was machst du gern?

I feel like I haven't done anything in the last couple of weeks, but a lot has happened. I visited Hamburg with a couple of friends (we took the train using a five-person schönes Wochenende pass) and have been getting ready for Midterms.

Hamburg was amazing, though rainy. We got there on Saturday morning and it was already pouring. Walked around, went to the museum of Arts and Crafts and .. went out during the night. Nightlife in Hamburg is different than Berlin - I feel like it was done earlier. We also didn't make it to the Red Light District, which is a must in Hamburg. How sad.

What's interesting is that I found myself really homesick for Berlin when we were in Hamburg. Berlin is now "home." I have a feeling that Spring Break will be a similar experience. I'll really enjoy it, but I'll be ready for Berlin when it is all over.

Speaking of Spring Break, I am going to Lithuania and Latvia! I can't wait to see Riga and explore whatever is in the area. No particular plans are set (which is bad, considering we fly out the 18th) but I think either way it will be really fun. I can't wait for it!

Ich finde Berlin schön.

I really do find Berlin beautiful. Strangely so. I think the history and how much there is to do here everyday is amazing. Coming from Orange County and having grown up in Sunnyvale - I'm so glad to have so much to do in one place. Sunnyvale is a great place to live but it's not a city. And after a month in Berlin, I realize that I want to live in a city for a large chunk of my life. I love that there's always something to do - even if I'm not always going out to do it.

Midterms are around the corner! I can't believe that I'm already almost half-way done with the program. It feels too short. Two more weeks and we have exams, then Spring Break. After that it's a few more weeks until the excursion to Munich/Vienna. And then Zhenya is coming! I can't explain how excited I am for her to be here so we can tear up Berlin. It's gonna be amazing.

This weekend I am going to Hamburg. While I am excited to go, I am weary of spending any time in Hostels. Partly because of the movie, "Hostel." ... We'll see how it goes :)