A "Kugel" is hardly just a scoop of ice cream.

5:30--A.M.

I think to myself "Are you insane? Go back to bed!" No sooner had the thought crossed my mind when I found myself on my knees at the side of my bed. I guess I was getting up anyway. As I wandered around my room getting ready I asked myself "Why? How did I get into this?... Oh, I remember"

Patrick to Koko: Tomorrow there are 2 hikes on the schedule. One long one and one short one. For the long hike we have to leave by 6 it is about 3 hours up and 3 back.
Koko: Oh no, I don't think... well you should definately go... and Anya.
*both look at me intently*
Me: Umm... yeah (apparently feeling non-apprehensive at the word "long") I can schaff that.

Now here I was, getting up at a crazy time of day to do a "long hike" with 7 very athletic Austrians. As I walked toward the door I had just one last thought "If you go back to bed, nobody is going to come looking for you. They'll just assume you are not coming." However, I already had it in my head that It wouldn't be so bad... I really could do it. We got in the car and I was feeling pretty tired, but kind of insanely excited (nothing I was doing was quite like the Anya you would have met a couple years ago). It was a beautiful morning. Slightly overcast. We passed the sign, "Mittags Kugel". Now my German is very limited, but I understood a Kugel to be a sphere, also known to me as a scoop of ice cream (essential knowledge). However, when you translate the name of the hike:
Mittag= Midday... Kugel= scoop of ice cream
I would not be fooled. I knew this would not be a dainty little hike where you get ice cream at midday. Having that in mind, we started up the trail, and I was actually doing pretty well. I was one of the first up to the "Huette" a little cabin that was basically a small restaurant at the "base" of the mountain. Patrick's cousin Julia said I was doing really well (with a sound of surprise in her voice which I resent). However, I know myself pretty well and I said "This is just the beginning." Boy was that the truth. That was about when Patrick came and put his arm around me and said

"That is where we are going"
Patrick is not always a very serious person, and from past experiences I have learned that in situations like this I can be easily deceived. Something deep down in me told me that he was not joking. It was that part of me that instantly said "I'll just wait here" but my legs carried me away. The sun was starting to break through the clouds but luckily we continued to be protected by the surrounding trees... until they eventually became extinct and the mountainside bore a path of unstable footing in slippery rocks and pebbles. I had not taken the shade for granted, but I missed it now as we continued the hike. We were all bathed in our own sweat, but some people made it look better than others.

I could finally see what would be my final destination,
proceeded by a very steep and slippery hill. (Gospel Principle)My muscles felt like they were about to give in completely but I took it slow and then got to the "top" where there was another short trail that led to the very top. There were 5 of us that took a break there before resuming. Then we were off again. I sat down and they made me eat something despite my nausea. I took in the view. I was proud of myself really. I even wrote my name in the book at the top. I care that it is there. (and so does Meg) The view was BEAUTIFUL and well deserved. It was worth all the sweat and the soreness that would be felt in the days ahead.


I guess what I am trying to say is that even when things are difficult... they are not impossible. I am proud of myself for not putting limits to the things I can or cannot do. I have grown a lot in this way while I have been here. I have gone snowshoeing in the alps, cross-country skiing, skiing (which was scary, but good) also in Austria we went on a bike ride... again up a steep mountain. As uncle Mario biked passed me he said
"How do you like it?"
"(winded) It's hard"
"(laughs) Well this is the hardest part"
"(optimistically) good to know!"
Little did I know, Mario meant it would be hard and steep like that the rest of the way till we got to the castle on the hill. Regardless, I pushed along and I did it. I am feeling pretty good about my accomplishments, just like right before we got back to the "Huette" on the way down from the hike... that was, right until the man with the prosthetic leg passed me up keeping my head right on my shoulders. The Lord always has a way of humbling me:)

Man. I could really go for a Mittags Kugel right about now.