It's Been A Long Time, Freund(in)!!

Na ja, it's been a tremendously long time since I've written on my blog, and I have a perfect explanation why it's taken me so long.

Because, you know, reasons.

Like, life happened, and then I brought life into the world, and things like that. I took a break from assessing my life and the actions around it and decided to concentrate on living (and enjoying) it. Also, and this is definitely the biggest reason, I started a new blog a couple of years ago, and I've been spending most of my time with that one - albeit sporadically.

Since then, I hopped back into teaching German at the University, only this time at California State instead of at Universities in Germany, and at this point I've already made the decision to hop back out, lol.

I'd love to reconnect with you, and there's been way too much going on lately for me to recap everything in one quick blog post! Instead, I invite you to visit me at atinaatwood.com follow me on Twitter @RealAtinaAtwood and be my friend on Facebook (seriously, I have NO friends there, lol).

I look forward to seeing you!!

Wir Sind Weltmeister!

Wir sind Weltmeister! For those of you who are fans of soccer like my husband and I are – or just of the World Cup, which is totally acceptable as a bone fide American – this has really been a memorable summer for ‘Schland. It’s kind of hilarious that so many people have been congratulating me as though Germany winning the World Cup has been my personal victory. Alrighty then. If anything, I am gracious, so thank you.

This Friday marks the first year anniversary of us leaving Germany for California. It’s amazing how quickly time flies – especially when you’re having fun. Or doing too much. Or both. That’s pretty much how it’s been all year.

Of course, it’s impossible not to reflect and think about how things were a year ago. We were jumping in headfirst into an uncertain situation with a blindfold on, leaving a very comfortable life for an opportunity to live in another amazing city on another continent, sight relatively unseen (excepting a road trip in 2010). In order to do that, we had to knowingly give away a vast majority of our material goods, say farewell to beloved friends and family, and be prepared to live a life less… European.

So far, life in the San Francisco Bay Area has been great for us. Taking time away from blogging has given me much needed time to acclimate to my new surroundings and complete my fourth book; instead of analyzing my new life, I allowed myself to just live it for a while. Still, over the past few months in the US, I’ve come to the realization that in many ways, over the years, I’ve become irreparably Germanized. So much so, many people automatically assume that I was born and raised in Germany (no siree – I’m a G.R.I.T.S. through and through). This is a condition that I’m okay with, but it has led me into some pickles in the past year.

1. I really, really want people to be on time when I make an appointment.

When someone tells me to be somewhere at 5 o’clock, I’m there on the dot. Combine this with the fact that I’m also impatient; it’s been a heck of a reverse culture shock to be somewhere and have to wait for at least 10 minutes before someone casually saunters up to me and wonders why I’m slightly irritated. No, I will not chillax – I will mentally cast you in my list of the Late Ones and habitually meet you ten minutes later than agreed upon in order to maintain a sense of calm.

2. Having a literal understanding of things is second nature to me.

It’s taking me a while to get back into the rhythm of using certain figures of speech. Once, I overheard someone say that they needed “hair of the dog”. The first thing that came to mind was a stereotypical witch creating some sort of concoction to cast a spell; the next was something similar, but in the name of Traditional Chinese Medicine (where everything, including the hair of dog, is used in remedies and treatments. For Real.) Only after some really hard eavesdropping did I conclude that the man wanted to drink more alcohol in the hopes of getting rid of his hangover. Right…

3. I code-switch like crazy.

In the middle of a conversation, I will throw in random German words and/or sentences, not realizing that this is happening until someone looks at me with a slightly bewildered expression and there’s a sudden lull in the conversation. Most of the time, I just smile, try to find the word or words that still come so easily to me auf Deutsch statt in meiner eigene Muttersprache, and move on.

So far, that’s the best lesson I’ve learned while living here in California – if something’s not quite right or feels too awkward, then simply move on. The quirkiness of the state is endearing, especially since my myriad quirks can, in many ways, be considered tame; and the atmosphere certainly encourages me to look forward and be creative. It’s such a beautiful and diverse state as well; no one has a legitimate excuse for being bored here. Living in the City is yet another adventure in the life of CountryEuroCityMouse!

Have a great week. xoxo CountryEuroCityMouse 

©2012-2014 CountryEuroCityMouse™. All rights reserved.

Searching for Bella Roma in California

It's hard to believe that we were actually in Rome last month. When you think about all of the things that can happen within a mere four-week period, it's almost mind-boggling. A few weeks ago, we were roaming around one of the most AMAZING and beautiful cities in the world; and here we are now, adjusting to life in the USA (well more specifically, California. Let's face it – in so many aspects, it's truly a world of its own).

I'm so glad that we took the time (and precious finances) to swing by Rome, though. It was amazing to go and see the glorious works of Michelangelo and Raphael in the Vatican – which is also the tiniest nation in the world, by the way.

It was also such a treat to be able to see the Coliseum up close and personal multiple times a day. We hit the Spanish steps, which to me, was nice for a picture, but wasn't my personal highlight of the trip. We also saw so many well-preserved ruins, which was a stark contrast to many we'd seen in Athens last year.

My favorite, dream-come-true place in Rome was actually the Trevi Fountain. It is such a magnificent piece of art, a true masterpiece in every sense of the word; I convinced my husband to stop there with me multiple times each day we were there. Despite the mass of tourists, you can still find many ideal spots.

Roman cuisine was a DREAM, and thank goodness we moved to the hilly San Francisco Bay Area, because I could stand to get a little more toned after all of that yummy food. Then again, San Francisco is a Foodie Haven as well…

Now that we’re in California, among other must-buys, we have to replace our beloved espresso machine. My usually laid-back husband is very European about this though, so it's taking a bit longer to find the best model that suits us both in price and features. We looked at one the other day and he immediately vetoed it with a scowl saying, "It looks like a Big Gulp could fit under that spout." Wouldn't it have been great if we could have imported a small one straight from Rome for a laughable fraction of the price? *Sigh*

In any case… if you have some great suggestions, especially in the SF area, we're definitely open to them. At the moment, we’re leaning towards the DeLonghi brand. Having a machine will certainly make mornings – especially Monday's – much more bearable. Besides, it's getting to be embarrassing having the numerous baristas recognize me by name and drink at the nearby Starbucks.

Have a great week. xoxo CountryEuroCityMouse

©2012-2013 CountryEuroCityMouse™. All rights reserved.

The Non-Traditionalist

If you're in the mood for a happy-go-lucky rainbow fairy blog entry today, I suggest you thumb through my archives. Living like a nomad will put anyone on edge, and I'm no exception. All of our possessions are on a ship somewhere, our apartment still won't be move-in ready for weeks, and we've been living out of suitcases for almost three months and counting. No – there's nothing glamorous or fun about this part for me. We've been playing The Waiting Game all year, and although good things come to those who wait, it's not so comforting when you don't have a choice in the matter.

On top of that, Now that we've relocated to the US, I feel as though I have to make a public announcement about something I had established abroad years ago. Admittedly, I rarely thematicize what I do professionally of my own volition, excepting very close friends and family. Since we've been stateside, I've been asked a few times what I intend to "do". Obviously, when you start over, you have to start over in every way. That includes employment. Usually, it takes too much effort to clarify, because I intend to do what I've been doing for years now. It's not a typical 9-5 thing; to use the official term for tax purposes, being a writer is an "Art Occupation". Moving from one continent to another and then cross-country won't change that.

But don't be deceived – this isn't an easy choice, and it's not always easy to follow through. I have plenty of bumps and scrapes and bruises, but battle scars are inevitable. Like many people, my profession has chosen me. I work my butt off doing what I love – reading by night, writing by day. Did I need a Ph.D. to do this? I guess so, because while doing that and working a traditional full-time job, what I loved most about it (besides my colleagues) was spending time after work conducting research and, oh yeah. Writing. Every night. Until 3 or 4 in the morning. Writing is a compulsion for me – it has been ever since I could hold a ridiculously large pencil in my hand. Seriously, that thing was like a wooden sword. I could wrap both of my hands around it. Ever since then, I truly believe the (slightly amended) quote attributed to Shakespeare: The pen is mightier than the sword – especially when used as a sword.

When it's a labor of love, you quickly repress the terror of birthing pains, so I've been told. I can equate my limited understanding of this to writing and producing novels. It's not just about creating a finished product. The entire process is beautiful, but it's not without effort, even if you can’t always see it. Believe me, it's a heck of a lot of work. I am forever grateful to my husband, who's been my biggest cheerleader, and my dear family and close friends who’ve been so supportive of me, my artistic ways and, ahem, mood swings for over a decade.

So, ask me what I do. (A lot.) Ask me where I work (Everywhere. Yesterday it was on a rooftop overlooking the Bay.)

Feel free to ask me about my workday, just as you would anyone else who works a typical 9 to 5. I'll be happy to share in a sentence or two, most likely without complaint (*gasp*). But, by all means, please refrain from asking me if I'm interested in getting a "real" job. I understand what you mean, but believe me, this is as real as it gets. It may not include health insurance or a 401K, but that's why you set up individual coverage, savings and retirement plans. Like you, I have good days and bad days at work.

When the day comes to a close, I'll drop my pen, shut off the electronics and enjoy a lovely California sunset. Tomorrow, I'll get back up and go to work: Create something out of nothing; make sure that it's good. Battle my inner critic, learn to love the product, package it, present it, and sell it. Stay sane. Repeat to infinity.

Have a great week. xoxo CountryEuroCityMouse

©2012-2013 CountryEuroCityMouse™. All rights reserved.

A Book Fiend's Paradise

Our new city is beautiful. On top of that, there are more bookstores and libraries in the area than I ever could have hoped for. In addition to the expected Barnes & Noble or two, there are numerous privately owned bookshops that maintain the wonderful age-old tradition of “buying, selling & trading” new and used books. Heaven!

My addiction to reading and writing began at the tender age of three. It couldn’t be helped; I was mercilessly exposed to that kind of environment from the start. Everyone around me was doing it – my mother, my father, my sister – it was nearly impossible for me not to give in to the temptation and indulge as quickly as possible. As expected, once I got a taste of it, there was no turning back.

They started me off with picture books and nursery rhymes, but it didn’t take too long for me to move on to harder stuff such as fairy tales, legends and children’s literature. As I matured, practically no mainstream genre was left untouched. When reading words wasn’t enough, spicing things up by reading music worked for a while, too. But to this day, nothing can replace the allure of a collection of words on a blank background, be it on delicious paper or a flickering screen. (Okay, see you know I have a problem when I can’t resist calling paper ‘delicious’. NEVER leave me in a stationary store unattended. I may never find my way out.)

We’ve shipped 39 huge boxes of books from Germany to California. There’ll never be enough time to extend my library to the expansive size that I want it to be; despite every book added, it remains a book too few. Honestly, if I didn’t know better, I’d swear that the library has a life of it’s own. Similar to the musical The Little Shop of Horrors, my library is the plant, and I’m hapless Seymour, feeding my voracious library book after book – yet it’s clear that there will never be enough of them to satisfy it. During a recent visit to the British Library, I realized that I was irrationally jealous of the collection. The British Library, people. At that point, it occurred to me that my addiction is likely incurable.

Oh well.

During my last few months living in Germany, I’d been obsessively trolling bookstores in my city, desperate to fill unknown holes in my collection by discovering one more perfect treasured book after another. My enabling husband seemed to view my compulsion with a combination of amusement and exasperation.

On a more specific note, if you’re as addicted to German Literature as I am, hopefully you already know that you can get your fix for free by accessing the Gutenberg Project online. Hundreds of books in the original German or in English translation are available to us all worldwide! Bwah ha ha.

Gotta love those tech-savvy suppliers.

xoxo CountryEuroCityMouse

©2012-2013 CountryEuroCityMouse™. All rights reserved.

On the Prowl

Seriously? We’ve been here less than a week and we already found our dream “starter” apartment. The best part is – we were also selected for it!

Despite the rapidity of a positive outcome, I can tell you one thing for sure – apartment hunting in the SF/Bay Area is exactly that. Hunting. You’re constantly on the prowl 24/7. Not exactly what I’d write on my Fun To Do list.

Anyway, now that the first major hurdle is behind us, it’s on to the next 423. Fortunately, we also took a breather to enjoy the gorgeous weather.

Have a great week. xoxo CountryEuroCityMouse

©2012-2013 CountryEuroCityMouse™. All rights reserved.

Goodbye Deutschland - Reality Bites

(As posted on July 24th) Fittingly, I’ve been blogging for a year this week, almost to the date. It’s amazing how so many things can happen within such a short amount of time. Well, happy anniversary, and thank you so much, dear readers, for your interest and involvement! Getting to know you from all over the world has been both an exciting and humbling experience.

The hard part is here – saying farewell. It’s a beautifully painful experience & the outpouring of love is overwhelming. The letter below is for all of my dear loved ones in Germany. Hence, I’ve written in German.

Am Ende der Woche gehe ich zurück in meine Heimat, aber ich gehe nicht zu meinem Zuhause. Mein erstes Zuhause ist bei meinen Eltern in Florida. Aber ehrlich gesagt, ich befürchte es ist für mich nicht mehr möglich nur “ein” Zuhause zu haben. Ich habe über 10 Jahre in Deutschland gelebt, dort gearbeitet und völlig in der Gesellschaft teilgenommen. Ich bin nicht nur mit einem Deutschen verheiratet – schon vor unserer Ehe habe ich seine Sprache und Kultur mit offenen Armen akzeptiert, studiert, analysiert und in mein Leben integriert. Sie sind ein Teil von mir und so wird es bleiben.

Jetzt ist es Zeit aus meiner zweiten Heimat wegzugehen… und das macht mich sehr traurig. Ich habe weder Zweifel noch Angst, sondern viele Dinge werden mir fehlen – der Alltag, die Landschaft etcetera – aber was mich am meisten traurig macht ist dass mir unsere Freunde echt fehlen werden.

Also, Danke Deutschland für alles. Danke für die guten und schlechten Zeiten und alles dazwischen. Danke für die wunderbaren Menschen, die in mein Leben gekommen sind. Danke für die Möglichkeit immer neue Facetten von mir zu entdecken, besonders wenn ich das nicht unbedingt machen wollte. Manche Dinge, die ich immer noch nicht verstehe sind geschehen, aber so wäre es überall auf der Welt gewesen, glaube ich. Also, einfach Danke für alles. Ich mag wie ich bin und meine Erfahrungen hier haben mich logischerweise stark beeinflusst.

An alle meine Freunde – ich habe euch lieb. Ich weiß, man sagt das eigentlich nicht, aber ihr spürt das…

Und bitte nicht vergessen – Friends are the family members you get to chose yourself. Danke, dass ihr Teil meiner Familie geworden seid.

With that, this chapter of my life comes to a close.

xoxo CountryEuroCityMouse

©2012-2013 CountryEuroCityMouse™. All rights reserved.

A Friendly Guide to the High-Five

Apparently, I'm "glowing". I figure that's okay as long as I'm not sparkling. Strangers have constantly been coming up to me commenting on how happy and serene I look. Thankfully, no one has asked me if I'm expecting or else I'm sure that peaceful look would have disappeared quickly. To be honest, I feel more pumped up than anything else. All of this pent-up energy is making me want to go to the gym to let off some steam. Almost.

Although I know that there are so many things that I will miss, most of all my family and dear friends, I must admit that I feel like giving perfect strangers stinging high-fives and making random fist pumps in the air a couple of times a day, so I suppose that is a clear indication that I'm feeling pretty good.

Okay, so while Americans are completely familiar with the awesomeness that is known as the High Five, and are generally taught to deliver and receive it at around nine months, in my experience, Germans have mixed reactions to it. It's kind of like the gehasst, verdammt, vergöttet (hated, doomed, adored) thing. They hate it, love it, fear it or are extremely confused by it.

If you're an American in a casual situation and something amazing just happened, watch yourself and see if you don't throw a hand up in the air, ready to slap a high five. If you're with other Americans, it'll be less than a second before there's a response to your call. Over the years in Germany, I've had to hone that ingrained reaction to give High-Fives and gauge my audience first. The few times when I've tried the exchange with Germans, aside from confusion, usually one of three awkward responses occurred.

1. The Cringe. No, the High-Five is not a form of abuse. It's like a firework – a quick burst of celebration, when you have so much uncontained joy it must be channeled through your body and out of the palm of your hand. Kind of like a superhero focusing his or her superpowers on one thing. You don't fear the High-Five. You embrace it and respond accordingly.

2. Passive Acceptance. This response always ticks me off. There is nothing passive about giving or receiving a High-Five. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. That means when you see someone's ready to slap one on you, you prepare to slap one back simultaneously - don't just stand there with a tense palm and fearful expression as if you're holding a catcher's mitt and expect a baseball to suddenly land in it. Come on, folks.

3. Retaliation. This one makes me laugh inside each time. Apparently, the fight or flight instinct kicks in, and the person looks panicked and ready to defend himself or herself. By the time they realize what's happening and recover mid-swing, they've missed the pro-offered hand by a mile. The joyful moment is replaced by embarrassment, nervous laughter and avoiding eye contact. Priceless.

Seriously, I could go on forever about the types of awkward High-Five Exchanges and comment on the timing, the accuracy of the hit, the fact that if you mess up delivery, you should not have a "do over" (try again) immediately afterwards. Once, I saw a group of grown men miss each other's gigantic hands and try three times in a row. Gents, that ship has sailed. Go home and practice, and then try again some other time. (Then again, it was in a beer garden, so there may have been other factors hindering their performance.)

Come to think of it, delivering the perfect High-Five is actually a work of art. No wonder those who haven't grown up with it seem to have such difficulties. Maybe back in the States I'll offer an Americanization course and include a lesson on it – Pass/Fail.

Have a great week. xoxo CountryEuroCityMouse

©2012-2013 CountryEuroCityMouse™. All rights reserved.

The Checkout Process

It's a strange feeling: Where we were once a part of the community, we're now finding ourselves on the fringe, ready to leave it completely in only a number of days. Although we still have about two weeks before we move from Germany, our home is already starting to feel as though it isn't ours anymore. From a materialistic perspective, everything we have has either been broken down, sold, given away, thrown away, packed into a suitcase or will be shipped in a container overseas. This process also forces us to strip ourselves bare emotionally – how do you fit over ten years of your life into 25 cubic feet?

Facing hard choices, encountering the intimidating unknown with positivity, acknowledging and confronting the daunting tasks with as much clarity and faith as possible, and being able to accept that our future is completely up in the air is not exactly easy to do. Fortunately, my husband and I have friends and family members who have done their best to be there for us and offer us support in the best ways they can – especially emotionally – during this process. Some folks have let us down, but the times when you have to lean on someone and find that they don't have time to be there can also be the best times to learn about the quality of your friendship.

Thanks to technology, you can always post a "Thinking of you…" message. It's truly amazing how this simple act can give people the happy boost they've needed to perk up their days. No worries – I'm doing my best to practice what I preach here, too. It's not easy, but for me, doing it also makes my day feel more worthwhile. We all have our stresses in life – "first world problems" or whatever – but even when you can't exactly relate to the issues someone else is facing, you can ALWAYS break the situation down to its most base level… someone is looking to make a connection with you, to be reassured that what they do, say, think and believe somehow matters in this world. The answer is simple – it always does.

Have a great week. xoxo CountryEuroCityMouse

©2012-2013 CountryEuroCityMouse™. All rights reserved.

It's Not As Easy As It Looks...

These days, far too many people tend to give credit for really great achievements to the too often elusive thing called "Luck". Not only is this generally disrespectful, it's also a temptingly easy way for us to deny responsibility for striving to achieve our own personal goals. 

The next time we want to dismiss something great to Luck, we might want to remember Luck's best friend.

The best friend of Luck is HARD WORK.

Have a great week. xoxo CountryEuroCityMouse

©2012-2013 CountryEuroCityMouse™. All rights reserved.