I'm Alive

Heeeeey... I probably should update, now that I'm actually in Germany. As in, Germany, Europe, not-the-United States.

Thursday and Friday were very emotional days; during the former, I said the most tearful goodbye to my family and endured about twelve hours, including layovers, in transit to Cologne. There were some minor setbacks while at the Munich airport, like the fact that I didn't have a frickin' clue where my luggage was located (already in Cologne, natch), but overall the flights went very smoothly. For the long flight from D.C. to Munich, I was seated smack-dab in the middle of the row--a French couple and baby on the left side, and an American couple who drank three little bottles of wine each on the right. The French couple were kind of awesome; evidently, they are teaching their toddler English, since the father easily switched from French to English when talking to her. That flight didn't seem too long, surprisingly.

I was so tired from traveling that I hailed a taxi from the Cologne/Bonn airport to my hotel. It was kind of neat. On the news, they were reporting more about Michael Jackson's death (auf Deutsch). Amusing. I spent the rest of Friday afternoon at the hotel, being so tired and homesick. Yeah. That was fun. Loneliness, yay!

I probably should take this time to tell you that I have never been on my own before. I lived with my parents throughout college, since it saved money, and have been out of the country with groups. So, I'm taking a ridiculously huge leap right now: I've traveled halfway around the world on my own, and I'm going to be living in a foreign country. This...probably isn't a good thing. This is probably too big of a leap for me.

But, we'll see what happens. I've got to try.

Today has been much better, apart from the fact that behind my hotel room lies a very. loud. techno. bar. KILL. However, I've done a lot (for me) today; I've navigated the U-bahn with sparkling success. I made it to the Hauptbahnhof and have discovered the area at which I need to be Monday afternoon, for orientation. I saw the famous Dom, which is glorious. Also, I browsed through the Museum Ludwig, whereupon I viewed such awesomeness as Picasso, KIRCHNER (yay!), Warhol, Mueller, Dali, and others. Hooray for modern art! Afterward, it was raining outside, so I stood under the awning and listened to a street cellist. Then, limbs heavy and throat dry, I headed back to the hotel to rest.

I know this doesn't sound like much, but for someone who's just getting hang of things on multiple levels, it's pretty cool that I'm doing this. So, there. :P

I also received a call (auf Deutsch) from Christi. She will be meeting me at the Celle train station upon my arrival. This takes a great weight off my shoulders, since I had been worrying about that. Yay! It looks like I will be staying with her until the L. family has finished renovating (?).

My phone-Deutsch SUCKS. Actually, my normal-Deutsch is dismal, too. That's not modesty. That's honesty. It's painful...

Now, to either get some rest or dinner. Since I'm not hungry (but I AM eating--that's for you, Mum), I'll probably choose the latter and just surf (while I can...concerned about Internet access later).

Dom!

Reflection.

YOU GUYS.

I, like, leave for Germany and stuff tomorrow. Color me a little surprised.

Other than the fact that I have finally come to the realization that I do not know what I'm doing (one whole day prior to departure), things seem to be coming together. Wait, scratch that last part of the sentence. I'm at that point of pre-starting-a-whole-new-life where I do feel incredibly lonely, vulnerable, and sad, particularly when there are so many people whom I will miss. This is, naturally, a normal process, and I do feel a little relieved that I am feeling this. However, I'm a tad mystified at what is going to change in these next ten months. It seemed like only yesterday that I was hanging out at the Writing Center (my last, and best, place of employment), cutting up with my fellow snarkilicious coworkers, only worrying about a paper in Comparative Slavery or slide identification in Art History.

Now, with just one day before I leave the country, things seem a bit...heavier. A little part of me wants to stay here in Huntsville. Though I know I need to leave, that this will be an experience of a frickin' lifetime, I remain in a rather confused state of what really matters. This is, admittedly, the standard young adult identity crisis, and it shall pass. Awesomeness awaits, though awesomeness is also here at home--with my family, my friends, and the identity that I have created for myself.

Now, it's time to add on to this identity that is Jennifer Lynn Staton, P.I. (Professional Incense...flowery). Blech, that's so cheesy. Let's just get it out that I'm terrified as hell. Plain and simple.

And that's okay. Okay? Okay.

This evening will be devoted to finishing the packing process (which, being true to form, I've left to the very last minute) and hanging out with the 'rents. Tomorrow morning, Mum, Dad, and Kim will ride with me to the Nashville airport. Friday afternoon, I shall (hopefully...) be situated in my hotel room in Koeln. I believe I will have Internet access. If not, I'll kick a puppy.

So, to all who have been a part of my life, particularly during these tense summer months: Thaaaanks. You guys are awesome-sauce.

Tomorrow, I fly.

The Post in which the "In Which" Part Will be Excluded

Hark! Two posts in one day. Told you it'd pick up.

Ridiculous amounts of excited noises! Only not really, since I'm not a very squeal-y person in public. In my mind, sure.

So, it appears that I shall be under the temporary care of a host family of awesome upon my arrival at Celle. This afternoon, Kat forwarded me a message from another school colleague, Christi, which informed me that the latter had found me a very nice, fully-furnished room in the home of a particular family within the same area as is Klein Hehlen. Yes, that was a poorly-constructed sentence, but I don't care! I have a place to live! Temporarily, but yay, nonetheless! This makes me rather content.

Let's just hope that they don't lock me in the basement.

I'm kind of joking.

Anyway, since I don't know if it would a terribly wise choice to display a photo of the house itself on here (right now, anyway), I'll instead show one of the interior of my room. It's purdy. I approve of the windows. Escape plans, if necessary, will be made easier by the windows.

Yay!