More things that make me happy.

I have been feeling incredibly happy and content about life this weekend and these are some of the reasons why:

Our apartment: I have fallen in love with our apartment all over again. After we rearranged the living room for the Christmas tree (which we still don't have), the new layout opens up the room so much more. It feels more cozy and welcoming and just simply perfect. I love when accidents like that happen. Additionally I scored some more Christmas decorations at Michaels for only $12 total. Now we only need the tree!

Our first snowstorm and the Christmas tree: As I mentioned before, we still don't have our precious tree. Since we are getting a real Christmas tree this year, we were planning on going out to the Christmas tree farm that's located a few blocks from our apartment complex today. However, a beautiful winter snowstorm this morning and afternoon came in between, which we didn't mind at all because it felt so good just staying at home watching the flakes falling from the sky. I have missed winter so much!

Our first snow this season.

Home improvement projects: My parents and sister (who will be flying to DC all the way from Germany) will be getting here in a little over two weeks. With this in mind, I have slowly been trying to get our home ready for them. Collin and I found a few extra items from IKEA in our storage closet that we were trying to find a use for. And we did. So today I finished putting together our entry way. Now we can actually hang up our coats. AND we can check ourselves out in the mirror before heading out the door. It sure makes life a lot easier.

Entry way: Coat hanger and mirror.

Entry way: Coat hanger and mirror.

Knitting projects: With Christmas coming up, I have been working on a lot more knitting projects. Last weekend I finished a hat for one of my sister's presents. Currently I am trying to knit my first pair of gloves. With actual fingers which I have never done before! I haven't decided yet who I am going to give them to. Most importantly it depends on how they turn out and if they look alright, I might just keep them for myself. I am bad, I know.

Knitting project: Gloves

My internship/work: My supervisor is amazing. That's all I wanted to say. Everything is going great which makes waking up and heading out to the bus that takes me to work in the mornings so much more fun and pleasant.

Approaching things differently.

While reading Kerri's post on time management the other day, I started thinking about myself and how busy my life has gotten again in the last few months.

Soon after I finished writing my thesis in July of this year, I experienced a great feeling of relief and freedom for the first time in years. College had taken up the majority of my days. On top of that, I was working as a teacher's assistant tutoring other college students and on various research projects. By July, I was completely burnt out.

I remember the few days I spent at my parents' house before heading back to the USA for good on August 11th. Even though I wasn't lying on a beach or swimming in the ocean, it was by far one of the best vacations I have ever had. I didn't have to worry about a thing. In fact, it felt like I was a child again living with my parents and doing whatever I wanted to do.

As soon as I arrived in the USA, the stress slowly started to creep up again. I handled the move all by myself because Collin was training in Texas. I set up our entire apartment. All by myself. Because I didn't know anyone here yet. I set up the TV, internet and phone. All by myself. Well, not really, because Comcast came by and handled everything. But I placed the call. This might not seem like a huge deal to you but when you don't have anyone else around you, it sure is.

At the end of August I finally started my internship. It was such a great feeling to be around people again. I was busy again and I liked it. Although it was a different kind of busy because after coming home I didn't have to study, I simply relaxed on the couch in front of the TV watching various shows on HGTV. And I felt good about it.

Now, here I am. Three months later, I am still working as an intern at a fabulous place but I have taken on so many more things again that I see myself already where I was before I completed my thesis. I am going to start my master's program in January which will add two nights of classes to my already tight schedule. Additionally, the other day I received an email about a great opportunity that might help me advance in my career. Life has blessed me in many different ways recently and I still can't quite grasp most of it.

With all of these things going on at the same time, I need to force myself to reserve some time for just myself again. I need to make time to read that book, watch that TV show and knit that hat. Life is way too precious to feel overwhelmed and exhausted and tired all the time.

What a month! What a great experience!

Yes, I did it! 30 posts in 30 days!

This year was the first time for me as a participant in NaBloPoMo and I can honestly say that it was one of the greatest blogging experiences ever.

I am grateful for having met so many awesome new bloggers.

I am grateful for finally opening up to the Army/Military wives blogging community. You guys are so much fun! Seriously! I love every single one of you!

I am grateful for those bloggers who have been here with me for years and whose lovely posts always make my day.

Thank you for everyone who has been reading my posts and thank you everyone for your sweet and dear comments. I appreciate every single one of them! And I hope you will keep sticking around because I have so much more to tell. At least I hope so. :)

Thank you, November.

Can you believe tomorrow is December 1st already? The beginning of the last month of 2009? The end of 2009? It's still beyond me how fast this year has come and go.

Well, Stefanie, take a deep breath! It's not over yet. There is so much more to come.

Yes, that's true.

But let me reflect on what are, by far, the most life-changing news of this past month:

I made it into graduate school. I am a graduate student - something I still can't quite grasp. A few months ago I just wanted to work and let school be something from the past. But there were several things that made me abandon this idea.

First of all, I didn't realize how hard finding a job could be - especially an entry-level position with a foreign degree. On top of that the economy still hasn't quite picked up yet. Companies don't have time to worry about the environment these days, instead they hire financial analysts that help them move forward economically.

Secondly, I am pretty much addicted to college. I enjoy doing research and writing papers. Most of the time I can't even picture myself working for a consulting firm or any other company, I rather be a scientist at a college conducting experiments and analyzing data.

Thirdly, people (especially my former class mates from high school and my professors at my German university) have always told me that I need to move forward and that I shouldn't stop where I am at right now because I can be so much more - academically. Today, my supervisor at work even mentioned I should go for a Ph.D. after my master's degree.

Wait a minute. I haven't even started my master's program yet.

But it sure has crossed my mind. I would be lying otherwise.

Was there anything, in the month of November, that was important to you? Something that has changed you or your life? Something that made you happy? Sad? Something that made you think? Laugh? Cry?

Feeling happy.

Things that made me happy this weekend:

1. Purchasing new Christmas decoration:


2. Making soft tacos for dinner:


3. Holding and reading my acceptance letter:


4. Getting excited about opening the first door of my Christmas calendar in two days:


5. Finding the side table we have always wanted for $18 in the IKEA as-is department.