Sunday 30 December 2012

And another happy new year!

Dear readers,

The entire week was dominated by emotions: happiness, sadness, disappointment, joy, glory - the wide range emotions can have. But let me start with the positive vibes:

First there was a three time skiing experience which was just awesome. You know how much I love skiing! Remembering three days in powder snow and sun turns me actually kind of sad as these days will be my only one in this season. Since I am able to ski (and I have been doing it for over 18 years), it is the first winter that I only have three days on my account. Note therefore: Have later a job in a snowy and hilly area.
Presents under the tree
Secondly there was of course Christmas: As a German family the presents are exchanged on the 24th and I actually thought that I wouldn't be surprised at all. But my mom played a trick on me: for a long time now I dream of a Burberry scarf that I actually don't want to spend a fortune on. Well, what shall I say? Thank you, Mom. This really means a lot to me.
The other Christmas days were really rainy which is why we went to the cinema all together watching "The Hobbit". Since I read the book a month ago, I was positively surprised by the film adaption. And Christmas also means food. The gym already calls my name and next week will be a diet as dinners were to delicious here: meat, potatoes, fish, cheese, salads, chocolate, cake, ice cream, french fries, ... I stop now.
Yumm Yumm
Presents: Burberry scarf, Tissot watch, Winter of the World by Ken Follet and Nivea Box
Negative emotions? Yes, they also appeared, especially on Friday when I was overwhelmed by my emotions. The night before I spent a great night with high school friends in a BBQ restaurant and realized the day after that one week being home is just not enough to see friends, family and to do skiing. I even didn't manage to go downtown because time was just too short. That turned me really unhappy. Another reason for this sadness is also that I am not too enthused about going back to my internship in Duesseldorf: While thinking about it, I feel more and more that this sector is not what I want. Not at all. And I actually have not so many friends there because many of them left the company before Christmas.

But I am not the kind of persons who focuses long on any negative things. Moreover I am really happy to find myself now in Berlin, the German capital where I am going to meet one of my best friends in a few hours. While writing this, I smile, believe me! More about Berlin, I will show you next week.

Let me finish by some words to 2012: To sum up it was a very positive year for me. Highlight was probably the trip to the US (here, here and here), the change from university to work life and all the time with my university colleagues. What I wish for 2013? A safe and healthy family, a good start in university again (especially when going to France for 2 years in September), a nice summer internship, great time with my friends and some happy life.

Happy New Year!

Sunday 23 December 2012

Driving home for Christmas

Good morning,

Today I only want to limit my post to some pictures I could gladly take during my return to home. I so much appreciate to spend time with my family and friends!
Yesterday morning I arrived and was truly relieved after 4 months away from home and without any holidays. It was the first time that I realized that I really need this time off and could therefore only hardly concentrate throughout the week that I mainly spent having dinner with colleagues and friends, doing some sports (against the Christmas-calories!) and packing my stuff.

As I only will stay one week, I want to benefit of today's impeccable weather and be on the slopes all day. Before I not only want to show you the promised photos, but wish you of course a merry Christmas (or whatever you celebrate) with your beloved ones.

Lactose free hot chocolate before the early morning flight
Decoration!
Christmas cake
So a wine must look like: 18 years old with spider nets

Merry Christmas!

Sunday 16 December 2012

142 hours

Happy Sunday!

Only 142 hours left until I am back home with my family. This year the urge to see them is bigger than ever and I am happy that I can hug them soon again and spend Christmas with them. Still I am assuming why I have this urge but I think it is because I am less stressed and distracted than last year and that I don't feel 100% comfortable in my apartment (have I told you that there are now 4 Spanish guys? A lot I feel as an outsider...). Oh, and not to forget the missing mountains and snow.
Dinner on Friday
Art: Life
My last week was relatively calm: Some tennis, a champagne tasting with a French community and a weekend with a friend. Actually it was planned to have two friends coming over, but one had unfortunately to cancel her stay on Friday night because her train had more than 5 hours delay. With my other friend I yesterday tried desperately to find a present for my dad - without success. At night we went finally to see "Skyfall" and I was very positively surprised: A lot of action combined with an interesting story made this James Bond to a really good one. Thanks to my friend who intensively convinced me in advance to see it. What was your opinion about the film?
Champagne in a typical French restaurant
Last week I told you that we couldn't make to the final of the Business Game. Well, on Wednesday we received an invitation that we will be in the final as out team ha been chosen by one of the sponsors. We were so happy about the decision that we cannot wait to show our skills in March.

I wish you a pleasant day and see you hopefully next week with more interesting content :)

Sunday 9 December 2012

Christmas market

Hej hej!

Remember when I told you that I am learning Swedish? And yes, I am still in it, doing lots of progress. Reading and writing works well so far whereas understanding and talking is a challenge (that I like to take though!). However, I want to point out that I baked my favourite "kanelbullar" last week. Furthermore it is Saint Lucy's Day next Thursday that has always a magical ambiance.
Frozen lake
I hope you had a wonderful week because I actually had one. It started with a Christmas dinner with university friends when we had some delicious pizza and didn't have to pay for drinks as the waiter forgot to bill them. Then I finally played tennis regulary and Friday night I relaxed in the nearby baths and sauna. That was absolutely necessary after a stressful night before: Two friends and I took part in a Business Game competition while we were still working and had to make decisions online. That was not only complicated on a communication level but it also provoked misunderstandings. Thus we missed the finals. Though, we tasted blood and are already applying for our second competition.

Before I show you lovely photos I need to point out that I got some samples from Lancôme for free that have a value of 80 Euros. A friend's friend works for L'Oréal and each employee gets an enourmous box with make.up articles for Christmas, so I made a little choice. The Essie nail polish will be tried tomorrow in the office :)
Hypnôse Drama (Lancôme) - Nail Polish (Essie) - Ombre Absolute Palette (Lancôme)
And now I don't want to hold back my photos. I yesterday spent a wonderful day in Münster, a city with a lot of warmth and charm, that I couldn't resist. It sparkled. It was icecold. It snowed. It was peaceful.
Mulled Wine
Chocolat
Cathedral
Lockers
Now I am getting of to see my grandmother and celebrate the 2nd Advent with her. Unfortunately I am very tired due to a long night with mulled wine, clubbing and "Madagascar" at 4AM.

Sunday 2 December 2012

1st Advent

Christmas Market
Good morning,

I still cannot believe it but we count the 2nd December. How extremely fast autumn passed by is still a miracle to me. It seems only days ago that I wore shorts and tops and now I am sitting here while temperatures fell below 0°C.
But I am happy to have the first advent today. Christmas markets, mulled wine, cookies - the same procedure as every year. And I love it.

Since Friday a friend has been here and we enjoy the advent spirit together. We yesterday want to the Christmas Market, strolled through the city and cooked some Chinese (as usual) dinner before heading to artist bar in city.
During the week I mainly focused on sports and played tennis after a couple of while. For more than 3 months I have been looking for a tennis partner until a nice Italian woman called last week. Although the risk was high, we perfectly matched and will continue our matches within the next 2 months.

How are your Christmas preparations going? Have you thought about presents yet or have you even finished all your Christmas shopping?
I am still full in preparations and keep looking for good ideas for family and friends. But every time I am in town I am fascinated by all the decorations and attracted by all the different smells that feelings overtake my initial goals.

Enjoy the pre-Christmas spirit!

Simple but effective decoration in a cafe
Old monastery, converted into a cafe
Big Wheel I
Big Wheel II

Sunday 25 November 2012

The heart of Europe's money

Dear readers,

Finally I can post about something interesting today: I am in Frankfurt, in the heart of Europe's money. Nowhere the Euro crisis are as present as here where the ECB has its headquarters. However I am not here to rescue Europe and especially Southern fellows, but to visit friends.
ECB
Lockers4Love
Skyscrapers
I only arrived Friday with a friend and we were so tired of last week that we went early to bed and just exchanged some news. Then yesterday it was the first time ever that I saw something else than the airport here: The Roemer, the Main Tower, etc. Well, Frankfurt is probably not the most interesting city in the world but totally fine for a weekend with friends. The night we spent meeting even more friends and hanging out in a bar. Very great indeed.
View from Main Tower
Opera House
So now, we continue our exploring tour although we are not 100% sure where it will lead us as I already leave for home at 3 PM.

The rest of the week I went having a great and cheap sushi (rather seldom in ones life) and commenced the Christmas market season when I first ambled through the small lanes. Winter and Christmas time can now come, I am totally prepared!

Let me finish by telling you that the Basketball game last week was rather boring but that I had a great time with my friend who was referee in the game. So I gladly did this sacrifice :)
Basketball with few spectators
Have a lovely week, maybe with some snow?

Sunday 18 November 2012

Dedicated to someone

Dear readers,

A few weeks ago I announced that I want to get rid of all the ideas that I compiled within the last months and never talked about in my blog. Here is another topic that is about the group Penso. I have already posted one song and will continue by redirecting you to their soundcloud account. Why I adore a small band like them? Easy to answer: my brother is part of them. And this is no publicity to support them, no, but I truly love their music.

Of course I will tell you about my Carnival experience in Cologne last week. Even if I couldn't find a good explanation for my - compared to all the others - lousy costume, I had a lot of fun although I don't like the event in general. We actually partied all day and I met so many nice people, though I accepted the invitation alone. You cannot imagine how crazy people become on this day: laughing, singing, drinking, a big party on the street. However I must say that I was glad that I could celebrate the event in private rooms, on the street there were too many annoying persons.
Lovely autumn outfit (from Wendy's blog)
big-mistake
So true (from Emily's blog)
Nevertheless I have huge problems to post about my good life here right now. I got a job promotion, went to my university to promote my company there and celebrated a birthday with fantastic friends on Friday. But my thoughts are far away. It is a personal matter as my brother struggles a heavy illness. Since he is already a very skinny person, the illness affects him stronger than thought in the beginning. Hopefully, you do understand that my thoughts are with my family.

 

For the week I plan to go to see the new James Bond "Skyfall". Have you already watched it and did you like it? According to the trailer I have a lot of action to expect.

P.S: And as I couldn't find any appropriate photos on my camera, I just have to redirect to some blogging colleagues that have inspired me during the week. 

Sunday 11 November 2012

Potpourri

Good morning everyone!

I hope a great week lies behind you. For my part, I feel as if I have been betraying you for weeks now. My post seem to be quite boring, retrospectively. But I really cannot post about something that doesn't happen. No fashion events. No cooking sessions. No travels. No philosophy.
Lately at work. We celebrated birthdays.
On my wish list for Christmas?

But I promised to post a new recipe this week and this time I don't want to disappoint you. Although the dish is really simple and you have already seen a variation in this post, I no longer hold it back:

Ingredients:
Rice (125g)
Mincemeat (500 g)
White Mushrooms (200 g)
1 carrot
1 red pepper
Soy Sauce, Sweet Chili Sauce and Mango Curry Sauce

Begin by washing the mushrooms, the carrot and the pepper. Afterwards cut the vegetables into small pieces. Heat a pan and pan-fry the mincemeat in it until it gets a brown colour everywhere. Add the vegetables and mix it strongly. Prepare the rice as indicated on the packaging.When the rice is finished, mix the meat, vegetables and the rice and add the different sauces according to your taste. To have more an Indian touch, add more Mango Curry Sauce - for a more Chinese touch Soy Sauce and Sweet Chili Sauce make the sound.

I am a little tired this morning because I partied yesterday night and had to get up early this morning. Why? Well, I will leave in a few minutes to go to Cologne, celebrating the start oft Carnival. Since 2 hours I have tried to put on appropriate make-up for my disguise: Shadow of myself. Actually, I simply wear a lot of dark clothes, that was all I could think of. 
Top - Esprit / Skirt & Long-Sleeve - H&M / Tights - Primark / Gloves & Mask - No Name
I wish you all the best, thank you for reading!

Sunday 4 November 2012

Back to the roots


Silence
Old barn
Dear readers, 
As promised earlier this morning, I finally come up with my weekly post.

I begin with my stay at my family on the countryside where I spent 3 wonderful relaxing days. It has been over a year that I haven't seen my grandmother, aunt, uncle and some cousins, so this November weekend was the best opportunity. My personal highlight was when I rang the bell at my grandmother's door and she opened with these astonished eyes - she wasn't expecting me at all and I am glad that she didn't get a heart attack (at least she is 85). I appreciated the free days very much and I only can be happy to have such a close relation to my family.
On the countryside where I had no mobile service, life seems to be less stressful than here in my city. And I always feel like doing a trip back in time. A hundred years ago people did the same things: they care for their animals, they knit their clothes and harvest potatoes. Of course I exaggerate slightly... but however...
Horse
Tractor track

Upside Down House
Then there was Halloween on Wednesday as well. You want to know what I did? First I wasn't up to anything, in the end I was invited at a friends and with a few other girls we had a funny night at the apartment - including white vampire make-up and some drinks.

I wish you a good start into the week and hope to see you in one week. Then with a new recipe, promised.

Family's first!

Good morning,
I am at my grandma's right now. Family is priority and so I will move this post to tonight.
Have a lovely Sunday and see you tonight!

Sunday 28 October 2012

Ice Ice Baby!

Good morning,

Unbelievable, but we have minus 3 degrees while I am writing this. Temperature fell about 20 degrees within the week as I enjoyed nearly summer weather last weekend. Admittedly I am a little jealous that it snows in a lot of parts of Europe but here snow is far away.
Ducks in the park
I only give you a short recap of last week and some randomly taken photos. But I am on my way to a brunch with a very good friend that I see nearly daily at work but we never find time to talk about personal stuff - so we dedicate this beautiful ice cold Sunday to our friendship.

As already told you my mother arrived and it felt pretty good to have her here. We did a lot of walking, a bit of shopping and we spent some time in cafes and restaurants talking (and eating evidently). On Tuesday night I met with other interns to do some after work where we head to a club with a live band. Definitely a plus because I adore live bands. The big minus was the DJ afterwards who played primarily minimal and the other people were mainly 30+. Excuse me, but I don't want to marry someone nor am I ready to get pregnant. The next night out was then on Thursday at the French night. I missed so much speaking French that I decided spontaneously to go there alone. Fortunately there were other like-minded people and I cannot wait to go to the next round in two weeks. Finish of the week was a friend who came to spend yesterday together. Brrrr. We sat a lot at Starbucks drinking a hot chocolate.
French night
After work

Sunday 21 October 2012

Releasing endorphins

Happy Sunday!
Castle's walk
I truly wondered longtime what I could post today and rewrote this post dozen times.
On Tuesday night after a successful day at work (first project finished!) I walked home for an hour in beautiful sunshine and relatively warm temperatures. I felt so happy, especially because my Mom dropped in the night before and will come back in a few hours to spend another two days with me. Friday afternoon I got even more positive feedback at work, we there celebrated two birthdays with delicious apple cake and I finished the night having dinner with a friend.
Arriving back home I talked to my Spanish room mates then. It was the first time that we had some serious discussions: They are here because of the crisis and looking for some jobs. Even with full bachelor and master studies they don't find any and are getting nervous as their savings begin to shrink more and more. It was then that I realized how much I am blessed with my life. So far, everything went quite well, I always had options to live my life and had never to fear that there is a point screwing my plans.

Before only talking about personal and social issues, I want to shift the topic to notes on my smartphone that I have been scribbling for a while now. I compiled a few ideas I want to write about and will start with one of them today.

One note was "Karl Lagerfeld". Admittedly, I am not an expert in fashion or design but nevertheless he is one of my favourite designers. On one hand I have been liking Chanel's styles for years, on the other hand I watched a few reports about Lagerfeld himself. In those he appears sympathic and honest - of course with a certain disposedness to creative crazyness that is absolutely allowed in his metier. Thank you Karl for your inspiration.


I love the black jacket in 0:42 and the adorable black dress in 0:51. So classy!

Well, this is all I can tell you today. The upcoming week will be more filled with some plans I can talk about. Enjoy your Sunday and the next week, thank you for reading.

Sunday 14 October 2012

Sweet week

My dear readers, a little story for the beginning: 
Once upon a time I read this post on Emily's blog. I have never tasted such a cake but instantly resolved to do so or even to bake one myself when time goes by.
The next day I went to my favourite cafe where a large choice of cakes is offered. Before stepping in, I already saw the cakes arranged on the cupboard and there it was: the berry-meringue pie. Without hesitation I ordered the high cake and felt like heaven on earth with the first bite. Well, it wasn't exactly Emily's pie, but it was kind of the same. What a coincidence.
Berry-Meringue Pie
As promised last week, I owe you an appendix to the Oktoberfest. I had a blast of a time because I met 20 of my college colleagues. After having exchanged thousands of stories (4 months seem like forever!), we spent more than 12 hours in of the festival tents'. Although being extremely tired in between, we all stayed the course - luckily I only drank little beer, in order to benefit from Munich the next day. Despite all the fun I would recommend a reservation the next time because it is far enough to enter the tent at "only" 5 PM.
Oktoberfest Impressions
The majority of the week was rather busy due to a lot of work in the office. On one hand I appreciate the trust towards my capabilities and I am proud that I get so much responsibility, on the other hand I feel very much exhausted by the end of the day. The fatigue hinders me doing sports at night, instead I read easy literature or watch non-sense TV shows. But I think, I deserve days like that - especially when we have those windy and rainy autumn days. Or as yesterday - I cooked some soy spinach and rice. Check out the easy and fast recipe here:

Fresh spinach
Rice
White mushrooms
Fresh Ginger slices
Soy Sauce & Sweet Chili Sauce
Ingredients
 Cook the rice as indicated. When the rice needs to cook another 6 minutes, heat a pan and give a spoon of soy sauce into it. When the sauce gets hot, add some mushrooms. Then heat some water in an extra pot and cook the spinach leafs for 2 minutes before cooling them down in a bowl with ice water. Put the spinach into the pan, add more soy sauce and top the mixture with ginger slices. Serve the rice with the spinach and top the dish with a little bit of sweet chili sauce.
Bon Appetit
I would like to end with a quick fact that I absorbed while being on the way to work:
The 9th of October in 1701 the English colony Connecticut founded a college which is now Yale University. Since I love watching Gilmore Girls and Gossip Girl, I dream of graduating in this prestigious school with a master degree. Who says that blogs don't provide useful information?

Sunday 7 October 2012

Another fashion story

Good morning!

Those of you who intensively read my last post stumbled probably across the "Ballerinas for Oktoberfest". Actually, this is where I am sitting: In the heart of Munich after a crazy Saturday on the "Wiesn". So far I can only show you my "Dirndl" that I bought specifically for this event. More details will follow next week because here is so much going on - so many friends, so much beer, so many Bavarian traditions.
My Dirndl
However, let me give you a quick overview about last week.
Best day was by far Wednesday which was holiday. I managed to read hundreds of pages of the book Into the Wild, cooked some Indian-Asian pasta, started to write a few applications for the next summer internship and went for a walk through the rain - in autumn I appreciate those days so much.

Another important event was on Tuesday night, when I was invited to the pre-shopping for the new H&M collaboration with Anna dello Russo. The collaborations in the past touched me a lot more than the one with the Japanese Vogue chief editor - I still dream of those Jimmy Choos for example. Nevertheless I had a peek at the new collection in advance and enthused only about some earrings - that were out of stock within a few seconds. I ended up with no item but had a nice night at H&M, thanks to some champagne and snacks.
H&M at 9PM
Anna Dello Russo
Bling bling
What about you? Have you bought anything from the new collection?

Enjoy your week and thank you for reading.