My Easter food
New Year’s Resolutions and Reflections
I wanted to put up a New Year’s resolutions post during the New Year (or at least the week before it), but because of a ton of events, I was unable to. And boy, I have some resolutions this year that will be a challenge to keep.
So, here are my resolutions for 2012:
1.) LEARN GERMAN, and don’t be so shy and self-conscious about trying to speak the language. Admittedly, my lack of German is a big mountain to scale, but the bigger thing that’s pulling me back is how SHY I am about practicing the speaking part of it. It’s creating a harder-than-diamond barrier between me and everything—- my job, the KVR, and even the smaller, stupider things, like signing up for the internet, or getting a cell phone… things I wouldnt even think twice about are now larger than life. It’s so stupid because my coworkers have been trying to help, the waiters at my favorite restaurant in the city have been trying to encourage me, but I have been so stupidly shy. And this really needs to STOP.
Obviously learning the language is something that can’t be achieved within one year (but getting over the shyness—- that can be achieved in a couple months!!). If it means my iPod will be filled with nothing but learning German so I am forced to listen to that instead of music, then so be it. But with lots of concentrated energy, I know it’s possible. Which leads me to my next resolution…
2.) Concentrate my forces. Prioritize what’s important and what’s not, and follow through. Focusing has always been a life-long issue for me. There have been times where I am convinced I have ADD. Fortunately, being in the current situation that I’m in, I am forced to tackle this issue to see if I truly have ADD or not. Taking the time to learn and study German is one of the top. Learning Ventuz and the quirks of my workplace is another top priority. Obtaining a motorcycle or a driver’s license is also a priority, but not for this year. And probably not for next year either. If I need to buy a computer for home because I have to learn Ventuz (another goal of mine this year) then I will drop the cash to do so. Anything that will help me get by here. No more wasting money and time on frivolous things (like typing up my resolutions on my blog LOL) And speaking of money, let me tell you my third resolution…
3.) Be financially independent. Another thing that will take more than a year. More than a decade, even. I want my net worth to reach millionaire status by the time I retire. I want to have that feeling of when something happens to me—- a major injury, or losing my job, or something, I am able to live comfortably without having to freak out and scrounge for money or mooch from relatives. Not that my family would turn me away if I asked, but I want them to know that they have nothing to worry about. Even more—- I want to have enough money to give to the charities I care for the most when I am older.
This cannot happen if I don’t learn to start saving money. It doesnt matter how much I earn, if that money is spent that money is gone. And being the young un that I am in my twenties, I have A LOT of time to reach that goal. But time is ticking, and it’s time to get serious.
4.) Exercise daily. Again. This was my resolution last year and I did SUCH a great job in keeping it for a fairly long time. I ran 5-10km 3x/week, ate healthy, etc. etc. I even achieved the figure that I aimed for! That is, until… Oktoberfest came along. After that, the whole healthy lifestyle just jumped off a cliff and now I am back to where I was before I moved out here LOL. So yes, gotta take up on that again
And so, that’s it! That’s 3 less resolutions compared to the 7 I had last year.
REFLECTIONS:
2010 was a year of reflection and growth. 2011 was a year of adaptation to see if I truly applied said reflection and growth. Being so far from the familiarity of friends and family and into a new world, unknown language, and different culture is a very hard lifestyle one has to go through, but it’s not impossible as demonstrated by countless people. It’s one thing to take a vacation and experience how people live, but when you are expected to live like them it’s a different ballgame. Especially at my age. Especially in this fast-paced world where everything is given to you so quickly, so “conveniently” that it’s so easy to lose focus. That is the biggest challenge for me to undertake, and it will take more than a year’s worth of resolutions to achieve. I feel that if I manage to do this, it will open tons of doors.
2011 was a pretty hard year, but I loved every second of it. With getting used to Germany and his quirks to visiting family and friends overseas, I gained 1000⁹+ EXP points this year. It definitely made me take a huge step back and appreciate the things I have/had, who my real friends are, and most of all, relate to people, because that was the #1 thing I really suck at doing.
Mad props go to my family and friends in the States who have been so supportive and motivating. Most notably, I want to thank these two guys I met early in the year: Raf and Erik (another Erik that lives here in Munich). Raf because he is the one that introduced me to Erik, the very first person I met in Munich. And thank God for Erik because man, without this guy, I would’ve been SO LOST when dealing with the KVR to get my visa. And getting a cell phone. And setting up the internet. I also probably would’ve gone back to the States had it not been for him because he also hooked me up with a really fucking awesome job. I love the people at my workplace, I love the job, I just. Love. EVERYTHING. So really, I feel like I owe a lot to these two guys for giving me a big jump start.
Honestly, I can’t find myself moving back to the States and being happy about it. The only way I would move back is if I was FORCED to move back.
So! Cheers to an awesome 2012, yeah? YEAH!!!
(sorry for the long entry, you guys! XD)
Creepy Santa doesnt look so creepy anymore. In fact he looks inviting… and somehow a little lonely… )O:
Though it seems everyday the family puts out new things. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a Christmas tree there one day. It’s like the Advent Calendar… what will they put out next? XD
Today (a Monday!!) at work I walked in to a small surprise on my desk: My very first Advent Calendar! (I feel like a little kid, but whatever! This was really exciting! XD) my colleague Birgit and I were talking about it because I’ve never heard of them, so she bought me one! There are chocolates behind the flaps.
Thank you Birgit!! <33
I went on a trip to America for work in November, but pictures from that may or may not be up here. It was so refreshing and nice to see my parents and friends again.
However, when I came back, I found a big surprise in the heart of Munich!! The Christmas market was up! And they are EVERYWHERE. The Christmas season is finally upon us!!!! YAYYYY~~!~!~!!
Tomorrow I was supposed to go to Nuremberg for their epic Christmas market, but I came down with a fever and now I cant go )O; Impeccable timing >:[ Next Sunday we are planning a trip though.
Gluehwein (mulled wine) is SO TASTY. I really love the cinnamon-y spice they add to the wine~~ and the way it wams your hands on a cold cold day~~ Who needs gloves when you have GLUEHWEIN~~~~~~ YUMMY~~~~
I spent day 5 with LE FLO. DIE ISY was supposed to come, but things happened on her end and she wasn’t able to )O;
YES, I rode on that amazing sky-high swing ride. It was WAY TOO SHORT. But the view is amaaaaazing. There were so many people, and they were really tiny, like ants! XD Here is a video! Please ignore my stupid voice, and I recommend you turn the volume down a bit because the wind will probably blow your speakers out.
This guy was HILARIOUS. Him and his friend that was laughing hysterically in the background (you can kind of hear her! Her laugh is AMAZING). My gut hurt from laughing at him so much. (no, it wasn’t the last day of Oktoberfest that day; perhaps the last NIGHT, but not last day) HEUT IST SO A SCHOENER TAG LALALALA~
We tried looking for a place to sit, but it was SO CROWDED, the task seemed impossible! Until… we found this small…….. hut. And it was a celebration inside ~~~ヾ(＾∇＾) BTW, the song playing in this video was the song the guy above was trying to sing. LOL
Unfortunately I dont have pictures from Day 6. That day was spent in a tent, and I met two crazy brothers! They were sooo funny.
Day 4 was spent with EL THIEMO, LE FLO, and DIE ISY. XD The dirndl I was wearing on this day was Isy’s.
DAT WHIP. You think it would be easy to crack a whip, but NO. IT’S NOT. There is a crazy technique you have to master in order to get that cracking sound, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldnt get it to crack :O(
BTW//////// That corn man makes a really great landmark. It’s so easy to get lost in Oktoberfest, but when you need to meet up with your party all you need to say is “Wait for me by the corn man” and people will know what you’re talking about. LOL.
Day 3 of Oktoberfest was spent with colleagues. On this night, I drank 4L of beer over the span of 7 hours. That is equivalent to 2 2L bottles of Coke, and that is saying A LOT. I didnt know I was even capable of doing that.
Day 2 of Oktoberfest was taken place in a tent! Hanging out outside is very nice, but the tent.. The tent is a whole ‘nother dimension. It can get pretty insane inside! And I dont say this in a bad way either. You know how they say the best kind of drunks are happy drunks? Think of that, and shove all happy drunks inside a tent, and BAM! As soon as you walk inside, happiness just hits you on the chest. It’s great! I will shut up now, and show a video:
It really is an experience inside those tents. If you know people that can get you inside (on certain days it is REALLY hard to get in) and they invite you, DON’T turn the invitation down!!
Oktoberfest.
OH OKTOBERFEST, MY 2nd FAVOURITE TIME OF THE YEAR (Christmas being the first). Everything that you hear about Oktoberfest—- think about that, then add 3x the intensity. And by intensity I mean the intensity of FUN.
Oktoberfest runs for two weeks, and I went 6 days out of the 14. THAT’S how fun it is! It’s soo much better when you are in the tents and singing the songs. Apparently the alcohol content is slightly higher in the beer than usual during this time of the year. It’s very easy to get drunk. I only need 2L and I am gone. But if you want to get to the point of being trashed out of your mind, get ready to drop 50 EUR. It’s not very cheap, but it is well worth the experience for a first timer. ALso, make sure you have someone to take care of you. Munich’s police are notoriously strict and will not tolerate aggressive behaviour.
But really, I hope some of you guys will visit during that time of the year! Hotels are EXTREMELY difficult to find, and since I live in Munich, not only do you not have to worry about finding a hotel, but lodging will be FREE! :D Spend all of that money that could have gone to lodging on BEER! So think about it, yeah?
On the first day I went with EL THIEMO and LE FLO. We were SOO lucky to catch Oktoberfest during a sunny day; the weather was BEAUTIFUL! Actually most of Oktoberfest had really really awesome weather. AWESOME!!
Yes, I used half a roll of bread as an ashtray, lol
A small preview of my dirndl and what is coming up, hohoho!
Oktoberfest is coming! But first, I need to select my pictures.
The best part of Hawaii was seeing everyone I havent seen in a long time since my move to Germany. I had a really great time catching up with them. It’s crazy how much things change in a span of less than a year! Life really moves fast.
