It’s February! 2012 is already one twelfth over, and, more importantly, it’s the last full month of winter…I sincerely hope. And only thirteen days until Valentine’s Day, fifteen days left in my German class, and at most nineteen days until I start working again. Valentine’s Day isn’t such a big deal, but I do enjoy the cards and chocolates and the consequential slight lift in the collective mood. The super cheap candy the day after is nice too. At least that’s what I’ve come to expect of Valentine’s Day. But who knows, this is the first time I’m spending it in Germany.

It will be nice to not have to commute one hour each way anymore. And I’m interested to find out who my next teacher and new classmates will be. In other words, I get to experience the nerdy excitement of the first day of school all over again. But I’m also kind of nervous that my next teacher is going to suck and that I won’t like any of the other people in my class. That can happen. I’ve heard stories. Unfortunately, as far as I know there’s nothing equivalent to rate my professor for the Münchner Volkshochschule, so all I can do is hope that I like my next class as much as I like my current one.

I’m also kind of looking forward to working again. As thrifty as I try to be, Munich is freaking expensive and I have spent (almost) all of the money from my generous Christmas/birthday gifts. I’m obviously not going to get paid on my first day of work, but if will be nice to take that first step towards no longer being broke. Actually I guess the first step was finding the job, so the second step. I’ll also have to spend more time at home, which will eliminate some expenses like the krapfen I buy at Ostbahnhof almost daily because it’s an excuse to go into a warm bakery while waiting for my bus, and I need something to tide me over for the long ride back to Putzbrunn. Healthy choice, I know.

I’m not sure if once I start working I’ll get the bedroom and it will be Patrycja who sleeps in the living room. In a way, that seems only faire since that’s part of how an au pair is paid, with her own room. But I would also feel awkward kicking Patrycia out. If she offers to switch and really sound like she wouldn’t mind then we’ll switch. If not (and I’m expecting not) then I’ll continue sleeping in the living room until April when she goes back to Poland, which is fine.

The other good thing about February is that it’s short, so before I know it, it will be March and I’ll have my long weekend with Ader, wherever that may be.