Miss Euro Blogger - Bursting the Bubble

Austria feels a sense of pride when it comes to being what they call nostalgic about the past and going against the mainstream. The rest of the world calls it being backward. In 2015, the Austrian government at the time passed a law that would finally take Austria to the same progressive level as the majority of Western countries: banning smoking in bars, restaurants and clubs. However, it wouldn't be Austria if things were that simple. The government gave establishments over 2 years to prepare for the law to come into effect - May 2018 - which would fall under the legislative period of the next government. I was very happy about the law as I am one of those 'annoying' people who get a headache and burning eyes as well as the urge to cough as soon as I am exposed to smoke. At the same time, I thought the long time before the law actually will be enacted may be problematic as the new government may have other ideas. It turned out that I was right... and in this case, I wis...

When I was a teenager, fourty was always my scary-age. People who were fourty were officially 'old'. They were boring, had a steady job and had the same routine everyday. Their lives seemed basically over and they were just waiting for death to come. Last week, I turned 39. I have twelve months to go before I am officially 'old'...   via GIPHY My late thirties snuck up on me like a bold eagle on its prey. I CANNOT believe I just turned 39 - the last year in my thirties has begun. I still remember waking up the day after my 29th birthday. A sense of panic came over me and I started to cry. At the time, I thought the midlife crisis was upon me. So I was waiting for it to set in. I wasn't sure what it would feel like but I was ready for it. And then... it never came! I had a blast in my thirties! I lived life to the fullest. At the time, I lived in Santa Monica, just minutes from the beach. I was in top shape - as most people living in LA are - and I had a great ...