Mc Kinsey business after hours - sky office Düsseldorf

Last night it was time for some professional networking and learning more about the future of North Rhine Westfalia at the after business work hours from Mc Kinsey and the American Chamber of Commerce. The core group of the Rotaract Duesseldorf went and we certainly enjoyed the evening! 

The breathtaking view was only one highlight of joining an event on the 20th floor of the sky office!

Today we will have a model casting at work, so I pulled out the peep-toe heels to be on their eye level 😜

Have a lovely day! 

Dear Future I am Ready: Matt

Matt - The Bayern Munich fan at heart who wants to conquer Germany
(I felt like my first male contributor shouldn't have to deal with the pink color :))

Education: Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Clemson University Nationality: American Age: 23 Previous International Experience: One month living with a family in Straubing, Germany when I was 16, and studying abroad for one year at Otto-Friedrich Universität Bamberg, in Bamberg, Germany. Challenge: Figuring out what I want to do with my life and how to incorporate my dreams of living abroad into that. Result: It’s still an ongoing process. I think what everyone finds themselves drawn to changes as we get older, so I think that the result is a bit subjective. I do think that I’m on my way. Hobbies: Roller skating and video games

It all started in high school...

I’m Matt, 23 and American. One of my dreams has been to live in Germany. This all started when I did an exchange program in high school for a month. It taught me a lot about the world, instilled in me a love for all things German, and made me realize that the world was composed of a lot more than I had learned in my short shelter existence 

And I am back! Bamberg is calling!

Because of this experience, I decided to do a year abroad in Bamberg, Germany during my third year of study. This year was, without a doubt, the most exciting and memorable year of life so far. I believe that for me, it was not only an adventure, but also probably the time in my life where I have really learned the most about myself.

What's the plan now?

As far as what I want to do with my life, I’m honestly still not sure. I think for me, my dream of wanting to move, live and work in Germany really stems from a mixture of two things. One, you would probably call Wanderlust. Where I grew up, it’s early hard for the people here to get out, not just from the location but the small minded mentality and the ease of life here. I want to explore and broaden my knowledge and understanding of the world. The other part is a mix of my love of German culture and how at home I felt in Germany in the year I spent there.

Making my dream come true, one step at a time...

What I’m doing to make my goals become reality so far is I have gotten a job in the US working for a German firm, ZF. I think this is a great step towards what I want to do, as I have gained invaluable experience and really get a feel for the German way of ‘worklife’. Besides that I have a couple of other ideas that I’m throwing around in my head. I originally studied political science, and while I don’t like politics, I love debating and talking about the theories behind them. I have found a program at the Universität Bayreuth in Philosophy and Economics that I would absolutely love to get my Masters. Another idea I am really drawn too is to try to get a job teaching English as a second language somewhere in world. 

Thank you past for the lessons. Dear future I am ready...

For me, I think the biggest challenge is well, finding something that I like to do that also quenches my Wanderlust. I’m not sure what exactly the future holds for me, but I enjoy waking up knowing everyday that I can go out and have an adventure.

Note from Taty :) Thank you for showing my friend and me your university this past summer! I can only say that Germany would love to have you back! (oh and yes, that is me in the pictures: Halloween is coming up... :) )

As usual, if you can't get enough of these stories, check these out..

http://bit.ly/FutureIamready || http://bit.ly/KristinFuture || http://bit.ly/RosairusFuture || http://bit.ly/NathalieFuture || http://bit.ly/LeighFuture || http://bit.ly/EugeniaFuture || http://bit.ly/HenniFuture || http://bit.ly/FutureLeanne || http://bit.ly/FutureUli || http://bit.ly/FutureMatt

Cozy, historic Charleston and the gas station drama

We made it a point to spend the whole day in Charleston today. One of the cities in the US that is filled with history and has a very European touch. We stayed at the Notso Hostel right in the center of the city and got to walk around under a bright blue sky! 

Sweet temptation, or? At the Wild Flower Pastry the owner herself made us a refreshing ice coffee. The wait was a very pleasant one if you look at all sorts of beautiful pastries and cakes. 

Lovely brick wall & happy Taty

What a Marilyn Monroe moment! On our "movie map" tour we found a lot of locations from "The Notebook" (another Nicholas Sparks based movie) in which Ryan Gosling falls in love with a richer girl...

"Pink House" in Charleston, right across the German Fire Company Engine House and the Slavery Mart Museum. Strolling around the cobble stone streets felt very good. Foot massage!

Calhoun Mansion

Good morning kitty cat!

Calhoun Mansion - Wondering why the ceilings at the famous houses are always blue. Answer: Blue is the color that is scaring away ghosts. Therefore, the entrance areas always have a blue ceiling. Do you see the "angel" streams falling down on Myh?

Pine apple fountain. Who find the mistake? :) The pineapple is actually a sign for hospitality in the south and especially in Charleston. 

Fresh Oysters from Florida. Deliciousness!

On my way to becoming more and more Americanized :)

Important destination: the Boone Plantation. Impressive lans and great preparation of the historic landmarks/events of the change of the role of slaves. Fascinating that slavery was practiced until the 1940ies. Sometimes even longer. 

Summary of Day 3: 

- coming tomorrow - 

Georgia Aquarium - The World's Largest Aquarium

 The Georgia Aquarium. 

Summary:You should go!

History:

In 1979, Bernie Marcus co-founded The Home Depot, opening its first stores and its headquarters in Atlanta, GA. By revolutionizing the home improvement industry, The Home Depot became one of the fastest growing companies in America. Marcus desired to give back to the great community of Atlanta through a gift that reached as many different lives as possible, just as The Home Depot has touched the lives of a broad and diverse customer base. In his vision, he also wanted to promote economic impact for the city and state, bring growth and new jobs and help create a destination to inspire visitors to stay - and stay longer. In 2003, Marcus announced his gift to the city of Atlanta – the Georgia Aquarium. Due to Marcus’ $250 million gift to Georgia, the Aquarium was able to open debt free.

WOW! The Olson Fins where here as well!!

 4,5 hours at an aquarium? Fly by far too fast if you get enchanted by the beauty of those animals.

I touched it! So slimy! Loved it! 

We watched the AT&T (ja ja of course I had to mention their name. That's why they donate so much money *lol*) Dolphin Tales Show. I teared up. Somehow my respect and love for dolphins grew after seeing them in their natural habitat in Florida!

For real? Aren't this the freakiest things you have ever seen? "These small eels live in burrows on the sea floor and get their name from their practice of poking their heads from their burrows while most of their bodies remain hidden. Since they tend to live in groups, the many eel heads "growing" from the sea floor resemble the plants in a garden."

Jellies!

You've got mail...

Hello again from the Atlanta area!

 I sent a package last week and got to watch the mailman  in the neighborhood do their thing. Gosh! SO efficient! Why don't we have that in Germany? 

The famous American mailbox is located right on the street (and within reach for the mailman who can sit in the car - hint: the car of the mailman is in a "British format" meaning that the driver sits on the right side!!! Genius!) 

Also, I can just leave my mail in the box, lift up the red flag (IF still existing, see last picture :) ) and the mailman will take it with them. Super easy! Deutsche Post - please apply (at least in the outskirts)

Besides sitting in the bushes and creeping up on the mailman, I still get to enjoy myself every now and then. In between application writing and networking I got to play tennis today with a new team! It was so much fun! The kids even got hooked. First tennis lesson will be tomorrow (for them) and friday (for myself). 

Other highlights coming up :) 

• Water-park, 
• Volunteering for the Roteract (Books for Africa activity) 
• ...and for the Lions Club (Baseball game)
• Larges aquarium in the world (Atlanta)
• Atlanta Zoo
• Coca Cola World 

Hugs and kisses! 

Sunset

There are only a few great sunsets we get to enjoy on the water and while listening to the waves rolling in. This place is so gorgeous. Can't put it in words. Good night everyone!

Photo: Mike Sutton (my participation was limited to watching the sunset after setting up the tripod :) ) 

Impressions...

Amerika! Amerika!

Sorry for being a little slow with the updates on this blog. Live is simply too exciting and every day has new adventures to offer. So, please forgive me! The weather is fabulous (no hurricanes or storms, just sun and fun), the people in this neighborhood (or the south at large), the family, the networking opportunities are all astonishingly great. Here a couple impressions of my past week. 

(above: picture was taken at Northpoint mall - I didn't get the shirt - and I didn't realize until I saw the pic on my laptop that it has such "symbolic meaning" :)  Taty is still in love with the country.)

Past saturday I went over to Chris & Kate's place (former neighbors from Newburgh) for a BBQ. Great food and company! 

The "grill master" Michael (Christian's colleague)

Coffee with the girls after a ballet show (Mike picked up Evelyn from the airport from her trip to Europe, so us girl decided to splurge a little :) )

The three kiddles of Christian. Tuesday and today I watched them. I got a great workout :) Trampoline, Hula Hoop, Jumping Rope, Chasing, Basketball AND a nice little photo shooting. (the close ups are hilarious) 

My best friend and the best medicine to cure my desire to snuggle with Lotti. 

This one is for my German friends who think they want summer: mosquito bites are the WORST! So be happy you don't have to deal with that :) 

A little game of Jenga between writing applications and honors papers :)

Fun at the Northpoint mall! I took Charlotte with me and we had a blast (we both got some sunglasses and she just looked like a movie star wearing them while carrying my pink VS bag) :) Of course we couldn't miss the carrousel ride!

REALLY happy taty with her new (and first "real") sunglasses! (thank you mami for the birthday gift! I will think of you every time the sun shines now!) 

Let me introduce: Charlotte - The cookie queen!

Ta daa! I am a very proud owner of polarized (I didn't even know what that meant prior to buying these, as I was so used to buying H&M sunglasses every summer for 4€ :) ) Mami's birthday gift for me. In love... 

I had the hardest time deciding which ones I should get and even more so for deciding which color my case for the glasses should have. Black and brown were the options. What do you think? Good choice?

Miss you tons! Keep writing me as you are. I love to hear what is going on in your lives. Although I am only here for almost 2 weeks, it feels a LOT longer! Skype sessions coming up!

OH and be prepared for some nice pictures from the beach!

For everyone that wants to feel envy. Click here !!

Taty*

Happy Mothers Day!

A lot of people dislike holidays and think that they are only beneficial for the flower shops selling overpriced bouquets. Well, I am not one of them. I like mothers day as much as I like to celebrate a birthdays, graduations or any other holiday which gives me an excuse to dress up and make it a very special day.

So, thank you Mami for making me the person I am today. Without you I wouldn't be as independent, confident or would have the guts to move to a different continent. I hope you enjoyed the day, smelled some nice flowers and tasted amazing food. Love you, Taty*

p.s. I'll try calling you again later!

Welcome to America

Welcome to America! Welcome to America!

I am back in town. To be precise, this time I am exploring the south of the country where dreams come true. As I am not trying to bore you, but give you little insights about my experience, I will try to keep it short and interesting.

If there is something you are curious about in particular, give me a shout (comment below)!

Cheers, oh and welcome to America :)

View from my bedroom

My new home

Super size me! Veggies as much as you want!

Grocery shopping at Whole Foods! Never seen brussel sprouts like that before!

Beer bottles look far more fun over here!