I despise the phrase "I don't have time". It actually makes me angry when people say it because it's just plain wrong; we all have the same damn amount of time allotted each day. The difference is we all prioritize our time differently and that is what we all need to recognize. You have time - 24 hours in a day - and you are instead choosing to go work out, study, or sit in bed and relax. You know what? That's ok because that's your higher priority and we all need to prioritize things.
I've missed blogging a lot these past few months, but it's not because I haven't had time. I've had the same amount of time as all of the all-star bloggers churning out posts alongside full-time jobs. Instead, I've chosen to prioritize the new things in my life such as my master's program, a new job, making friends, and discovering Munich. I cannot say I've 100 percent reached the high bar at any of these things, but I've succeeded in each them enough to continue moving forward with them all, knowing my effort is worth it. As I continue to adjust to this new life of mine (because it is truly a 180 from my past time in Germany), I hope to find time to blog more regularly. For now, I will blog when I want to and when I feel the time is right, like right now.
I am entering my second Christmas break in Germany and it sure feels well-deserved this go around. Before I even moved to Germany, Munich was my city of choice. Life had other plans for me and directed me to Karlsruhe and it sure was meant to be there, but this year, my time for this special city finally came.
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Marienplatz[/caption]
I've only been living in Munich just over three months, but so much has happened since then. My transition to Munich has been as easy as it could be. Here's a bit of how I've spent my time these last three months.
I started my masters degree and already took my first 2 of 6 semester exams. The semester ends February 15, so I will be spending my second Christmas in a row in Germany due to my next four exams beginning at the end of January. Unfortunately, my bachelor's-degree-style night-before-the-exam cramming doesn't fly here, so I will be catching up on school during my holidays, with some mega guilt free relaxation in the mix.
Although I won't be home at Christmas, I will be traveling to Texas, New York City, and Boston during my semester break in March. I've never been to NYC or BOS, so booking this trip was extremely exciting. But, what makes it pee-my-pants exciting is that I'll have the Freund in tow. He's been to the US, but never with me, and certainly not to Texas, and I can hardly handle the excitement.
I found a job! This is exciting as it is a) a fantastic resume builder and b) finances my studies here, a.k.a. no student loans. The 20 hours/week is killing me alongside my 24 hours/week of class, but it's working out and I'm slowly finding the balance. I'm working on a team that enables project managers push their projects through on time and also implements lean and agile programs and processes.
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Campeon, Neubiberg[/caption]
Growing up in Houston, I think you realize that one day a large chunk of your day will be spent commuting, but I of course never envisioned my commuting to be by train. Well, with half of my classes 1 hour away (thankfully only this semester) and work 30 minutes away, I spend a lot of time on trains and subways. It's less than glamorous and I now understand why people complain about the DBahn. Nevertheless, I'm thankful that at least I can read, Internet surf, etc. and am not stuck in traffic behind the wheel (even if I am stuck waiting in the cold for a late S-Bahn).
I don't know if you remember what the travesty that was my former kitchen looked like when I moved in, but as my friend so eloquently put it, we "went from an Opel to a Ferarri". German kitchens are not built-in like our uber-expensive US versions, so it's actually pretty easy to upgrade. After several issues including a broken oven and a leaking sink, our landlord finally bit the bullet and bought us a new kitchen. We picked up this puppy from an incredible penthouse flat in Munich because the owners "did not like the color" anymore. We would have taken a purple kitchen at this point, so we feel a bit like we hit the jackpot, especially after learning our landlord stingied his way into paying less than 1000 Euros for everything, appliances included! It's got all the snazzy German Siemens appliances and we also added a dishwasher to our appliance offerings. I wasn't thinking about moving before, but you bet I'll be staying put through my degree.
I've also survived my first several weeks in a long-distance relationship. The fact that I would not get any studying done if the Freund lived here is about the only positive, but I'm dealing in special thanks to reduced train fares and Google Hangouts.
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I've been able to enjoy Christmas time in Germany. The Christmas markets really are something special and Munich has handfuls of them to experience. Walking down the main shopping streets, it's impossible not to get to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, which is the actual essence holiday time to me. I always know the holidays are here when the stores are packed and the lights are on. It's hard being away during the holidays, there's no arguing it. Come the 25th, I'm sure it will be hard not to shed a tear or twenty (I cry entirely too easily), but I'm also looking forward to my first holiday with the Freund and others. Germany is experiencing a very mild winter, but I'm at least hoping for some snow south in the mountains because a fun day trip is in order!
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Perhaps most importantly, I've made some new friends that I could not do any of this without. Without these people, I could not sit through a lecture, and with them, I sometimes don't have to as we march right out of those four-hour lectures during the coffee break. We can complain to each other nonstop, and no one complains about all our complaining. That's friends right there.
When I rebranded my blog, I wanted each post to have a purpose, to be well-written, and to help out someone. I realize this checks none of those boxes, but sometimes I like to break my own rules (this is very clear when I put myself on a diet). It feels good to blog again and I hope to be around again shortly. Until then, I ask everyone to reconsider their words next time they want blame a lack of time for not doing something. Let's all eliminate that lame excuse from our lives. I wish everyone the happiest of holidays!
Frohe Weihnachten!
32 comments
Even if your posts are far and few, I still look forward to them :) it sounds like you're having a great time in Munich! xo
ReplyDeleteI loved this post. You talk about the good and the bad....not acting like it is a perfect fairytale. I am trying very very hard to get my job to let me work in Germany at one of the U.S. military bases (they need civilians too on the bases). I hope it works out - reading your blog has reaffirmed the wish I have to live in Germany, even if it is only six months...
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are having a good time - although Christmas is always a bit tough when you're in a foreign country.
ReplyDeleteThe Glühwein glasses are incredible - that's a month's serving in each of them! Perhaps that might be the answer to beat the Christmas blues ...
It's all about prioritizing! Have missed you, but realize beer drinking with friends > blogging. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post!!!! You really hit the nail on the head. I will think twice before using that again!
ReplyDeleteAs a new mum, I've recently been faced with a whole new set of challenges when it comes to prioritising. I'm studying for a BSc, I blog a couple of times a week, and I make time to visit the gym too. A lot of my friends (especially the ones with kids) wonder how I do it, but the fact is that all these things are important to me (and my degree cannot wait) so I find time to do them. None of what I do is particularly perfect - my grades have dropped at uni (although not badly) and my blogging (and related tasks) has been greatly reduced - but that doesn't matter. Doesn't stop me from feeling exhausted, but makes me feel a whole lot better about my time than sitting in front of the TV. Sounds like your life is really full and satisfying - isn't that what it's all about?
ReplyDeleteFrohe Weihnachten Alex! It's great to hear and update and I think your decision to put LIFE first was absolutely the best thing you can possibly do in a new city. Good for you! Hope you enjoy your free moments of Christmas holidays to the fullest :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post, thanks! We love Munich too, I'll bet you really dig living there. And the Christmas markets, so much fun! Are you sure that was glue-wine? Those are huge glasses you're holding. So glad you've found good friends to hang with, bitch with, etc, that's critical in grad school (and every other phase too!). Now that we no longer live in Europe, I live vicariously through the excellent writing of you and others, so don't feel like your post didn't "check off any boxes" or help anyone. And I hope your fella enjoys visiting the US with a personal travel agent and guide, I'll bet y'all have a blast. Merry Christmas from Nashville!
ReplyDeleteI love this post alex!! i agree- it really is easy to say "I don't have time" but it is still an excuse. and i love the idea of having a purpose on the blog (although I break that rule a lot myself)
ReplyDeleteI heard it said if you want something to get done, give it to a busy person. I am always most productive when I have a lot on my plate. I totally agree - it just depends on how people choose to spend their time. Looks like you are settling in nicely, how great you've found a nice pocket of friends. Enjoy your time as you want to spend it. This is something I did a bit of for myself this year too. Instead of blogging, I spent more time working on my writing, which is fiction, not blog stuff!
ReplyDeleteIt's so true, I'm a million times more productive these days. Hopefully next semester it can include a little more blogging, too.
ReplyDeleteYou always find time and it is beyond impressive - teach me your ways!
ReplyDeleteI think the glasses are deceiving... it's actually still only 0.25L (they're super thick, but they are cool frosted mugs). Thanks for your kind words Jaymo, Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteFrohe Weihnachten! Please tell me if you're ever in Munich :)
ReplyDeleteIt is what it's all about - there's always obstacles and things to do, but prioritizing them and figuring out what makes you feel best is ultimately the most important as feeling good affects others, too.
ReplyDeleteI think that's why we get each other, drinking beer > all. Merry Christmas Cat!
ReplyDeleteThanks Holly - happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteVery cool, Jordan! Fingers-crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteHahaha or in my case, a half-days serving of Glühwein ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jordan! Will you be around Munich anytime next year? Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAnother excellent post! What has been lacking in quantity is overwhelmed by supreme quality.
ReplyDeleteYou are everything a Father could ask for in his offspring: 1) smart - check, 2) happy - check, 3) independent - check, 4) passionate - check, 5) thoughtful - check, 6) handsome - check, and more - check again & again.
o
Sounds like you've settled in well in Munich.
ReplyDeleteFrohe Weihnachten Alex! Hope it's a wonderful one.
Loved this glimpse into your new Munich life, Alex! Sounds like you're building a great life for yourself! And that new kitchen looks better than any WG-kitchen I ever had! :) Fröhliche Weihnachten!
ReplyDeleteAlex! I actually might be in Munich next month for my birthday! :) Would love to meet up if I going. MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! xo
ReplyDeleteSo glad to read you're doing well! It's all about good time management - until recently I was travelling to London for work every day and it killed me to spend 4 hours of my day on a train. Sucks.
ReplyDeleteThat is a fantastic kitchen; I am severely jealous. Good post - I think it's similar to what I said a while back when I posted about people who said I was "so lucky" to be able to travel. If it's important to you, you make the time and you just do it. I still have people come back to me months after that post to tell me why their decision to have children, marry, etc etc etc is why they can't travel, and I still think that their choices, however valid, are still not an excuse for not traveling if they want to.
ReplyDeleteIt's a rough comparison, but I think you get my point.
I'm glad to see you updating, by the way. My own posting has slowed way down because I'm having a difficult time thinking of posts that would be longer than a single paragraph. That's an entirely different problem.
By the way, I've never been to Boston either, and I'm quite jealous of you because it's on my list. I have been to Texas, but only Dallas-Ft. Worth.
Glad to hear you're doing well! And your kitchen is seriously fabulous.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying Munich!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great eye opener leaving there throughout last year and I am glad you are going home!
http://www.distinguisheddiva.com/
Yep, totally true. You can pack all kinds of stuff into these 24 hours if you really, really want to. I'm totally amazed at what I can achieve these days, and I have less time for myself than I've ever had before! Glad things are going well for you in Munich... looking forward to your next update, whenever it comes :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're having a great time, Munich looks lovely and I NEED to visit Bavaria whilst i'm so near.
ReplyDeleteSo well put, and I completely agree! I think that there are things I genuinely would do if I had infinite time (whereas there are others that the truth is I would never get around to doing even with all the time in the world), but you're right that it's a question of priorities.
ReplyDeleteI agree that quality is better than quantity when it comes to blogging, though I hope you make it back soon!!
I like your new kitchen, it does look better than the one that was previously there!
ReplyDelete