It’s been a very very long time since I post VISTA here! So I want to post something related to my birthday.
Well, my birthday was on June but I wanna share something that I find really important. My close friend kept asking me what I want for my birthday. Months away from my birthday. As someone who rarely has desire or wish in anything really, I was really confused what to say. I kept telling him nothing but he kept asking me what I want. So I told him, “well, I’ll let you know if I suddenly want something.”
In the end, I didnt want anything.
I rarely want a physical thing to have. I dont buy new gadgets often but I usually just wait for my brother to give me his old phone. But I always find time is the most valuable thing that someone can give me. Well, my love language (in terms of receiving) is quality time (followed by act of service and physical touch in number 2). So, I asked my friend to give him his time for me. I want him to be with me the whole day.
Simple isnt it? But very expensive. Can you imagine what can you do for 24h? A lot. And I asked him to give me his time, wow my present was super expensive.
He was confused and said that it’s what we usually do at least every week.
There’s nothing special in it. I always hang out with you especially during the weekend.
Well yea, but for me it’s what makes it so special. I always appreciate his effort to spend time with me every week. For me, that’s a lot already.
So what did we do on my birthday?
The usual. Just hang out, watching movie and have lunch really. Well the only difference was that I bought something from my favorite restaurant and ate it at home with him.
So yea, I pamper myself a lot during my birthday with friend companionship and take away food.
Oh and of course, video call with my parents and brother! We did this small celebration with donut as my cake and I blew the candles during the call. I felt so happy and blessed.
Soooo today is 23rd of September and this would be my official first year here in Germany! Wooo! At first I want to post the 7th post of the 30 days writing challenge (since I delayed it, again) but then again it’s my first year so I just wanna talk about it. Aaaand it’s not Saturday but here I am posting VISTA. This one is an exception :3 wuwu
I have posted some of the journey and the process for me to actually go to Germany but this post would be dedicated to my first day and first year. I arrived in Germany, in Hamburg to be precise, on 23 Sept. Before I flew here, I contacted my close friend, Keno – who lives in Munich, about my plan. Yep, he knew the process from the beginning (applying for school etc). He told me that he wanted to pick me up. And he really did that. Can you imagine, a 15 hour bus ride from Munich to Hamburg right after he just finished work? Damn. I can imagine how tired he was. Afterwards, we went to Kiel together. Sooo another one hour ish bus ride for him.
The hotel room where I stayed with Keno
He stayed with me for 3 days and 2 nights. I rent two rooms in a hotel well.. it upset him though hahaha he told me that we could save some money if we just rent airbnb or he could actually decide on better location. The location was not that bad but I agree that we could save some money if we just rent airbnb hahahaha. I just felt bad when he said that he wanted to pick me up so I paid for the rooms without telling him. And yea, that upset him again ahahhaha. Oh well
Anyway, on the second day I took care of my enrolment, bank account and health insurance. Of course, Keno was there with me all the time and helped me with stuffs. It was also my very first time to go to IKEA. We have IKEA back in Indonesia but I have never visited it.
First picture of Kiel right after I arrived ❤
After Keno went back home, everything felt different. It was the first time I actually realised I am on my own now. All alone. To be honest, it felt kinda weird because I am not the type who likes to rely on others. At that point, I realised that I took everyone for granted back at home. I have never felt alone because they are there. Not always right beside me but everyone, friends or family, will be there if I need them. And yea, my first couple of months in Germany were not very great. I managed to get some friends that I hang out regularly but something is missing. I guess I missed home at that time and hence I was so happy when my former colleagues visited Europe. Also, I am not sure what triggered it or if I already have this since long time ago but was not diagnosed, I kept getting nightmares to the point I could not sleep. So yea, things were rough.
You are lucky that you always have someone wherever you go
Keno to me in 2019
But hey, there are also many great things! I have this circle that I am very close to. I mentioned about them couple of times as well. They are from various countries and we study different subjects here. How do we meet each other? Who knows hahaha. I kept getting that question though. We call ourselves “The Herd,” well we kept changing the name on WhatsApp group but the name “Herd” always stay. It is kinda sad because some of them are back to their countries (ERASMUS students), some went to other places (doing ERASMUS) and some are still stuck in their home country due to corona. But we still talk to each other, either on the group, personal chat or other social media. We also like to play games and talk on Discord so it is fun! Ah I miss them.
Oh, I also have a really small circle with my fellow Indonesians. Yep, who else but Arki and Hanif hahaha. Last Friday we went to Berlin and I felt so bad it looked like I was in a badmood (I was). I was not upset with them but I had stye in my eyelid it was so painful to blink, to close my eyes or even to open my eyes and see. Dammit what do you waaaant.
Keno once said to me that I am lucky that I always have someone wherever I go. And he is right. Cete also said similar thing: you’re lucky you found someone, heck more than one person even, right away after you arrived here. It took me long time to get close to someone. I have Keno and Cete (my former senior back in uni) who already know me for years. I have Arki and Hanif who are right next to me. And, of course, the herd, who are umm spread around various countries? Hahaha. Oh well, some are still here though.
So yea, my first year in Germany is full with colours. Sometimes it’s gloomy and dark but sometimes it’s just full of colourful bright colours. It’s not always great living here where you dont know many people, but just like Keno has said, I always have someone wherever I go.
It’s been a while since the last time I posted this Visual Story Saturday. Actually it’s been a loooong time since the last time I actually update my blog. Well today I’m going to talk about my trip to Vienna, Austria last November 2019. Yea yea this COVID situation sucks, no? So I want to reminiscing my travel experience to Vienna.
I just moved to Germany on late Sept 2019 and a colleague of mine contacted me. I guess it was October when she texted me. She told me that she is going to Germany with one of her colleague (I also know him). Back then, I had this issue with friends of mine here so I was really really upset and just wanted to get out from the city for couple of days to forget about it. So yea, I was really excited when she asked if I wanna join them and they will bear all of the expenses. UUUH YES PERFECT COMBINATION WOOO!
So, I tried to find a plane ticket for the weekend but it was too expensive and I had to transit in somewhere I forget the exact location. Nuh-uh. No way. So i tried to find a train ticket but again too expensive and then I turned into bus and yep, this is it. So I bought a ticket for Friday evening (around 6pm I guess) because I had class until afternoon and another was for Sunday night (10 pm I guess). I had classes on Monday but I was thinking to skip the morning class and attend the evening one. Because I have no idea about the material at all, so i think i just should not skip it or i’ll get even dumber by the week ahahah.
What I got from my 18 hours trip
Kemmy and impulsivity are best friend forever. The journey took me 18 hours. 18. freaking. hours.
I had around 4 – 5 hours stopover in Berlin for both trips. Like. In the middle of the night. And i think the other one (from Vienna back to home) was at 5ish am? It was winter. Yes. Great job.
Oh the thing I do just to ease my mind and meet my friends.
Do I think I was being dumb? Yes
Do I regret it? No
I was really upset, feeling kinda homesick and i think that was a great opportunity to get out from the hustle and bustle of my mind. Besides, I got to meet my friends from home and I really enjoyed my time with them so much.
