It's all about location.

So, my mom received a letter in the mail yesterday. Our usual routine is for her to photocopy my important mail, then forward it to me. (The copying is an insurance policy in case of faulty USPS.) I knew it would contain part of my location in which I will be placed in Germany next year. The letter was written in German, so it was kind of fun for me to know that my mom would read the letter, but I would still find out where I was before she did.

When I asked her if she could identify any important upcoming dates that I may need to be aware of, however, she started sounding out the first two lines of the letter... which included the location.

So, I guess the surprise is out. The whole situation was amusing, though.

However, I'm happy to know that I'll be placed somewhere within the German state of Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia for you Anglophiles) beginning in September. Here's a map, so you know where to find me. (I'll be in the orangey state on the left.)

And, just for kicks, here's the story my campus newspaper published about me. Apparently I was in disbelief a lot.