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!

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!

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 :)

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.

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

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?

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)

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. 

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!