Monthly Archives: August 2010

Guess who is going on a trip?

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Yup, that’s right! I am. On my birthday my mom mentioned to me that she would like to go on a trip with me after graduation, before I enter the working world. The cities from my to-travel list from this post immediately came to mind.

Unfortunately my mom refused to spend a day at Disneyland were we to go to Paris, so Paris was off the list. I absolutely want to visit Paris, but when I do, I want to go to Disneyland. I have never been to Disney-anything (can you believe it?), and I know that once I have been to Paris, it is a lot less likely that I will go there again any time soon just to go to Disneyland. However, this has made me want to go to Paris all the more. I want to go next year, provided that I find a decently-paying job.

So which city did we finally settle on you ask? A beautiful one. A city that is roughly 230 miles from Munich. Outside Germany.  To the east. Got it?

Prague Photo by Trent Strohm.

Prague.

I absolutely cannot wait for this trip. We will be going for five days in the first week of September, just a few days after I move back to Munich. I already did all the planning last week & booked a nice 4* hotel and the train & bus to get to Prague from Munich for us. That’s right, this girl will be staying at a 4* hotel! Definitely an upgrade from the hostels I usually stay in when I travel by myself.

I have already bought the Lonely Planet guide for Prague and will be reading up on Prague and its sights in the next few weeks to make sure I won’t be missing out on anything. I cannot wait to visit this gorgeous city and take pictures of it.

And it is so amazing that I will get to go on a vacation this year after all, something I had already given up on. My last one was to New York City last year in March (and that was technically an excursion with the English Department). It has been way too long since the last time I left the country.

Are you going on vacation this year? Or did you already? Where to?

2831 days

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It has been nearly four weeks since my last post and since then, so many things have changed. Life changing things.

On July 15th, 2831 days after the day classes started freshman year, I took my very last exam and that means I am done with my degree. We don’t have a traditional graduation ceremony for the entire university, so I simply picked up my diploma a few days after the exam. I know, not very dramatic. In fact, the secretary’s comment when I asked whether I had to sign anything was, “no, that’s it, quick and painless.” I know, not exactly how you picture the moment of being handed your diploma that you worked on for eight long years.

It's me with my diploma! I'm a grown-up now!

But you guys? This feels so good. And I am so proud.

Yet, in a way, I don’t feel any different. Like my brain hasn’t fully comprehended yet that I am no longer a student. Even though I have already started my job search, it hasn’t really sunk in yet. I still live on campus, I still hang out with my college friends, so in that regard not much has changed.

But every now and then, I have a moment when I realize that I really am done. And I am so happy that all the years of studying were worth it. I think it will all become more real when I move in a little under four weeks and leave Heidelberg, the city where I grew and matured into the person that I am today.

I celebrated the occasion with a cupcake. After that last exam (which did not go well) I really needed a little sugary goodness.

Cupcake!

So here is to a new phase of my life! I am no longer a graduate student. And I cannot wait to see what the next year brings.

What did you do after graduation? Did you start job-hunting right away? Go on a vacation? Do share.

Days 1-30/365

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On my birthday I started my own Project 365, The 28th Year. So far I haven’t missed a day. Some days it was easy to take a picture, and some days it was really hard to find something extraordinary in everyday life. But I think that’s the beauty of it.

If you haven’t been following my Project 365 photoblog, I have made a collage of the first 30 days.

Days 1-30/365

I am already well into the second month of the project, so if you aren’t subscribed yet, come follow me. Since I started my Project 365, a few others have started doing their own, and I cannot wait to see what we all come up with every day.

Doesn’t this make you want to play too?