28 Reasons I’m Celebrating My Age Like a German
In case you’re brand-spanking-new here, there’s one very important thing you should know: I live in Germany.
(But I’m very American.)
And quite possibly one of my favorite things about Germans is how honest and to-the-point they are. (Except when you’ve worked all day to cook a meal that tastes disappointingly average. In those cases, German guests could stand to be a bit more American…). Anywho, within my first few meetings with German clients and colleagues in my new life in Germany, my attention was pulled to one shockingly un-American tendency in most German introductions.
Age.
Almost all new employee introductions at my current company begin with the newcomer proudly stating their age, before listing their qualifications and experience. Never have I ever encountered this in the US. In fact, in the states, I knew several people who treated their age like state secrets and would tiptoe around all conversations that might disclose which year they were born.
Not here, honey. Germans state their age, no matter how old or young, without emotion or shame, and I have to say, I kind of love it. So why am I telling you this super random fact about Germans? Because my birthday is this week and I’m proud to say in every meeting, zoom call, and blog post that I’m turning 29!
It goes without saying that it’s been a funky year, but I want to take this time to celebrate what was personally one of the most transformational 365 days of my life. So let’s take a break from the panini content (I’m hopping on board this fantastical trend of using alternative “P” words because it makes me giggle like a child) and take a walk down memory lane.
Here are 28 things that I’m celebrating about my 28th year on earth:
How gorgeous Can a Couple Be?!
My residency in Germany was approved!
I sold my trusty Smart Car, Pumpkin, who accompanied me on many an adventure during my time in Portugal
I learned enough Portuguese to order a good, strong coffee and a Pastel de Nata (What more do you need?)
I improved my German enough to advance to the next level. (Though finding out there was a level A 2.2, instead of going to level B1 after A2, felt like a cruel joke. Kein Spaß.)
I got a new job!
My little sister got engaged!
I had the absolute privilege of taking the engagement photos of said sister and her wonderful fiancee
I survived eating and drinking milk and eggs casually chilling in the unrefrigerated section of the German grocery stores. Seriously, this is one of the weirdest things to me about German grocery stores… somehow I’m still alive. (And it’s actually totally normal.)
I became a soda stream convert. (Having sparkling water at your fingertips? Magic)
I learned how to make pasta under the watchful eye of Chef Mom
I spent one joyous evening savoring tapas in my favorite city: San Sebastián, Spain
I signed the lease on my very own apartment in Hamburg
My passport is completely filled, thanks to my recent residency permits for Portugal and Germany (now keeping my visas for Russia and Vietnam company). Being told you have to apply for a new passport, due to lack of space, is a surprisingly cool feeling…
I discovered the WONDER of buying used furniture and accessories from eBay Kleineinzeigen (West Wing finds are my favorite)
I learned how stupidly easy it is to make hummus. And then proceeded to make a lot of hummus.
Fell in love with biking trips in the German countryside! Who knew 50 kilometers and a sore bum could be so enjoyable?
Purchased a washing machine and dishwasher entirely in German and without any assistance from German-speaking friends
Ran the distance of a half marathon
(and totally surprised myself with how great it felt)
Speaking of which, found two brand new running buddies who make the kilometers fly by with great conversation!
Broke up the same relationship. Twice.
Hosted and led a positive and purposeful talk for artists struggling to pivot in the pandemic. Take a listen here, if you’d like!
After too many months apart, I got to spend 2 weeks holding, playing, and being educated on Paw Patrol with my sweet-as-pie nephews and niece
Realized how isolating it can be to live alone… and also how wonderful :)
Started the work on acknowledging my white privilege, thanks to books like “Me and White Supremacy”
Took a “Girls Trip” to Lisbon with my adventuring friend Janka, and fell so in love with the city I never seemed to fully appreciate when I lived nearby
Returned to the stage with my dear friend, Suzanne, for a Musical Theater concert I will never forget
Discovered rocket yoga, thanks to Fiona Raikes's incredible classes, both outdoors and on Zoom. I’m hooked.
I grew my blog subscriber base to a healthy community of 100 readers. Want to join us? Click here
None of this would have been possible without my community
aka YOU!
Thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for reading these posts that serve as an extension of my heart. Thank you for not hating me for my cheesy puns. And thank you for making me feel supported, even on my loneliest days. It’s my hope to enter my 29th year being able to give even more of that love and support back to all of you. (And hopefully on a better schedule than my Christmas card debacle…)
Cheers to owning our age, accomplishments, and failures. With four more days left of being 28, I’m happy to say I’m proud of all three.