A city built to be beautiful

I went to Bath last Sunday and it was absolutely beautiful. The weather was amazing, chilly but sunny and I really had a lovely time with a friend.

The whole city looks so similar but yet so different and old but beautiful! After all, it is a city that was – mainly – built to be beautiful. And it is, it really is.

You just can’t visit Bath without seeing the Roman Baths. These are seriously fascinating and very interesting, once you’re in there are free guided tours which help you getting even more information about this place.

To see the most parts of the city in a rather short time, you might try a free guided tour. This is pretty cool, all you have to is go to the right place at the right time and join. I did it and it was lovely.

Will go there again next weekend with a friend and maybe this time I’ll find a spare minute to go to the Jane Austen House :)

It's time to try defying gravity!

Yesterday, I spent a wonderful day in London which also included a musical and made me a very happy person. I love ‘Wicked’ so much and I finally had the chance to see it and it was absolutely amazing. The whole theatre was just stunning and pretty cool!

Rachel Tucker was pretty good and it was different from the Broadway version that I knew but it was great, I loved her voice a lot! My favourite performances were ‘Defying Gravity’ – what else?! – it’s just amazing and really catchy and the whole scene on stage seriously blows you away.

I adored ‘No good deed’ since it’s really powerful, even sad and simply wonderful! I always feel sorry for Elphie when listening to that song. She’s such a great character but hardly anyone seems to realize that… I don’t like that weird child Dorothy, she killed her and she only tried to be nice. Period.

I carried a watermelon.

I always loved Dirty Dancing. I hardly know any women who doesn't. I lost track of how many times I've already seen the movie that was published before I was even born. I remember being 6 or 7 years old and I found a video tape in my mum's drawer, saying 'Dirty Dancing' and I didn't have the slightest idea what that was about.

Took some time until I finally got around to see the movie and it was love at first sight. Don't ask me why, it just happened. I couldn't help it. I know every single line of that movie by heart and I still can't help but be happy every time I watch it. Bought the black DVD – I think that was the Collector's Edition – a few years ago and my sister hated me since we still shared a room back then...

I know got the 'Keepsake Edition'. It's the white one with the pink, glittery font on the front and I've never seen anything more beautiful. I mean, not just the font but the whole DVD. There's the movie of course, outtakes – which are far too short!!! - music videos, interviews, tributes and so on.

What I really enjoyed was the section with Deleted, Alternate and Extended Scenes. I was surprised there are quite a lot and some of them are really lovely and I don't think they should've been deleted at all, but well... I loved seeing all this stuff about Mountain Lake Resort where the main part of the movie was filmed and I can't believe that most of the things still look the same way they did in 1987! I really feel like going there, that would be fab. And for those of you who actually saw the movie, you know how nice it it! (Well, I think it is...)

I tried to think of a reason why this movie fascinates me – and many other people around the world – so much. I can't think of any movie that's still so popular even 23 years after the premiere!

Though I don't know how to dance, I always loved dancing and as soon as I'll be back in Germany, I decided that I'll finally start taking dance lessons. It's been far too long now and I wanted to get a new hobby anyways... Sometimes I kinda envied Baby. I confess I'm one of the people who would've loved going to the 'Catskills' and have such a great summer... And to say it with the words of one of the producers, many people probably love the movie so much because they never had such a summer and probably never will. There may be something true about it.

I love Jennifer Grey. She's so gorgeous, even at the age of 50. She's lovely and she looks great and seeing her on 'Dancing with the Stars' made me love her even more. I'm so happy she won, she was perfect and so was Derek Hough (Of course!!!!) They were so cute together – let's just ignore that fact that he could be her son, age-wise – and I loved every moment of watching her dancing so beautifully. Their waltz was absolutely stunning, though I loved all her dances.

That needed to be said and I'm still in awe of the whole thing. The dvd is great and I love all those background information. That's why I'm now going to watch the dvd. Surprise, Surprise!

New Year's Resolutions

I was surprised that no one asked me that question yet although people seem to love asking that. Well, it was this way when I think of the past years, maybe that has changed too! But I don't care.

I just thought about that and will let you know, if you want that or not!!!

I decided not to go with the usual ones that no one will keep through the year. Maybe it's more of a wishlist at some point but that's fine, I guess!

My New Years Resolutions for 2011

1. Finishing my teacher training:
   - Let's start with the serious things. Finishing my training successfully is a reasonable and much appreciated thing. I didn't spent the last 3 years doing all these things to fail in the end. I don't expect that to happen, but you can never know.
   
2. Enroll University or go to the USA as Au Pair:
   - Will apply at the University again and hope I'll be able to get in and start studying Medicine at the end of the year. If that won't happen, I'll try to be able to go to the USA in Autumn. I might even do that no matter what the Universities say since I might never get the chance to do that again.
   
3. Start taking dance lessons:
   - I always wanted to do that but I never had the money to pay for that and I always thought it sucked to go there on my own. But this time, I decided not to care. As soon as I'm back home, I'll sign up for dance lessons. Ballroom dance is perfect for the beginning.
   
4. Refresh my french knowledge:
   - I can't even remember the last time I spoke french properly and I hate not keeping up with that. I really wanna start catching up and improve my french a lot this year.
   
5. Take Italian classes:
   - Speaking of languages, I love Italian and I think it'd be nice to get at least some basic knowledge this year and that does not include insults or swearwords :)

I think that's enough for now and could keep me busy for a while!!!

10 places I'd love to travel to

I love travelling and if it wasn't for the money or the time I'd certainly travel a lot more. Some of the places I want to visit are places where I've already been and can't wait to go back to. Some places are full of childhood memories and some make me want to go there for a couple of different reasons and although these are quite far away, I plan to go there one day!

1. Disneyland Paris:
   - Let's start with the closer places. I've been there a couple of times when I was a little girl and the last time I've been there is about 13 years ago I guess. I always loved Disney and this place is really special to me. It has so many lovely childhood memories and there are some things you never get too old for. Disneyland is one of them. The atmosphere there is indescribable. All these colourful things and the music. I think I'll start crying the first time I'll walk along Main Street and hear the typical Magic Kingdom music. Hopefully I'll be able to go there this year!
2. Rome:
   - I know, I've been there a few times already but it's so lovely and there's so much left to see that I will have to go back there. No matter what. There are many reasons to go back. It's totally lovely for a few days and to meet wonderful people just like I did the first time I went to Rome in 2009. And there will always be something special about this city. When I first went there, it was Fiction Fest and I saw the one and only Lisa Edelstein <3
3. New York:
   - Just like almost every person I know, I really wanna go to New York one day. It's just one of those places you really have to see. This city appears in countless movies which makes you think you probably know the whole city by now but I guess walking through the streets of NYC gives it total different meaning. With a bit of luck I'll be in NYC for at least 3 days at some point later this year!
4. Mountain Lake Hotel in Virginia:
   - Yes, it's THAT hotel. The place where my favourite movie Dirty Dancing was shot and for those of you who saw the movie know what it looks like over there. Seems like a lovely place to spend a while and the best thing ever is: They offer Dirty Dancing Weekends. How cool is that?! I so have to go there, sounds totally epic!!!
5. Las Vegas:
   - Another place that you have to see!!! The first thing that comes to my mind when thinking of Vegas is of course Celine Dion. After seeing her live in Paris in 2008, I can't wait to see her performing live again. To make that happen, I think I really have to go to Vegas at some point. The 'A New Day' show was absolutely adorable – I didn't expect anything else!!!! - and actually that's enough of a reason to go there xD I totally loved the Ocean series taking place in Vegas... really cool! And being in one of these Casinos and giving it a try would be awesome. I think every one secretly hopes to win a fortune out of nothing...
6. Los Angeles:
   - Another city I seriously want to visit! I mean, it's Hollywood!!!! Come one, every one going there hopes to see a Star while walking across the street... I'd be one of them. I mean, why not? And there seem to be a few lovely places to have a look at!
7. San Francisco:
   - Quite a few years back, I used to love the tv show Charmed a lot. I always thought that I wanna go there. See the Golden Gate Bridge and just enjoy the city's atmosphere and simply see such a well-known place. I mean, don't you enjoy seeing movies or reading books, thinking that you've actually been there? Same thing works vice versa. I love Marc Levy and most of his books and quite a few take place in San Francisco. Just like to other books of one of my favourite authors David Hewson. Could be fun to finally see all the places being mentioned and realize how they actually look like :)
8. Grand Canyon:
   - I hate being a typical tourist and I'm trying to avoid looking like a typical tourist whenever I go somewhere and I will try to do the same, should I ever be able to have a look at the fascinating Grand Canyon.
9. Galapagos Islands:
   - I seen so many documentations on tv about the islands and they look absolutely adorable. Come on, who wouldn't love those pretty beaches and the perfect ocean!!! But one of the reasons I'd love to go are the Galapagos Tortoise. I love tortoises with all my heart. In contrast to many other things, I don't think these animals are boring! I love them and think they're totally fascinating!!!
10. Hawaii:
    - Sounds like another amazing place to be. Not much to say about that! There are Sea Turtles!!! Sooooooooo wonderful, I'd love to see these as well. If I didn't want to study Medicine... I'd go somewhere and save these wonderful animals from being killed for stupid reasons!!!!

Welcome to England. Again.

I'm back in England since Wednesday and the flight and all that stuff was suprisingly easy – compared to the disaster about two weeks ago.

I actually was quite sad to be leaving again, but I don't think I really had a choice! Well, there are only 7 weeks left and the last four months passed by incredibly fast! I'm just afraid that the last bit will appear to be terribly long, you know what I mean?

Anyways, I think my last day at work is the 18th of February but my flight home is at the 28th of February so... I thought I might as well leave earlier. I have to go on working at March 1st so I'd have a bit time to calm down and get settled. I asked the guys at the airport and rebooking would cost about £80!!! I only paid 130€ when I booked the whole thing last summer!!! That's insane! But I think I may do it anyways... I'll try to see a few things in and around Oxford at the weekends so I'll get through with that now :)

It's not that I don't enjoy being here but now that I've been home... the first few days here were a bit hard and I felt like going back immediately but it's getting better. And still I wouldn't like going back at the end of February now that I considered leaving earlier. It's just that after such a long time I really wanna be home with my family and friends and everything familiar.

Oxford is absolutely lovely and nice and I enjoy my time here, but I can't help thinking that it gets a little boring after a while. Wish me luck for tomorrow with the rebooking!

Return to Terminal 5

My flight was cancelled the following morning, what a surprise and the hotel agreed to let my stay another night without any problems.

I got yet another rebooking for the upcoming night. Same time, just a day later. I was supposed to leave the hotel the next day at 12.00am and that was fine.

The next morning came and my flight was cancelled once again. I was getting really sick of all of this and much to my pleasure, the rebooking didn’t work anymore. The website of British Airways kept crashing regularly ever since Saturday and I was told to call my travel agent.

Turned out they couldn’t access my flight details either because BA blocked them! I couldn’t rebook and my hotel kicked me out because BA didn’t confirm my cancellation. I was told to call the hotline to get another voucher. Calling the hotline was useless cause they effused the call right from the start, let alone the fact that they charged you for the call!

I had no choice but to leave the hotel, I didn’t have the money to pay for the hotel myself, and spent the say with all my damn luggage in rainy London. Couldn’t take it anymore and went back to the airport in the afternoon because I was running out of options.

I was totally shattered by the time I was back in Terminal 5. Sleeping on the cold stone floor made me ill again and I was suffering from a bad cold at that time!!! Finally, I found someone to help me. I got a rebooking for Wednesday but the closest to Dusseldorf I got was Brussels… I had no chance but accepting this.

After that, I went back to the cold stone floor, trying to rest at least a little bit…

The Misery of Terminal 5

The night was noisy, uncomfortable, cold and restless. I got up around 5am with a severe lack of sleep. While grabbing a coffee, it was announced that all flights for this day have been cancelled either.

The rebooking didn’t work as well as the hotline since no one ever picked up the phone. The hours passed by and I spent my time waiting on a cold stone floor, for anything to change. The BA-Staff wasn’t quite helpful.

I still didn’t get a rebooking around afternoon which was when British Airways threw us out. Everyone without a conformed rebooking had to leave the Terminal immediately. I didn’t have a rebooking but going back to Oxford wasn’t an option since they really had lots of snow the previous night and getting back there was impossible.

After being kicked out of Terminal 5, I waited in the Arrival Hall. Once I managed to get a rebooking, I went back but they wanted to make me go back to Oxford refusing to pay for a hotel room. I spent some time wandering around and found out that the train station had been closed. Back in Terminal 5, I was really tired and finally got a hotel room in Central London.

At least I was able to get some sleep for the next night…Nothing had changed so far, it didn’t snow since Saturday morning…

How the Snow stole Christmas

I planned to surprise my family with coming home on Dec. 18^th instead of the 22^nd and everything was perfect.

Until it started snowing. Wasn’t such a bad thing but the human failure coming along with that was.

Before leaving Oxford on Dec. 18^th early in the morning, it started snowing so I checked my flight. Despite the fact that there were some cancellations, my flight was still scheduled to leave right on time. While I was on my way to the airport, I found out that all flight for the day have been cancelled.

It had stopped snowing by the time I got to the airport. I didn’t snow for more then an hour and there were about 3cm of snow and everything broke down entirely. At the beginning I had no idea what to do and waited. As soon as I found out how to rebook my flight – of course British Airways didn’t do that – I tried to relax and waited.

I was told there may be flight leaving late in the evening and we had to wait. The hours passed by and the cold stone floor became more uncomfortable with every passing minute. The time passed by terribly slow and nothing changed.

I went to the bus station, tried to catch a bus but there weren’t any going close to my home in Oxford and I refused to go there since I wanted to go back home!

There was no time for Christmas spirit or any kind of festive feelings during all these troubles.

I spent my first night at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5 and the misery was about to start…

I know we all love them and what would Christmas be without some lovely movies?

Some hate them and some simply love them. It’s the same old story every year – and the same old movies every year. Although people like complaining about all the movies and well-known re-runs each year, because it gets boring, we still watch them.

And isn’t that why we love the same old movies when it comes to Christmas?

I can’t make up my mind. Sometimes it bores me but in case there will be new movies at some point, I miss the old ones.

I mean, as sad as the movie is, I cannot imagine a great Christmas time without ‘Jack Frost’ or ‘Christmas Vacation’. Well, the last movie is kinda crazy but pretty funny and I can’t help but watch it every time it airs around Christmas time. I love all those hundreds of lights around the house and I love the way the family behaves with all their relatives. Reminds me of the way I’d love to behave sometimes…

This, and the thought of some of my relatives, remind me of ‘Nightmare before Christmas’. The movie is great, it’s just the title that makes me think of some of my family members. Don’t blame me, they’re not my fault! I hate being stuck in a room with them and pretend to like them although we hardly speak through the rest of the year (not that I mind that)…

Oh, and I love ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’. I’m not an ungrateful person, but I sometimes get presents that make me wanna go all Sue-Sylvester-Grinch on other people, because their presents are so much nicer. No kidding, but the thought of that… Admit it, you felt them same when your Granny gave you something you wouldn’t even think of just because anyone else liked it and she didn’t listen to you wishes at all!!!

‘Home Alone’ was always funny when I was a little girl. Still kinda makes me laugh sometimes, but it lost something of its fun after the 20^th time…

I do like some of the newer Christmas movies. ‘The Holiday’ for example. All I have to say is Kate Winslet, right? That’s enough reasons to love it. But really, the movie is quite sweet and the soundtrack is adorable! And ‘Love Actually’ is another very, very good one!

But last but not least, there’s no Christmas morning for me and my sister without all these Mickey Mouse Christmas Cartoons while mum gets everything ready for Santa xD I just love being snuggled up in bed with hot chocolate and Disney Christmas Classics, nothing better then that!!! I really miss my childhood at some point so I need to keep it alive with all these wonderful things.

I personally miss all the exciting feelings when it comes to Christmas, was a lot more exciting when I was a kid! No I’m just busy with buying presents, wasting my time on what I’ll wear… bla bla bla! Isn’t that sad?

Mhm, and I’ve never seen ‘A Christmas Carol’, what a shame! And I always wanted to watch it. I mean, did anyone say Kate Winslet and singing?! I really need to watch it!!!

Which one’s your favourite?

The Smell of Christmas

Da ich heute, wie jeden Sonntag, ein wenig langeweile hatte (jedenfalls Vormittags) habe ich beschlossen mit einer Freundin - ich weiß ja nicht ob ich den Namen hier sagen darf :) - Kokosmakronen gebacken, nachdem meine Mum mich auf die Idee gebracht hat.

Na ja, was einfaches gibt's eigentlich auch nicht. Ich hab die schon ewig nicht mehr gemacht und ich denke wir haben uns gar nicht so blöd angestellt, abgesehen vom Eier trennen, aber man kann ja schließlich nicht alles können!

Heute ist ja schließlich schon der 3. Advent - wo ist die Zeit hin?!?! - und da dachte ich mir, muss ein bisschen was weihnachtliches her. Zusammen mit einem guten Film, in dem Fall 'Beaches'. Ich mein, Bette Midler muss man doch einfach toll finden und Ben & Jerry's waren auch noch zu Besuch... besser geht's doch gar nicht.


Ach und wieder einmal habe ich festgestellt das Rührei in der Mikrowelle zubereiten eine saubere und zeitsparendere und gesündere Methode ist als die Pfanne. Muss man halt auch mal getestet haben!!!!

~

Since I used to be bored on Sundays, I decided to do something this time. And it's the 3rd advent which brings us even closer to Christmas and my trip back home. While talking to my mum, she was making macaroons which made me wanna do the same since it's not that difficult!

So, I invited a friend over and I've to say the macaroons aren't that bad at all. I didn't make these in ages! We once again tried the microwave for scrambled eggs which is a quick, tidy and healthy alternative to the frying pan, watched 'Beaches' and had some awesome Ben & Jerry's ice cream!

And I'm slowly getting ready to go home <3

Sind wir mal deutsch heute...

Nach langer Zeit habe ich mir überlegt endlich mal wieder was auf deutsch zu schreiben. Ich hab ja jetzt Zeit, irgendwie ist meine Erkältung immer noch nicht weg und mein Doc meinte ich soll paar Tage frei nehmen, wenn ich kann. Ja, KANN ICH :)

Jetzt steht eine Woche lang nix tun auf dem Programm! Muss halt auch mal sein...

Frühstücken im Bett ist schon ganz angenehm, wenn alle anderen währenddessen genervt arbeiten sind (was man deren Facebook-Einträgen entnehmen kann... nicht, dass wir das während der Arbeit posten... lol)

Ich glaube England befindet sich in einer Art Ausnahmezustand. Alle beschweren sich ständig über das dämliche Wetter in England, aber ich muss sagen, dass es bis jetzt sehr schön war. Allerdings ist es mittlerweile kalt geworden. Es hat tatsächlich ein bisschen geschneit, am nächsten Tag sah zwar alles nach wunderschönem Frühlingswetter aus, aber man kann ja nicht alles haben. Jedenfalls höre ich die Engländer ständig über die Kälte meckern und der Winter hat gerade erst angefangen!!!! Und wir haben nur -3°C! Das kann ja lustig werden...

Auf der Arbeit ist immer noch alles beim Alten und die nächsten drei Monate kriege ich auch noch rum...

Bald geht’s Richtung Heimat! Das heißt, PACKEN!!! Und eigentlich finde ich Packen blöd, aber ich nehm schonmal wieder ein paar Sachen mit nach Hause. Ich würde jetzt lügen, wenn ich behaupte Frau war nicht shoppen... hahha

Achso, nur mal so. Hier gibt’s Aldi. Hier gibt’s super Sachen und auch das Essen ist ganz gut – gar nicht so schlimm, wie man immer wieder hört – aber ich habe mich noch nie in meinem Leben so über Aldi gefreut :)

Weihnachtssaison ist auch offiziell eröffnet. Letzte Woche wurden hier ganz feierlich die Weihnachtslichter angeschaltet, das Ganze hat ein bisschen an St. Martin erinnert, nur das hier keiner gesungen hat. Aber so wie ich das in Erinnerung habe hat das bei mir im Kindergarten auch nie jemand...

Einen Nikolaus gibts hier übrigens nicht, dafür habe ich ein tolles Päckchen von meiner Family bekommen <3

Teatime goes USA?!

Since Middle School I always wanted to go to the USA for a year but it never seemed quite possible at that time. During those last month I started thinking about it again and due to the fact that I won’t have time for that after I started studying, I might do it now. Or never and I’d love to be able to experience that and everything that comes along with.

Since I’m still in Oxford, I don’t know if there’s much I can do. At the moment, I haven’t been home for almost three months. I haven’t been as homesick as I thought I would be but I’m still happy to go home for Christmas.

I don’t know if I’ll be able to start studying next year so this might be my chance. The thought of that is exciting I’d lie saying it doesn’t scare me at the same time. But I guess that’s normal, so why not go for it. I’m not even home from my 6-month and I’m already talking about leaving for 12 month again, my mum is gonna love me. I signed up with an organisation and submitted my quick application, giving them my landline no. When I received their email, it said that they’ll contact me within the upcoming days.

LMAO! I’m not hooooooooooooooome! Fail for that xD I better talk to my mum and tell her before she gets the call and tell her to pass them my Oxford No.

I definitely like the thought of doing that and just like I said, it’s now or never. 

Getting ready for Christmas

Since the Christmas lights were officially switched on last week - or was it 2 weeks ago?! - I've been to London to enjoy a bit of festive and chaotic Christmas atmosphere and shopping of course. I have to admit that the lights and all that stuff are really beautiful!!!

Apple and how October started hating me

I used to like apples.

And I admit that I was slightly drawn to a couple of nice-looking, overpriced products by a company carrying the same name.

Off I went to the little palace of nice things in London to buy one of their so-loved phones and get away from being tied to a certain service provider (To make it short, the phones are simlock-free).

With thinking about it now, I must be crazy to have spent half of my monthly salary on a phone, but I felt like treating myself.

When I arrived at the ever busy shop in the early evening, the first thing the man in blue asked me was whether I made a reservation.

Excuse me? Say that again!

To be honest, this was exactly what I wanted to do but my little search ended with the result that there's no need for a reservation any longer. The store website didn't seem helpful though it seemed simple on their own laptops in the store.

Anyways, I was told I wouldn't get an iphone without the reservation because there's only a limited number of iphones available each day and they were all gone for the day.

Sounds quite logical but I didn't go all the way from Oxford to London to be told that I'll have to make a reservation and come back the next day.

After getting a little bitchy and not letting go the guy got kinda nervous and went off to check if there's anything left.

Much to my surprise he came back with an iphone, happily announcing that he found one.

Ehm, seriously?! Five minutes earlier he told me that there were nothing left for the day, but I decided not to push my luck and kept that to myself.

Being told that the only way to pay was by credit card seemed to be true for once. If it works. No problem for me, since I got one.

Everything seemed perfect and I even signed the receipt until their system refused to complete the transaction. No one knew why, what a surprise!

We decided to give it another try but it didn't work either. I didn't like it but I was told that no one would take any money out of my account because the transaction was declined.

Due to the fact that I was eager to take that thing home, I offered to try my usual bank card, which, after entering my PIN, refused to work either.

Man in blue got kinda nervous and I offered to pay in cash which suddenly seemed alright.

Easier said then done since the cash for the phone exceeded my daily cash limit, but I still had some with me so that was fine.

I finally got my phone, was re-assured that no one will take my money and spent the rest of my time happily in London.

Despite the fact that my glasses broke that night for no obvious reason and I'm as blind as a mole without them!!!

Monday came and much to my pleasure, I noticed that there's money missing from my account... Something told me I should've know it!

Turn out they charged my account as well so I went to London again – wanted to go anyways, but I decided not to share that with them – and explained what happened. I was told that it should take a few days and everything will be back to normal.

A week and a half passed and nothing happened. I called the customer service since I didn't feel spending £16 on a bus ticket again just because they made a mistake.

Customer Service couldn't help – would've been way too nice!!! - and the only good thing about that was the music when they put me on hold.

So I dragged my ass back to London, seriously pissed this time and none of the guys in blue liked that! I wonder why, that shop was crowded and I freaked out a little, but loud enough for anyone to hear since we discussed that right next to the cash till area.

After all, guy in blue (in case you don't know, the staff member there wear blue shirts) and me read through everything again and finally found the mistakes that made it look so confusing though it didn't bring my money back.

Guy in blue called financial department and said there's no money on their accounts, but not on mine either.

So, where was my money?

To calm me down, I got a nice apple green (that, I call irony!) protection frame and film for the screen to keep my little sweetheart phone (doesn't have a name yet! - maybe I should call it Gonzo...) and made my way back to Oxford.

Or Oxford Street for that matter to calm my spirits. I didn't have cash, but I still had my credit card, right?

You bet! Turns out it didn't work any longer and I already had an idea why...

Next morning I decided to call my bank and ask what the hell happened to my money and my credit card.

Turns out they kept my money on hold for security reasons and the reason why my credit card kept being declined was that Apple indeed charged my cc as well which exceeded my monthly limit...

Took me 5 minutes to have that sorted out and my money was back in my account within the following hour and everything was fine!

And what can I tell you about …. Gonzo (really?!?)? Absolutely adorable though the battery keeps decreasing quickly and it likes freezing, but you can't always get what you want, right?

And by the way, I think I read something that had the term 'Iphone 5' in the title on facebook.

Calm down people?! Just got the new one! I wonder whether that phone includes 'Beaming for Beginners'...

P.S.: My sister just asked me to buy her an iphone too! Dunno what to think about that... Not in the mood for that crap again... ^^

Welcome to Reality

When I finished school in May, I had some certain plans for my future.

I'll finish my training year and take my final exam next year to be through with that and go on with studying medicine.

I checked the deadlines and was proud for not missing them and started the application process. Couldn't be that difficult, could it?

Think again!

I found myself confronted with something that completely overwhelmed me at first. All I ever thought of were some basic details, your wishlist of universities along with a copy of my final report.

I wish!

I obediently filled out all those forms, along with information that I never considered being important though who am I to complain?

`

I reached the section with the special motions and I scarcely ignored that part cause I didn't seem to pitiful for that. Without having a clue, I submitted all that stuff, constantly ignoring that freaking voice inside my head, asking how I might get through medical studies without being able to complete such a stupid form.

I admit, I set my hopes too high. While everyone told me that some universities accepted all their students during the previous years and continue doing so, these were the first ones to turn me down.

Cheers for that!

The first letter seemed quite understandable and I was still fairly positive because four more universities still kept me on their waiting list- One of these glorious institutions even sent me a link, asking to complete another form.

The day came and I cheerfully started completing the thing I was sent. They wanted to know why I wanna be a doctor, where I'd love to work, what I imagine for my future... you name it!

So far so good, I chose my answers as wisely as possible though I was pissed they didn't let me explain my answers and I was keen to make my point clear, no matter what!

They granted me 2 hours to finish it and I remember taking my time with the very last question, feeling somewhat trapped

It said: 'Think of yourself in 25 years. What'll you have reached until then?'

There were those typical choices of what a doctor might become throughout a possible career.

It seemed unfair to me.

What do I choose?

'I'll be happy with whatever I'll be at that time'? Not quite. It could either mean that I don't really care about what I'm doing or that I'm too lazy to work harder to rise and shine as goddess in white. I like that imagination, but let's have a look at the next option.

I think it said something close to 'I'll run my own practice'.

Mhm, sounds quite appealing but as long as I won't end up in a 'Private Practice' somewhere on Ocean Drive where everyone acts as he/she pleases, walks in and out as they please and perform surgeries they're not entitled to, why not?

I'd be happy to start studying, watching fictional characters making it sound so easy while being so overqualified that they must be at least ten years older, but everything is possible, right?

Anyways, to get back to the point, this didn't seem an option because I felt the need to be realistic at once and taking care of old people's colds (Sorry guys!!!) all day wasn't what I had in mind for my future.

So what?

All I was left with seemed a little ambiguous and considering the fact I wasn't given the privilege to justify myself, it didn't leave me that happy.

Being given the choice that basically said 'I'll run your fucking hospital in 25 years' made me think.

I mean, why not? It might say that I'm ambitious and will work hard on whatever crosses my way and that I have an aim I'm trying to achieve. And if that won't work, I'll be happy with the fact that I tried. Of course I didn't have the chance to add the latter.

On the other hand it might say that I'm so convinced of myself that I'll rule the whole thing in no time and be better then anyone else. To make it short, it might make me sound arrogant.

Thinking of some people I already talked to at that point, I was sure they'd think of the second option. Why shouldn't they with being given the right to deny a stranger's future education based on a single answers or words written on a paper.

That actually reminds me of a thing we used to call Basic Law that says it's forbidden to deny education, but unfortunately that excludes universities...

So the second letter arrived and at first glance I had no idea what was going on.

I'll give you one term: Waiting Time! (Makes two words, but never mind...)

I've heard of it before but I never really had a clue what it really way about. That letter said that my Waiting Time is now 0 of 12, so far so good, of 293746374674... what do know.... and then it something with a few more numbers and I was totally confused.

Did I already have waiting time on my account or not? I couldn't tell!

I decided to ask Lord Google for some advice and ended up with a website that was supposed to help others with exactly these questions – that's what their user info said – so I explained my situation in a nutshell.

Two hours later I received an answer from an arrogant, stuck-up twit telling me how stupid I am for not knowing this and that I should've studied more... bla bla bla!

For a second he made me go all psycho and I asked myself just one thing: WHY?!

First of all, I don't think he even got what I was asking for because I didn't ask him to harp on my personal life, so why didn't he just answer my question or kept his mouth shut.

I guess that's because he felt like pointing out that he already got into university, obviously thinking he rules the fucking world from there.

I wish I didn't have to say it, but somehow that shouldn't have surprised me. Most people I asked for help were downright patronizing and disrespectful, telling me how much I failed for not getting in straight away, asking for help.

Excuse me, but who the hell gave you the right to talk to a stranger like this? I think some people need a serious slap around the head...

The problem is – and I wish I didn't have to say this, because there are only a few doctors I'm totally in awe of – that most of them like to forget where they started or what they were before becoming a doctor.

No one wants to know that there were times in which they'd been one of many stupid students. They think they know everything but at the end of the day they'll fail just like anyone else.

To get back to me previous question, I now know that the Waiting Time starts as soon as you finish school.

Is it so hard to include this little piece of information in a single sentence?

The last letter arrived recently, telling me that all other universities – including the one with the nice form – turned me down.

Now, do I start again next year or just wait? I better not ask before someone will bite my head off, you suckers!!!

This is so fucking unfair, seriously.

I worked my ass off during the last 5 years, getting my diploma in Social – and Health Science which included a 12-month internship in a hospital where I did a nurse's job without getting paid AT ALL, not that anyone cared! I spent three years on my educational/teaching training, dealing with other people's spoiled brats and am currently spending my precious time in England and I was told that things like these matter when applying at universities but I didn't even get the chance to mention any of this!

Maybe I should've included a letter, saying:' Excuse me, but I'm certainly way more qualified then 50 % of the scum wasting their time at university, taking away my space without any idea what to do with their lives. Doesn't that matter at all?'

Next time, I mean it.

Despite that, I still didn't get the whole thing of receiving special rights. I do have a disability card, not that I run around, telling people that, but with thinking about that twice, I probably should have. Let's just call it 'illness' to make it short. It's a good thing you can't see it but that doesn't make it easier or gone.

Maybe I'm not disabled enough because you can't see it? Stupid, I know. But for some people, it's the truth. I know someone with a disability affecting the legs – don't get me wrong, I'm not saying this isn't bad and I actually like her, but it's not fair! Anyways, this person got into university, about to start studying something rated similar to medicine.

I'm happy for her, somehow.

What bothers me is the fact that she acts like being the brightest person at all, but she isn't. In fact, I know her final exams were worse then mine, but still she got in.

Wanna know why?

Cause she got a disability card. That's the only reason.

If she'd be mentally affected or had difficulties learning, I'd be the last person complaining but I know she's not that stupid, she was just lazy knowing she'd get in no matter what.

If you ask me, it's not the way it should be, disabled or not. Period.

The whole thing of taking your grades to decide whether you're good enough or not doesn't make sense.

At least 90% of all the things I learned for my abitur won't be of any use, should I ever start studying medicine.

Does it really matter of I got an A in PE? If you wanna be a PE-Teacher, yes. Medicine? Not at all. What kind of reasoning is that?

Excuse me, you got an F in Geography, you're not allowed to study medicine...

Thinking of all doctors I know, a whole lot of them are plainly stupid which makes me wanna ask who they banged to get in...

To be honest, it makes me sad. All I want is being a doctor. I'm glad that I had the chance of meeting a few who showed me how wonderful it can be without being less human. I want to be a doctor because it fascinates me. I love being with people and I love taking care of them. This is all I want and I know I'll be more then passionate about it. Some may ask why I didn't try harder in the first place if this is all I want. Believe me, I did. Though some things aren't as easy as they seem and we can't choose where and who we grow up with.

It's not always what it seems...

Nearly 7 weeks passed since I moved to Oxford and I slowly start to settle in but not everything is as wonderful as it seems.

I got used to my work and the journey to get there every morning, the differences between my work at home and the work in England.

I know some nice places where I like to go and I'm not worried anymore for getting on the wrong bus or walking home the wrong way, e.g

I own a nice library membership card (it has the Sheldonian Theatre on the front!!!!) and I also own a Costa Coffee Club Card. I know the last thing is quite random, I just felt like saying it.

The city is still quite nice and there are still a few things left for me to discover but I still have some time left here, right?

Anyways, it's not as wonderful as it all seems to be. I already said that. The thing is that I'm not hanging around at University (and just the record & the 1000^th time, I'm NOT a student at the University of Oxford!!!!) with a bunch of people approx. my age to hang out with in the evening and get to know the city and that stuff. I'm working with people who have their own family and friends.

I'm a stranger in this city and I hardly know anyone. I was stupid, I admit I didn't even think of that before I moved here. It may sound so easy to get to know people, but it isn't. And going out alone makes me feel pathetic and lonelier. I mean, think of yourself in your hometown. How many times do you go out alone? Or walk into a cafe and sit down at a stranger's table to talk? I'm sure you don't, not on your own.

Some things are simply not as nice as they seem to be...

Ein Besuch bei meinen Nachbarn in London

Letzte Woche habe ich mich spontan auf den Weg nach London gemacht, da es ja praktisch direkt um die Ecke ist! Ich kann ganz bequem mit einem echt coolen Bus - freies Internet und Frühstück!!! - zu anständigen Preise, und wenn ich will auch die ganze Nacht, nach London und zurück fahren!!!

~

Last week I spontaneously decided to visit my neighbors in London because it's quite easy for me to get there. Taking a great bus that offers free wifi & breakfast and the chance to get back home all night were just too tempting to stay in Oxford...

I'm certainly not amused.

Well, I never liked spiders and I don't see there's any way it'll ever change but I've never really been a chicken when it came to this either.

That was, until I went to England. Everywhere I look, there are spiders. And not just these small ones that sometimes sneak into your room. There was a tiny one I let alive in my room at home for almost a week, but this is getting too much. Seriously.
That disgusting things all look alike, no matter where I go and I just can't stand it any longer. And the thing is, there aren't just tiny spiders sneaking into your room. I just got up to get me some clothes and suddenly a huge spider appeared next to my feet. I'm honest here, it was huge and I have no idea where that came from. It just left me shocked but I managed to kill it - even though that further disgusted me - before it had a chance to hide under my bed.

Now I'm all shook up. My room is really small and I think I've checked everything and I guess the only way it came in was through a small space between my door and the ground - so I put a towel there to block it of course - but I actually wanted to go to sleep but I don't see this happening now. I'm too scared.

I know it may be silly but I have no idea how I ended up being close to tears each time I see a spider! It's frustrating and disgusting and I wish I could hide in my very own bed now. In Germany where I know all the places where these damn things could hide...

Auf den Spuren von Alice bis ins Wunderland... On the traces of Alice!

Da in Oxford dieses Wochenende sowas wie Tag der offenen Tür ist habe ich mir einige schöne Dinge angeguckt (der Rest kommt morgen) und dabei einige interessante Dinge entdeckt.

Hinter der Christ Church Cathedral befindet sich ein riesiger, wunderschöner Park, der sich Christ Church Meadow nennt.

In diesem Park sind vor einiger Zeit die Geschichten von Alice und dem Wunderland entstanden. Im Jahre 1851 hat ein gewisser Charles Dodgson angefangen der Tochter des Dekans, deren Name Alice war, angefangen Geschichten zu erzählen. Unter dem Namen Lewis Carroll wurden die Geschichten später veröffentlicht.

~

Do to the fact that it's Open Doors in Oxford, I visited some nice places - more will come tomorrow - I went to the Christ Church Meadow where the stories of Alice and the wonderland originated. In 1851, Charles Dodgon started telling stories to the Dean's daughter named Alice. And a few years later, Lewis Carroll published the stories of Alice in Wonderland

Und morgen gehe ich nach Hogwarts... :) And tomorrow I'll go to Hogwarts!