Scrunchies still exist.

It's been a while since I've written. Nothing too eventful has happened, and I've been super busy! I just have too many friends. Just kidding. BUT... everything is still going great and I do have a few thoughts/observations/exciting things to share!  I love the number format, so that's what I'm going with today.

1) I'M GOING TO ROME ON SATURDAY!!! My host mom is the best and booked me a roundtrip ticket to Rome a couple of weeks ago because she and Mimi will be gone as well. So if you get news next week that I am no longer alive, I can assure you it's because I had a heart attack upon seeing the Pantheon and/or the Sistine Chapel in real life. At least you're prepared.

2) I started my language course last week! I'm in level C1, which is the highest level. I was really nervous at first because I thought I would be the most inept person in my class, but it is actually the perfect level for me. This course prepares people for the DaF (Deutsch als Fremdsprache/German as a foreign language) test, which is a standard, internationally recognized test for German language competency. If you pass the DaF exam with a high enough score, you can then apply to study at German universities.  So passing the DaF exam will be my next big challenge. I spend most of my days reading children's books and cutting fruits and vegetables into bite-sized pieces...needless to say I've been starved for intellectual stimulation lately. It's a VERY good thing that this class started.

3) Staying on the subject of my language course, I need to mention something alarming. 3 girls wore scrunchies to class today.  THREE. And all three of them are from Russia. I can only conclude that this was not a coincidence, and that every female living in Russia not only owns but also regularly wears scrunchies. If these girls were over the age of 35 I wouldn't really be concerned. However, they are all my age or younger.

4) Some people here exercise in the most ridiculous outfits. I wish I had photographic evidence of some, but by the time I can get my iPhone out to take a picture, the moment is gone.
Examples:
- Woman, mid-30s, out for a light jog with her knee-length North Face jacket on
- Boy, teenager, out for an intense jog wearing loose-fitting jeans
- Woman on my volleyball team, early 30s, practiced in a long-sleeved, fitted Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirt.

5) Old people. I have never seen so many old people as I have since I moved to Munich. I've realized that this is because many old people here actually leave the house, take the train, ride their bikes, go skiing, go for daily walks, etc. Generally speaking, old people at home tend to stick to cars and the great indoors.  And I am referring to OLD old people, as in people well into their late 70s and 80s.  Opa, Mimi's grandfather, is 76 years old (possibly older?) and goes skiing regularly every winter. And he is a phenomenal skier. It's really amazing to watch.

That's all I can think of right now. I have a practice exam and a presentation to finish for my class tomorrow morning at 8:30am... and I haven't started either of them. Not much has changed since college! I just can't stop thinking about Rome... and scrunchies.