Monday, February 27, 2012

6 Years and 4 days ago...

....I walked out of a train and met up with the tutor that had been assigned to me during my study abroad period. We had been writing one another and I was sure to bother her about what dorm I was assigned to pretty much every day.

I still have that first email.

"my name is Broom and I am a student at the university of X". Where she went on to explain that she would be responsible for me while I was there- to show me how things worked there, etc.

Little did we know, that we would fall in love (I know what you are thinking, I was the initiator, though- Broom was clueless to my crush.).

Years later I found out that I wasn't the 1st choice for the scholarship that brought me to that German university town- the first place winner declined and Broom was assigned to take care of me after requesting someone she could practice her English with.

The rest, you could say, is history!

Here is to many more annaversaries of the day we met and many more wedding annaversaries too!!

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Balance

Lately, I have been struggling to find a balance in life.

Not concentrating too much on work can be hard, considering how much overtime I've been putting in. I feel like I have been fighting to defend my job, and a part of me wonders if it is even worth the trouble.

I've told myself I will only keep up this number of overtime hours until the end of the month- then I need to get my work life and my personal life balanced out again. I can defend until then, then I need to put my foot down. But, due to the "fight" I am worried that if I show weakness, I will have lost before the bell. But how important is this, anyway?

No one is going to thank you for killing yourself at work- and I've practically lost the "fight" already- merely because of my age. Apparently being in your late 20's is too young for HR in Germany (or at least in my current company, since I've gotten contacted by headhunters lately).

I have to concentrate more on the bigger goal- staying happy, healthy, and balanced.

And- as soon as Broom has more job clarity, we are starting insemination & then I will be off for a year and a half anyways.

So- in the immortal words of South Park (thank God I can't remember which character used to say this) "Screw you guys, I'm going home!"

My life is more important than tipping the scales on what is balanced and what isn't. I believe I can have a successful career, and a life.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

An Ode to my Auto

Dear Auto,

I still have faith in you.

You are my fanciest car by far, and it is great that Broom and I are financing you (even though she can't yet drive). In about a year and a half, you will truly be ours!

That being said, WTF, mate?

First, slippery salesman fails to mention that you need a new transmission. But we get an appointment quickly to get this done. However, the first one is broken, and the second one spends more time on its way from Italy than planned (I am convinced it took a vacation on the way), so the mechanics had the car for a total of 2 months.

About a month afterwards, my mechanic discovers a bunch of rust they covered up with paint. Then the check engine light comes on, which two other mechanics delete since they can't figure out why you are on.

Then the battery dies.
And someone else deletes the light.
And the check engine light comes on again before I've even left the parking lot with my new battery.

Valve replaced, light gone!
Success!

Five days later, when the artic front here keeps the temperature at around 7 F or -11 C, you don't start.

And the ADAC's lines were busy for four hours last night. So, I am waiting on a ride to work and debating when to try and get you fixed and WTF is wrong?!? You can tell me, I have faith in you!!!

So, get better soon, mkay?
I'd love to be able to rely on you more and even expand our bonding and give you an Auto name (I was thinking Roma, but I haven't checked with Broom yet- and this is a big decision!), but I really need you to pull through for us.

Love,
Quatsch & Broom