165 days until I head off to Berlin to study abroad for 10 weeks. That’s less than 6 months!
I am already making lists of food ideas for Husband to give to Kid, already plotting the huge batches of soups and other meals to freeze for them to have on hand.
And I am already packing. The idea of packing is terrifying – I’m packing for ten weeks of unknown Fall weather. BUT, I’m also there to explore and learn and do a lot of work, so I don’t need clothes for a million different occasions. I’ve already decided I’m taking 2 (TWO!) pairs of shoes – sneakers for all the walking and one pair of “nicer” shoes for just in case. Jackets… well, I’ll have to see what the weather will be like then. I’m hoping to get away with just one.
Most importantly, I’ve begun learning German already. I’m starting now for two reasons: 1) Since I won’t be here in Seattle for the Fall quarter, I’ll miss the chance to take German 101. So I’m studying and learning (with a tutor who teaches those classes) to get myself to the point where I can test out of 101 and into 102 when I get back (for Winter 2017 quarter). Two, I’ll be in German for 10 weeks and anyone who knows me knows that I am OBSESSIVE about languages when abroad. I’d like to be able to not just be polite and get around, but to have enough of a foundation to build upon, to practice immersion and get either into or past German 102 when I get back. (I’m saving Latin for the Summer intensive next year.)
Mom and I are going to Italy (Firenze!) in June, also for two reasons – 1) she just really wants to travel and see things (and better to go with me or the family than alone) and 2) it’s a 40th birthday present of sorts for me. (We’re hoping that next year we can all go and take the Nugget to Ireland or some such.)
It’s a big year! Big big big! I’m excited to immerse myself in something again – not just Germany but this whole program I’ve chosen at school and another new language. My classes this year are AMAZING. I’m also weirdly excited to be in another country long enough to do some yoga there. Every time we travel, I say I’ll scope out some local yoga spots but I never do. This time I’ll have to – with all the traveling and working and immersing, it will definitely be needed!!