July 2006

Farewell

July 24, 2006 03:54

The time has come when I must depart the dear German city of Heidelberg. The community opened up their arms and welcomed my family and me in. I will miss:

- Seeing pretty, old buidlings.
- Walks in the Odenwald.
- Going to basketball practice.
- Speaking German.
- Play pick-up games of Fussball (soccer; football is the real word).
- Good bread/chocolate/cake/food in general.
- Having hours to practice.
- My violin teacher, Mrs. Nielsson.
- My new German friends.
- The attic room.
- Fußgängerzones.
- Döner imbiss.
- Those mega-words like Volkshochschule or Lebensmittlegeschäft or siebzehntausendvierhundertfünf...

I am also looking forward to many things:

- Seeing my friends in Kansas.
- Meeting Karin and Colleen.
- Seeing Pippin!!
- California (family, beach, etc.).
- Our house.
- Seeing my violin teacher I have had since I was eight, Mrs. Lewis.
- E-mailing Oprah...from the US.
- Air conditioning

I’ve also learned several things:

- I am going to miss Germany.
- My friends are very important.
- My dog is very special to me.
- Joshua Bell is really nice.
- It is possible to create a new, happy life even if you completely abandon your previous one.
- Public transportation is great.
- Janine Jansen is a super violinist.
- Bolero is boring.
- The second movement of the Bruch is gorgeous.
- Tokio Hotel is...er...not my style.
- I love Fussgängerzones.
- Nothing beats German meadows.
- Switzerland is probably one of the prettiest places in the world.
- I have a secret ability to communicate with cows.
- Desdemonda is a computer prodigy.
- If you are in Europe, there is a chance Bram will show up on your doorstep.

Goodbye, Germany. I’ll miss you, but I’ll be sure to return.