Beachy Daze on the Funny Farm

So maybe I have had a bit too much of this?

Hmmmm.....

I wish! 

It has been too many days to count since my last life update and experience tracking. Watch out folks, Jessica is back with an agenda! 

My adventures in Munich have been put on PAUSE since December 16th, 2010.

I really dislike whoever pushed that button. Now, I'm getting my player checked out, so the PLAY button will finally be working again. I've had to write up many applications and set up many interviews to find the right handyman. I feel I'm on the cusp of solving this mysterious dilemma. My PLAY button shall work - I can feel it in my bones. February is the month of the magical fix. 

Till then, here's my fantastic life on the Funny Farm in a nutshell.

Lots and Lots of beloved family time - The thing is, I just discovered this and felt super bad about not realizing this great advantage of being able to spend time at home without work obligations or others. Please forgive me beloved familia! I haven't had this much free time to spend with family since ummm...before I got a job at 16! I've been a workaholic since then, went off to Uni in Texas for 4 years and studied abroad and worked in the summers - leaving family time to just find it's place among my busy life. Even though this break has been detrimental to my social life off the Funny Farm, I thank God for this PAUSE. 

Applications and Interviews Galore - You don't even want to see all that goes into this. It drove me crazy in the beginning sorting it all out. But, now I've got such an amazing system of organizing everything that I feel like a real pro and I could teach my methods to other job seekers. So, here's an open offer for anyone wanting tips!

Hobby Catch-Up - This is mainly my wild crafty side. I LOVE creating. Anything. I've made a few nice selections of jewelry for friends and family - earrings, necklaces, etc. I've also thought of some great ideas for purses. I've got the medium, but now I'm on the hunt for the right covering/decorating materials. Also, cooking. Send me your fave recipes ladies and gents cuz I've got kitchen duty and I'm lovin' it!

Me Time - Much needed breathing time. Like I said before, even though it has just been less than 2 months of being home, I haven't had something like this since I was 16. I see it as a good pit stop in the middle of my journey. I'm out of the car and taking in the fresh air, preparing to step back in and slowly put on the gas to my next spot in life. I still can't decide which is better. Manual or Automatic? I guess it just comes down to the situation. Most of the time, I like to just go with the flow of the wind. But, sometimes it is all about stepping in and taking control of that gear, slowly releasing your foot from the clutch. The key? Balance.

So, let's Prost to the joys of family and friends and all that life brings. I'm off to enjoy another lovely family adventure and taking that sidekick travel bug with me! 

2 Months Later

My first picnic in Germany!! Heather and I grabbed a table near the Chinese Tower in the English Gardens to enjoy some good food and nice sunny Munich.

I've always wanted to share my experiences and stories with family, friends, and anyone interested. NOW, I've finally found the time and encouragement from Heather to sit down and start sharing my stories and adventures.

Just one of the many depictions of what makes München so special. 

Geschwister-Scholl Platz near Ludwig Maximilian Universität, which is where the White Rose campaign against the Nazi regime started by the Scholl siblings. I did a research report on this so it's just amazing to see the actual place of action! 

Let's start with me arriving in Munich, Germany on June 2nd, 2010. I'm sure you will figure out the rest of my history as the stories develop. Why am I here in Munich? Well, that started last summer when I studied here for 5 amazing weeks (after studying German for 2 years and International Business for 3) and fell in love with the efficiency and management of BMW. So, I tested my luck with a simple on-line application and telephone interview and now here I am. Living my dream.

My Dream come true made possible thanks to BMW!!

I work for the BMW Group, Alphabet International, and absolutely LOVE my job. After an unbelievably fast 2 months have already gone by, that means I only have 3.5 to go! I really do not want to abandon lovely Munich and all the amazing friends I have made here, so in these 3.5 months I will be on the hunt for an opportunity to extend my stay for a few years--if not more! :)

Karlsplatz Fountain: this thing never stops as nor my busy life in this city!

The most famous tourist site in Munich! Welcome to the center of Munich--the architectural beauty, Marienplatz!! This is also a central meeting point for many of my adventures. 

Aside from work, Munich is the city that sleeps, but just has something against me sleeping. There is just SO much to do here, things are always changing, and I'm always meeting new friends and enjoying time with the old that I have lost my balance. When I studied in Texas at St.Mary's University for those 4 amazing years of my life, I found my balance most of the time and rarely got side-tracked! I would wake up every morning at 5:30am and go for at least a 2-mile run plus some or hit the gym for an hour, then be ready for my 8am class, finish class and go to work such as when I interned at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS), finish around 5 or 6pm, then go to my closet of a dorm room and write papers and study, then hit the bed around 11ish. That was the life. I hate routine, but with so much going on, it is very difficult to balance everything. That is the last time I found my balance between work, play, and my health. Now, the enticements of Munich have killed all of my attempts at establishing a balance. So, after 2 months, I am still on the search for balance and have not yet found my code. However, tomorrow is a new day and a new beginning for overcoming this battle of mine.

The Bavarian enticement (and work reservation to attend) of the annual Kocherlball. It's held in the English Gardens at the Chinese Tower with over 10,000 people starting at 5:45 on a Sunday morning and lasting til around 11am every July. A few amazing hours of the full on Bavarian culture: sat at our reserved tables with liters of beer, white sausage with sweet mustard, giant pretzels, German doughnuts, liederhosen and dirndls, and enjoyed Bavarian bands and dances!!  

*New Experiences of the Day (will catch up with the rest later! :))

• Cooked Tortellini in a homemade spinach-tomato sauce!!
• Got begged by the client whom I won over to come to the meeting in London with my boss, only to turn her down since I'm just an intern!!
• Made it to my Deutsche Bank during lunchtime.