Soccer, Football, Fußball

The countdown of my time in Austria is coming ever closer to its end. In the past week, my semester exams came and passed, and I saw the United States get knocked out of the World Cup. In spite of the loss, it was great to see the positive effect the team had on a newly-fashioned soccer nation. I did my part from across the sea by cheering loud and being the lone singer of the national anthem among 1000s of Austrians and Germans, a couple Brits found their way into the crowd too. That's right, I stood up and sang our country's song in Klagenfurt's main square where the games are being shown live on a huge screen with lots of local vendors supplying food and drinks. It was fun, and for the first time in awhile, I felt happy to be American. It's not often that I say that, but I guess that's what soccer, football, Fußball does to you.

Other than the World Cup and school, I've been trying to prepare myself for my return back to the US. Of course, I haven't started packing or anything, but I'm getting ready mentally. It's going to be strange, but I think it will be great. For a long time, I kept telling myself that I didn't want to go back. My life in Klagenfurt is wonderful. It's been similar to a 6-month vacation, so I guess it's time for it to end.

In a couple days, I have to move out of my dorm because my time is up. I will then have 7 days with all of my stuff and no place to stay. I might make a trip with a friend of mine to Ljubljana and Venice, but who knows. These 6 months have been an adventure of unknowns, and those 7 days are a great way to end a semester of confusion. I'm excited to see both Ljubljana and Venice because they are so close to Klagenfurt. It's only a couple hours trip to both cities by bus. The weather is really perking up too, so it will be a great last week in Europe.

Lastly, I have to report on the most important thing that happened to me recently. I got the chance to Skype with my family yesterday before the soccer game. This was an extra special conversation, though, because there was a special guest in the office on the other side of the screen. When the video chat started to work, a big smile, with lots of teeth too, greeted me from a very little girl. Zoe was there with her little pig tails. We talked, and at the end, she blew me kisses and gave me a big virtual hug. It doesn't get much better than that. If there is one thing easing my return back to Iowa, it's her big smile. Unfortunately, it is still one month before I get back to Cedar Falls. Before I go back, I imagine a lot of crazy things will happen as I travel around.



10 days. That's it, 10 days. I can't believe it.