Just 'cause you feel it, doesn't mean it's there.

When Eric was visiting, he "fixed" my iPod, which has allowed me to delve into the one Radiohead album I *didn't* have on my computer, 'Hail To The Thief.' That is where the title to this post comes from:) Today has been a nice day; I managed to semi-sleep in, with only a little bit of waking up in between falling asleep and finally getting out of bed. Then I took off on my second-to-last bike ride. It's bittersweet, knowing tomorrow will be the last time I get to ride through beautiful Littenweiler, through steep mountains littered with pine-and-other-trees, clouds gently kissing the tops, blue sky background but without the intense heat of the summer sun. The air smells fresh (except the areas where cow and horse poop fills your lungs:-P) and the cool breeze is refreshing, chill without stinging. Sigur Ros was my background music today, and it was low enough not to overpower the whoosh of the wind past my ears. I have to admit, I feel pretty lucky to take the world in the way I do. I know not everybody can experience things, particularly in nature, the way I can. I know it makes me semi-weird, but I also love the richness it gives my life. There are magical moments that become imprinted in me; not that I can remember images exactly, but I know that the moments are changing who I am. The ride today was also easier than usual; I had more energy, and really enjoyed feeling the rise and fall of the hills. I also managed to get up one of 2 impossible hills on my ride! I'll go for the other one tomorrow:) Today, I tried it, but I also tried to shift down into a lower gear, and the lower gears on my roommate's bike just do not work - they always slip out of place and I kind of go out of control for a while:-P So I just have to push with all my own strength. It feels like pushing through thick mud or something, but it's kind of fun! The rest of today, I intend to start packing things away and sifting through all of the stuff I've collected, throwing out a good bit to make sure everything fits. It will take a lot of planning, 'cause I need to figure out what I'll be wearing the next 6 days. I also need to run to the grocery store and make sure I have dinner for tomorrow. Then I'll be seeing a movie tonight with my friend Belinda! Yesterday I saw "Mamma Mia!" (in German, except the songs:-P) with Uli, which was SO much fun. We also made quiche for dinner, which I'd never done, and it was fantaaastic. Tomorrow is a 'finish packing' day, and I'll also be meeting with Maria and Belinda for an ice cream farewell in the evening. Monday is INSANELY busy: I have to get up super early and turn my very last paperwork in to the campus office, come back and immediately start my laundry, then cleancleanclean all day (bathroom, kitchen AND my room). Then I have to pick up Eric from the train station. I can't remember if I've already regaled all of you with these plans haha, but here they are again:-P There is true sadness in my heart that I am leaving this beautiful place; also that I haven't had as much time to do as much as I'd hoped. Still, that just means I'll have to be back! Even on my bike ride today, I imagined bringing my family back to Freiburg in the decades that come, sharing with them a little bit of me. That's how I feel: I am taking a little bit of Freiburg with me, and it's keeping a little bit of me for itself. Anyway, I must get moving; time to soak up as much as I can:)