Love your mother!

I don't have much to say since this has been a pretty relaxed weekend.  Liz and I met up with our friend Steffi for pizza on Thursday evening.  It was a really nice way to relax after a week of reading Matura (I swear I won't talk about them anymore!), we've met up at the pizzaria a few times now and the waiter recognizes us now- probably because we're the only English speaking group that goes there.

On Friday I was pretty productive, I went and turned in my application for an extension on my residency permit bright and early, and then I went and did all my shopping.  I didn't need as much paperwork as I thought I would, which is good, but I still have to go back this week or next and show them my plane ticket for June, and then prove that I'll have health insurance for the month of September (which means I have to go figure that out at some point this week).  The woman who I always see about residency permit stuff has a nephew at Berndorf (in the 8th form), so I think that's why she's always super nice to me.  I also went over to Steffi's to hang out in her shady garden in the afternoon and drink the Austrian version of iced coffee- coffee with vanilla ice cream!  Pretty tasty!

After looking at the calendar today I realized that in exactly 3 weeks I'll be flying back home to the states. I can't believe how quickly this 'year' has gone, and I'm really looking forward to coming back next year.  However, I'm really going to enjoy my time back in the US as well.  I'll be home in Wisconsin from June 3rd through July 7th or 8th for any of you who will be around and want to get together.  I can't wait for all the neighborhood parties, Wednesday night dinners at Sunset Lake, American Players Theater, the Energy Fair, Thursday nights with my girls, swimming and kayaking... the usual summer activities!  Of course I have to cram them all into one month before I go off to teach German at Waldsee in Northern Minnesota, which I'm also pretty pumped about!

Now, to the main point of this post: HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!  This goes out to all the mom's in my life, but mostly to the best mom in the world (in my opinion)- Denise Brennecke.  So I didn't send a card because I'm terrible about sending real mail... but not to worry, I'm bringing home plenty of gifts.  I'm looking forward to skyping with her later, catching up on the local happenings, planning my welcome home/birthday party, and discussing our next Euro-trip.

Love you mom, thanks for everything you do!