To whom it may concern:

Don't think of this as a love song. If you listen to the lyrics in a new light they take on a new meaning. At least I think so. Soundtrack style: Go!

Gleich werde ich ein Flugzeug einsteigen und ein neuer Abenteuer anfangen. Deutschland war ein ganz schöne Erfahrung und ich werde die Leute und das Land vermissen. Danke für alles das ihr mich gelehrt habt!
Soon I'll board a plane and begin a new adventure. Germany was an amazing experience and I will miss the people and the country. Thanks for everything you've taught me!

Dieses Jahr habe ich...
This year I...

Started a blog
(Re-)learned how to drive
Got my first speeding ticket
Made incredible friends
Learned to play volleyball... and like it
Watched soccer
Followed the European Cup
Learned to speak German
Read an entire Harry Potter book in German
Had a Valentine for the first time (a certain 4-year old...)
Was the recipient of the sweetest kiss on the cheek ever (from my favorite 2-year-old)
Saw a baby learn to walk
Got knocked out by a fighter training for the Olympics
Got two black eyes
May have had a concussion and/or broken nose
Couldn't walk for 2 days
Contracted Bronchitis
Expanded my scarf collection
Traveled to Austria, France, Italy, Ireland, and Switzerland (x3)
Applied to grad school
Met people from a dozen or so countries
Spent my first Christmas away from home
Bought red pants
Ate smoked eel, goose, warm chestnuts, honey pickles, Mässmögge, Raclette and Currywurst and many other foods
Took a beach vacation
Went on the longest roadtrip of my life
Tried herbal and fruit teas
Started drinking carbonation again
Got hooked on smart phones
Learned to dance the "Disco Fox"
Conquered, shall we say, one of my greatest "social fears"
Got used to metric and euros
Rocked the Autobahn
Went to an aquarium, a zoo, and a safari park
Traveled by car, ferry, train, plane, and bus
Rode a bike and a boat
Was mistaken for being 13, 30 and pretty much everything in between
Took chances, made mistakes, and got messy...


*In no particular order, but, in spite of overstatements, understatements, and omissions, this list contains no fabrications.

I'm not sayin'; I'm just sayin'.