And a Year goes by……

I can’t believe that I have been a resident of another country for 365 days now. It’s unbelievable. It seems like just yesterday I said a teary goodbye to my mom as my dad and I headed to the airport.

That was a funny trip. I had 3 HUGE bags. My grandma, who was still in Atchison from my brothers wedding, helped me pack. She was good too...helping fit stuff in where I didn’t think anymore could fit, but making sure that I was under the weight limit. Walking from the car to the check-in counter, I was pulling my big suitcase and my small carry-on suitcase. My dad was pulling my large duffel bag and another bag. To make it easier, he decided to put one bag on top of the other and pull them as one. As we were walking, the handle to the big bag broke off and both bags went tumbling to the ground. Both of us laughing, we finally made it to the check-in counter.

The lady at the counter asked if I was moving overseas. I asked “How could you tell?” It might have been the 3 huge bags I had with me! She was even so nice as to give my dad a pass through the Security Check so that he could sit with me until it was time to board the plane.

Normally, when I fly, I try to be the first one on the plane. Get on, get settled, go to sleep. It’s easy. But, for this trip, for some reason, I waited until the last possible moment to board. I might have been one of the very last people on. I have never been one to not be excited for a new challenge, but I never knew how hard it would be to say goodbye to my family. Crying, I hugged my dad goodbye and boarded the plane.

It’s funny to look back at last summer before I moved to Germany. It was such a whirlwind of a month. At the end of May, I took a short family trip to North Carolina to meet my sister’s, Cindy, fiancés (now husband) family. After that, it was time to start winding down life as I knew it in Colorado Springs. Packing up my stuff in the house so it could be moved to a basement. Cleaning my office so that it could be ready for my successor. Figuring out how to say goodbye to the friends who had become my family away from home over the last 4 years. How do you do that?

Accepting this position in Germany was the hardest decision I have ever had to make. Sometimes I ask myself, “What were you thinking, Betsy?” But, then I tell myself that this is maybe a once in a lifetime opportunity and I could only hope that it would open up doors for my future career. However, what I didn’t realize is how much it would teach me about myself and what I value and hold important in life.

When you live away from family, the friends you make become your new family who you share Thanksgivings with because no one can afford to go home; who teaches you how to ski because you’ve never skied downhill before in your life; who you go running with because they too like to run very early in the morning; who enjoys entertaining guests at the house as much as you do because gatherings without a theme (Murder Mystery, the Olympics) are just not quite as fun; who is willing to risk their career at the TV station for giving a shout out to a friend on Live TV; who you share ski trips with because someone decided it would be a good idea to rent a condo for the season; who is willing to store all of your crap at their house because you are too cheap to rent a storage unit; who will by a round of beer (Old Style) for themselves and a round of shots for all of those willing to join in; and who is up to the task to make sure that your last days in town are the most memorable (as well as those when you return for a visit). These were the people I said goodbye to in Colorado Springs.

As I packed up my car (and I mean packed up, overflowing, could barely see out the back window packed), I knew it would be sad to drive out of the driveway for the last time. I knew it would be hard to hug goodbye the people that meant the most to me and that have stood by me over the years. But, I had no idea how hard it would be. I never foresaw the sacrifices I would be making by taking the journey across the ocean.

My brother got married the weekend after I left Colorado. Family, friends: it was so nice to be able to see everyone before I went to Europe. As much fun as I had dancing and parading around at the wedding, I almost enjoyed even more watching everyone having a good time, soaking in the moments with my family. These are the times that I hold onto...these and the ones that my brother put on DVD for me!

Germany has been good. It definitely rains a lot (and I mean for about 6 months out of the year), but rain brings good as well. During the summer, everything is extremely green and plush and it makes those morning bike rides very enjoyable. Living in Germany has taught me that I don’t really need a car. Let me tell you, I miss having a car, but I don’t really miss driving. Not sure how that works, but sometimes you wish you had a car so that you could haul something somewhere or go out of town without having to wait on a train. However, not having a car and alternatively having a bike means that you can park almost anywhere (except the train station where it might get stolen) and teaches you that flipping over the handlebars is not as bad as it sounds.

Germany has castles, which you do not see many of in Colorado or Kansas. Germany has the river, which is water that is not abundant in Colorado. Germany has public transportation, although spendy, usually runs right on time and where you want it to go. Germany has schnitzel – Definitely not in Kansas. Germany has brats. Germany has beer (Oktoberfest). Germany has cheap travel to other European countries. Germany has milk that you don’t have to refrigerate (because they nuclear heat it in the process). Germany has cheap wine that is good.

By living in Germany, I have learned that I can rent an apartment and sign up for a phone and electricity without knowing the language. By living in Germany, I have learned that it is okay to accept help from other people (especially when they have a car and are going to ALDIs). By living in Germany, I have learned patience, especially when you miss the bus. By living in Germany, I have learned that just because I do it one way does not make it the right way. By living in Germany, I have learned to be more accepting of the differences that exist between me and other people that I meet. By living in Germany, I have learned that not everyone in the world likes stuff “BIG” and economy size jars of salsa and peanut butter don’t necessarily exist. By living in Germany, I have learned that I am very lucky to be able to speak the English language. By living in Germany, I have realized that I do not need all of the clothes that are in my closet. By living in Germany, I have been fortunate to be able to travel over the last year and those of you who have kept up with my blog have been able to follow my “adventures” around the continent. Hopefully, there will be more to come. By living in Germany, I have been lucky enough to meet some wonderful people who I now call friends, and who can act as my extended family.

I look back and think that anytime you can spread your wings a bit and fly away from the pack, that you will learn more about yourself than you ever wanted to experience. Learning the good and the bad are the risks that you take when you make life-altering changes. You risk losing touch with friends. You risk missing important events in the lives of others. You risk losing important people in your life. I think it takes a special type of person to be able to live overseas for an extended period of time and not get homesick. I often question if I’m that type of person. I’ve enjoyed living abroad, but nothing can replace the empty feeling inside that I get when I think about my loved ones back at “home”.

Before I left Colorado Springs, a very good friend of mine made me a collage of pictures. In the middle of it, she put a quote. “Home is Where the Heart Is.” This picture is hanging on my wall across from the couch that I always sit on. I look at it everyday. And each day, I realize more and more where my heart is.

I have enjoyed these last 12 months and I have gotten to see and do some amazing things. But, I do look forward to the future when I can share these types of special moments with those that I hold close to me.

I suppose this year-anniversary blog entry has turned out to be more of a reflection than I wanted it to be. I miss you all very much, and I look forward to when I can spend some time with each of you.

365 Days and Still Rolling,
~Betsy =)