Homecoming

   Well, I'm home. I guess that's no surprise since it has been exactly two weeks since I arrived, and if you hadn't seen me, you would have guessed since my last post was on my last night in Vienna. I don't know if I technically should be writing anymore since I am no longer in Vienna, and this is called Life in Vienna. But, I suppose the aftermath of living in Vienna could also go on here to. I'm rambling, aren't I? Well, I'll get down to it.
    At first, it was really strange to be home. All of a sudden, my life was back to normal. I went to school, took classes, did homework, hung out with my friends, and slept in my own bed. Everything was exactly the same, except for the fact that I had brought a little of Austria with me. It might have seemed only a dream if I didn't have Sophie in the room right next to me. It still does a little. It's like when you go to your first concert of someone you are a huge fan of. When you're there, it's like your whole world has changed. The way you see yourself is different. You are no longer the little kid dreaming of seeing this star, no, you are in the same room with them! It's a natural high. But then, the next day, you have to go back to school, or work. You do your work, you talk to your friends, and everything is surprisingly normal. You'd think something would have changed. Some huge sign should appear and say that you have accomplished something. But nothing happens. That is sort of what coming home was like. Of course, I was greeted. Some people realized what I did and where I'd been, but not all. A few seemed to not even know I'd been gone. Others thought that it was no big deal, although it was the biggest deal for me. It's strange how anticlimactic some things can be.
     So I'm home now, and living life normally. I love having Sophie here. She's so bubbly and happy, excited about everything. Today, she gave me a huge hug because I did her wash with mine, brought her  body lotion, and said she could use my shaving cream or toothpaste whenever she wanted. She makes me smile. But of course, she's always offering to help around the house, so I look bad whenever I turn into the sulky teenager who doesn't want to do chores. Guess I'll have to work on that. We've planned lots of trips for her. We went to the beach Friday night, which was really nice. I hadn't been to a beach in  years. Over spring break we're going to go to Washington D.C., and visit Corrie up in Asheville. Take her to Biltmore and Hot Springs. I'm really excited, for me and for her. It's going to be a brand new adventure, and one I'm looking forward to.

Different Worlds

     Well, yeah, I know. It's been a couple of weeks since I wrote. But hey, if I wrote everyday, it wouldn't be as exciting. I've got to keep up the suspense. No, really, I just haven't had anything to say. I've just been living here, going to school, doing homework, hanging out with friends. Normal life.
      I have now three worlds. My main one is with my parents in North Carolina where I go to school, hang out with friends, and basically live. Then there is my summer camp in Wisconsin. I escape from my regular life and live on a lake with tons of other girls. And now there is my life here in Vienna. Before I came here, neither of my lives had meshed further than my parents picking me up at camp. But in my first week here, I met a girl from my camp in Salzburg. Now, I combine them yet again by bringing Sophie home with me.
      I'm really excited for Sophie to come to America. For her to meet my family and friends, go to school with me, and just see North Carolina. She's very bubbly and happy right now, looking forward to going. I'm glad for her, but I'm also nervous to come home. I'm afraid of how much it may have changed. With my two worlds before, I never missed anything. Camp was in summer, and school was the rest of the year. Nothing really drastic could change in those times I was away. But now, I have been gone for two months. Two months in which my school has had chinese exchange students, and two new girls in the ninth grade. Two months worth of little changes that I have missed. Of course, I am so glad I came here, and I will always cherish the memories I have made, but I don't know what lies before me. The unknown is one of the greatest fears of all. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
      Well, I fly home tomorrow. Maybe later I'll write what has happened in the past few days, which is indeed noteworthy. However, now I am going to finish packing, and enjoy my last night in Vienna.