I just have been reminded on my annual costs to keep this blog alive. As a good person I did – of course, but now I realised my lat two updates were in April 2014 and April 2015. So it seems my updates are lining up with the annual pay cycles. … funny aye … I promise I will do better moving forward.

Again another year is over and lot’s of things happened. Personally I feel like it’s time for some radical changes in my life as I feel I run into a one way street for some time and it’s time to find a road that has an opened end.

This is particular aimed at my professional career. I am a very experienced IT professional with a specialty area of Service Management. Unfortunately Service Management as a line of work where it seems you always fight an uphill battle. The idea is very simple – create repeatable processes to minimise sudden downfalls and customer impact. As well as optimise and adjust to your companies ‘way of life’.
I think it’s time to start something new to inject some new excitement and some new life-line to make it interesting going to work and to find a way to be happier. At the end I didn’t decided to stay in NZ to live a German-style life with a work that is not satisfying.

So what is ahead of me?

Currently I am working for a first class / top notch product company who is very innovative and one of the fastest growing companies in the world – turning the market for classic accounting software upside down by being a cloud based provider. Over the last 20 months were a hell of a ride and I was able to look behind the scenes of a software-shop. Hereby I feel really intrigued by (Software) Product Management. I guess my current employer has established teams with outstanding people, so i can see on a day-to-day basis the rapid product improvements and enhancements, which seems very exciting. All those software developments are driven by an Agile approach and in this environment you can really see the benefits (of Agile) in compare to a more classic Project Management approach such as a waterfall approach. But to be fair – every methodology has it’s place and time and for Software development, Agile is the way to go.

Another road that intrigues me, is the road of people management. By now I developed a very good feel for people and I have a passion for coaching and mentoring people. But I am also a typical “German” after all – means I say it how it is and I enjoy always a good confrontation/argument. Unfortunately the NZ culture struggles with confrontational behaviour and in my eyes people are way too soft – you could also make a point that those people might should check their EQs (Emotional Intelligence). However, I feel like I am ready to get my feet wet in that area and I certainly will push for this when I get an opportunity.

Alternatively, I still enjoy coaching and building Handball in New Zealand. It’s such a huge source of positive energy seeing all those young New Zealanders getting into the sport and enjoying it. Seeing the smiles on their faces, listening to parents who are raving about their happy children and being able to create and offer them opportunities to represent their region or country in national and international – that is HUGE and feels very rewarding. If I could I would love to do this full time, but being a minor sport means there is no money in it and it won’t pay my bills. Still that’s the ultimate dream – one day it will be possible.

And to everybody’s surprise I still enjoy playing Handball too. Surely I wont get faster anymore neither I will jump higher. But for the level of Handball played in NZ, my trick-box is till deep and I can manage my athletic short comings by utilising my experience. I also enjoy the growth of my young team mates in my club who rapidly developing and setting them up in games are absolut personal highlights in every game.

Goals for the next 3-6 months:

1. Entering a new job line, discovering some of the exciting new opportunities and grabbing them. Focusing on work that pushes me to learn new things, while also allows me to have a good work/life balance
2. Applying for Dual Citizenship
3. Progresisng the development of Handball in NZ further, we are on the right paths but there is still a LONG way to go.
4. Finding more time for family and friends. There is NO excuse for not finding time.

So, finally I found some time and creativity to update my blog again …

What happened over the last roughly 12 months? A LOT

Looking back, I am almost astonished how much I achieved and how much change came into my life.

Let’s start with my rehab. So far everything went well, everything according to plan, hardly any set backs and I am still working on it. Last weekend I played my first competitive Handball game since September 2013 and it felt absolutely great. I feel very lucky and fortunate that I had the support around me – mentally and physically to get back on my feet and even to go back into Handball. Though i am not sure if my recovery and rehab will bring back to a decent level, but in my age, thinking about retiring from active playing is a valid option. After playing 25 years with 2 major injuries, I probably should see myself a lucky man.
Still there is a bucket list item to chase. #OneLastRunForGold

Another new thing in my life – I scored a new job at a company which was high up on my wishlist to work for. Again, I was probably just lucky – right time, right place – as they were looking for someone with my skill set and experience. Now, 7 months into this job, I surely had a couple of bumps in the road, but I learned a lot already and feel very motivated and inspired to try new things, to challenge my experience and my thinking – that’s probably thanks to a very charismatic CEO – that’s a very good thing!!!

After 3.5 years of staying away from home, I decided it’s time to visit my roots, my family and my friends. Guess what? – I had a fabulous time over christmas and new years. Even that I thought I was over it, I found myself with homesickness later back in New Zealand –  first time in my life I suffer(ed) from homesickness.
What really got me, was how dearly my family and my friends were showing me how much they miss me and love me. I can’t even express in words how blown away I am that even after 8 years living on the other side of the world, their support and love is still the same or actually even more.
Now I am hearing my homeland calling me home again – which is hard, as I know life by itself is sooo much more valuable and rich here in NZ in compare to Germany.
Who knows what happens, aye?

On my way to Germany, I visited my 3rd favorite city in the World – Vancouver. I consider myself again very lucky that a very good friend of mine lives there and welcomed me for a few days prior to Christmas. Another reminder for me how lucky I am with the friends I have around the world.
Note to myself – I need to make sure I come up with something special for their wedding this upcoming September!!!

So after coming back from Europe, I needed to look for a new place to stay as my landlady was selling the house and the new owner wanted to move in. I think if I learned something over the last 10 years, than that change MUST be embraced as it is inevitable. So, I found a new house, not far away, and after living here now for almost 3 months, I am actually very glad about this change – look at that view

And it’s even cheaper than the old place! What can I ask more for?

Now the last big new achievement – a couple of weeks ago (over Easter) I finally scratched off walking the Tongariro Crossing of my list. Again, I was glad I could hare this experience with good friends and i could almost punish myself that it needed me 8 years  before I did it – EMBRACING Change and Opportunities, that’s all what I am trying to better moving forward! 🙂

So I think that wraps up the last 12 months and I promise I will not wait that long again before I update my blog.

So almost 10 weeks in now and I started 10 days ago with walking, yeah normal walking. That does feel so good, i bright feeling of independence. I even attempted my first drive on Sunday and I would say another week or so and I am back to normal what usual movements means.

Now the challenge is to stay patience with my progress and to start working steadily on what I am allowed to do. I’ll see my physio on Thursday and will work from there.

Hmmm finally the Handball season started with the Tournament in Palmerston North – first time I didn’t make it there since I arrived in New Zealand, it feels weird I have to admit but it was a call of maturity. I know myself good enough to know that I would have not taken care of my foot – so well done me that I was able to make that ‘maturity’ call.

Next stop WC qualifiers preparations over the Easter break and then next week going up to Auckland and see how we can get the boys in the right mindset and physical shape to provide the Aussies a fight they will not expect and hopefully never forget. Beside that there is some noise behind the scenes but that’s how things on the political level go, so just living with them and focusing on things I can influence.

Another big distraction are things back home. Every time I think I can relax and things move in the right direction exactly the opposites happens and things turn s***. It’s kinda hard being so far away and trying to make things right and to help my family but I don’t have a choice and need to stay positive and innovative. I wish a big chunk of luck will come my families way and things will take a permanent turn to the good, that certainly would help me to feel happier too.

Ok that’s another update from my life …below I thought I will share a couple of pictures that reflect a lot my work life ….

Ah, before I forget the NBA playoffs are about to start and yes it’s painful that my LA Lakers haven’t made it … at least Dirk seems to be back to his old self, reliable and a deadly as shooter, hopefully he’ll lead the Mavs deep into the playoffs.

… I am not getting comfortable and don’t take the easy road in life.

What happened?

Sunday I decided to participate at the Handball practice with the boys (NZ National team) who are preparing for the World Championship qualifiers. After almost a year of hard work in the gym and 3 months of preparation for the 6.5km Round the Bays event, I am probably in the best shape since 7 years.

The beginning of the Training went really well, I felt well, I was very euphoric about my extreme good condition and enjoyed each bit of it, I even was able to push for a few things that I didn’t do in ages. Then we went to fastbreaks, I sprinted down the court, caught the ball, jumped and throw the ball as hard as I could, all seemed perfect. I landed, turned around and wanted to sprint back to the middle line. Then something happened. I felt something on my right heel. First I thought some of the guys who was standing in that corner of the court thrown a ball and hit my right heel, so while laying on the ground and holding my foot, being slightly in pain, I turned around and said with an angry voice “Who the fuck throw a ball at me”. All the guys looked at me more puzzled as anything else and one of them said “Nobody”. In this moment I knew something happened that I won’t like. So I checked my ankle and it seem fine, but then I realised that there was something missing in the back of my foot – called the Achilles tendon. So I checked my other foot to compare and confirmed, my Achilles tendon seemed to have disappeared.
My first thought was “When can I be back on court playing after a torn Achilles tendon?” … so immediately I thought of a couple of people I knew who had that injury – one of them was Kobe Bryant. So I realized I am looking here at 9-12 months recovery. With this information in my head, I actually just tried to start planning the rehab phase :-).
So I called my physio who lives not far from the Sports Centre and asked him if he could come over as this little accident might be a bit more serious and lucky me, he came straight over. He checked my leg/foot and was pretty certain to confirm torn Achilles tendon.

Plan of attack – going to the hospital to see if they start treating me – let’s say their reputation of patience care and service isn’t the best, so my Physio provided Plan B to see him in the morning and go from there. So I turned up at the Emergency Centre at the Wellington Hospital and surprisingly a nurse (Nurse Jaquie, a hottie, just saying) called me in very shortly, and took my details regarding the accident and potential injury. Then she informed me that there is at least 3.5to 5 hours waiting time before I doctor will see me (that was around 9pm). So even she suggested to go home and come back in the morning. How could I say no to a hot nurse like Jacqui? 😉
Next morning, my friend Matthias came over to pick me up, and drove me first to my physio (Gavin) and then to the hospital (Thanks Gavin for getting me an emergency appointment there!). Arriving there, again surprisingly quickly, I was called into the treatment room and after a few questions by a nurse and a short check (pinch test) of my Achilles tendon, she informed me that there are two other patients before me. So the waiting began – thanks Matthias for putting up with that.
Then after roughly 90 minutes the Junior Doctor came and again asked me some questions and doing the pinch test and advised he things it’s just a partial rupture because he could feel something still left. (by the way – my Physio felt the same but he assumes that this is the tendon from my big toe). Anyway the Junior Doctor advised that it doesnt matter if completely ruptured or partially, the treatment will be the same – foot in a cast. I asked him to do a Ultrasound or MRI, but again he advised me that this wouldn’t change the treatment plan. I made him aware that I did some research the night before and through multiple opinions it was clear that some say a conservative approach – just a cast and a special boot – would be always the first choice. Some other said surgery. What I took from it, is that it probably depends on the circumstances, means if the lose tendons are close a conservative approach is preferable, if they are reasonable far away from each other then a surgery is almost a must.
So back to the Doctor – he listened, nodded and then he said “Hmmm probably you know then me, but our treatment stays the same”. I found that very odd that a doctor told me (it seemed he meant it too) that I probably know more than him.Not sure if I felt good treated but I knew that my foot needed some kind of treatment (fixed position) no matter what.
So I got a cast and lots of instructions … roughly 30 hours after the accident happened.

Now I am looking at first to 2 weeks of cast, then I will see the Doctor again and we’ll go from there 🙂
I’ll do some more research and will see what I can dig out … taking Kobe Bryant as an inspiration – he made it back on the court in 9 months after his torn Achilles tendon, so I’ll aim for 9-10 months too. Determination, patience and positiveness will get me there – I know that and I believe in that! End of Story … 58 hours done – 275 days to go (~6600 hours).

Life will teach me a couple of new lesson:
1) patience
2) determination

Let’s bring it on!

Just watched a couple of documentation about and with Will.I.Am (Visionaries: Inside of the creative mind) and Pop Innovators: will.i.am) , one of the founding members of the Black Eyed Peas, and I have to say i feel pretty much inspired.

This guy really knows how to turn dreams and visions into ideas and if I understood him right then it all comes down to three things:
1) Allow yourself to dream
2) Identify the void and step into it
3) Take action in the void
4) Don’t forget your roots
5) Never stop dreaming and actioning, there is no resting, there is no plateau, it always goes forward

As more I think about that as more I realize that he is absolutely right. It’s not like we didn’t know that, but it’s good to be reminded.

Now are the questions:
What are my dreams?
Which voids are in front of me I want and need to step in and take action?

Definitely something I will explore over the next few weeks and will take action!

As I like to think about life, I always was wondering what makes a good life? and what kind of life I wanted to have lived when I look back at it and can say “Wow, I had a good ride and wouldn’t change a thing!”.

So thinking about that I came to a clear conclusion that the main thing I want to be known as and want to remember is happiness.

Why happiness?

Over the last 20-34 years I have seen a lot of sad people but also a lot of happy people and normally I ask myself what is it that does make some people most of the time happy and how can I avoid being sad.
First of all I realised that happiness does not depend on material values (such as houses, cars, money etc), it depends on immaterial values – such as family, friends and a very good portion of humour.
So at some point I decided that I want to be a happy person, someone who brings joy to my own life and especially joy to the life of others – nothing is better than a good laugh and nothing is more valuable then a smile that comes straight from the heart.
Secondly, I learned that sadness is often a product of disappointment or of wrong expectations. So I still believe you should always aim high in life, but you should not become totally unrealistic.

So far in my, I consider myself very lucky to have my family supporting me, my friends valuing the friendship to me and that i have been offered so many opportunities that other people probably didn’t had – such as (almost) free education, chances to travel and to visit other countries and cultures, good health support and that I was and I am able to bring a smiles to faces of others.

At the end – that’s all what counts … right?

it’s a long long time ago since I updated last this blog and a lot is happened.

I made it safe and sound back to New Zealand, I moved houses and I still work my butt off at work and as well as for Handball.

What’s next to come?

Really good question, not sure yet but my holiday stay last year in Vancouver really made an impression on me. Beautiful city, good culture, good friends and way shorter to go back home to Germany as New Zealand. So as you can imagine I still play with thoughts of settling over to Canada.
Still live in NZ isn’t bad either and I certainly can consider myself lucky with the life I have even if there are always things that bother you (more or less).

Anyway – I will promise to update the blog a bit more regular and keep you in the loop with some thoughts and stories …