Endlich habe ich mich in Deutschland eingelebt.

Here I am at the German Corner in Koblenz.

I've settled into and am quite happy with my life in Germany. Finally. Took long enough, eh? People have been asking me the same question a lot lately: What is it you like better about Germany than America? American than Germany? Though this seems an easy enough question to answer, I find it - unlike during the last couple of months - more difficult to answer the latter of the questions. The things I like better about Germany than the U.S. are fresh in my mind and a part of my everyday life. These things include a wide variety: the German bread, frischkäse (it's like cream cheese, but so much better), the politics of Germany, the directness one can exercise in Germany**, students pay little to nothing for their studies, and döners. However, there is still a lot that I like better about the place from which I come, more specifically, the PNW. I miss my family, my friends, mexican food, 3rd street in McMinnville, Oregon microbrews (though thanks to my wonderful mother, I currently have four :D), the cheapness of everything, and the environmental mindset of most people I know. Every place has its relative advantages and disadvantages, and I'm learning to love these different places for what they are instead of what they aren't.
After a week away from Mainz, I realized I missed my little niche here. A feeling I was glad to have, because it was the last thing I needed to understand that I do feel at home and happy in Germany. All good things come with time. I need to remember that these kinds of feelings for a place don't come overnight. 
I feel extremely fortunate to have this opportunity to learn about myself and grow into an adult in Germany. And for the chance to do it here in Mainz, with some really wonderful roommates, a few great colleagues and students, and a more independent Ashley. Here's to making these last 6 months here count!

**An example of this directness...two days ago, in Heidelberg, I was buying a bus ticket for 1,10 EUR. I  handed him a 10 euro bill but needed a second to find my 10 cents in the mess that is my purse, and the bus driver, just as I pulled the 10 cents out, hit the button and gave me 10 euros in change. "Ach da ist es, ich habe jetzt die 10 cent!" "Zu spät." "Sie haben aber eben 10 sekunden gewartet und es gibt niemanden hinter mir.." "Ja und?" "Das war aber sehr nett von Ihnen.. *rolls eyes, walks away*" The guy basically gave me 10 euro in change because he was an impatient jerk, as most bus drivers and cashiers in Germany are, so I was able to give him a piece of my mind. In the US you can't just go around being rude to people when they piss you off, but in Germany, I'm able to say exactly how I feel, whenever I feel like it. It's actually quite liberating to be real and direct with people. 
  
Cheers,
AB