It Started with an Essay...

Well, in all technicality, there were two essays...and a transcript, and three letters of recommendation, and an obscene amount of coffee, and of course, massive sleep deprivation.

A process which began well over a year ago has finally come full-circle. On Thursday Sept. 10th, I arrived at my dormitory in Poznan Poland, sweaty and exhausted but still triumphant. I had managed to navigate myself and all my crap (This is how my father would describe the contents of my bags. I spent the majority of Tuesday packing and re-packing. Each time, I apparently removed clothes and added more books. Dad attempted to convince me to leave some of my chosen volumes behind...which I eventually did. And now I am Beckett-less in Poland. Sad day...) through three airports, Berlin's train station, and onto a train Poznan. When I was finally on the train to Poland, I couldn't help but think "I just fucking pulled that off!"

(Drum roll please) Here's my dorm in Poznan:
The Fulbrighter who had my position last year said that she eventually moved from this location to a dorm that is more centrally located. According to my coordinator, that's where the rest of the Fulbrighters will stay during orientation. But she seems adamant that I need to stay here--it's more comfortable and better for research. We shall see what transpires...

Here's my room, which is really nice. I spent last night unpacking and organizing my crap (there's that word again--I know Grandma J doesn't approve, but it just seems so fitting). There was another table as well, but I disassembled it with the key to my old bike lock (it was the closest thing I had to a screw driver) and put the pieces behind my closet. The futon doubles as my bed. And it should be noted that Honey Joe has made yet another trans-Atlantic trip.
The kitchen:
The bathroom, which houses a very conveniently-located washing machine. I ran a load of laundry last night...which resulted in an overflow of water onto the bathroom and entryway floors. But thanks to The House of Insanity back in Lincoln, I am very experienced with unruly washing machines and the messes they make. Scraping water off the floor with a dust pan is about as much fun in Poland as it is in Nebraska.
And the entry way:
Also, the view from my window. I'm facing east this time, so it looks as though I will be forced into becoming obsessed with sunrises.

For those who are wondering, yes we did survive the wedding and had a really good time doing so.
As you can see, my baby brother and I rocked the purple.

On Tuesday, I am taking the train to Warszawa to meet with the Fulbright Commission and the other grantees. Until then, I will be here, enjoying a little down-time and attempting to explore my new home. I am also conducting a search for the best peirogis in town...just so I have that bargaining chip when attempting to lure friends and family to my side of Berlin.