At Least It's Not Boring

I think I read somewhere once that the body perceives good and bad stress much the same way. To be honest, after all the internal and external pressure I have had over the last years, I don't get too wound up about a lot of things anymore.

This week though, I have had sweaty palms, restless nights and a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. Yet all of it seems to be from the good kind of stress so I think maybe it is true about how the body responds to all stress.

There is a lot of newness in my life right now.

I started my new 'project' in Munich last week. However, this is completely different than anything I have done before. I have moved from delivery focused project management to sales and account management. I am fascinated by the entrepreneurial aspects of what I am doing and feel enthusiastic about the opportunity. At the same time, I am largely on my own, in uncharted territory and not only do I have to figure out what is I should be trying to achieve but also how. Part of the time I feel like I am fumbling around in the dark or running in circles and I am relying almost all on intuition now. I have to take a step back each morning and evening, pull out my compass and check if I seem to have headed in the right direction or I need to backtrack and try something new. When I see any progress, however big or small, it is thrilling because I can see the direct result of my effort and creativity. But I also feel a lot of accountability if something goes wrong. Sum of it all though is that I love trying this oh so very new thing.

Someone shared a favorite quote of hers with me a few weeks ago and it seems very appropriate right now.

'Leap and your net will appear.' Good stress.

On the relationship front, I am also in new territory. Sure I have had plenty of relationships before. But this one seems different. The more I get to know Mr. Kilt, the more I like, respect and trust him. I never have to say 'but' about him. You know what I mean.

He's great, but...
I think he likes me, but...
We have a lot in common, but...

There is no but. I just enjoy him, his attitude, how he treats me, doing nice things for him, and making plans for the future with him.

It's good and it's exciting. A girl gets butterflies from something like that.

We have a week in Scotland booked for the first week in May and now are planning 16 days in the US around Labor Day. I'm going to show him around a bit and introduce him to the friends and family. Good stress!

All of that would probably be fine but then I really went and did it yesterday. I thought she was joking. However, the woman who designed my dirndls is doing her annual fashion show of her 2010 collection and has asked me to walk in it. And I agreed. I have NEVER done anything like that! So in just over a week I will spend 8 hours getting primped, trained on runway walking and squeezed into one or more dirndls to strut my stuff in front of 500 people. I keep thinking of the SATC episode with the runway catastrophe and am hoping I can stay on my feet.

Now I really am stressed.

Posted from Munich

Countdown to Oktoberfest: Dirndl Show

It's official. I am a dirndl nut.



Last night I attended a dirndl fashion show. I have been invited the last couple of years but during the week I am normally out of town so never made it. This year I just decided whenever it was, I would take the day off and go.



I was not disappointed. The dirndl's were from Schatzi's 2009 collection. The show was high energy and I loved the collection. Freak, yes I am. A transvestite in a dirndl reminiscent of the Dorothy's attire in the Wizard of Oz was the MC.





Some of Germany's rich and famous were there, or so I was told. I have no clue about famous Germans.

















Perhaps the biggest treat of the night was being allowed to join the press to take pictures. I gave up nice seats but I LOVED being one of the paparazzi. At one point I think there was a stream of drool down my chin as I checked out the other guys' lenses. Runway photography is harder than it looks though. Even with a flash and trying different settings it is hard to manage the lighting and the constant motion of the models.



A good time and I will do it again for sure!



Posted from Geneva