Embrace Change - Don't Fear It

Half a year ago I wrote this piece and I feel like it's overdue to be shared:

In the beginning of the year I changed jobs and it was another proof for how scary and amazing change is.

I've been working for my old company for almost six years. I pretty much started there when I moved to the US and it was the one constant throughout all those years.
The job gave me a feeling of security. I knew I was appreciated and trusted and my bosses always made me feel special and gave me lots of flexibility.
When I thought I would be losing my job, I was terrified. I created job profiles and send out applications. Amazing enough my bosses kept me on. I was incredibly relieved. Since the future wasn't set I decided to leave my profile up, but stopped applying. Still companies reached out and apart from one opportunity - I was interested in, but ended up not getting - I pretty much refused all offers. I didn't care for more money or opportunities they offered, I loved my job and my company and I didn't intend to leave.
But then something amazing happened. The number one company I wanted to work for, but never applied to, because I couldn't find a job offer that fit my skills, reached out on their own. I got an interview, but even though it went great I tried to keep my expectations down. But then I got offered the position. It was like a work fairy tale.
I had trouble believing it. Even after I got the offer letter and went through the background check (there was nothing to be found but I thought maybe they'd change their minds in the meantime). The moment it really sunk in was when I gave my two weeks notice. Talking to my bosses and colleagues made me realize, this is going to happen now.
I started to realize the choice I had to make. I would have to leave my job... I was torn and even considered turning the offer down. But how could I...
"The best things in life come after fear" Thank you, Will Smith. Those words couldn't be any more true!
I was happy at my old job, I loved the people I was working with and I was incredibly comfortable. But I knew it was time to move forward.
I didn't expect to like the next job as much as the old one. Or the people as much as my former colleagues. But surprisingly enough all things I wished for came true.
I'm even happier now than I've ever been before. I embraced the change, instead of fearing it and it turned out to be a decision I didn't regret in the slightest bit.
Looking back at my work past, I realized it's a reoccurring pattern.
I'm always so happy and sad to leave. But the next opportunity is always a step up. And I always end up way happier than before. It was like that when I left the store to work at the airport, when I left the airport to work full-time as an editor, and now that I left that position to work for the company I always wanted to work for.
It might not always be this way. I know it can't keep getting better, how could it? But let's get intellectual for a moment and quote John Greenleaf Whittier: "Of all words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, 'it might have been'."
Don't waste your opportunities and spend your life wondering if something could've worked out. It's better to try and fail, than to miss out and wonder. And don't worry too much about failing. After all, failure teaches us more than success does.

However, I also realized that my view of the change made a big difference.
Even though I don't like change very much, I always try to embrace it.
I try to keep my expectations down while trying to look forward to learning something new and getting new and different experiences.

It worked well for me so far. I hope it will do the same for you. Just don't be afraid!

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - Follow Thoughts

First of all, this is not a book review!
These are the things I thought about while listening to the audiobook. So, I guess the book fulfilled an important purpose: it jump started my brain. 

Here is a little background information:

I've noticed the book the last few months. I remember it showing up on Audible, Amazon and the display of every bookstore. And let's face it, the title is intriguing.
I kept on picking it up and reading the beginning when browsing through bookstores. Then my brother-in-law also told me that it is on his to-read-list. Shortly after, I saw someone I follow on Instagram also mentioning it (Thank you, Nichkhun). I was wondering why it keeps popping up.
Since I'm slightly paranoid and always show up way too early to absolutely avoid being late, I have a lot of waiting time. I usually spend it listening to my favorite songs over and over again (again & again?^^), but then I decided to use my accumulated Audible credits and get the audiobook.
I'm not a self-help book reader. I prefer reading about fictitious stories and even biographies and science sometimes, but the overall reaction to the book made me curious. Well that and the title.

I especially like the beginning of the book. I was actually cracking up (laughing) during the first couple of chapters because they were so on point and I was able to identify situations in my life and the life of people closest to me with it.
But then I started thinking. In general, the insights make perfect sense. Honestly, we might have already thought the same things ourselves, but why does it feel different to hear them out loud?

Have you ever said or hear someone say "I've never said this out loud..."? Well, my best friend Sarah just said that to me last week, that's why the thought popped into my mind.
We think a lot (well some of us anyway) but we don't always say it out loud. Sometimes hearing the actual words, makes it seem more real. It's probably a little superstitious. Well anyway, saying things out loud can make us feel better. It can be a release.
~~ Still try to select special individuals to open up to! I don't suggest saying deep personal stuff like this to a stranger, acquaintance or even work colleague. Don't serve your heart on a silver platter for everyone to stab at, because let's face it, there are a lot of horrible people out there.
So when in doubt, just talk to yourself (out loud). It's not crazy! Sometimes you just have to talk to someone that takes you seriously and gives great advice. Hehe. ~~

Anyway... That's why I decided from now on, I'll try to write about more honest things and maybe help somebody who is struggling through something similar. And - by using the book as an example - I'll try to embrace my imperfection a little bit more.
I feel like hearing what others say (if you can identify yourself with it), sometimes makes things easier, because you realize, others have similar experiences and that might change your outlook on (the seriousness of) your situation, or it gives you an idea on how to work through it.

I hope, at one point, my words make a difference for someone. Maybe even improve someone's life.

So from now on, I will try to be a little bit more honest about myself.
I will still post reviews and photos of events or concerts, but I feel like just posting these things makes my life seem more glamorous and special than it actually is. Even though, that was never my intention! I just wanted to share things that got neglected at work.
So, besides the things I assume are more interesting, I will throw some personal realizations in, every once in while.
I almost typed "I hope that is okay", but - thinking of the book - I stopped myself. Well, I still typed it, but with a different intention. I want to share some things and if some people don't want to know about it, well it's their decision to read it or not. That's one of the f*cks I'm not going to give and instead focus it on something more important!

Seriously, read the book. It's great! =)

Why is it so expensive to be single?

I haven't posted anything in a while and to be honest I have a long list that I should take care of. But this topic really bugged me and I needed to put it in words.

Why is our society discriminating against singles?

Maybe “discriminate” is a tough word. But if the shoe fits...

The thing is most of what we want is planned for two. I'm not referring to the things that make sense (like buying a racket and realizing, you need a second person to play with). I'm referring to the things that shouldn't have to be or weren't before.

In my case:

I'm currently looking for a new place to live. I'm at an age where I want my own. Before I moved here I even had my own place but now I'm in the San Francisco Bay Area and it seems just impossible.

I don't know about you but I don't earn an insane amount of money that I can spent over 2K in rent every month. So you either have to get roommates or you move in with your significant other. Bottom line you have to find someone else.

If I look at all of my friends and colleagues they either live at home with their parents or they live with their partner, just one or two have roommates.

When you look at low income housing programs a lot of them specify elderly, people with disabilities or families (aka plus ones). And the ones that don't have any specification usually have a two year waiting list.

But what about the hard working single person? My salary is okay. I even earn more than most of the people I know (of whom I know their income) and yet I'm the only one who can't afford her own place! Are my only options for my own place to get a second job again and go back to working 16h/7days or completely move away from the Bay Area?

This is so frustrating!!!

Even if I except that 'as long as I'm alone I won't be able to have my own place' (and that thought just infuriates me) this is not the only thing!

What happened to single rooms in hotels?

For my big birthday in two years my family is planning a cruise. My wonderful sister offered me to stay with them in their family room (two adults, two young children). But it's my big birthday and I want to treat myself to my own little space. But there are no single rooms on the ship! If I want to get my own I still have to pay for a double or bring someone with me to share the double! What is this??

Why is everything around us pressuring us to couple up? Do they think that just because I'm not with someone I've probably focused on my career so much that I should make a ton of money by now to afford being single?

No wonder there are all those desperate people out there looking for someone (and sorry for not being one of them!). Everything around us forces us to find someone to share our rent, our hotel room, (our lives) or even a reclinable chair in the movie theater with.

The topic made me wonder if anyone else feels this way and I realized there are uncountable blogs and articles about this. Apparently single people earn less and are less desirable for a lease. As if the constant bugging of our families isn't hard enough. Even if you're insanely happy, love your job, family and friends and are able to experience the most amazing adventures, the couples around us have the impression that as long as you don't have someone else, you're missing something.

So to all the other happy, hard-working single girls and boys out there, don't let them pressure you into anything. 

We might not get what we want today but - watch out world - one day we will!  

...even if it's something as simple as our own little home.

Paint Nite Experience

Time for a totally random review.

For my mothers birthday, me and my sister took her to one of those Paint Nite's. For all of you who don't know what that is:
Paint Nite is a social gathering where a professional painter "teaches" you to paint a pre-selected painting while everyone drinks wine.
The "Teacher" is more like an entertainer and you don't have to have any experience. Since it involves drinking alcohol you have to be at least 21 years old. That should sum it up.

The one we went to was held in a restaurant. All the dining tables in the center were removed to make room for three long rows of painting tables with approximately 50 canvases. While we waited for people to show up, they play entertaining music. Since we did it during the day (hand me my wine it's five o'clock somewhere) there were people sitting around us, eating. It was a pretty cool atmosphere. Our teacher was very entertaining. He had a potty mouth and did a lot of naughty jokes. After showing us the steps he would walk around and check, occasionally give advise or flat out help.
Our chosen painting was a sunset over the ocean with tree silhouettes on the left side.

My personal experience.
I'm not much of a painter! I did a few paintings some years ago before I moved to the US and my best friend and my brother do have one of my "paintings" hanging in their house. But I haven't picked up a brush in a long, long time. Going to a Paint Nite was also mine and my mothers first time.
My sister on the other hand is an artist. She has always been incredible even before she studied art at a university. She also went with her husband to a different painting event (I forgot the name of it...).
I sat next to her and I felt a little bit intimidated. Luckily the moment I picked up my brush all my thoughts went blank and I just enjoyed it. I never thought about what I was doing or planned how it should look at the end. I avoided looking at my sisters canvas and instead of trying to paint the way the teacher painted I listened to his instructions and implement it my way.
In the end no two pictures looked the same but that's what made them all so stunning. The thing is, don't stress, just have fun with it.

Bottom line:
I absolutely loved it and I recommend it to everyone who asks me about it. It's so much FUN!

There was one thing the teacher said at the end:
Right now you might only see your imperfections but give it a couple of days. After that you'll realize what a great painting you've done and you'll fall in love with it. 
And that's just true!

I decided on a different type of tree. I thought about European trees or even the ones you see in Monterey. I liked it better without the trees but either way I'm proudly displaying it at home

#paintnite #review #sunset #drinkcreatively #paintresponsibly

Flashback February 2016: Lake Tahoe

Well, nothing says flashback like posting snow pictures in late summer.

In February I went to Lake Tahoe for the first time. I was really looking forward to some snow and cold weather (yep, I'm one of those weirdos!). Since there was a lot of rain coming down in the SF bay area, my chances were pretty good. My luck that we went the only one weekend it was super hot that time... Clear skies, hot sunshine and no new snow. In South Lake Tahoe where we stayed most of the snow was melted. But there was still a lot in higher altitude.
Turned out sun and snow mix for some pretty pictures. And it is really something else if you are on a snow trip and not cold for a second.

#LakeTahoe #GondolaPlatform #Snow #SouthLakeTahoe #LeeAnnJaenicke

Flashback November 2015: The Shelters in San Francisco

November last year I got personally invited to see The Shelters at the Independent in San Francisco. It was the first time a publicist reached out to me and I was honored and excited to check them out.
I have never been at that venue before. Generally it's a nice venue but the lighting was really tricky and the resulting Eventseeker Photo Feature was definitely not my best work...
But the performances were pretty good.

#TheShelters #Independent #SanFrancisco #LeeAnnJaenicke

Wow! It's been a long time since I've posted something...

Hey everybody.
Where did the last nine months go??
I've been a little occupied. Not with my usual stuff like concerts and festivals but I've been working towards some of my life goals. Basically trying to make my bucket list shorter.
I don't know if any of my friends are still waiting for updates from me?! In case you are, I'm very sorry for being absent from blogging and all social media. There is no big statement behind that. I just wasn't in the mood.
I'll be posting the handful of mentionable things I did within the next week. Overall 2016 simply just passed me by...


A little rundown.

After last years concert high I took some time away from that scene. Even though I love going and I love taking pictures. But after doing one or sometimes two concerts a week I just got really exhausted.

With the new year I wanted to focus on myself for a while. I improved some of my secret skills and I spend about three months just writing (obviously not for this blog). I read around 30 books within two months (basically finished a book every two days. Don't judge me, I'm hearing enough of that from my family :-P ). So I spend my time doing research and getting some inspiration which turned out to be amazing.
Pretty nice is the fact that I found my inner peace again which helped me and made me realize how fundamental that is to keep writing. At least for me.

In any way I will expand the range of my posts to some reviews since I came across some amazing things that I would like to share.

To round this up, I'm trying to be a little bit more "around".

Thank you for not forgetting me!

Lee Ann =)