In the past seven months, I had an awesome time finishing my last months in Germany. It is hard to believe that I'm not there anymore, in fact. I traveled straight from Germany to my brother's wedding at the end of July. The wedding was beautiful (pictures on my photo pages!). From there, I traveled to my parents' new house, where I enjoyed my two and a half weeks of vacation by getting my wisdom teeth removed and writing a term paper for a course in Tuebingen.

Before I knew what had happened, I was back at Valpo again. In fact, I think a little conversation from early December describes my feelings best. While serving as assisting minister at a Sunday service, the pastor leaned over to me and said, "Where were you a year ago?"

I thought for a moment and smiled as I replied, "I was in Germany." I realized how much I missed it.

He looked at me and said, "Seems a little surreal, doesn't it?"

I realized, no, being here is actually far more surreal. I miss Germany a lot at this time of the year, the quiet beauty of Advent, the wonderful Christmas markets and hot mulled wine.

This semester has shown me just how different my life is here compared to how it was in Germany. I was in and out of the hospital in October for illness, the first time in my life. I've been working about 17 hours a week, writing an honors thesis that's more work than a master's thesis, taking a graduate economics course and two senior colloquiums, and trying to reconnect with life here in the US.

I've applied for a Ph.D. in Great Britain for the next four years, and I should be finding out my results any day now. It's hard to believe how soon graduation is, but I feel ready to move on to the next stage of my life.

I wish you all a happy holiday season and hope you are well.

I hope you are all well and happy wherever you are and whatever you are doing. Take care and God bless!