And just like that, another beautiful week in Berlin passes me by. This week I spent most of my time in the gym or studying German, which is tatsächlich ideal. That’s a new word for me, by the way. Tatsächlich means ‘actually’ and I’ve been told that if I throw it in to my sentences then people will think I know what I’m talking about. And… tatsächlich… that’s not a bad idea. Outside of German practice and gym time, I’ve also been able to find a climbing gym that I love! Finding a climbing hall and group of climbing friends was one of my goals for the year, but now it’s only January and I already have a cute girls group of bouldering buddies. Alles gute in Deutschland.
Blue Monday
This Monday started off with a holiday, but not the one you want to have. January 17th was Blue Monday, which is said to be the most depressing day of the year. The date is chosen based on an equation that accounts for weather conditions, debt level, time since Christmas, time since new year’s resolutions have been broken, low motivational levels, and the feeling of a need to take action. As you would expect, this was all started by a marketing agency. Valentine’s Day, Blue Monday… what’s next? Despite the ominous name, my Monday was actually really lovely. I woke up early and ran to the gym with enough time to do a full body workout and get back home to a nice big breakfast of eggs, Muesli and a latte too. Then, lucky for everyone in Berlin, halfway through the day the blue skies and sun came out. It was truly a Blue Monday, but in Berlin that’s a good thing!
SPOOOOOOKY VIBES
It’s one thing to sit in the hallway at night and tell ghost stories. It’s another to go on a ghost hunt in the old creepy attic. On Monday, we did both. I can travel solo and rock climb up steep cliffs, but I really am a big ole chicken when it comes to ghost stories and spooky vibes. After our little haunted house adventure I may or may not have pushed a bookshelf in front of my door to protect myself from the ghosts.
MORE PIZZA, MORE GYM
Week two of our hot haus sommer is going strong! We hit the fitness studio or the climbing gym each day this week and I am definitely sore. I started using my new protein powder on Monday and I think it’s been helpful to kickstart my energy levels early in the morning. I went with just peanut butter flavored protein powder, but maybe after this batch is out I will start making more interesting protein smoothies. I really love knocking my gym time out before work because by the end of the day I am always too tired to do anything other than play with Lola and read my German kinderbuch.
NEW BED New Me
I liked my old bed, but sleep is important so I decided to splurge and purchase my first bed in Germany. This is actually the first legit bed that I have ever purchased for myself. When I left home for college I was able to take my mattress with me and didn’t have to buy a new mattress. Then, when I initially moved to NYC, I purchased a tiny twin mattress to match my tiny shoebox bedroom. I don’t think that mattress really counts though because it was 100 dollars and basically a kids bed. After that mattress I was gifted a nice queen mattress from my friend and I used that mattress for the rest of my time in NYC. Now, almost 10 years after leaving home, I have officially bought my first ‘adult’ mattress. Wasting money on essential bedroom furniture… I’m so mature now.
I decided to go with the most popular bed in Deutschland, which is the bett1 body guard mattress. I’m not sure why it’s the most popular mattress, but possibly because it has different strengths on each side of the mattress. Either way, it’s fresh and clean and works for me!
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book.”
Irish Proverb
SNOWY MORNINGS
I love that snowy mornings are a norm in Berlin winter. Despite my name, I have yet to be Jaded by snow. Instead, I think it’s beautiful and I love the additional magic it brings to an early morning backdrop. The rest of this week’s weather has also been really weird. It fluctuates from snow in the mornings, to sunshine with small breaks of hail and rain… all in one day.
FACETIME WITH FRIENDS
Facetime is truly one of the coolest modern inventions. I think it’s insane that I am able to move to Germany and still keep in touch with all of my family and friends without missing a beat. This week I got to chat with the lovely Kaelin, the marvelous Jared, my Grandparents, my parents and Joe.
CLIMB On
I love that I have only been in Berlin for 4 months and I already have a little climbing gym crew. Back in NYC, and pre pandemic days, I would go rock climbing at least once a week with a group of friends in Brooklyn. I was always top rope climbing in NYC because I never felt comfortable bouldering, but in Berlin I have shifted gears into bouldering. Now that I have gone a few times, I am less scared of the higher routes and bouldering is just as fun as top rope.
nein nein tatsächlich ja bitte
I love charchuterie boards and this weekend I had a chill wine night featuring cheese, crackers, carrots, olives, hummus and (of course) red wine. I started off this month trying to do dry January, but honestly what is the harm in one glass of red wine here and there? Now that I eat goat cheese again, my charchuterie world has opened up. Honestly, even outside of snack boards, I eat goat cheese all the time. What was I thinking not eating this for 5 years! Crazy shit.
WELCE SPRACHE SPRECHEN?
This week I spent a majority of my time translating der Junge, der Maulwurf, der Fuchs und das Pferd by Charlie Mackesy. The book was originally written in English, but I was able to find a version in German that I can use to practice reading. My dad bought this book for me and my siblings a few Christmas Eve’s ago in English and I think it’s extremely adorable. The story is about a shy boy who meets a mole, a fox and a horse that teach him valuable lessons about life and love. It’s a children’s book, but the meanings are deeper and could be appreciated at any age. I love it.
What is the bravest thing you‘ve ever said? asked the boy.
Charlie Mackesy
‘Help,’ said the horse
This week we also had our second consecutive week of immersive language days. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday we only speak German in the apartment. I’ve honestly seen so much progress in my language comprehension and ability to create sentences. It’s kind of insane. Now, the next main step for me to learn is the actual vocabulary. To help out with this task I bought a few little pocket notebooks that I will use to make my own dictionaries. I also bought blank index cards so I can start to make flash cards and practice all my new words. At this pace, I will pass my A1 language test by the end of the year!
