"Heimat. The word means home in German, the place where one was born. But the term also conveys a subtler nuance, a certain tenderness. One's Heimat is not merely a matter of geography; it is where one's heart lies. " — Jenna Blum (Those Who Save Us)
I've passed the 1 and 1/2 year mark since I left NJ for Germany.
Is that a long time? I'm not really sure. It feels like the time just flew but yet, my end-of-university days don't feel so near either.
Fact of the matter is, I'm no longer a newbie here in Germany nor a long-term visitor which means having to accept certain things as part of my life--and not just "what the Germans do".
Getting paid monthly (at the end of the month) is now "just how it goes" and sorting my garbage between four different cans is no biggie.
Going to the grocery store means preparing properly, as in bringing enough cloth bags to carry my food home in--and yes, that also means buying only what I can carry home. And paying more for water than you do for beer or soda in a restaurant is standard line of business in Germany. It's just part of life here.
Despite what some might call an inconvenience, I'm happy to call Germany my other home, at least for another year. I want to make the most of my time here while I still can.
Until next time.
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