Who am I to blow against the wind?: A Year in Numbers

Since leaving California last year, I have...

slept in/on 28 beds/sofas/floors

spent approximately 228 hours on trains

been to 9 countries

took 3 different dance classes

got taken to the hospital in an ambulance once (and paid nothing, horay for social health care!)

survived 1 hurricane

experienced one of the coldest winters and hottest summers in Vienna

written about 47 postcards/letters

pet zero pit bulls

skied 3 different mountains

added 53 phone contacts

collected 6 Christmas market mugs

and of course... I've made some amazing, unforgettable friends. Although it'd be a lie to say that I've loved living in Vienna, I've had one of the best years of my life traveling and adventuring with all of the wonderful people I've met. Thanks to all of you new friends who made this year so special, and to the numerous old friends who made it out here to visit me.

In the past weeks I've been able to do some hiking. My big trip through the Alps was duped by the weather; the sun finally came out in the mountains the day my summer train ticket expired and less than a week before my flight back to America. However, I did day hikes closer to Vienna where the sun was on at full blast.

I'll be back in DFW on Thursday night. I will then proceed to do the following... Play with my dog; get my folk music fill at the FW music festival; ride my bicycle; eat: enchiladas, jicama, chard, tomatillo salsa, a portabella burger, BBQ sandwich from Spiral, Fuzzy's tacos, peanut butter cookies...; spend lots of time smiling at strangers and rejoicing in the fact that they will, more than likely, smile back. If you're in the area and want to join in on any of the above, I'd be delighted. I'll be heading to the Bay early October, with a stopover at the Grand Canyon, and will be there in time to register to vote (October 22). I'm responsible.

Here are some of my hikes...