One book one child initiative launched - my new children's book is out

Dear readers, 

happy to announce to you that after months of writing, then editing and illustrating my new children's book finally launched. 

It's a personalized book - with your child being the main character in the book. You can personalize the name and look. And the best thing: with every book you buy, we donate one book to children in need. 

What is it about? 

Imagine you go to sleep and have a wonderful dream that changes your life! 

You wake up in a magical forest with trees as colorful and vivid as you have never seen before. You meet a friendly bear called Naby. He shows you the most special thing you could dream of: your very own tree of life. The bear teaches you that your tree grows together with you - all through your life. Then more colorful, wild and brave your life is, the bigger and stronger your own tree will grow. But the adventure is not over yet! Follow Naby through the Forest of Life and get inspired!

The first personalized batch closed already - we have been overwhelmed with orders. But you can pre-order now for shipping in February 2017. Order your personalized copy here. 

The book is suitable for kids ages 0 - 8 - see how kids enjoy it: http://bit.ly/2gfiZG9

San Francisco will always be in my heart

Dear reader,

you might have noticed that I didn't write for quite some time. Of course, I shouldn't really have an excuse for not updating you regularly anymore.

At least, let me try to come up with one: I have left San Francisco for good some time ago. But the problem was actually like Walter Cronkite put it: "Leaving San Francisco is like saying goodbye to an old sweetheart. You want to linger as long as possible."

It wasn't possible for me to linger that long as I had to go back to Europe for family reasons. But San Francisco stayed with me just like an 'old sweetheart' can. I tried to forget it. I tried to fall in love with someone else (another city). I tried to not have all the wonderful San Francisco memories come up. I tried to push all emotions off and start new in another city.

But it wasn't that easy. And even now: about 2 years after having left San Francisco I still think about San Francisco and its still my favorite city in the world. Maybe I come back one day?

I tell you, if you have the chance to spend some weeks, months or even your whole life in San Francisco, than you should really value it ... for all the different reasons you might have.

But if you want to know why I love(d) San Francisco soo much, here are my top reasons:

• the magical sun light of California which is warm and golden and beautiful 
• the mindset of people living in the city. There really isn't another place where people try to make moves as bold as in San Francisco. YOU CAN DO IT. 
• the walkability of the city. It's not like the standard American city where you have to drive everywhere
• you always feel close to nature. I used to live in Nob Hill and I was able to see the ocean every day. It was the most beautiful gift your eyes could get every day... 
• the one and only GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE. If you actually live in San Francisco you don't value that you live next to one of the most impressive landmarks in the world....but if you move to a city which doesn't have such superlatives, I promise you, you will miss the GGB instantly 
• the magic of the city arising from all its stories: literates in North Beach, Hippies in Haight Ashbury, internet pirates in SOMA ... 
• the fact that you are almost surrounded by ocean ...at least on 3 sides. 
• the European feeling of Little Italy and Nob Hill mixed with the latin American influence of the Mission and the Asian flair of Chinatown 
• I connected with many super smart and inspiring people and I truly believe that there are few cities in the world which have as much driven, innovative and inspiring people on such small space
• the fact that San Francisco feels slightly dangerous (at least to a German :)) : much higher crime rate than in Munich and the constant fear of the BIG ONE (earth quake) saying hello one day. I guess it makes you value each day going by smoothly and nice just a little bit more  

Why do you love San Francisco?

With love,
Johanna