Coming Full Circle

No matter how outlandish my ideas have been, I have always marched to the beat of my own drum. From the time I was little, I have always taken an interest in creating, building, and working on my own random art projects (fireworks and things that are really dangerous). Many of you may not know this, but I hold a special place in my heart for George Romero films like the original Dawn of the Dead or even Sam Raimi's Evil Dead movies. Nothing fascinated me more as an 8 year old than some zombie getting his arm wacked off with a chainsaw or better yet when actor Bruce Campbell cuts his own hand off and straps a chainsaw to his arm. For some reason that scene sticks in my mind. I remember how real it looked but it never really frightened me. I was actually intrigued and knew that one day I could and would create art like this. As I got older, I thought I was destined for a life in LA writing and directing film. After 6 months and a 6.7 magnitude earthquake, I decided that wasn't such a great plan. I then returned to New York City to complete culinary school and become a chef trained in classical French cuisine. Whether it was cooking something, writing, or making my father look like Freddy Krueger for halloween back in '88, I have always considered myself an artist. Almost 3 decades later I figured out what I was destined for. What I do now not only looks like some of the props they use in film, but I can now go home knowing that I have restored someone's life. If you are interested in seeing what I will be doing in Germany, check out the link below. Click on "Orthopädietechnik", then click on "Company profile".
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.gottinger.de/&ei=z73kSf31H5WltgefuemlDg&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dgottinger.de%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*

A Big Weekend for the Auerbach's

We're in celebration mode down in sunny St. Pete this weekend! Graduation is upon us! After years of juggling a full-time job and school, Scott will get his Bachelors Degree in Orthotics & Prosthetics from the J.E. Hanger School of Orthotics & Prosthetics at St. Petersburg College on Saturday morning at Tropicana Field. This is a particularly huge milestone for us as a couple because the first three years of our relationship were spent with textbooks between us. It's hard to believe that from this point forward, the words "I've gotta study" will no longer put a damper on weekend plans and evening outings. I almost can't fathom what it will be like to spend whole evenings together for weeks on end but I can't wait to try my hand at it! Don't get me wrong, though. I'm so proud of his dedication to and love for O & P. Scott's passion for the field is truly inspiring. My year-long break from science has been a good and more than necessary one. However, watching Scott take such pride in his work and enjoy every second of it has me ready to hit the ground running again with my own career interests. Scott will do great things for the O&P industry and the patients who rely on it for maintaining their quality of life. His intelligence, experience, compassion, and perfectionist attitude will take him far...about 5,000 miles to be exact! I'm just so proud to call him my partner in crime! Congrats, Scott!

They're Only Things

Well friends, we're officially two months out from our big move! Two months seems like a long time until I look back on the last two months and realize how fast they flew by. With that in mind, and considering that our move isn't the only big milestone headed down the chute between now and the end of June, we've begun the process of selling everything we own. It all seemed fun and exciting when we were taking inventory of everything we'll keep and everything we'll sell. It was more fun when we priced the sellables out and realized the profit potential. It was even fun when I officially listed it all on Craigslist yesterday. However, within 6 hours of posting the ad we'd received over 80 inquiries and several people had stopped by and bought things before I even got home from work. The realization that mine and Scott's first "home" together is literally disappearing in front of us was truly bittersweet for me.

I keep reminding myself, though, that they're only things. It's amazing how attached we get to "stuff"! Half the world will go their entire lives without owning a sofa or a real bed and yet I'm sobbing over an opportunity to sell my stuff and move to Europe...where I can easily get more "stuff"! It's ridiculous when you really think about it.

On the other hand, the idea of being able to carry all of mine and Scott's belongings in 4 suitcases is somewhat liberating. I don't want to be the kind of person defined by my things. I've become one of those people who feels that leaving the house without a cell phone is much like leaving the house without pants on. I'm almost ashamed of that but I know half of America would agree with me. This adventure will be an (extended) exercise in simplicity. Every dollar not spent on "stuff" will instead be spent on train tickets...to places like Portugal and Greece and Morocco. I'm sure that ultimately, when it's time for us to return to the States, I'll find leaving Munich and all our memories there to be just as bittersweet as this. I just hope I never forget that they really are only things and that my friendships, family, and my Scott will be with me no matter where the next adventure takes me!