anna is visiting until the end of my time in berlin.
this involves dancing to electro music as often as possible,
drunkenly babbling in bed before sleeping at 6:30 am,
drinking excessive amounts of coffee and enjoying the remaining time.
it's nice to have her here!


brühl outing, short and stylish hair, also drinking coffee...


falafel eating, ridiculous conversations, wide-eyed excitement...


art exhibits, curiosities, more coffee...


and an openness to posing for bizarre photos!
enjoy sleeping in a tent :)

losing streak

germany finally lost the world cup the other day.
no more drunk fans on the street!
i could not be happier.


there should be an ad linking these two photos...
it could say something like:
"charge yourself up with massive amounts of red bull,
wear a ridiculous beer helmut and look like an idiot / fan,
and then go find the nearest glory hole for your 'public viewing'"
sure to make millions!
(can you tell i studied marketing?)

lean, wien, fat-inducing grilling machine

vienna. it's much better than i remember,
especially now with the ability to communicate completely in german.
the language barrier feels less here, without so much criticism.
also my relatives are unbelievably hospitable and crazy good!


everything just feels a little more in sync with my ideals here.
it makes complete sense, what with my dad and all,
but it nonetheless feels like a second home to me.
i drank a lot of beer and ate 3 chicken döners in one day again.


(the photo above is my latest self-portrait)


reasons why austria > germany :
- every döner here is a chicken döner
- almdudler is found at every restaurant and supermarket
- there are black people here
- an amusement park is open every day, no cost for entrance
- water and toilet usage are both absolutely free
- my relatives live here