THE LAST DAYS

I’m Living in the “Last Days” of my European Experience

Thought you might be wondering what was on my mind during my last week here. If not, skip over the next few paragraphs. I am still trying to finish my on-line course. I’m getting much closer. There have been so many setbacks, with the internet being down, and this last week the internet has been very sporadic. Just when I get ready to save my changes…..the internet connection times out with the server. I’ve lost several hours worth of work. You can pray for my connection to stay up long enough for me to finish this course.

I’ve been reflecting on all the people I will leave, things I will no longer be able to enjoy,

as well as things I will be relieved to leave behind. So, Master List Maker that I am, here they are.

THINGS I WILL MISS THE MOST:

1. Fresh bread, especially KurbisKern (pumpkin and sunflower seed)

2. Walking in the Vineyards

3. Cheap fresh produce and groceries

4. Dinners with the “Walton Family”

5. Walking to Sunday Morning Church

6. Singing worship songs in German

7. The CHEESE!!! I am SO going to need fruit when I come home.

8. Going to France for lunch

9. Chocolate Spaghetti Ice with strawberry sauce

10. Making dinner for Anetta

11. Practicing German on Angenin’s customers

12. Walking down the street and everyone I meet smiling, nodding and saying Guten Tag, good day

13. Walking past the local shops and waving at the shop clerks I’ve talked to…and they wave back.

14. Sleeping with Smudge and Oreo. Actually that could go on BOTH lists.

15. Driving courtesy.

16. Going to a restaurant and never being rushed to finish. It is my table until I choose to leave.

17. Tipping …. No 20 percent on top of the bill here!!!

18. Seeing people smile as I try to put German words together. Really makes me wonder what I said.

19. Pastries, Apple Strudel, nut tortes, cream tortes with berries….. goes on BOTH LISTS!!!

20. Friends, that says it all.

THINGS I AM GLAD TO GIVE BACK AND LEAVE BEHIND:

1. Separating out garbage into 5 or 6 piles

2. The compost container on my kitchen counter
3. Litter boxes
4. TAKING out the garbage myself
5. Doing laundry …. And Hanging up to dry
6. Short showers
7. Unplugging electronic appliances not in use
8. Shopping for food almost every day
9. They can keep their salad dressings
10. Water conservation, it’s really expensive here.
11. Gas prices at appx 8-9 dollars a gallon
12. SNOW! (last minute addition)

First things First: what I will do when I get back home:

1. Go to my favorite Mexican Restaurant
2. Take a long hot shower until all the hot water is gone, maybe twice.
3. Watch Freeman take out the garbage.
4. Fill up my tank with $4 or $5 a gallon gas just to get a bargain RUSH.
5. Go grocery shopping for at least a weeks worth of groceries.
6. Wash my clothes and put them in the dryer until they are ALL DRY.
7. Have a salad with Ranch dressing!!