Archives for May 2004

Just “wow”

May 24, 2004 filed under: this and that

*OMG* you won’t believe what happened… last week my supervisor walked up to me and asked me if I would like to extend my program and work for them for another year! I was totally baffled, because I had never expected him to ask me something like that. I mean, it’s cool though… that means he’s really impressed with my work and wants to keep me for a little longer, now that?I have all these “unique skills” (quote). I haven’t told anyone so far (I mean my family) because I want to be sure that this will work out… I know that my parents are going to want me to come home. But honestly, isn’t a full-time job here better than most likely being unemployed in Germany? Plus, it will give me so much more work experience for when I get back.

I really think I want to do that… in fact, I think I have to and I like it here in CA and I can definitely stand it another year *lol* and J totally supports me on that. He wants some kind of break anyways after finishing College in three years, so he’ll have time to work, volunteer and do some good stuff before we head off to Germany.

yep, I guess that’s it.

I saw “Mean Girls” this weekend. It was an ok movie… not really funny and kinda stupid at some points. A typical teenager movie, I believe.

See you!

Sushi

May 18, 2004 filed under: friends, fun!, this and that

Ok… a new week has started. What did we do on the weekend? Oh yeah, J and I hung out with Susi again *remember from last weekend?* and went to “Yoshi’s Jazz Club & Japanese Restaurant” in Oakland. First we had Sushi for dinner… well, I actually acquired a taste for it in the last few months and there are some things that are really delicious … and then we went to see the “Roy Hargrove Quintet” at the Jazz Club. It was so cool! Unfortunately the end was really abrupt… the light went on and we had to leave. Susi and I were quite surprised to be taken out of this great atmosphere like that. We would have liked to enjoy it a little more. Oh well. It was only around midnight so we decided to go to another bar down the street and they also had live music there which was cool We really had a blast.

Sunday was pretty much relaxing and hanging out at home. Oh, and not to forget.. J and I took a looong walk… at least 1,5 hours. We were sweating cause it was around 92 degrees and of course I got a little sunburned It’s my own fault, I guess.

Talk to you later.

“Open House”

May 13, 2004 filed under: this and that

It’s Thursday already… the weekend is almost there that is great… although I must admit that the last two days were really laid back. We had the “Open House” on Tuesday and it was fantastic! Everything worked out great! I mean there is ALWAYS something that could have been better, but over all things went nearly perfect. I got to meet the director of the whole U.S. Geological Survey and we shook hands wow! Everyone was really pleased with our new ‘Western Remote Sensing and Visualization Center’ and they were impressed by our graphics and my animations …it was so cool.

Yesterday our supervisor took us out for lunch. We went to ‘Chevy’s” and it was delicious… way too much food though. I got my doggie bag to take home and J liked the leftovers. Today and tomorrow will be pretty quiet days, because my supervisor took two days off and my other co-worker went on a field trip. So it’s only me and one other guy here… it’s kind of cool!

New “friends”

May 9, 2004 filed under: friends, this and that

What a week! I was so busy. I worked over-time almost every day to finish up things for our up-coming “Open house” on Tuesday. I hate deadlines, because they put so much pressure on you, but on the other hand I got a lot of positive feedback from my supervisor and other people which made me feel really good about my work. At least my effort pays off in some way. If I?get my social security number (which is still a work in progress),? I’ll also finally get some money for all my work input. That will be even better.

The weekend was nice. I had kind of a “blind date” yesterday, because I met up with a girl (Susi) who’s an Au-pair in Walnut Creek, which is an hour from Davis. We emailed a couple of times, but we haven’t met before, so it was kind of exciting. I picked her up at the Amtrak station in the morning and then we spent the day at the ‘whole earth festival’ on Campus, which was fun! Later Tatjana, Susi and I went to the movies to watch a chick’s flick (13 going on 30). A really funny and cute movie. Go see it! Later we took Susi back to Walnut Creek and went out to dinner @ ‘Tomatina’ – an Italian restaurant. Delicious garlic bread-balls, pasta and salad!!

Then we had a drink at a bar and went to the Oakland Hills to enjoy the great view over the bay. Really beautiful!Today I was just relaxing. I slept in till 11:00 and then – after I talked to my family – we went out for a brunch which was great!

And that’s all for today! See ya.

Southern California

May 5, 2004 filed under: this and that

Wow, what a weekend. J and I went to Ventura and spent the whole Saturday in Malibu and Venice Beach. We had such a blast. I felt like I was on vacation… well, I guess it was a small one, right? Anyways, we hung out at the beach, laughed at the guys at “muscle beach” who were working out in public and had a nice dinner in a bar right at the beach. It was fantastic.

Also, we saw a whale! Yes, I couldn’t believe it either, because I thought the migration of whale’s was already over, but there he was.. one single lonely whale and I tried to take a picture (although I don’t think anyone will be able to see anything on it).

Now, being back in Davis and at work makes me feel like the weekend was LONG ago. That’s how it always is. I just came back from running with my neighbor Tatjana. 30 min – yeah! I am so proud we could get ourselves out. I always feel so much better after a workout, but sometimes when I come home late I am just too lazy.

Anyways, things with the SSC are slowly making progress… I hope I’ll be able to apply again soon – as soon as I have all my documents. Then I will get my first paycheck… and they will hold my paycheck for the last two weeks which is nice.

Next week is our ‘Open House’ and I have so many things to finish up this week. I’ve been working overtime yesterday and today and won’t even be paid for it it’s too bad… but hopefully things will slow down after next Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed.