Posted on

Double-double – Part 2

Just had a double-double celebrations! Lena’s 30th birthday plus their Baby Gender Reveal Party, all at once! #Celebrate good times, come on! at the place where Hainka celebrate his 30th as well as their wedding. Wo, so many doubles here 😀

Swantje + Alex picked me up at home since officially we are neighbors #Thank you Lena for contacting them auf den letzten Drücker. We arrived just in time before she started her speech. Submit our tip if the baby will be boy or girl. Who do I say hello at the begginning round? another Lena + Julius on Parkplatz, almost went with them had Swantje & Alex nicht funktioniert. It all began since PV so spät geantwortet, caused me bombarding other people for transportation haha. Arrived at the same time with Jana + Lars who put my jacket on the not Asian friendly rack, greets Thorsten, Anki, Lari, Lena’s parents, Papa Hainka literally his father not Andreas Hainka eventhough he will become Papa soon, Mick, cheeky rascals Hannes and Karl 🙂

First announcement, the Buffet is officially open! They not only look but also taste so good, I got each one #Nom nom. Jana asked if we should standing while eating or sitting? Obviously the later, we were the VIP as our table was right in the very front. Somehow we formed a group of 6 with Christopher, Thorsten said it was meant for Children seat. Valid for us too, we are all someone’s children 🙂 PV and Johanna arrived almost one hour later, thanks God I didn’t go with them, look at the food I could’ve missed #Priorität. Later, they joined our table too, from the smallest it became the biggest one to which got evicted as it was meant to be a dance floor.

Leute, this is my first Baby Gender Reveal Party I attended live, I’ve seen enough through the lens of Instagram to know usually they don’t do anything. However not the case for Hainka & Lena, they prepared a funny dance for us. What’s important is the correct song for when the Gender came “I don’t care, I love it” Then the clasical Simba! Nants’ ingonyama bagithi baba Sithi uhm ingonyama. Hmmmm seems the circle ain’t so circle #That’s why it’s called life. It took some time to hit the Pinata. Wowowowo, someone choose violence hahaha

I swear I saw somehow the color was blue, perhaps the light though, it’s a Baby Girl!!!! From our round, all women votes boys and other way around. Even though we know deep down, Girl is better 😉 #Who runs the world? GIRLS!

Right after the gender revealed, we were getting a Tüte with Schnuller went back to buffet to take some more sweets from the candy corners where Jana said “Marlyn, still no one cut the 30th cake” Someone has to do it #Challenge accepted! Hey Netizen, don’t judge me, I got an instruction from Hainka on the Messer whereabout. We are sometwo who has hearts, waited and said it should be Lena who cut it, when we came back for second round it still one piece, that’s a sign someone has to do something. She encouraged me “cut it Marlyn” I was so excited to be back to my 30, this is me defying gravity! Hey Jana, you’re also the accessories of a crime 🙂

We got back inside with our Tütchen this is where Jana found a GIRL PWR Gummibärchen, perfect for tonight, thumbs up.

Woaaa woaa, what is that? she could really bend it, then we started to twist our Zunge until Johanna said “I can do finger spagat is that count?” I said I can do real Spagat! From then on, I did too much Spagat in a day haha

We went dancing until time with Photo Wand, every Pair wants to have picture with each other, I can’t just let it happen hey? Spaagaaaatttt!

Thank you Lena for having me as part of this revelation and congratulations for Baby Girl, this baby will be loved so much! As a proud member of Club 30’s welcome to your best Era! As a supporter of Family, I’m happy a girl will be raised by you and Hainka, you’re gonna be a great parents.

Next time, I’ll see a little Leni 🙂

Posted on

Thank U, Next!

Our boss always inviting his team for a BBQ at his house once a year in September. That’s when one of our colleague ~ Christina initiated a Party Weekend in Willingen. It’s all sounds very interesting, never been there nor knew about it.

October came with realistic date that our Party Weekend will be in March 2025, November was the time where we all booked our hotel. I kept thinking to myself, Willingen is less than 2 hours away yet we booked the hotel as if it’s an Ausland Trip haha. To my surprise, the hotel where most Nordwestler stays are already full. How come?

Last weekend in March it was, 28-31.03. Being picked up at 14:45 ish arrived at around 16:30. We five: CB, Robinhood, Haribow, Monicita and I stayed at B&B Hotels. Went to Rewe, CB was very smart he said, let’s take the car eventhough it was only 200 meters as none of us want to schleppt it. Afterwards we walked to our Restaurant for dinner, following a romantic way of a young “couple” whom we saw at Rewe #Stalker!

Their appetizer was rather a what the hell experience, food wasn’t I expected but acceptable. First club of the day is called Vis A Vis. Entrance 5 Euro only cash, both place and dance floor is small. Me and CB need to change our position to avoid me being knocked out in the head from some people who were dancing as if they were in the Halle. Me and Monicita went back at around 23:00, it was more than enough for me, CB couldn’t let us walk by ourselves so he accompanied us. Milena said “you can book a Taxi” no way man, we are ~ well I am #OnBudget 😉

After breakfast we were chilling until it was time to meet up at 12 AM in front of the Sailbahn. Didn’t get place in Siggi’s Hütte therefore we stayed outside all the time, from 12-16:00. Thank’s God they closed at 16:00 or else they will still there. Cost up of Sailbahn is 9,50 Euro #You can really walk honestly.

While all other people drinking, me and Tanja were playing on the Spielplatz, visiting the “observation deck”, ate Bratwurst 4,50 Euro. People, bring cash! Without her, I couldn’t even buy anything. Later Monicita also wants to go to the Spielplatz, our final act were doing frog observation. At last walked down, took opportunity to play with some snows left, chill a bit at hotel while watching Gefragt Gejagt.

Moving on to Pörtner room, have Sekt, had dinner with Monicita alone. Evening arrives, proceed to second club: Brauhaus, entrance 6 Euro plus locker 2 Euro. I like this club way more than Vis A Vis, we have enough place to breath. Wanted to go back but after everything has been paid to enter this club, I said to Monicita “Wir haben es schon bezahlt, muss ja durch!” this became our Mantra 😀

Last day, only frühstücken before ab nach Hause #Hourray!

How does it feels like? As a non-drinker, it’s too much, we do nothing other than drinking. Probably better if we have some sightseeings activities. In my view, you can always drink everywhere, no need to specifically dedicated weekend in Willingen. Overall experience? only Good to Erleben aber nix für mich.

It was indeed a good time with my colleagues, gar keine Frage, it’s not a cheap holiday yet to spent time with them, thinking it would be my first & last, from the bottom of my heart: totally worth it.

#Thank U, next!

Posted on

Ice Rice Gummi

#Marnilla Ice

During the dinner of my belated birthday celebrations last year with my Freunde-Gangs, we discussed about Karneval 2025, how they have a friend who could get us the ticket. Hell yeah to my first Karneval! Julius immediately got a brilliant idea “Du kannst als Asiastischer Reis verkleidet” LOL. I kind of like his proposal, stay true to my roots plus experiencing German culture #Why not?!

That evening, I got serious, couldn’t sleep, was searching the possible Reissack material for my costume. Initially my concept was to buy a big bag of rice maybe 25kg one, cut the label, sew it on white T-Shirts. Or I could be a rice cooker? Claudia said, “no, people in Germany will think you are an Air Fryer”, back to Reis.

  • How about this packaging?
  • No, if you wear the real Asian Reis, no one in Germany would understand. I think you should go with the orange “Uncle Bens”
  • Mehhhh, then the Asians wouldn’t get it.
  • It was actually easy, your costume will be all white, take “Jasmine Reis” buy some alphabets and sew it on. Hmmm maybe not Jasmine or else people will think your name is Jasmine, Basmati Reis to the rescue!

Everything’s set! Feli came to sew my rice!

She was very dedicated!

Julius was “wow! Es ist wirklich gut geworden” yeap, all thanks to her 🙂

I’m very satisfied with my costumes, it’s a normal one, doesn’t have to invest too much money. We are not a crazy Karneval fans after all, perhaps….. I might can wear it again? or I become a hardcore fans? #Who knows?!

D-day, I did home office at Claudias, Alina arrived later, we inaugurated Karneval with Berliner then off to Stadt mit K! Alaaf. Arrived our Hotel, since our idea were only to drink, therefore had early dinner at Olymp.

Draumfess is the name of the place where we will go celebrate Karneval, about 300 meters away is our Hotel 😉 The celebrations starts at 19:11 but we weren’t there on time haha still on preparation. Claudia thought I could have the white hair spray too, as the color of the rice is white, turns out it’s only enough for hers haha

On the Draumfess itself, they have a system where we need to buy some coupon, no card transaction, everything is with Bar #Germany, come on. We exchanged it with the drinks bzw. Schnapps, Feigling, Kölsch und Wasser.

There were performance from Tanzgruppe Flamme vum Rhing and Porzer Dreigestirn that we didn’t see, that’s why we couldn’t beuerteilen. However we saw a very very superb band called Aluis! I like them a lot, they are all handsome too hahaha what a bonus 😉 They’re really good, not only their faces but also their music, swaying from left to right, jumping #Top top top.

Next band is Fiasko, I only like their last song, sadly I couldn’t find it anywhere on YouTube, the lyric was “machs Gut! bis zum nächsten Mal” 🙂 There was a kind of Coldplay moments where one or two giant balls were thrown away, confetti, etc.

In every Karneval, they have Princess, Bauern and someone else.

Then the Guggenmusik Zieefägge, I don’t know what to expect, they are coming with a Truppe. I felt a bit weird for the flag holder… I mean can’t you have a stander for your flag then play some instrument? Hmmm

Not forget to mentioned DJ Pultt for all the music in between live performances 🙂 Without you, who will accompany our drinking session?

After all of that, I’m d-o-n-e! When we return back home, we arrived exactly at 11:11, the special number for Karneval fans! I even sofort got back to Dortmund, need to lie down on my bed, getting old has never been real #Snozzzzeeee

Thank you my friends for the evening, I really like it! any events to let me turn a valve, let off steam, verkleidet, drink and dance to the…. Karneval music hahaha. Will join again! Perhaps I’ll upgrade myself by taking a day off on Rosenmontag! #Man immer schlauer werden.

Posted on

It’s Me, Hi!

I’ve got my first visitor ever from the Hungover Games, yeay! finally can show the city I called home for the past… ehem…. 4 years 5 months 21 days #Still counting ~ till the day Dennis arrived. I really needed this day-off more than anything therefore I was genuinely happy he visited me 🙂

On his first day, I showed him what Dortmund has to offer, which are: our version of 南京西路, instead of having 外滩 at the end, we went to Ubahn Station to visit our second destination, Dortmunder U. Dennis, the U is from the Dortmunder, not from the U-Bahn 的 U.

They offer free Museum entrance, it has two floors with quiet interactive videos or “sounds” instalation if we press the very well hidden button. At first we were confused on where does the sounds come from until the security told us then we proceed with moving our asses from one button to the next haha

There is a room where they explained about one specific painting, how they transported it around Europe. While we looked around Dennis realized “oh this is the real box”.

Dennis wanted to have a magnet of Dortmund, I brought him to BVB Fanwelt. When we’re done we went back to the Ubahn Station where I almost brought him to the wrong direction. He said “Darling, we just went straight, did you already forget when I said ‘such a nice path’?” haha

Off again to our version of 南京西路 to have coffee at Maximilian. Once recharged, continued our daytrip to Phoenix See, it is always good to show the manmade lake alongs with the big houses from rich Dortmunder. Closed the day by having dinner at Mukii. We weren’t convinced if we want to have All You Can Eat, our response was: are we gonna able to eat more than 36 Euros? Dennis answered, “well, we will make sure we reach it!” It was like a fun and strategic eating, in order to reduce food waste, we can only order 8 dishes within 10 minutes.

We formulated so many strategy such as “okay maybe not all rice, let’s do some skewers” Followed by “let’s have snacks like Edammame” Done it. No matter how perfectly our plan in the brain, the executing was a bit difference. After 3 full rounds, the Ipad will be unlocked within 10 seconds, Dennis said “Darling, we need to order again” Boahhh…. were really full. In the end we can only eat full of 4,5 rounds, they did forget one menu which we were so greatful #Thanks God!

On his second day, I do HO whereas he went to Düsseldorf, only to come back ontime to see our Proud Dortmund: Signal Iduna Stadion. Hainka picked us up at my place, we went to the Schwimmbad not for schwimmen, only to gangged up with his friend before the game started. Okay, this is the moment, moving on to inside the Stadion. We were there one hour before kick off, they have the Camera shot to audiences, I realized they shot our area but I didn’t see myself. Dissappointed…. no more! the camera rolled once again. Hiiiii, it’s me! me me me me, here! 😀

We did felt the Euphoria for 3 seconds before BVB Goal was considered as Offside 🙁 Nevertheless, it was a good experience, at least I was on the screen! although it’s not for people outside the Stadion, yet it’s good enough for my existence 😉

Tausend Dank für Hainka and Kowal um Ticket zu besorgen, 谢谢 Dennis for being my guest #Till we meet again 🙂

Posted on

Reel to Real

I spent too many times on my phone, saw one reel on IG where Mercado in Spain changing the way of dating, by simply putting upside down pineapple in their shopping cart for someone who open to date #I know, it does have another meaning in the USA. Sent it to Feli saying “I gotta go grocery shopping in Spain”, be careful what you wished for #Genie is hearing. Few weeks later she sent another reel showing the same concept in Edeka Germany. Do I have Edeka near me? Yeap about 1,5km away.

As if the distance is not a problem, it came literally to my Rewe!

They did put it in the middle, instead in the front where people getting in #OMG, complaining, proof I’m already eingedeutsch. Even Hainka texted me saying “you could change the basket”

It’s real, not reel anymore, didn’t I wished for this? After hearing Sophie grabbed the pink basket, can’t remember if Feli did that too hmmm… well, I’m not on any App, this is the traditional way where people got rejected for real and not with Emojis.

Proud me, I took it! did someone talk to me? of course not, they’re Germans! What do you expect 😉

Nevertheless I have done my part #Klopf mir stolz auf die Schulter.

First step is always the hardest, from now on I’ll be brave on taking any baskets.

#Anytime, anywhere 😉

Posted on

Good Karma

It was end of January when I #wie immer sleepover at Claudia’s, we were in the living room, Alina proposed an idea “let’s do Murmeltierlauf for 7,5km” it’s the virtual walking activity, you walk on your own then upload your results.

She meant to do it only for the three of them as they always do Sport on Saturday, the place was about 3 km away therefore they thought let’s walk to Sport and walk back. The Mascott is a very cute Murmel, Claudia even thought to buy the Medallion too, decided against it, cost too much money, let’s just pay the registration fee 5Euro. Alina clicked next “oh the Mindesteilnehmerzahl ist 4. Julius immediately “Marlyn, danke dass du da bist” #ins Schwarze getroffen. Haha Okay, let’s do it then, I’ve done the 12km Firmenlauf, I can do 7,5km lauf. “Willst du aber?” fragt Claudia, yeah, it’s OK but then we have to do it on a Sunday as we can’t really time the Saturday if the Bahn will be on time or not to catch your time after sport. With that say, I came back to Claudia’s the following week.

I’ve got the favourite number for every Chinese, 800! This will brings me luck!

Julius does have an extra tracker that he couldn’t wear anymore due to Metal allergie, he lend me #behaupte his Withings. We did the set up, at their place there are a lot of Bluetooth devices, “maybe this one?” nope it’s my watch “how about this?” also no it’s my phone.

We managed to find the correct Withings Bluetooth, we couldn’t connect it because Julius still have the App on his phone. He removed it and I said “don’t do that, I will only wear for today” of course not, it belongs to you now. Whooaaaaa!!!! good karma, what goes around comes around 🙂

I simply have to be on the right place at a right time so they can participate, in return I got a new watch with Fitness trackers! Thank youuuuuuu.

Since it will be like a normal spazieren at Nordwest, I wear jeans + leg warmer + sunglasses + heiße Veste + Jacket; while the three were sportier, they all have proper Wanderschuhe #Germans, always prepared!

Alina brought Wilma, a very smart dog! we walked on the Berg, the weather really plays a significant role, it was brezzy yet bearable. I did have a Gevelsberg view from the top. In the km where I thought already half done, only to get it shattered completely, was barely 2km hahaha oh nooooo. Julius commented “my friend, you need to walk” Hey I’m moving but I need to decide where to put my feet to the not so muddy grass.

Almost at the end, Alina found what could be my Lebensversicherung for this year Kirmes? Had it’s not broken, we already saved 13 Euro 😉 How long did it take me? Almost 2 hours haha FYI Father, don’t worry I’m not the last 🙂

Egal, Hauptsache we made it! #Sunday well spent, good job! Here is the compilation videos made by Alina 🙂

http://marlynpraseli.com/2024/06/30/lebensversicherung/

http://marlynpraseli.com/2018/09/13/daddys-rules-number-1/

Posted on

When and What?

It was just a normal Saturday, I’ve done my Yoga class, at the end of the course my Yoga teacher Anke said “there is a Demonstration against one politic partei in front of Reinoldikirche at 11:00 AM and BVB Spiel at 15:30” I thought she was just reminding us about traffic possibility or crowd to avoid. Little did I knew she asked me if I also joining the Demo. Hä? What?

I’ve never been participate in any Demonstration regarding anything, let alone Politic in a country where I’m not a citizen of. Well, I’m going to the city center anyway, read: to DM which is located around Reinoldikirche. “How about if we meet in the city center?” I’m thinking…… komm, give it a try, how does it looks or feels like.

Once we were there, she was satisfied that quiet people do showed up with their childrens, dogs, having some banners although the info was relativ kurzfristig. We followed a car a.k.a voice quelle where one lady keep screaming all the time, chill out gurl, all the people gathered there sind schon einig, there is no need for shouting.

The demonstration continues, while we biegen ab to DM for me and to Bank for her. She was so happy I participated otherwise she would walk alone, we also took some merch home 😉

What a turns out of an event O.O, can’t say if I really one step smarter in politic, was there just as a begleiterin for her.

Happy voting Germans, use your voice correctly!

Posted on

It Ends Tonight

Nordwest would give a Lotto for the employee who had their Rundegeburtstag. Didn’t know about it but Julia did, she contacted Personalabteilung when I still haven’t received mine. At that time, Hainka & Me were the two who already works at Nordwest while had our Rundegeburtstag. He told me to download the Aktion Mensch App therefore they would inform us if we win it.

I looked at the Lotto, “Julia, if I win, does it means I got 3.000 Euro Netto each month for 20 year?” Yes, du kannst sofort NW kündigung. “Oh, mache ich! ihr werdet mich nieeee wieder sehen. Chao Kakao!” 😀 she said “don’t forget to invite someone ~me who make sure you got your Lotto” Never Julia, never! #Promised.

It became a habbit that every week I received a notification from Aktion Mensch to see if my number is winning.

It never does, 52 weeks are over 🙁

It ends tonight!

Seems I need to go back to work work work work work #Phew!

Or…. try my luck 😉 buy another Lotto mwahaha #Two sides of everything

Posted on

The Moment I Knew – Safe Version

A peculiar traditions millions of German do on NYE is watching a black and white English language television sketch called Dinner for One. First time I watched it in year 2020 with Julia, they were all laughing ~ only one not. It’s safe to say “we have a different kind of humour” don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad or so, it’s just not as funny as what the Germans thought.

The whole sketch was about 2 same sentences repeated by James the Butler to Miss Sophie and her answers. What are those two sentences? You’ll see 😉

One day, Hainka texted me regarding Kirmes Soest in November, ah yes! need to remember the dates; Gevelsbergs is end of June, Schwelm is at beginning of September while Soest ist November. We decided to go on the first day because other than that day I would be in Berlin, when I’m back the Kirmes is finished. Me, Hainka and Lena were the fixed member, Hainka said Monicita & gangs will join too. Well, in that case I’ll ask Feli + PV. I know PV is not a big fans of Kirmes but I don’t want him to feel left out. In the end….. it doesn’t even matter ohhh ohhh why? Only the fixed member made it 🙂

This guy inspired me! I told both of them we need to dress the same like last year. Check our photos!

We reminisce our last year path; repeated the one we liked : Ampelschnapps + try the Bullenaugeschnapps #Lecker! + skip the one we don’t #No crazy carousels #Safe Kirmes I want

My favourite game which I cannot restrain from: Froggyyyyyy still with Promat Hammer. I will keep playing until I got the froggy!

Oh gosh 😀 was very confused as to why the frog is still there when I know I hit something, I could hear the sound yet no Frogs jumping haha #Nicht den Tisch kaputt machen

What was the two sentence from Dinner for One that they said over and over again?

In less than 24 hours we will step into new years, will we have same procedure as every year in 2025? 😉

Salute to the next 365 journey ahead!

#Let’s do this!

http://marlynpraseli.com/2023/11/25/the-moment-i-knew/

Posted on

The Last Man Standing Crew – Part 2

Last working day in year 2024, Monday the 30th of December. Rise and Shine, no-sunny-day in Germany. #Somethings stays the same.

Empty the Bahn, were only 2 including me in the wagon O.O

Arriving NW at the same time with Thomas, Krissy and Matthias were already in the reception. Hallo! Kollege des letzten Arbeitstages 😀

Who else? meet the last man standing crew from 2. Flügel 2 featuring Pörtner, Christin, Sebhil, Dennis, Thomas, PV und meine einjährige Tasche #Toddler who has a sister now! Stofftasche von Alina 😀 #Work work work work work

We have more or less the same member with last year #Wir halten die Stellung! Are we (still) the fittest amongst the fittest or maybe the one that should’ve planned their holiday better haha #Always 2 ways to see it

See you in year 2025 Nordwestler!

http://marlynpraseli.com/2023/12/30/the-last-man-standing-crew/