No Longer Crying. Still Eating Chocolate.

Yes, I know I haven't written in a while. In over a month actually.

I believe I realized the reasons why:

1. I blame an au pair friend who shared with me a website where I  can watch American TV shows, including all 10 seasons of Friends.
2. My inner laziness came out. 
3. The weather changed; warm sun, blue skies, and wildflowers blooming. 
4. The novelty of living in a foreign country has started to wear off. 
5. I realized I am living in the German equivalent of Moses Lake (Washington). 
6. I needed an outlet to write about just life, not just travel life. 

And so I changed the tagline of this blog. No longer is it "the story of my painless addiction to travel."

Because after tonight, which started out perfectly fine with me sitting down with some chocolate to google how to become a substitute teacher, and ended with me near hysterics about the future, making a decision on what career, masters program, and life I should plan; I figured I needed a place to convey the wildly see-sawing frustrations of my quarter life crisis. Instead of blubbering over Facebook messenger to the boyfriend. Who handled it quite well, although he does now know to never really give a Mills woman advice, or if you do, to figure out a way to hide it in off handed comments and chocolates. 

The only things I was successful at tonight was adverting a potential grave misunderstanding between Boyfriend and I, registering and paying for the GRE, and realizing I need to reorganize my iTunes playlists. 

After registering for the GRE and handing off enough money to finance a weekend trip to Paris, I started questioning my choice on masters degree (those of you that are not updated on my forever changing current area of study, I had decided about a month ago to pursue creative writing). Then I wondered if I just study something similar to creative writing, such as publishing or grant writing.

Or maybe I use the degree I paid an arm, a leg, and a few fingers for (Psychology), and I go into science.

Or maybe I get really good at the 12euro set of pastels I bought and just sell those for a living.

Or I kidnap Anthony Bourdain and force him to give me his job. Even though I know nothing about haggis and good wine, I'm sure I could figure it out.

And so I thought I would write a blog post about my frustrations and annoyances at the American higher education system and how expensive it is, how paying thousands for education just burns holes in the pockets and dreams of young adults. I even brought up the wikipedia page on "quarter life crisis" to reference. (Its a blog, not a doctoral thesis, I can reference wikipedia all I want).

However, something else happened. In the midst of me scrolling the internet for quotes on independence, and jumping back to Facebook to rant to Boyfriend about how my life sucks as I want to study everything but society won't let me, I realized it wasn't about me.

(Well not everything, I mean, goodness, somethings still are.)

Boyfriend had stayed up hours after his bedtime (he wakes up at 4am for work), to read message after message from me ranting about socialism and american politics, about the pros and cons of a MFA in creative writing, of wanting to travel and not having money. He tried to give advice and I told him to stop, I hate making lists and will not make one about my future. He told me he loved me, and I doubted that, covered in snot and tears streaming down my face,  sweating through my baggy T-shirt, and with a new crop of pimples emerging.

But what made me realize it wasn't about me, and it was not something Boyfriend said. It was something I remembered. November before last, I had a similar night (the only difference was a bottle of wine during that night's frustrated tear fest), and I did make a list. The three things I wanted in life, wanted just for me, and for no one else.

1. To Travel.
2. To Write.
3. To Be With Boyfriend (Well, To Tell Him I Loved Him And To See What He Said And To Maybe See Where It Would Go And Then Apparently Reference It On A Public Blog And Embarrass The Crap Out Of Him)

And well, I am with my dear Boyfriend. I am traveling (current Germany residence card anyone?), and I am writing (look at me, writing words, writing writing, words words words).

No, I do not have an acceptance letter into a grad school, let alone a reference letter from a previous professor. I don't have a job that I can pay my bills off of and save money. I do not have organized iTunes playlists (it really is annoying, I try to be introspective and Justin Timberlake starts singing about bringing sexy back).

But I have the things I wanted.
And I asked myself where I think I will be in five years.
I see myself in a small but cozy house, in South Africa (Boyfriend wants to work there), with a masters degree in something I am proud of, but might not be pursuing. I see an easel on the balcony, homemade chocolate chip cookies cooling (the only baking recipe I can do from memory and scratch), books on every surface, and myself curled up on the couch, talking on the phone, to my mother.

I see myself being happy.
And if I am that confident in being happy in five years time, what is the point of worrying now? I may sound overly optimistic and idealistic. But I am 24 years old. I do think its my damn right to be optimistic. I grew up in a country, in a family, that told me I could be, and do, whatever I want as long as I work hard.

I want to travel.
I want to write.
I want to help people.
I want to love and be loved.
I want eat chocolate every day, and never forget the feeling of deep breath relief after a good cry.
I want to one day hold my child in my arms and smell the soft hair.
I want to have downs, just to know I can get back up.
I want to be as happy as I am at this moment, knowing that I know myself (as well as anyone can know themselves), that I know what makes me happy (a glass of cold milk and a good book for starters).

And I may look back at this in five years time and think I was stupid, and blinded. That I should of started studying earlier for the GRE, spent my money more carefully, and eaten less chocolate.

But I don't think I will.
I should "eat less chocolate?"
That doesn't sound like me.


Note:
You may wonder why I am mentioning Boyfriend like Boyfriend and not his name. Well despite the fact that you can search me on Facebook and easily figure out who the hell I am dating, I figured I would protect his privacy a bit.

Note 2:
Yes, father, I will still go to grad school.

Note 3:
Yes, I will catch up on where I left off last in my travel posts.

Note 4:
For all those readers over the age of 30 (or just really dull 20 somethings), if you think I am overly optimistic and idealistic, well, I am sorry. Foxnews is calling your name.

Note 5:
And for a hilarious and true quote I found while surfing that didn't quite fit into this post:

"26 shows up in the middle of coffee one morning and hands you a freshly printed memo that reads: 'You’re going to get old one day and die. You’re cool for now, but it will happen. You’re officially on notice. You won’t be young forever.' And then 26 struts out of your office, like an unconcerned dick, having nonchalantly just changed your entire perspective."

- Jessica Blankenship 

Vielen Dank!

Just a thank you to all those reading who don't have any other contact with me what so ever.
Mother tells me your comments.
Usually something like this, "Well Linda just loved the last post. I haven't had time to read yet. Harley needs another haircut."

Thank you, Linda. You know who you are (hopefully).

As I am not shy, I love to share this part of my life with those people who have supported me and were excited to see me leave and travel. Well excited to see me travel but not excited to see me leave. I assume all of you tear up at every blog post realizing that I am not there telling you my adventures in person (hopefully).

If anyone wants to get a hold of me, you can add me on Google +, Facebook, or whatsapp me, or if you click my profile in the top left hand corner, it will take you to my Google + page, there under "About" will be my email (please no email forwards. Not only are we no longer in 1998, they are annoying, and I will block you).

Or you can simply remain anonymous on my stats count (although I do know who the reader in New Zealand), and enjoy the posts (hopefully).

Love you all,
Gute Nacht,
Amelia

Leipzig: Legos, Lemurs, and Lightly Salted Pommes Frites

The next stop on my winter travels was the east Germany city of Leipzig. With a history dating back to the Roman Empire and being known as the home and burial place for Bach, the city's history excited me.

Also I was visiting my dear friend, an exchange student I met six years ago in high school, Thomas Mösch (Moesch in English).

After a brief confusion in the main train station about where to meet (who knew there were three different McDonalds?) Thomas grabbed my pack, handed me a travel ticket for the weekend, and we headed back to his apartment. A small flat up six flights of stairs, with a kitchen the size of my shower and resembling what I always imagined young, energetic, poor, twenty somethings lived in in NYC. So of course I loved it immediately. I thought it adorable how the bathroom light flickered eerily, how the dishwasher was the width of my old PC, and how the top floor windows allowed a small balcony, and over looked the city and church spires. From his bedroom window you could spot the church Bach was buried at, the old city hall that looks like a castle I would very much like to live in, and the rest of the city that has seen countless wars, immigrants, monarchies, democracies, communism, and still the fading daylight bounced off the red tiled roofs, a warm glow embracing the new shopping mall built into old stone buildings.

The shopping was fantastic. And in a great location. The mall was huge, but the open area was even cooler. Built around a city block, with its alley ways enclosed with beautiful tile and sculptures, with courtyards opening up to monuments and churches, the shops that surrounded catered to everyone. Fossil, Armani, Prada, Coach; shopping for us more normal folk, H&M on every corner, quirky art stores, cafes and sushi places, movie theaters, museums, a lego store (that I spent an hour in), and street food.

Thomas took me to this one particular Pommes Frites stand (fries) to eat. All we ordered were fries "with white" (mayo), and the fries rivaled those of Dick's Hamburgers. We ate while watching children chase the pigeons in front of a church built in 1400 or something.

Thomas also took me to the zoo. Leipzig is well known in Germany for its zoo. It is huge, and we spent three hours and barely saw anything. The main attraction in the zoo is not the big cats, or elephants, or dolphin shows, its instead a huge enclosed building that looks similar to the sports "bubbles" seen on college campuses. Inside was a small river boat cruise, not unlike the one at Disney Land, and miles of dirt paths, stairways, and swinging bridges. You walked through the rain forest, seeing ant eaters on the ground, climbed through the trees to see birds, lizards, and monkeys of course. It was very cool, very warm, and full of children.

At my insistence we also toured the St. Thomas Kirche (St. Thomas Church) where Bach became famous and is buried (in the altar, like right in the altar). The church was closed. Thomas asked why, and found out there was a concert later by the Princeton Glee Club. Well that explained all the American accents I kept hearing on a weekend in January in a non major city in Germany. We waited for the concert and then experienced some beautiful music (sung in Latin) while admiring the church (as it was Lutheran it wasn't decorated as pretty as the Catholic churches, but still cool). Attending the concert was one of those spontaneous things that happen while traveling. I probably would never had the chance to hear a national award winning glee club sing classic Bach songs, let alone in The Bach Church. I loved it. And it was 40 minutes long, music and sermon, which was a perfect length. Because sung Latin Bach songs on a Saturday after I have been traveling for ten days can make one very sleepy.

 Bachy. Or Joe. He likes both nick names.

 Facing the alter, and the pulpit where the sermon was preached.

The Glee Kids moving about. 

After Leipzig I headed home. 12 days of travel through London and Germany was finished. And I was freaking exhausted. 

I arrived home at about midnight, and slept through the next day. When I woke the next afternoon, I went down stairs to get something to eat and greet my host family. Eliano stared at me for about five minutes before shrieking, "Ahma!" (his version of Amelia), and running to me on his short little legs, grunting the whole way. He is an adorable little fellow, and it warms my heart to know he missed me. 

To see more photos of Leipzig, check out my photo blog 

Its The Little Things

Things I miss about home that I didn't realize I would miss:

1. Free public bathrooms. Most bathrooms here, in train stations or malls, you tip the attendant (or place a coin in the machine so the door opens). This money goes to helping keep the bathroom clean, and some attendants clean after each person. Others don't seem to move. And others are non existent and you have to pay 1 Euro to use a port a potty like deal. 
2. Free water at restaurants. Water is not free, you get bottled water and at times its more expensive than soda, and is always the same price as soda. So I bring a bottle of water with me, and drink that at McDonalds or wherever we go. 
3. Free WiFi, except for Starbucks, most public places (including airports) do not have free Wifi. Really, its 2014.
4. Popcorn. Most popcorn here is kettle corn, and seen as normal popcorn. It is not. It is so not normal. 
5. All TV shows and movies from the US are dubbed over. Big Bang Theory is not funny when Sheldon does not have a higher pitched voice than Raj and when Raj does not have an accent. 
6. Still water. Its available here, and I can find it easily. But really I just hate sparkling water. Its so weird. Like a Pepsi on a severe diet. 
7. Stores, malls, and most restaurants being open on Sundays. In Germany, its a real day of rest. Want to browse the book store on the weekend? Saturday only. 
8. Free banks. Most banks in Germany charge a monthly fee to use their bank. 

Things about Germany I wish were the same in the US:

1. Two words "FREE EDUCATION", no student loans ever! 
2. Kinder Eggs. Its so sad that they are illegal in America. Because children can choke on the small toys, and you can apparently smuggle drugs in the hollowed out chocolate egg. 
3. No sales tax. That is lovely. Especially when learning a new language and currency. Although the Euro Store lady got a little testy with me when I asked her twice what the price was, and she then counted my items in front of my "Eins, zwei, drei, vier. Vier Euro." (four euros).
4. Dogs not on leashes, and really well trained. They just wander while walking with their owners and sniff and come up to you for a pet and then wander off. 
5. Dogs everywhere, on the trains, buses, in the malls, cafes, or patiently waiting outside the bakery for their owner, or carrying their OWN BASKET in their teeth through the farmers market. 
6. Almost everyone, including all hotels, don't use top sheets, instead use a duvet and cover. Which I love. I hate top sheets. 
7. My cell phone bill is less than 10 euros a month. 
8. Real hot chocolate can be found everywhere.
9. Crepes are street food. 
10. Curry Wurst
11. Really all the food. 
12. Mainly the cake. The cake is always epic. Always. 

3rd Time - Berlin, Deutschland

I don't believe there is anything in the whole earth that you can't learn in Berlin except the German language. 

- Mark Twain's Notebook




Berlin has long been one of my favorite cities. Why, is hard to explain. The city infrastructure can often been seen as dirty, gritty, grimy with graffiti and bits of fireworks. It can been seen as oppressive from its history, unwelcoming by the people, and where you can't find a decent American hot dog. 

I love Berlin. I love the history, how its steeped into each corner. Some buildings have charred brick, others bullet holes, some are modern and new, and a few older than the original American Colonies. A yellow brick line snakes through the better part of the city, showing were the wall once stood. Pieces of the wall still stand; the thick concrete and barbed wire barrier crumbling in front of the church, or the small artistically graffiti pieces standing tall in Potsdamer Platz, underneath the shopping mall. 

favorite part of the Berlin wall, taken on my first trip to Germany in 2009

I love Berlin. The food is unique to the city, the curry wurst is a must. The peppered sausage from the street vendors, the doner (a turkish food that is fantastic, lamb and salad wrapped in a pita like bread), the Berliner, a jelly filled doughnut. 

(Fun fact, when JFK gave his famous speech at the base of the Berlin wall, he stated, "Ich bin ein Berliner," he meant to say, "I am a Berliner (citizen)", what he actually said, was "I am a Berliner (as in the jelly doughnut)". The correct way would of been, "Ich bin Berliner." dropping the article all together.)

Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburger Gate) Iconic landmark of Berlin, built in 1791, the site of JFKs speech, and the symbol of the "door" to East or West Berlin

I love how the American embassy sits a block away from the Parliament building, across the street from the Tiergarden (Berlin's Central Park equivalent), and just steps away from where Tom Cruise tried to film a poignant scene for Valkyrie, but was shot down as Germany doesn't recognize Scientology as a religion and thought it would be bad PR to have a cult member on one of the cities major historical sites. (The historical site in question is the courtyard where members of the "20th of July Plot" were executed. The plot was one of the failed attempts to assassinate Hitler.)

Berliner Dom, (Berlin Cathedral) Built in 1454, first as a Catholic church, now it is Protestant. During WWII, a bomb fell right through the glass dome, through the church, and into the crypt damaging many coffins of German and Prussian royalty. 

I love Berlin. I love the history the city has for its country, for itself, for the world, and for me. This is a foreign city I have now visited three times (all during the winter actually). I have spent new years (called "Silvester") twice in Berlin. I have fallen in love, realized I was in love, and have learned a few words of Russian, all while in Berlin. 

Despite the grit and grime, the graffiti and thick accent, I love Berlin. It is one of the few foreign places I have felt at home. I get it. Or I think I do. But what I do know for sure, is that Berlin gets me. 

A Lock of Love on a bridge in front of the Berlin Cathedral. Very common in Europe to place locks on bridges to symbolize love. 

to see more photos of my time in Berlin, check out my photo blog: http://wanderersanonymous.tumblr.com

London Called, It Would Like Its Accent Back

And that's the wonderful thing about family travel:  it provides you with experiences that will remain locked forever in the scar tissue of your mind.  

~Dave Barry

My father is often right. Ask him to detail Lewis and Clark's exhibition, and he will almost nail it. Hand him a list of trigonometry problems, and he will gleefully not use a calculator. Ask him how to change a tire, and he will just do it for you. 

Just never ask him to speak in a British accent. 

So, really, never let him watch an episode of Julia Child, or take him to London. 

But, as most of you already know, we went to London. 

The famous Big Ben

London did not rain (until we left and Amanda and I were caught in a monsoon like deal as we sprinted from the taxi to the airport door). London was full of tourists. London was expensive. London had lots of shopping, lots of pubs, lots of places to eat fish and chips with peas, and from what I saw, no royalty. 

I mean, I realize its the holiday and they are out in the countryside hunting with fox hounds or whatever it is they do, but there was a reason we stayed only blocks away from William and Kate's current residence (or as dad called them, "Bill and Katie"). 

Kensington Palace, current resident of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and as well as a bunch of the Queen's cousins. Former residence of Lady Diana, and first residence of Queen Victoria (she grew up here). Picture taken from Kensington Gardens

Other than the numerous books I have read on British Monarchs, and the few tidbits my dear friend Isabel has mentioned, I really didn't know anything about England, or London. From the books, I pictured palaces and town houses housing royalty and ladies in waiting at every corner. From Isabel I pictured lovely looking men. 

What I found was this:

1. People get confused when you ask for ranch with fries (I didn't ask, a sister did)

2. Walking Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park in the morning. A bit chilly, but absolutely lovely and you will meet more locals, and more local pugs. 

3. Stumbling across Peter Pan was quite magical. 

4. Seeing Platform 9 3/4 was not. 

5. You can find first edition, British edition, Harry Potter books for super cheap if you don't mind a small rip in the corner. 

6. Lovely food. 

7. Quite nice taxi drivers. 

8. Small hotels with cramped rooms have the best service. 

9. Traffic. 

10. I can't believe anyone ever actually lived in the Tower of London. Talk about fifty million winding staircases and super short entry ways. 

London was wonderful, and so was seeing the family. I was handed more chocolate and DVDs and books for presents, and it was like I was home. Mom got to shop on Notting Hill, Amanda got her bloody picture next to the Harry Potter landmark in Kings Cross, Anna took some wonderful shots with her fancy camera, Dad hit his head on many a stone that King Henry VIII probably was too short to reach, and I found a city that seemed magical, foreign, historical, and spoke ENGLISH. 

 London Tower Bridge, Thames River, Ship, Buildings

 Tower of London 

London Eye

Amanda and I then flew off to Berlin, one of my favorite cities in the world. 

to see more photos of our time in London, check out my photo blog: http://wanderersanonymous.tumblr.com 

Photos: Where to Find Them

So I suddenly realized that those people who don't use Facebook (such as my parents) may not be able to see all my photos. So, in stealing the idea from Julia and Max, friends who just back packed around Europe for a few months, I have set up a Tumblr photo blog. For those of you who don't know what Tumblr is, thats ok, you don't need too. On the photo blog, I will post pictures of all the neat things I see. And then you can live vicariously through my fabulous life. 

Photo Blog: http://wanderersanonymous.tumblr.com

Also I have Instagram: lila_in_blue