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I’m Just a Kid

Every December I got a new hobby: spending moneyyyyyy!! I like to look on deals whether last minute or not, what could be die passenden Geschenke for my squads 😉

Was celebrating Christmas wie gehabt ~ full package with Claudia. On 24th zum Frühstücken at Leuthold’s 1910 in Castrop Rauxel. Took Sbahn to Hbf + almost private Bus to Castrop Markt as there was only two people then only me and the 61 years old Bus driver who are very healthy. We chatted a long the way until I arrived, he tried to guess where I was from, his Rheinfolge was: China, Thailand, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philipine, approaching my station he said “oh nooo, please let me know, I’m running out of countries” he was so peinlich he couldn’t named Indonesia especially when he went there in 2023, overall was a very nice and angenehmen fährt 🙂

Heiligabend came Dominik and Guido for Würst und Kartoffelsalat + Jenga game until level 31. I continue the festives on Christmas with Claudia & Julius’ family. They are always very TOTAL, table manner was on point, Antipasti placed beautifully, every possible drinks were there, was very very very professional.

On the 26th Dominik and Guido came für breakfast, we exchange gifts with Alina. Then dinner at Dom’s place only the two of us 🙂 Our first Christmas together #Kuschelabend.

I know Christmas liegt nicht um Geschenke zu beschenken but hey, I’m just a kid, I loveeeee opening & receiving gift, knowing my friends curated it solely for me. At the end of the day, the thoughts are whats counts ~ or not, if its goes to your work related connection, it’s rather a “must” #Think I would behave nicely? #Think again haha

My modified version of our mandatory Christmas song:

  • Last Christmas, I don’t give anyone my heart.
  • So the very next day, nobody can gave it away.
  • This year, to save me from…. hmmm everything haha…,
  • I give it to someone special 😀

Merry Christmas everyone!

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Sugarbomb – Part 2

We wanted to be at Christmas Market in Aachen, because during our first visit ~ Sugarbomb I got the impression that somehow it will be good. Was I correct though?

On the way there, Dom already half happy, he just need the Soda. Good I was already Germanized, made a booking at Warteg, otherwise all 3 hours on the way is umsonst! #They were packed! Very happy to see the restaurant thrived 🙂

Feli followed their IG Account to know they have Adventskalender, for the day we were there, it will be Es Campur für every zwei Hauptgerichte, aaahhh schaffen wir es locker! #Nomnomnom

Now we both has aged hihi our average number is 32 🙂 revisit Aachener Dom ~ still the best one, touch the door #Again. Unfortunately my guess was incorret, the Christmas Market was rather a disappointment. No mühe whatsoever given, I understand everybody wants to cut corners, but really… to the point they didn’t even have plate for Crepes? Dom just got a paper? It’s too much saving money hey.

They don’t have Christmas Tree ~ only Printen as Aachener Printen is famous #Yep, not getting it… Brigitta (Warteg’s employee) said actually there was a Photobox with background Printen, according to her it was very good ~ I however didn’t see it.

We need to cure our Zonk experience, back to the place we know how ~ Warteg for dinner 😀 I need to have something warm, opted for Bakso. Two Hauptgerichte wieder, meaning another Es Campur! How many happy soda Dom had? Three! He was gesodad.

I’m pretty sure we will come back here during Christmas, not only for the Printen Photobox, rather for Warteg’s Adventskalender and their Stempelkarte #Priorität #So many reason to look forward to 😉

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Sweat It Off

A glimpse of a Belohnung for 261 days of hard work, Nordwest presented their annual Christmas Party 😀 sponsored by Monicita’s Tequila, and her “komm, andale andale” slogan.

Regarding the food choice itself, it’s deutlich weniger, they must have chosen the Sparplan. Not complaining, purely serve as #Zur Kenntnis genommen.

Moving on to the dance floor. For some reason, I braved myself to go right on the first row, have never done it previously. Was there with Sharin, Monicita, Katrina and Axel.

All of the sudden, Sharin turn me around, pushed me while giving my hand to the lead singer, while shouting “hier“. Next thing I knew, he grabbed + pulled me = I was on the Bühne… Oh WOW, how… didn’t even catch if he asked something. They were laughing their ass off right below me. It was a full 02:30 Minutes song, I was pleading, please please do not ask or give me the mic because I don’t know this song!

What a party, Dominik picked me up at 00:45, my back + clothes + hair TODOS was sweating #Two hours pure dancing, my feet was sore. Monicita also agrees that this Party is way more fun than last one.

I was very confident, gave it all in, enjoyed while it last 🙂

See you next year Nordwestler… or not? hmmm…. #We shall see.

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Re-confirm

Perks of spending too much time on the phone ~ leads me to a good deal!

Join us to the dark side

#Or perhaps in Slytherin, you’ll make your real friends ~ Sorting Hat

During our walk, Dom spotted a building with lights from outside, he pointed “would be cool if our Halloween is there” Feli looked at her GPS “actually, it might be” At first we thought it would be at a normal house party, it wasn’t, was on a restaurant called Friends.

Once we got in, the waiter greeted us by asking if we wanted to take some red spritz, ähnlich wie Bloody Mary with Tabasco and stuff. Mehh, only Feli had it. He explained the whereabouts of our All-you-can-eat. I “secured” the table while resting my feet #Multitasking. Dom and Feli took their first round. They came back with plate full of meat and dessert. Wow! The Ribs are amazing, next I took 4 Ribs, as if there will be no tomorrow. Nach dem Motto “Wir haben es schon bezahlt, hajaaarrrr!”

Moving on to photo sessions, what a shame if I don’t have a photo of me wearing these high heels. Felt for a second like Gloria from Modern Family at Disneyland haha. None of the attendees took pictures of the Halloween decorations, had all of them were Asians for sure every corner already on the Gram.

I was a bit unangenehmen because we blocked the entrance to the Buffet until Feli reassured me by saying “bagus tau!” 😀 Ignoring their stare, we took one corner whereas our main goal is the middle part. We waited until those two girls moved from the table, vergist es, they didn’t budge. Well… who moved then? the spider!

Should we go to the next round? Unsure if our money’s worth…. Dom got a tiny bit plate more to share with me. Continued to re-confirming everyone with one big question “are we already breakeven?” Only after we confirmed, we left the premise 🙂

Once you get to adulthood, not having money is the real Halloween #Spooky!

  • Location: Friends ~ Wellinghofer Str. 167, 44263 Dortmund
  • Price: 29 Euro (not included drink)
  • Comment: Very worthy, perhaps we should go for a normal dinner sometime #We are not all bad 😉

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Rainbow After Rain

Hainka was surprised with my answer to his question on how long will we stay at Venice, what are you gonna do for all 7 days there? This is how we do it : 😉

Vicenza

Weather forecast: Raining! It is a small town only about 30 Minutes away via Train. When I planned it, I really wanted to visit La Rotonda und Villa Valmarana, only from the outside since I think it wouldn’t be as beautiful as Venetian one #No offense. From the descriptions on how to get there, looks like far away, it wasn’t, still on a walking distance.

We had our Pause on the Garden of Villa Valmarana, only few visitors was there, couldn’t see where the yellow flower garden I saw from another blog, Dom peeked to which he commented “the Garden looks sad, just leaves & trees”. Moving on to La Rotonda that was zu, literally got what I want, couldn’t be more outside than this haha

Padova

Weather forecast: Raining! It is still a small town, about 17 Minutes away via Train, slightly offered more things to do than Vicenza . I booked a ticket to Scrovegni Chapel e Musei Civici degli Eremitani. It reminded me of the Frescoes from “Leonardo da Vinci” in Milan where you can only be inside for 30 minutes before the bell rang ~ only with a much more reasonable price 😉

Also went to the Basilica of Saint Anthony, it’s another type of beautiful from St. Mark in Venice, the marbles are stunning. The Tomb of St. Anthony is really there, it was guarded and prayed upon.

Treviso

Weather forecast: Raining! It is the biggest town among those two, only 40 Minutes away from Venice by train. Dom was on a Pancake Hunting and Treviso was the winner! See the comparison, you know which one belongs to which cities 🙂

Besides the foods, there are definitely more things to do, such as: Fontana dei Tre Visi (Fountain of the Three Faces) nope don’t mixed up with the one in Rome Trevi Fountain 😉 , Cattedrale del Duomo, Porta di Santi Quaranta.

Update weather forecast: we got Rainbow! My Diannaaaa! We were waiting for her, suddenly I catch a glimpse of a familiar face lurking at the window, Matteo!!!! What a pleasant surprise, I’m so glad he could joined! Few minutes later my gorgeous sister Dianna walked into the room, with her fashionable style, prettier than ever. I was and still am smiling from ear to ear, very happy to be able to hug her again, at last!

We crammed stories during 9 years span of life into one an half hour of lunch at Tavernetta Butterly. Shared family updates, our experience on moving to Asia for her vs moving to Europe for me. We met the first time during the horrible trip at Abandon Island ~ none of us know the real name and we close it with an “open” trip possibilities, you two are more than welcome to join us in Bali! Would love to show a bit of my countries to you.

Thank you very much Matteo and Anna for inviting us for lunch, it was the best restaurants in comparison to all our trip in Venice, very authentic. Next time you’re in Germany or Indonesia, it’s on us! #Deal!

Us, 9 years apart! 2016 vs 2025 #Aging like fine wine 🙂 We don’t have to wait another 9 years to meet each other again.

A presto Amoreeeee miooooo 😉

Leonardo da Vinci in Milan: Marching On

Trevi Fountain in Rome: Frequency

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The Credits – Part 3

When I told my colleague I was going to Dubrovnik, some advices comes in. Tanja said there are a lot of seafood like mussels , it wasn’t what she likes but I do! Oh I ate mussels almost in every chance! There are three restaurants I really like: The Captain + Mediterra + Kamenice near the “Walk of Shame” ~ you will see a blue white table cloth on the table. To the one who doesn’t like mussels, shame! Hahaha Dominik became a big fans of fried calamari, small fishes, black Risotto. He never even had it before, well… well… well…. see what travels done to you 😉 #Only good vibes!

Hainka told us about Lavender ice cream from Gelateria Dubrovnik, seems pretty Dubrovnik things to tried. I dont like it at all haha found it super weird. Right around it, there is a “podium” with some urban legends. It was believed one child around 15yo climbed on it, removed his shirt, turn around to the “well” where the women would take some water… right there and then, he found love. Which one is true: the guy was shirtless or was the “Podium” really has it charm?! #I’m thinking.

No one left behind: friends got their postcards, mom’s her magnets, dad’s his Hard Rock shirts and I got the you can’t mistakenly Croatia pattern 🙂

From the bottom of my heart, Dubrovnik is a city you must go if you visit Croatia. Dubronik Pass is something you must buy even if you’re only spend one day there.

Video’s that wasn’t do the whole justice for showing the beauty of Dubrovnik hihihi

#Made the best from what I got 😉

Thanks for your wonder Dubrovnik! Left a piece of my heart there <3

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Sugarbomb

We are now officially on the Easter holiday, what to do when you feel like you want to go somewhere but your wallet doesn’t let you? haha #On budget 😉 Deutschlandticket is the answer!

Searching what is still distance-wise possible plus what to do there? As a regular #On budget travelers, I always look for a “free walking tour”. Why? You gotta come back with experience plus one tick smarter haha. It was a bit tricky with the Feiertage therefore everything must be mapped out precisely.

Since Dominik has nothing planned, we both packed up for these Ostern Ausflüge. I narrowed down to two cities, first is Aachen; second is for the next day #Wink. I remember QQ Dite said he has a friend who is opening an Indonesian Warteg called Warteg haha #Creativity to the max, they are already eingedeutsch 😀 let’s try then!

We were knapp inside the train, few seconds later then we have to wait for next one in one hour pfffff such a stressing morning. After a 2,5 hours train ride, oh boy gotta eat directly hey, you don’t want to see a Hungry Marlyn. Once we arrived at Warteg, Dominik said he need to go to the loo because he was feeling dizzy, oh no! let’s order some sugary drinks, what else other than “Soda Gembira” / “Happy Soda”, a bunch of sugars there ~ suddely a memory jumped in my mind, Thorben hadn’t had it when he was in IDN otherwise he would “die” from the sugarbomb!

The Restaurant is really good, very different concept from Toko Bersama or Warung Made, they have a real set menu. I found difficulties to choose as it all very delicious, I could feel it. He said not only that it looks good, it taste good too. I wish you Randy, Lina, Evelyn and all staff a sucessfull Warteg ahead!

Then we started our self-tour before the walking tour started, we kept coming back to the Dom + Furzbrunnen + Rathaus. I really like the view of the Rathaus, it gives me Hogwarts vibe, just amazing. I have to say the highlight is the Aachener Dom, what the hell is that? it’s the most beautiful Dom I have ever visited #Droll! The color, marbles, candles hanging on the ceiling, wow wow wow! #Speechless.

Strolling around without a purpose seems quiet boring hey? let’s find ourself a homework, a very easy one: find a store that is the same as our age. It took us some time to complete it yet we make it before our tour starts.

Okay what can I take from the tour? We started at the Aachener Thermal Bad, there is three Wasserhahn which looks like a Trinkwasser, it’s not, it’s warm. Then she started to talk about Printen which I thought a Drückerei? while Dominik thought of a Cafe? häää? guess what we both wrong, it’s a snack haha! I did had one in the office. We were on Easter and the Lindt Osterhase chocolate was made in Aachen! She also explains these characterical builings are 3 Houses next to each other. There is a Puppe in the city center where we can move the steel part etc, the characters there represents what the city of Aachen is, such as a Professor as Aachen also known for student city and a…. yeap only that I remember, you need to do your own interpretation hahaha Aachen also have a very small statue which reminds me of Manneken Pis, unless of course its a fisherman 🙂

Had Aachen is not 2,5 hours away, I’d say I’d choose Aachen than Köln, big times 🙂

Day one checked!

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Ce Christmas Chronicles Conmigo

What kind of Christmas sequence I’ve done this year? Surprisingly didn’t go as much to Dortmunder Weihnachtsmarkt as before, perhaps A. I always passed by City Center every time I visit my doctor or buy something at DM. Therefore B. I didnt feel the necessity to dedicate really some time to physically be there.

Nevertheless I went to two cities 🙂 exploring Soest with Hainka, Lena and Freundin. They know what + where to get. We three #Not Lena did the “challenging” task mwahaha which was went to toilet at Extrablatt because we dont want to pay the fee mwahaha Don’t like to break the rule yo! #Eingedeutsch but still Asian in blood, give my jacket to Lena so they thought Im one of their customer, entered with confidence! Steady, slow #Misschief managed! Only then we can explore in Ruhe, we had Wurst & Chocolates. I also tried some Probe they put in front of the stand.

Our annual Nordwest Weihnachtsfeier! Still remember how we weren’t being picked up from the bus station therefore Monicita & Ignacio drove us there, Hainka also didn’t take the bus. We sat with our QM Thomas, when the dance floor opened, he was very excited to start dancing yes we three were on the Tanzfläche. Hainka spent almost all the time I was there on the Theke drinking Beer. When the strikes hits 00:00 I still want to stay, timeline for bus is either at 00:00 or 02:00. Monicita came to me “I’m going back” “I’m not” “Yes but Aylin drove me back to my place” “Whatt? OK then I’m going back too” Fabian picked us up, he bekommt Beilage 😉 P.S I had some improvement, didn’t get sick this time #Yeay!

We didn’t go to Dortmund Weihnachtsmarkt mainly due to a super unangenehmen conversation PV heard during his time there, urged him to report it to Police. We opted for dinner at Base Kitchen with Weihnachtsspirit ~ Nikolaus sponsored by Freundin 🙂

Andrea made up for missing my birthday & combine it with Münster Weihnachtsmarkt. There is no special Baum like the Dortmund one and quiet separate, there were 6 of it scatter around, we only went to 5 as it was raining. Then we had my favourite cocktail of all time from a Peruvian Restaurant: Pisco Sour! #Baby you’re all that I want. Afterwards went back to her place, took a bit of Pause, I gladly became her Elf on packing Christmas gift. I requested her for a Pasta allo Scoglio dinner #Never better 😀

Heiligabend went to Cafe Helene at Recklinghausen + Weihnachten with Freundinnnn #4 years and keep going. It was amazing wie immer! look at these meat! #Carpaciooooo #Nomnomnom

I got a tons of variety presents, from symbolic to useful to meaningful to ‘so me’ look how creative all my friends are. I am so proud to be able to call them friends. Nothing more perfect other than wrapping the year with counting your blessings.

Shout out to Claudia & Gio, Freundin & Freund, Selina, Julius Mama, Alina Penguina, Andrea, Martin. Professionally to Kubala and Flexport #If they want to keep getting order, better treat me right 😉

Merry Christmas, everyone #HO HO HO

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Silent Week Treatment

I have been waiting for Bea’s visit since few months until the day she arrived, picked her up at Hbf, went back home, had ramen…..suddenly….. my voice’s gone!!!! I c.a.n.t. s.p.e.a.k!

Next day I did WFH only transfer my phone to my colleague as I barely able to utter a word. Called it off after not even two hours. She was isolated in the living room, did her home office there while I was on my bedroom.

Half of our plan still go through which is crossing out as many places we can from my Gutscheinbuch. Nothing is able to stop us from eating 🙂 you can see most of the time I only drink Tea with Ginger and I carried 2 hot water bottles with Lemon slice on it.

  • We’ve had Kuchen at Cafe Kompott, lecker!! It’s my first time being in a Ukrainian restaurant.
  • Cafe Auszeit for Breakfast. I’ve been there with Kinga for Kuchen too so I know this place is good.
  • Klubhaus1249. I had Schnitzel boah the portion was giant, Bea had Burger. Although we have all time in the world to finish it, I couldn’t however she nailed hers!
  • Hoshino. I really like their Bento Box!
  • Wonder Waffel in Hörde. We also have in city center but I want to show her Phönix See as the other tourist spot for Dortmund.
  • Tequilaria Bochum, some mexican food.
  • immergrün Dortmund. We finally have a healthy food, salad yo! save it on her last day 🙂

Besides eating, we’ve done some other activities too such as:

  • Had an appointment in Salzgrotte where we just lay down for 45 minutes in a room full of Salz.
  • Watched a Musical Express in Hansa Theater. I didn’t expect the show will be 3,5 hours + 30 mins break. I thought it will be 2 hours max, we kind of dragged down the average age on that show haha #Finally, we weren’t the older one. I feel very happy to see rather senior people still actively go out with friends or family watching musical show. This is what aging suppose to looks like 🙂
  • On the weekend, we went to an Escape Room in Bochum. We managed it within 1 hour with some helps from the operator. It was actually a beginner task but since we both read Chinese, we think more complicated that it has to be.

Since I knew she likes Manga, I took her to Düsseldorf, walking a long path the Little Tokyo. We had our lunch in my favourite Takumi Tan Tan Mian Shop 🙂 not for Ramen though haha

At first we planned to go to Movie Park, I saw my improvement day after day, decided it’s not worth as I am for sure not be able to stand on a line nor sitting on a roller coaster. On her last days staying with me I heard sometimes she’s coughing or sneezing, I kept asking “do you need my medicine? do you have vitamins?” God please protect her!

It was really nice having Bea here, selbstverständlich it would be better if I was healthy so we could do what we intended to do. Sometimes, life takes an unexpected turn. Sorry to give you the full week silent treatment Bea!

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The 2024 Secret Sessions

Approaching Taylor Swift Era’s Tour in Europe, my Instagram filled up with her new or old feeds. I am no more a rookie Swiftie, I know she held a secret sessions for her fans one month prior her album open for public. Well, here I tell you my own secret sessions, consist of secret people who all “failed” to keep it that way 😉

The first week of March was a busy week for someone who their works has something to do with importing tools from Asia as it was the Köln Fair meaning all Asian supplier will be there. In another word, our Agent from Far East are coming 🙂 We have a guest! Meet Nilesh, this was the first time I met him personally, all this time we only meet online. First few days he didn’t stay in Dortmund but once he stays here, time to turn the valve, let off steam.

Welcome to the 2024 Secret Session! The Errors Tour 😉

Remember when I told this secret is neither secret nor exclusive anymore? Who can’t keep it? First is Nilesh, he ask his friend Abhi to join, I don’t even know him. Second is me haha I told Esther about Amigo. He wasn’t sure if he can come as he live and work somewhere else but he will try his best to make it.

Me and Amigo texted few hours before on where to show Nilesh, options are Hörde or City Center. Unfortunately at that day there was a strike for Bus & Bahn. In the end we decided to just come to my place, do a home tour, have a drink nearby.

It was the first time Amigo step into my apartment, his real first one was only until stairs to handed me Rewe groceries as I was positive. I gave him my best slippers which to him the unmanliest ever. Hey this slippers has been travelled from Netherlands-Shanghai-Deutschland, very international!

I do the apartment room tour where these two kept commenting about how big my place is in contrast to how small I am, yo you don’t understand this apartment is generational!

We gave up the idea of waiting Abhi, decided to have a drink without him. It took him forever why? the real reason is not because there is no Bus or Bahn as my place is only 20 mins away from Hbf, rather a series of errors: Nilesh give him my address instead of Schmackes plus he carried a big luggage and two backpacks. Me and Amigo was shocked! O.O where is he going? what is his intention with those stuff? most important, what’s inside?

Why Abhi is not on the picture? Dude, we just get to know him, he didn’t earn his badge to be included on our secret sessions yet haha! We literally waited for him to arrived to take us that picture, why didn’t we ask the weiter? For whatever reason, it’s a no haha

Gracias Amigo for inviting us for drinks, just my two cents don’t do it often to the Alcoholic #You know who he is 😉