Little Things

It's probably part of the stupid amount of homesickness I've been feeling lately, but I see faces in the crowds: that could be this person or that person. That boy has your curly hair! That girl has your purse! If that man was 2" shorter and 4 years younger, he'd look just like you! And I feel like my mind is playing this awful, cruel tricks on me, because I'd give *almost* anything to see you right now. Cause it's the little things I miss.

I miss giving her shit about wearing skirts in December.

I miss his sleepy "fuck off"s at 10AM in the PO.

I miss telling her, for the love of God--get some sleep!!

I miss calling him to see if he wants a drink and he always says yes-come over.

I miss hearing all the goings on of the Broadway scene-yeah I didn't think I'd miss that either.

I miss his stupid antics through the DS and the Tech Office and the PO.

I miss the silence of the LHC at night-yes I've been the last to leave once or twice.

I miss the way footsteps echo like sonic booms in the DS.

I miss walking home and it only takes 4 minutes instead of the 40 it takes here.

And those are just a few.

Each day I find myself adding to the list of things I miss about the States, Webster, Home, Family, Friends, and all that. And I feel like I shouldn't be missing so much, because of this extraordinary opportunity I'm living...but I'm allowed a little homesickness, right?

Christkindlemarkt

I quite possibly looked like the biggest idiot on the face of the planet: clutching my warm mug of Amaretto-Punsch with a constant, huge, silly, goofy smile playing on my face. My eyes must have been huge--drinking in the whole scene. The lights!! They sparkle, they twinkle, they run, jump, and fly through the trees, the huts, thee angel-shaped figurines hanging in the sky. There are heart lights and ornament lights: there are lights that look like falling snow and lights that look like icicles. they cover castles and archwasy and Christmas trees and real trees.

There are huts--kiosks lining the plaza between the Burg Theatre and the Rathaus. They are selling everything. There are selling lollipops and cotton candy, punch, stuffed animals, toys, incense, beautifully handpainted ornaments, wood carvings, crafty knick knacks, food, hats, scarves, gloves, crazy candles, Vienna souvenirs, incense, jewelry, purses, and so much more!!

There are children laughing and jumping and pointing at the stuffed tiger they not-so-secretly hope Santa will bring them. There are smiles and laughter all around: it sounds cheesy, but it's really incredible.

My magical castle is lighting up again: brilliant colors of blue and red and green and pink and yellow and white. It's lullaby is a sweet German song--I can only understand pieces, but I know it's peaceful. It's transformed to a more 'rock & roll' feel, but the tune is the same. Christmas music plays to light up the park and people's faces and children's hearts.

I'm not usually mushy at Christmas time: it must be the growing homesickness. But there is nothing close to a Viennese Christkindle Markt in the States--there are malls. There are department store and for the love of God...we do most of our shopping online anyway. If we go out, you are more likely than not to experience the rudeness and pushiness of the holidays more than you will the 'Can I help you?'s and the 'No, please, after you's and a 'Merry Christmas' with any sort of heart behind it. And even though I don't understand all of the words that are flying through the cold evening air here at this Market in Vienna, I feel Christmas.

And for the first time in a while, I feel content about every piece of my life, and for a moment, despite the homesickness, there is no place on earth I'd rather be than warming my hands on a mug of punch and feeling happy.

"Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable."

-The Wizard of Oz