52 DAYS: Aimless Adventures, Whatever That Is

Being map blind (I don't know if that's even a word), I must say that it's hard to live without Google Maps on your iPhone. Since my phone won't work here (there's no point in having 4GS when you can't use it!!), I seriously suffer - that is being constantly afraid of getting lost. No kidding. 

Well, it's because the map is kinda complicated and the places here kinda sound the same (I'm sorry but they do!) There are just too many 'something-Platz' or 'something-Strasse' - I'm easily disoriented.

Here's the real transportation map for U-Bahn, S-Bahn and the bus. U-Bahn is the 'U'nderground train and S-Bahn is the 'S'urface train - made this up by myself on the first day so I remember correctly (smart, eh?).

That's the above the ground train. Notice the 'Brauhaus' on the background? That's the famous self-acclaimed smallest beer house/brewery in Berlin. Is it really? I don't know.

 See that bus stop sign!! How can you remember such a long word! This is why I'm lost all the time.

So if I'm lost, I'll just wander around like a lunatic while being a tourist at the same time - that means taking tons of random pictures.

I do hope I stop getting lost cause I certainly can't hope for my Google Maps to work. Oh I do wish I had that Google Virtual Reality Glasses. That'd come in handy, especially for my Dory-like brain (Yes, that Dory from Finding Nemo). Or I could just memorize the street/places/map... Naah!

PS: Getting lost can be fun sometimes (emphasize on sometimes). Adventures happen that way.


Cheers!

53 DAYS: That Weekend When You Feel Like Batman

This weekend, I thought I'm gonna get the much-needed-beauty-sleep, but apparently not. Of course not.

Last Friday, Susen invited me to her university party - end of semester party for TU Berlin Architecture department. And boy, Germans really do know how to party. I mean, it was a university event - that means it was hosted by the university; it was on campus ground; and faculty members were involved. Aaaand.... there were DJs and apple juice. Enough said.

Yes, that T-Mobile building is one of the campus buildings. Reminded me of Alaska Airlines sign on Hec Edmunson Pavilion at UW. Maybe one day we'll have one of these as well? (By the way, I just found out that huskies, we have a plane!!! Check it out here!)

This is NOT the entire party. The party was outdoor; drinks were sold in here. And Schöfferhofer Grapefruit is just the name of a mixed beer that I really like - trying to remember the name so I can order it next time.

Yeah... these shots were taken during the first few hours of the party. Later that night I didn't even bother taking pictures, if you know what I mean. 

We left at 1 AM (the party was still going on); but Susen and I were heading to another club to meet other AIESECers. It's funny that clubs here have different rooms - they have different music for people who have different music taste (they even have a freaking garden!). Didn't take any pictures there - didn't even bother.

We stayed until the sunrise reminded us that it's already morning. So we went home, slept, woke up, repeat. Yes, repeat the cycle for Saturday night (different university, similar party). And there you go, my sleepless weekend.

Cheers!

55 DAYS: To Insanity and Beyond, B.O.B Style

Let me assure you this - I'm not going mad. Though I did something a honeybadger would do (in case you don't know what that is, watch the video here). Stating the facts out there: I'm already in Berlin and it's my first time in Europe - it's like a honeybadger inside the beehive, I'm already in the shitty beehive, why not get the best out of it. So I booked tickets to solo travel around Europe for 5 weekends in a row.

Yes, you saw that right. Remember the hints I wrote here 2 posts ago? Inspired by B.O.B's "So Good" (I know, what the hell am I thinking) - listen to the lyrics and you'll find these.

It will be good, insanely good. I'm excited. Will let you know where I'm flying to on my next post (with more info about my birthday fundraising plan - that's what I'm counting down to).

On a side note, I finally have a place to stay for 4 weeks in Berlin. Hurray!

I forgot the name of the area of my wohnung, but it's somewhere at Richardstrasse.

Ending this with a quote from the wise Mark Twain.

PS: Added a page on this blog - a google map to track my travels. Check it out, it's pretty cool.


Cheers!

56 DAYS: Carpe Diem, My Friend

Just when I thought I lost everything - that means the photos when I was in Egypt, my dearest boss, V, uploaded our pictures from Luxor. Man... how I miss those times. We had some serious fun.

It was my second day (yes, still exhausted and jetlagged) after arriving in Egypt and we went straight to Luxor; it was an 8-hour trip (?) - can't remember, but it was an overnight trip. Oh and did I mention that it was a spontaneous trip? Yes, a random mutual friend got us the train tickets 15 minutes before the train left. I'm glad we hopped on that train; a very good decision.

The best part of this trip was the hot air balloon ride! We greeted the sun on that day. God, could a day be more perfect than that!

Wish I have more pictures of Egypt. F*ck technology when it fails you (Grrr)!

PS: Carpe Diem, my friend. We're young and spontaneous.

Cheers!

57 DAYS: Berlin, Beer and Much More

It's been a while and I'm glad to tell you that I'm finally, finally in Germany after the long awaited visa/passport arrived at my door on 7/6; flew to Berlin on 7/7 and now I've been here for 3 days. It's been exciting - do you know we can carry around beer and drink in public? I'm used to carrying Starbucks around, not Beck's (it's a really good German mixed beer).

Susi, my buddy/roommate is really nice and made me breakfast on my first morning. I must say, the bread is exquisite! Love, love, love German bread. Apparently there are around 100 types of them; I guess I'll try to conquer them all.

On my way to my office at Alexanderplatz, I found the iconic Berlin TV Tower, or they call it Berlin Fernsehturm. Yes, it does look like Seattle's Space Needle or Shanghai's Oriental Pearl Tower - very uncreative of us making the same thing all over the world. Apparently this toothpick - they call it that way too (Telespargel) is the highest building in Berlin, about 1,197 ft or 365m.

It's still Wednesday and since I'm working from 9 to 6, I don't really explore Berlin that much - but will do that on the weekends! Speaking of weekends, I've counted how many weekends I have here - 11, and I have a plan. Tune in for the surprise. (Hint: listen to B.O.B's "So Good")

This is also in Alexanderplatz. Notice the fountain there? Apparently it's the famous International Fountain of Friendship. Around this square, there's a huge department store - Galleria and Saturn (similar to Best Buy).

PS: I'm documenting my pictures and my life here cause I don't want to lose them again - remember the Egypt iPhone tragedy? Yes, I lost all my pictures from 3-months Egypt trip. Tragic.

69 DAYS: Say Hello to Strangers

Found this cute site from a TEDx organizer somewhere in this world. It's a TED experiment in radical openness, encouraging strangers to talk via these cute human type.

This has nothing to do with my plan organizing a fundraising, but I thought you guys would like to see this!

Make your own at http://thehumantype.org

Cheers!

70 DAYS: The Summer before I turn 22

I never actually care about my birthday, I thought of it as just another day - it's not even a holiday so why should I care. But here's the thing: I'm turning 22 this year and that kinda freaks me out. I'm getting old I'm telling you!

So here's the plan, I want to make this birthday meaningful, not just meaningful to me, but to others as well.

The big plan: create a fundraising campaign that benefits impoverished community in Romania.

Days to birthday (9/7): 70 days - this is the countdown (BTW, I'm kinda obsessed with the number '7')

I think this is the most brilliant idea I've ever had in years!! (kinda exaggerating here, oh well!)

Details will be up soon! I haven't exactly figured out the logistics yet but I'm so excited!!! You can tell, can't you?

PS: I also pledge to lose 17 pounds by then! - don't know if this one is possible though. LOL

Cheers!