Mittwoch, 8. Juli 2009

MY FAVORITE TIME TO PAINT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

When I was younger, I shared a room with my twin sister. We shared the same room for 17 years strait. After so long- its only a matter of time that change needed to be administered. But because another bedroom wasn't an option, and we weren't yet old enough to move out, we had to make change within our own four walls. Thus became the ever-changing living quarters that was our bedroom.

I can't count the amount of times that we decided to rearrange or alter our room. but when we did- it was in the middle of the night on a school night, or the day before leaving for family vacation. The point is, when either of us ever had a hankering for change, we couldn't wait till the next day, or a more opportune time. We'd be dragging furniture across the room as quietly as possible, opening gallons of fresh paint and pulling out the ladder- hoping we wouldn't wake mom.

The other night, I had a night like this. It was the last night I would spend seeing a white wall stare back at me from my bed. Me versus wall... and I was going to win. I didn't have paint, and all the stores were well closed. But i did have coffee. Ive never done it myself, but ive heard of cofeestaining before- and i thought that it was just the look that i needed. I'd say that tea could give a similar rustic look and feel, but it was a bit too orangy/ yellow for my taste.

The warm brown that a strong brew of coffee left on the walls was the quick and cheap alteration that i needed. And the scent of coffee filled the room - just like the anticipation of change did that initially urged me to paint. in the middle. of . the . night.

Samstag, 20. Juni 2009

BY REQUEST:

this is a bike. kinda a dorky bike, but to get around- its not so bad!

this is a bunch of american food that got delivered to my house the other day. a family i babysit for very generously gave us all of their food before moving back to the states.

shoes. i bought these in vienna - they are fuzzy, and they were only 8 euro!

here is my new sewing machine! also free. (like the food) i really love it

a bag i made with the sewing machine. its called the: dri-stitch tee-shirt bag! haha. i made it just with 3 lines of stitching- including a lining. how schoen!

beth asked me to take a photo of a bag i just made out of a t-shirt-
myself- my new bike, and just anything i wanted to show off- :) so just some pics

Sonntag, 14. Juni 2009

ASLEEP TOO LATE, AWAKE TOO EARLY

A club's closing party. A 'cool- NY-80's-Hip-hop styled' doorguy, wearing sunglasses at night. A secret room with plenty of coke. Exclusivity is their slogan. Music not in all rooms. Weak sound system. 2 dj's- is their strong point. Old, vintage house- in the midst of gritty east berlin- takes too long to get to- and only can arrive by tram. Stuffed trams. Filled with colored mohawks and beer, dogs, and the oder of stale cigarettes on the jacket standing next to you. -being on the guestlist made it a bit easier to swallow. Its not so bad its closing.

Freitag, 12. Juni 2009

ACUPUNCTURE MOXA & ME

Today, I had an appointment with an acupuncture specialist. Well not exactly... As it turns out, there are a ton of benefits that go along with babysitting.

1. Its off the books. Therefore, I can continue being an illegal alein (although im not illegal... just working illegally)

2. All of my friends are under 5 or over 30- therefore, have stable, well paying jobs, that I can sometimes reap the benefits of.. or can run around and play hide-and-go-seek with.

3. There are various gift that I receive by knowing these families. ie: my full size bed came from one family, free; my new sewing machine, a gift; tons of dinner invites; v.i.p. tickets for basketball games; and now, today, we add to the list: acupuncture.

SO> back to the topic. yes, acupuncture and moxa are forms of eastern medicine/practice. no, they arent used for voodoo or satanist ceremony- well maybe they are- i'm no expert. But the point is, i got a few needles stuck in me today, at various crucial points of my hand, releasing bad spirits and ghosts and goblins, and then- i am healthy for the latter of my life! hehe, no but in all seriousness, im a fan of non-pharmaceutical, mind-over-matter, herbal, alternative forms of medicine. Just like my grandma-ma's and great grandparents' involvement with Christian Science.

Donnerstag, 11. Juni 2009

OH MONSTERS

saw this one on tv today..

CLIMATE CHANGE< CHANGE OF MIND

If there is, in fact, global warming, or any other climate changing force, I have to change my expectations in order to keep the disappointments to a minimum. If our modern calender says it is 'summer' - we expect that it will be sunny, warm, and a season for the beach and swimsuits. Today, and days before, have proven otherwise- both in Berlin, and in Chicago- and Im sure the list doesnt stop there. So I'm proposing we change the calender as we know it- and take note of the everchanging, and unpredictable weather system. We should abolish the idea of 'seasons' in a linear sense.. and create a school of thought that allows for sudden and abrubt alterations in daily weather. No longer will there be spring fashion lines, or summer sales, instead all stores will carry clothes for nearly any weather occasion. Full winter jumpsuits, next to the bakini section, sunglasses next to the ponchos, and sweatpants next to the gasmasks- incase another airbourn pandemic shows face. i will take it day by day- and today feels like the last day of fall- so I will sport my wool brown jacket, accompanied by my orange beanie, and have my bakini on underneath just incase the weather decides to shift by nightfall. April Flowers brings May June July showers with a good chance of hail....

Dienstag, 9. Juni 2009

New News

New things i have, Materialism, aned changes that you would otherwise know nothing about, considering the miles (kilometers) we are apart.

MIDDLE ASH BLONDE HAIR DYE

Welp, probably no one was aware of the recent red color i tried for my hair, it was horrible at first, great after a few days, and then I got tired of trying to match my hair with my outfits. So- here it is, back to brown- it is called "middle ash blonde" I like it. Its a refreshing, cool take on my usual fiery experiments...

YAKS TEETH NECKLACE

Although this is not very 'Berlin' nor was it even made in Germany, I cant help but to snag up any decorative ornamant made from animal remains- I am a strong advocate for utilizing every part of an animal that is killed- Unless it was killed strictly for that purpose.... of course... I think I am a decendant of a Native Indian Tribe.. OH- AND- i recently had to cook a whole chicken- take it apart, clean out its insides, and ick, unhinge its joints for a boy i was babysitting... almost passed out. I was just thankful I didnt have to behead it or de-feather the poor little thing. (oh, and i almost kept the wishbone, but really couldnt bring myself to taking him apart anyfurther...)

KHAKI PANT

They look a bit like baseball pants, with a fancy twist to em, but this recent purchase was made in hopes to have something to go with my blue and other colorful shirts. Last I checked Blue Jeans and Blue shirts just is too monocramatic for my taste- and Blue jeans with any vibrant color is a bit too colorful for my extremely particular, sense of style...

Sonntag, 31. Mai 2009

CLICK ON THE FLICK TO SEE MAY

Montag, 20. April 2009

HIBERNATION IS OVER>

The winter was rough... I bet not as bad as Chicago's... but, it was still low. Seasonal depression, not wanting to venture outdoors even for a good event, colds, eating a lot of soup, baking and baking and baking for some warmth in the kitchen and in the belly, and the like. I wont say i hate winter. I don't even 'dislike' the season- but after a while, the cold hits you- and the snow becomes less of a luxury and just another barrier to dodge on my way to work or school. Oh, and Senioritis mixed with the wintry elements just made it that much harder to finish school! Class? Id rather sleep. Snuggle in the warmth of the apartment.

But now, now, its warm, the air smells alive, and a breeze can be quite refreshing... it was worth the wait. Here are some flicks some outdoor adventures I was able to brave, now that spring is here!

Rooftop at the 'Soundcloud' office up the street from us- they had an open invite for breakfast barbeque- which of course went on till the evening- good time to lay out in the sun and enjoy a nice becks, or bionade in my case.

Hanging out in a really large park in Kreuzberg called Victoria Park. Babysitting has really brought me to alot of parks and playgrounds- ive probably been to about 15 thus far... lol

And in the same neighborhood (Kreuzberg), there is a turkish street market twice a week- good for fabrics, and veggies mainly- but there is a pic of a basketballhoop and bags and bags of tees availiable there.

There is a district called Erkner, outside of berlin. Its one of those places that would confuse people when you mention it- "why did you go there?"
Well the weather was nice, and Ike and I were up for an adventure- so we went the absolute farthest we could east on the Berlin city trains (BVG). Our initial hope was to see some former east Berlin destruction, huge, abandoned buildings, industrial ruins... and history that has been lost in the city due to new constructions. We saw none of that. Erkner was interesting. The ride out there was like a Metra ride out to Plainfield. Big houses, suburbia, and lots of land. Take a look.

Sonntag, 12. April 2009

I MOVED TO BERLIN 6 MONTHS AGO, AND JUST NOW BECAME A TOURIST.

A friend visited the city, and he wanted to see those sites he's heard of- and cover as much territory as possible in the short week he had here. And, if you don't have endless months to just stumble upon those sites.... being a tourist is the only other option. Unfortunatly, with being a tourist, comes crowds, lines, and other annoying tourists.

I thought I'd make a postcard- me, traveling in the city- checking those sites that guide books classify as "must see" attractions, and spend a bit of time getting to know the history behind this once divided city. This adventure and interest began 6 months after my arrival. Six months after becoming part of the city. And I wonder if Id ever have done it if I hadnt got a visitor!

I came here and became one who is looked at by the tourists, not one of the tourists. I suppose I felt I didn't need such an introduction and determined attitude to get to know the city. Since moving here, day by day, I discover new parts of the city, uncover secrets I've never even dreamed of imagining, and piece together the history of Berlin- Its my own unconventional self-led tour of Berlin-

Dienstag, 7. April 2009

MEET THE ROOMATES

Max Von Senger on the left, Jakob Krueger on the Right. They adopted 2 Americans, and are quite a pair of characters- (as seen in image above) Max and I went to the same Uni, and Jakob goes to one is a far away place called Potsdam (not shown in diagram below- but just imagine a place further southwest)

We live in Mitte, and to give you a better idea of where that is, it is right where it says it is- 'middle'. All those little names are the equvielent to new york burrows, or chicago's 'neighborhoods, like little italy, or ukranian village. and here is my best attempt at coorelating each area with the neighborhoods of the chi:

mitte: loop
prenzlauerberg: wickerpark
wedding: rogerspark
kreuzberg: humboldt park
tiergarten: uptown
charlottenburg: lincoln park
wilmersdorf: oldetown
shoeneberg: andersonville mixed with pilsen
neukoelln: Southside mixed with west side mixed with pilsen

-but really.... they cant be compared... its just different.

and here is the massive train system! (click on it to enlarge)
its based on the 'honor system' primarily, although if you get caught without a ticket.... you get to pay a handsome fee of 40 euro :)

Montag, 6. April 2009

THE MEAN STREETS OF BERLIN

Yes, a big city usually coincides with big violence- or calls for 'street smarts' I automatically watch my back, and make sure no one is following me in when I open my building's front door at night. Making sure my cell phone has enough juice to make it home, and even put my mean-'dont mess with me face' on when i am out by myself- but these routine precautions were learned in Chicago.

Berlin is different. And although I never felt super threatened in Chicago- there are places that you know not to go- and things you know to look out for. And stories youve heard, about rapes and muggings. And then there's Berlin. Berlin is like a big, gentle giant. I really don't have to do anyof that. ever. Now, this isn't to say that I let my guard down completely... but I mean walking down the street bymyself at 3:30 in the morning, almost anywhere in Berlin is just about as scary as walking down the yellow-brick-road in broad daylight... the worst that could happen is that i run into a stranger, that ends up wanting to be a friend, or find myself in a new and glorious place- like Emerald City.

heres the latest street-violence reported in berlin:

Jogger mugged by 7-year-old boy

Published: 30 Mar 09 09:05 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/society/20090330-18319.html

Police have returned a 7-year-old to his parents after the child mugged a teenage jogger in a Berlin park on Sunday afternoon.

The boy overcame the 17-year-old girl while she was jogging in the Wedding district, a police statement said. He hit and kicked her, then took her mobile phone and attempted to flee, but she held him down.

Witnesses observed the attack and held the boy until police arrived, the statement said.

“The officers conducted a disciplinary discussion with the boy and informed his parents of the event,” police said. “The responsible youth services office was also informed.”

The jogger was not injured.

The Local (news@thelocal.de)

Dienstag, 24. März 2009

What part of 'American food' is trendy exactly???

Fri, 03/13/2009 - 2:00pm

OBAMA FINGERS' ON SALE IN GERMANY- (SPIEGEL ONLINE)

In an attempt to profit off Obamamania, a German company has created a new food: Obama-Fingers.

The packaging says the product is "tender, juicy pieces of chicken breast, coated and fried." A curry dip is included.

Putting the African-American president's name on fried chicken might not go over so well in the United States, but the company, Sprehe, said no racist overtones were intended. After the company's sales manager told Spiegel Online, "We noticed that American products and the American way of eating are trendy at the moment," "Americans are more relaxed. Not like us stiff Germans, like (Chancellor Angela) Merkel."

For Americans in Germany, though, there is a risk that the product might be seen as racially insensitive. Fried chicken has long been associated with African-Americans in the US -- naming strips of fried chicken after the first black president could cause some furrowing of brows.

Witting told SPIEGEL ONLINE the connection never even occurred to her. "It was supposed to be a homage to the American lifestyle and the new US president," she said.

Finger-licking good, anyone?

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well, it may be offensive... but how the hell are the Germans supposed to know? all they know is that fried chicken comes from the states. Just like you think that everyone wears 'lederhosen' here. So if this actually makes someone angry--- these delicious, readymade, chicken strips available to Germans- are just one more thing that prove, that Americans are welcome here!

I'm more intrigued about the statement: 'American products and the American way of eating are trendy'-- what does that exactly mean? with the occasional exception here or there, I eat the same way these people do- i think- But perhaps its nice to know that there is, in fact, a culture forming for America...And if 'Obama Fingers' are 'American', then, im proud to be one.