Thank you Pia!

Dean & David. The goat cheese, walnut and grape salad was a mouthwatering dinner prior to a very inspiring Vernissage (Hackerviertel) and a late night movie ("The Counselor", which I didn't really like too much even though Brad Pitt, Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz were in it. Still nice to look at all of them even though the main plot wasn't the most exciting one... ) 

About two weeks ago I found out that I would be able to travel to Munich for work. Needless to say that I was extremely excited to #1 go back to Bavaria and experience the special mood this spot of Germany sparks in me and #2 to see my long long long time friend Pia! We know another since high school and probably wouldn't be who we are today without another. Every time I visit her it feels like vacation. She is really the kind of personality I need to relax (especially when Lawrence is gone and nobody is forcing me to relax :)). Unfortunately we didn't manage to get a nice picture of the both of us, but it was so cozy to stay with her! Thank you Pia :) 

Well, we tried :) 

Deliciousness! Home Made Apple Crumble (hot! fresh out of the oven) with some vanilla ice cream! Simply irresistible! 

In and around Garmisch Partenkirchen

Schloss Neuschwanstein, Germany

(Inspiration for the Disney Castle -More information about the castle)

Details from the castle (Schloss Neuschwanstein)

The gorge was amazing! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Partnach_Gorge

We opened one of our nice bottles of wine which we acquired during the wine tour through Italy a couple of years ago. La Spinetta! 

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

Extremely Surprising Surprise & Atlanta Part Two

Last night something happened that completely caught me off guard! It had been a rough day and I felt a little off (for no reason, maybe I can blame it on the weather :) ). So Evelyn and Mike decided to take me out to a German restaurant close by. It was so delicious and the best part was that I was able to take a sip of home by drinking a "Schlenkerla Doppelbock". All of the sudden I hear my name (thinking that drinking a beer isn't be best idea if you usually don't drink that much) and who do I see? Will!!! Will?? Really? What is happening? But yes, it is Will a friend of mine that spend his year abroad in Bamberg, Germany! He doesn't even live close to Johns Creek, but yes, that's certainly him! 

What a nice/freaky surprise, or? 

Only happened to me once before: At a Starbucks in Grand Central Station in Manhattan. I turned around and see my former classmate! I am still trying to understand how things like this happen. It was definitely the highlight of the day! 

Enough of the sentimental talk :) Here part two of our trip to Atlanta!

Think outside the box! ATL = Atlanta playground at Woodroff park 

Feel the breeeeeze? Taking the train was a refreshing thing to do!

Roses at the Martin Luther King Jr. World Rose Garden. This beauty respresents Mrs. Coretta Scott King's oneness with Dr. King and her continuation of his work. Interested to read more about it? 

Vivid piece of art in front of the museum showcasing the problems that Martin Luther King Jr. - with the help of other people - were fighting!

Talking about a hero! Magnificent view, isn't it? Somewhere between Auburn Avenue and Edgewood Avenue

Blue sky, rain, blue sky? This is a very strange summer!

Famous FOX theatre in Midtown. It is such a pretty/old school theatre which intrigues me to book tickets for the next 20 weekends in advance :)

After a very long day of walking around and digesting all the information. It was time for an early dinner. Panera Bread was our choice. Nothing fancy, however it sparked our senses anyways :)

Back at home! Look at my new tan! Even though it is raining every now and then and I apply SPF 30 all the time, my skin still gets this gloomy look that I don't mind! 

Hochwasser

Hello my German friends! What is going on? Not that I didn't realize that summer didn't arrive yet, but watching the news is far more shocking that thinking that you have a little bit of rain. Hope you are staying dry and safe! 

p.s. We just got home from our beach vacation. It was unbelievably nice. And after seeing what you went through I wish that I had a private yet to fly you over more spontaneously. Oh well, working on that one :) 

The adventure continues...

Hello and welcome back to my blog! 

You may know that I am about to go back to the US. This time, Georgia and many other Southern States have to get ready for me. The coming three months will be full of changes. Plenty of goodbye's and hello's! I look forward to sharing my impressions about the culture, companies, people, fashion and beautiful things with you! Let the ride begin!