It SNOWED!

THE FIRST SNOW OF THE WINTER!!!! And its BEAUTIFUL!

I was so thrilled....I went for a run and two walks in it. And it's STILL SNOWING TODAY...but unlike North Carolina, the world continues to turn. People just go about their normal business, and they even seem, GASP, annoyed at the snow.

Clare comes TOMORROW to learn the ropes of Düsseldorf. I am really excited to have her around and hang out with Eva all together. I know she will love it. We have lots to catch up on, and I just know that she will get the most out of the next year.

As I count down the remaining days (there are 17 left)...I have been reminiscing on things that I really do love about how Germany works. I LOVE, most of all, that you can get anywhere in this town and this country without owning a car. Naturally, it's easier to drive places on Sunday night when it's pouring rain and freezing cold and the trainride from Lohausen to Bilk will take you 45 minutes, but regardless. I love that there is a public transportation system that gets you anywhere in the city. I wish Raleigh had a system like this. And to GET to the next town, all you do is hop on a train.

I also love that I can walk downtown and have access to a delicious, fresh supply of healthy produce at the open air market. I love that I know exactly where my food comes from. I love that beer, mustard, cheese, bread, WHATEVER is all produced right here in this town. Local economy. Rock on. Maybe I can bring some of these attitudes back to Raleigh with me.

I LOVE that you can rent a one-bedroom apartment in a nice area of town for the equivalent of $300. I love that I can walk anywhere I need to go. Or bike. I love it. I will miss that, and miss not being dependent on oil. Maybe I should sell my car when I get back to the States. It only brings me misery and eats all of my money.

Oh what to do, what to do. I suppose living in the moment is all I can do. I wish I had done more things, spent less time doing some things and more time doing others. I wish I had gone more places. But there is still time, I suppose.

If my German was better, I would seriously consider staying here just for the quality of life.