As Adventurous As Always

There's something really special and difficult to describe about sitting on a porch at night, listening to the rain, and writing a novel. It's a feeling of comfort and contentment, but with a healthy dose of inspiration.

It's something I'm going to miss about being here in Klagenfurt.

Also high up on that list is my friends. I don't know if any them will ever read this, but I want them to know that this experience would have been nothing without them.

You guys were my travel buddies, my crazy kitchen family, my partners in crime, my fellow bakers. Some of us even suffered through dumb classes together.

I learned so much about myself and the world around me by being here and most of it is because of all of you. Thank you.

Have to say though, coming in at a close second on that list is all the sweets. Gelato, chocolate, Zuckerreinkerl, you name it! Man, am I gonna miss that stuff.

... my not so toned stomach and empty wallet will not though.

I'm going to miss the mountains.

Extra points to anyone who just started singing Next to Normal in their head. You da real MVP.

The Austrians have such a respect and adoration for nature that I just don't get to experience back home.

And, of course, every city is different and has a unique feel to it; so I have to say that above all, I'm just going to miss being here.

I'm not even sure what "here" means. My dorm room? Klagenfurt? Austria? Here with this group of people? I don't know. All I know is that with only three weeks left, I'll be sad to go.

I mean, yeah, I guess I'd like to see my parents and my dogs and whatnot, but why can't they just come here so I don't have to leave?

It's just... the person who arrived here in Austria is not the same person who's going home. I'm not that girl anymore.

Who knows if that's a good thing or a bad thing?

No, really. If you know, please tell me. 

I don't have the answer!

The girl who arrived here in February would never have tried to speak German.

She never would have starting looking up the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and WWOOFing.

She never would have imagined that she would be friends with people from Ireland, Serbia, Poland, Austria, Germany, France, Korea, Portugal, all over the place!

I always knew I had a sense of adventure, I just never knew how far it could take me.

I thank every single person who thinks this applies to them for helping me make this the most fulfilling experience of my life.

When I get home, I have one more year of my degree. Then, who knows? It's all in God's hands from there. 

And you know what?

I think I'm ready to take on whatever adventure he has in store.

As Adventurous As Always,

Ali

P.S. Be on the lookout soon for my stories of being abroad. Naturally, I'm going to tell you everything, I just have been a little busy and haven't gotten around to it yet. Sorry!

(Not sorry)