Back "Home" in Berlin

Ahhhh, jet lag. It's 12:30 am Berlin-time and I'm wide, wide awake. Even though I managed, with great determination, to keep myself awake all day yesterday when I arrived, and despite all my good intentions of starting the 2nd half of the program well-rested, it's just not meant to be. Instead of vainly lying in bed, I thought I'd post photos and highlights from my trip home (that is, my other home - B'more).

I felt like I was back in college with a glorious 2-week break around Christmas! I am truly spoiled. It was great to be home for Christmas (I was singing "There's no place like home for the holidays" and "I'll be home for Christmas" on the plane back)! On Christmas Eve day, most of the family (Steve had to work) played a couple games of bowling. I solidified my status of worst bowler in the family, though I narrowly squeaked by with the title!

Rick, characteristically, was the most focused of us all:

Julie: "Did I do that?"

I got to catch up with so many friends while I was home! Here's a picture of Susan and me at her wine-tasting party.

Also, just before I came home, Becca moved out of our old apartment to a new place in Cockeysville. So last Saturday, she and I spent the day re-painting our beautiful, green wall to boring white, cleaning and scrubbing the apartment, and basically removing all traces that a fabulous duo had once lived there. It was a sad moment. But at least I got to spend good quality time with my BX ! At least we finished off the day in good style eating Cheeburger and watching a marathon of Heros episodes. I don't have any pictures, but Becca has posted a couple on facebook.

Over New Year's, I went down to Richmond and got to catch up with Kate and Marianne (college roommates). Marianne grew up in Germany and it was great for both of us to compare experiences. My poor, dear Kate got a kidney stone the day before I arrived, so we laid low for the holiday but enjoyed spending time together. We did venture out on New Year's Day for a walk through her neighborhood.

Kate, her mom and Halley, who could hardly contain her excitement:

What a lovely neighborhood:
And look, this one is for sale! just kidding :-)
Packing to come home was no fun...

No wonder my suitcase weighed a ton. Seriously, when do I think I'm going to have time to read/watch all this.
I got back yesterday morning and it was nice to come home to my apartment, though my poinsettia didn't quite make it the 2 weeks:

It had snowed while I was gone and was actually so cold that the Spree River was somewhat frozen:

Welcome back to Berlin!

And now, I'll try once again to sleep.