This is the end...

My time in Berlin is coming to a close. I am drawing closer to the 50 week mark and my Wednesday morning flight is sooner and sooner. Bank account closed, couch sold, and appointment to un-register with the city made for Monday. School already seems like a life time ago and Lydia is long gone. My remaining friends are setting off for summer vacations or planning their own homeward treks. I've taken everything but my calendar and stick-on poppies off my walls. It is the end, this will even be my last blog post.

Or is it? Last week, my Uncle Michael called me for the last time on my Berlin phone. I repeated this sentiment to him. He thinks it is just the beginning. That I am changed in ways I cannot hope to understand right now and this is the beginning of my post-Berlin existence. I know I am changed. But as the changing has happened here, I'll only be able to appreciate that change when I return to my former comfort zone.

And as sad as I am to leave my life here, it feels right. I am ready to go home again. Back to sunshine and warm sun on your skin. Back to fog and orange trees. Back to family and friends. Back home. It may just have been two weeks short of a year, but it feels like I set out a lifetime ago.

Wrapping Up

My 50 weeks in Berlin is beginning to draw to a close, classes have come to an end, almost all my grades are in order, and friends are rapidly leaving. I have a powerful urge to take everything off my walls, clean out my closet, and pack my bags. But, I still have about two weeks and such preemptive measures could induce some sadness. So, I am holding off on the walls but beginning to think what I really need to bring back. The list seems to be much smaller than I had thought, I think I may even end up bringing back less than I initially had. This appeals to me, I wish I could just return with a carry on of books.

The wrapping up really began this week. I finished my last week of German university. With bells, I might add. I've gotten three of my grades back so far- good news there. But yesterday was my dear friend Lydia's last day in Berlin. Lydia that I have seen almost everyday for nine months (but for a brief break in Winter). Lydia that has become one of my best friends, and Lydia that I have shared Berlin with. With her departure, I can't help but be sad. So much of Berlin is marked by the experiences I have shared with her here and the places we have discovered together; I can imagine it without her friendship, but I don't want to. It;s fitting they call for rain this weekend.

So for now, it is back to oatmeal for me and I am left with the thought that in two weeks I'll be packing my bags and saying goodbye to Berlin, for at least a while.

Susan, Ingrid, Blanche, and Roxanne

Those are the names of my four windowsill plants, four lovely ladies that I have nourished and watched flourish through the long winter and my year here in Berlin. In about five weeks, I'll have to leave them. Sadly, I don't think they can be taken with me back to California and I believe the nice people at Customs frown on the smuggling of plants into the country. Susan is by far the most delicate; she has blossomed three times in my life with her, she was blossoming when I purchased her and I have managed to capture both her first and second blooms. The second bloom has been slowly unfolding this week. Despite my fears that Susan wouldn't make it, she continues to bloom and surprise me.

I have grown quite attached to my plants, I've given them names and tend to introduce people to my ladies when people come to my apartment to visit. I water them regularly and pay close attention to their health. Although I have always loved gardening, this is really the first time that I have ever had my own plants to tend to, not just a never ending flowerbed to weed, one whose plants I did not choose and was not attached to. I know it'll be hard to leave them when I go. With this knowledge, I have begun looking for adoptive parents. Hopefully I can find some one to love them when I leave! It is not just my plants that I have grown attached to in Berlin, I have become attached to many other facets of my life here. But I miss the California sun. Maybe I can get some plants of my own in Berkeley, too.

Rain Strike

From my title, you could think that I am planning a strike against the rain. Oh how I wish such a strike could ever be possible! I'd strike, organize sit-ins, teach-ins, and any other type of protest technique to get this rain to go away. Maybe a rain dance can work in reverse? Because yes, it continues to rain a it every day...and the rain, rain, rain won't go away! I woke up this morning to rain, yesterday was glorious but for a few scattered showers, and I believe we have weeks more ahead on the forecast. Why does summer have to be a rainy season for the majority of the world? I just want dry heat and sun beaming down on me. I'll take the extreme heat, just keep the rain at bay. Today I was hoping to go to the park and catch some rays, but at this point it seems as though that won't be on the day's menu. The rain, rain, rain, comes down, down, down, and I keep hoping it'll go away. Maybe I'll have some luck this weekend. I'm not going to hold my breath- but I'll keep the hope burning in my summer storm lantern. I also have a new theme song, The Blow's Come on Petunia, give it a try, it incorporates an awesome sample of The Police's Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.

If I am not striking in protest of the rain, no need to fear, for I'll get my fill of strike next week. Next week kicks off a week long education strike in Germany- Bildungsstreik 2009! There are teach-ins planned (although not called teach-ins, I know that is what they are), seminars on how to have a proper demonstration, and a big demo planned for next Wednesday at Berlin's Rotes Rathaus, Berlin's town hall. Now you may ask, why are we striking? The rising cost of education (absurdly low in contrast to the US), elitism in education, etc., etc... Although I do agree that these issues are problems, growing ones, and that they should be addressed- it seems like we are striking just for the hell of it. I for one, think I should bring this strike/protest ethic back with me from Berkeley. It seems California's financial woes may affect me directly when I return to the gold and blue. The Terminator is threatening to phase out CalGrants- now while I don't receive a CalGrant, the university has informed me that should CalGrants be phased out, all students receiving financial aid will be negatively affected. I'll share the burden with everyone else- to the tune of an estimated $1000 per student. Let the fun begin.

Summer

When the sun shines, filtering through the myriad green leafs of Berlin's street lining trees, Berlin in summer is glorious. Amazing, breathtaking, and worth the long winter. But, as I've been told, most of the world also involves rain in the summer. This is indeed true about Berlin. For the last three weeks, we've been blessed with glorious sunshine and far more often- intense thunderstorms and driving rain. They tend to be of the afternoon/evening variety. I was looking at some climate data for Berlin and also learned that June is Berlin's rainiest month of the year. Bummer man. It really shouldn't rain in the summer. Here's a bit from a poem I recently wrote, summing up my thoughts on summer and rain:

If I had to chose between
White noise and a muffled maybe outside rain,
Tonight it'd be the grey buzzing fizzing fuzzing cacophany
And not that entirely normal, but to me more than slightly alarming thing they call
Summer Rain.
A joke, right?
It isn't supposed to rain in the summer.

I'm not going to believe it can rain then-
Summer is scorched earth,
Drough water regulations,
Evens Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday,
Odds Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
It's wishing for hot wind to make it drop to 105,
Planning errands before 9am,
And watching sprinkler drops scatter across concrete
Like sizzling pancake heralding waterlets on Sunday mornings.

Twenty-One in Germany

You'd think turning 21 in Germany, where the drinking age is 16 for beer and wine and 18 for everything else, would be a bit anti-climactic. But, now with two 21 celebrations under my belt here in Berlin- my own and two nights ago for Michael- I know this is only mildly true. The fact of the matter is that you can really celebrate anything anywhere and anytime you want- simply see my Thanksgiving and Cinco de Mayo celebrations in Berlin, and just wait for the 4th of July celebration to come! Due very much in part to the dominance of American pop culture the world over, I don't need to be in America to celebrate quintessentially American occasions or really even need to explain most of them very much- people know more or less what I'm talking about.

So two nights ago, although there was no 21 run, and no one was in danger of dying from alcohol poisoning- it was a successful celebration of 21.

Sunset Trains

It is May and already the sun isn't fully set by 9pm. Tonight, heading back from Kreuzberg from am Indian dinner with Michael, the sun wasn't yet gone. I walked for a bit down tree strewn and leaf canopied streets around Mehringdamm as the sun slowly slipped down the horizon, dodging between buildings, through the blanket of green.

When I reached the U6 and headed to Tempelhof to catch the Ring Bahn home, the sun was dipping low enough to turn the evening pink. As I waited in the rosen dusk for my train, the exposed platform at Tempelhof took on a new life. It was the moment before streetlamps come to life- when life in the pink, or at least behind rose colored glasses, seems infinitely and believably possible. Bathed in the warm glow of a day's end- everything became, for a moment, just.

On the Ring back, the sun continued to drop below the horizon and the familiar scenery outside the SBahn tracks of Eastern Berlin looked strangely different. For a moment, passing the Fernsehnturm at Alexanderplatz did not seem the icon of Berlin that I have lived with for the last nine months. It wasn't recognizable, despite the constancy of its presence down the old Stalinallee, the magic memories of it wrapped in fog, or the recent brilliance of its glimmer in the summer sun. It was a foreign object on the night's sky- one I was experiencing for the first time.

And as I walked through my courtyard, the sun's light all but gone, it too took on a new presence, the trees dark against a blanket of blue, the bicycles beneath silent and waiting, silence wrapping around, taking over the sun's warmth.

Shots from My Walk

A Walk Home

I love this building. I try to wind my way past it when I walk home from Mitte. Today was an exceptionally nice day weather-wise, so why not take a picture to remember it by?

I am working my way back into a swimming routine with my friend Lydia, and it is going quite well. We always try to do a kilometer- and once we reach the kilometer we work on upping the intensity. Before the winter break, we were doing quite well, but with the fitness pact separation of two months- we fell out of the habit. No fear though, we are doing quite well at getting back there. Today we did 800 meters and plan to go for 900 on Friday. I think we'll be back at a kilometer by next week. Part of the fun of going swimming twice a week, is Don Giovani's, where we go after. It is a sketchy "international cuisine" place in Tiergarten. For those unfamiliar with Berlin, Tiergarten is not known for the culinary delights- Hauptbahnhof is nearby, and should we wish to support those struggling chain restaurants, we could go there. However, we chose rather to bring our business to Don Giovani's. With 2€ salads that are never the same, how could we chose otherwise?

And with the brief respite from the rain, I am walking, once more, all over Berlin.

Spring

And the rain rain rain came down down down...

To me, spring is usually just a more mild form of summer, no rain and slightly lower temperatures. But, this is not what spring is to the rest of the world- rather is a changeable thing, sunny one moment and rainy the next. As glorious as Berlin has been for the last two weeks- sunny and warm- we are now in a grey rainy period. I understand the logic and necessity of a spring jacket for the first time in my life! As much as I understand the rain is needed- I do wish it wouldn't.

It hadn't rained for a few weeks, and this weekend when I was riding the S-Bahn out into Pankow for a friend's BBQ, the drying landscape gave me the strongest feeling of homesickness. For the dry summer landscape and "golden" hills as you drive out in the country. For the dry heat warming your skin and baking sidewalks you jump across barefoot to get the mail. If the rain hadn't come, I could see Berlin's landscape turning into the scratchy hard pan, jittering and dusty in a hot dry summer gust. But the rain has come, and I think Berlin is going to stay green, I guess that is what most people tend to go for. And as lush and green as it is, I still can't help but find spring and summer rain a bit disconcerting.

So I carry my umbrella and sunglasses around with me at all times, and hope the sun'll come out to play. I promise to be nice.

Another Great May 1st Poster

1. Mai 2009

In the day preceding May 1st and on the day itself- Berlin became a different world, or rather parts of Berlin did. I live in Friedrichshain, in the eastern part of the city- together with the slightly southwest neighbor Kreuzberg, we make the super Bizirk of Freidrichshain-Kreuzberg. Kreuzberg was in the former West Berlin and has long been home to a large immigrant population, artists, students, and other bohemians. Kreuzberg also has a long history of demonstrations, protests, and violence on May 1st, and this May 1st was no different. Indeed, they are saying that due to the uncertain economic climate, the increase in joblessness in Germany, and the general economic crisis, this year was far more violent that in recent years. Over 250 demonstrators were arrested May 1st in Kreuzberg and over 250 police officers were injured. I had been told that the violence usually picked up around nightfall, but I was surprised to learn that it did not wait until cover of dark to begin, but rather began around 7.30pm. I was well out of Kreuzberg by then, but you could hear the sirens rushing to the area all over town. More about all that in a bit, but first a bit of background to give you a sense of Berlin leading up to the the May 1st National Holiday.

The preparations for violence and rioting began the day before. Walking around Kreuzberg the day before, one couldn't help but notice that all the banks and ATMs were boarded up- as though a hurricane were coming. I walked through Boxhagener Platz to get to Kreuzberg, where Walpurgis Nacht celebrations were to happen, hundreds of people were already gathered and police had set up a barricade. Bags were searched heading into the area and about 25-30 police wagons surrounded the square- ready for the evening hours. Indeed, before May 1st even came- Boxhagener Platz saw around 50 people arrested and another 50 police officers wounded- no numbers of wounded protesters seems ever to be given. Walking through Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg on April 30th, there seemed to be something in the air, a sense of excitement and trepidation. It felt like we were on a rollarcoaster- looking over the edge of the first climb, waiting for the plunge.

Now to the day itself, May 1st took me to Kreuzberg with a few friends, during the daylight hours, it was home to a huge street fair- Myfest (a play on the German word for May- Mai's pronunciation).The streets were full of people listening to live music acts set up around Kreuzberg, dancing, and people lounging in the sun. On every street, Turkish vendors were selling grilled items and everyone was drinking beer or mixed drinks sold for a few euros on the streets. There was a concentrated effort to prevent people's access to glass bottles- but there is no open container law in Germany- and it is harder to control access to alcohol than once would think. We wandered through Kreuzberg, drinking, eating street food, and taking in the great weather (the mid 70s). There really was a wonderful vibe of peace and joy throughout the area.

However, despite the chill vibe settling over the sun and shadow covered streets, the possibility of conflict which the later hours promised was not forgotten. Different demonstrations were going on all over the area and police wagons were parked all over, ready and waiting. According to a local newspaper- the police force on May 1st was around 5800 strong, 1700 of which were members of the Berin Police, the remainder being on loan from other areas of Germany. Indeed, as Kreuzberg enjoyed the Myfest, over in Köpenick (south-east of me), there was a demonstration against the NPD- National Partei Deutschland, an extreme right wing neo-Nazi organization- and their desire to open a new office there. Around 3000 protesters were there and managed to disrupt service to the S-Bahn station for about an hour. The Berlin Morgenpost has a nice series of photos from the demo here.

Around 5pm or so, we headed out of Kreuzberg, across the Spree, in Mitte close to Friedrichshain and to 25, a beach bar just opened for the spring and summer in Berlin. It was on the Spree, shinning in the afternoon sunlight- trees hung their branches low over a series of decks, and the chill vibe returned. As we enjoyed the afternoon-evening sun, we heard sirens in the distance and watched the sun sink lower into the horizon. As I enjoyed the sun, friends, and the type of relaxation I'd only ever felt in the summer before- Kreuzberg was erupting with violence.

The 6pm demonstration at Kottbusser Tor, Kapitalismus ist Krieg und Krise- Capitalism is war and crisis, was foreseen to be the forbringer of violence, but the numbers surprised most expectations. Around 15,000 people had been in Kreuzberg for Myfest, and at 6pm, around 7000 marched in the demonstration. Among the 7000 was a so-called black block- one of the largest seen in years. Soon enough, beer bottles and stones were flung at the waiting police officers. As the evening progressed, trash cans were set on fire, and some cars were attempted as well. The police countered with tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, and other "crowd dispersal techniques." As with the Köpenick demo, the Morgenpost has another very nice photo series, here. It is almost difficult to believe that this is yearly occurrence, but based on the police presence alone- not even taking into account the tales of my friends, I know this to be true.

Walking

I am walking and walking all over Berlin. In the last four days, I've walked about 27miles. I'd forgotten how the weather inspires me these months hidden in SBahn and UBahn cars, but now I am able to experience the inspiration once more and connect the dots of Berlin S and U-Bahn stations together.

Friday is May 1st, and if you weren't already aware, it is a big deal here. Ironically, it isn't at all at home in the U.S., although it is to commemorate an American event- the Haymarket Massacre. So it isn't folk costumes teens dancing around a Maypole- but rather International Labor Day. It is a national holiday and a day of protest and demonstrations- almost everyone has the day off- why not go protest something? All over the streets of Berlin, there are posters informing of the many demonstrations, etc. This is one of my favorite ones.

I'll let you know how it goes.

A Good Day

Today was a good day. Yesterday was a good day. I really could say this weekend was a good weekend. But right now I am in the present and willing to reflect on today. The sun woke me up and about an hour later, the alarm got me out of bed to get ready for church. Off to church I went, the sun shinning and the birds singing- the streets were quiet but for the birds and church bells ringing. Most are still abed in Berlin at 9.45 on a Sunday morning. Church was full of light and I was pleased to notice that in addition to having learned all of the responses in mass, I have also learned the tunes and words to many of the more sung songs, it was most encouraging. Next week, it seems, is also the mass for the First Communion kids- I'll be sure to head to another mass time next week! Then back home I wandered, the air warmer and the sun shinning a bit higher in the sky- church had run a bit long (a baptism)- but no matter, it was Sunday and I had not much before me.

Having finished my school reading the previous day (Oh, I love my ersatz window seat!), I hunkered down in the kitchen with A Prairie Home Companion on NPR Worldwide and set to making a batch of Snickerdoodles. Arlo Guthrie was the guest star and I enjoyed folk classics as I rolled my chilled dough in sugar and cinnamon. After the cookies were done, packaged, and dishes were done, I was able to settle down (in my window seat once more) to a bit of pleasure reading. I've discovered a German author I quite like- Katrin Dorn- and have set to reading all of her novels. I've finished Der Hunger der Kellnerin (The Hunger of the Waitress) and am currently enjoying Milonga. Milonga is apparently a fast form of tango- and it suits as the book is very much about a woman and dancing tango.

After a nice period relaxing at home, I headed to Görlitzer Park in Kreuzberg to meet Michael for an impromptu picnic of sorts. Görlitzer Park is a sort of cross section of Berlin and by extension the world. Next to young hipsters you'll find Turkish families having parties and little old ladies walking together in full hijab. There are families and young couples, old men collecting bottles for the 8-15cent deposit, and all sorts of less than savory or charming characters. While Michael and I were there- playing backgammon- we were able to observe the shooting of what looked like some sort of music video. I was able to snap this picture of the rather absurd occurrence. Were were sitting in an inverted hill- basically a large bowl. In the center of the bowl, there is an asphalt path for bicyclists, etc. The band was lip syncing to a boom box and pretending to play their instruments, all the while pushing a shopping cart full of junk and mostly their lead singer down this paved path. We were able to watch them do it about four or five times. Often, the cart wheels would catch a lip on the asphalt and the lead singer would fall out- the quite full park enjoyed the entertainment very much. After a while the sky grew overcast, Lydia stopped by, Michael left, and we went for Indian food. After some delicious food and marvelous conversation, we went our separate ways, and it being such a fine night, I elected to walk home. The walk from Kreuzberg to my Kiez in Friedrichshain is quite nice and relaxing. According to my snazzy route mapper, it is a 2.6 mile walk- and it was beautiful. I listened to the newest Q-Tip album and enjoyed the beautiful night. Here's a photo of some of Friedrichhain's skyline reflected on the Spree- a bit dark, but you get the idea. All in all, a pretty good day.

Winter Sucks, Thank God it's Spring

Seriously, winter sucks, so I am quite glad that it is over and spring is here. Today was a beautiful spring day- and when the sun comes out- as previously observed- so do the Germans. Indeed, all of Berlin has been out and about lapping up the sun. Get that Vitamin D, people!

My room gets marvelous morning sun, and I spent the morning reading in my ersatz window seat- the door tilted open to let the sweet air in, as I read Kleist. When the shadows began to overpower the sun in my room, Lydia came over and we headed off to Treptower Park. Indeed, that is why winter sucks- you cannot get an ice cream and lay on the grass in the sun when there is ice and snow everywhere.

View from my Window Seat

A Walk in my Kiez- Sunday

Spring in Berlin, oh what joy!

When the sun comes out, so do the Germans. In fact everyone comes out to play in Berlin the moment the temperature rises and the sun begins to shine. After what seemed like an eternal winter, I am happy to say that Spring is fully here in Berlin! The birds are chirping, the sun is rising earlier and going down later every day- I cannot imagine the magic of the summer to come! Just think how long the sun will be out! I want to spend every possible moment in the sun, basking in the warm rays dancing across my skin. In the S-Bahn cars, the top side windows have even been open to let in the cool spring air! After a window of keenly observing the instructions by the automatic doors- to close them on cold days- it is nice to experience the windows left open. There is no longer a fear of the cold. I am even altering my travel methods. I've come to prefer buses and trams. They are usually a bit slower, but they stay in the sun and let me see the sun-soaked city. Why go underground where the sun can't follow?

Today was Easter Monday, the last day of my seemingly forever semester break. I went with a few friends to Treptower Park to soak up some rays. It being Easter Monday and a national holiday and all, we weren't the only ones with such a plan- the park was full of people with the day off work and school, lounging in the sun. It was a most perfect day- the sun, friends, and relaxation. Although the break is over and tomorrow I'll head back to classes, I am happy that this semester will be in the warm light of spring and summer- not the weak one of winter. Oh spring, I like you. The sandals have come out, the legs have emerged from their stockings, and I am ready to get some color- just not too much, I am from California- we know about skin cancer there.

Some Berlin Spring

This, I trust, is only the beginnings. Over the last few weeks, it has begun to look a little like Spring. The skies have been blue, the sun has been shinning, and we are getting into the 50s some days! It isn't quite sandal weather, but I'll take what I can get. Not really any leaves on the trees yet- but come on, we have crocuses, how much longer can those buds take?

England, oh an English speaking country...how novel!

This is a long time coming, but I have had the good fortune of playing hostess once more since dear Charlotte came to visit. But here we go- England! A few weeks ago, I made my first venture into an English speaking country since August. It was marvelous, strange, charming, and oddly familiar. Beyond people speaking English, the signs were in English and my minor fear of linguistic failure was significantly less- if nonexistent. But let us start with the beginning, and the beginning is Berlin.

My friend Charlotte first came to Berlin, we saw the sights, took in the graffiti, and made a day trek to San Souci, in general having an awesome time in Berlin. We went to the Mauerpark flea market, saw if we could be a Jewish Peddler circa 1860 at the Jewish museum, and naturally ate delicious Döner Kebab. Then, we were off to London. The day began amusingly enough. We were on a Ryan Air flight, now those of you who have not had the pleasure of flying with Ryan Air will not expect this tale, but perhaps knowing that Ryan Air is a budget airliner will acclimatize you. Problems started at the gate, we were inexplicably given boarding passes stamped as though we were going to Frankfurt. This wasn't caught until we were boarding the plane, requiring flight attendants to ask each passenger if they were indeed traveling to London. They took our incorrect boarding passes from us, and everyone sat down, buckled up, and got ready to head to London. Then the flight crew realized that we need our boarding passes, so our names were called one by one and the passes were redistributed. During the redistribution, the captain came on and let us know that he'd be turning the power off for a while. About ten minutes after the boarding passes have been properly redistributed, the captain comes back on and announces that there is a problem with the plane, and that they've called an engineer- from Dublin- who should be here in three hours to fix it. In the meantime, we're going to deplane. General moaning ensues and everyone begins to fetch their carryons from the overhead bins. Then about three to five minutes later a flight attendant comes on and announces that we aren't yet deplaning and that we should stay on our seats. At this point, Charlotte and I are creating alternate plans, glad that I live in Berlin and if needed we can stay a bit longer, should the engineer from Dublin not be able to fix the plane. Then, about 15 minutes later, the captain comes back on, tells us they've done a little "trouble shooting" and we should be able to take off in about 20 minutes. Charlotte and I have a nice long laugh- pack our doubts about "trouble shooting" and airtravel away, and finally head off to London. A serious comedy of errors.

London with Charlotte was amazing. I was able to see her old haunts, wander through parks beginning to show signs of spring, and take in London. We saw La Cage aux Folles with Graham Norton, looked upon London from the top of St. Paul's, and ate delicious Indian food on Brick Lane. In keeping with the graffiti tour of Berlin, we also caught some Banksy in London, as well as a very exciting form of graffiti, knitting graffiti. As some of you may know, knitting is becoming quite hip- so in keeping with this hipness, knitting graffiti has been born. Because what statue doesn't need a hat or arm warmers? I think I should consider bringing knitting graffiti- let's say knitfitti to Berkeley, or Berlin at the very least. Semester break project, yeah! Of all the things in London, I think I enjoyed the oncoming Spring the most- I am oh so ready for Spring! In London, color plants had been planted, crocuses were blooming, and later in my travels I even found daffodils. Germany is just at the crocus stage- but I have hope for the spring to come! Easter is my latest date. April 12th is totally possible!

It was an amazing three days in London with Charlotte- but it had to come to an end, with Charlotte heading back home. I, however, did not head home. Rather I journeyed South, to New Milton, my friend Lydia, and her family. The train ride to Winchester (England's first capitol where I broke my journey, also where Jane Austen died) was uneventful and took me through beautiful countryside. Winchester was even warmer than London had been, and I wore just a cashmere cardigan, shedding my jacket. I felt the sun and spring on their way! Lydia and I then continued to her home where preparations for a family birthday party were underway. I was able to meet the whole family and even more- feel like I was once more part of a family. Everyone was so open and welcoming- it was marvelous. I miss being a part of a family and it was nice to get slightly into that swing once more. New Milton is on the South Coast of England, and Lydia's house is about a mile from the sea. We walked to the sea, fought the wind, and basked in the warmth of the sun- wishing for summer, but taking the beginnings of spring. We were also able to go to the Isle of Wight. Where you know, Tennyson lived. We reached the Isle by ferry and spent the better part of the day wandering through Yarmouth, Freshwater, and other even smaller hamlets on the Island. Much of our wandering was over open country- where I saw such sights as this amazingly picturesque little gate and some ducks in a very low and muddy pond. We walked for hours and when we returned home that night to a movie and curry with Lydia's mom, it was very much appreciated and enjoyed! A few lazy days were also had, lounging about, sleeping in, and eating leftovers- the true enjoyments of being on break and going home. I had such a nice time, when it came to go back to London and then back to Berlin, I did not want to leave. I wanted to watch the spring come and laze a bit more with such warm and loving people. Alas, it did end- I had to bid adieu and head back to Berlin. I was asked, multiple times, "Jenna, could you see yourself living in the U.K.?" and I have to say, yes. It was charming and familiar- but just a bit different. And the fact that I could communicate successfully is also a major benefit. I didn't want to leave, but it was all for the best, because then Cordelia came.