Sunday 24 February 2013

Time Management

Good morning my dears,

Although my agenda is pretty full at the moment, I need this Sunday morning ritual to relax and calm down. Actually I would miss a lot not writing to you weekly and making thoughts about life and happenings. So let's go for another round.

After a quite annoying illness that lasted a couple of days, it wasn't very surprising that a bunch of to-dos created skyscraper piles on my desk: research for this topic, research for that topic, project plan for diverse projects, homework and revisions from last semester. Not to forget about all the social life that has to be cared about, too.

In the end I used this weekend to finish a presentation about modern budgeting methods (boring) with a friend that is only due in mid-April. But regarding our future dead lines we decided to put this forward to have this work out of mind. I see myself as a very good time manager and advice: note down all dead lines, set priorities and do some shifting. Proper time management helps so much, is a pain reliever and allows you to celebrate your work as we did yesterday night, drinking cocktails. And to even improve it, I got a scooter that allows me to be on campus within 5 minutes.
Cocktails and Finger food = Love
Besides my bunch of work, I spent most of the nights at home in order to risk no fall-back of illness. Instead I took the time to try a new recipe - Ginger Carrot Soup - and have a talk with my flatmates eating Lasagne.
Ginger Carrot Soup
Self-made Lasasgne
Next week will be as busy as this one, but I am however looking forward to it because we have some great events coming up. Thus I would like you to  be my reader next week. All the best!

Sunday 17 February 2013

Who are you? What have you sacrificed?

Good morning,

The last two days I have spent in my darkened room while lying emotionless in my bed: I am ill. Feverish and with a cold I keep watching TV and diverse movies, like Breaking Dawn II. And only because our heating broke down by the beginning of the week and average temperature was by 14°C for a couple of days. Consequently my flatmate got infected, too.

Nevertheless I had a pretty fun week that included a house party, a dinner with friends, a pub crawl, first choir rehearsal (with a great Andrew Lloyd Webber medley) and a lunch that became a friend's and my weekly routine. Here are some snapshots.
Even healthiest food doesn't protect you from illness: Fish & Broccoli
House Party - full table
Where I complained about too much time last Sunday, I reverse this opinion immediately: a French essay about my internship, an English essay about new technologies, a presentation about modern budgeting theories, an essay about risk management and 2 projects where I am leader in both. One about a new strategy for our university canteen and the other about a benchmarking project for enchanting travels. All due in April. So no complaints about spare time, I will need it!

Enough talk for today: I will stay in bed and try to get even more recovered. This week I focus on university work and some revisions. What are your plans for the week?

Sunday 10 February 2013

A simple week recap

Monday. First day back in the holy buildings of university we are welcomed by an English test that made my hand hurt within less than 60 minutes. I should go back taking notes on paper instead typing everything down on my laptop or smartphone. The test turned out to have English lessons now on Monday from 8AM to 11AM. Thank you. To enlighten the day we went to a sneak preview at night that showed "Celeste & Jesse forever" - easy romance comedy and drama that I classify as a decent movie.

Tuesday. First classes that I only survived with a glass of red wine with my flatmates in the afternoon. Topics and projects are fine. Most of the work will be team work this semester, so I only cross fingers that teams turn out to be helpful and productive.

Wednesday. Even more project announcements. And a great night out watching football and seeing all my beloved friends. Football turned out to be uninteresting compared to all the stories we had to tell each other: Relationships, internships - Goaaaal! - friends, parties, cities... you know how the night went by.

Thursday. Welcome Back Party that I stupid girl had to organise as my former company sponsored it. Finding a way of transport was the hardest before and after the party but we managed it well in the end. At the party itself I distributed glasses for 3 hours before I could finally start enjoying myself. And I only stopped at 4AM. We all had very much fun.

Friday. Some hot chocolate with a friend, some afternoon nap because sleep was just too short the night before and then a "Lord of the Rings" night. We only finished the first movie and watched the second by the half. It calls for a follow-up. And not only because we had Haribo, crisps and cheese fondue.

Saturday. I slept until noon before watching Gossip Girl season 6. Then I went up to do some useful stuff but I couldn't force myself to go out as it snowed and snowed and didn't stop for an instance. Though, at night I ended up having dinner with my colleagues who will join me to continue the studies in France. We were in a French bistro and a Mexican bar, with wine, good food and even more lovely friends.

Sunday. I only got out of my bed to write to you. About today I can only tell you that I had lovely dreams and that I wish you all the best for the upcoming week.

Dear readers,
This week was full of events and I enjoyed every single part of it. How good it is to be back.
*And excuse me that I didn't shot a single photo. This will be changed, promised!

Sunday 3 February 2013

Study, buddy!

Happy Sunday!

Unbelievably I moved to my new room near university campus yesterday and have back my beloved internet access which simplifies blogging a lot.
In consequence I had a really moving week: last day at work, move out on Friday with my parents, move in on Saturday with my Dad, in between a stop in Bonn, first meeting with friends at university, ... I wouldn't want to miss these days.
What shall I say? It was really good to see my friends again. We talked for hours, drank some cocktails and are all looking forward to starting the new semester. I needed a lot of drinks as my moving days were exhausting: boxes up, 5 floors down again, packing, squeezing, sweating - well everything a move implicates. And some nightmares about my dragon landlord: I have never met such an unfriendly person.

So enough talk for today. Instead some pictures of the week.
Tomorrow is my first test, so we'll see how easily I can adapt to university again.
Enjoy your week. I will be here next Sunday again!

... oh and by the way: No, I don't miss work.

Last day at work with sparkling wine and finger food
Chaos
Best combination = marvelous book + Chinese noodles
Office system