Hey there, hi there, ho there!
It's been a while since I've updated, so I thought I'd let you all know what's new in the world of Amanda. In the last couple of months I've celebrated a birthday (26), filmed a strange sporting event, built a walk-in closet, and got a raise! 26 is not really any different than 24 or 25, other than I'm now realizing that I'm actually in my "Mid-Twenties" and not my "Early-Twenties" anymore. I have officially started to forget how old I am, so, I guess I'll start inadvertantly (or advertantly) lying about my age from now on and just continue to say I'm 25...
The strange sporting event I mentioned earlier was the "Fisherman's Friend Strongman Run" that took place at some WW2 German military base that has been turned into an airport. You can view some photos of the event here: http://www.fishermansfriend.de/strongmanrun/starke-bilder/ As previously mentioned, it was a strange event... There were some people who took it very serriously, and others who did it just for fun and dressed as Superman, in drag, or just in a random, yet hilarious, costume. There were competitors from all over the world, including an Australian Olympian (who I got to interview). It was a wild event to watch, and a ton of fun to be filming something (and getting paid for it)! ;-)
The raise was also a nice bonus... I'm now up to 17 Euros per 45 minute lesson, that's more than $23 for less than an hours work! Not too shabby if you ask me. In addition, I've also gained more lessons. I'm almost up to what I was making as an executive assistant in LA, but keep in mind, there I was working 40-55 hours per week, and getting about $450 after taxes. I'm now working a total of about 17 hours a week, at 17 Euros per hour, which equals 289 Euros per week, with today's exchange rate that's about $405 per week, $1,620 per month, and $19,440 per year. I know that's not exactly the world, but for the hours I work, that's FANTASTIC!! Less than 20 hours a week and THAT's what I take to the bank?! Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming!!
So, since I've been making a little extra cash, my boyfriend helped me build a walk in closet in another of our extra rooms. Below are some pics of the work in progress. I feel like Carrie in Sex and the City! :-) Oh yeah, get this, we live in what could be called a three bedroom apartment, one bathroom, a big kitchen, a big living room, three balconies, and a big entry way/foryay, totaling 1,205 square feet! You know what we pay in rent? 680 Euros per month, utilities included. That's $953 per month!! What a steal!!!! Serriously, we're living the good life here in Dusseldorf... Also, I read an article that placed Dusseldorf as the #6 best city in the world to live in this year based on cost and quality of living. TOP TEN!! It's pretty awesome... I want to come back home to the States, but right now, I'd be CRAZY to leave my work schedule, income, and apartment. We're waiting it out just a bit, and we'll see how this whole financial meltdown works out. Oh, yeah, and if you didn't know, Andre's job as a fireman, it's guarenteed for life. That's right, he can't get fired. Unless he commits a crime that requires him to serve more than 6 months in jail. Any crime less than 6 months in jail, he gets out and goes back to work... It's REDICULOUS! So, again, we'd be absolutely crazy to leave right now, who's job is guarenteed for life right now?
Speaking of crazy, my parents just started their float down the Mighty Mississippi yesterday. If you're following my blog, you probably follow theirs as well, but in case you don't, here's the link: http://ventureoutii.blogspot.com/ If you know my parents and me, you're well aware we're not what would be considered "normal people", but if you know the rest of our family at all, you're also well aware that crazy runs in the family, we just take it to the extreem! I guess that's all for now. I'll keep you posted with any new news, but for now, I'd just like to wish everyone a Jolly July and an Awesome August!
Bis Bald!
Amanda von Duesseldorf
It's been a while since I've updated, so I thought I'd let you all know what's new in the world of Amanda. In the last couple of months I've celebrated a birthday (26), filmed a strange sporting event, built a walk-in closet, and got a raise! 26 is not really any different than 24 or 25, other than I'm now realizing that I'm actually in my "Mid-Twenties" and not my "Early-Twenties" anymore. I have officially started to forget how old I am, so, I guess I'll start inadvertantly (or advertantly) lying about my age from now on and just continue to say I'm 25...
The strange sporting event I mentioned earlier was the "Fisherman's Friend Strongman Run" that took place at some WW2 German military base that has been turned into an airport. You can view some photos of the event here: http://www.fishermansfriend.de/strongmanrun/starke-bilder/ As previously mentioned, it was a strange event... There were some people who took it very serriously, and others who did it just for fun and dressed as Superman, in drag, or just in a random, yet hilarious, costume. There were competitors from all over the world, including an Australian Olympian (who I got to interview). It was a wild event to watch, and a ton of fun to be filming something (and getting paid for it)! ;-)
The raise was also a nice bonus... I'm now up to 17 Euros per 45 minute lesson, that's more than $23 for less than an hours work! Not too shabby if you ask me. In addition, I've also gained more lessons. I'm almost up to what I was making as an executive assistant in LA, but keep in mind, there I was working 40-55 hours per week, and getting about $450 after taxes. I'm now working a total of about 17 hours a week, at 17 Euros per hour, which equals 289 Euros per week, with today's exchange rate that's about $405 per week, $1,620 per month, and $19,440 per year. I know that's not exactly the world, but for the hours I work, that's FANTASTIC!! Less than 20 hours a week and THAT's what I take to the bank?! Pinch me, I think I'm dreaming!!
So, since I've been making a little extra cash, my boyfriend helped me build a walk in closet in another of our extra rooms. Below are some pics of the work in progress. I feel like Carrie in Sex and the City! :-) Oh yeah, get this, we live in what could be called a three bedroom apartment, one bathroom, a big kitchen, a big living room, three balconies, and a big entry way/foryay, totaling 1,205 square feet! You know what we pay in rent? 680 Euros per month, utilities included. That's $953 per month!! What a steal!!!! Serriously, we're living the good life here in Dusseldorf... Also, I read an article that placed Dusseldorf as the #6 best city in the world to live in this year based on cost and quality of living. TOP TEN!! It's pretty awesome... I want to come back home to the States, but right now, I'd be CRAZY to leave my work schedule, income, and apartment. We're waiting it out just a bit, and we'll see how this whole financial meltdown works out. Oh, yeah, and if you didn't know, Andre's job as a fireman, it's guarenteed for life. That's right, he can't get fired. Unless he commits a crime that requires him to serve more than 6 months in jail. Any crime less than 6 months in jail, he gets out and goes back to work... It's REDICULOUS! So, again, we'd be absolutely crazy to leave right now, who's job is guarenteed for life right now?
Speaking of crazy, my parents just started their float down the Mighty Mississippi yesterday. If you're following my blog, you probably follow theirs as well, but in case you don't, here's the link: http://ventureoutii.blogspot.com/ If you know my parents and me, you're well aware we're not what would be considered "normal people", but if you know the rest of our family at all, you're also well aware that crazy runs in the family, we just take it to the extreem! I guess that's all for now. I'll keep you posted with any new news, but for now, I'd just like to wish everyone a Jolly July and an Awesome August!
Bis Bald!
Amanda von Duesseldorf
