I'm leavin' on a jet plane...
Today was a day of walking. Not so much like an egyptian. Whatever that means. However, I did some severe walking to make up for the not-walking I will be doing tomorrow while I am on a flight from DC to Frankfurt.

We took a group photo in front of the Capitol building. Then, a few of us walked from there to the Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial. I will definately have to come back to DC sometime and see everything else there is to see.

Tomorrow morning will be the last time I get a free refill on a beverage. I savor the little things, let me tell you. And, I am greatful for that 2nd glass of pop.

Psychological and Cultural Shoes...
I am currently at Georgetown in Washington, DC. It's surprisingly great here, except for the humidity. I am meeting some of the most interesting people here. Tonight, I was able to talk politics with a small group of people with severely diverse opinions about how the world should run. And, at the end, we can all still work together.

Since this is orientation for my program in Germany, I feel as if I'm in 'big kid' freshman orientation. We're all from different places, went to different universities (instead of high schools) and graduated with different degrees (instead of majors.). And, we all have to wear nametags and eat in the caf. Nonetheless, its fun.

Its kind of funny. It didn't hit me that I was leaving for Germany until Thursday morning when I said goodbye to my parents. My dad said the words 'Be safe. We'll see you in a year!' And, the word 'year' made my eyes well up with tears, but I had to suck it up and get through the metal detectors and get to my flight. But, I sat down in my window seat on the plane and just started sobbing.

I got to DC and now I'm confident about my new adventure. Just being with the students is awesome, because we're all in the same boat and can relate on that level. Anyway, I'm madly excited to learn german. Don't worry, I'll keep this in english...I suppose.

Today we just had lectures...a day full of lectures. This professor from American University talked to us about culture shock and I was so amused with the phrase 'Psychological and Cultural Shoes.' Actually, I think I just like the idea of 'psychological shoes'...I should sell that idea to Adidas or something...

Tomorrow, we're all going to DC proper...but, I'm not sure we're going to be doing that much site seeing. Oh well.

MfG (Props to those who know what 'MfG' means. I know I told one person the meaning!)

Oh I breathed in the air and I swear I didn't care about tomorrow...
'Oh I breathed in the air and I swear I didn't care about tomorrow
It was good it was better than good it's where I wanted to stay...Taking this life that I lead way to seriously.'
- Bob Schneider, Trippin My Mind

Less than two weeks (and counting) until I go to Washington, DC and then Germany.

I have issues with my bank. Not big issues. Just annoying enough for me to think about it every day... I got a new atm card, and activated it. Well, they automatically deactivated the old one which creates a problem since the new one doesn't work. So, the new one is crap, the old one is crap and I have to wait a week until I can get another new one. Things happen, I guess. And, I'm taking care of it early enough so, it's not a huge issue.

I got the awesome-est present this weekend. Alana's brother gave me a copy of the New Kids on the Block remix album. It's cool can be attributed to its kitch factor. The other great thing about this album is my reaction. I would have been ridiculously excited about this same album at age 12 as I am now at age 22. Maybe that's a really sad thing. I'll get back to you on that.

Time to move on, time to get goin'...
'Time to move on, time to get going. What lies ahead, I have no way of knowing. But, under my feet baby, grass is growing. Its time to move on; time to get going.'
-Tom Petty

I am about to leave for a year in Germany. It’s a brilliant opportunity for me to get out and do something and start living an adventurous life. If I don’t go now, I’m sure I would never leave.

I completely admit it is difficult to leave behind friends and family. The sweet end of the deal is that I get to visit friends and family abroad. And, it’s only a year. I hate to get all ‘Arnold’ on you, but ‘I’ll be back.’

I’m feverishly preparing to leave – making lists and appointments in order to take care of things. In the end, I’ll arrive in Germany and forget something like my camera. Go figure.

I’m meeting 3 of the other Minnesotans later this week who are also going on this program. It’s kind of strange to have so many people from this state going since the rest of the participants are more widely spread out across the nation. That’s ok, though… We will be spreading the MN Nice and showing up those from down south who can’t handle the cold. And…out-shop them? Ok, one too many stereotypes, nix the shopping.

I'm feeling Tom Petty right now...time to move on, time to get going.