piece of cake

I did it! I taught my first official private English lesson last night. I was quite worried all day, wondering how everything was going to flow, if my student would be able to understand anything I said, and if I was going to be able to understand him. But, after it was over I felt so relieved and could not believe how amazingly easy it really was! I had papers, notes, and texts prepared not really knowing what to expect, and it turns out he wanted to write a thank you letter to a company he had recently visited. I got paid (in Euros!) to write a thank you note- it does not get any better then that! :)

Serendipity

Just when I thought I had everything figured out here, serendipity strikes again. Today would have been Day 2 of my training at Berlitz. But, after a crazy couple of days, many hours of rationalizing with Tobi, and a final chat with Liana, I quit my job at Berlitz before it even started. On Friday morning I received a call from Wall Street. By noon I was in at an interview. By 5 p.m. they called and offered me a position. It's such a great feeling to have job offers thrown at you like that :) Also, quite a stroke of luck seeing as though I was supposed to start training this week. I am very thankful that it all worked out (and so thankful for Liana who helped!) and I feel much better about working here now. Before I was going to work on a freelance basis, which leaves a lot of opportunities open for you, but also creates a bit more stress. As a freelancer you are essentially self-employed, and with that comes a lot of extra paperwork. With this job at Wall Street I am employed by them, therefore everything I would be responsible for if I was freelancing is now taken care of by them. Even better, they give me an unlimited contract! While there are many benefits that come with freelancing, for me it is a much sweeter deal to have a contract position. The contract entitles me to public health insurance, paid vacation, paid sick time, commuting reimbursement, and a guaranteed pay check every month! And the best part, they also pay for my training, so by accepting this position I don't lose out on any money that I could have earned if I stayed with Berlitz. As spontaneous as it all is, I think I will be much happier at this school. As crazy as my life seems here sometimes, I absolutely love every day of it and wouldn't want to be anywhere else! :)

never going home

... well, not exactly. But, after many long hours and sleepless nights I FINALLY was approved for my residence permit and working visa! It is still so surreal to think about.. I am a resident of Germany! I can stay for a year as of right now, and then just apply for an extension when the time comes. I have never been so happy.... my deportation is no longer postponed, but I am able to live and work freely! YAY!!! I will be back in NY around Christmas time to see friends and family and then leave to come back after New Year's. Until then...

Sundays

September is upon us, which in America means football season. Not football as the rest of the world knows it, but real, rough, touchdown scoring, field goal kicking American football! I was a bit disappointed that I would not be able to watch the NY Giants play this season... until Sunday, that is. Through the Internet we were able to hook up the computer to the big screen and watch football in surround sound LIVE! Sundays spent relaxing, drinking a couple beers, and watching football are back and I love it! I thank God I have such a technologically savvy boyfriend who accepts my need for football... now, if only we could get House.....