We've got Great Big Sea on in the background.

I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we've all had a wonderful time in Heidelberg, but it will be nice to get to our respective homes. Some will be getting there sooner than others (I know that Chris Ryan will be remaining in Germany for another week or two, and I will be in the UK until the 28th).

We've begun the packing process, and Karen and I are slowly discovering that perhaps a trip to the local travel stop may be in order for us, with the intention to purchase a new backpack to use as a second carry on, or even checked luggage. Funny how one begins to accumulate so much without even realizing ...

I somehow have managed to fill up most of my suitcase, and I still have toiletries, and silly gifts to pack. However will I manage to fit my Joan Armatrading record or my Hard Rock Cafe glass in my bag without breaking them? Or the Goodbye Lenin! poster that I simply HAD to have because you cannot get them in Canada? Let's not even start on the fifteen or so books... they were the first thing I packed. So far I have thrown out all my socks, a pair of pants (they had a hole in them anyways), and I will leave my towel (looks like you're not getting it back, Mom).

We had our BIG TEST today. You know, the one that validates the hard work we've done over the last three weeks. I can't really speak for anyone else, but I found my test to be okay. I'm not sure. There were parts that I think I nailed, but at the same time, I could have been off the mark completely. I know that Jackie, Megan and Adam had problems with their listening component, and they felt that they were underprepared in class for that section.

I didn't have those issues - my main issue was the lack of studying I'd done last night, primarily due to the fact that I got violently ill yesterday evening. I consumed some pineapple that did not mix well with me and, I'll spare you all the details that I related to the others this morning (except Karen, who saw the state I was in after the fact), just saying that I spent a short while vomiting. The rest of the night was spent worrying what would happen if I was this sick during this test.

I suppose all travel experiences (at least, all my travel experiences) are marred by a short, but semi serious illness at some point. I'm sure I have not contracted any deadly viruses.

Yesterday, I did the bulk of my souvenir shopping. I spent a significant amount of time in one of the Gummi Bear shops. These places are wonderful, with so many types of candies, in beautiful displays. I bought some of the Heidelberg beer mugs with gold coloured bears on bottom, and white at the top, so they resemble beer. Also, flags were bought, a watercolour of the Alte Brücke, etc. 

Sunday, I spent most of the day knitting, actually. We decided that a nice "Thank You" gift for Peter and Sandra would be to knit baby hats for Marc, as he continues to lose his. They are quite adorable, although two different sizes. Provided Marc's head is not as big as the biggest hat, he should be able to grow into it. Jackie is making a card, which we hope to give to them tomorrow. Will hopefully update on how that goes.

I'm probably going to go back to packing. That, and finishing the Cranford mini-series that we have been watching. One might think it odd that we are watching a series based on a nineteenth century British novel while in Germany, but I think one can never have too much nineteenth century British fiction.

Tomorrow, we have our last day of class. I find this prospect slightly torturous, as we have already completed the exam, and now we are forced to go over it. The rest of the time will be spent playing games or something like that. I would not mind sleeping in, personally. It has been a month since I have slept in properly, disregarding any sort of time keeping devices. It will be nice to say farewell to our classmates though. I will miss them very much, as we always seemed to have a great time and there was laughter in our classroom every day.