A German C.V.. in German...

been learning German right?! been speaking a lot of German lately right?! Only have to translate the English one right?!?! Writing a C.V. in German should be a piece of cake right?!?!? hahaha I bet you're all laughing at me right now. Writing a C.V. in English is hard, why on earth would you ever expect writing something like in a different language–even if all you're doing is translating it–to be any easier!!!

Silly Verity. Thank goodness for Karolin is all I can say! Karolin is Ingo's sister and–convieniently–works at the German equivalent of Winz I guess, helping people (like me) to do the things they need to do to get a job. First off I translated the job titles, then I went through that with Karolin and she chopped and swapped and turned my New Zealander C.V. into the–at least–proper order with the necessary information that I needed German Lebenslauf, then said "ok Verity, off you go! go and write it in German now and then I'll look at it again!" (not in those words obviously ;))

Damn! You mean I have to translate it myself?!

Step 1: Find print company's websites and get correct industry terms from them
Step 2: Using a combination of your German-English dictionary, Google translate (thank you thank you thank you google for google translate!) get a rough translation down
Step 3: Get it proof read
Step 4: Get it proof read again
Step 5: Get a *naff* photo taken because you can't have a Bewerbung/Lebenslauf in Germany without one
Step 6: All of a sudden have a font identity crises when Ingo suggests you use a different font, then spend more than one day procrastinating by scouring the internet for different font's and good font combinations, finding this awesome website and then realising the combinations you like you don't have the fonts for and these aren't the awesome over designed free fonts you can grab anywhere off the internet.
Step 7: Finalise your C.V. design
Step 8: Repeat step 2 for your cover letter
Step 9: Give your cover letter to Karolin
Step 10: Research companies you want to work for to tailor your cover letter too
Step 11: Final proof read, create pdf file with appropriate documents and email to prospective employers.

Well that's pretty straight forward. Didn't take into account how much all the - trying to translate when I have no idea what the words are in German - would be stressful and tear creating (how many times I said to Ingo "I had a great job in NZ, who is going to hire me when I don't even know how to write this stupid thing, how am I going to even be able to have an interview, why oh why did we leave?!?!" I have no idea)

Again, if it wasn't for Karolin and Ingo, I'd still be procrastinating with pinterest and ebay, so I guess I'm dedicating this post as a big huge massive thank-you to them and their patience :) My advice to all those other non-German speakers who require a Bewerbung... Get help!

Another day...

I've now experienced my first couple of bouts of home-sickness :( Not nice! I hope they don't happen too often, as it disrupts the whole day and makes you feel miserable about everything!

However, it is easier to cope with since I have Ingo here :) Ingo decided to go for a run - I decided not to join ;) - and then when he comes back, he goes straight into the kitchen. A little odd. Then comes up to see me and surprise! This is what he's collected up for me: (the kitchen trip was to get a rubber band to hold them together)

Pretty huh?
Do you love my stylish use of the apricot jam jar?

Also I finally saw my first forked lightning! It was while I was in the garage in the middle of the day, sanding down our bed (more on that later...) when all of a sudden the wind picked up, then it was rain, thunder and lightning! So I went and stood at the door :) Whoop! 1 fork, and it wasn't one of those impressive ones that come down like tree roots, more like 1 lonely branch. But still. Whoop! It's the little things :)