I'll be back.

Whenever something unpleasant is going to happen in my life I just want to get it over with. Rip the band-aid off, say the bad news first, take the test first thing etc. Just get it over with. I know I have to leave Germany in less than a week. Very unpleasant. But, I can't "get it over with," because time is one stubborn son-of-a-bitch.

It's a weird contradiction - I don't want to leave Germany, but I can't stay. And since I have to return to the US within a week I'd rather just leave now. The waiting is killing me. I have already packed up most of my room, minus the essentials that I'll need for the next five days. Anxious. I am anxious.

In all fairness, I packed up my room mostly out of boredom. I didn't get to go to Paris or Frankfurt this weekend, and I missed work yesterday. My body decided that it would be the perfect weekend to get really, really sick. I spent most of my weekend in bed with my covers pulled up to my chin, reading a Russian spy novel that scared the shit out of me. I kept having nightmares that some KGB thug was going to break in during the night and kill me in my sleep. It didn't help that people have come into my apartment past midnight before - my office decides to let my temporary roommates surprise me instead of telling me about it ahead of time. It's not a fun surprise, especially when one temporary roommate caught me napping on the couch wearing nothing but stockings and a tank top. We had a very awkward two nights. Another neurotic roommate thought it would be a good idea to rearrange the furniture at 2am. Fun. I almost pulled a Russian spy move on his ass but instead got my revenge by waking up really early and not bothering to be quiet.

So when I wasn't sleeping, watching the Olympics (GO PHELPS!), or reading my really scary book, I was packing. Mostly out of boredom, partly out of anxiety. I wish time would pass faster... but it has an uncanny ability of slowing down in times like these. Son of a bitch.

I know most of these posts have been about how much I love Germany, because I do. But there are a few things I miss about the US:

- Sunday brunch. Pancakes, waffles, french toast, eggs, omelets, oatmeal.... obviously not all in one sitting but man oh man, American brunch is amazing.

- Stores that are open 24 hours a day. Most things here close around 6pm, staying open until 8pm is a big deal. Whoa, don't get too crazy there.

- No fucking bike lanes. After many near misses, I finally got hit by a bike. Twice.

- My family.

- Catching up on Weeds, The Tudors, and my other favorite TV shows that I missed while I was here.

- J.Crew: my favorite store. American fashion. None of this weird punk rock shit. No mullets (unless they're a farmer or a hockey boy, in which case it's acceptable.)

- Going skating. The state fair. Being Minnesotan (which is like German-lite.)


Even though I want to, I can't stay here. But, in the words of my favorite Austrian: "I'll be back."



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