Saturday, December 4, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
My Bag's Not Packed; I'm Not Ready to Go
1. Accommodation: checked! I think I've contributed much to the IBIS franchise. By the end of my trip, I'm sure I'd have an IBIS experience. I'd be staying at IBIS throughout my trip, save for Mariazell; and that's only because there's no IBIS hotel there! IBIS hotels are not absolutely luxurious, but that's fine by me. I'd rather stay in a hotel with no frills than to pay more, really. Hostels and cabins are a big no-no to me after the Topdeck experience four years ago. Proper accommodation--one that will provide me with a kettle and hot water for bath--is absolutely vital. (By the way, I just learnt that Ibis is actually a large wading bird. Cool!)
2. Itinerary: checked! I have mapped out a route already but have yet to confirm the day/ night programmes with some tour agencies. This reminds me: I have to book the night Prague experience, ski trip in Salzburg, and mass in Vienna soon.
3. Winter clothes: long johns checked! gloves checked! parka checked! I'm missing some socks, scarf, (woolen) pullover, jeans (?), beanie (?). I heard from a friend that head-wear is actually very important in cold countries. I will have to get them soon... by next week!
Some cashmere and woolen long johns, ponchos and a vacuum bag, courtesy of momma.
My parka! Courtesy of momma too!
After deliberating for half an hour (hahaha!), I decided on the former pair. I prefer its colour/ tone; and, it feels more comfortable. But I am slightly uncomfortable with the straps that run across the shoes. Strapping makes me feel as if I'm re-living the "Bata, back to primary school" days. Truth be told: I am still not sure if I should exchange for the latter pair. What do you think?
5. Backpack: Checked! I bought red and turquoise backpacks--one for me and the other for Dom. His birthday is in ten days! :) I can't decide which I prefer, so I'll leave him to choose which he prefers.
Yogi in a bag! I wanna bring this little dude with me to Europe because I know I will miss him! :(
6. Entertainment and Preparation: checked! Mom bought me an iPad for my birthday! Ooo la la! How awesome is that?! Initially, I wanted to bring a laptop to Europe so that I can record my travel experience when the day draws to a close. But I wasn't sure if bringing a laptop is a good idea since it's quite bulky and heavy. I guess this problem is solved with, voila, the iPad!
Look at the Apps I downloaded: guides to and maps of the cities that I'd be visiting! I even managed to find a Eurail timetable in the iTunes store! Now I'd have quick and easy access to the rail timings! yay!
I borrowed some architecture books to learn about the design of churches and buildings in Europe (haha, of course!), so that I'd be able to appreciate them when I'm there. Yes, there are also city guides to Budapest and Prague.
2. Itinerary: checked! I have mapped out a route already but have yet to confirm the day/ night programmes with some tour agencies. This reminds me: I have to book the night Prague experience, ski trip in Salzburg, and mass in Vienna soon.
3. Winter clothes: long johns checked! gloves checked! parka checked! I'm missing some socks, scarf, (woolen) pullover, jeans (?), beanie (?). I heard from a friend that head-wear is actually very important in cold countries. I will have to get them soon... by next week!
Some cashmere and woolen long johns, ponchos and a vacuum bag, courtesy of momma. 
My parka! Courtesy of momma too!4. Footwear: Check! Kudos to my tiny feet, I managed to fit into some kid's sized boots from Timberland. So I ended up purchasing a pair of kids' boots, which costs $100 less than an adult's pair. It's absolutely great, since in all likelihood I won't be wearing the boots after this trip. I couldn't choose between this pair of boots
and this pair
and this pair
After deliberating for half an hour (hahaha!), I decided on the former pair. I prefer its colour/ tone; and, it feels more comfortable. But I am slightly uncomfortable with the straps that run across the shoes. Strapping makes me feel as if I'm re-living the "Bata, back to primary school" days. Truth be told: I am still not sure if I should exchange for the latter pair. What do you think?
5. Backpack: Checked! I bought red and turquoise backpacks--one for me and the other for Dom. His birthday is in ten days! :) I can't decide which I prefer, so I'll leave him to choose which he prefers.
Yogi in a bag! I wanna bring this little dude with me to Europe because I know I will miss him! :(
Look at the Apps I downloaded: guides to and maps of the cities that I'd be visiting! I even managed to find a Eurail timetable in the iTunes store! Now I'd have quick and easy access to the rail timings! yay!
I borrowed some architecture books to learn about the design of churches and buildings in Europe (haha, of course!), so that I'd be able to appreciate them when I'm there. Yes, there are also city guides to Budapest and Prague.Once I finish reading these architecture books and city guides, I'll post some interesting fun facts on this travel blog. Meanwhile, I'll need to tie the loose ends of the trip, i.e. confirm some day tours and whats not.
Less than 3 weeks to go... :) *crosses fingers*
Less than 3 weeks to go... :) *crosses fingers*
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Back!
I've decided to revive my Europe blog, since I'd be travelling to Europe this December. Revisiting my old blog, whose address I'll not reveal, was like walking down nostalgia lane. I was greeted with this blog description that I wrote years ago:
At twenty four today, I would not and would no longer dare say that I have "a direction in life", although arguably I have reached a milestone in my academic progress some two years ago and am wonderfully contented with my chosen profession. If I were to re-write my blog description, which I am hardly inclined to because of my pessimistic outlook on life, I might say something like: "Jaded and cynical, I really wonder if existence is about a relentless writhing in life's mire."
Perhaps my pessimism proves a need for travel: as I explore the physical and cultural space of this Earth--oh, how we are all indeed limited by the finite--I am able to live vicariously as a hedonist, if only for a while. Surveying towns and cities allows me to gouge and devour the myriads of their colours, sounds and smell, engage my senses all at once, satiate my curiosity, and become fully human. Never mind if this is only a temporal relief from the harsh, modern human condition, and a respite from facing repeated (or repetitive) disappointment and failures.
In the last four years, my hankering for travelling has been greatly suppressed, primarily due to the reasons that my sole travelling companion had gotten herself a boyfriend, who shares an equal passion for travelling, and that my then boyfriend had little money to travel with me. I have, as a consequence, visited only a few cities, namely, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Saigon (Vietnam), and Hong Kong. Although these cities are novel in themselves--oh, I recall that they were sardine-packed with humans, and I was simultaneously thrilled by the rules of the structureless traffic system and deafened by the incessant honking of the motorcycles--I found more joy sauntering down the streets of Europe.
Now that I have ended my relationship and have thus abandoned the hope of travelling to Europe with my ex-boyfriend some day, I resolve to (re-)seek some joy and inner peace by revisiting Europe--a different part of Europe, this time. Accompanying me on half of my journey is Dominic, my JC and church friend. (I am utterly grateful for his willingness to walk the walk with me. Pray, let this trip be a seminal point in my life; that I may recuperate and dwell less on the less than beautiful past.)
So, apart from having lost someone significant and apart from graduating from two institutions, I'm still pretty much the same individual after four years. I still am "obsessed about my weight", still am a "passionate and zealous food lover" and a language perfectionist, who is "en route to mastering the German language". Of course, the irony is that, while I love words very much, I often write incoherently and with awkwardness, fragmenting sentences unknowingly and helplessly; and while I detest grammatical errors, my writing's but grammatical errors galore. Ah, the little ironies of life, eh?
So, stay with me, if you will, for more updates on my Europe trip. Say hi to me in the comments section. Follow my blog! Because...
I have already booked my flight - I will be flying to Vienna on the 4th of December 2010 at 1159 hours and returning from Budapest on the 23rd of December at 1600 hours with Lufthansa. During this travel period, I will be exploring Graz, Mariazell, (back to) Vienna, Salzburg, Prague and Budapest. I have also bought my bag-pack, some long john, and gloves, which are obviously very expensive. Perhaps next week I will be shopping for shoes with my shopping assistant, Elizabeth.
Ich kann nicht warten! :)
p.s. I will upload photos soon too!
A 20 year old female with a direction in life, but has a propensity to lose her way at times (metaphorically and literally speaking). Adores God, her family and her "three most important people". A passionate and zealous food lover who is obsessed with her weight. A language fanatic, Audrey is a firm critic of those who disregard the rules of the English language, i.e.: people who have a tendency to misspell and mispronounce words. She is now en route to mastering the German language.I was indeed astounded by my sanguine disposition at twenty.
At twenty four today, I would not and would no longer dare say that I have "a direction in life", although arguably I have reached a milestone in my academic progress some two years ago and am wonderfully contented with my chosen profession. If I were to re-write my blog description, which I am hardly inclined to because of my pessimistic outlook on life, I might say something like: "Jaded and cynical, I really wonder if existence is about a relentless writhing in life's mire."
Perhaps my pessimism proves a need for travel: as I explore the physical and cultural space of this Earth--oh, how we are all indeed limited by the finite--I am able to live vicariously as a hedonist, if only for a while. Surveying towns and cities allows me to gouge and devour the myriads of their colours, sounds and smell, engage my senses all at once, satiate my curiosity, and become fully human. Never mind if this is only a temporal relief from the harsh, modern human condition, and a respite from facing repeated (or repetitive) disappointment and failures.
In the last four years, my hankering for travelling has been greatly suppressed, primarily due to the reasons that my sole travelling companion had gotten herself a boyfriend, who shares an equal passion for travelling, and that my then boyfriend had little money to travel with me. I have, as a consequence, visited only a few cities, namely, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Saigon (Vietnam), and Hong Kong. Although these cities are novel in themselves--oh, I recall that they were sardine-packed with humans, and I was simultaneously thrilled by the rules of the structureless traffic system and deafened by the incessant honking of the motorcycles--I found more joy sauntering down the streets of Europe.
Now that I have ended my relationship and have thus abandoned the hope of travelling to Europe with my ex-boyfriend some day, I resolve to (re-)seek some joy and inner peace by revisiting Europe--a different part of Europe, this time. Accompanying me on half of my journey is Dominic, my JC and church friend. (I am utterly grateful for his willingness to walk the walk with me. Pray, let this trip be a seminal point in my life; that I may recuperate and dwell less on the less than beautiful past.)
So, apart from having lost someone significant and apart from graduating from two institutions, I'm still pretty much the same individual after four years. I still am "obsessed about my weight", still am a "passionate and zealous food lover" and a language perfectionist, who is "en route to mastering the German language". Of course, the irony is that, while I love words very much, I often write incoherently and with awkwardness, fragmenting sentences unknowingly and helplessly; and while I detest grammatical errors, my writing's but grammatical errors galore. Ah, the little ironies of life, eh?
So, stay with me, if you will, for more updates on my Europe trip. Say hi to me in the comments section. Follow my blog! Because...
I have already booked my flight - I will be flying to Vienna on the 4th of December 2010 at 1159 hours and returning from Budapest on the 23rd of December at 1600 hours with Lufthansa. During this travel period, I will be exploring Graz, Mariazell, (back to) Vienna, Salzburg, Prague and Budapest. I have also bought my bag-pack, some long john, and gloves, which are obviously very expensive. Perhaps next week I will be shopping for shoes with my shopping assistant, Elizabeth.
Ich kann nicht warten! :)
p.s. I will upload photos soon too!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
After 10 days, the German fever is beginning to subside. Although I still smile ever so widely and proudly at my immersion and travelling days, the Singaporean reality is starting to sink in. Life is starting to take its monotonous toll, and I am once again, a victim of the stay-put, hit-me swing.
I seem to have lost the bright beam in my smiles. the euphoria has been somewhat dragged away with time's wings chariot. The routine of everyday life, the sights and sounds, and the daily events have blended in with a strong mix of dullness, slowness, and to an extent, sadness. I have consumed them all.
With almost every single day packed with activities, I dont have much time to reminisce the good ole' days. But one thing's for sure- I felt very--and i stress very--happy when I was there. Sure, I hated those field trips and walking tours, but ironically, those were the events which constituted towards my happiness.
Muenster- Nordsee, the countless scoops of ice cream, house visiting, chess playing, pumpernickel, my friends and their smoking land, frequent beer trinken, my family, swimming, bridges, canals, spaghetti, elmar, santa, seedorf, wilmergasse two... I love them so much. There was always something offered everyday. Each moment, I was presented with the possibility of learning something interesting and of course, taking viel fotos.
In Muenster, I had so many great friends by my side... yesss!! esp the smoking guys. They really, really never failed to make my day! I love their company so much! Thank God all of them will be back really soon! I used to be laughing oh so hard each second of the day. It was like a make belief happiness land kinda thing. Haha! Oh I miss everything.
The grass is always greener on the other side.
Now that I am back in Singapore, I find the weather at night extremely terrifying. Its so humid and hot. I hate it quite honestly. I wish I were back in Germany. Haha! I guess if I were to go back now, I would try riding a bicycle.
I miss topdeck and craig. haha! I miss exploring europe.
Anyway, I wanna keep this blog a happy blog, filled with beautiful memories, childish rantings and bittersweet after-meal thoughts.
Therefore, I am gonna close this blog as of tonight. Okay.. maybe not close-close. But I will stop blogging so regularly as of now, unless it is to do with travel related stuff.
My trip has come to an end. this blog will similarly, come to a close.
Thanks one and all for reading about stuff pertaining to my stay in Muenster, and listening to my rants about how I put on weight.
Actually, I did put on weight. Its just that I put on weight AFTER i returned cause I have been binging quite a bit.
Das ist alles.
Ich liebe Deutschland. Und...
These 42 days, I maintain, will remain a large part of me. They are, afterall, the happiest of days of my life thus far.
For those who have contributed to make it so meaningful for me, thank you.
I dont think Ill be able to credit each and everyone here.. But itll be in my memory.
So auf wiedersehen!
I may update from time to time. But till then, tschues!
I seem to have lost the bright beam in my smiles. the euphoria has been somewhat dragged away with time's wings chariot. The routine of everyday life, the sights and sounds, and the daily events have blended in with a strong mix of dullness, slowness, and to an extent, sadness. I have consumed them all.
With almost every single day packed with activities, I dont have much time to reminisce the good ole' days. But one thing's for sure- I felt very--and i stress very--happy when I was there. Sure, I hated those field trips and walking tours, but ironically, those were the events which constituted towards my happiness.
Muenster- Nordsee, the countless scoops of ice cream, house visiting, chess playing, pumpernickel, my friends and their smoking land, frequent beer trinken, my family, swimming, bridges, canals, spaghetti, elmar, santa, seedorf, wilmergasse two... I love them so much. There was always something offered everyday. Each moment, I was presented with the possibility of learning something interesting and of course, taking viel fotos.
In Muenster, I had so many great friends by my side... yesss!! esp the smoking guys. They really, really never failed to make my day! I love their company so much! Thank God all of them will be back really soon! I used to be laughing oh so hard each second of the day. It was like a make belief happiness land kinda thing. Haha! Oh I miss everything.
The grass is always greener on the other side.
Now that I am back in Singapore, I find the weather at night extremely terrifying. Its so humid and hot. I hate it quite honestly. I wish I were back in Germany. Haha! I guess if I were to go back now, I would try riding a bicycle.
I miss topdeck and craig. haha! I miss exploring europe.
Anyway, I wanna keep this blog a happy blog, filled with beautiful memories, childish rantings and bittersweet after-meal thoughts.
Therefore, I am gonna close this blog as of tonight. Okay.. maybe not close-close. But I will stop blogging so regularly as of now, unless it is to do with travel related stuff.
My trip has come to an end. this blog will similarly, come to a close.
Thanks one and all for reading about stuff pertaining to my stay in Muenster, and listening to my rants about how I put on weight.
Actually, I did put on weight. Its just that I put on weight AFTER i returned cause I have been binging quite a bit.
Das ist alles.
Ich liebe Deutschland. Und...
These 42 days, I maintain, will remain a large part of me. They are, afterall, the happiest of days of my life thus far.
For those who have contributed to make it so meaningful for me, thank you.
I dont think Ill be able to credit each and everyone here.. But itll be in my memory.
So auf wiedersehen!
I may update from time to time. But till then, tschues!
Sunday, July 23, 2006
if i have lots of money,
i'll forgo a car.
i want to travel. i wish i were still travelling. i dont like it here in Singapore.
i want to walk around, travel and see the world. i am going to start saving again so i'll be able to travel next year.
i want to go on exchange. maybe for a year in UK. but blame it on my cap, its in a pathetic state and i cant seem to find a remedy to the hopeless situation.
next semester is my final attempt to pull up my cap... if not my dream of going on exchange will be gone.
i realised why im pathetically bored all the time. staying at one place bores the shit out of me. i am bored, truly. bored, bored, bored, bored, bored.
i'll forgo a car.
i want to travel. i wish i were still travelling. i dont like it here in Singapore.
i want to walk around, travel and see the world. i am going to start saving again so i'll be able to travel next year.
i want to go on exchange. maybe for a year in UK. but blame it on my cap, its in a pathetic state and i cant seem to find a remedy to the hopeless situation.
next semester is my final attempt to pull up my cap... if not my dream of going on exchange will be gone.
i realised why im pathetically bored all the time. staying at one place bores the shit out of me. i am bored, truly. bored, bored, bored, bored, bored.
Friday, July 21, 2006
After a week...
Life couldnt have been better for me ever since I touched down! I realised I havent really put on much weight after eating 28++ scoops of ice cream, three big pieces of cafe insel cake and lotsa lotsa german food! In fact, I dont think I put on any weight at all!! Imagine eating all the yummy chocolates and ice cream without any opportunity cost! Thats like UUUNNGGLLLAUBLICH!
RIght now, I am listening to some Deutsch football song. "Its coming home, Its coming home, its coming, footballs coming home". Haha! What sweet nostalgia! Am missing the world cup period so much! But oh well. I am slowly readjusting myself to the Singapore Momentum even though a large part of me is still left in Muenster and the western part of Europe.
I can really say with conviction that the 42 days have been the best-est period of my entire 20 years of life!
But home's good as well.
I love everyone here and I get to do the things which mean the most to me.
Going for weekday mass, playing for mass, being together with people who TRULY care for me.
"This is home. Truly. Where I know I must be" (:
God's really Great.
Life couldnt have been better for me ever since I touched down! I realised I havent really put on much weight after eating 28++ scoops of ice cream, three big pieces of cafe insel cake and lotsa lotsa german food! In fact, I dont think I put on any weight at all!! Imagine eating all the yummy chocolates and ice cream without any opportunity cost! Thats like UUUNNGGLLLAUBLICH!
RIght now, I am listening to some Deutsch football song. "Its coming home, Its coming home, its coming, footballs coming home". Haha! What sweet nostalgia! Am missing the world cup period so much! But oh well. I am slowly readjusting myself to the Singapore Momentum even though a large part of me is still left in Muenster and the western part of Europe.
I can really say with conviction that the 42 days have been the best-est period of my entire 20 years of life!
But home's good as well.
I love everyone here and I get to do the things which mean the most to me.
Going for weekday mass, playing for mass, being together with people who TRULY care for me.
"This is home. Truly. Where I know I must be" (:
God's really Great.
Monday, July 17, 2006
You are forever in my life
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
And I look to You
And I wait on You
I will sing to You, Lord
A hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me
Im carried in everlasting arms
Youll never let me go
Through it all
The lost luggage will be delivered to my doorstep between 10-1030a.m. tomorrow. They are en route to Singapore.
Today, I told You how much the luggage matter. I would be devastated if I were to be deprived of the pictorial and physical memories. The souvenirs and my photos are the most precious to me; the clothes and toiletries come secondary.
Being the almighty You, you have never left my prayers unanswered.
You kept me under eagles' wings during the past 42 days, shielding and assisting me physically, emotionally, spiritually. You sent guardian angels from above to guide me as I walked on the different pathways; you sent lovely friends to make my immersion programme a memorable one; you put the ever cherished heartlanders in my life to make me feel welcome in Singapore. And how can I ever forget my one and only travelling partner? Thank You for her, cause many things wouldn't have been possible and so fun without her.
You delight me in so many ways. I feel loved by You, my friends and family. I just want to thank You for giving me all these people and for answering my prayers so faithfully. I don't deserve all these good things, but in Your abundant mercy, you still love and provide for me.
Thank You, Jesus.
-My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God-
You see me through the seasons
Cover me with Your hand
And lead me in Your righteousness
And I look to You
And I wait on You
I will sing to You, Lord
A hymn of love
For Your faithfulness to me
Im carried in everlasting arms
Youll never let me go
Through it all
The lost luggage will be delivered to my doorstep between 10-1030a.m. tomorrow. They are en route to Singapore.
Today, I told You how much the luggage matter. I would be devastated if I were to be deprived of the pictorial and physical memories. The souvenirs and my photos are the most precious to me; the clothes and toiletries come secondary.
Being the almighty You, you have never left my prayers unanswered.
You kept me under eagles' wings during the past 42 days, shielding and assisting me physically, emotionally, spiritually. You sent guardian angels from above to guide me as I walked on the different pathways; you sent lovely friends to make my immersion programme a memorable one; you put the ever cherished heartlanders in my life to make me feel welcome in Singapore. And how can I ever forget my one and only travelling partner? Thank You for her, cause many things wouldn't have been possible and so fun without her.
You delight me in so many ways. I feel loved by You, my friends and family. I just want to thank You for giving me all these people and for answering my prayers so faithfully. I don't deserve all these good things, but in Your abundant mercy, you still love and provide for me.
Thank You, Jesus.
-My Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God-
Sunday, July 16, 2006
I am feeling so full. I cant sleep. It is 930pm in Muenster and I wonder what my family is doing right now. The dad should be talking to the mother in the garden or on the couch. Since it is Saturday, Esther's boyfriend should be staying over as well. Arghh. I am still thinking about that place even though it has been 11 hours since I touched down.
Singapore's great, but its not the utopia land. I love everyone here, but I love my life there better. No offense to anyone.. But its just a preference kinda thing lah. Thankfully I didnt feel like that when I was in Paris. Being home sick really sucks.
Hopefully it'll be a better day tomorrow as Im slowly adjusting myself to the Singapore Momentum of doing stuff.
I want my luggage damn badly.
Singapore's great, but its not the utopia land. I love everyone here, but I love my life there better. No offense to anyone.. But its just a preference kinda thing lah. Thankfully I didnt feel like that when I was in Paris. Being home sick really sucks.
Hopefully it'll be a better day tomorrow as Im slowly adjusting myself to the Singapore Momentum of doing stuff.
I want my luggage damn badly.
Although I feel germany sick and am missing the people and the food there, I am really happy to be back in Singapore. I love the warm welcome and the great food. The only bloody thing which happened was beyond imagination..... I. lost. my. luggage. Yes. That includes all the souvenirs for you guys. Apparently, I heard the luggage are still stuck at the Frankfurt airport. But then again, its only a probability. Its not confirmed at this point in time. Sq is so damn bloody screwed up. So much for being renowned as the best.
But there are so many other things which made my day.
- Eating Singaporean food. I had a bowl of Laksa and a bakchormee. One after another.
- After raiding my house's fridge, I had an entire box of durians.
- My nicely decorated room
- The phone in my room. I have been dying for that!!!
- Coming home at 1145 today. Not that I enjoy coming back late, but I was really glad I could do more stuff.
- Knowing that I will be going to the car carnival tomorrow.
- I love how my mummy always switches on the aircon before I reach home to keep this freaking hot room cool.
- The lovely welcome home message
- Smses from friends
- Just being in Singapore makes me really happy.
Meeting people who truly matter to me lifts my spirit!
Perhaps reality hasnt struck me and I am still in my lala land, thinking its germany time. I guess come Monday, I will have to start losing weight. Some said I put on weight haha! And I know I did. But oh well. How could I resist the barchormee and the laksa today? I am deprived of Singaporean food.
I havent really spent much time with my family. Reserved the entire day for them tomorrow. I hope SQ wont spoil my day too much by declaring a "confirmed lost baggage".
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leaving Muenster has been way too touching for me. I am so glad to have made such nice friends there! I will never forget the happy moments as they slowly seep through the memory spaces and plant themselves right in the heart of the things I hold true.
Muenster and my friends. Muenster and my family. Muenster and the place. Muenster and the food. I love them all.
But there are so many other things which made my day.
- Eating Singaporean food. I had a bowl of Laksa and a bakchormee. One after another.
- After raiding my house's fridge, I had an entire box of durians.
- My nicely decorated room
- The phone in my room. I have been dying for that!!!
- Coming home at 1145 today. Not that I enjoy coming back late, but I was really glad I could do more stuff.
- Knowing that I will be going to the car carnival tomorrow.
- I love how my mummy always switches on the aircon before I reach home to keep this freaking hot room cool.
- The lovely welcome home message
- Smses from friends
- Just being in Singapore makes me really happy.
Meeting people who truly matter to me lifts my spirit!
Perhaps reality hasnt struck me and I am still in my lala land, thinking its germany time. I guess come Monday, I will have to start losing weight. Some said I put on weight haha! And I know I did. But oh well. How could I resist the barchormee and the laksa today? I am deprived of Singaporean food.
I havent really spent much time with my family. Reserved the entire day for them tomorrow. I hope SQ wont spoil my day too much by declaring a "confirmed lost baggage".
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leaving Muenster has been way too touching for me. I am so glad to have made such nice friends there! I will never forget the happy moments as they slowly seep through the memory spaces and plant themselves right in the heart of the things I hold true.
Muenster and my friends. Muenster and my family. Muenster and the place. Muenster and the food. I love them all.
Friday, July 14, 2006
My last night in Otto Hersing Weg, my last night sleeping on the bed, my last night typing on this keyboard, my last night in Münster. Come tomorrow, I will be rushing to pack all my stuff into that 60litre backpack, climbing stairs upon stairs, changing trains at different stations, finding my way around Frankfurt airport, praying my heart out for a smooth custom check in and enduring a 12 hour plane journey.
Home. Singapore. It seems so strange and far now. I feel so attached to Münster and my life now, I can scarcely remember what it is like to be in Singapore. Maybe I am exaggerating, maybe I am not, but I will definitely miss everyone here.
I felt really sad (apart from the terrible headache) during the grillabend. Elmar (this teacher nicknamed Santa. I usually make fun of him.. and he knows it) came up to each one of us to bid us goodbye.. I felt really touched (yes, yes, I am acting like a true blue girl right now). For three weeks, he has been this 'integral' part of my life.. Bringing us around different parts of germany, explaining the political system and education system, and waiting long hours for us all because we wanted to shop, stuff like that. I'll really miss him and his humour.
Frau Seedorf is one of the kindest souls I have ever met. Really enjoyed the time associating with her and listening to what she has to share with us. Initially, I didnt quite like her. But time changes everything. Her goodbye hug was extremely warm, and once again.. I was damn sad. I didnt really know how to say goodbye.. So I kinda gave a big smile and walked away.
Münster- Its always gonna be a place of memories. The new friends I have made, the company, the knowledge gained, my family and how I have learnt to appreciate them over time, the food, the travelling, the care, the love are so priceless!
On one hand I am looking back to returning to Singapore. Yet, I really cant bear to leave this comfort zone. But I know I have to. People are looking forward to my return in Singapore. Thats my reality and I have to face reality sometime somehow.
At some junctures during the past 42 days, I know I have so often looked forward to this day. All I wanted then was to return to warm old Singapore. But now, when this day is finally arriving in a matter of hours, I feel like I dont want it to come. I wanna stop time.
Sigh. But oh well. On a brighter note, I'll be going home. Singapore, I am going home. And home is where the heart lies.
Home. Singapore. It seems so strange and far now. I feel so attached to Münster and my life now, I can scarcely remember what it is like to be in Singapore. Maybe I am exaggerating, maybe I am not, but I will definitely miss everyone here.
I felt really sad (apart from the terrible headache) during the grillabend. Elmar (this teacher nicknamed Santa. I usually make fun of him.. and he knows it) came up to each one of us to bid us goodbye.. I felt really touched (yes, yes, I am acting like a true blue girl right now). For three weeks, he has been this 'integral' part of my life.. Bringing us around different parts of germany, explaining the political system and education system, and waiting long hours for us all because we wanted to shop, stuff like that. I'll really miss him and his humour.
Frau Seedorf is one of the kindest souls I have ever met. Really enjoyed the time associating with her and listening to what she has to share with us. Initially, I didnt quite like her. But time changes everything. Her goodbye hug was extremely warm, and once again.. I was damn sad. I didnt really know how to say goodbye.. So I kinda gave a big smile and walked away.
Münster- Its always gonna be a place of memories. The new friends I have made, the company, the knowledge gained, my family and how I have learnt to appreciate them over time, the food, the travelling, the care, the love are so priceless!
On one hand I am looking back to returning to Singapore. Yet, I really cant bear to leave this comfort zone. But I know I have to. People are looking forward to my return in Singapore. Thats my reality and I have to face reality sometime somehow.
At some junctures during the past 42 days, I know I have so often looked forward to this day. All I wanted then was to return to warm old Singapore. But now, when this day is finally arriving in a matter of hours, I feel like I dont want it to come. I wanna stop time.
Sigh. But oh well. On a brighter note, I'll be going home. Singapore, I am going home. And home is where the heart lies.
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
I'll be going for my last official lesson soon. I've a project presentation tomorrow and after that, it marks PLAYTIME! I am kinda sad that clubbing is off, but well.. Its good on the other hand cause I think I need to sleep early on thursday. I'll need lotsa energy on Friday to carry that shit load of stuff. See. I have loads of things to pack and I have this strange feeling I will have a hard time fitting everything into the bag. Schieße!
Ok. That was a paragraph of incoherent ramblings.
Bier garten- Ok.
Biological farm- Ok.
Yesterday in general- Ok.
I have to be back home early today to do some translation for my project. I have yet to start writing my german diary. Am supposed to write about the day when Argentina lost to Deutschland. How am I supposed to do that? haha! Anyway, its my last 'family' dinner with my host family. I have a grill evening tomorrow night. I think I will kinda miss them. But oh well.
Im coming home soon.
And I am looking forward to that (in one way or another)...
Ok. That was a paragraph of incoherent ramblings.
Bier garten- Ok.
Biological farm- Ok.
Yesterday in general- Ok.
I have to be back home early today to do some translation for my project. I have yet to start writing my german diary. Am supposed to write about the day when Argentina lost to Deutschland. How am I supposed to do that? haha! Anyway, its my last 'family' dinner with my host family. I have a grill evening tomorrow night. I think I will kinda miss them. But oh well.
Im coming home soon.
And I am looking forward to that (in one way or another)...
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Guten Tag! I just reached home two hours ago from my swim in the canal. Had lagsania for dinner and fries with curry sauce for dinner. One and a half portions of lagsania to be exact.. Not that I really wanted to eat that much but its more of an obligation.
At first, I took a really small slice of lagsania and my family seemed to be shocked (or displeased). something like that. They termed my portion a 'baby portion'. So I felt quite pai seh and took another 'baby portion'.
I helped myself to a bigger portion, and horror of horrors.. They said I eat really little once again!!! I felt really bad.
Initially, when I came to Münster, I spent much more time with them. However, as time passed and as I gradually had more activities in the night (whether they were school oriented or not), I realised I havent been spending much time with them. At one stage, I even treated the house like a hotel.
So feeling really bad, I took helped myself to a really large portion of lagsania for the third time. Wah lao. Do the addition can! Its like I ate one and the half portions or even close to two portions. Now I am really full and I am feeling quite uncomfortable.
Just yesterday in Bonn, you wouldn't be able to imagine the amount of cheese, pizza, lagsania and whats not I had in the cafe. The food there was really good so all of us ate like oh so much. So much cheese to be exact. Same goes for me.. And I am like okay whatever. I am sick and tired of italian food now.
Strangely, even after staying in Germany for so long, I haven't had many proper german meals. I am quite disappointed actually.
Anyhow. Period. I'm done with dinner.
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In four days' time, I will be flying back to Singapore. As I reflect on my stay in Münster (esp with my host family), I guess I am really thankful to be given such a big room with unlimited internet access, tv, and so on. The private bathroom just outside my room is unbelievably spacious. And the best part of all.. Unlike Liz, I dont have to clean up after I bathe. I would have dreaded it to the core if I had to.
Although I dont have the privilege of being chauffeured to the train station or to school and stuff like that, my host family have been really hospitable in their own way. For this, I am really thankful. I dont think I have been a great guest, and I dont think I have been very sociable as well. I mean, I would rather hide in my room to blog and stuff rather than talk to them. Hope they arent too disappointed with me.
Thank god for the world cup. That really helped me to grow much with the family. That's one of the few things that we share in common. Now that the world cup has ended, it gets quite boring and I dont feel like talking and associating much.
I hope they arent too pissed with me. Sighh. From now on, I suppose I will start eating more. Gee. I am putting on so much weight. Its unbelievable. I dont even want to step onto the weighing scale when I am back. Dont ever tell me I look damn fat. Haha!
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Swimming today was undeniably damn fun. The company I had was damn great. Hmm. Wait. I think that's an understatement. I don't really know how to describe it.. But I absolutely loved it. The experience- Priceless! Can you ever imagine how it is like jumping from the bridge into the canal? From the second you jump off till the time your body is fully immersed in the water?... You just feel damn high. Haha!
The three of them really made my day! Haha! More so, I thought it was really nice of the weihan and kevin to jump off the bridge with Liz and I. And getting wedgy? Haha!!!!! Thinking back makes me smile so much. The memories are for keeps man. I will never ever forget how Liz looked before she jumped; I will never forget Kevin's 'counselling' (hes such a nice guy la, really), I will never forget how 'badly' weihan treated me(!!!! haha in a joking way of course). I will never forget today.
Had an ice cream thereafter. Obviously. How can I not have my daily scoops of ice-cream? I had after eight today. The taste is comparable to my big ice cream palour's, but I still prefer eating at the usual big ice cream palour. It's much bigger and it offers more varieties.
Sigh. More food again.
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Beer garden and biological farm tomorrow. I cant wait. Sounds rather interesting!
At first, I took a really small slice of lagsania and my family seemed to be shocked (or displeased). something like that. They termed my portion a 'baby portion'. So I felt quite pai seh and took another 'baby portion'.
I helped myself to a bigger portion, and horror of horrors.. They said I eat really little once again!!! I felt really bad.
Initially, when I came to Münster, I spent much more time with them. However, as time passed and as I gradually had more activities in the night (whether they were school oriented or not), I realised I havent been spending much time with them. At one stage, I even treated the house like a hotel.
So feeling really bad, I took helped myself to a really large portion of lagsania for the third time. Wah lao. Do the addition can! Its like I ate one and the half portions or even close to two portions. Now I am really full and I am feeling quite uncomfortable.
Just yesterday in Bonn, you wouldn't be able to imagine the amount of cheese, pizza, lagsania and whats not I had in the cafe. The food there was really good so all of us ate like oh so much. So much cheese to be exact. Same goes for me.. And I am like okay whatever. I am sick and tired of italian food now.
Strangely, even after staying in Germany for so long, I haven't had many proper german meals. I am quite disappointed actually.
Anyhow. Period. I'm done with dinner.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In four days' time, I will be flying back to Singapore. As I reflect on my stay in Münster (esp with my host family), I guess I am really thankful to be given such a big room with unlimited internet access, tv, and so on. The private bathroom just outside my room is unbelievably spacious. And the best part of all.. Unlike Liz, I dont have to clean up after I bathe. I would have dreaded it to the core if I had to.
Although I dont have the privilege of being chauffeured to the train station or to school and stuff like that, my host family have been really hospitable in their own way. For this, I am really thankful. I dont think I have been a great guest, and I dont think I have been very sociable as well. I mean, I would rather hide in my room to blog and stuff rather than talk to them. Hope they arent too disappointed with me.
Thank god for the world cup. That really helped me to grow much with the family. That's one of the few things that we share in common. Now that the world cup has ended, it gets quite boring and I dont feel like talking and associating much.
I hope they arent too pissed with me. Sighh. From now on, I suppose I will start eating more. Gee. I am putting on so much weight. Its unbelievable. I dont even want to step onto the weighing scale when I am back. Dont ever tell me I look damn fat. Haha!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Swimming today was undeniably damn fun. The company I had was damn great. Hmm. Wait. I think that's an understatement. I don't really know how to describe it.. But I absolutely loved it. The experience- Priceless! Can you ever imagine how it is like jumping from the bridge into the canal? From the second you jump off till the time your body is fully immersed in the water?... You just feel damn high. Haha!
The three of them really made my day! Haha! More so, I thought it was really nice of the weihan and kevin to jump off the bridge with Liz and I. And getting wedgy? Haha!!!!! Thinking back makes me smile so much. The memories are for keeps man. I will never ever forget how Liz looked before she jumped; I will never forget Kevin's 'counselling' (hes such a nice guy la, really), I will never forget how 'badly' weihan treated me(!!!! haha in a joking way of course). I will never forget today.
Had an ice cream thereafter. Obviously. How can I not have my daily scoops of ice-cream? I had after eight today. The taste is comparable to my big ice cream palour's, but I still prefer eating at the usual big ice cream palour. It's much bigger and it offers more varieties.
Sigh. More food again.
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Beer garden and biological farm tomorrow. I cant wait. Sounds rather interesting!
Monday, July 10, 2006
Back from Köln and Bonn.
The highlights of the trip were visiting the chocolate museum, beethoven's house and eating tropical spaghetti ice. Honestly, I still dont quite get why people think spaghetti ice is all that nice. Its just ice cream. It just looks like spaghetti, that's all. Oh well.
In Köln, I 'retried' the Raffaelo flavoured ice cream, and thankfully, it tasted lovely. I think its some sort of a white chocolate coconut thing?? But whatever it is, it was really yummy so there.. you could just imagine me finishing the cone to the very last bit.
(I ate another 4 scoops of ice cream over the weekend. Photos dont lie. I put on more weight)
I am left with $40 to buy souvenirs now. Boo hoo, I am a poor man - all thanks to the things I bought over the weekend. In the most Singaporean terms, 'No regrets la. They are damn nice can. Its like I love everything I bought!'
Rebecca, Val and (Joce): You guys are invited to my house for a wonderful spread. I bought some exotic stuff from the different parts of the world and I've decided to 'whip up a storm' for you guys when I'm back. Hahahaa!!! Please be sure to turn up alright? I am sure it'll be nice. Dont worry! Unless you guys turn up for my speciality sampling, you will not receive your souvenirs. Ah hem haha!! It'll be sometime next week cause I dont think the food can be kept for too long. So please arranage a day and make yourself free k. Rebecca, its your job. Let me know SOON hahaha! And oh yes, I bought lotsa stuff for you! Okay. Maýbe not so much.. But. Ya. Some. Few.
I am going to 'whip up a storm' for three batches of people. I hope they'll like my wonderful creation. But more importantly, I hope my luggage is not as 'overweight' as I am. Absolutely ridiculous. My bag is DEFINITELY over 20kg. Ive gotta check in with Liz. Hopefully all goes well and hopefully they wont catch me for stuff. (oops, censored. its a public blog after all.)
Anyway, Ill be going for a swim in the canal today after my project. I think its gonna be all dirty, but well, what the heck. Brand new experience once again.
Okay, I know I am sidetracking.. But I really love all the clothes I bought. They are so lovely and I cant wait to wear them. For now, I gotta bathe and prepare for school. Take care guys!
The highlights of the trip were visiting the chocolate museum, beethoven's house and eating tropical spaghetti ice. Honestly, I still dont quite get why people think spaghetti ice is all that nice. Its just ice cream. It just looks like spaghetti, that's all. Oh well.
In Köln, I 'retried' the Raffaelo flavoured ice cream, and thankfully, it tasted lovely. I think its some sort of a white chocolate coconut thing?? But whatever it is, it was really yummy so there.. you could just imagine me finishing the cone to the very last bit.
(I ate another 4 scoops of ice cream over the weekend. Photos dont lie. I put on more weight)
I am left with $40 to buy souvenirs now. Boo hoo, I am a poor man - all thanks to the things I bought over the weekend. In the most Singaporean terms, 'No regrets la. They are damn nice can. Its like I love everything I bought!'
Rebecca, Val and (Joce): You guys are invited to my house for a wonderful spread. I bought some exotic stuff from the different parts of the world and I've decided to 'whip up a storm' for you guys when I'm back. Hahahaa!!! Please be sure to turn up alright? I am sure it'll be nice. Dont worry! Unless you guys turn up for my speciality sampling, you will not receive your souvenirs. Ah hem haha!! It'll be sometime next week cause I dont think the food can be kept for too long. So please arranage a day and make yourself free k. Rebecca, its your job. Let me know SOON hahaha! And oh yes, I bought lotsa stuff for you! Okay. Maýbe not so much.. But. Ya. Some. Few.
I am going to 'whip up a storm' for three batches of people. I hope they'll like my wonderful creation. But more importantly, I hope my luggage is not as 'overweight' as I am. Absolutely ridiculous. My bag is DEFINITELY over 20kg. Ive gotta check in with Liz. Hopefully all goes well and hopefully they wont catch me for stuff. (oops, censored. its a public blog after all.)
Anyway, Ill be going for a swim in the canal today after my project. I think its gonna be all dirty, but well, what the heck. Brand new experience once again.
Okay, I know I am sidetracking.. But I really love all the clothes I bought. They are so lovely and I cant wait to wear them. For now, I gotta bathe and prepare for school. Take care guys!
Saturday, July 8, 2006
In seven days' time, I will be en route to the Frankfurt airport. Time really flies. I kinda dont want to go home.
Home= being locked up in jail (thats a big no no for me!!!!)
Home= time to lose weight and not binge on good food. (what a mood spoiler)
Home= I'll have to work and earn money (work again!)
Home= no interesting places to explore, no interesting food to eat
Home= reality
Home= 3 weeks to school
Home= curfew! curfew! curfew! do you know how much i detest and hate it!!!!
Home= taking away my house keys
But, oh well I guess home could also mean
- seeing everyone that matters to me. which is damn important!
- going for choir and attending an english mass
- eating singaporean food (actually i am over the i need singaporean food phase already)
- a step closer to materialising my car plan. if it actually materialises. sigh.
yea thats about it.
I am not exactly excited, neither am I detesting the fact that I have to leave Europe. I am just, well you could say, indifferent.
I will be travelling to Köln and Bonn tomorrow. Will be staying there over the weekend. I hope there'll be lotsa interesting places to explore. We'll be visiting the chocolate museum. Am really looking forward to that, really! haha! I cant wait for it.
Did lotsa shopping today. Spent lotsa money. I have about $140 left for 7 days. That sounds quite pathetic. Shit. I think I overspent already. Haha.
Still have lotsa sausages and chocolates to get before leaving here. haha!
Had turkish döner burger for lunch. Hell damn oily. Imagine the fats and oil that sink into my body. But I thought it would have been a pity if I didnt try the turkish thing since the turks form a small minority of the population in this country. Afterwhich, I had half a portion of currywurst again.
No nordsee today. But will be having it on Monday, I guess.
Hope I dont eat too much over the weekends.
Damn fat. shit. I am damn sure my watch feels tighter today. After 4 ice cream. I am damn sure my face grew rounder. I am damn sure I am fat. I am damn sure that I am sad.
Home= being locked up in jail (thats a big no no for me!!!!)
Home= time to lose weight and not binge on good food. (what a mood spoiler)
Home= I'll have to work and earn money (work again!)
Home= no interesting places to explore, no interesting food to eat
Home= reality
Home= 3 weeks to school
Home= curfew! curfew! curfew! do you know how much i detest and hate it!!!!
Home= taking away my house keys
But, oh well I guess home could also mean
- seeing everyone that matters to me. which is damn important!
- going for choir and attending an english mass
- eating singaporean food (actually i am over the i need singaporean food phase already)
- a step closer to materialising my car plan. if it actually materialises. sigh.
yea thats about it.
I am not exactly excited, neither am I detesting the fact that I have to leave Europe. I am just, well you could say, indifferent.
I will be travelling to Köln and Bonn tomorrow. Will be staying there over the weekend. I hope there'll be lotsa interesting places to explore. We'll be visiting the chocolate museum. Am really looking forward to that, really! haha! I cant wait for it.
Did lotsa shopping today. Spent lotsa money. I have about $140 left for 7 days. That sounds quite pathetic. Shit. I think I overspent already. Haha.
Still have lotsa sausages and chocolates to get before leaving here. haha!
Had turkish döner burger for lunch. Hell damn oily. Imagine the fats and oil that sink into my body. But I thought it would have been a pity if I didnt try the turkish thing since the turks form a small minority of the population in this country. Afterwhich, I had half a portion of currywurst again.
No nordsee today. But will be having it on Monday, I guess.
Hope I dont eat too much over the weekends.
Damn fat. shit. I am damn sure my watch feels tighter today. After 4 ice cream. I am damn sure my face grew rounder. I am damn sure I am fat. I am damn sure that I am sad.
Friday, July 7, 2006
4 scoops of ice cream in a day, more than 8 scoops of ice cream within a week. I dont know if I am addicted to the different flavours of ice cream or something!
Let me try to list all the flavours of ice cream that Ive tasted in Münster:
- Malaga
- Rocher
- Raffaelo (i dont even know what it is. dont think it was that great)
- Snickers
- Soya Chocolate
- Cinammon
- Pistachios
- Nutella
- Mandeln (its a kind of nut)
and more. But I am too tired to recall now.
Had more meals at the Nordsee again haha! I ate fish and wild rice, and will be eating more fish tomorrow. Its about 7-8 more days before I leave Europe and bid all the ice cream, delicious yummy bread and curry wurst farewell. ):
I am trying to make the best out of it as far as possible and my stomach's also trying its best not to balloon, but to no avail.
I have never had a stomach as round as this for at least two years. Arghhh!
I had so much fattening food today, and intend to have more tomorrow. Hahaha! But I think I will put ice cream to a halt till tuesday, I hope.
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I toured Rughrgebiet today. Rughrgebiet is a place where coal mining, steel and i dont know what are really popular. You learn about how coal is being made and stuff like that. I didnt really pay attention to the guided tour cause I was really bored by it. The only interesting thing that I did today was to climb steep slopes after steep slopes to reach the Teträder. But I thought the experience was really memorable and priceless! :) tell you more about it sometime soon.
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Over the last two days, deutschland lost to italy. damn it. I dont want to elaborate on it. The football fever has subsided here. But am still gonna get a jersey sometime this week. After the match, something really 'scary' really happened. My midnight bus did not arrive at the bus stop. I was scared out of my wits! I was alone and I didnt really know what to do. But thank god, thank god, everything was well and I managed to reach home safely. All I can say is that God really answers prayers in critical moments and the good Lord will always provide.
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Had a sleepover last night. Was really tired today but it was worth it. I wouldnt trade it for sleep. The company was fabulous! haha! Im too tired to blog about it. But I probably will do it soon.
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I need to sleep. good night.
Let me try to list all the flavours of ice cream that Ive tasted in Münster:
- Malaga
- Rocher
- Raffaelo (i dont even know what it is. dont think it was that great)
- Snickers
- Soya Chocolate
- Cinammon
- Pistachios
- Nutella
- Mandeln (its a kind of nut)
and more. But I am too tired to recall now.
Had more meals at the Nordsee again haha! I ate fish and wild rice, and will be eating more fish tomorrow. Its about 7-8 more days before I leave Europe and bid all the ice cream, delicious yummy bread and curry wurst farewell. ):
I am trying to make the best out of it as far as possible and my stomach's also trying its best not to balloon, but to no avail.
I have never had a stomach as round as this for at least two years. Arghhh!
I had so much fattening food today, and intend to have more tomorrow. Hahaha! But I think I will put ice cream to a halt till tuesday, I hope.
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I toured Rughrgebiet today. Rughrgebiet is a place where coal mining, steel and i dont know what are really popular. You learn about how coal is being made and stuff like that. I didnt really pay attention to the guided tour cause I was really bored by it. The only interesting thing that I did today was to climb steep slopes after steep slopes to reach the Teträder. But I thought the experience was really memorable and priceless! :) tell you more about it sometime soon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Over the last two days, deutschland lost to italy. damn it. I dont want to elaborate on it. The football fever has subsided here. But am still gonna get a jersey sometime this week. After the match, something really 'scary' really happened. My midnight bus did not arrive at the bus stop. I was scared out of my wits! I was alone and I didnt really know what to do. But thank god, thank god, everything was well and I managed to reach home safely. All I can say is that God really answers prayers in critical moments and the good Lord will always provide.
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Had a sleepover last night. Was really tired today but it was worth it. I wouldnt trade it for sleep. The company was fabulous! haha! Im too tired to blog about it. But I probably will do it soon.
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I need to sleep. good night.
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
I had spaghetti with bacon for dinner. Something ordinary I guess, but it was quite tasty. Am superbly happy with that, and was really full after dinner. Ich bin satt. Haha! Horror of horrors.. The daughter decided to drive glory and I out for an ice cream. We went to this ice cream place which was not bad and I had two cones of ice cream! Tried Malaga and rocher. Btw, malaga is a place in Spain. Haha. So I guess its a spanish thing?? The rocher was really good, but I thought the malaga was somewhat dissapointing. Liz's tasted better on Saturday.
When I reached home, the father introduced me to more 'I must try' flavours. Argh!!! Should have consulted him before leaving the house. Damn it. I think I will be going back some time next week before I leave. Will be putting on more weight. Damn it la. My hands are growing fatter. Was putting on my watch this morning. For once, it felt tight. I was shocked. Sigh.
Will be boat peddling tomorrow and then I will be having a picnic with cakes. Fattening food again! I wonder how much weight have I actually put on. Argh. Then,
Everyone will be watching the football match together at the Mensa. Deutschland against Italien. I hope Deutschland wins! You guys must support germany okay? Since Brazil is out already.. Haha! Would really love to watch the match with my family but well, I guess its good to experience something different for once.
Anyway, today was an okay okay day for me. Came straight home after lunch to choose the nus modules. What an utter waste of the day! Hopefully it'll be better tomorrow. Somehow, I feel really delighted after having the Rocher ice cream. It only cost me 60 cents. And it was yummilious. Haha!
Lessons start really early tomorrow. Like at nine. Stupid. I hate it.
Btw. I ate at Nordsee again. ):
When I reached home, the father introduced me to more 'I must try' flavours. Argh!!! Should have consulted him before leaving the house. Damn it. I think I will be going back some time next week before I leave. Will be putting on more weight. Damn it la. My hands are growing fatter. Was putting on my watch this morning. For once, it felt tight. I was shocked. Sigh.
Will be boat peddling tomorrow and then I will be having a picnic with cakes. Fattening food again! I wonder how much weight have I actually put on. Argh. Then,
Everyone will be watching the football match together at the Mensa. Deutschland against Italien. I hope Deutschland wins! You guys must support germany okay? Since Brazil is out already.. Haha! Would really love to watch the match with my family but well, I guess its good to experience something different for once.
Anyway, today was an okay okay day for me. Came straight home after lunch to choose the nus modules. What an utter waste of the day! Hopefully it'll be better tomorrow. Somehow, I feel really delighted after having the Rocher ice cream. It only cost me 60 cents. And it was yummilious. Haha!
Lessons start really early tomorrow. Like at nine. Stupid. I hate it.
Btw. I ate at Nordsee again. ):
Monday, July 3, 2006
So Brazil is out. Quarterfinals? I am s.p.e.e.c.h.l.e.s.s. It is my second favourite team after Germany. But oh well. Go Deutschland!!! Jetzt geht's los! Really hope they win the world cup!!
I felt the football fever when Germany won Argentina last friday. (I thought it was just Argentina's luck when something happened to the goalkeeper. They werent playing *that* badly.) After the match, I dressed up as some German fan and went out to the city to party with my host family's children. I guess I dont really want to talk about it right now. Will let the pictures speak for themselves when I get back. The experience was awesome and priceless! Never, never in my life will I get to relive this. I loveddd it!
Next.
This is a very important announcement for MYSELF.
As of tomorrow, I will abandon my eat-freely plan! I will eat selectively!
This cannot go on. I realised ever since I started on the plan, I have been binging and eating excessively in huge portions. My face grew even fatter and I dont really know what to do about it. I can only lament and complain. I am starting to get irritated with my routine. Well.
As you know, I am not the kind who wakes up at 5am to go for a morning jog and do sit ups before sleeping. So there. I am starting to be quite concerned about my weight again.
Big sigh to that.
On the hindsight, I just had a damn damn nice German meal, thanks to the mum. 2 slices of Schweinebraten mit sauce (Its some pork thingee. 1 portion = 1 slice), 1 1/2 Knödeln (I call it the western version of tang yuen. Its potato like gluey thing. Oriental westernisation!) and many many servings of Redkohl (red cabbage in salt, pepper and lotsa lotsa sugar). Over dinner, I learnt that they eat Redkohl during summer and Sauerkraut (white cabbage) during winter. Ach so! Haha! I took some photos of it for eternal memory. But I doubt I managed to capture the tastiness of the food with my poor photography skills. But haha. Nevertheless, the tastiness will linger in my memory for as long as I live.
I love it when my family cooks.
Yesterday, I went to eat fish at Nordsee in Bremen again. I think I had at least 3 meals at Nordsee already can. Visit www.nordsee.de for more information. Yes I am mad. Have been spending a bomb on the different kinds of fish and bread. I have never eaten so many kinds of bread in such a short span of time. Its absolutely crazy, but Im loving it.
I'll have to eat at least two more meals there before I leave this place in less than 14 days' time. Also, I'll have to visit the chocolate place (again) and patronise the big ice cream stall to try the different flavours soon. They have more than a 100 different kinds of flavours of ice cream, so I am really excited to visit it for the first time.
I intend to buy lotsa chocolates back to store them in my fridge. it is a MUST. The rocher is so different here!!! Its not even anything like Singapore's. The chocolate is so fine, and the inner filling is well.. I dont really know how to describe it. It would not do it justice if I were to describe it as 'damn nice la!'
Anyway, I decided to control my diet come tomorrow. I hope everything will be okay and I will start losing weight. It looks like its really difficult cause the family cooks such nice food, coupled with the fact that I keep wanting to try new stuff. Moreover, there is lotsa yoghurt in the fridge and I heard its damn nice as well. I need to try it la. I am in some dire straits now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Eins und zwei und drei und)
Vierundfünfzig, vierundsiebzig, neunzig, zweitausendsechs,
ja so stimmen wir alle ein,
mit dem Herz in der Hand und
der Leidenschaft im Beinwerden
wir Weltmeister sein.
it translates to:
1 and 2 and 3 and
54, 74, 90 and 2006
(erm i dont know how translate the second phrase)
with hearts in the hand and
passion in the legs,
we will be the World cup Champion.
This song is really popular and damn nice.
I felt the football fever when Germany won Argentina last friday. (I thought it was just Argentina's luck when something happened to the goalkeeper. They werent playing *that* badly.) After the match, I dressed up as some German fan and went out to the city to party with my host family's children. I guess I dont really want to talk about it right now. Will let the pictures speak for themselves when I get back. The experience was awesome and priceless! Never, never in my life will I get to relive this. I loveddd it!
Next.
This is a very important announcement for MYSELF.
As of tomorrow, I will abandon my eat-freely plan! I will eat selectively!
This cannot go on. I realised ever since I started on the plan, I have been binging and eating excessively in huge portions. My face grew even fatter and I dont really know what to do about it. I can only lament and complain. I am starting to get irritated with my routine. Well.
As you know, I am not the kind who wakes up at 5am to go for a morning jog and do sit ups before sleeping. So there. I am starting to be quite concerned about my weight again.
Big sigh to that.
On the hindsight, I just had a damn damn nice German meal, thanks to the mum. 2 slices of Schweinebraten mit sauce (Its some pork thingee. 1 portion = 1 slice), 1 1/2 Knödeln (I call it the western version of tang yuen. Its potato like gluey thing. Oriental westernisation!) and many many servings of Redkohl (red cabbage in salt, pepper and lotsa lotsa sugar). Over dinner, I learnt that they eat Redkohl during summer and Sauerkraut (white cabbage) during winter. Ach so! Haha! I took some photos of it for eternal memory. But I doubt I managed to capture the tastiness of the food with my poor photography skills. But haha. Nevertheless, the tastiness will linger in my memory for as long as I live.
I love it when my family cooks.
Yesterday, I went to eat fish at Nordsee in Bremen again. I think I had at least 3 meals at Nordsee already can. Visit www.nordsee.de for more information. Yes I am mad. Have been spending a bomb on the different kinds of fish and bread. I have never eaten so many kinds of bread in such a short span of time. Its absolutely crazy, but Im loving it.
I'll have to eat at least two more meals there before I leave this place in less than 14 days' time. Also, I'll have to visit the chocolate place (again) and patronise the big ice cream stall to try the different flavours soon. They have more than a 100 different kinds of flavours of ice cream, so I am really excited to visit it for the first time.
I intend to buy lotsa chocolates back to store them in my fridge. it is a MUST. The rocher is so different here!!! Its not even anything like Singapore's. The chocolate is so fine, and the inner filling is well.. I dont really know how to describe it. It would not do it justice if I were to describe it as 'damn nice la!'
Anyway, I decided to control my diet come tomorrow. I hope everything will be okay and I will start losing weight. It looks like its really difficult cause the family cooks such nice food, coupled with the fact that I keep wanting to try new stuff. Moreover, there is lotsa yoghurt in the fridge and I heard its damn nice as well. I need to try it la. I am in some dire straits now.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Eins und zwei und drei und)
Vierundfünfzig, vierundsiebzig, neunzig, zweitausendsechs,
ja so stimmen wir alle ein,
mit dem Herz in der Hand und
der Leidenschaft im Beinwerden
wir Weltmeister sein.
it translates to:
1 and 2 and 3 and
54, 74, 90 and 2006
(erm i dont know how translate the second phrase)
with hearts in the hand and
passion in the legs,
we will be the World cup Champion.
This song is really popular and damn nice.
Friday, June 30, 2006
Unglaublich (which translates to 'unbelievable')! Yesterday, I said I will leave some room for weight increment because I believe, with great conviction, that it is worth trying the different kinds of Deutsches food. It will be a pity if I were to return to Singapore without much knowledge on how typical German food tastes like. So da.
Since I am less preoccupied with putting on more weight now, I feasted, binged and gobbled down lotsa food that Ive always wanted to try in Münster since day 1. It is coming as a shock to me now that I am recapitulating it.
Food intake on 29/6/06:
Breakfast: 1 Banana (I feel constipated here!) and 1 cup of coffee. (saving 'space' in the stomach for more yummilious food consumption later during the course of the day)
Lunch: Shelled and unshelled rice, salmon (I took half from this really huge portion), some kind of fish, bagette and curry sausage.
Dinner: 3 pieces of Herring in olive oil, fish and chips (lotsa, lotsa chips), 1 bottle of coca cola lemonde, 1 medium sized portion of pizza.
Mind you, thats hell of a lot lah. I am so gonna put on weight lah. But whatever lah.
I dont know what came over me to indulge in so much good food. The salmon was oh so good that I thought I was in heaven. Secondly, Ive been wanting to eat chips since I was in Italy. Everyone in Europe eats chips and ice cream like nobody's business. Its such a lovely sight to see old men and ladies holding a cone of ice cream and enjoying the sweetness and the coldness of it. It just brings to mind how seemingly carefree and happy these old people are. Im starting to think that an ice cream holds the connotation of freedom. It is a joy to watch them eat. It is so wonderful how an ice cream can be so closely associated with young children and their brightly litted smiles.
Okay. I was disgressing. So I allowed myself a packet of fish and chips. I wouldnt have bought the cola in normal Singaporean circumstances. But it was Cola Limonade here. Different. Also, I was really thirsty and yea.. I decided to heck about weight for that moment.
I ate, and ate, and ate. Binged, and binged and binged. I know I am gonna suffer for this. I think I am truly at the mercy of good food! Its ridiculous I tell you. I promise myself to eat lesser tomorrow. But oh schade! The family is cooking Klopse for me. Schade! I cant diet tomorrow. Ah but oh well. Its okay. I will just eat whatever I wanna eat.
My stomachs really fat now. Some people say its not okay to put on weight. Some say its okay. Hmm. Is it really ok? Or not? Perhaps my justification to the allowance in weight increment is only for self-consolation. (after being in such a pitiful state)
But. The important thing is- I felt really happy today. It has been a long time (with the exception of the picnic under the eiffel tower) since I ate so freely. Trust me, it IS a great feeling when you eat whatever you want to eat. Haha!
Enough about food.
We had a new teacher today. He is A GAZILLION times better than that stupid first teacher. At least I get to learn interesting stuff about the language today lah. I had a fun time in class. He'll be taking us tomorrow as well. Haha! So I guess I wont be dreading school tomorrow morning. Sehr gut! I love lessons which are productive! In all honesty, I understood only about half of the things he said. The class was equally clueless as well. His entire lesson was in German. Haha! But it was a great pleasure listening to him speak and ask questions. I always give a really blank look and expect the teachers or my host family to explain to me in English. Haha!
As the days go by, I am starting to speak more German. This evening, I was communicating with the fish stall lady in German cause she couldnt understand English. We had lotsa problems understanding each other (Naturally!).
But oh well. I really love speaking German to the Germans. Imagine their puzzled look when I speak to them! Haha! But I am slowly but surely learning how to speak more fluently (I think).
People only understand me when I ask for directions in German. I am often lost.. (yes, even after walking in the city for days!) So I ask the people there for directions all the time. That is the ONLY time when there is NO communication breakdown between both parties.
Anyway, I wanna turn in soon. I wonder why there are so many mosquitoes in my room. Argh. I need to spray the insect thing now. So goodnight people of Singapore! Thats all for my day and my mad weight increment after tonight.
I will be home in 15 days' time. Really sad about that though. Im starting to love my lessons, my temporary family and this place. And of course, the food.
Since I am less preoccupied with putting on more weight now, I feasted, binged and gobbled down lotsa food that Ive always wanted to try in Münster since day 1. It is coming as a shock to me now that I am recapitulating it.
Food intake on 29/6/06:
Breakfast: 1 Banana (I feel constipated here!) and 1 cup of coffee. (saving 'space' in the stomach for more yummilious food consumption later during the course of the day)
Lunch: Shelled and unshelled rice, salmon (I took half from this really huge portion), some kind of fish, bagette and curry sausage.
Dinner: 3 pieces of Herring in olive oil, fish and chips (lotsa, lotsa chips), 1 bottle of coca cola lemonde, 1 medium sized portion of pizza.
Mind you, thats hell of a lot lah. I am so gonna put on weight lah. But whatever lah.
I dont know what came over me to indulge in so much good food. The salmon was oh so good that I thought I was in heaven. Secondly, Ive been wanting to eat chips since I was in Italy. Everyone in Europe eats chips and ice cream like nobody's business. Its such a lovely sight to see old men and ladies holding a cone of ice cream and enjoying the sweetness and the coldness of it. It just brings to mind how seemingly carefree and happy these old people are. Im starting to think that an ice cream holds the connotation of freedom. It is a joy to watch them eat. It is so wonderful how an ice cream can be so closely associated with young children and their brightly litted smiles.
Okay. I was disgressing. So I allowed myself a packet of fish and chips. I wouldnt have bought the cola in normal Singaporean circumstances. But it was Cola Limonade here. Different. Also, I was really thirsty and yea.. I decided to heck about weight for that moment.
I ate, and ate, and ate. Binged, and binged and binged. I know I am gonna suffer for this. I think I am truly at the mercy of good food! Its ridiculous I tell you. I promise myself to eat lesser tomorrow. But oh schade! The family is cooking Klopse for me. Schade! I cant diet tomorrow. Ah but oh well. Its okay. I will just eat whatever I wanna eat.
My stomachs really fat now. Some people say its not okay to put on weight. Some say its okay. Hmm. Is it really ok? Or not? Perhaps my justification to the allowance in weight increment is only for self-consolation. (after being in such a pitiful state)
But. The important thing is- I felt really happy today. It has been a long time (with the exception of the picnic under the eiffel tower) since I ate so freely. Trust me, it IS a great feeling when you eat whatever you want to eat. Haha!
Enough about food.
We had a new teacher today. He is A GAZILLION times better than that stupid first teacher. At least I get to learn interesting stuff about the language today lah. I had a fun time in class. He'll be taking us tomorrow as well. Haha! So I guess I wont be dreading school tomorrow morning. Sehr gut! I love lessons which are productive! In all honesty, I understood only about half of the things he said. The class was equally clueless as well. His entire lesson was in German. Haha! But it was a great pleasure listening to him speak and ask questions. I always give a really blank look and expect the teachers or my host family to explain to me in English. Haha!
As the days go by, I am starting to speak more German. This evening, I was communicating with the fish stall lady in German cause she couldnt understand English. We had lotsa problems understanding each other (Naturally!).
But oh well. I really love speaking German to the Germans. Imagine their puzzled look when I speak to them! Haha! But I am slowly but surely learning how to speak more fluently (I think).
People only understand me when I ask for directions in German. I am often lost.. (yes, even after walking in the city for days!) So I ask the people there for directions all the time. That is the ONLY time when there is NO communication breakdown between both parties.
Anyway, I wanna turn in soon. I wonder why there are so many mosquitoes in my room. Argh. I need to spray the insect thing now. So goodnight people of Singapore! Thats all for my day and my mad weight increment after tonight.
I will be home in 15 days' time. Really sad about that though. Im starting to love my lessons, my temporary family and this place. And of course, the food.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Münster:
Im slowly but surely yielding to temptation after 4 long weeks of struggle. I dont know if I have resigned to fate, or perhaps I have utterly NO self discipline. I cringe at the thought of how fat I will be in 3 weeks' time (or 17 days to be exact) after eating and stuff like that. Despite such possible notions, I still welcome German food (and all other possible types of food) with wide open arms.
So much happened today.
First, I told my family that I wont be back for mein Abendessen (dinner) cause I intended to go shopping. Instead, I went to the strawberry farm to pick strawberries! They were yummilious! It was a brand new experience for me. I was plucking the berries and eating them simultaneously! I know many have already done such stuff before.. But I havent.. So I was really quite fascinated. Being gay, glee and happy is an understatement to describe how Im feeling now! Yea. You get my drift.
After that, I walked around the city with Liz and decided to take the late night bus home. (Their night rider starts around 8pm)! I expected the night rider to go by the same route (20 min) but in the end, it took another turn instead of the regular one. I took an hour to reach home! I felt quite bad cause I told my family I will be home by 9 odd. I only reached home close to 11!
That aside, I was actually quite scared when the bus took a different route (it passed through cemetries and campsites). So I rushed to the driver and asked him if it actually goes to my place (in English). But that old retard replied me in German! Absurdism! I didnt even understand a shit. So I tried, at full intellectual capacity, to speak to him in Deutsch. Mein Gott! It sounded totally horrendous and hilarious! But good.. And to my surprise.. He actually understood. He gave this really long, long, complicated reply.. And I caught only the 'ja' word (which means yes in german). I got quite irritated actually.
In order to clarify, I asked him again... 'Dieser Bus goes to Otto Hersing Weg. Ja oder Nein'. (this bus goes to Otto Hersing Weg. yes or no?) And he gave the same long reply. What the hell. I walked away and asked the passengers instead. Anyway, the bus did go to Otto Hersing Weg in the end. Thank God, thank God! Ive never felt so alone and lost in a foreign country before. But thank God everything went well and I am back home safely.
When I came back, I had every intention of going down to change, blog and sleep. I think I really need lotsa energy for school. The lessons are hell boring. It takes more energy to pay attention during lessons than think (I sometimes feel). Anyway, I thought since I didnt get much shopping done today, I will probably do it tomorrow. So, I went up, after changing, to tell the family that I will be back late and will not be having dinner tomorrow as well.
At the same time, I asked them for the recipe to cook Deutsches curry with Wurst (so that I will be able to cook for my fellow Singaporeans when I am back). The topic of food really interest them. The father, the mother and I ended up in this whole long discussion about typical german food.
Incidentally, I was learning about German food today in school. I absorbed almost nothing in the 4 hours. Yet, during the half hour talk with the family, I thought I learnt so much, so much more than what was being taught in school.
Okay. Back to the conversation. They started to introduce me to the different kinds of german food. They were saying that its really hard to cook german stuff for me cause I am seldom home for dinner and that I eat really little (haha, what rubbish. I am being weight conscious. that doesnt mean i cant eat). So I told them I will definitely be back when they decide to cook to a Deutsches meal. Yum.. And being the hospitable them, they said they will cook Klopse for me on Friday during the German match against Argentina and some Schnit (er..) on Sunday! Marvellious! I am damn happy about that! Oh btw, the Schnit thing is full of fats. Youre basically eating pork with fats.
Anyhow, after much thinking and pondering, I decided to extend my weight allowance to 5kg. I am allowing myself to put on 5 kg before returning to Singapore. My rational being... If I dont eat free german food here, then when will my next chance of eating pure german food be? No one in Singapore will be able to cook german food for me. And the thing is- I really love german sausages and stuff like that! So yea. I had better make use of these last 17 days.
Not *too* long ago, I felt really bread-sick. So, I went to eat a piece of white bread and half a piece of my favourite Deutsches bread . Then, I went to the wine cellar and ate my kit kat Peanut butter Chunky. I finished the entire bar! I am feeling really full and guilty, and above all... feeling FAT now!
Peanut Butter Kit Kat was given to me (free of charge) in London. It is newly introduced in Europe and I suppose they were distributing it to the masses to create some sorta awareness. I loved it! Brilliant. Singaporeans, please try. Its damn nice.
I decided to heck about my weight as long as I am here. I dont think I can be truly happy if I were to be so concerned about my weight all the time. I guess as long as I LOSE them when Im back in Singapore, I will be okay with it. But one things for sure, 5kg is definitely not easy to lose. Oh well. The joys of eating come with a heavy price.
Thought about the 5kg thing before eating my Kit Kat today. After much consideration, I decided that I am willing to pay the price. You know, I dont get to travel to Germany all the time and live with a host family (and get free food) yah? Since I am here, I think I will just make full use of the opportunity.
Will be going to eat more fish tomorrow = more oil = more fat = more money = more weight. Haha! But well, I am going anyway. A lover of the Deutsches bread, I think I will really miss it if I dont try it. Lunch today was sehr gut! Two kinds of bread stuffed with mayo, onions, new and old Herring. There was so much cream that I will put on 1 kg cause of it.
My project for this immersion is about the Beer and the Bread in Germany! How cool is that?! I hope to be more familiar with the different kinds of beer and bread asap. It would be a pity if I dont learn their names! Realistically speaking, I dont think I will be able to master most of their names, but oh well. I just wanna learn a small minority of them. I dont even know any names right now.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Singapore:
Me: I wont be coming back for dinner tomorrow cause I will be back late.
My Host Family-Mum: You will be back late?
Me: Er ya. Cause I wanna get some shopping done.
Mum: Do you want the house keys?
Me: Oh no. Its okay. I will be back around 9 odd... When the shops are closed.
Mum: Okay, sure!
Given the Singaporean context..........
Me: I wont be coming back for dinner tomorrow cause I will be back late.
My real mum: What time? Where are you going? Who are you going with?
Me: Friends la. I dont know what time. Probably before 11 la. Anyway I also cant come back after 11 right.
Mum: You better come back before 11. Everyone is tired and the maid needs to sleep. We cant be waiting for you. We have to work the next day.
Me: Ya. (walks away with absolutely nothing to say)
Haha, but still, I love my real Singaporean family!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a damn long post, eh? (:
Im slowly but surely yielding to temptation after 4 long weeks of struggle. I dont know if I have resigned to fate, or perhaps I have utterly NO self discipline. I cringe at the thought of how fat I will be in 3 weeks' time (or 17 days to be exact) after eating and stuff like that. Despite such possible notions, I still welcome German food (and all other possible types of food) with wide open arms.
So much happened today.
First, I told my family that I wont be back for mein Abendessen (dinner) cause I intended to go shopping. Instead, I went to the strawberry farm to pick strawberries! They were yummilious! It was a brand new experience for me. I was plucking the berries and eating them simultaneously! I know many have already done such stuff before.. But I havent.. So I was really quite fascinated. Being gay, glee and happy is an understatement to describe how Im feeling now! Yea. You get my drift.
After that, I walked around the city with Liz and decided to take the late night bus home. (Their night rider starts around 8pm)! I expected the night rider to go by the same route (20 min) but in the end, it took another turn instead of the regular one. I took an hour to reach home! I felt quite bad cause I told my family I will be home by 9 odd. I only reached home close to 11!
That aside, I was actually quite scared when the bus took a different route (it passed through cemetries and campsites). So I rushed to the driver and asked him if it actually goes to my place (in English). But that old retard replied me in German! Absurdism! I didnt even understand a shit. So I tried, at full intellectual capacity, to speak to him in Deutsch. Mein Gott! It sounded totally horrendous and hilarious! But good.. And to my surprise.. He actually understood. He gave this really long, long, complicated reply.. And I caught only the 'ja' word (which means yes in german). I got quite irritated actually.
In order to clarify, I asked him again... 'Dieser Bus goes to Otto Hersing Weg. Ja oder Nein'. (this bus goes to Otto Hersing Weg. yes or no?) And he gave the same long reply. What the hell. I walked away and asked the passengers instead. Anyway, the bus did go to Otto Hersing Weg in the end. Thank God, thank God! Ive never felt so alone and lost in a foreign country before. But thank God everything went well and I am back home safely.
When I came back, I had every intention of going down to change, blog and sleep. I think I really need lotsa energy for school. The lessons are hell boring. It takes more energy to pay attention during lessons than think (I sometimes feel). Anyway, I thought since I didnt get much shopping done today, I will probably do it tomorrow. So, I went up, after changing, to tell the family that I will be back late and will not be having dinner tomorrow as well.
At the same time, I asked them for the recipe to cook Deutsches curry with Wurst (so that I will be able to cook for my fellow Singaporeans when I am back). The topic of food really interest them. The father, the mother and I ended up in this whole long discussion about typical german food.
Incidentally, I was learning about German food today in school. I absorbed almost nothing in the 4 hours. Yet, during the half hour talk with the family, I thought I learnt so much, so much more than what was being taught in school.
Okay. Back to the conversation. They started to introduce me to the different kinds of german food. They were saying that its really hard to cook german stuff for me cause I am seldom home for dinner and that I eat really little (haha, what rubbish. I am being weight conscious. that doesnt mean i cant eat). So I told them I will definitely be back when they decide to cook to a Deutsches meal. Yum.. And being the hospitable them, they said they will cook Klopse for me on Friday during the German match against Argentina and some Schnit (er..) on Sunday! Marvellious! I am damn happy about that! Oh btw, the Schnit thing is full of fats. Youre basically eating pork with fats.
Anyhow, after much thinking and pondering, I decided to extend my weight allowance to 5kg. I am allowing myself to put on 5 kg before returning to Singapore. My rational being... If I dont eat free german food here, then when will my next chance of eating pure german food be? No one in Singapore will be able to cook german food for me. And the thing is- I really love german sausages and stuff like that! So yea. I had better make use of these last 17 days.
Not *too* long ago, I felt really bread-sick. So, I went to eat a piece of white bread and half a piece of my favourite Deutsches bread . Then, I went to the wine cellar and ate my kit kat Peanut butter Chunky. I finished the entire bar! I am feeling really full and guilty, and above all... feeling FAT now!
Peanut Butter Kit Kat was given to me (free of charge) in London. It is newly introduced in Europe and I suppose they were distributing it to the masses to create some sorta awareness. I loved it! Brilliant. Singaporeans, please try. Its damn nice.
I decided to heck about my weight as long as I am here. I dont think I can be truly happy if I were to be so concerned about my weight all the time. I guess as long as I LOSE them when Im back in Singapore, I will be okay with it. But one things for sure, 5kg is definitely not easy to lose. Oh well. The joys of eating come with a heavy price.
Thought about the 5kg thing before eating my Kit Kat today. After much consideration, I decided that I am willing to pay the price. You know, I dont get to travel to Germany all the time and live with a host family (and get free food) yah? Since I am here, I think I will just make full use of the opportunity.
Will be going to eat more fish tomorrow = more oil = more fat = more money = more weight. Haha! But well, I am going anyway. A lover of the Deutsches bread, I think I will really miss it if I dont try it. Lunch today was sehr gut! Two kinds of bread stuffed with mayo, onions, new and old Herring. There was so much cream that I will put on 1 kg cause of it.
My project for this immersion is about the Beer and the Bread in Germany! How cool is that?! I hope to be more familiar with the different kinds of beer and bread asap. It would be a pity if I dont learn their names! Realistically speaking, I dont think I will be able to master most of their names, but oh well. I just wanna learn a small minority of them. I dont even know any names right now.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Singapore:
Me: I wont be coming back for dinner tomorrow cause I will be back late.
My Host Family-Mum: You will be back late?
Me: Er ya. Cause I wanna get some shopping done.
Mum: Do you want the house keys?
Me: Oh no. Its okay. I will be back around 9 odd... When the shops are closed.
Mum: Okay, sure!
Given the Singaporean context..........
Me: I wont be coming back for dinner tomorrow cause I will be back late.
My real mum: What time? Where are you going? Who are you going with?
Me: Friends la. I dont know what time. Probably before 11 la. Anyway I also cant come back after 11 right.
Mum: You better come back before 11. Everyone is tired and the maid needs to sleep. We cant be waiting for you. We have to work the next day.
Me: Ya. (walks away with absolutely nothing to say)
Haha, but still, I love my real Singaporean family!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a damn long post, eh? (:
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Münster:
Full and bloated, I made my way to the dinner table (willingly, as always) to two helpings of warm italian spaghetti. For once, I blocked out how much weight I will put on, and how much I have already eaten during the day. My stomachs really so much rounder now (as compared to the one I had 4 weeks ago), and I am so dead sure Ive already put on lotsa weight. I helped myself to another serving after the first because I really wanted some warm food on this cold, chilly day. Hmm. I must have put on another few hundred gramms cause of that.
The worst part is- I am actually quite tired even though I didnt do much during the day. Let me sidetrack. I walked around the stupid city this afternoon just to find answers to some historical questions. I wasnt even half interested in it! Yawn. There isnt any reason to explain my disinterest. I suppose I want and am expecting something more up and going, instead of walking around aimlessly looking for some spastic answers. Okay.
Anyway, I said I am tired. I wanna sleep. But I just finished eating. I will put on even more weight if I jump into bed right now, I tell ya. Sigghh! I think I will sleep in half an hour. Dont think Im giving my stomach sufficient time to disgest all the food, but ahh whatever goes... My eyes are closing.
I chose to return home early to watch the football match over Kaffee trinken (coffee drinking) with my friends today. I love my host family.. The parents are absolutely great, and the warmness that the family exudes is priceless. Moreover, I love watching football with people who take sides, people who are informative and stuff like that! (: I always look forward to going home after a long, mindless day at school. Today, I came home as early as 530 to join the football enthusiasts in watching the match.
Haha, I dont suppose I will ever do something like that in Singapore. Socialising over going home anytime haha!... Thats odd.
I dont fancy german lessons here! They are oh so boring. Oh gosh. Tomorrow, we'll have to decide on our project topic and stuff. I am quite thankful that at least I get to CHOOSE my partners. Glad to be with Liz (haha!) and this other guy.
Its gonna be another long day at school AGAIN. + 2 hours of German film about Bern thereafter. Eewl.
Things that keep me alive in this insane world of Deutsch lessons:
- Blogging at night to lament about dinner, lunch and how FAT I already am
- Being able to return home after each damn stupid day
- Bread with Herring tomorrow for lunch in the city
- Shopping with Liz, and if possible.. I hope more people come along!
- Socialising??????
- German food!
- Mass this sunday with a few friends!
Singapore:
I booked my ticket to Frankfurt on 14.6.06. Will be leaving Münster on Friday at 6 odd in the morning cause the train's leaving at 725. I took the cheapest alternative. So... My ride is 6 hours long and I have to transit about 4 times?!! Ahh heck lah. I would rather save the money so I can buy more stuff in the city! So far, my budgeting is going really well and I am "financially stable".
Glad to learn that things in Singapore are going well for the people there. Miss attending english masses though! I wonder if I will make it in time for choir on Saturday, but I highly doubt it. Haha! Yea. But by and large, oh well, hmm I miss the Singaporean flavourrrr.
I wonder what I will be having for dinner on Saturday. Maybe I will fast and have a scrumptious meal on Sunday. Yummy! Haha! I cant believe this is true.. But I have been dreaming so much about Singaporean food for at least 5 days in a row! Unglaublich!
It will be tuition, and more tuition when I return to Singapore. Poor students of mine! Anddd... Start on my car buying plans. Yahoo!
Then.. It'll be back to school. (Ah but thats a long time more, you see!)
Love all my Singaporean friends and family! Take care! Gute Nacht!
Full and bloated, I made my way to the dinner table (willingly, as always) to two helpings of warm italian spaghetti. For once, I blocked out how much weight I will put on, and how much I have already eaten during the day. My stomachs really so much rounder now (as compared to the one I had 4 weeks ago), and I am so dead sure Ive already put on lotsa weight. I helped myself to another serving after the first because I really wanted some warm food on this cold, chilly day. Hmm. I must have put on another few hundred gramms cause of that.
The worst part is- I am actually quite tired even though I didnt do much during the day. Let me sidetrack. I walked around the stupid city this afternoon just to find answers to some historical questions. I wasnt even half interested in it! Yawn. There isnt any reason to explain my disinterest. I suppose I want and am expecting something more up and going, instead of walking around aimlessly looking for some spastic answers. Okay.
Anyway, I said I am tired. I wanna sleep. But I just finished eating. I will put on even more weight if I jump into bed right now, I tell ya. Sigghh! I think I will sleep in half an hour. Dont think Im giving my stomach sufficient time to disgest all the food, but ahh whatever goes... My eyes are closing.
I chose to return home early to watch the football match over Kaffee trinken (coffee drinking) with my friends today. I love my host family.. The parents are absolutely great, and the warmness that the family exudes is priceless. Moreover, I love watching football with people who take sides, people who are informative and stuff like that! (: I always look forward to going home after a long, mindless day at school. Today, I came home as early as 530 to join the football enthusiasts in watching the match.
Haha, I dont suppose I will ever do something like that in Singapore. Socialising over going home anytime haha!... Thats odd.
I dont fancy german lessons here! They are oh so boring. Oh gosh. Tomorrow, we'll have to decide on our project topic and stuff. I am quite thankful that at least I get to CHOOSE my partners. Glad to be with Liz (haha!) and this other guy.
Its gonna be another long day at school AGAIN. + 2 hours of German film about Bern thereafter. Eewl.
Things that keep me alive in this insane world of Deutsch lessons:
- Blogging at night to lament about dinner, lunch and how FAT I already am
- Being able to return home after each damn stupid day
- Bread with Herring tomorrow for lunch in the city
- Shopping with Liz, and if possible.. I hope more people come along!
- Socialising??????
- German food!
- Mass this sunday with a few friends!
Singapore:
I booked my ticket to Frankfurt on 14.6.06. Will be leaving Münster on Friday at 6 odd in the morning cause the train's leaving at 725. I took the cheapest alternative. So... My ride is 6 hours long and I have to transit about 4 times?!! Ahh heck lah. I would rather save the money so I can buy more stuff in the city! So far, my budgeting is going really well and I am "financially stable".
Glad to learn that things in Singapore are going well for the people there. Miss attending english masses though! I wonder if I will make it in time for choir on Saturday, but I highly doubt it. Haha! Yea. But by and large, oh well, hmm I miss the Singaporean flavourrrr.
I wonder what I will be having for dinner on Saturday. Maybe I will fast and have a scrumptious meal on Sunday. Yummy! Haha! I cant believe this is true.. But I have been dreaming so much about Singaporean food for at least 5 days in a row! Unglaublich!
It will be tuition, and more tuition when I return to Singapore. Poor students of mine! Anddd... Start on my car buying plans. Yahoo!
Then.. It'll be back to school. (Ah but thats a long time more, you see!)
Love all my Singaporean friends and family! Take care! Gute Nacht!
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