Steps Towards a New Future
The things that sustained me in June
I work better when I can look back on past events and experiences to find some theme or connection. In other words, I have trouble writing as I am doing (e.g., on a trip).1
That’s why I am using my first post of July to look back and appreciate some highlights of June before these memories get filed away.
Osnabrück, Hamburg, and Köln in One Day
I started the month of June with an adventure on a Deutsche Bahn high speed train (aka, an ICE or InterCity Express train). I took a direct (no change) ICE train from Osnabrück to Hamburg in the morning, then boarded an early afternoon train from Hamburg to Köln.
I do not recommend doing this, especially not on a weekend and definitely not without a Sitzplatzreservierung. 😅
But such a plan is possible if you have a “ride all you want” Eurail or Interrail ticket. It also helps if you are traveling alone, so you can make decisions on a whim.
Cherry Season
Ever since I learned that 12th U.S. President Zachary Taylor allegedly died from eating fresh cherries and milk—during Fourth of July celebrations—I don’t eat as many cherries in one sitting as I would like to. But I love this time of the year and this delicious fruit.
Guitar Lessons!
I have enjoyed the idea of me playing guitar for years, but I’ve never had any luck with lessons. Recently, I decided to get more serious about music. So, I booked guitar lessons with a real instructor.
I was ready to give up a couple of weeks ago. Then, this past week, it finally started to stick! I have a long, long way to go. But the challenge of learning something new has been a great way to quiet my mind, not to mention get me away from endless scrolling.
Have you taken up any new hobbies lately? Have any beginner guitar tips?
New Album: Swallow
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 - Highly recommend
I haven’t stopped listening to “Swallow” since it came out on June 13th. The new solo album from Ride bassist Steve Queralt is best listened to as a whole composition, as each track weaves into and lays on top of the other with hardly a second’s pause.
Barrelling over you like a sonic wave before lifting you into the clouds, “Swallow” is particularly gripping on “High Teens,” which could be a lost track from a Lynch film, and on “A Porsche Shaped Hole,” a Tangerine Dream soundscape that would work well in a remake of Donnie Darko. “Lonely Town” and “Swiss Air,” both featuring Emma Anderson from Lush on vocals, sound at home next to Shoegaze classics and hyper-produced, “made for headphones” productions.
But really—it’s a solid, no-skip album for me.
To support the artist, I bought this album on Bandcamp. But it’s available to stream on Apple Music, Spotify, and other platforms and media.
Cult of Lidl
After losing a sole to muddy conditions at Rock im Park2, my friends took me to the pop up Lidl and bought me a pair of cheap, ugly sneakers. They helped me weather a second day of a rainy festival and I’ll be forever grateful for such a quick solution to an uncomfortable situation.
Thank you very much for making the festival weekend so memorable, Señor S., Herr D., DJ A.M., and Dr. Z. Your friendship and generosity really meant a lot. 🙏
Though, now that I see this video, I wish I had known about the yellow rubber boots!
Job Leads
After months of sending out resumes, I finally landed an interview at the end of June with a company that has offices in Germany, DC, and a few other locations.
I think it went well. But I’ll wait until next week to check in, when I am scheduled for yet another interview with a different organization. Please send good vibes—both roles could bring so many new opportunities.
Meanwhile, thank you very much to those of you who have subscribed in the past few months! Your support means a lot.
Surgical Success
In mid-June, I had a post-op exam for a surgery I had in May. But I was already feeling pretty good by the time I went on vacation about 4.5 weeks later.
On the day I arrived, my mother sent me this Guardian article, adding, “I assumed you had written it.” I did not have the exact symptoms or surgery experience as the author, but it was similarly positive. Even in light of the medical bills that have begun to trickle in, I would do it all over again. I feel like I have my life back in so many ways.
I haven’t decided yet if I will write about my experience with this very invasive surgery. But if enough people reach out wanting to know more, then I’ll put something together.
Click the button below to send me an email:
Alone and Together
As I glance back at my personal highlights from last month, I realize my list is divided into things suited for the single person and things that require the help of the community.
I like doing things alone and will usually try to figure something out on my own before I ask for help. Yet, I also crave the human element. We all do.
Helping and being called upon to help are the building blocks of society. Knowing that one has support—from family, friends, a partner, readers, a doctor, one’s community—can sometimes be enough to motivate a person to make it over the next hurdle.
That’s what June did for me. The friendships, professional connections, and attention to my health were steps toward a new future I am trying to realize for myself. I feel bolstered both by the attention I have paid to my own needs and dreams, as well as by the support of 1,000 true fans.
Support breeds confidence. Confidence sparks hope. Then, before you know it, positivity spreads from one person to one thousand and beyond.
What a lovely thing it is to find your people and to feel yourself improve because of them.
Thanks to all of you for reading, liking, commenting, and staying in touch. The comments for this post are open.
Ci vediamo…Wir sehen uns…I’ll be in touch again soon.
Cheers!
Melanie
I snap a lot of photos in real time on Instagram stories: @missadventures
Find me on Flickr, too. I plan to use it more often to escape the tyranny of the algorithm.