Playing catch up.....

Again, it has been waaaay too long. Almost embarrassingly too long. But, yes, again, with my head down in shame, I must admit that I have failed as a blogger. I don't understand why it is so hard to work this into some kind of routine. But, for the rest of the year I am going to try really hard to make this more consistent. An early New Year's resolution, if you will....

I have just finished uploading some photos from when my girlfriend Grace came to visit back in July. After 3 years of living here in Germany and I FINALLY had a visitor!!! It was so great to be able to show someone around the city and to introduce the real German culture. Normally when I go back home and try to describe things to my friends and family I can slowly see there heads cock to the side in a questionable manner as they say, "Uh huh..... (pause).... that's nice".

It started off with me heading up to Frankfurt to pick her up. This was an experience in itself since her arrival time conflicted with a German World Cup match. Despite arriving during typical rush hour, we made it back to Stuttgart in record time. The autobahn was completely empty, except for the few cars we passed with foreign plates. I was able to catch the first half of the match on the radio, which was great for me, but a bit odd for Grace. Nevertheless, a part of the German culture once must learn : football=holy. We watched the 2nd half of the match at home with the intention of heading downtown to celebrate the victory....... that is, the victory that never happened. :-( Yes, the evening she arrived was the evening Germany fell out of the competition.

The next morning we had a traditional Bavarian breakfast. What is that, you ask?? Well, only the best breakfast in the world! White sausages, sweet mustard, pretzels, and a tall glass of cold wheat beer is how everyone should start the day! Although, i must admit, this was the first time I had eaten this as well. But, doesn't it just look yummy!?!

Then we toured the beautiful baroque palace in Ludwigsburg. Were we able to take part in an English tour through the palace, which is the 2nd largest of its kind in Europe (after Versialles in France). After we went to the downtown of Stuttgart to enjoy the beautiful weather and relax before heading to the biergarten for some dinner and drinks that evening.

The following day, we were off to Berlin for a long weekend. After about 6 hours in the car we finally arrived. I can't believe it was only my second time being there. Berlin is such a vibrant city with so many different things to see and do I think it is almost impossible to really be immersed in such a short time. But, we certainly did our best! Before our way back down to Stuttgart, we first headed north of Berlin to tour a concentration camp. For anyone who has visited one before, I am sure you can relate to what a humbling experience it is.

Once back in Stuttgart, we recharged our batteries and spent a relaxing day at the public pool. Then we were off to Strasbourg, France. I must say, for traveling Stuttgart is an ideal place. We took the scenic route through the Black Forest, but even with our extend route we crossed the border in under 2 hours. Strasbourg has a really old city center with many historic buildings. We happened to be there during a food festival (jackpot!) and we able to have some amazing Spanish food and wine. Yes, I know France is the wine capitol of the world. But, the weather was ideal for the open-air food festival and the wine paired perfectly with our place of octopus.

We stayed just on night in Strasbourg and on our way home we stopped for a few hours in Baden-Baden. It is known and being on of the most luxurious cities in Germany and it's quite obvious as you walk down the streets. Grace's roots are in Baden-Baden, so it was interesting for her to be able to walk around and see the city her family comes from.

After Baden-Baden we made one last stop in Maulbronn. There is a monastery that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The monastery as well as all of the houses around it are from medieval times and are all in rather pristine condition. With wooden framed houses and geraniums everywhere, this fits the stereotype of Germany perfectly.

The final evening we spent in Stuttgart, then the next day she was off on the high speed train back to Frankfurt airport. While time never seems to be enough, I think it was a good introduction into European culture. We had a blast and I hope after sharing her travel experience with everyone back home more people will be inspired and make the jump over the pond to my world!

Vienna, Life and More...

It has been such a long while since I have written last- I can't believe it! I don't know where the time goes sometimes.... I was finally able to upload some pictures from when Tobi and I were in Vienna. Looking at the pictures makes me want to go back so badly!! No matter where I go here in Europe I always fall in love all over again with the old buildings, churches, etc.. It is something I have always had a passion for in America and it is such a great feeling to be able to go and see all of these old and beautiful places in person.
Work is still going quite well. No two days have yet to be the same and some of the things students say make all the effort worthwhile. For example, I have been teaching at a company in the area that deals with elevators. I am there for the day, and so things tend to get a little slow in the afternoon. It was just about the end of a class when one of my students told me very proudly that I was a horny teacher. Yes, that's right, a horny teacher. As you can imagine my face turned about 50 shades of red. The poor guy knew he had made a horrible mistake by the laughing of his classmates and the expression on my face. Trying to clear the situation up he frantically started repeating the German word, "geil, geil! You are a geil teacher!". Geil is used in German the same was the cool in used in English. However, geil has more then one meaning... other then cool is also means horny. So, this poor guy looked up geil on the internet dictionary leo and of course one of the English translations is horny. After the laughter had died down one of his classmates explained to him what he exactly had just told me and then it was his turn to turn red. I am sure that poor guy has never been so happy to see the end of class before so he could run out the door! But, it's crazy little things like that, that happen more often then one would think, that make the job worth everything. I also have been taking on more and more companies, which has been working out really well. I teach at all different types, from computer companies to cosmetic companies. That is the bet of course- free makeup!!
Tobi and I booked our flights to visit America in the summer. He will be going to a conference there right around the same time my friend Brian will be getting married, so we decided to take a few weeks off and make a vacation out of it. I will be back in NY at the end of July, and then the first week of August we will head over to the West Coast for some traveling and vacationing. I can't wait to be back in Cali. with the always perfect weather, never ending sunshine, and palm trees!!! If I were ever to move back to the States Cali would be the place for me. No more of the cold, harsh, Northeast winters- that's for sure!
Although it's nice to be going back to the States this summer, I wish that people from the States would come to visit me! It is so beautiful here and there is so much to see and do. I really would like to be able to share all of this with my friends and family. But, so far no one has made an attempt :-( It can be a bit difficult at times living here and having all of my close friends and ocean away. I promise a place to stay and lots of fun! So- come visit!!!

back in NY

Christmas is over, New Year's is approaching, and I have been back in upstate NY for about 2 weeks now. I was very sad/nervous/excited about coming home and thus far those feelings have remained true. I was just starting to feel at home in Stuttgart and did NOT want to leave our wonderful, big, new apartment. What worried me more is that I really thought I would come home and it would still feel like my home, setting me back to square one when I return to Germany. I am so happy and relieved to say that I know this will not be the case. Despite the fact that I have lived here in Albany for the entirety of my life I see things in a very different light now.

For those of you who know me well, this next statement will come as a shock. But, I am here to report that Dunkin' Donuts coffee is absolutely horrible. For as long as I have been drinking coffee I thought it didn't get any better then a hazelnut coffee from this chain coffee shop. I could not have been more wrong! On my way home from the city (which I must thank Paul, again, for picking me up in the madness!) we stopped for some coffee. All while going through passport control, customs, and waiting for my bags to finally be released I was dreaming of having a great cup of coffee from Dunkin' Donuts like I had so many times in the past. When the time finally came and I took my first sip I had to take the top off of my to-go cup to see if it was indeed filled with coffee! It looked like coffee and even had a faint coffee sent, but when I took another sip all I could taste was warm water. Disgusting. I concluded that it must've been the fact that we stopped at a rest stop on the interstate and not a "real" Dunkin' Donuts shop that made the coffee taste so blah. I had been traveling for close to 24 hours at that point and was unwilling to accept the fact that my favorite coffee was, in fact, shit. So, the following morning I tried again and went to a proper DD shop. Again, I was served brown water. All I can say is thank God for world domination by Starbucks.

Another thing I have realized since being here is how far away everything really is and how vast it all seems here. You really have to drive everywhere. I have become all too used to running down the street to the grocery store, bakery, movie rental, etc..., but here it is impossible to go anywhere without the use of a vehicle. I have been lucky to have friends and family who are always out and willing to drive me to places when need be. It was odd for me at first to not have a car in Stuttgart, but after some time I have come to enjoy walking or (now that it is cold) taking the bus and U-bahn. I started to forget how dependent I used to be on a car. However, after being here for only a day I remembered real fast the importance of having one. As odd as it may sound, I am really looking forward to getting back to living life via public transportation in Benz-town. :-)


Despite these couple of realizations about my hometown, not all has been an eye opening experience for only me. I had a great time spending the holiday with my family and close friends, and had the opportunity to introduce them to Gluwein while sharing photos from my summer travels. I am still the only person in my immediate as well as extended family that has a passport, but hopefully my beautiful pictures from Switzerland, Paris, and Germany (of course!) helped to sway some minds and get them motivated enough to at least apply for one!

With the New Year having already past in Germany and approaching here in NY it is time for me to prepare for the festivities that lay ahead. Happy New Year to all!

birthday fun

This past Friday I celebrated my 25th birthday, and my first birthday here in Germany. Although I missed Bomber's MEGA-rita and celebrating with familiar friends and family, I had a great time here. My birthday started around 7 a.m. when Tobi surprised me singing "Happy Birthday" with a cake and candles and everything. I was quite shocked that he had planned all of this, but I was very flattered that he made such an effort so early in the morning :-) We had some coffee and I got to open my gifts over breakfast. I was very surprised that Tobi's parents had sent gifts- they gave me one of my favorite perfumes, Dolce & Gabanna Light Blue, as well as Moleskine weekly planner to help me keep track of my schedule and where I need to travel to for work. I absolutely love the planner and can't wait for the New Year to come so I can start using it! Tobi surprised me yet again with my birthday gift as well. He gave me a very stylish and practical George Gina & Lucy messenger bag. It is such a versatile bag that can be worn messenger style or on the shoulder. And it is big enough to fit my books and papers in for work, but also stylish enough to use on a night out. I have gotten nothing but compliments on it since I have had it! I was very happy and impressed that he picked such a perfect gift all on his own :-) That afternoon I met Sherrie and Liana downtown for some coffee and cake at Starbucks. Sherrie gave me a tic-tac-toe game where the X's and O's are mini shot glasses- I can't wait to play! After coffee Liana left for work and Sherrie and I went for some sushi! :-) I then had to go to a teacher's meeting at work where I treated everyone to some homemade chocolate chip cookies. Tobi met me after work and we went out to dinner at an amazing Asian restaurant. Afterwards we met some friends out and celebrated late into the evening. One of Tobi's co-workers gave me a mini bottle of Jager, which I thought was very thoughtful. Liana also brought a birthday gift out- mini bottles of different flavored Absolute vodka as well as some really yummy tasting lip gloss (she knows my weakness!). I posted some pictures up on facebook as well as myspace for all who would like to check them out! All in all, I can say despite not being home I had an amazing birthday and am happy I got to celebrate it here in Stuttgart with some pretty great people :-)

coming together at last

After starting to come to terms with the fact that I would be in limbo here in Germany unable to work until at least November, I received and e-mail and was able to finally get my new visa! I GOT MY VISA! I GOT MY VISA! I GOT MY VISA! I have been officially working since Thursday, and I am already schedule to start teaching on Monday evening. It is such an unbelievable feeling to finally be able to work, and more importantly, make some money! I seems like I have been waiting forever for everything to be situated, but now that it is I couldn't be happier.Finally, everything is coming together at last :)

visa hell, but still feels like home

It is now the 15th day I should be working, yet am unable to. When I accepted a new English teaching job I had to apply to change my visa since I will now be working under a contact. Little did I know I would be sucked back into the German system for weeks again. I already have a visa that allows me to work as a freelancer, which is quite difficult to obtain since essentially you are seen as being self-employed. So, when I was offered a contract position I thought it would be a quick form to fill out and then everything would be settled. Again, I was too naive and hopeful. Despite the fact that the German government would prefer for foreigners to work under a contract (which is why it is so difficult to get a freelance visa), they seem to be taking their sweet ass time and making it more difficult then ever for me! It is going on week 4 of waiting, and I have yet to hear that it has progressed at all. What makes it even more upsetting is that since I already have a visa I am guaranteed the new one, it is just a matter of them switching it to a different type. But, with contract positions it is a whole new procedure and the government needs to make sure that an unemployed German cannot fill the position I am being offered. But, since my position requires that the person filling it is a native English speaker, I would think it wouldn't be too hard to figure out that no matter how many unemployed Germans they look at none are going to be native English speakers. I must assume that this is a difficult task though, since this is all they have to check before providing me with my new visa. Now, if this really is so difficult (which I highly doubt) I still have a hard time convincing myself that this takes 4 weeks to complete! But, no matter how many times i go downtown to check the status of my visa in hopes that it is there and someone just forgot to contact me, I always wind up coming home crushed. It has been driving me absolutely crazy not being able to work and even more so not having a steady income. I really hope that this changes soon- I don't know how much longer I can take having all the time in the world, but having no money to go out and do things and enjoy it. It really is rather depressing. But, despite all of that I still wake up every morning thinking that today will be the day I get a call or e-mail stating that my visa is ready and I can start working tomorrow. If I didn't have at least this little shred of hope left I would really lose all control.

On a brighter note though, Stuttgart is starting to slowly feel more like home. This past week I watched a co-worker's pets for a couple of days while she was out of town. It was so great to have some sort of responsibility back in my life, and it proved to me that the Swabians are not totally ice. In this region of Germany the people keep very much to themselves, I think, and if you are not from around here that makes things very difficult. Being a foreigner I was starting to think the people here were completely hopeless, but while walking the dog I saw a side that instilled a little hope in me. People would constantly ask the name of the dog, or stop to pet her- very unusual for a Swabian to even look at you while walking on the streets. It was quite a comfort to see that they do have a soul after all! Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, I recognized someone at Starbucks on Sunday. Tobi and I went downtown and did a little window shopping, then decided to pop in a relax with some java drinks. While we were there a friend of mine, Sherrie, came in- totally out of coincidence. It was such a great feeling to be downtown and running into someone I know. I am sure this probably sounds rather silly, but it has been so long since I have been anywhere and ran into someone I actually know. It really made me feel like I am finally making Stuttgart a home and not just an extended vacation. It's funny how the simplest of things make my day, but it is also such a great experience to truly cherish things that I always took for granted back home.

Volksfest

This past weekend I had the opportunity to experience my first Volksfest, and what an experience it was. Every fall and spring the city of Stuttgart has a festival, which I believe comes from the age old tradition of being granted the right to have an open market twice a year. Now, it is more like a small version of Oktoberfest in München (still the 2nd biggest "Oktoberfest" in the world, about 4 Million visitors). Tobi and I arrived a little early so I could check everything out. From the S-Bahn you could see the huge Ferris wheel, which is apparently the biggest portable one in the world. There were rides and games everywhere and it reminded me of a fair or carnival that everyone goes to at least once in America. Then came the beer tents. There were 3 main tents on the grounds, with a few smaller ones as well. Each tent is sponsored by a different brewery and each brewery brews a special beer for the occasion. Altogether we were a group of 20, and had reservations in one of the main tents. In order to reserve a table in any of the tents you are required to prepay for drinks and food in advance. In our tent each person was required to purchase vouchers for 3 liters or beer and half of a chicken. By the end of the 2nd liter everyone was standing on the benches and singing along with the band and attempting to dance without falling and breaking their neck- all while not spilling the beer! After a valiant effort at my 4th liter of beer and one crazy ride later, we were on our way home around 10:30 that evening. The following morning I woke up feeling like I had drank 4 liters of beer, and to my surprise a very swollen left hand from holding the glasses all evening! My recovery time for this event was a good 3 to 4 days, and it seemed like every day I would find a new bruise :-P A Picture is worth a thousand words, so how better to describe this event then through candid photos. It was one of the best times I have had here in Stuttgart and I am already looking forward to the festival in the spring!