Fasching 2007 - Graz, Austria

This year, instead of just watching Fasching from the television set, I participated. With the help of my friend, Wolfy (Wolfgang), we managed to come up with these outfits for the celebration. Here's a weblink to a video, from the local media channel...
http://www.kleine.co.at/allgemein/video/regional/351636/index.do

Back to Europe....yet again...

As of January 31st, I began my journey back to Europe. This time within the city of Vienna, Austria.

To become more acquainted with this beautiful city, might I suggest watching this 25 minute video...

Click here to view the video.

Looking good in 2007...

That San Francisco Treat...

Last I wrote on this blog, I was just returning from my living in Austria, however over the last few months I have been trying to get back to the first-world, even though I still don't own a cell phone.

I'm scheduled to move into an apartment in San Francisco on November 1st, which I'm happy to report. When in comparison to the three story building I occupied while living in Morocco, this new San Francisco apartment fails in comparison. This new San Francsico apartment is small, but that's all I can afford at the moment, and it's all relative anyway. The good thing is that my apartment is in a very central location, and just a few block from Union Square. This works well for me, because I work only a few short blocks from Union Square.

During these last few months, I've also managed to find work. The work is going well, for the most part since starting on October 1st. The company is called eLUXURY, and it's basically the online retail division of LVMH, which is the world's largest conglomerate of luxury goods. I'm getting the hang of working 9-to-5 again, but it's come with some strain for sure. Coming from the last 2+ years having no sort of schedule what-so-ever, this 9-to-5 stuff was a harsh welcome back. Actually, it was more like a welcome "kick in the nuts"! The job itself isn't a real high-paying job or even a sexy one for that matter, but it does offer me an opportunity to move within the luxury industry which is a definite advantage, as I am given the advantage of transferring to the 50+ brand divisions under LVMH.

Other than that, school continues to push forward. I've had a few bumps over the last few days due to the fact that I'm trying to juggle a new job and commuting (2 hours - oneway). But, I hope things will begin to smooth out over the next weeks as I finally get settled in. I'm excited for Spring Semester, because I'll be taking courses that really have to do with my particular interests. And, if possible, I might have the opportunity to take in-person classes now that I'll live in San Francisco. Until now, all my courses have been taken online, and although they've worked well for my schedule, they're still not as good as in-person class could be.

The other thing that's highly on my mind is my girlfriend's arrival...

She'll be arriving in a few weeks from Austria to stay with me for the next 90 days. During that time she'll be looking for employment within International and Human Rights Law, so hopefully there will be something available for her in San Francisco. :)

Of course, if there's any of my friends out there that are coming to the Bay Area or even Northern California for that matter, than I would hope that you get in contact with me. The best way is via this Blog or my personal email if you have it.

Back on solid ground?

As expected, the first few days here on American soil with my family were remarkable, but they are slowly fading with each passing of the day. It's not that being here isn't glorious, it's just that the excitement has faded a bit for both parties. Now, it's back to the normal way of life, as it should be. However, what I find difficult to extinguish are the day dreams of a better future for myself, which I had sought out to make reality since going abroad. What's also omnipresent in this daily and normal life that I find myself in is this constant reminder that my day dreams of a better future are in fact the only reality I have. The reality being that they're still only dreams. Which can be a bit depressing and mentality draining, as I begin to compare that with what I held to be true in the way of a normal life in Austria for the past several months.

Sure, it's good to back home...for starters my reading comprehension is at an all time high, and it was great to hang out with my older brother again, however the excitement of adventure and the unknown only alludes me here in America. And I'm not one of those people who are anti-America, as I wouldn't change my Nationality for anything, but it's just that America (for me) is not the end all be all.

One main reason could be that the love I still have for my girlfriend, which is harder to just let slide than originally conceived, remains deep within me and prevents me from finding that solidarity here in America. As is the case currently, she remains in Austria, but we remain connected through the marvels of 21st century technology. Unfortunately, the technology has yet to implant nor develop the subtle touch or smell from a loved one, so all we can do is continue to share comments about our future. What is remotely true for me as it has been said many times over, is that a bond grows stronger with distance. But, what I know to be in fact true is that our relationship has a solid foundation which enables this distance relationship to take place. However, the blossoming of new experiences surrounding this foundation have begun to whither. As much as we attempt to un-earth our history in remembrance of our love, it frequently feels more like a dusty old vase that was once adorned with the vibrance of an audience.

As you may notice with reading this, my thoughts and emotions are mixed, having felt both positives and negatives from this return home. Often I feel like the ground I stand on isn't complete, and if I don't continue to build up on it than it will just dry up and crumble beneath me. In other words, without the constant revitalization of new experiences, the ground becomes less fertile as the days linger on. I wonder, is what I'm talking about my job, my environment, or just the love I left in Austria? To be back on solid ground has only proven itself to be rooted in confusion at best.

Weather Report...

< Map of Austria
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(10-Day) Forecast:
Click Here

Clouds Above Graz...

There were weird and interesting cloud formations over Graz yesterday mid-day around 5pm. The wind picked up rapidly, and really out of no where a Thunderstorm came that lasted only about an hour. Turning daylight into these beautiful colored cloud formations that were like nothing I've ever seen before. The pictures don't really capture it, but as I hope you'll see, they were amazing.