Week 15- I love you guys!

It's so surreal that the program is coming to an end. I don't think I'll be able to process everything until I've been at home for a few days. The beginning of the week was a little rough because we had exams. On Monday, we had our third physiology exam. After that, the BIMS people spent the afternoon playing sports and relaxing at Hofgarten. The next morning, we had a meeting for the enmodes booklet and later went over our previous physiology exams to prepare for the final. On Wednesday, we took our physiology final, which I think went really well. I took my second physiology lab exam on Thursday. It didn't go very well but I should still be fine in the class overall. I spent that evening working on photoshopping our group picture into silhouettes for the enmodes booklet. It was very frustrating and confusing, especially because I have no experience with photoshop and the picture is pretty complicated. On Friday, we took a train to Remagen to visit the Peace Museum for the Bridge at Remagen. Hans Peter Kurten, the founder of museum and former mayor, gave us a tour. He was such an interesting man and truly inspirational to meet. I'd love to accomplish half the things that he has in his lifetime. We had a nice group lunch at an Italian restaurant and followed it up with some gelato. We headed back to Bonn and I spent another evening working on the photoshop job. I went home and then headed back to Bonn to spend a fun evening with my friends. I love them and I'm really glad I did. 

On Saturday, we all attended the LMU Theater students' play. It was really out there, but some of the parts were cool and some of the students were good singers. Claire and I then went back to AIB to work on the other parts of the booklet. We then headed to the AIB Farewell Party. I loved the live music and atmosphere- I felt like I was back in America in the 60's or something. We gave gifts to Dr. Wasser, Madeleine, and our TA's, and we all got pretty sentimental. We danced to the jazzy music and had a great time hanging out together. I spent another fun evening with my friends that night. On Sunday, I slept in and then headed to the Bonn Botanical Gardens at the Poppelsdorf Palace with Sarahi and Alexa. I've definitely been to more impressive gardens, but the weather was nice and it was great to be outside. We also found the biggest lily pads I have ever seen in my life in one of the greenhouses there. Next, we headed to the hauptbahnhof and took a train to Cologne with Kyle, Kendrick, and Amran. We walked out of the train station so we could be wowed by the Cologne Cathedral one last time. Sarahi, Alexa, and I then went to 7pm Mass there (It was quite cold inside even though it was pretty mild outside). I was really happy that I was able to say a proper goodbye to the cathedral. It's so huge and imposing and a true testament to the depth of the builders' faith. I've been to St. Peter's Basilica, Notre Dame, and La Sagrada Familia, but the Cologne Cathedral will always be the most special to me. It was the first thing I really loved in Germany and a place where I could sit and reflect on the grandeur of God's love. I hope I get to see it again one day. 

After Mass, Sarahi bought a postcard and we headed back to Bonn. I spent from 10pm to 2am working on the photoshop silhouette at AIB. Sarahi and Alexa were nice enough to sit there with me at AIB so I wasn't alone. Today is Monday and all the BIMS students are currently at AIB with Madeleine to finish the booklet. Tonight, I'll have one last dinner with my host family, pack, and maybe head back into Bonn to spend time with my friends. Tomorrow, we'll spend all day on the Rhinecruise. On Wednesday, I'll leave my German home at 4 am for my real home in San Antonio. I'm so excited to see my mom, but I know I'll miss the countless adventures I've had in beautiful places with people I've grown to love so much. Ich liebe dich!