As we’re closing in on the end of our second year living abroad, I can’t help but reflect on the experience.

At first, things were very exciting and our days were extremely full.  Those sleepless nights in the scratchy dip-service beds, dealing with jet-lag for the first time ever on this magnitude and the fact that there were no screens on the windows.

Our days were spent walking the streets and riding the buses, going between historic places and beer gardens and museums.  And the few solid days chasing apartments will be permenantly etched into everyone’s memories, if not their feet!

As the days went on, one by one the herd thinned as we found and moved into our new apartments.  For some this was more of an ordeal than others, but we all got through it more or less unscathed.  And as the students arrived, we slowly faded away into our daily routines and were absorbed into our respective groups.

Except for me, that is.

At first, I thought that I’d be able to work my schedule and spend more time exploring both the city, and my own interests.  However, this turned out to be largely fantasy.

So what did I do over here?

Well, the short answer is a lot.  Not as much as some people, but a lot more than I would have done back in The States – in terms of travel and exploration, anyways.  Here are the highlights, broken down list-style:

• Learned Polish (well still learning, but made some significant progress!)
• Met a lot of really cool people!
• Drank a lot of beer, mead and mulled wine.
• Ate a lot of sausage, smoked cheese and zurek.
• Got a dog
• Passed out in the Veterinarian’s office, hit my head on the table and got stitches
• Made a bunch of websites (for work – but they turned out pretty good!  And I’ve learned a lot, too)
• Tutored 2 kids
• Taught 2 trimesters of middle school web design
• Saw George Clinton and Wyclef Jean at a free, outdoor concert set
• Went to Oktoberfest and saw lots of Munich, and made a trip to Neuschwanstein castle
• Took a really long bike trip to Czersk and visited the old castle there.
• Ate TONS of great sushi!
• Fought the crowds and skiied at Zakopane.
• Crossed over to Slovakia to soak in the hot springs.
• Missed the bus back from Slovakia and had to make a call for special pick up.
• Rode the train to Prague, Vienna, Krakow, Gdansk and Sopot
• Saw a lot of REALLY cool buildings
• Went to Egypt, Saw the Pyramids, the Sphynx, rode a camel, snorkeled on the reef, and of course; got sick.
• Enjoyed some Sheesha
• Visited several museums and learned a LOT of history
• Learned some magic tricks (which I’m sorely out of practice with now)
• Then got upstaged by an Aussie with a salt shaker (You know who you are!!)
• Met up with my sister and cousin in Mykonos, Greece
• Swam in the blue blue water in Mykonos, and ate a LOT of really great food!
• Went to London (twice)
• Saw Wicked, Avenue Q, and Phantom of the Opera (in London)
• Went to an Arsenal game at Emirates stadium
• Visited Wawel Cathedral and Westminster Abbey
• Spent Christmas in Rome, and saw The Pope at the Vatican.
• Found and joined a taekwondo club
• Tossed my coin into Trevi Fountain
• Said a prayer in Saint Peter’s Basilica
• Walked through the Colosseum
• Strolled through the Wilanow cemetery in silent reverence and awe at night on All Saint’s Day
• Ran house to house with numb toes during our Progressive Games night
• Bought a car
• Perused the venders wares while sipping mulled wine at the Old Town Christmas Market
• Became a squirrel jungle-gym at Lazienki park
• Went to the zoo and got smiled at by a Rhino
• Listened to piano concerts in Lazienki park
• And last, but certainly not least: MADE A BABY!!

Yep.  That about sums it up.  I’m sure I’ve probably left a few things out, but it’s been a long, full two years.  And next year promises to be even more exciting, but in a totally different way.  I’m very excited about coming home for the summer and seeing family and friends again, and sharing our experiences with them.