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Je suis Susi

We need to get ourselves used to “Bonjour” “Allemand” since we are in French bzw. Strasbourg!

Wawa booked an apartment which is much much much oh sorry we need to say beaucoup beaucoup beaucoup bigger than our pervious Unterkunfts, it’s also in a center-adjacent area. Susi (we are in French, do as the French does, not saying the word S in the end) and I got our own room… although she sleeps in a travel cot on the floor nevertheless 😉

It is boucu boucu boucu hot heyyyy!!!! at the same time boucu pretty! Were totally overwhelmed by the beauty of Strasbourg. Owing to the fact that none of us eingecremt, we went inside the cathedral to “hide” from the sun for a bit.

No…. it won’t cut it…. the heats makes us feels tired, Susi’s too, we decided to go back, do a bit of nap. Snoozed until I heard Susi’s laugh or her crawling sound. The cheeky baby has woken up 🙂 in another word, we need to transfer into “go go go” mode before she shut down again in 3 hours. Clock is ticking! Change clothes, wash face, sunscreen!

Our first destination is La Petite Alsace, instead of following Google maps, we were back to ancient times, pay attention to “sun time” as in where is the shade?!?! the path with shadow is the path we choose.

Oh ice cream, you are so delicious! We had three scoops of ice cream in one Becher. Susi was with her father on Baby Björn, I was taking her pram, left Wawa who’s in charged for feeding us the ice cream, shouldn’t have trusted her, she did cheat sometimes. For example “OK, last Chocolate” “No it’s not, there is still some spoons left, how can it be the last? it ain’t the last scoop yo” #I didn’t born yesterday 😉

Bridge!! you protect us!! we saw two dogs swams on the water, cathing balls, taking sticks, cool down… how I… still not want to do that haha I know it’s very hot yet not to the point I’m gonna jump into the water #facepalm. Few more steps later, I witness something really cool science in this canal. A tourist boat went in between two doors, then the level of water raised until it’s enough for the front gate to be opened so this boat can get through. It’s pretty cool in real life. This La Petite Alsace is very picturesque 🙂 Love it so much!

I think we called it a day, were satisfied already, went back home, bought KFC!

The next morning, we had our learning curve from yesterday, went in the morning right after Susi’s woke up before her first nap to walk to the bridge. The sun wasn’t too strong at that time, no need for sunscreen.

As we walked, we passed again the yesterday La Petite Alsace… Hmm… the geographic of the bridge is right above us…. where is the damn stairs? how about Susi? don’t worry, we carry her! if she could say perhaps she thought “Hello you all Peasant, I’m a Princess”

Before her first nap is her very fresh status, Susi is so kissable. Being kissed by a baby is what I called win in life!

Wait it’s not the bridge we intended to go! don’t let this win distract from the real destination! This is the bridge, we let Susi explore the pavement.

Time for her and ours first nap! zzzzzz. On the second time we awake, we think…. a good lunch would be great, let’s search something. We were back to the cathedral alley thingy. I have just learned that food isn’t the priority for us, rather if a restaurant have a high chair für Susi #Princess.

Susi was a bit uncontrollable, not sure why, maybe too hot? She did calm down when she hear the street performance played some music for a while. Susi touched the pot that still hot for a baby, not for an adult, screamed, huhu she isn’t kissable again, she became cheeky! Grabbing everything, taking my glasses #kiddos!

That was it! our afternoon, went back again for our second nap 😉 yes! travelling with baby is full with up and down sleeping. I am not getting not enough sleeping time, I got it, just in a different way, the accumulated hours way

Third attempt! we went to a Museum close by.

Because Susi went back to sleep, I left in the Museum alone… out of nowhere, I got an Archimedes EUREKA! What exactly is that? that’s story for another time 🙂

Salami icons created by Freepik – Flaticon

Breastfeeding icons created by Freepik – Flaticon

File device driver icons created by Freepik – Flaticon

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Unplanned La Bamba

One week before the due day, that’s when it hits me, my Marniversary is around the corner! #Panicked, what will I do this year? At the same time, my sister is currently in Germany so the thought of celebrate it with her + Schwager + Moti appears naturally. My original idea was like this, I went to their place on 25th of August for the weekend, work from home on Monday-the Marniversary.

Shortly before the weekend comes, I decided to cancel it as they are having family time while me… busy with my own event. I’d be back to Dortmund on Sunday instead. What, where, who? Haven’t plan any of it!

One by one, email the Cupcakes store, texted the 3 friends I gained in Dortmund haha definitely in the thema! 3 Years in DE = 3 friends. Hmmm… what could be the decoration for the photo purposes? let me bastelt something 🙂 #DIY

My family always says when you have a birthday you need to eat noodle as it represents long life usw. I couldn’t think of other place other than Ippin Ramen. Few reasons: Located in the city center, Silvia for sure will be lost if the restaurant is not in the center. Felicia works there, it’s easier to request something like “can you please put this cake on the fridge”. Andrea loves Ramen. OK! the where is safe.

One important detail is missing, MY CAKE!!! I called the cupcake store, wrote to other places, receiving no reply. Googled the cake shop that opens on Monday…only to receive… so many closed! Damn!

However, I’m not despair, near my home there’s a place called Oma Rosa. I could come on Sunday right before they closed. One of their Menu interest me, it’s called Törtchen Tapas. It’s a small portion of a cake, precisely 1/4 portion from a 12cm diameter cake. There were 6 different cakes left on the Theke so I took all of it.

Fiuhhh! Planning took quite a toll on me or Felicia haha as I consulted her many times about it but everything is manageable in the end 😉 Cakes + Decorations + Place are all gesichert.

What next? Feli asked if there will be a dress code, yaissss! Let’s do this! Totally! Informed the group the night before only if they want they should dress in any color that exists on a German Flag. Silvia suggested a red lipstick, acceptable too! I have all colors on me, they do too! all come with a German color-ish. Andrea wore red + black + blonde hair + German accent haha she’s a complete package. Silvia had a yellow shoulder bag #on point! Feli wore red top. Me so Happy!!!!

We started before Felicia arrived otherwise we all be Hangry, not good to start Marniversary #wink

She arrived when we were on the middle of our Ramen eating 🙂 cakes + picture time!

Won’t be a Marniversary without a Marniversary thing 🙂 I really called it like this, it has a name in my own dictionarlyn 😉

After we finished with the food and cakes, we went to Hbf. Why?!?! as long as my face still there, it’ll be a tourist spot!

Thank you Girls for spending my 3 years birthday in Germany! See you in my 4 years 🙂 yes girls! we will do it every year now, it’s always something to celebrate. Adding one more beautiful day in a year is not bad heyyyy.

P.S: the Sombrero from Andrea now serve the purpose als one of my wall decorations 🙂

Viva La Bamba!
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Closing The Circle

Did I reach Adolphe Bridge? Still hasn’t reported that one didn’t I? Yes we did!

We saw the bridge, were walking on top of it but I want to be under the bridge, where is the entrance? crossed the road two times until Feli found some clue “I think the entrance is across this road as we can see the Zig Zag way” She was correct “see, see, not so hard to find, we did it” 😉

Right before we reach the other end of the bridge she said “let’s get out, I’m scared” I was surprised why? we were on the transparent glass tower before, in comparison, Adolphe Bridge is very robust #confused

I think if we keep walking this direction we will reach The Grund as we already at the bottom. We follow the road, find a skateboard ground, Feli pick a flower to what she claimed it’s a “wild flower” therefore it’s OK to pick, not a flower in front of Spuerkeess where she saw one lady grabbed it. Where is our lunch destination? Italian restaurant (again) hahaha! She was very dedicated to have Aperol Spritz although have to say the one she had wasn’t really the real Aperol.

We walked through the same route meaning passed a Cathedral, since it’s raining, I pay a visit. This Cathedral is famous for the paintings hanged in the wall. Continue our journey to city center, while looking a map, Feli remembered the road “oh here is right” she’s already a local after one day here.

We gathered with the guys in an Irish Pub down on the other side of the hill, to get to the bottom of Lukas’ stolen bag story #condolence. There we met with Tobias’ friend from “Ireland” Delia. We stayed until we finish watching Hurling final. After that we went for a billiard where we met Pedro and Delia’s friend from Taiwan, Daniel. The guys continuing their drinking activities while me and Feli went back to Ncim’s.

On the last day which is Monday, I had brunch with April and Leoni whereas Feli stayed in city center doing her last shopping, cafeing or caking. I spoke Mandarin to Leonie, received no reply, April said she speaks only Cantonese or Luxembourgish. Yves and his family also didn’t force Leonie to speak English, she is a real Luxembourgish in heart. April packed Leonie a lot of books, one of them is sticker books, she tear it off to stick it everywhere. This little Pizza is heavy! around 12 kg.

After brunch, it’s time for me to go back to Dortmund so we both went to Gare Centrale. April put Leonie into the stroller although Leonie can walk, she said it’s easier for her, if Yves is there then she let Leonie walk. We passed the fountain thingy, Leonie screamed 水水 we can actually stopped by to play with the water. To my suggestion, April said “I think it’s a bad idea” hahaha We saw a Boba Shop near the fountain, she missed 珍珠奶茶 so much, well… Feli is working at the Boba Tea Shop, I will get you 3* 珍珠奶茶 each day 🙂 Thank you so much April for spending the time to meet me. 珍珠奶茶 is waiting in Dortmund!

What else what else what else? Oh I also met Barbie + Ken! The marketing of this movie is so total! Hi Barbie! Hi Ken!

I’m grateful for Luxembourg weekend experience, it couldn’t have gone better if we’d planned it. Now the circle is closed 🙂

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Swarovski in a Non-existing Rose Garden – Part 2

….continuation story…..

Feli feel tired, therefore she chose to stay put, doing some Cafeing whereas I was heading towards Adolphe Bridge, only to meet with another walking tour participants (at this point I didn’t know their names) the same girls we met at the entrance of Bock Casemates. They wanted to see the Rose Garden, I already forget this option exists! I asked if I can join, they don’t mind, so here I am, one party changes to three party. Maria said: Netherlands is famous for the Tulip, Luxembourg is famous for the Rose. She also mentioned perhaps there won’t be any at this time as this is not the season. However, it didn’t reduce our spirit to check. The result was: there were no rose hahaha but one of the girl found something else 🙂

What’s next then? I’m not sure if I’m allow to follow them again as I kind of crashing their party of two hihihi I asked and they don’t mind so here we are in The Gudde Wedder. Spoiler alert, this is where the night getting excited! we grow to an even bigger + exponentially funny party. At this time I already know their names, Franzi and Sabine. Franzi is a German live in Luxembourg, Sabine is a Mauritians on the way to USA. Franzi asked “where is your friend? she can come here too other than waiting alone” OK, send picture + location + write Feli. Done from my side.

This place is always full, there is no waiter who will search a seat for you. You just have to run once a table is free, pretty Barbaric I’d say. The plan was we sat anywhere first, if we see one of the table at the side is free then moved. Our seat was the middle, next to us were 4 guys. I thought all of them are together until I realized they too separated into 2 and 2. Franzi whispered to me “they are Germans”

Mistakes happened by one of the guy’s order that caused a conversation which lead to the best unexpected night of my life. 2 Moscow Mule for free! My brain and heart already locked to Pisco Sour therefore Sabine and Franzi took it but I also had few sips #slurp 🙂

They talked, I zoned out from time to time until I saw the perfect corner table is empty! I don’t care what were their conversation is all about, it was worth to break it. Guys! Empty table on the corner, run! get it! the guys talked “should we move?” “yes yes moved!” both girls said thanks for the drink to the other guys, I didn’t even see them. Focus focus, tadammm!!! party of 3 becomes party of 5!

We have one more empty seat that could be a hot seat between Feli or Franzi’s housemate. Knowing the party will be bigger, one of the guy (at that time I didn’t know their names yet) said we wont be asking chairs from another table anymore rather asking for a table. Funnily, both of them arrived at the same time, I asked Feli to “run, run” but she ignored me, she was the last one to get the seat 🙂 How many are we now? party of 5 become party of 7! After we complete, now I know all the names, they are Lukas, Tobias, Sabine, Feli, Ivy, Franzi and moi!

Best seat – Best crew

We will treat this corner as generational, ain’t gonna move our asses. If someone needs to go to the toilet, we will guard the sits with all our hearts. Don’t be a beginner like the French guys sitting next to us pfffff. Okay, French guy asked in French if we have a paper for smoking, none of us understand so he spoke in English, we all “no, sorry we don’t smoke, we don’t have it”. The three of them try to asked the restaurant I think, they didn’t realized….they have left their table!!! In three seconds, two ladies already grabbed their spot. Me and Franzi was looking at the girl giving thumbs up or trying to say “I don’t think the guys meant to left the table” the moment the guys realized, it’s too late. Lukas said “it’s because he didn’t put the towel in the chair as a mark, the German towel really is sacred”

Lukas, Tobias and me still have a bit of drinks, meanwhile Sabine, Ivy and Franzi are ready to move on for Open Air Cinema. Lukas gave Ivy his “Towel” (read: jacket) to spot the chairs for Open Air Cinema. Once we are done, we walked to Place Guillaume II, “you guys continue, I forgot my bag” ahhh Tobias… we didn’t realized he walked without his bag #face palm Lukas said “I need to take care of my bag because many people (myself including) said I have a nice bag”

I was the one who made itinerary for the trip so I know we are passing the Corniche aka the “most beautiful balcony of Europe” When I told the guys their response was “OK, checked” me on the other hand getting a selfie “Have you see yourselves on the camera?” Lukas answered “I am right there!” We arrived at the Open Air Cinema, the movie is Singing in The Rain with French and German Subtitle. The German Towel doesn’t serve the purpose of 7 seats, we have to scatter around. I was sitting with Lukas, Feli with Tobias, Sabine with Franzi, Ivy prefer to stand.

Once the movie is finished, Franzi and Ivy already gone but we got additional member which is Tobias’ housemate, Pedro. We kept strolling around until we reached one pub only to use the toilet haha noooo we stay just a bit due to our AirBnB is quiet far, we need to catch the last bus. On the dance floor we received a good news that Lukas was accepted into a University in Mannheim, whoaaaa! Congratulations!!!!

The level of Dopamine from that whole day was very indescribable, one of the night you don’t want to end, not in my wildest dream I would expect any of it. It is like finding a hidden gems or Swarovski in the most unexpected place like a non-existing rose garden.

Hey! I’m serious, Franzi found it and she gave it to me 🙂

Made in Germany, found by a German!

I will remember all of you, Ivy who study her PhD, Franzi who work in EU Parliament, Sabine who always manage to get into private swimming pool at any Hotel in Mauritius, Tobias who studies Data Science if only I can turn back time, I’ll tell myself to study that too, Lukas whose backpack was stolen 🙁

Sorry to deliver a sad news… I know the next day that Lukas’ great backpack has been stolen. I was very shocked when I heard it, damn! how about bank card + Personalausweis + keys etc. When we met the guys, I even more shocked because he can turn the negative into something humorous, that is the skill not everyone have. Lukas himself turn it into a joke that leads to running gag for the whole day, such as “they dropped my AirPods and I have the box back home, so now it’s complete; well, now I can’t pay anything; I need to chill, good thing is I can’t get lower than this, they took everything from me; I wear the same clothes because they took all my belongings”. Ah yes forget to mentioned Lukas literally just arrived Luxembourg when I met him so his backpack is all his stuff for the weekend. Anyway, my personal opinion, with this kind of mentality, he will be able to go very far in life.

Moral of Lukas’ incident, follow the quote from How I Met Your Mother, “when it’s 2 A.M., just go to sleep. Because nothing good happens after 2 A.M” I told him I believe in Karma, something stolen from you, it will be stolen from the thief in another way too, for example something bad happen to their family that would cause damage more than your iPad etc. He said my words are too dark he didn’t intend any bad things to the Täter, oh yes bitch I am Indonesian, we have Voodoo Master hahaha don’t mess up with my things or else……#devil’s laugh

Back to the good side of me, you guys have made my weekend unforgettable. I owe you a big thank you, I wish you all success in life. See you when I see you #you’ll never know 😉

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Swarovski in a Non-existing Rose Garden – Part 1

We started with Twentytour / walking tour guided by Maria from Russia, my initial thought was that she is a local Luxembourgish as…she speaks the language hahaha such a standard to define if someone a local or not. She mentioned, it is very normal for people to be Polyglot, your language ability will not be treated as skills but rather as a part of life.

We gathered at the Jan Pallach Square in front of Monument Dicks and Lentz who supposed to have a red lion as symbol of Lux’s flag. FYI, you saw the correct lion, it is not red. Moving on to Place Guillaume II where they have market until 17:00 in front of a building called Hotel de Ville, it’s not a hotel nor a Villa, it’s a Town Hall. We walked passed Place de Clairefontaine and Grand Duchess Charlotte Memorial.

She explains how Luxembourg become very rich due to steel and agriculture. When we arrived at Grand ducal Palace + Chamber of Deputies, she informed that the Prime Minister- Mr. Xavier Bettel is a complete regular guy, you can find him on the street, the bar etc too bad, he is on holiday. How do I know? because there is no flag hanged in front of the palace.

There is some interesting pole in front of it, on top of there is a face, everywhere you move the face is following into your direction. It has a symbolic meaning as the people who works on the palace is being watched by the Luxembourgish people.

Next is we visited Saint Michael’s Church who is the oldest shrine in the city. Right outside, adjacent to it we arrived to the most picturesque of Luxembourg, Bock Promontory = the cradle of the city of Luxembourg.

There we met our new friend from Brazil who lives in Ireland, Brunna. I like her mentality, she asked if I can take picture of her as a proof that she was there. Girl, we are the same! Picture or else it didn’t happen 😉

We walked in circular movement for about 5 Minutes tadammmm we reached The Grund.

We closed our tour by visiting Cathedral Notre-Dame de Luxembourg + Place de la Constitution, saw from distance Spuerkeess and….Adolphe Bridge, p.s not gonna lie I was shocked to hear the name of the bridge.

I felt myself not really myself, I need to eat before I turn into Hulk. What is the best options in this situation? Italian! its very hard to make it wrong. Brunna agrees too, ha! same mentality proof! #high five.

Right after I feel satisfied, we three went to the Pfaffenthal elevator, re-do what we did with Maria only with more time haha we also visited Fondation Pescatore. Brunna wants to crossed the bridge. Which bridge? the only bridge that matters, the red one. It has a name no? Yes it is, it’s Pont Grande Duchesse-Charlotte. Feli said we might only come until the middle as we have Bock Casemates at 16:45. However as what Maria said, it looks far but it ain’t. We finished crossing the bridge plus come back to the city using Bus.

Brunna didn’t join for the Casemates tour so we separated there. On the entrance we met with two other girls from the walking tour, she bought the ticket for tomorrow visit while we already have it.

Here it is the one that I have been waiting for, Bock Casemates! What is that exactly? Its a Unesco world heritage fortifications and old town Gibraltar of the North – that’s how its written on the flyer hahaha in a normal language, it used to be a fortress for underground military defense system. The view always faced the same, nevertheless it didn’t reduce the beauty. We saw the same thing on a different level.

Here is the video of the views from different angles:

We walked back to the city center, enjoying the last chance of shopping until…. who do we met randomly? Brunna!!! She somehow had a feeling she will meet us again 🙂 We have to separated for the second time as she went to a supermarket then fetch her stuff to catch her flight back to Ireland.

We seal our good thoughts deals of meeting each other again in the future which are more likely to happen, thanks to so many reasons: we live in EU, she has a German boyfriend, she knows if she’s in Köln she has to text us or we do it the other way…. we visit you in Ireland. Whatever or however it will be, we will see you again Brunna 🙂

…..story continues….

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Indonesian at Heart

Some time ago Felicia saw an advertisement of where you can take DB Bahn using your Deutschland Ticket aka it can be interpreted as for “free” as I already have it and she can upgrade her NRW Ticket to DE Ticket. Options are Salzburg, Luxembourg, Venlo, Strasbourg or Basel. She chose Luxembourg, I’m OK with that, checked the train connection, it’ll took us from 6 hours to eternity depends on element of surprises DB Bahn offers.

She did snack shopping on Thursday, übernachtet at my place so we can go together on Friday morning. Originally we planned to take the 10:45 train, due to my excitement for the trip, I wasn’t able to sleep well, meaning I woke up earlier than planned….hmmm.. what to do? started with the preparation for our food on the train then. After few minutes, Feli also woke up, only then, we realized we could take the 09:45 train. It will be knapp but if we Gas geben to every activity we are currently doing, we might catch it.

We turned to our express mode. She packed her stuff, I watched the food, while I took shower, she was in charge for the food, put my last stuff into our luggage, placed food into the container, clean my apartment, took rubbish out, done and gone! I know… from all activity possible why do I still need to squeeze cleaning the apartment zzzzzzzz #face palm

We walk as fast as we can to the point we sweat when we reached Dortmund Hbf. 50% of the way DB was on time until we had our second Umsteigen, element of surprise take parts, there was 40-50 minutes delay due to something which I didn’t even try to listen to. Boahhh our effort to be 1 hour earlier is just gerade ausgeglichen! On the bright side, since we missed our bus, we were able to visit Trier center for a quick glance.

Took the next bus, arrived Luxembourg city center, took another train to Ncim’s accommodation in Esch-sur-Alzette. Haha we called our AirBnB Landlord Ncim 🙂 #very unpolite heyyyy

Ncim’s place is really near the border of France. I saw on the Map there is an abandon train station, we could go there by walking for only 17 Minutes haha. After we freshened ourselves, the sun is still exist, that’s why at first I want to visit this Port just to put my legs on both countries. However, Feli decided it’s not a wise idea, let’s just have dinner. Need to say, we couldn’t get any receptions, she pinned some restaurants around the area yet we just can’t reach it, we need to rely on our direction sense on where the hell to turn? We decided on one restaurant simply because we heard they are speaking Germans.

I told her I saw Carefour near our AirBnB, she responded “ha? you think we are back home in Indonesia? seit wann haben wir Carefour?” yes I’m dead serious, I saw it on the map. Remember, we can’t rely on our internet so we stroll around until we found it! here it is! although the color is different back home at least we saw this brand again!

We had important day ahead of us, full with sightseeing activities as Sunday is a Ghost Town in Lux so shopping etc must be done on Saturday hahaha. Before reaching our walking tour meeting point’s she saw a “Superindo” Logo, said “are we really back home?” we miss Indonesian super or minimarket so much.

Among any beautiful view Luxemburg’s offers, nothing compare to our “home” brand view 🙂

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Stand Up Weekend

What I stand up on? it’s on a Paddle Board! Tried something new last weekend with Claudia and Gangs 😉 who are the Gangs? Claudia + Julius + Alina + MOI!

It all started with a conversation or rather a statement Claudia made in the office, “this weekend I am doing SUP” To my ears it sounds like Soup = die Suppe that’s why I wasn’t really tune-in, oh she’s cooking soup okay, PV continued the conversation until I realized it wasn’t anything close to a food, joined them to got my Aha Moment, SUP = Stand Up Paddle Board.

I have never done it, I have seen it when I went to Möhnesee with Andrea. Claudia asked “do you want to join?” Hell yeah! followed by a loading moment….. wait, this is not like Kayak right? because if it is… I’m gonna out, memories from 2017 Kayak with Nicolas in Kuching flashed back, it was a big no no, ain’t gonna happen. Being convinced it was something different, confidence boost. Julius check if I can swim, Claudia check if I can get a kids board, done. Let’s goooo!

Took Euro Bahn then Bus. Alina wrote, get out on the next station, we are directly behind your bus. What a perfect timing 😉 We arrived at Claudia’s parents home, put our stuff, 4 of us gathered in one bathroom for eingecremt, irgendwann geht langsam komisch. We did really übertreiben about the amount of sun screen we used, it’s like all over although we wore T-shirts on top of our swim suit.

Martin is the trainer, he is Claudia’s cousins tralala haha. We started by taking out our SUP Board from his Lager. I get the small plus wide one hihihi. We were briefed on how to hold your paddle, how to get on and off, start with the middle point, “cut” the wave, don’t forget! most important = whatever happen… keep moving.

Kneeled position as starters. Seeing someone doing it it’s pretty easy until you really on the water hmmm…. balance, balance, yoga yo! the damn water is keep moving! boaaatttt! aaaaaaa, does my Yoga help? I don’t think so, the whole surface was moving yet you can’t simply move to left or right like you would have done on the road. I kind of take some time to weather my board. Honestly, it was fun! I paddle my board slowly but sure, Martin said I need to give power, so I will go faster to catch the others #face palm.

Martin really played with us, asked us to lie low in order to pass the bridge….hmmm inner peace, calm down, the hell I’m gonna go from standing up to kneel down to lie on my belly in the middle of moving water? steady steady down! then back up again yeaaayyyy, erfolgreich!

We also trained on how to go backwards and make a curve. He said it’s easier if I go back back back back far away from the middle point then make a curve. Indeed!

The moment I want to go back to the middle point, splash! fell down! how the hell am I suppose to go back again? although I managed it, it’s didn’t reduce the scary feeling as we are on a lake yo with unseeable + unreachable bottom.

Remember the tons of sun screen we applied? alles umsonst 😀 at the end of our Schnupperkurs, the warning sign already blitzed meaning we must get out of the water immediately. We chilled a bit, had ice cream or non-alcohol beer, took shower, head back to Claudia’s home for dinner with crazy rain as our background noise #inner peace

What a nice experience! Now I know what to do when I have Urlaub and there is SUP activity available. Thank you Freundin 🙂

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Wheels Has Turn

I saw an advertisement from Stadt Dortmund Instagram’s account, they are looking for few models to do photo shooting. Took a screenshot however didn’t apply directly, kind of forget about it a little until I saw the same advertisement again! Let’s do it. Which picture should I choose??? hmmm

Got a reply saying they still receiving many applications, will do some selections blablabla, great, I’m a master of loser, they won’t choose me, as always I’ll only get participations medal. Proudly say, that thought was wrong, got a reply from the photographer stating he wants to do a photo shooting in Skywalk Phoenix See with a thema “Tourist in Dortmund”. The place is only 1,8km away from Nordwest, shooting time is after work, gefällt mir!

Set the date! being instructed to not wear white or any obvious brand logo, got it! I wear Batik dress, I’m from Indonesia yo need to do something to promote my country so everyone who sees it will automatically knew 100% it was me! shoes from Ci Esty, checked! Hidden brand only 😉

On the day, I’m nervous mixed with excitement uwoooo feel like a superstar wannabe! informed everyone that can be informed in NW about my future model carrier haha off work earlier as I don’t want to be late.

While walking on the sidewalks, Frau Weyerstall’s car approached, asked if I want to join as she will go to BMW direction anyway (that’s where my Metro station located) nope! I’m going to that corner to have a photo shooting… so before I got famous, she was the one that brought me to my shooting place 🙂

I was waiting at the wrong place pfff after all this efforts. Sorry people! I was way more than on time only I was at the corner Eingang instead at the Haupteingang, called Roland, got picked up, alles Gut!

We are 4 people, Marlene, Sascha and Ahmed. I have done the Skywalk with Nordwest in Winter, meaning I couldn’t really see, was glad to be able to do it again in the “day time” (it was from 17-18:36).

During the photo session, they asked how many people applied, is there someone got rejected etc etc ofc I didn’t understand it all but I got the most important point, they also rejected the typical blonde as they got so many blonde application. Yaiissss!!!! the wheel has turn! all 30 years of my life I wanted to join this kind of photo shooting in Indonesia or Shanghai but always get rejected due to my face too usual, body height, they have too many Asians already, they want the white people. Finally, justice has arrived! I am the most international face they could ever had, Asian, black hair and small! real 100% Asian yooooo, Asian born in Asian, this is my time to shine!

We closed the session with running towards Roland. I’m not sure if he said it for politeness or its true, he said he got a very good pictures of all of us! We really are a great people together, we all have each other on IG and posted posted posted for sure we will 🙂

All videos are from Sascha, he made a Reel in Instagram but I can’t saved it so I combined it myself 🙂

Thank you Roland and Sissy from Stadt Dortmund! I’ll for sure do the Leonardo DiCaprio memes from Wolf of Wall Street, that’s me that’s me that’s me! when I see myself on the advertisement, very looking forward!

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Lost Cause

On the last weekend of June I suppose to have some kind of eating weekend #too good to be true. There are two food festivals, the German one aka Gevelsberger Kirmes and the Indonesian one aka Festival Soto dan Sate. Like always, there was not the case.

I didn’t know about Kirmes in Gevelsberg until Claudia and Julia was talking about it, decided to join either one of them. On the D day, obstacles arrived one by one. Claudia had a Wasserschaden, Julia wasn’t sure what time she will be there because she will gather in Dodo’s apartment together with other people then go to Kirmes. I adjust my plan, instead of meeting them there, I’ll go to Schwelm to be with them first.

On the way to Dortmund Hbf, checked which Gleis is the train boarding to Schwelm, got another news instead: it got cancelled!. I could took their alternative way by taking RE + Bus + RE Bahn meh! too much trouble. Texted Julia, skip Kirmes this year, took Straßenbahn back home #failed.

Few minutes later got a WA from Andrea asking what am I up to. Well, since Kirmes is falling off, I’m free again. Both of us went to Phoenix See, had Sushi in Bestfriends Sushi #We are Best Friend yoooooo hihi. Your visit to Phoenix See is not complete without ice cream at Kuhbar, for sure we’ve done that too #yummy!

Only to know later on Monday that Rene was also in the BestFriend Sushi, didn’t notice him, he merged well in the German surroundings. Anyway he didn’t shout or wave or whatever #German! told him by next time he should’ve scream #Asian

DB Bahn please works on Saturday! I want to attend the Soto and Sate Festival in Sankt Augustine. During the whole 2,5 hours journey I texted with Pascal, the German guy from Frankfurt event last month, unfortunately his train got severely delayed whilst mine wasn’t #surprise, for once DB Bahn does it’s job.

It was an outdoor event with 3 tents, before I got the sit inside the tent, I stand under the shadow of a tree #what a Baum! Look around what could I have, there it is, Soto Bandung! the portion was rather small, asked if I can get more she said no as it was instructed that way with the purpose to still have space to try another food pffffff, I ain’t tourist yo. Ashley brought me pinky drink, contains nothing but sugar + chemical stuff hahaha it’s good though! definitely needed under that kind of weather. I forgot to take picture of it, saw another girl having it too, approach her to take pictures using her still full drinks. And that’s kids how to make friends 😉

Her name is Heba from Syria, she was sitting on the front line where the consulate should sat… at that moment, there are still free seats, why don’t we took it? sat our asses #I ain’t moving. There is a box of bread in front my eyes, according to her “oh it’s belong to the consulate as well but I saw other people taking it too”. Girl, I am one of the other people!

Ashley started her Angklung Performance, we ate the bread then Pascal arrived! He knew I would be on the front because of my friend’s performance, yeap good guess! Later on, Heba didn’t want to take it anymore and I said “we already took one, its not ours so we already steal one what’s the difference between stealing 1 and more than 1? it’s either don’t steal or keep going” #logic.

Instead of coming back to Dortmund, I went to Frankfurt with Ashley and Ongky plus two additional passengers Vivi and Anira 😉 it wasn’t planned until Ashley asked if I want to join them running the next day? They registered for Staffelmarathon…. gave few seconds to thought, I was wearing my new on schuhe, let’s go, I’m ready!

When Ongky was on the dentist, we went to have Boba Tee from The Alley! Boba Boba Bobaaaa! #Boba Queen. Went back home, had Sate Ayam. Perfect!

On Sunday I called my birthday Sister, her first birthday as a mother!

Right after, we met the other 2 runners, Bunga, Rubi and their little daughter. Little daughter sitting on the stroller being pushed by Rubi #thumbs up! We did start pretty late, it was already 10:30 the sun was crazyyyy I could only ran for 2 km, the crew go further.

Sat on a bench for a some time, walked around 1km, in the end we meet again to eat Japanese food.

Feel so ashamed as they finished 6km whereas I only 2km #fufufu -_- The conclusion is I can’t do sport under heat, this is the 3rd time I felt bad because of it, can’t do it anymore #lost cause.

P.S: I’ll choose another sport 😉

Birthday icons created by BankSeeNgern – Flaticon

Love icons created by Vectors Market – Flaticon

Girl icons created by Paul J. – Flaticon

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The 8 “Working” Hours – Part 2

I couldn’t join Andrea’s birthday in Portugal as her birthday was in May where the Brückentag ist and everyone in Nordwest already booked their holiday. I was the last woman standing, guarding all the office belongings, colleagues should be grateful I didn’t trash it #devil laughs.

The Nachträglich celebration happened on a Saturday 10th of June. She loves Ramen, it goes without a say, the where is clear, our Little Tokyo. Thanks to Anu, I got some more recommendations on where to eat. I can trust her judgement, she’s the type of person who knows exactly where + what to eat.

We planned to arrive at lunch time for our Ramen experience. Took the RE Bahn at 11:09 which delayed to 11:14ish #no surprise. I forget on which stops came a man with his dog sitting on the other side from our seat. We were sitting in a 4 sit kind of chair bzw. in the middle area. This man always talks, thankfully not to us, rather to the person next to him #bless their heart.

Then the train got fuller, one girl sitting next to me with a rainbow bag. I noticed there was many people with Pride make up or dressed up colorfully. This man, out of nowhere ask her if she is a lesbian due to her Regenbogen Tasche. Before I could grasp, Andrea tilt her head, saying some sentence to confront him. I knew, right there and then I understood the question correctly. Seeing my friend stood up for her, I don’t want to feel FOMO, showed him my Phone, proudly said “ich habe auch Regenbogen Bildschirm, und?” he came with another question “bist du auch Lesbisch?” “was für eine Frage ist das? wenn ja, was ist das mit dir zu tun?” “ich habe nur gefragt, meine Mutter immer sagt, immer fragen immer fragen” we didn’t continue the conversation anymore. It was my first experience on confronting someone’s 🙂 #i am proud of myself for doing it.

There is really something going on! I saw a boy holding a “Free Hugs” sign, ofc I rushed to hug him, followed by asking “what happening here?” He said “Christopher Street Day” It’s indeed a Pride, only they called it CSD. We chose the right date Andrea! #So HAPPY!

Back to our Ramen Lunch, I provide 2 options for each eating section. Andrea will have to choose one, yes people! it is like a TikTok Challenge which doesn’t involve any challenge, there is no ZONK options as I also want to eat.

First place, she chose Takumi, yeay! it’s my favorite! We went there during lunch time…meaning one hour waiting in line is expected…heyyy we are not in a hurry! We witness a potential date for the two people in front of us. They came by themselves, he turns to her “are you from here?” während they small talked, we eavesdropping 😉 in the end they speak Mandarin to one another aha! now I’m the only one who do the job hihihi

There was only one table available outside, makes matter worse, this potential date was in front of us, Verdammt! I asked Andrea “should I speak to them in Chinese to not take that table?” Thankfully they were pointed to the sit inside, ours too! but we asked for that outside table. We have a German here who really want to feel the sun 😉

Since we are not ready for the next station, we went to Altstadt to join the Pride crowd. We liked it! There is a guy with glitter on his face, I asked “where did you get the glitter?” “there is one lady who sold it for 2 Euro, oh wait wait” he tried to rub the glitter to my face haha #didn’t work I saw a guy gave another guy a sticker, eitss! me too! me want that, gimme gimme gimme.

Not gonna lie, at some point, the heat starts to strike us, we need to separate from the crowd for a while to go to our next desert station. Andrea chose Soboro, sadly, it was closed T.T , the second options was 850 meters away. But she found the Frozen Yoghurt place called Tenten right next to Soboro, let’s go! not bad ehhh! We definitely need to sit and refresh ourselves 🙂

Andrea remembered the Alt Beer which her Oma still drinks every evening. Yais! we need to have that too! Off to Uerige Beer, had one glass each then proceed to take the Schnapps in the Window thingy. There is no Rhabarber Schnaps, only one type, Killepitsch. 10 minutes after, I could feel, I was definitely under the influence.

Ooopsss what time is it? Dinner is around the corner 😀 Remember when I said Anu knows what to eat in each Restaurant? Andrea chose Hitchoq, they had one special Menu only on Saturday called Chicken and Waffle. Little did I knew, it was only from 12-17 PM, Anu didn’t informed me 🙁 well, to be honest, I also didn’t check it. We arrived there around 19PM. Verdammt!

Okay, not the end of the world, we chose another menu to share. A lawyer and a supply chain manager, yet both of us don’t understand what’s the meaning of 1,5kg of Drumstick chicken thighs. Hmmm that sounds good, we could do that +3 Beilage, bring it! In short, we couldn’t.

We skip the cake from Hitchoq because there was only Cheesecake and Andrea doesn’t really like it so we didn’t have any cake, we only have Toffifee from Rewe. She said I should make an ice cube out of Toffifee tray haha that’s why the tray now is lay low on my fridge 😉

We ate the Toffifee on the other side of the Rhine, saw the sunset then took the train back to Dortmund.

From the time we eat lunch until we finish dinner it was more or even more than 8 working hours but we can handle this kind of “working” 😀

I really had a good time planning this TikTok Challenge, choosing the restaurant and enjoying the food with you.

We are our each other first friend in Dortmund back to year 2020.

To a never ending friend. Cheers to us!

I hope you like my nachträglich birthday arrangement #another memories to cherish between us 🙂