I decided to split up one post into two because it was just getting really long. That is what I get for not posting in over a week!

I had applied for an internship with a publishing company in Munich in December - originally for this summer but they had no spots left [in December, crazy!] so they told me to contact them again this fall for next summer. That’s what I did, and now I have an interview coming up in a few weeks. I am a bit anxious if I think about it [but I don't do that too much yet] because I have a feeling this will actually be a proper interview, unlike most interviews I have had so far.

I asked the housing office if my apartment will be all girls or mixed and they told me it will be mixed, two girls, two guys. This can be a good thing as things will probably be more balanced, less drama. But I really hope they will not be messy [and guys have a higher tendency to be messy than girls]. Anyway, I should meet them all in just under two weeks.

I have ordered all my books for next semester. I tried to keep things inexpensive and ordered quite a few books used [but in good or very good condition], which saved me quite a bit of money. I suppose that also means I will have to start reading for class soon. I have been reading more again lately but all leisure, no school reading. I am still reading Atonement which has turned from leisure to school reading, as it will be taught in one of my classes next semester. I also finished The Music of Chance by Paul Auster which I read because I love Auster, but as Auster is a good contemporary American author [which is what I study, 20th century American Literature], I never feel too guilty about reading his books. It was a really good read, very strange though. It left me wondering what the hell just happened, but not in a bad way.

So I think you may be able to guess by now what this will be about … Of course. Twilight. What else? As those of you who also read Twilight may know, Midnight Sun, essentially Twilight told from Edward’s perspective was leaked. Someone who was given a copy of the unfinished unedited draft by Stephenie Meyer scanned all the pages and put them online. S. Meyer reacted to this in a message on her website saying she is very sad and upset that her intellectual property was distributed like this without her knowledge or consent. And that because of this Midnight Sun is now on hold indefinitely. This really sucks. She actually made the draft available on her website, and being the weak human being I am I could not resist an entire 264 pages told from Edward’s perspective, so I downloaded it, and read it. It is amazing. Especially considering it is a rough draft. It will [would?] be such a great book. When I first heard of this project, I was having my doubts - I was wondering how she would make a story we essentially all know so interesting just by telling it from a different perspective, but she did it. And she did it really well. I really really enjoyed reading the first twelve chapters of Midnight Sun, it was captivating from the first to the last page. I do not really feel guilty for reading them, after all, there is a chance she might never finish it, so this is all we’re going to get. I do hope, though, that she will finish the book. I have a feeling that once she has calmed down after a little break, she will continue with the book, just because the impression I have of her is that she will not want to leave it unfinished as she seems like the biggest fan of the characters she created. I do understand she is really upset right now [though personally, I find her reaction a bit unprofessional and maybe hasty, but she is a human being like everyone else], but I hope she will let us find out the rest of the story. And from a marketing perspective, I think whoever leaked it actually did her a favor, as Midnight Sun was far better received than Breaking Dawn [which I liked but many didn't], but I suppose that doesn’t change how she feels.

Another Twilight post. Now that I have finished the series and can carefully browse Twilight websites again, I finally downloaded some music all of the music of the Twilight playlists. For all you non-Twilighters [by the way, you're missing out!], the author Stephenie Meyer put a playlist with songs that relate to certain scenes or chapters for each of the books on her website. And Mrs. Meyer and I have a very similar taste in music. So I spent the past two days trying to find all the songs. Now I got all of them, haven’t had a chance to listen to all of them yet but they’re mostly really good and my taste. [Lots of Muse!] And then I got a few more songs that were posted on fan sites or so. Like this one, which is just beautiful. It is called River Flows In Me by Yiruma.

It will not be Bella’s Lullaby in the movie [I am so curious what that will sound like, I know it'll be something written by Rob Pattinson, the actor who plays Edward], but I love love love this song!

Something else that is really cool is that Earth to Bella (Part 1) by Incubus is on the list for Breaking Dawn. As you all probably know or figured that song is the inspiration for my blog name, and while I had been thinking that it was cool that Bella’s name was … well .. Bella [duh!] that makes the connection even clearer. Of course I didn’t know the Twilight series when I picked my blog’s name last fall but it adds another facet to it which is pretty cool if you ask me.

So, in non-Twilight news, I am by myself at work again. I realize it is not anyone’s fault, but I have pretty much been at the office by myself for five weeks now [noone's fault because my supervisor was on vacation for the first two weeks, but then she was/is sick for three weeks, so it was never supposed to be that long]. It is kind of boring and frustrating because there is not much work to do anyway, and even less when I’m by myself, but I have to stay at the office in case someone calls or e-mails. So I have all this time on my hands and nothing to do. I really hope that next week things will finally go back to normal. I would really like to learn some more things at my internship, as in the past five weeks it has pretty much been stalled.

I have finally signed up for all my classes I am taking next semester. I am taking all the mandatory classes I have left and a few additional English classes. I’m only taking one Spanish class [though the two Italian classes are also for my Spanish major] but that was really the only class that worked with my schedule. Lots of English classes, especially seeing as none are mandatory, but they all sound interesting. Maybe I’ll decide to drop one or two if it ends up being too much.

• Ethnicity in US crime movies
• Communication skills in the business world
• Ageing in American Literature
• Contemporary English Novel: Ian McEwan’s Atonement and On Chesil Beach
• Unreliable Narration
• The Latin-American Novel: From Romanticism to (Post-)Modernism
• Translation Italian -German
• C.E. Gadda: Crime stories, narratives and essays

Last weekend was fun. Friday night, Sandra and I did a girls / movie night at her place. Saturday I met up with Julia and Ruth, a high school friend of mine for the first time in 9 years or so [we just got back in touch recently] and spent the rest of the day and night reading Breaking Dawn. Sunday Tina came over and we watched movies. Tomorrow I might meet up with Aleks, then Friday morning I have to work, and then we’re celebrating my brother’s birthday at home.

So, ummm … here I was filling out paperwork for my internship. I wanted to make sure I would not lie [unconsciously], so I asked my mom, if she still had Italian citizenship [from her first marriage]. She said, well she doesn’t know, it’s been so long. So I asked her if she ever gave it up. She said, no. Meaning she still is an Italian citizen. Which was the point when I started looking into how Italian citizenship is passed on to your kids. I just called someone at the Italian consulate in Munich. The guy there told me that I indeed appear to be an Italian citizen. I was just never registered but I can do that now. It doesn’t even sound all that complicated. This is so weird. I mean, I don’t have a single drop of Italian blood in me, but apparently I am Italian. Maybe I should really try to learn Italian properly now?! Dual citizenship will not really make any difference for me right now, but it might be useful at some point.

In other news, I called the university housing office again, and I was offered a room in a shared apartment. I was going to go to Heidelberg to find an apartment this upcoming weekend. And I was set on not sharing an apartment anymore. But? Rent in Heidelberg is so expensive! And I really don’t feel like wasting an entire weekend looking for an apartment I may or may not find. And I will not have to deal with any bills as all utilities are included. Besides, it will probably save my parents a good €200 / month. And while I wanted to live by myself, I am no idiot without a [financial] conscience. I will also have the option to apply to move [into a single apartment] after a semester [keyword apply]. So? I accepted. I will be living in the building I applied for, the International House, which is a new residence building, I will share an apartment with three others, and I will not be going to Heidelberg this weekend. My rental contract starts on September 1st, so I might move soon, but I will not be living there until October as I am working here until September 30th. I figure if it doesn’t work out, I can still move after one semester, and at least I will be in Heidelberg to find an apartment which will be easier and cheaper. And I might even end up enjoying living on campus, something I haven’t done since the States [which was technically off-campus anyway].

Edit: What a day! I just got an e-mail from my former supervisor at the bookstore in Heidelberg, and I will be able to work there again! I am not going to do the exact same thing but I’ll be back at the bookstore in October! Sweet! So far, Monday is rocking my socks off!

The interview for the internship on Thursday went well. The boss I was supposed to meet was actually not in the office as she was sick, but the secretary told me she wanted to introduce me to everyone and give me the paperwork I need to fill out and she doesn’t think it will be necessary for me to come in again, so we will see. The interview itself wasn’t really much of an interview, more of a friendly conversation. I had actually been late for the interview because my train was delayed and then I had to go through security which took a while as well. Usually being late for an interview would be a big no-no, it is so embarrassing, but it really wasn’t my fault [I was supposed to get there 15 minutes early!], and luckily she didn’t mind [but I did call her on my way, so she would not be expecting me on time]. So, the way I understood it, if the paperwork all comes back from their background check and everything goes well, I got the internship. As I don’t see why I would not pass their background check, I am assuming I will be doing the internship. This will be February and March next year, so I will be in Munich for all of my semester break. They also told me, if I can I would be able to extend or start early, and I will see if that is possible, and talk to my professors once classes start. It is unpaid and full-time but it is a great chance, and I’d be silly if I didn’t take it, especially taking into consideration how the job market is for people with a degree like mine. And most of the people working in that department actually were German, so maybe I can make some contacts for when I will be looking for a job after graduation.

I already filled out all the paperwork for the internship on Thursday and Friday; they really are thorough, like they want to know all my trips abroad that I have been on during my entire life and the purpose of each, and also all the addresses I have lived at during the past 10 years, and many more things. Oh well, now I am done, and I will be sending in the paperwork on Monday, so they can process it as quickly as possible. When it comes back, I will have to go in for another security interview, and I would prefer to do that while I am still here [before October], that’s why I am rushing to get everything done.

Yesterday I met up with my sister, which was nice. Good to see her again, I am not even sure anymore when was the last time I saw her, either in January or maybe even last summer. Admittedly, it is still weird to have a sister who is so different from you, who has had such a different life, and where you have few mutual experiences, not really a past you can draw on. But I am glad she is part of my life now.

I also met up with a bunch of friends last night, as Tanja is going to China for two months. I will not actually see her until Christmas or maybe February, as she will not be coming back until after I’ve already moved to Heidelberg.

Today my parents are coming back from their vacation - I had been at home by myself for the past week, and then we will have to look into apartments in Heidelberg. My dad and I will go there next week to find one for me. I will call again to find out about university housing on Monday, but as it is very very unlikely that I will get an apartment through them, I am pretty sure we will have to go to Heidelberg for the weekend.

Hmm, what else is new? Oh, on Tuesday my brother and I went to the Bayern Munich - Inter Milan [soccer] match. It was the first time I was at a match since they got their new stadium, which is really cool by the way. We lost, but it was a good time anyway.

This is my brother and me before the match.

The stadium after the match. Looks cool, right?

• I received a reply about the internship I applied for. You know, that one … [sorry if you don't know what I am talking about, you should read my protected posts]. I just sent my application on Thursday, and already got an invite for an interview. It all sounds so promising. I really really really want it to work out, it would be amazing!
• I signed up for a few classes for next semester already. The highlight? A class on Ian McEwan’s Atonement and On Chesil Beach. I finally ordered the first one on DVD and the book of the latter. Perfect. Excuse.
• I read Eclipse yesterday. I need help. 25 should be too old to obsess over fictional vampires one fictional vampire that are is way too perfect to ever be real [besides the fact that he's a vampire]. I’ll only be disappointed to find that men? Really aren’t that perfect. Damn! Only a few days until the fourth book comes out, can’t wait!
• It is hot outside. And even hotter in the office. I feel like my brain is mushy and I am incompetent this week. I cannot wait for it to be over. No one seems to be working either, they’re all off sick or on vacation. I miss my co-workers!
• I love making new friends. I really hit it off with another girl [Elisabeth] at Jenn’s wedding. I think I may not be so socially awkward after all. Only with guys. Looking forward to hanging out with her when I am back in Heidelberg. Two new friends in a month is pretty awesome!
• Apparently people [Americans] cannot tell that I am German when I speak English. Which is great! But apparently my German is starting to sound American. Which may be not so great. At the wedding I asked a German waiter in German where the restroom was and he replied in English. Wtf? Elisabeth also said that my German sounded American [intonation-wise and such].
• Jenn’s wedding was great, Jenn was beautiful and you could just tell how much her husband adores her. I will post pictures later. [They are already up on Flickr and Facebook, though.] I think I may want to get married at a castle too, just as soon as I’ve found my Edward Cullen Prince Charming.
• Boxes are all up in the attic. Now I will not have to worry about them for two months. Not sure how I will get everything back downstairs undamaged, though. I’ll ask my brother and maybe a friend of his to help me, because these boxes are heavy and the ladder up to the attic makes me shudder [on the inside] just looking at it. No way am I climbing up there.