It’s probably no surprise to you that I’m writing this.
It IS a surprise to me.
I’ve been pondering about it for months now, trying to make time for everything, trying to hang on, trying not to say goodbye.
I’ve rationalized too long, finding comfort in my internet securities.
I’ve remembered that the hardest decisions are almost always the right ones.
I’ve realized that in order to keep growing, you must allow change.
And, wow, have I grown.
I’ve been in Germany for over a year now and I have moments where I don’t even recognize myself. And, that’s not a bad thing.
It’s just….time to keep growing and make more changes in the hopes of reaching even bigger goals.
So, it is with a heavy heart that I’m saying goodbye to this blog. I know people have found it helpful. I just received an email from someone the other day, thanking me, but I think this is the right decision for me.
To be honest, I’m not sure if I will delete it or leave it up, although I’m leaning towards deletion.
I can’t let go of this name though, or the cool idea that jolted me back into a lost dream. So, you’ll still be able to find From Casinos to Castles in social media.
As for me, I applied for almost 20 jobs today. The boy is in kindergarten now and I am hoping with all my heart that something works out. Anything.
I’m not giving up my dream of being a writer either, so, you can still find me over at Tipsy Lit. You may not know, but I’m Managing Editor over there now. I’m really excited about that opportunity and I think this year, I’m going to grow even more than the previous one. I have so many things in the works.
I’m working on a memoir as well as my first book of poetry.
I’m also working together with 7 other fabulous women on a new site we will be launching soon that is community oriented with a goal of helping and supporting women.
I’m working on finding myself again and figuring out who that is without all of the labels I had before.
I’m working on making one dream come true, while letting go of another.
I’ve loved getting to know all of you and I’ve appreciated you coming here and getting to know me. As I said, this is goodbye for the blog, but not for me. I wish you all the best and if you’d like to keep in touch you can find me at these places:
Facebook - Author Profile
Facebook Page - From Casinos To Castles
Twitter - Author Profile (C2C will be deleted)
Tipsy Lit
And the new site isn’t ready yet, but you can follow on twitter to stay up to date on the launch!
Thank you again and I hope to see you at one of my other online locations!
You have to do what is best for your family but most of all, for you. Good luck and rock on, my friend :-)
Thank you NAPR! But, you know where to find me. See you “over there”. :-)
I’m really going to miss seeing you in this space, but I’m happy to still be seeing you on twitter and instagram :)
Best of luck with everything! xo
Hey! For a moment there I thought you may be leaving Germany. Your blog has been great and as with mine I guess it represents an era for you. I would say don’t delete it, you have put so much work into it, and it’s fun to look back on every now and then to see how far you have come. Good luck with the job search and all of your writing work! I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly. Laura, formerly known as Brit in Bavaria. x
I agree. You put a time and effort into this blog. It would be a shame to delete it all.
I know…..but I have to keep paying for the domain then too right? Otherwise it goes back to .wordpress.com.
True, it would revert to wordpress.com, but it would still be up.
Maybe I’ll keep it for another year and just go from there.
Or you could import it into your other blog….
Ummm….how do I do that and would that be just to keep my work?
Lol. Yes. You would go to C2C and export your blog, and that would save all of your post, comments, and pictures into a file on your computer. Then you could import it into MMV, if you so desire. Either way, if you decided to delete this blog I highly recommend backing it up first. You did put a lot of time and effort into this.
Ok. I think I’ll leave it up for now. No deleting. And then when/if that time comes, I’m going to come chat with you about it. :-)
Okay!
Hey you! No, we are here in Germany for the long haul. I know…..part of me wants to just start over and other parts want to at least keep it here. I don’t know. Did you keep yours? Hope all is well! Xx
It is always hard to let go of something good, but I am happy for your new goals and know that you will succeed in everything you do. Love ya!
Thank you SisterWife. It’s definitely hard or it wouldn’t have taken me so long to make the decision. Love you too!
Good luck with the next step, whatever that may be.
Thank you! I hope you’ll follow along in other ways if you’re interested.
I certainly will. I’m @hungrydogslair. I really should change themathmaster so people stop getting confused.
Oh!! Yes, I was confused but I thought the gravatar maybe was the same.
Yep, same gravatar. I just never got around to changing the name.
It’s been a good run, but I can understand the need to let it go. So glad to have met you here though and you can bet I’ll still be following along with your new adventures! :)
I’m so glad to have met you too! Meeting people like you is one of the reasons I haven’t wanted to let it go, but, I know it’s more of a must. The time is right. Glad I’ll see you on the flip side. :-)
I support any decision that allows you to grow and take that next step…the evolution of you. As long as we’ll still have access to your creativity somewhere as you go :) Keep us posted and best wishes on the next leg of your journey!!
Aww, thank you! You definitely can keep following along with me on tipsy lit or my other blog as well as social media. Hope to see you there!
Well, I’m sorry you’re disappearing from this particular corner of the internet but am very excited for your new projects and challenges. You must feel relieved for having made the decision - I look forward to seeing what comes next! :D
Oh my god. I’ve been agonizing over it! I do feel relieved but a little sad…..a little nervous. Thank you and hope to see you at my other “locations” should you be so inclined. :-)
Good luck in your next step! Everything will work out fine :)
Thank you Shannon!
Bummer that you are saying goodbye to the blog as I enjoyed following it, but I do understand that you have other goals to strive for. Why not post on it once every few weeks this way it stays alive? Would be a shame to totally kill it. Either way, good luck with your endeavors.
Sorry to hear that you are shutting down your blog. I have enjoyed following it. It understand the need to strive for new goals and a career change. Why not just keep it alive and post once every few weeks if you can? Either way good luck in your endeavors.
I was trying that and it’s just too hard with my writing blog (that you follow) and Tipsy Lit. That’s one reason why I was debating because I thought maybe I could just post here and there, but I could never feel right about that idea. I’m still here….just on other sites….writing about other things. Expat life will always pop up. :-) Thanks, Phil!
So excited for you Deanna! Hope you wont delete this though. Goodluck on your projects!
Thank you! I know I’ll see you on the other side. ;-)
Sorry to see you go from a frequent reader but infrequent commenter. It’s so hard to keep writing anything if your heart isn’t really entirely in it, but it’s just as hard to make the decision to officially stop. Don’t delete it…. if anything just set it to private, but it’s such a good record of your first year here, no deletion. :)
Best of luck with all the new projects and hope to see your new successes around the interwebz!
Awww, what a great point Heather! You’re right. I should keep it somehow. I’ll definitely leave it as is for awhile and see what happens. Thanks for the advice. I think we follow each other on Instagram….at least I know I follow you. Keep in touch!
Breathing room is okay but don’t pull the plug. :)
Yep, I follow you too so I’ll see you there. And BTW, the German books I’ve been using are…
1) German Made Simple
2) German Demystified
3) Essential German Grammar (Although, to be honest, I haven’t even cracked this one in ages. Last time I tried it was like trying to read Sanskrit so that kind of put me off. I figure it’s there when I need it, haha.)
Haha….well, I’ve kinda already said goodbye? :-)
Awesome. Thank you!
I wish you luck in all that you do :)
You know you’ll still be seeing me. :-)
Of course, I’m sure we’ll meet in real one of these days!
I hope so!
Aw, what a shame - I’ll miss you around WP! But it sounds like your life is moving in an exciting direction - all the best with it! :)
Linda, you’ll see me on the other blog. :-) And of course, if you move here!
Definitely! We’ll have to meet up for a beer - or 3 ;)
Definitely 3+ :-)
Vegas v Ireland :) I so want to be in Berlin tonight for the opening of the World Cup - that living room idea is so cool!
I say keep it because you never know when something may hit you and then where would you write it? I enjoy your writings so I hope you keep it.
Well I write for Tipsy Lit as well as 2 other sites. I’m hoping to get a few more paid writing opportunities. Thanks for reading friend. :-)
Best of luck! I hope one of those applications turns into an amazing job opportunity for you!
Thank you!
I am so proud of you. Pursuing passions and employment is no joke… add family, and it becomes clear that you have to focus your energy. I found you through C2C, so I’m glad it had its run… but I’m looking even more forward to what comes next for you! And super kudos on all you’ve achieved in a year. :)
Aww thank you. I needed that. For some reason I need the acknowledgement and validation so I appreciate that you said you were proud. And you’re so right about focusing my energy. Not sure what will happen if I get a job, but I know I need to move forward. You can’t stand still in life.
We all need the encouragement and validation. Anyone who says they don’t is kidding you. :) Keep on moving, SW.
I just realized that my comment sounded kind of intense… I just finished an episode of Orange Is the New Black, and am feeling feisty!
I’ve missed your expat-themed posts in my Reader and email, but totally understand.
I agree with others’ thoughts — keep this blog live; maybe add a sticky post to explain you’re not adding to it anymore, and to find you “here” (and link to here). You offered so many relevant thoughts as to new-expat and new-mom life, I know there will be future expats to Germany who would be grateful to stumble on it.
Good luck with the job search, and all your wonderful writing opportunities; I’ll be reading you there!
Aww Cindi, thank you! And the sticky post is an excellent idea!!!! Thank you for that! I’ll definitely do that.
Great! Hope to see you at my other places. :-)
What Cindi said! Good luck to you and I am glad you are leaning toward NOT deleting C2c!
Cheers, Lynne
Best of luck to you.!!
Thank you!
<3. Best of luck with the job hunt, Deanna. Well do I know what that is like.
Thanks Nav! You know you’ll be seeing me on the other side. :-)
Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Well, I for one will miss you blog! But I wish you luck in your future endeavours.
I guess that’s part of the reason I never wanted to be considered an “expat blogger”. My blog covers all aspects of my life, so I’ll never grow out of it. It may evolve, but it will never be associated with a specific era of my life (finding my feet in Germany or whatever).
Life is a journey and you are on one - I wish you well as you continue your journey!
Such a big decision. I’m with TD. You should definitely back it up or just leave it for a bit and decide later. Best wishes! I know this isn’t goodbye! I will see you around. Best of luck with the job hunt.
You know we’ll be there Sweety!!! And good for you!!! Life is about change! And we as humans must learn to grow and adapt to these changes! You are a true warrior queen….who knows how to tackle those changes with courage, beauty, bravery & class!!! xo <3
i would be kidding, to have a life with thee,,,
Distorted as my delusional dreams,
kiss kiss kiss
Say it isn’t so! Your fellow blogging expats will miss you, but I wish you all the luck in your future endeavors. It sounds like you have a lot of really exciting things going on at the moment. Good luck with your writing and with the job search!
Dear Deanna, how many blogs can you have at the same time? You’re already running 3, you have to let go of something!
Still, it can’t be easy. Bittersweet, I’m sure. But the blogosphere is still infused with your words. xoxox
Ah! Good luck to you! I hate when I see a good blog die :(
Your decision is ok!
i’ve never commented on this blog, because, as a german, i have no right to correct you of german living experiences. I hope that you are more comfort of germans.
I found this blog a few month ago, with your heartbleaking start of the blog. That was zealous and in the meantime you lost some of it … that’s réal life …
DO what ever brings(?) new happiness, satisfaction and hope. Do it!