My time in Köln has come to an end. After two months in a city, I didn't realize how attached I could become and how hard it could be to leave such a great place and such great people.
This week was my last week at practice with Frühsport 0,2, the Köln frisbee team. Thursday was my last practice, and it was a blast. We scrimmaged the whole time, and it was the perfect balance of serious and fun. Everyone was having a great time while still being able to joke around and heckle each other. That kind of balance is hard to find. The last game to three my team was trying to make me score every point because it was my last time there. In that game I got two D's and two scores, so not too bad.
In the less than two months with Frühsport, I have discovered a few things. First, I can't describe how grateful I am to have frisbee in my life. Not only is it something I enjoy and am not terrible at, but is also a great way for me to exercise, stay active, and have fun doing it.
Two and three go hand in hand. It is a great way to meet new people, and the frisbee community is great no matter where you go! Honestly, I don’t know how I would have met this many other great people in Köln if it weren’t for frisbee! From my first day there, they were absolutely great. They helped me with my German, laughed at me when I couldn’t understand a thing, showed me the great frisbee culture that thrives here in Deutschland, and invited me into their lives.
It was hard leaving practice knowing that it was my last. But I am very grateful for the chance to play with these great people and share the fun that comes with our sport.
So a big shout out and a massive Vielen Dank to Marcel, Willy, Phillip, Benno, Phillip, Lars, Lutz, Dennis, Berndt, Roman, Kevin, Mischa, Achim, Torben, Vera, Marie, Theresia, Ana, Maria, Lukas, Max, Tom, Jens, Simon, Rollo, Pierre, and all of the other new friends that I have made! You guys are truly great people and I look forward to seeing you again soon!!!
Yesterday was my last day at the Carl Duisberg Centrum language school. It was a bittersweet day. Not only was it the last time I’d get to see my classmates from the last two months on a daily basis, but also the great and amazing fellow PPPlers that I have had the pleasure of being with and making some great memories every day.
After my last practice with Frühsport, I went over to The Rhein to hang out with some PPPlers that got dressed up for a classy night in Köln. We had some fun along the river. It was also kinda sad because we started the goodbyes. As always, once you get close to people, it makes it even harder to say goodbye.
But that trend continued on to last night. There was an international dinner at the CDC, and at the end it just kinda turned into a hugging fest with everyone saying goodbye to everyone else. It’s not officially goodbye, it’s a see you soon. But still, it’s going to be a big change now that we won’t all be surrounded by each other. The crutches come off right now.
In a way, I feel like my life has been in a constant state of change. Even if I just take the last year into account, I feel like I’ve been just a temporary dweller in most places. Last year, I knew I was going to finish Grad School, and had a strong hunch I wouldn’t be staying in Columbus. In March I got the news I’d be going on this adventure, and in May I said farewell to 5 years worth of quality people and memories. After that long of a time it’s never easy to bid farewell to so many great people. What I knew and was used to was now all of a sudden on the other side of the country.
Then I got to spend just under 2 months in Washington. A few weeks of time with my old amazing friends exploring the region I grew up in, and getting to spend some time with my mom at a very pivotal time. Another period of time to make some great memories and reminisce on old memories suddenly cut short. This time I didn’t end school; I started this crazy worldwide adventure. Good friends like these are always there. But now what I know and am used to is now all of a sudden on other side of the world.
I guess that is just going to be the story of my 20’s, and who knows, maybe my life (though I really hope not). I have no idea what is actually going to happen to me in the future, or where I might be going. I know the next 9 months will be in Magdeburg, and that’s really it. After that, no clue. I have an extremely vague and hazy idea of what I’d like to do, but no definite details about my future. Being me, I like to plan things out, have a road map, or at least a vague idea of potential actions. Right now it’s all up in the air.
If I were in this situation a few years ago I would have been stressed beyond belief. Thankfully, with the many trials and learning experiences of these last couple years, I think I’ve become not so stressed, worried, or antsy over what may come. I know time isn’t slowing down. I know I need to find a job somewhere. But I know I need to enjoy the ride and have fun along the way. Aren’t you proud of me Mommy!?! :-)
The last two months have been an absolute blast exploring a new city. Köln is truly a beautiful place with tons to do and great people to show you the ropes. I can honestly say that I am blessed to have lived there, and really look forward to visiting again soon.
Here I sit, on this train, going through the heart of Deutschland. I am on my way to a new city. The city of Magdeburg, the capital of the Bundesland Sachsen-Anhalt. It will be a big change from Köln. West Germany to East Germany, liberal mentality to a more conservative mindset, a huge metropolis to an average-sized city, and more changes along those lines.
In a way, I am really unsure of what to expect. The Germans that I have talked to regarding Magdeburg have all had different opinions. A lot of them were quick to point out their distaste and opinion that it isn’t very pretty. Others have told me that it is a gorgeous place to see. But right now, I’m on my way to find out.
All I know is that, as I learned at the first meeting of any student organization I’ve ever been a part of, I am going to get out of it what I put into it. If I sulk and complain the whole time, yeah of course it’s going to be subpar. But that’s not how this is going down.
Also, it’s not always where you are, but whom you’re with. I am excited to hopefully establish some great friendships there and to really get to know the people of Magdeburg. People are what can really bring things full circle.
I’m going to make the most of every opportunity I see and be the fun, happy person that I am in every situation I encounter. Whether that is when I’m having a great day or really struggling and feeling alone. As I said to a lot of the guys on the frisbee team, I’m going to be optimistic with this new adventure.
So ends the first phase, and so begins the second phase of the 2013-2014 CBYX/PPP Program.
Let’s GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Original Publish Date: September 29th, 2013