No car...

I thought I would be miserable without a car, but actually life on the s-bahn is pretty nice. I can read, people watch, eavesdrop in Deutsch, enjoy my ipod, grade papers, put on eye make-up (I did this Friday morning in the window reflection) and ponder my next blog update. Sure, it takes a bit more time to get places, but after I pop 86 Euro into a machine, my travel fees are complete for the month. When I was home I spent way more than that on gas for 2 weeks! The only dreadful part of life on the rails is...

The long, denk walk to the pick-up spot.

When I leave school at 5 the night sky is pitch black. There is a short walk down an unlit road whichis mainly frequented by the kids at the hotel next door and carless teachers rom my school. Generally, I make plans to travel in pairs, but today I left school alone. I know I'm an adult, but it is reasonable to be a bit nervous in this situation. At Centre I used to fake talk to people on my cell phone when I was apprehensive and alone outside. The chatter probably sounded like, "Yeah mom, now I'm walking up the steps behind Sutcliffe. Yeah, I know they're steep. I'll be careful. Oh, by the way I forgot to give you DPS's phone number. It's 859-238-HELP. Sure I'll repeat it..." or " That's hilarious! I'm almost to the Warehouse now. Can you see me? I'm in front of the Beta House. Look out the window, Tricia. I'm right here." (I cannot believe I'm admitting this on public domain. Love me in spite of my dorkiness. Bitte?) Now, though, I'm a tougher woman of the city. I'm fearless. I'm like Destiny's Child, an Independent Woman. I sat next to a guy named B-Ball on the flight home- well, that's what his grillz said, anyway. I can take any one who comes my way because lurking under my striped Target mittens are... brass knuckles. ;)

Maybe I should mention them to my fake listener on the phone next time I have to walk home alone. Yeah. Sniff.