This weekend was another fabulous one.
My weekends here in Berlin start on Thursday night. Which is a huge sigh of relief to have Friday to sort things out and get things done - a personal day that will be perfect for travel, fun, or errands. So Thursday after class was an eventful day. I picked up my package from the Fulbright office from mom and dad! I wandered the massive building for a little while trying to find the exact location of the Fulbright offices in the business complex, but finally I made my way up the elevator. Julie greeted me with a smile and presented me with my piece of home in box form. It was just like Christmas, lots of family love and warmth from the U.S. wrapped up in duct tape, ready to be ripped open in Berlin! My pea coat, boots, sweaters, socks, and other surprises were efficiently packed tight and arrived just in time as a cold snap settled in over the city.
After receiving my package, I met up with Chris and had a milkshake and french fries snack at a 60s American Diner that is located right next to the Fulbright office. And then later I had Indian food with a future Yellow Jacket interning at the German Parliament. It was a lot of fun discussing German, international affairs, clubs, activities, football, Atlanta, and everything that I love about Tech with someone who is transferring there in the spring. I enjoyed talking about Tech since I was missing Homecoming weekend, and it was fun to hear about how interning at the German Parliament was going. I capped off the evening with stories and a drink with Jill and Jason. It was really a great day!
Friday was exciting because I signed my housing contract! Then had dinner with Elizabeth. And then Jason met up with us. And I had a relatively early evening. I was gearing up for the excitment of Saturday.
Probably the best part of my weekend was being woken up on Saturday morning by my friends in Atlanta with a collective Homecoming hello phone call! It was so amazing to hear everyone's voice, and I knew they were having a fun weekend all back together. And I felt included in the excitement!
Saturday I had a special tour with the international students of Freie Uni of the German Parliament building. We got to see and hear about every room in the building - the press room, the offices, the meeting rooms, the chapel, scenic views from the top... I loved it. I had coffee after the tour with a new friend from Switzerland and a Fulbrighter. Later I went to see the fireworks at Alexanderplatz, seeing the lit up monuments downtown, and then dancing. I attached pictures from my Saturday adventures!
Today has been a relatively low key day, with a lunch with Jill and her friend from England, touring Checkpoint Charlie, and spending the evening in the coffee shop. I am now addicted to Gossip Girl thanks to Rachel, Mike, and Jill, so I watched a few episodes in between Skyping with my family (including Grandma and Bobby!), school work, and emails.
So the weekend has held a lot of excitement, and I am ready for another week. Packing, class, university talks, birthdays, Halloween, and moving!!
Sending my love!
