Home sick

Well, the free weekend was absolutely lovely. I spent time with Tina from couch surfing and her family, and they helped five of us coordinate a trip to the Wilhema Zoo in Stuttgart on Saturday. It was a stunning botanical garden as well. We accidentally went during a giant pride festival though so the hotel cost a little more than we anticipated originally but bus and train tickets were cheaper so it evened out. I spent a little more money than I wanted to over the weekend but it will be worth it to not have stayed at the castle the entire time. Sunday was spent navigating the train system to get back then Tina and her Mom were kind enough to pick us up in Altensteig and drive us back to the castle. I got invited to go to Florence with Joelle and Shelly so that’s what we’re doing for the next free weekend.

Today was rather…interesting. We cut down spruce trees to make habitat areas for a large bird called the capercale. Someone cutting down a large tree was not watching and I got hit in the head. I’m certain I swore in several languages and Pat was kind enough to walk back to the car with me to get advil. Luckily my head is used to abuse and it really doesn’t hurt anymore, it’s just a little sensitive. In the afternoon we went looking for deer browse evidence and it was relatively boring, especially because there was no bathroom break until we got back to the castle.

Then my luck increased, haha. Europeans are fond of these one inch steps for doorways and I forgot the placement of one. I took off about a quarter of my toe nail and about as much skin with it. Simply not my day, my roommates were joking that I am no longer allowed out of the room. I’m hoping my luck changes, because I would like to not be stressed/injured on my birthday.

Homesickness has definitely set in. I’m having nightmares, one including Reid and have woken up in a cold sweat twice now. I thought talking to my family for 2 hours on Saturday would have helped, but it really just realized the fact that we are only halfway done with this trip and I won’t see them for over two weeks. Reid decided to be in the Colorado mountains while I was trying to call him so I haven’t heard his voice in over 2 weeks. I’m missing everyone so much, and with my luck today all I want to do is sleep and wake up in Wisconsin. I know this trip is generally marvelous, and I should be grateful I can be gone for so long, and afford to go, but all I want right now is some Wisconsin mac and cheese and to cuddle with my boyfriend and watch a movie with my family and my dog. I want to go to Noodles with Jess and kung fu with Simone and strawberry picking with Britni. I want to go to coffee with Rachel and Larry and have a movie night with Hannah Mankowsky.

Speaking of dogs, I got an offer to work at a new dog day care. Two days a week starting, then 5 when business picks up. I have no idea how this will work out with Resnet. I do not know what days, or pay rate, or anything of the like yet. I’m thrilled because the more I think about it the more domestic animals seem like a career path I’d like to follow, and I’d also get some farm experience helping Renea. One day at a time, I suppose.

Tomorrow we go to Freiburg, where we may or may not have enough internet access for me to upload this.