Of Fall, growing older and other randoms

It's as if someone flicked a switch and the trees that had been green just the day before turned into flaming reds, resplendent orange and in-between rosy pinks that stood out brilliantly against the cold grey sky.

In a companionable (ok, I'm being a bit euphemistic here. more like awkward) silence, my Brazilian classmate and I walked down from our dorms to the graduate school last Sat afternoon to catch the rubber duck race (a charity event like what we had in Singapore years ago) held at the Neckar river.

Last Friday was a German holiday to mark their East-West reunification. In spite of the uncooperative weather in the morning (rainy), 4 of us headed to Stuttgart's Cannstatter Volksfest (much like the Oktoberfest in Munich but smaller). There was a big carnival with rides and food stalls selling chocolate-coated fruits, candies, caramel/sugared nuts, popcorn, ice-cream, crepes, pommes frites, calamari, various deep-fried yummies and of cos' there's the German bratwurst, currywurst etc. and small biergartens. However, the star attractions were the huge tents where people drink 1-litre mugs of (I'm tempted to call these tanks instead) beer, eat (roasted pork legs - haxe in German, chicken etc.), sing along to the songs and dance (on tables!). It was a fun day, even if it was quite cold. We went on a few rides (all so expensive though... about 4euros each!) and walked around the fair.

As we were chatting while strolling around, I sort of mentioned to my Brazilian classmate, that I thought he seemed upset with me a bit even though I barely talked to him last week. At first he said he'd talk to me about it another day. But then I cajoled him to tell me straight away, so he admitted that he was a little upset with me. And his reason was touching in a way. See, I have been quite homesick the last week or so and he could tell that I was down in the dumps somewhat. He said he couldn't understand why a smart girl (or so he thinks) who could do anything she put her mind to, cannot seem to see that herself and look forward to make the most of her time here. He quickly apologised if he'd been rude, but I thought it was very kind of him to care. And it really helped me start to climb out of the hole I'd been digging myself into...

With the beginning of school, one programming class last week (which I can hardly grasp half of!! Thankfully that wasn't a compulsory one for my course) and the Neuroanatomy class this week, I don't have much time for my mind to dwell on silly thoughts. And I've also met some people in my dormitory building who are quite nice, so that helps too. I still miss my family and friends but it's starting to be more bearable. It got me wondering if the reason for me feeling more homesick this time than when I was last away is cos I'm getting old?? haha... It was one of the quietest birthdays I've had for a while, but even so some of my classmates have been really sweet! (Mr Brazilian - Mac suggested this naming system for my classmates, bought me a slice of raspberry cake from the bakery, a Hungarian couple gave me a Ritter Sport chocolate. And the Sat just past, Miss Korean bought me a pair of cute Snoopy bedroom slippers!)

I really should count my blessings! ^_^ Ok, have to get back to my book (namely the very thick 'Principles of Neural Science').