September.

September always marks the start of something new. Well at least until the end of college. I started a little early this year, but I was just thinking about all the things changing back home. I wish everyone the best of luck on their adventures: Doug moving to London, Karin and Mary getting an apartment together, James moving into a new apartment (In DC?) Cait going to Barcelona, James in Germany, Chris in London (I think?) and the crew already in Australia. Everyone who is starting classes again, moving into new apartments. As of tomorrow Sewall Street will be no more, and I think the guys are already out of 1474. It is so weird that I won't be going to those apartments anymore, I practically lived in both of them. Marg is moving into a new place too, which is sad! Whitney's last semester, many others last year in college. So many new, exciting things and I wish everyone the best. I was thinking about Fall yesterday and I think that is what I'll miss the most.. not the freezing bitter winter in Boston, not the snow, but definitely the cool weather and foliage. Apparently this isn't even the hot season, so that is what I have to look forward to.

Yesterday I got the best present from Chris. He came over with a chocolate croissant (delicious) and then gave me a bar of chocolate he ordered from Germany. (If you have not experienced German chocolate, I'd advise you to do so immediately.) He told me I was the nicest American he has ever met. I'm not sure I ever I thought of getting a compliment like that, but it really was the nicest thing someone has ever said to me. Even if he only knows three Americans (I didn't ask, I don't want to know) I thought it was so nice. Little things like that tend to knock me off my feet and put certain things into perspective. I'm always really surprised when people turn out to be someone other then I thought they were, and it tends to happen to me a lot. It is nice to be reminded that there really are a lot of great people in the world. An and Chris are so great together. They remind me of Mike on Bike and Erica. Little and Big haha, but so perfect for each other. I've talked to each of them separately about how hard it will be for a relationship in Germany and Vietnam, and the language barrier they sometimes will have, but they are going to make it work. Thats apparently something that I couldn't do (and isn't that ironic that I'll be living through that situation through two really good friends anyway?) I was also talking about how everyone I meet here is so nice and kind, and so open to new things. But then I realized that I guess you have to be to put yourself in a situation like this. I guess it takes a certain kind of person to do all of this, and it's really nice to be surrounded by those people. 

My classes are going well and I love my students. I am starting to see how some classes will get frustrating, but for now, I'm doing just fine, and I really do love teaching. I'll write more about that later. I just read The Things They Carried. It was written by a guy who fought in the Vietnam War (or the American War) It was a really interesting perspective on the war, telling stories of the people and the things they remembered, or didn't remember. It makes you think a little about memory and what is real and what isn't real. I can definitely relate to those feelings, although I can't imagine having those memories. It's an easy ready, I'd recommend it. 

I'm teaching two classes tonight on NYC. Easiest lesson for me to teach, and I'm excited to share my love of the city with the students! Until next time, here's a picture of old, sad George...