Moving

Well, I am back in England after a very full week in Germany. I just downloaded 208 photos from my camera to my computer, and though the task of whittling those down to a manageable Facebook album is one I will save for tomorrow, here is a sneak peek of where I was:

Selecting photos for an album is always the hardest part for me, but this will be especially tough... it is IMPOSSIBLE to take a bad picture in the Alps! The mountains, small German towns, lush green grass, rushing rivers... that part of the world has an absolutely ethereal beauty. I felt like Julie Andrews and the Von Trapp children might run across the mountainside at any second.

Now that I am back from the conference, the task of moving is suddenly upon me. This week will be full of packing, and then a few very good friends will help me move large items and furniture to my new house on Saturday. The good news is that my TV service will be re-installed at the new place the next day, but the bad news is that it could take up to 3 weeks to get internet back - AAAAAAAH! :-( Looking at work-arounds now, but it could be a long 3 weeks.

Today I organized some stuff and made a lot of lists, tomorrow morning I will take some final pics of my house all set up and then begin to put things in boxes. It makes me sad to think that this is the last Sunday I will spend relaxing on my couch looking out over the patio and listening to rain fall on the conservatory roof. Tomorrow may be my last run to the windmill. I made some really great memories in this house with some really amazing people, and I am going to miss it. I am excited to live in Bury with Martin and so many of my friends, but this house and this town have been good to me and I am going to miss them.

Good List:

1. Martin. One morning in Germany, I checked my email to find this:

Does it get any more adorable? I think not. :-) Love him!

2. College football is back!!! My PSU Nittany Lions won our first game 41-7... we'll get a bigger test against Alabama next week, but I'm excited just to see Beaver Stadium live!

3. Long weekends. Not setting an alarm this morning was glorious, and I get to do it again tomorrow.

4. Turning acquaintances into friends.

5. Chicken tikka naan. My favorite wrap from my favorite kebab shop, which I plan to enjoy one more time before moving day.

6. Mountains. Every time I see them, I fall in love all over again.

7. Learning to be patient and gracious.

8. Surprises. I met a female Major at the conference who was a PSU alum, and when she was promoted to Lt Col in a ceremony on Sep 1st, she asked me to pin on her new rank! :)

9. Spatzle. Best German food EVER!

10. Successful fantasy football draft. First game next week!