Um, thanks?

The weekend I went to Melk to see James off. James is the British guy we forced to hang out with us Americans at the training session. He's moving to Russia, so he was having a going away party. Anyway, interesting stuff that happened:

—Stopped in Vienna long enough to buy the coolest, most European shoes I've ever owned. They're green and yellow, and instead of laces they have a strap that zig-zags back and forth across the top until it velcros under my ankle. MaryT would call them "ath-leisure" shoes. Super comfortable and cute.

—Spent several hours discussing the weird shit that happens at school, including those kids who, as soon as you walk into the classroom, put their hands up and say, "Frau Professor, I forgot my sheet!" Good work, genius. You're actually supposed to try to hide that. Also, teachers, if you've known about a test since, say, October, please inform your assistant sometime BEFORE the five minutes prior to the test that she isn't needed. Thanks.

—Got the best/funniest compliment ever. James evidently told his friend that I'm "the only person who can outwit" him. This made me think two things: "aaww!" and "nice ego, jackass." Seriously, though, no faster way to my heart than to tell me I'm witty. I'll love this kid forever.

—Bought plane tickets to England. Well, technically I did that today, but I'm going to spend Feb. 7-14 in England, probably London, Bath, and Stratford. Whatever. I'm super nervous about travelling alone, but it will be fun times of me making all decisions with no argument.