Mancandy Monday: Halloween edition

Again, busy, busy, busy weekend. Had to guide a tour through the Africa department of the Anthpological Museum, worked further on rearranging the apartment, went to a pre-Halloween party on Saturday. Baked a cake, went for a bike tour through the amazing "new" park in Tempelhof (it's not that new but somehow this was the first time I managed to go there, pics'll follow), went to the movies with friends (review'll follow, too) on Sunday. And of course did the regular stuff like cleaning, paying bills, talking to family and friends on the phone. Tonight is another Halloween party. So I promised myself to stay home tomorrow night and write a lengthy blog entry!

But until then:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Meet Miss Anika, Working Girl

So, I'm well into the second week of my new job and it feels great. One doesn't stop to think about how important it is to have a job to do. Not because it pays the bills (but oh boy, am I glad that I don't have to worry anymore about scraping next months rent together, not to mention how to pay for food). Also not because it keeps you occupied. It's more like having a purpose. Looking back at the end of the day and realizing that what you have done serves a purpose is a huge reward in itself.
The thing is I don't identify with my job. My job is not who I am but what I do. I really do appreciate that it truly is a nine to five job. One I leave behind at the office and do not take home with me. It has almost nothing to do with my general interests in life or what I have done in my studies. It is a means to an end. Namely to pay the bills. But it is a really interesting means. It not only keeps me occupied (and believe me, meaningful occupation is a blessing in and by itself), it keeps me involved and challenged. But when I log out of the computer in the evening that's it. I don't dwell on it, I don't really need or want to. What this job gives me is the freedom to pursue my interests in my own time. I can write, I can work at my non-profit project, I can spend time with friends, read, watch a movie. Free from worrying how to make ends meet and free from the feeling that I need to put everything I am into my work because it is so important or because it's for some greater good. My work is important but what I don't get done till 5 pm will keep for the next day. This is truly liberating.
And still, it gives me so much energy and satisfaction that I am doing something that benefits someone else and me at the same time. Because I can support myself and the work I put in is of use for my employer and my "clients".
In case you're wondering what it is that I do for a living now: I'm a custodian of estates. That means that for people who die without heirs or whose heirs are not known or have waived their rights in the succession I manage and sort out the estate. It's a very interesting and challenging job as no inheritance is like the other, just as everyone's life is unique.

Strenuous Sunday

So after my first week at the new job I had so much energy that I spent the weekend moving furniture around and re-organizing/-decorating the apartment. Poor D. She had to help me move two bookshelves into our hallway, put the dresser that was standing there in my bedroom and finally carry my armoire into the study which has now officially become our guestroom/study. I also moved some furniture around in our living room and build two shelves from the defunct drawers of the dresser (pics'll follow). Today I organized the stuff that was in the respective pieces of furniture and put it in their new destinations. Oh and I also did some repairs, a load of laundry and had friends over last night for a fun night of boardgames.

Due to the busy day I just threw some snacks together:

 To end this gorgeous autumn weekeend I made Chicken Pot Pie. For me it's the ultimate fall dish. Don't you just love all these colors?

Fab Friday's Scaramouche Do The Fandango

It's Friday already and the end of my first week in my new job! Yepp, you heard right I have finally officially joined the rank of you nine to fivers. I'm still working on adjusting my life and rhythm, trying to figure out how to fit writing for this blog, working on my eufrica project and my social life around my new responsibilities. But I'm sure I'll work it out eventually.

In the mean time it's fab friday which means I'll give you something fabulous I found this week. Today it's one of my favorite songs written by the absolutely fabulous Freddy Mercury and performed by the awesome William "Captain Kirk" Shatner. The video is awesometastic, it's makes me wanna say "Beam me up, Scotty!"



There's an other version of the song that's been out there a while but still love to watch it. Also performed by a group that I adore: the Muppets! Enjoy:



And since all good things come in three... here's the original:



Have a great weekend!