Autumn is my favorite time of year. The colorful leaves falling from the trees, the start to sweater weather, apple cider, pumpkin picking, I love everything about this time of year. I look forward to autumn in Geneva. Nothing is more beautiful than the drive along Seneca Lake during a sunny October day. When I found out I would be studying in Berlin, I was definitely thrilled, but it meant I would miss my last fall semester in HWS. Berlin, however, hasn’t disappointed.

Last weekend I went to Surf Camp! Its a trip sponsored by the University of Sydney. We drove about 3.5 hours out of Sydney, to where camp would take place. It included hostel stay, surfing lessons, board and wet suit, meals and overall fun! A few IESers decided to do it together and I must say we had a great time. Some of us picked up surfing better than others but we all at least got a good foundation for how it works and will have even more practice in a week or two.

Santa Clause must have come early because I just got back from my second spring break of 2014! Yes, you read that correctly. Spring break for us Americans is a week or two in March or April and because the seasons are reversed for the Aussies it’s now spring time again. Yay me! IES Abroad planned an awesome 6-day spring break trip to Cairns which was significantly subsidized. Most of us went on the trip and it was another awesome reunion with friends at UNSW and Macquarie.

Study abroad demands that you adjust an already perilous balance of school, social life, and sleep.  Add in another category of travel and I admit I have not yet figured out how this circus act is accomplished.  And then of course there is work – this blog and my internship at the American Academy in Rome (more info to come!), both activities I enjoy immensely, though find at turns to be sort of stressful.

I’ve never been a fan of taking posed photos. It’s all very formulaic: stand with your back straight, shoulders back, turn to your “good skinny-arm side,” big smile, but not too big. You don’t want to look like you’re trying too hard.

We’ve all seen these – they dominate our Facebook newsfeed. Posed in front of a fountain or a cathedral. Posed with a Starbucks, posed with tongue out and a “very Pinterest-worthy” lunch.

Here is my newest work in progress. I am proud of the direction its heading, but have dead ended into the inevitable struggle of ending the poem. Here is what I have thus far. Enjoy!

Dirty Boots

Dirty Boots
Sitting on the garage floor
Of a man who just walked
40 km alone

The necessity of Earth’s
Endless possibilities
And places to walk
Providing him meditation

Kia Ora!