Expect nothing and you will not be disappointed - OR - A high high followed by a low low

OMG, my parents spent Christmas and New Year's in California. It was so awesome. Their flights were the bomb dot com, both ways and they had minimum jet lag. The fur children could not get enough of them and I think my dad actually got a little sunburn in the WINTER! I am a very lucky young lady, I have to admit, because with the flexibility of my job I was able to spend a ton of time with my parents. We all went to San Diego for a weekend, fur children included, and the weather could not have been better. We took bike rides, went shopping, watched the sunset twice and cooked up a storm for Christmas. We continued the California tradition to watch the sunset on January 1st and I don't think my parents could have imagined a better first day to the year after they had the best steak of their lives on the last night of the (previous) year. As we booked the tickets, we all, I guess, did not realize that they would depart just a couple of days before my birthday. After we realized, they would have liked to stay longer and actually spend that day with me. I guess it would have made a difference, because I spent the day on the couch pretty much in my pajamas watching the "Golden Globes" - not much different from any other Sunday when I am being honest. Last year my sister and I were in Hawaii and we turned 30. We also had a big party celebrating it, so this year my "special day" could not have been more opposite from last year's. Either way, I suppose people that know me well know that I care more about your birthday than mine, so it is ok that nobody made a big deal out of it. One thing that's really important to me though is to have a cake with a candle on it to blow out and make a wish. My parents called me deliberately late the day before so it would be midnight in Germany and technically my birthday. They sang happy birthday to me and lit a candle which was super sweet! Anyway, here are some pics from the time my parents spent here with us. 

Last beach visit in 2014

Road trip with the entire family

Friday night in San Diego

Married for 37 years and still holding hands

Kiss in San Diego. That's true love 

DTLA after burger before half marathon started 

Bike ride to Santa Monica. Dad was pooped.

Ten years later - or - Celebrating a great friendship

Six months ago I swore to have my man's back, in good times and in bad. Weirdly enough the past 12 and something years seem like they have just flown by and so do the past six months. 

Last Sunday on November 2nd I was bridal gown shopping with my sister and one of the best girlfriends a girl could wish for, exactly six months after the man and I quietly sealed our lives into one life together. We decided a couple of months ago that we wanted to celebrate our wedding in Germany as well, as a gift to my side of the family. So, I went overseas at the end of August to sort some things out for that springy event next year. My parents had already scouted the location and we interviewed disc jockeys, photographers and decided on some bigger tasks. I had great time.

Two weeks ago my sister and Mara came to visit us. We had a blast! It was Mara's first time in the U.S. so it was quiet refreshing to experience everything here again through the eyes of someone who has not experienced the craziness in this country. We went to the "Walk Of Fame", the Hollywood sign. We ate burgers, cupcakes, frosting, candy cane M&M's and ranch dip. We went to San Francisco, to Alcatraz, we biked across the Golden Gate Bridge, we took 22,000 steps one day. We rented a car and drove down the coast from SanFran to L.A.. We took  a Beyonce dance class in Hollywood, including costumes, for my bachelorette shenanigans and we found the dress in which my dad is going to walk me down the aisle next year. My parents will be here in about six weeks as well and I am pretty sure it will be a different kind of Christmas than what they are used to, with all the palm trees and the sun....

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Hollywood sign

LAX-SFO

Sunset on top of the Coit Tower

Kung Fu Pandas after the Tower

Golden Gate Bridge

Sea Elephant Beach 

Santa Monica Sunset

The Peak of our Lives

A little over twelve years ago the man and I met as I was an exchange student in Dallas, TX for my senior year of High School. He made leaving impossibly and indescribably hard. This year we (well, more he) took that Gaussian function of a bell curve to its peak and sealed the deal of a lifetime. In front of six witnesses (plus today's technology-allowing cross-atlantic internet connection on mobile devices) we swore to never lose our humor. That was a month ago, two days before the day that we met twelve years ago. Perfect. We kept it quiet simple, as we are and simply quiet as well. Hehe hehe. 

In the meantime I have received my American passport, changed my status at the Social Security Administration and took another field trip to the place where you feel like you're in a Zoo of humans - the DMV. Though the SSA comes pretty close in comparison as well. 

I planned on going to Germany this summer since my parents did not make it here in the spring but since the airlines all have very inconvenient and rather pricey connections to chose from I will probably just stay here and wait for my sis and Mara to come in the fall. I am a little sad about that, but I cannot change the things I cannot control. 

the kids doing what they do best....

The Land of the Free and the Brave

Yesterday a (late) judge swore in 3,163 immigrants to become American citizens. It was quiet an event. Apparently I am not making it as big of a deal as it really is. But I guess it kind of is a big deal. Not everyone gets the chance to live and work here. America has a lot of opportunities for people that are willing to put in the work and a lot of people have lived the "American Dream" here, in this super sized country that is a melting pot of a lot of different nationalities. Some of the top 5 nations present yesterday included El Salvador, the Philippines and Mexico (#1). But let me give you the run-down. My letter said to be there at 8am, at LACC. As always, I thought we were going to be late, only to find out that apparently the 3,163 people got very interesting times to appear, like 8.03am. As I walked into the entrance an employee was so nice to point me in the right direction and I crossed the bridge to the right hall. There were a lot of people running around and the entrance section was divided into "guests" and "applicants". The line for me did not look too bad. And then I saw the end of it - a queue through another hall lining into three individual lines. Oh well, I made it through the security check and went to stand in another line. The officer at the table asked for my invitation letter and my Green Card. I handed it over and they asked a couple of questions to make sure nothing had changed since the interview. They wrote the number "36" on the letter and handed it back to me with my GC stapled and made invalid. Then I followed the crowd behind the stage, saw a bathroom and took my chance. I was not sure how long the ceremony would take. Afterward I entered the ceremony area where I was handed a packet from the USCIS which included the voter's registration, application for passport, some instructions and a letter from the President welcoming me as a new citizen. The ceremony was supposed to start at 9am and from where I was sitting I could see that the judge arrived a little after 9am and then had to be briefed. At first a lady took the podium, welcoming everyone and thanking everyone to be there. Then they honored a couple of military guys that have fought for the United States. Afterward the judge made the immigrants rise and we pledged the Allegiance. The Star-Spangled Banner was performed by a gentleman whose microphone was not working and a lady from the USCIS pretty much concluded the ceremony with two videos. The first one was Barack Obama welcoming everyone as a loyal citizen and the second one was an old video of a country singer performing a song, "Proud to be an American" I believe, or so. After that they dismissed the guests that were sitting in the back and dismissed us row by row to go to the table number that had been written on our letters as we checked in. I was sitting in the last section to be dismissed. As I got up front in the area where everyone was lined up there were some women arguing. Apparently two women had stood in the wrong line and had tried to cut the line they were supposed to be in, which the other new citizens were not having. An officer told the lady that she needed to go to the end of the line and wait and she was trying to argue. End of story, the officer told the other officer that handed out the naturalization certificates to not hand hers out to her because she could not behave. After I got my document I went outside to meet the man and one of my girlfriends who had made the drive downtown to witness my becoming an American. We drove back to the Marina and had a fantastic lunch with some of my girlfriends. We missed the ones that were stuck at work and could not make it but we will be sure to toast to this event on our trainer's night out and then later on during ladies night in May. I could not get my passport application submitted yesterday so I was lucky enough to get an appointment next week. I called about a dozen locations which all did not have any openings till mid-May till I got to the one in Inglewood and their earliest opening is next week. Overall I gotta admit it was a very well organized event, considering how many people were present. It has taken over five years for this process to climax to my becoming a U.S. citizen, and it all started based on taking a leap of faith and challenging fate as well as my luck. Here are some pictures....

Next Step - Pledge the Allegiance as a (German-)American

I passed my civics test and interview on March 3rd 2014. Quiet honestly I was nervous - for the first hour of waiting and then I became impatient. My appointment was scheduled for 10.50am that morning. I got up a little earlier and got my run in, had breakfast with the pups and got dressed. My moral support and I got to the building I wanna say around 10am. The invitation said one should not be there more than 30 minutes before the actual interview since seating is limited. We made our way upstairs to the stated room. I turned in my invitation and was asked to have a seat. As they called my name they took fingerprints again and a picture and sent us to a different room. There was a security officer that asked us to turn cell phones on silent and asked me specifically to turn it off when I am called in for the interview. There were some people there, some alone, some with family members and some with attorneys. People were being called into the interview rooms at random times, no patterns really. The interview officers all looked pretty relaxed and fun, some more serious. My interview invitation also stated that the entire process might take up to two hours so as the first hour had passed I relaxed a little more. I had already turned my cell phone off shortly after we sat down - after 90 minutes of waiting I turned it back on because I was sure my family in Germany was getting worried since they had not heard back from me. After two hours of waiting my support team became impatient (very uncommon for him) and he went up front to ask the officer what was taking so long. He asked him to bring my green card and he would be sure to check on me. A short wait later he came back and informed us it would take another ten minutes. It did. A more serious interview officer called me up front. we had decided earlier that we did not really want him to interview me because he looked so serious but he was actually pretty funny, just in a different kind of way. No introduction on his part, he walked me into his office. There were pictures of his family and loads of files around, crammed into a little office. He asked me to put my purse down and raise my right hand to swear to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth, also that I had filled out the application on my own. I swore and was asked to have a seat. He promised me to be very quick and have me out and done in ten minutes. We started with the civics test (argh). The ten questions (they asked you up to ten, you only have to answer six correct, they stop asking after that) were on a separate sheet of paper and he wrote down all of my answers. I missed the first question. It was a question I always missed (of course) when I had someone quiz me - and I was nervous.... Anyway, I answered the next six questions correct and he put the sheet away. Next, he asked me to read three questions about Congress and lastly I had to write a sentence he dictated. After that we went through the entire application I turned in in Novmeber. Every single question and he marked them with red marker. As we were done with that I had to sign a couple of sheets and he told me Congratulations. Made a copy of my driver license and informed me that the next ceremony was scheduled on March 14th and he was not sure if they could get me in that one since it was only eleven days away. Yea, the letter came on Friday (14th), so I get to go in April (as I had already assumed anyway). 

What came first - the Declaration of Independence or the writing of the Constitution?

So, seriously ask yourself the following question and try to answer it without looking up the answer online: "How many amendments does the Constitution have?" Anyone? I have my interview for naturalization tomorrow (March, 3rd 2014) and that is one of the questions on my list. I have to be able to answer six out of up to ten questions correctly, chosen out of a 100 question catalog. Hmm, yea. I am a little anxious but I have had co-workers quiz me as well as the man, I have had conversations about the questions with my clients and managers and that has helped A LOT. Some things just did not want to stick in my head but I think I am pretty well prepared now with everyone's help. The man is driving me downtown because I am pretty sure I would get lost. 

Last night we had the pleasure of attending a beautiful wedding. One of my clients tied the knot with her man and we had a great time celebrating the awesome union of the two families. My mind is focused on tomorrow so here are some pics of the last couple of weeks while I am going to watch the Oscars on TV.

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!