2014 - or the year that changed everything . . .

Hallo and welcome back my dear friends!

I know it´s been a while since you have heard from me, therefore I would like to present my sincerest apologies that I kept you waiting and wondering what happened to that guy and his “vida loca” after he left Uruguay after a very special semester abroad, where the abovementioned big change in 2014 actually has its origin.


Somewhere in Mazedonia with our backpacks

But let me start off or more likely continue telling my story where I stopped the last time. As the winter was at its peak, in normally lovely Montevideo, Uruguay, with a moist and wet rainy cold that could be felt to the very marrow in the bones and that makes me shiver even now that I think about it (kind of like in the UK), however heavy hearted, I bade farewell to my newly found love Franca and headed back home to Germany. Of course with the promise that she would visit soon …

The following events of that legendary (some might even call it epic) summer that succeeded in my life, might even be worthy of dedicating another post or two to the matter to provide you with a better understanding of how awesome this trip was. Therefore I would just like to sum it up for you shortly: Together with my epic cousin Lukas we crashed the YSA convention in Switzerland and from there started our mind bending trip through all of Europe, visiting over 26 countries in less than six weeks (quite a challenge I might add). But more insights and pictures in one of my following posts.

La rambla in Piriapolis

Oldtown of Zadar, Croatia

Seashore of Biograd na Moru

After the holidays were over – how could it be in any other way – my studies took over again, however this time with a totally new experience, as we International Management students were facing our internship semester. I planned on doing my internship in South Africa, but due to the newest developments regarding my “love life”, I chose something closer to home so that Franca could visit me, get to know my family as well as this “oh so efficient” homeland of mine. Munich it was! I would spend the next 6 months working as an intern for Rohde & Schwarz in the department corporate development, where I grew and learned (to improve) in various aspects of my life, but I especially got to know the “real working world” and I enjoyed it very much (thanks David!).

In the meantime Franca arrived from Uruguay, hardly having had time to recover from the jetlag, when I already popped a ring on stage while performing “A whole new world” from the musical Aladdin in front of a (way too big and scary, if you asked her) audience, nevertheless or for lack of better words or judgment (just kidding^^), she accepted my proposal and the crowd went wild. (Most likely not because of my rather nervous performance but because … well you know). We were engaged!

View over Verona, Italy

In the following Franca studied a lot of German and got to know the only slightly different German culture, never ever experiencing any cultural differences at all. Really, I mean it! Well I guess you know me by now, so I trust in your ability to read between the lines even if some ^^ are missing. Fact is that by now after only a year of studying German she is fluent in my beautiful (and no German is neither harsh nor angry :P ) native tongue and really doing a great job overall! Very proud of you sweetie =)

And then we can actually already start with the “real” topic of this blog … the year 2014!

I´m not sure if you noticed ... but I love Palm Trees!

The wayfarer was going to get a new companion so that he would not be so lonely on his life´s journey and maybe also that he could be tamed and would not undertake so many and too daunt- or reckless adventures, helping him to settle down (at least a little bit). Nevertheless there were still many obstacles in our way that had to be overcome, so that we could actually get married and live together.  Firstly Franca had to leave Germany again, as the tourist Visa is only valid for 3 months, during which time she enjoyed her “Uruguayan” summer and basically planned the entire part of the wedding celebration in Uruguay on her own. I on the other hand had to study and pass my exams (somehow the thought occurred to me that I´m either passing some annoying exams or I´m travelling- especially the latter not necessarily a bad thing), as well as start the wedding prep for the German part of the wedding. Well, to make a long story short: after what felt like a never ending battle against German bureaucracy (reminded me a lot of poor old Don Quijote and the windmill) in order to get all the right documents with the correct translations, stamps and seals in the right way and order to the right authority and of course on time, we were finally "legally" allowed to marry.



Happy newly weds =)

Luckily, it´s over now ^^ and Franca was able to get back to Germany on time and we know that without the help of our Heavenly Father that would not have been possible (and yes we were praying a lot!) so that we could get married on May 15th, first with the legal authorities and then sealed together for time and all eternity at the Holy Temple in Frankfurt, Germany. What a marvelous experience that we could share together surrounded by friends and loved ones and how comforting to know that due to that restored authority we are not married until death do us part but for eternity. The party next day in Munich was a blast, we loved it and we wanted to express our deepest gratitude to all those who made that day possible, special thanks to my parents, my best man Sascha, Jonas and the kitchen crew. Thanks you were amazing =) We also wanted to thank all our guests for sharing and celebrating that special day with us and of course for the many beautiful gifts that we received. They were greatly appreciated.

Best and biggest Pizza ever!!!!

Somewhere at Lago di Garda

Even so it was not over yet … after only 2 days of relaxing and present opening, we took a flight to Uruguay to celebrate over there too!!! This was really awesome for me (and probably for Franca as well) because everything was so different than we do or would do things in Germany. I just love different cultures and their craziness (in a positive meaning of the word) from the perspective of an outsider. It was so much fun and we had such a great time over there, gracias también a la familia y los amigos en Uruguay, son los mejores!!! After the festivities we took a little time out at the beach house of los abuelitos in Las Flores (call it “minimoon” if you will) and flew back to Germany to start our life together =)

With the homies from LA at Lago di Garda, Italy

Back in Germany as usual I had to study, this time at the same time as Franca who was taking an intensive German course in Munich in which she did a great job as always. Then my parents left to the states to visit little brother Pascal and beside working (I continue working at R&S as a working student) and enjoying our spare time, we enjoyed 2 really nice vacations. The first one was with my homies from LA one week at the beautiful Lago di Garda, Torbole, Italy in this amazing vacation home. And our second vacation was two weeks with my brother Vali and his girlfriend Lara, and lots of friends in Biograd na Moru, Croatia. Both were simply amazing, just look at the pictures =)

And now is my last semester, Franca started her “Ausbildung” as Foreign Language Correspondent in Landshut, she started with French, is excelling in most of the subjects and she started teaching or tutoring in English and Spanish.

At the end of this post I would like to thank you for reading and also invite you to watch the 2 minute long video about the first gift of Christmas and the actual meaning of Christmas to enjoy a more joyful and meaningful Christmas season: Enjoy & see you soon =)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzjFEMmM0Xs&feature=youtu.be