uncivilengineering

[uncivilengineering]

What Kind of Two Years Has it Been

At the end of an experience, and therefore a blog, I usually write a reflection on the experience. The Master's programme ended six years ago and due to life and procrastination and other excuses, I'm finishing this blog only now. But this delay has its advantages, because I know how the story ends and I can tell you what happened to the characters. So maybe, for the first time, this is truly an epilogue.

The journey to this program started in 2012. I was living in Germany and working as a consultant. I always knew I wanted to work first before continuing with any kind of education, because toward the end of undergrad, I had classes with grad students and the ones who had work experience before going back to school seemed to bring more to the experience from applying what they learned from the real world. As I researched Master's programmes, I focused my search in Europe because I was still paying off the loans for my Bachelor's degree. I Googled another program when the MIND programme turned up in the results. After a process of applying, obtaining references, phone interviews and traveling to Munich from Stuttgart to take the GRE in Germany (really), even though this is Europe, the choice came down to Humboldt University in Berlin, with a scholarship from the DAAD, and the MIND programme, with a scholarship from the European Commission. (Lappeenranta University of Technology in Finland takes a close third because I had a really, really pleasant scholarship interview with a very pleasant young man and sometimes I think about how my life might be different if I went there and studied Innovation Management instead.)

I'm sure there was a long decision process and I'm sure I spent a lot of time thinking about it, like most decisions. This all took place eight years ago and I cannot remember the salient details. But I can imagine that I felt like it was time to leave Germany, even though I love (LOVE) Berlin, and the appeal of having an adventure in two countries (I didn't yet know that Asia was on the table) was great. So I gave notice at the consulting firm, said goodbye to my friends in Stuttgart, (wrapped up my last performances as a roller skating Greek muse in the local military base's production of Xanadu - that's real) and moved to Sweden.

In the two years that ensued, I met the best people, took wild risks, had the best time, made my dreams come true and had the adventure I sought. I lived.

I lived in Sweden for a year and was inspired by their example of how to treat guests in your country. I had a job interview in a sauna in the winter and learned what gender equality in society might actually look like. After an application process, I had the opportunity to spend a semester in Thailand. In Thailand I learned how to get from the university to town (Bangkok) and back again. I hosted a cultural show that lasted for eight (or more?) hours. I felt closer to my mom than I had ever understood before. C pointed out that after the midterm exams, I have sat for exams on three continents. I celebrated my birthday at a German brewery in Bangkok. I saw Angkor Wat after the semester ended. I went to all the Disneylands in the world (at the time...back then, there were only 11 parks). I didn't stay long in Austria, but I was there long enough to experience a Buschenschank and run into visa problems. I also saw Carousel and Cabaret in German, and puzzled as to why it was an hour longer than Cabaret in English, which I saw soon after on Broadway. In Glendale I lived in a conference room turned into an ad hoc intern bullpen for four and a half months writing my thesis. I saw things I had been nearby my entire life but never dreamed of seeing in reality.

Blogs are cheesy and navel-gazey but I am glad I did it. I am glad that this and the Germany Part I blogs exist. Sometimes I will look at an old post because someone asked for a travel recommendation (for example), and I will discover something that I forgot. I didn't remember that I was contacted by Swedish public radio to talk about the 2012 United States election. I forgot I had this conversation at NASA JPL about living in Germany. So what's the moral of this paragraph? If you can't blog, at least journal. You think you will remember the exciting things that happen in your day to day life but the truth is, you won't. I am proof!

What happened to everyone? Some stayed in Europe. Some went home. Some went home in Europe. Some got married. Some had babies. Some moved to Amsterdam. Many stayed in Sweden. When I left C, she wanted to stay in Italy. She has since worked her way up to an awesome job at a major company and had a baby! A has moved and is engaged to be married! I was happy to attend C's wedding in Ankara in 2015. I was happy to attend Z's wedding in Czechia last year, and to see my friends again at both.

What happened to me? I accepted an internship in Florida where I spent about five years (and made a bunch of new friends and had a bunch of good times) before moving back to the country where I left when this all started. To be honest, I never expected to be back. Not in this country. In 2017, I was fortunate to attend my class reunion in Leiden; it was also the celebration of the closing of the program. They invited all alumni back to watch the last class graudate. I met the newest generations of the program and saw a lot of old friends. It was just like old times. I came to the first afternoon of the organized program. I thought we would observe the new kids doing their work. No. We kicked off with a case exercise and divided into groups to discuss and then present our results. Our groups consisted of current students, alumni, professors and mentors. In Europe, we are all equal. It was just like old times.

The rest of the program consisted of lectures, discussions and watching the final presentations of the graduating class. Before I left for this trip, I joked that my master programme was ending because it lost funding (truth) from the European Commission because of Brexit (also true but I didn't realize it until I got there and they confirmed that Brexit was one of the factors that cut funding to the programme). There was a party the final evening. In the way that we do. I remember telling all my friends that it would be a very long time before I will see them again. I couldn't foresee an immediate excuse to get to Europe and hang out with them. The day I returned to work in Florida from the trip, I received an email about joining a project that is based in Germany. If I chose to accept this mission, I would have to move to Germany for a period of time. What.

I learned later that, basically, someone found out that I know German. (I promise that I have other skills.) When I was in high school, if you told me I was going to move to Germany, I would have said that you're crazy. I was just this nerd who went to Space Camp and really liked The West Wing and Saturday Night Live. If you told me I was going to move to Germany twice, I would have said, "Then why did I spend all this time learning Spanish?" (among other questions) I know that's true, because I did ask myself that in the first two months of intensive language school in 2010. But the truth is, Germany made things happen for me. When I talk to young people who (for some reason) ask for my advice, in addition to telling them to "follow your dreams," I also tell them the story of how moving to Germany (the first time) changed my life. (And then I tell them why so they know I'm not exaggerating.)

I couldn't refuse. I'm back in Germany. I'm working on getting better at German.

I should have seen this coming. The fall I moved to Sweden in 2012, I came back to Germany to celebrate Thanksgiving. During my Swedish spring, the squad from Germany came to visit Sweden and I put in my tea and hairspray requests (from dm, of course). After my thesis defense in 2014, my first destination was Nuremberg to see E, then on to Quakenbrück to wait with C who was finishing her defense. I attended S's wedding in Leipzig in 2015. I went to Oktoberfest in Munich in 2016. The point is, I cannot stay away from Germany. This is evident and not a surprise.

So far, I have been fortunate that this opportunity has allowed me to meet up with so many friends. A and M are in Amsterdam and have introduced me to Y and T, who are also in the MIND network. S is back in Oslo from Thailand. A is in London. S has moved from Stuttgart to Berlin. A and P and B and K and E are in New York. I still cite the meal in Haarlem (note that's Haarlem in the Netherlands, not Harlem, but I can see why you might be confused because I just mentioned New York) as the best I've ever had and J told me that the restaurant has received a Michelin star since 2014 when we were there so now it's overpriced and overrated. So funny! At Z's wedding in Czechia last year I was happy to reconnect with A, B and M. Everyone else, I'm coming for you! (And I mean that in the creepy way!)

What's going to happen next? Let's find out! Thank you for reading and joining the adventure.

Good night, have a pleasant tomorrow and see you in the future!

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Back to Gothenburg: Chalmers

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014.

Previously: I came back to Gothenburg to pick up my stuff before returning to the US and I took one final lap around the city where I spent the best year of my life. (If that’s not true, it was definitely one of the best.)

There are a few entrances and this is the one at the tram stop. It’s very clear where you have arrived.

Here is the seal.

I didn’t have a bike in Sweden.

I think I went on these steps almost every day.

There is a big nautical culture here.

To be concluded...

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Back to Gothenburg: Stad

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014.

Previously: I came back to Gothenburg to pick up my stuff before returning to the US and I took one final lap around the city where I spent the best year of my life. (If that’s not true, it was definitely one of the best.)

This view reminds me of many great memories. The city’s museums are nearby. I bought an annual membership so I could go into any of them at any time. The main shopping area is close by. The main train station is not far away.

Feskekôrka (Fish Church)

They call this the lipstick building.

Gothenburg is actually a foodie’s playground with numerous Michelin star restaurants. We tried out a new Mexican fusion restaurant AND a modern traditional Swedish restaurant. I wondered why I didn’t take full advantage of the culinary scene while I was there...and then I remembered: student.

Haga

To be concluded...

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Back to Gothenburg: Botaniska Trädgården

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014.

I discovered the Botanical Garden in the spring of 2013 (when I lived in Gothenburg). Entry is also free to these gardens.

There were many bees about that day.

There are numerous landscapes to discover when you walk around the garden.

The image in the grass changes through the season. Once, it was a clownfish.

To be continued...

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Back to Gothenburg: Slottskogen

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014. 

The time to leave Europe finally came. But first, I had to stop in to Gothenburg to pick up my stuff that I left there to travel around.

I also took some time to go around and say goodbye to Sweden’s Cinderella city.

When I lived here, one of the first places I went was Slottskogen, a park in the middle of the city. I was amazed to discover that there are animals that live in this park, like a zoo. There isn’t a charge to enter the park, so it’s essentially a free zoo. My comment upon this discovery: “Good job, socialism! A free zoo!”

The moose is the national animal of Sweden. This is her baby.

The park has other great residents.

Mushroom cluster

This peacock was walking around.

The penguins were my favorite, and have been since my first visit.

To be continued...

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Disneyland Paris 2014: Part VI

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014. 

How does a classic park day end? Fireworks!

This show was the first castle projection show I have seen and I was very impressed.

Before the show

Fireworks + lights + projection + water

Water projection

The sky and audience are lit up by the fireworks.

More projection

It’s still projection but still cool. Look at the rectangles on the rectangular trees.

This is probably due to the setting on my camera but it’s glowing.

Meta projections of fireworks

We’re in France, so Hunchback!

This is beautiful.

These are puffs of fire.

+ lasers!

We’re nearing the finale...

There it is.

I remember leaving the park that evening, knowing that it may be my last time at Disneyland Paris in a while, but hoping that it wouldn’t be. Almost exactly a year later (2015), two separate friends who don’t know each other scheduled their weddings exactly a week apart, in Germany and Turkey, respectively. I really like them and the dates worked out, so I made plans to attend their weddings and went to Disneyland Paris in between because there was time. The following year (2016) they held their first half marathon weekend and it was important to my family to participate. I took 2017 off and was in Germany in October 2018 with a free weekend, so I took planes, trains and automobiles (and probably spent as much time getting there and back as I did there) for a night at DLP. In 2019 I moved to Germany (again) during the summer and softened the blow by spending the first weekend at DLP. And shortly after, I went again in September, unplanned, for a pleasantly surprising reason. Dreams do come true!

Good night, and have a magical tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Disneyland Paris 2014: Part V

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014. 

The vines look especially spooky in front of the castle when there’s fog.

“Here you leave today and enter worlds of history, discovery and ageless fantasy.”

“The Ocean is our Home, and it’s part of your Home too. Protect the ocean, protect the Planet.”

I’m attributing the erratic capitalization to them being fish.

One benefit of being super behind in completing this blog is knowing what the future brings. The Ratatouille attraction opened at Disneyland Paris in the summer of 2014, so I caught it in its early days. I remember riding it as many times as possible and loving it.

There are rats in the refrigerator.

If you want to eat at the Remy restaurant, you must make a reservation (at least in the last few times of my recent experience). They won’t even entertain your walk in.

But, honestly, I liked the food better at Walt’s and California Grill. The ambiance is very cute; you’re the size of a rat!

This fountain is beautiful and the water looks like champagne.

License plate = ha

There’s a dragon in there.

I like the ballon in this shot.

Pumpkin Goofy

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Disneyland Paris 2014: Part IV

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014. 

The park is decorated beautifully for the autumn season. They have these pumpkin citizens that are pretty cute.

One of the pumpkin citizens is in the left of this photo.

Phantom Manor (entrance)

Walt’s Restaurant’s address is 1401 Flower Street.

They also have ghost citizens throughout Main Street engaged in various activities.

The castle as the sun started to fade

Pumpkin Mickey

The next three photos look almost identical but notice how the light changes as evening turns to night.

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Disneyland Paris 2014: Part III

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014. 

Here are more time capsule photos of Disneyland Paris in the fall of 2014. It appears that they decorate for the autumn season.

Pumpkin Minnie

I used to exclusively do parks with this Duffy necklace pouch.

Snow White

Toy Story

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Disneyland Paris 2014: Part II

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014. 

One last trip to Disneyland Paris before I left Europe forever. I’m being dramatic but there’s no way to know the future because life is crazy and unpredictable.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Skull Rock - This tells you that you’re going in the right direction if you’re looking for the pirates.

Nautilus interior - This isn’t in Adventureland (Discoveryland) but it’s atmospheric.

Raiponce / Hansel et Gretel

Cave of Wonders instead of the whale’s mouth

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Disneyland Paris 2014: Part I

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014. 

I wasn’t sure when I was going to be back in Europe and if I would see Disneyland Paris again, so before departing Europe this time, I went for one last visit. This was my second visit to Disneyland Paris, the first was in 2011.

Both a lot and a little have changed since then, so consider these photos a time capsule.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Phantom Manor

The best thing at Disneyland Paris

Sleeping Beauty Castle in the September gloom

Star Tours (old school)

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Paris in September

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014. 

I finally left Italy. With the master programme over, I wasn’t sure if I would ever see C again, so it was quite sad.

It wasn’t time to leave Europe yet so I took a detour through Paris, because why not?

Metre - When I travel, I like to look for unique things to see, in addition to the usual sights. Here is the last original standard meter.

I love a good plaque. Two is better.

Musée d’Orsay - I had been to Paris a couple of times before and this was my first time at this museum.

Oscar Wilde - I first came to Paris in 2011. Between then and 2014, they blocked off the base so people could no longer kiss it.

Arts et Métiers - They made this metro station steampunk.

This building is probably not special but I thought the lighting on it was.

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Palio: Part 3 of 3

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014.

The festivities continued with a parade through town. Everyone’s costumes were intricate and medieval. During the parade, C explained what each group’s float/presentation represents.

Look at these dogs!

Birds!

More birds!

The most fortunate parade participants didn’t have to walk.

This is a special event and I am so honored to have seen a small part of this town’s history.

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Palio: Part 2 of 3

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014. 

Previously: C’s town is celebrating their Palio, a multi-day, multi-event annual tradition. 

There are different types of Palios. C’s town does horse feats. The events are not exactly horse racing. Rather, the riders competed in different tasks.

We had pretty great seats for the event.

To be concluded...

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Palio: Part 1 of 3

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014. 

Palio is a tradition in many Italian cities. Perhaps one of the most famous ones is the Palio that takes place in Siena. I didn’t quite understand when C first started talking about it, but I was very fortunate to be in town when her town’s Palio took place. Everyone it town gets really into it!

Opening ceremonies - These are local kids.

To be continued...

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Topolino

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014. 

During my time staying with C, she and her mom arranged a visit with their friends. These friends are huge fans of Topolino and Paperino. Who are they? Mickey Mouse is called Topolino in Italy. It means ‘little mouse.’ Donald Duck is more beloved in Italy, similar to other European countries. His name is Paperino.

Their friends have an extensive and impressive Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck collection. They even designed a room to hold their collection. And they even welcomed us one evening so I could see the collection. So thoughtful and kind!

And from these books, I’ve learned that Uncle Scrooge is called Paperone.

Merchandise exclusive to the Disney Store in Rome

This mural shows Paperopoli, where the ducks live. I had to look up the English name: Duckburg.

The collection includes the Topolino comic book that comes out regularly in Italy (and other European countries), as well as apparel and toys.

Here, among the comic book collection, the 150th anniversary edition is featured.

Even the dwarfs have Italian names!

Figurine display

How cute is Monopolino?

Duck-Wheels looks really fun and like something I would have played with.

They have not only collected Topolino comics.

Mural details

Donald in the mural

Mickey Mouse even had a mystery series called Topomistery!

Here is the view from outside the room. Notice how the door is the entrance to the bank vault.

This collection was entertaining and impressive and I send a huge GRAZIE MILLE to this family for inviting me in to see their love for Topolino and Paperino.

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren

[uncivilengineering]

Milan in September

The events in this blog post took place in September 2014.

We took a day trip to Milan. C’s brother had some business here and they both had friends in town. As always, they knew all the good places to go.

Before this day, Milan had not been on my radar, but what an enchanting city! Mind changed. Eyes opened.

We passed this view of the water a few times during the day.

Same water, earlier in the day

Every time I’m in Italy, we drink a lot of wine.

Even the train station is beautiful.

Exit through the gift shop

Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

Lauren