A Friday's Ponderings

So ....

You know...I knew this would be a bit of an adjustment coming here to Munchen. As it always is when you move to a new place. I expected something akin to my big move from the west coast to the east for university (as just about every other english-speaking nation in the world besides us says). Or perhaps more similar to when I moved to Perugia, both the first... and second time. But transitions and big changes like this never are what you would expect. In fact I don't think you can ever anticipate what is to come. For in essence, isn't the future unforeseeable? Then again that is the exact thing that makes it exciting...right?! I mean if life was predictable, which ironically so many people spend their lives trying to make it in search for a false sense of security, wouldn't you miss out on so many of the beautiful surprises the world has in store for us?



Well, so my point is that my coming to Munchen ,well, has not been a let down, but has also not been the mind-blowing, ground-shaking, earth-shattering adventure I had inadvertently led myself to believe it would be. You know how your imagination can just run with things. And the funny thing is no matter how many times I tell myself not to have expectations and to try to avoid having anything even remotely close to one, I always, invariably have them, and usually without realizing it.



But then again that's not a bad thing in the end, and especially not in this case. Simply put, my life is just somehow changed. It is soooooo different from how it was a mere week or two ago. And for me it is funny to reflect on that. I mean one week ago I was still frantically packing my former life away...that is 22 years, 3 months, and 9 days into two suitcases and two big boxes. And without a trace of fear, nerves or hesitation I finished the job at the wee hours of the morning of the 31st of January, the day of my flight to Germany. But still somehow I knew that after 4 great months spent at home, reconnecting with family and old friends, this was the right step for me. Nope, staying put was never an option, and I knew I needed to once again take myself out of my comfort zone and see more of this fascinating world. And that my friends was and still is my main motivation in the decision to move here.



I came to Germany for the explicit reason of experiencing a new culture and learning a new language...which if you are not already aware are two of my greatest passions in life. And as those who know me best can attest, I have never been content with the status quo, with staying in my bubble (as my sis would say). Nope for me there is just waaaaay too much to see, experience and learn about this world. And I see my time in germany as a small part of that very complicated puzzle.



So far though, I must admit, it's quite ironic the turn that my life has taken here. I mean I am somewhat of a grandma these days. I get up early and rarely go to bed later than 12. And most importantly my days are scheduled. Me, who never wears a watch, who does whatever she can to avoid looking at the clock, who always always always is late, is now subject to the schedule of two young children. Everyday at 2pm I must pick up the kids, then play with/ entertain them for two hours until Lilo and/or Robert get home, then we ALWAYS sit down to a family dinner at around 6pm, and finally they are off to bed at 7 and 8 respectively. However, we adults reconvene at around 10 for our "late night snack" - usually consisting of wine and cheese or something of the sort- and finally off to bed. And that is the majority of my week days...the same thing over and over again. Then starting in March, I will have one more thing added to the schedule, german classes for three and a half hours every week day morning excluding wednesdays. Now don't get me wrong, I am not complaining and this definitely does not mean I am miserable and regretting my decision to come here. No, not in the least. On the contrary, I believe this will be a wonderful learning experience in more ways than one. And though this au pair position is not a utopian ideal, nor does it necessarily fit my expectations, but I more than curious to see what comes next. I have a feeling that this will be a challenge, that there will be times where I feel lost, confused, homesick and unsure but I know that in the end I will look back and see that I have been shaped by this experience, that my horizons have been further broadened, and that maybe just maybe I wouldn't trade it for the world.