Today my computer is telling me it is the 16th, my plane ticket is telling me I board a plane to Germany on the 27th, and my mathematically challenged mind is trying to compute how I will fit in all that I need to fit in during that small window of time. I have compiled an optimistic "To Do" list that already consists of 20 items, with only 5 of them being crossed out already. Some of these tasks are: purchase international health insurance, figure out what kind of a system to use to manage money while abroad, create my budget, get a haircut, and learn German. Yes, 11 days before departure "learn German" is still not crossed out on the list. One of the more interesting list items is "figure out gifts for host family". I am still debating what kind of a gift to purchase. I am leaning towards some sort of green chili gift, but I also don't want them to die, as I am assuming that most Germans have not developed a very high tolerance for spicy foods. I guess I will just have to continue to ponder it, I have pleeeenty of time!
I leave for Albuquerque on the 25th and will spend a couple days there making sure I have everything turned in and that UNM has no more inconvenient surprises for me. On the 27th at 10:45 a.m. I board my American Airlines flight to Dallas, then to Washington D.C., and then finally arrive in New York. I have a day in New York, and then on the 29th at 8:35 p.m. I board my flight to Frankfurt, Germany, and will be arriving the next morning at 10:45. My host family has be so kind as to offer to pick me up in Frankfurt, about an hour and a half drive northwest of where they live, in Karlstadt.
That's all for tonight, it's time for a good night's rest followed by another day of attacking my list! Guten nacht und bis bald!
