Aloha in Paradise - OR - How to avoid the German traditions as an unmarried woman turning 30....

Aloha everyone in 2014. I guess this is the first blog post in 2014 and there is a lot that has already happened... Let's start with the very happy arrival of our foster-fur-child Rocky (and his mom of course), hehe. So, my sis came in the weekend before New Year's. For New Year's we were just gonna chill at home and watch movies, play with the fur babies. That did not happen since my fantastic fiancé somehow got tickets for a sold-out club in Hollywood a couple of hours before it all actually happened. We had a great time, open bar, except for the fact that my sis could not understand that they turned on the lights at 2am. Welcome to L.A. Jasmin, lol. The rest of the week was honestly a normal work week for me. We went shopping on Saturday at an outlet mall with tons of sales and Sunday we did the obligatory "New Year's beach visit" - better late than never. The following Thursday it was off to Honolulu, HI for Jasmin and I. Of course our plane was delayed but that didn't mean to get upset. Hawai'i is so awesome, so relaxed, so beautiful - everyone should go there at least once in their lifetime. First thing we did after we were dropped off with our flower necklaces was go to the beach and the farmer's market, which was conveniently enough right downstairs in our hotel. The beach was right across the street from the hotel. Perfect. Friday morning we grabbed our fresh pineapple and coffee and went to the beach. After lunch we made our way to Diamond Head - on foot. That was about a 35 minute walk (at our pace) and then an hour hike up and down as well. Needless to say we took the bus back and went to happy hour straight after. The view from up there was breathtaking, we even saw whales. At night we were so tired that we went to bed at 9pm, hehe. Saturday was our birthday and we wanted to try to stay up but that did not happen. At night I woke up to a dripping ceiling and we changed rooms in the morning - higher floor, even more amazing view. Saturday at midnight we talked to my brother and sister-in-law because they had given Jasmin our birthday present and we wanted to open it "with them" - a very pretty bracelet. In the morning, after we watched some very entertaining birthday videos, we blew out our candles on our cupcakes and went out for breakfast at "Eggs n Things" on the way to the Ala Moana Mall. Very tasty. Then we walked to the mall and took advantage of all the sales, literally all of them. As we came out of one of the stores it was raining pretty bad so it was great we chose that day for shopping. We took the trolley home from there. Then we went to happy hour/birthday dindin. Sunday we went to "Leonard's bakery", the beach and the Honolulu Zoo, which was bigger than expected. We ran some errands and went to happy hour for some Pina Coladas - delicious, while we had a beautiful view of the ocean and the beach at dindin. Monday was our last day so we went to the Aquarium, which was a rarely short visit and then the beach to soak up some last Waikiki sun. Tuesday was our departure day so we got ready in the morning, were picked up almost three hours before our flight and almost got stuck in Honolulu traffic. The crew for our flight did get stuck in traffic, so again our flight was delayed. As we made it back to LAX my fiance picked us up and he had dindin and a cake for us - perfect. Here are some pics of the vacay. 

So, overall a really great vacation for our 30th birthday-escape. Wednesday it was back to work for me and Jasmin slowly had to get ready to go back to Germany on Saturday. But before that we had our housewarming/birthday party at our new place. In the afternoon Jasmin and I met with Stacey for a little photo-shoot for the Malibu Classix skates I got Jasmin for her birthday. Here are some pics of that. 

It was really fun and at night we had our party. That was fun too. We went to the store Thursday night and got drinks and snacks and had a really good time with everyone. Saturday morning at 5am Jasmin, Rockylinos and I went to the airport to drop them off for their journey to the mother-land. They made it safely and Aaron and I went to get a substitute for Rockylinos so Champy has a fur-brother from another mother. Meet Nox 

 

"What's a Christmas-gram? I WANT ONE!"

Today is the last day before Christmas, well at least before Christmas Eve. For those of you who do not know - in Germany we celebrate Christmas already on Christmas Eve with a dindin and some present-exchange. Last year we went to Germany and got stuck in NYC before we made it. We made it late, but at least for Christmas Day we were in Germany. This year, it is just our little family here with our fur-child. BUT, my sister is coming next weekend and we are looking forward to it a lot. Anyway, I decided not to work on Christmas Day but instead do some cooking and baking in the new place. By the way, I already got my finger prints taken for my citizenship, it was on my grandma's birthday actually. So now I have been checking my case status like a mad woman because I do not want to be scheduled for my interview during the time Jasmin and I will be in Hawaii for our birthday. With what I have found I should get a notice toward the end of this month/beginning of next and then be scheduled for it four weeks from that date. We will see.......

Turning yet another page to an even bigger and better chapter

Wow, I guess since April 2012 a lot of things have happened, well maybe not a lot, but some significant ones. It was very sad to see my parents leave last year after their first trans-atlantic trip to come see us here in California and I think about it a lot still. But soon after my sister came to visit us as well and that was fantastic. I have been to Germany twice since then. For Christmas, and then for my Nephew's first birthday, which was a surprise for most and totally awesome! Champy came to Germany with us for Christmas since he wanted to experience a real winter and see his girlfriend again, who by now is a lot bigger than him. We spent New Year's in Paris, France, with another dear friend of ours and had the time of our lives eating French Croissants in French-Land. Starting the year off a little later than planned I think it is pretty safe to say that work is going great, if not even fantastic. I could not have a better team to work with and I love every moment of it (except getting up at 4.30am maybe, but hey I wear yoga/pajama pants to work EVERY DAY). Of course I had to pledge allegiance to the state of California with the L.A. Lakers for Aaron's birthday and made a not so pretty but tasty vanilla cake with frosting (as requested) for his special day. Anyway, I had originally planned to go to Germany for Jonesi's birthday but somehow got into gear too late and didn't like any of the flight options the magical world called the internet gave me. Long story short, awesomest parents ever stepped in (with no option for any discussion form me) and Jonesi, dad, mom and I made a pact not to tell anyone and have it be a surprise. Of course that did not work out and we decided to tell my sister like four weeks before my travel date. It was so awesome. My nephew is so great, I am totally in love with that little chunky ball of joy. Mom and Dad bribed my sister-in-law and my brother to go on vacation so I could spend an entire week(!) with that little munchkin. Oh, I get sad just thinking about it. I still get kisses on the iPad when we have our more or less weekly baby-dates on one of those fabulous apple devices. This month also marked my "90 calendar days before my 5-year anniversary immigration date"-date-day. First of all, my goodness, have those (almost) five years flown by. Secondly, I officially sent off my application for U.S. citizenship last week and am waiting on the instructions from the USCIS. Anyway, first I found out (on accident) that my motherland introduced a new "law" that German citizens who wish to obtain another/second citizenship have to have special permission from the German government to stay German. That application was more time-consuming and document-finding than any other application I have yet had to fill out since my GC application in 2008. Either way, totally worth it. I love Germany, totally German that I am, I got permission to keep my German in me (officially) and also switch it up and officially say "y'all" as an (not quiet yet) American citizen, jk. So right now I am waiting on my case number and an invitation to go somewhere for my fingerprints. Next step will be interview and then ceremony, turn in GC and apply for my passport and I will be official. Not that bad, right? Well, considering what kind of a person I am (impatient at times, planning ahead in ridiculous time-frames and a little itzybitzy tiny bit controlling at times) this will be a piece of cake. Oh, did someone say cake? Thank goodness next week is Thanksgiving!!

My favorite month is next

So, I can always tell that if I have not blogged in a month or so that I have either been busy or nothing new is happening. Well, I have been busy - very busy! First of all, the new club did not open till April 16th. By then my parents were already here and we had an awesome two weeks together here in California. With the post-poned opening it kinda worked out perfectly, because that way I had so much more time to spend with them. We went to the beach a lot, rode bicycles, went shopping, cooked together and really just enjoyed each other's company. They even made it to the new club and worked out there and I stretched them. Speaking of, Equinox Marina Del Rey is awesome! It is so spacious and bright. Our team is great and versatile and my clients are all wonderful. I have even taken my bike to work numerous times - one of them at the a$$-crack of dawn - to see a client at 5.30am. Felt great!

My parents leaving was really sad. We got them each a travel bear at the airport as we dropped them off and those guys sure did not make things better.... As we came home Champy was looking for his grandmother - who he fell in love with a little bit (or a little more) and my mom has a huge crush on Champy as well. BUT, Rockylinos will be here soon with my sister - in exactly 4 weeks minus a day, so 27 days. I am really curious as to how Rocky will react when he sees us and then Champy as well. First though, my ever favorite month is coming up - marking a milestone that is very dear to my heart <3 . 

March "Goodness"

Last year's March blog was named "Madness", this year's is "Goodness". Why? Because a lot of good things have been happening in my life here in the B-E-A-Utiful state of California. The first of this great month for example marked my one year anniversary of having been employed by a great company. As you can tell, I still do not regret that kind of big change I made about a year ago and the small leap of faith that came with it. A few people that I have allowed to get to know me a little closer, that know how uncomfortable change makes me sure wonder how well I coped with the changed the entire job switch brought - ultimately moving to CA. Which, moving to CA, made me be pretty uncomfortable, tired, sad and some other things, but after the initial "settling-in"-phase I could not be happier here! I mean, come on, I have the beach maybe one mile away from the condo, the weather here is 98% of the time grrrrrrreat and I got to keep my job, whereas most people that move to CA do not even have a job when they first get here. The first week of March I also got a phone call, that my request to transfer, yet another time, got approved. That was my teaser good news from the last blog post. I am going to get to open the new club in Marina Del Rey on March, 27th with an awesome team. I am super excited! Westwood's team is great as well, but the traffic on the 405 is ridiculous to deal with every day and I do not know how people here do that every day, day in and day out, without getting frustrated.... Anyway, the new club is about one and a half miles away from the condo and I will get to ride my bike to work every day, YES!!!! Cannot wait! Also, my parents will be here in about 26 days! Whoop! I already ordered my dad's coffee, hehehe, so all is set for them to get here! Rocky got his first full hair cut this past week, so now all his curls are gone, booo. BUT, he looks cute, like a baby-Rocky again!

The only constant that remains is change

Three years ago I had not even packed my stuff at my parents' house for my permanent move to the United States of America. I was still working at the private school as the P.E. teacher till the day before my departure. Three years ago I would have never thought time passes so fast, that I would live in California now instead of in Texas and that my life would be what it is now. Many times have doubts crossed my mind about that huge leap of faith I took as I was 25 years old, but I have never regretted taking it since. I love my life here, now in California and I loved my life in Texas as well. I have a wonderful man by my side that supports me and believes in me. We live in a great condo with an awesome view of the sunset, the ocean and the mountains and my little furry, four-legged child always brightens up my day, regardless of the mood I am in. For some reason, Valentine's Day always marks some kind of change in my life. Or around that day at least. Last year I turned in my two-weeks-notice at my first job to pursue a career at Equinox, three years ago that day marked a new beginning as well. This year, I am not gonna tell yet. Do not want to jinx anything. Anyway, my parents are going to be here in eight weeks and I could not be more stoked!! I cannot wait for them to see the beautiful sunset, the awesome views, going to the beach with them a lot and most importantly enjoy my mom's cooking!

Three weeks into the year....

February is almost here.... That means Valentine's Day AND more importantly my three-year-anniversary of being a permanent resident of the United States of America. I read today that I can send in my application for citizenship after having lived here for four years and nine months, so that will be in 2013..... Um, maybe not then...Anyway, my birthday week came and went and the actual day was nothing special. I congratulated my Jassel at 3pm California time on the previous day and we put Rocky to bed together after. Jassele called me at 9am her time (a lil more humane compared to the Texas midnight 7am in Germany on her special day), and then went back to sleep. On my actual birthday I usually refuse to do anything I do not want to do. So, I did not do anything I did not want to do - like go to work. I never go to work on my birthday. I do not think anyone should! I made myself some birthday pancakes and ate those while on skype with my birthday partner in crime while she was eating cake. It felt weird, because last year was so awesome, I knew though it would be tough to make this year awesome.... Anyway, Aaron came home from work a tad earlier than usual and, oh fun, the electricity went off a couple of times. The first time right before I was about to make my daily afternoon coffee. Sure did not turn out to be a happy birthday girl. And no afternoon-coffee-cake-with-a-candle-to-blow-out-and-make-a-wish either. Cupcakes would have been great, too. I did get a candle to blow out after some complaining though. It was an awesome candle and I made an awesome wish after great dindin at one of my favorite restaurants with one of my favorite people. OK, so that was that. 28, we will talk in two years....... boooo. Today, my fur-child had to get his shots and he took it like a Champ, hehe he. He got three - one in the nose, one in the mouth and one between his scapulas. Poor baby. The one in his nose was the worst. My parents will be here in ELEVEN(!) weeks and I cannot wait!!!!! Too bad my Jassele is not though. I plan on going to Dallas soon or after my parents leave. I need to see my godchild!! And her mommy of course too!!

Trip #1 in 2012

2012 is one week old. It started out great. Last Sunday, on January 1st, we went to the beach with Champy. It was awesome! We had about 24°C and there was sooooo many people out and about at Venice Beach, less than a mile from our condo. There even were people laying out in their bathing suits. Since that particular beach is not a doggy beach we only went on the pier all the way down and Champy sure did not like all those people. Wednesday night we went to New York City, NY on the red-eye flight through San Francisco. We stayed till Saturday morning and went back to Los Angeles around 12noon. It was a great trip. It was colder than at home in L.A., but that was fine for three days. Thursday after we landed we went to check in at the hotel and then grabbed some breakfast around the corner, since the place Aaron really wanted to take me to across shut down. The other place was fine too though. After that was nap time. Though we had a really comfortable flight from SanFran to NYC travelling is tiring. Later on that afternoon, we met with Eileen, a co-worker from Dallas, and went to Katz's Deli for a sandwich! It was good, plenty of meat on there. Aaron and I checked out PURE Yoga and the Equinox around the corner from the hotel and I grabbed a delicious cupcake at "Crumb's" for later on for dessert. Around 7pm I made myself comfortable at the hotel with my red velvet cupcake and the remote control and snuggled up in bed. All my shows started back up and since Aaron had a social meeting with co-workers I enjoyed my shows in NYC, instead of on the Tivo at home. Friday I wanted to take a yoga class at a club, but I woke up too late and kinda had to hurry to still get breakfast somewhere. My plan was to go to Niketown from the hotel and grab some breakfast halfway, but since I did not leave the hotel till about 10.40am, I decided to go back to the place from the previous day to make sure I would still get some breakfast food. After I had fed myself I did go to Niketown because I was on the quest for some new unique sneakers. Disappointment. Booo. It is ok though. I got some new workout pants and then went to H&M to check out their new stuff. Grabbed some coffee and another cupcake (hehe he) on my way back to the hotel and met with Aaron around 3.30pm in the lobby. We switched hotels for that night and went to the "W" downtown, right by Ground Zero. That sight was very memorable, very amazing. We had a view of Ground Zero exactly from the hotel room. Had dindin at the restaurant downstairs after we met with an old high school friend of Aaron's and went to digest our delicious food in the hotel room. Saturday morning it was time to get to JFK to see if we could change our flight, but the direct flight was full. Off to SanFran then it was. Lucky us, we had a mother with three girls in the row next to us, whereas one of the kids (assumed around 2 years old) was being breast-fed while everybody boarded the plane on an AISLE (!) seat and then afterwards would not shut up screaming for even five minutes. The other girls were maybe four and six or so. We had a free seat on our row, so I went to the window seat and Aaron was on the aisle seat. That mother had some nerves! She woke up Aaron to ask if she could put her child down on the middle seat, half on me and the legs were on Aaron's lap, waking me up as well in process, and I had slept so good, and then waking up Aaron multiple times afterwards as well. It had been funny, because during boarding there were some guys who were making fun of the whole situation and so on and they had wished us good luck. Well, that had probably jinxed it. Six hours later we were in SanFran and hurried to get off that plane. Fortunately we were able to catch an earlier flight to LAX and this time there were no screaming kids in our immediate area. Phew. Champy peed on himself as we got home, he was so happy to see us!!!

2011

It is the last day of the year 2011.

2011 marked a lot of changes. I left the comfort of my established first job as a personal trainer and started over with a great company - still as a personal trainer, but on a way higher level. I stopped teaching group exercise classes. I learned a lot more about the fitness industry and studied a lot due to the new company, which offers classes for continued education. I got another tattoo with my Jasmin on our birthday. We both got the same thing. I also left the comfort of my Texas. That was a big one. I have started to like California now, but it was a struggle. Moving also meant starting over yet again with my job. Thanks to the great company I work for that was made easier than I thought, because I could just easily transfer locations. I went to Germany for two full weeks and "dropped off" my foster puppies. Roxy and Rocky were my little puppy projects for ten weeks and then they found new mommies in Germany in form of my sister Jasmin and my mom. I became a God-mother to a beautiful baby girl. Kali is my best friend's first child and she is adorable, a very happy baby. My car burned out in May and hence I got a new one. That was an experience I would not want to do all over. We went to Las Vegas for a wedding on 11.11.11. My parents booked their flight for their very first trip to the States. My aunt and uncle came by for a four-day-visit with their two girls during the summer time.
Here is my year in pictures.

All I want for Christmas is.....

Figured I'd blog this month, too. 'Tis the Season for giving and love and cold weather.... I am in California, so drivers here are mean and it is not really cold, hehe he. I really miss my family and Christmas at my parents' house so I decided I'd go home next year for Christmas. My mom always buys a whole bunch of Christmas goodies for the Holidays and I cannot wait to eat it all. Last Sunday we had our company Christmas party and it was nuts. They rented out a club in downtown Hollywood and everybody from all the clubs in South California was invited, including the Sports Club L.A. peeps. There was so many people there, it was crazy! They had an open bar and food and great music! We had a lot of fun! Of course the party was the talk of Monday at work the next day. I cannot wait till 2012 and it is close! My parents will be here in April and I get to go to Germany for the holidays!

Oh dear holidays.....

'Tis the time of the year, when I really start to get sad and miss my family. December and Christmas and all that always makes me miss my family more because my mom and I used to cook together and make the Advent calenders and all that jam, it is just more family time around that time of the year. Last year my Jassele was about to come in a week, but not this year. This year it is just going to be Aaron & I, Champy, the beach and the palm trees, LOL. I have come to like California a little better now. Our condo is getting closer to become a home and I know my ways to work and back and know where I run my errands and all that. That makes a big difference, especially when I do not have to pull out my GPS for everything. The weather today is beautiful outside today - 81° F. Last night we walked(!) to a restaurant for dindin, that was great. Then we went out in Hollywood and saw Jack McBrayer from the show "30 Rock" and Chris D'Elia from "Whitney". They were just like non-TV-personalities, walking around, minding their own business. To me, that was a big deal, because they were the first "famous" people I have seen here since I moved here five weeks ago. Today, I talked to my parents and I am so excited, because they will be here before I know it. I mean, it is still not going to happen before April/May 2012, but they are SERIOUSLY coming to the States!!!! Jasmin might not be able to come next year though, but that is ok. I know I will be going to Germany for a little bit, probably ten days towards the middle of the second half of the year. Rocky is doing great - his stitches get taken out tomorrow. He was out of it for about two to three days, because he had been put under and because he was scared and so on, but now he is his old self, jumping around and squetching his toys till Jassele takes it away from him....

Viva Las Vegas!!

Jen and Justin are married!!! Whoop! Congratulations! For that lovely event Aaron and I got to take a break from California this past weekend and made it to Las Vegas, Nevada, to share this bond for love with Stacie, Majik, Derrick, Brett and some other people, but most importantly Jen and Justin! We stayed at the Palazzo and the Vdara and had a great time with friends! The part I loved most about this group of people is that though it has been a while, it felt very intimate and there was a feeling of trust with the conversations that went on during the trip, that made it unforgettable. Overall, Las Vegas is Las Vegas and I think without anybody getting married there and requesting our presence I will not go there again really, but it was definitely worth going! I had a great time! On another note, Rockyli is getting snipped this coming Friday (poor baby) and he loves playing in and with the falling leaves. We wanted to go Dallas, Texas, for Thanksgiving, but it is not going to happen. Boooo! Tomorrow is my new club's 6th year anniversary party, so I think that is going to be a lot of fun. We changed the time last weekend and as the days get shorter and darker I start not liking this time of the year. It makes me want to lock myself in the apartment and just snuggle up with my Champy, hot chocolate and a blanket. Oh ya and Aaron would be nice too, haha. Christmas is close! Starbucks brought on their holiday cups on 11/01 and I had my first holiday cup drink in Las Vegas AND they even spelled my name right!!

I love the invention of cruise control in my car!

Two weeks ago I was still packing up our apartment in Dallas with Amber and Kali. Though I have talked to Amber almost every day, I still miss her and Kali. I do hear her screaming requesting milk too. Well, I did start working at my new location last Thursday, on October 27th instead of on Monday because our pod was not supposed to get here till Monday. I figured since I would not have anything to move in and unpack I might as well go to work. Well little did I know...... Aaron surprised me with movers whom he had move our stuff from the pod to the new apartment on Friday. So, I could not not go to work. I did both on the weekend. I finished with the kitchen on Friday night, did the closet Saturday after work and the shoes Sunday after work. Halloween weekend, go figure. For the last three years I have always ended up doing the closet(s) on that weekend. Oh well..... A lot of the things at my new location at work are different. Others are the same. I do have to admit though, that I do miss my Preston Hollowers..... It's just a different vibe, and I am not judging, it is just different. On Thursday we are going to sin-city, Las Vegas. Justin and his Jen are getting married. That is my first trip to sin-city and I have no idea what to expect. The year is almost over, too and that means not too long and I will be one year closer to the 3-0. My little foster doggy babies seem to be doing great. Jasmin sends me plenty of videos and pictures of the little fur-monsters every day and I cannot believe how big they have gotten since I had to leave them in Germany.

A German in SoCal

This past weekend was THE weekend - the move weekend. During the entire last week, at least I feel like it, I ran errands in order to prep for the big move to Southern California. I spent most of the day Friday and all day Saturday with my Godchild Kali and her mommy Amber. They even spent the night. Friday night I got my hair done and had a feeling Aaron would surprise me. But to our disappointment he was not at home as we got to the apartment around 10.30pm. Well, 2.45am, door swings open, lights turn on, who sticks his head in the door? Aaron! Saturday we basically packed all day and Sunday morning I left around 10.30am to go to my half time stop spot in El Paso. I think I was already in New Mexico, but I am not sure. It took Champy and I around ten hours I think and we were tired! We saw the sun go down and some pretty sceneries. A couple of times on the entire trip it was weird to see signs that read the following "PRISON AREA - DO NOT PICK UP HITCH HIKERS!". And all of a sudden there was one, just one time though. Monday morning we got up at 7am and were back on the road at 7.50pm. We had to stop a couple of times to get gas and go potty or refuel on the caffeine side, but overall we drove twelve hours with a very undisturbed average of 72 miles per hour. Yayayayaya, I know..... Well, if the speed limit said 75 we went 80, if it said 65 we went 70. I saw multiple people getting pulled over but none of the highway patrol cars stopped for us. We drove all the way through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and then some in California. I honestly gotta say the road conditions in Arizona are way better than in New Mexico.... Champy sure did not like his little seatbelt harness, so every time after I strapped him in there he waited for us to be back on the highway and tore himself free of it. That was okay though, because he stayed on his seat on his little doggy bed. Also, he did not like the sun shining on him while he was trying to sleep, so he went underneath the doggy bed for periods of time. Overall, it was a long trip. Not as bad as I anticipated, but I sure do not want to it again so soon...

Two more weeks in Dallas - OR - Yet another new chapter is only two weeks away....

Two weeks are really no time at all. I was in Germany for two weeks. They passed fast, but the two weeks before I left - they sure did not pass fast enough. What really is two weeks? Nothing. I am going to be working the full two weeks, kicking some a$$ at work and I still have tons of other stuff to do. By the way, we are selling some furniture so if anybody needs anything let me know please and I will send you the link with pictures of the items. So that is one thing. Getting rid of some of our belongings, then I want to spend as much time as possible with my friends in Dallas. Yesterday, for example I spent most of the day with my precious Godchild Kali and her mommy and some of her family. Next weekend one of my good friend's sons has his very first birthday party, so I get to spend some time with little Zachary. Also, we have a company picnic Friday afternoon, so that will be fun as well. I will have to clean the apartment for move-out day, which I will have to do the week after this week, and oh ya, spend some time with my baby Champy. Then I have to run some errands before our trip. I have to get a leash thing for Champy, that I can attach on the seat belt, since he will be "road-tripping" with me. I already found a hotel midway, so we can take a break and get a good night's sleep before we drive the second half to our new home in California. Also, I have to get my car checked, should be fine though, just maybe a car wash and an oil change with tire rotation and all the good stuff before we drive those 1,400 miles to the Golden State. I am a little anxious about the change, since I do not really like change, but I know I will be fine once Champy and I will be there and we have our new routine down.