My office and around town...

So time flies by and slowly I am finding my way around better and better.  I really enjoy it out here - although there is still tons to learn and explore and ...  many more things to organise.  In a nutshell: still dont own a car - nor have I found an apartment yet.  All work in progress...
But for now let me share some more impressions from around here.  First my building: the Vice-Commandant's House (House #28) or the School for Peace and Conflict Management.  My school director is thinking about changing the name of our school - but I will leave that story for another day...  My office is downstairs and next to the kitchen (still unsure whether this is a good or a not so good thing).  It's one of the smaller offices, yet bigger than my last one...

My office is actually much larger then it seems in this picture - I am standing about half way into it.  I like it - in particular my view out to the gardens...

This is the rain that I am told will be around from now till March - hope that wont really be the case!  There has been some sun over the weekend - so I have hope!!



Some of my new buddies around campus wanted to say hello too: meet a few of the peacocks and some deer that hangs out here too.  There are tons of chipmunks which are too fast to capture and the racoons by the Security building and plenty of ducks of all shapes and sizes.  Will have to learn some of the species....




Some impressions from around downtown from my househunting walks...  the parliament building and one of my favorite houses on Michigan Street - would love to find a place like this!!

 This is a gazebo in Beacon Hill Park - a great place to hang out.  And just a walk away from the ocean....

Finally just some random fun bits I pick up along the way...  my new favorite yogourt is OF COURSE Balkan style...

A walk around campus - or rather enjoying the landscape

Royal Roads University is a very special place with a lot of history.  The main building is an old castle built by a rich Scottish guy (and former governor of British Columbia).  Later the building and surrounding land was sold to the state and the Military College was established on its grounds.  In 1996 the Military College was closed and a private university established instead.  Since then Royal Roads has grown and added buildings - and continues to grow.  I will share more bits and pieces of campus, for now, I only walked around the surrounding land and enjoying the scenery...

 Hatley Castle

 Anyone recognise the school for the gifted??!! :)

See those mountains in the back?  That is Washington!

 The forest is amazing...

The lake which is the view from my bedroom.... 

 Bächle gibt's auch!!!!  Hier nennt man die allerdings Lachs-Leitern...  tse...  ;)

 Fall is on its way...  yet, the sun is still strong and the weather amazing!  What a welcome!

 Here you can see the old naval history...  the flag pole and the commandant's house.  My office is in that building - will show you more once I start work.  Tomorrow...

My little chalet in the woods...

Kindly enough the university is putting my up in temporary housing.  I have this two bedroom house all to myself, including two bathrooms, a living room, dining room, washer/dryer in the basement, full kitchen and dishwasher, and and and...  Quite something!

As you can see though, my little chalet in the woods (which is what my new colleague calls it) is quite hidden from the outside world, beautifully located in the forest with a view of the lake - and the mountains in Washington in the background....

 So you only get to my house, house 14, by driving INTO a one-way street...  enough said...

 Hidden in the woods... my little chalet!

There are fireplaces in almost every room of the house...  unfortunately I am not allowed to use them...  :(

Going green - my Prius rental.  A totally fun car to drive!

Die Hochzeit kurz vorm Umzug

Was gibt es für eine schönere Art sich von einer Stadt zu verabschieden, als mit einer großartigen Party!!  Ich hatte das Glück, dass kurz vor meinem Umzug von Berlin meine allerliebste Freundin Claudia in Berlin geheiratet hat.  Ein großartiges Ereignis und eine Woche voller Freude, Feiern und überhaupt!!

Duuuude.

 What happens with/during/in the cheese stays with the cheese...

 Prost!

 The adorable couple - we had a blast!

 Wer viel feiert braucht Stärkung...  cool geniessen...  :)

Der Umzug...

... vor dem Umzug steht das Packen...  und nach 6 Jahren in der schönen Wohnung in der Bergstraße gar nicht sooo einfach.

 Das Chaos vom Einpacken...

Der Himmel weint während ich packe...

 Die Wohnung ist leer...

... weil jetzt alles da drin ist!