10 things you should know before moving to Edinburgh...

If you (lucky bastard) are thinking about moving to Edinburgh, here is a list of things you should know and consider before doing so. But let me tell you, each negative aspect is outweighed by ten positive things. 

1. Your uniform includes wellies and a rain coat (oh and you gotta get over your hair looking good)

2. You will have to try haggis. You will LOVE it, sooner or later.

3. The combination of wind and single glazed windows creates a beautiful symphony of draft. Get used to it.

4. Cancel all plans you have for August, because it is FRINGE TIME.

5. Shona at Benefit will give you the BEST eyebrows. Promise.

6. You gotta learn how to Ceilidh. Fear not, your best bet is a Friday night at the Ghillie Dhu.

7. Your friends and non friends will use you as a hotel because you simply live in the most beautiful city

8. Going to the Highlands is a must (in every season!) and they will make you weep.

9. Most greasy food places close before the clubs close. That is annoying, but there is always that corner shop on North Bridge that plays party music and sells samosas.

10. It is the most beautiful city of all and moving anywhere else will ruin your life.

Getting into new things: Podcasts

A while ago I finally got on the podcast train. My flatmate listens to them regularly and even in class we have been discussing them, so there is no escaping now. I really wanted to see what the fuss was about, but I was also a bit indifferent to them. Storytelling via simple audio has never really interested me that much, and on the bus I often listen to music or just play around on my phone. But there is one thing that really becomes so much less boring- walking somewhere. Yes, you might look a little weird just staring into oblivion, being in your own bubble while walking around town, but listening to an exciting podcast gets you places really fast haha. I find walking to the gym really annoying, so this really helps with that.

So here are a few of my current listening choices.


 Serial

Serial has been so popular and seriously hyped, but for a reason. Sarah Koenig has a really nice voice (so important for these things) and tells the story in a great way.  and has been my favorite podcast so far.She retells and explores the case of Hae Min Lee's murder in 1999. Adnan Syed, her ex boyfriend, has been in jail ever since being charged with first-degree murder. He claims and has done so for the past 15 years, so Koenig explores both the evidence and also Adnan's side of things. I don't wanna tell more, just go ahead and check it out!

Stuff Mom Never Told You

The next podcast is completely different. It's called 'Stuff Mom Never Told You'. Hosts Caroline and Cristen explore topical things surrounding gender roles, feminism and other issues. I like the two hosts, their podcasts are flawless, they never trip over their tongues or talk over each other. Their ideas are inspiring and their topics are quite fun. I really enjoyed their podcast about the word bitch, character crushes and Taylor Swift. You can listen to it here: x

Criminal

After I finished Serial, I was looking for something just as good. I stumbled upon this and I am still not sure what this podcast really is about, but I like it. The Internet describes it as 'Stories of people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle.' Some of them are not so interesting, but some of them are quite good. For example, there was an episode about animal trials: There was a time when animals were being given trials, whenever they did something illegal. The idea of a pig being charged with murder still makes me giggle, and that episode convinced me that 'Criminal' was definitely worth listening to.

If you already know Serial, then you should go and check out 'Undisclosed'. It explores the case of Adnan Syed even more and this time it is attorneys who are doing it. I love it, it is different than Serial but still pretty good in it's own way. It's weird how you can get so interested in a kind of hopeless murder investigation...Anyways, check it out!

If you want to listen to these podcasts, you can either listen to them on the websites, if you have an Iphone you can download them through the iTunes store, and I listen to them via the app 'Podcast Addict'.


 

Favorite Documentaries

It's a bit strange, I would not consider myself an avid documentary watcher, but whenever I do come across a (good) film, I tell myself that I need to watch more of them. When I was in Texas, I took a media communication class in which we had to watch quite a lot of documentaries, that were all really fascinating. Since then I have watched quite a few, so here are some of my favorites.

1. Blackfish

This film has actually inspired me to write this post. I watched this just recently after hearing so much about it. This documentary is looking in to the whales and their lives at SeaWorld. The situation with these animals is really heartbreaking and I have had mixed feelings about SeaWorld for a long time, but now I will definitely never visit any of their parks ever again. 

2. Misrepresentation

This is a documentary that is similar to one I have watched in class. Talking about representation of gender (and race etc etc) in the media has been a fundamental part of almost every class I have taken at university, and this documentary sums a lot of things up quite nicely. Terrifying and depressing, but really informative.

3. Dreamworlds

Phew, this film is a really tough watch. I have watched this over a year ago and it feels like it was yesterday, that's how much the film has stayed with me. It just shows how messed up parts of our culture really are.  

4. The September Issue

This is one I have recently watched on Netflix and I was surprised by how interesting it was! Sure, fashion is interesting and everyone needs to wear something, but designers were never my thing and I never read Vogue either. Nevertheless, it was fun and interesting to watch.

Current obsessions

1. Snapchat

I have always been slightly confused by Snapchat, but I guess it just takes some tutorials by obsessed friends and some fun people to follow, and I cannot stop using it. Not so much creating stories, but stalking others and following the live city stories and events!


2. Zoella

This girl is seriously everywhere in the UK- she's a YouTube vlogger that has over  8 (EIGHT!!!) million (MILLION!!!) followers, released her first novel, has her own beauty line, and she was in the Band Aid 30 track of this year..- oh and she is going to be made in to a wax figure at Madame Tussaud!!! She has two channels and I really prefer her 'More Zoella' one, where she just films her days and you follow her along.. One Sunday not too long ago I got stuck and watched almost every video. She has been quite open about her anxiety and her flaws and of course she still has a lot of haters (cause the internet is also full of mean people), but really it is hard to dislike her. She seems to give a lot of people inspiration and support, which is nice.

3.  Pretty Little Liars

I have been following Lucy Hale on Instagram for a while now, mostly because of her amazing hair- so I couldn't escape the PLL references. I started watching it just to see what it was like,and afterwards I skimmed through wikis to find out who A is and read a ton of spoilers. And guess what, I still couldn't stop watching. So here I am, 40hours later and halfway in to season 3.

4. Honey roasted chickpeas 

via x

 This is a staple that one of us makes almost every day. Ridiculously easy and SO GOOD.

My favorite male TV characters

1. Phil Dunphy

Now Modern Family is one of my favorite shows, but mostly because they have a pretty cool variety of men. Phil is my favorite, because he is the most amazing blend of feminist, funny, caring, and never embarrassed of anything. Even though he comes pretty close to the sitcom stereotype of the 'fool dad', his character is not nearly as shallow. Phil seems completely oblivious to homosexuality as something other people object to. When he realises that other people perceive him as gay, he just sighs, shrugs and proceeds with his life. Phil’s blissful unawareness of these events is so heart warming. A male character who is confident about his own masculinity is rare on television! I mean, compare this to  Adam on  Rules of Engagement. He is constantly shown in stereotypical gay ways, laughed at for his cheerleader and a-capella group background and never taken seriously by the other characters. Even though Adam is engaged to a woman in the show, his heterosexuality is questioned for most of the series. It is always used to ridicule him. One more reason to love Modern Family- their treatment and portrayal of different kinds of masculinity is something I really enjoy watching.

 2. Marshall Erickson

It's really difficult not to like Marshall- I mean, look at him. He's the perfect combination of smart, funny, sporty, lazy, passionate and super cool. Who doesn't envy his and Lilly's relationship in HIMYM? I sure do. His loyalty and understanding of her is adorable, his crazy phases are more than forgivable and he just seems to have his priorities straight. While Ted is just all over the place and always reminded me of Ross from Friends (not in a good way), Marshall was the relatable one. Okay, he might be super superstitious and believes in the Loch Ness monster, but I think that is completely acceptable, haha. And my favorite part about him is that he and Lilly do hilarious partner costumes for Halloween.

3. Jesse Pinkman

Breaking Bad is interesting in so far that there is no likeable character. Everyone has serious flaws, to the extent where you cannot believe you are still watching these horrible people. Jesse is the character that got me through this series. Most of the time, he was breaking my heart because he never seems to get a real shot at happiness. All you want for him is to finally find that right person, to change and get out of this dump...you just want to take care of him! It's just so painful watch his emotional rollercoaster. And one a side note, Aaron Paul's beauty does not hurt, that's for sure.

Guilty pleasure TV shows

Some days, when Margaux and I are "working from home", we end up in front of the TV watching these lovely daytime shows. There are a lot of different shows, some of them make us yell at the TV, some make us hide in the blankets because of crrrrringe,but then there are these shows,...that make us shed tears of happiness.

The first one up: Undercover Boss Canada.
Oh my, this show! The big boss of a company goes undercover and pretends to be a new employee within their company, to find out how employees are doing and so on. They always find the most amazing people who sacrifice so much for their work and have sad life stories. In the end, the boss shows their real identity and gives amazing gifts to the super good employees. AND THEN EVERYONE CRIES. It is great the best.

My personal guilty pleasure- The Millionaire Matchmaker. I don't know what I exactly like about this show, but it is weird and makes you cringe and awww and then cringe again. Especially when Patti yells at all the men for not complimenting their women.



Oh and this one. All these "housewives" and their lives. Women hitting each other, throwing Botox parties, and so many other things. It's just such an easy watch, and it gives you all the emotions. Fury, hate, anger, jealousy, disapproval and all their friends. Haha.



So here you go, out guilty pleasures.
What's yours?

6 favorite Oscar moments

1. Arquette's acceptance speech

After watching 'Medium' for years, I really do like her and it was good to see her on the big screen for once!!!! I am all for acceptance speeches that go beyond 'thank you mommy and the academy', and this is one of the good ones from this year.  How can you not like her? And Meryl Streep's reaction haha, amazing. U go girl!

2. Legend's acceptance speech

Goosebumps! Standing ovations and crying is a tough combi 

  

3. Chris Pine crying

x

This is pretty much a follow up of the previous moment,  BUT OMG HE IS SO PRECIOUS!!!!! THAT KILLED ME. Beautiful men crying this beautifully... Can't handle this shizzle.

4. The dresses obviously 

x

5. Anna Kendrick 

I remember watching 'Up in the Air' and thinking that she must really be going somewhere...  And I never ever thought that this will be it..  It absolutely amazes me to see someone to become so successful within only a few years....  And the whole singing thing, jeeez why is she so talented?!

6. Graham Moore's acceptance speech

x

I wanted to only share five moments, but how can I chose? This was gorgeous and so heartbreaking. Generally, I thought Neil Patrick Harris held back quite a lot (although I loved his first joke), and Sean Penn is such a (racist?) weirdo, but I love the excitement and the show! And obviously we took this opportunity to make loads of food and lapse into a food coma. Yay!

Let's start fresh.

Numbers wise, my 2014 consisted of: 8 books (plus all of the Harry Potter series), 86 films, uncountable hours of TV series, 13 flights, 3 concerts or so, 112 new friends according to Facebook, account balance 0£€¥,  money spent on priceless moments: a lot, but who cares.

Let's start fresh, right now.

Right now I am sitting at a Manchester airport hotel. I will spent five more hours in this lovely lobby thanks to RyanAir, who decided to delay my flight for five hours due to winds (although every other flight left on time!). So we had to go to another airport, fly from there, arrive in Manchester way too late to get a train somewhere or do anything, really. So checking into a hotel was the only thing I could do. And because I don't want to pay another 100£ for a train up to Edinburgh, I will be taking the bus like other poor students. Which will get me in to Edinburgh around 28hours later than plannes. BLURGH!!!!!

But hey, it could be worse. So to make this post a bit more cheerful, here are four things I'm slightly obsessed with at the moment.

1. The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. I've only discovered this while researching for my dissertation,  and   started watching it hesitantly but I'm already on episode 50 finished. I just can't stop.  Some episodes are slightly cringy but a lot of them are really good. And Lydia Bennett is my spirit animal.  Forever. What it is, you ask? A transmedia adaptation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.Totally contemporary with vlogs and shit.  

2. My new teeth.  OK this is silly but I finally went to the ever-so-feared dentist and got my stupid teeth fixed (after eating two gummy bears my teeth started hurting so much I had to stop. Oops- definitely a sign to go to the dentist ASAP!). So I'm brushing and flossing the shit out of them now so cavities will not be in my vocabulary anymore.  I swear. 

3. My dissertation.  I'm still not sure what my angle is and how exactly I am going to write what I have in mind, but I every day I am thankful that I can write about film and other fun things. (Did I mention I am writing about the Hunger Games films? )

4. Studying Abroad. When I was hanging out at the airport yesterday, I overheard a few people talking about studying abroad (did I join in? Naaah ah, I am the creeper pretending to read haha) in the UK. In a way this is why I started this blog- I wanted to share all my experiences with people who might want to do the same thing. When I was thinking about working at camp in America, it was seriously difficult to find a proper review from someone. Same with studying abroad. And I mean proper reviews that inspire you and help you with those annoying questions of funding etc, written by someone relatable. So someone that inspired me and reminded me to write more about this is my friend Ilinca, who appeared in this video recently (Sorry, it's in German).
Isn't she cute?

PS: #5 of this list will forever go to Taylor Swift. I remember giving a presentation about her brand image about two years ago. Jesus, that presentation would be totally different today, wouldn't it? I find her incredibly fascinating and she is growing in to some role model, man.

Current Obsessions.

1. This song.


2. Cafe Espesso in Edinburgh (seriously best sandwiches ever)


3. This playlist!
 


4. FRINGE!

TV show obsessions

A lot of times I appreciate a TV show more than a movie, especially if there are fascinating characters that you want to follow for longer than just 90 minutes.
Or you know, if there is just a good concept for a show- I'll pretty much watch anything.

Here are my top 3 at the moment:




Denise introduced me to this show and it is so good. Catfishing is when someone pretends to be someone else on the Internet- and who hasn't heard about that. So Nev and Max go visit people that are not sure if their internet friend is real and actually who he/she really is. They are super funny and really good at making people not feel stupid or horrible about themselves. (The only thing I just do not understand is why people do not just google and find all this stuff out on their own)


A friend recommended this show to me because he knew about my obsession with Texas. I wasn't sure about the whole thing because I am really not in to sport shows or American football at all. The show however is not just about that. It has the most fascinating characters that you just really grow fond of, and I think that makes a good TV series.




This show is something I just recently discovered on TV here. It is a proper British show, if you will. It's pretty simple, it shows people on a first date - but it has a certain sweetness to it and there are such lovely cute people on the show. Cringe moment are definitely in there as well, but I guess that's just part of the deal.


I have so many shows that I still really want to watch, such as The Newsroom, Orphan Black, Utopia and only maybe Game of Thrones, one day.

Scotland on Screen {part III, Highlands}

First of all, YAY WORLD CUP! Totally gutted that I can't be in Germany where everyone's is partying like crazy.
So anyhow, last year I started a little series of posts about Scotland in movies. We have part #1 with Edinburgh, then part #2 with Glasgow, and now this is going to be the final post featuring films that were filmed in the Highlands (& islands).

1. Local Hero
This is a quite old film and I remember watching it for a class here at uni. It's about an American business man coming to a tiny tiny village in Scotland in order to secure a deal with the locals. Obviously everything goes wrong from here.


2. Harry Potter
This is clearly not a surprise and I think it was only through Harry Potter, that the world became fully aware of Scotland and its beauty. This is just a small clip where they talk about how it was filming in the Highlands.


3. Skyfall
I am not really a James Bond film and I haven't seen this one either, despite the hype when it came in to the cinema. Anyways, part of it takes place in Scotland and it just looks gorgeous. When I went to the Highlands last year, we drove to the area where this was filmed. Just as beautiful in real life, is that's even possible.


4. The Decoy Bride
This is definitely not the most successful thing David Tennant has done, and it is not a really mind blowing piece of film.It is also shot on the Isle of Man, which is not Scotland, I admit. However, it looks very similar and in the movie they pretend that it is Scotland.So it counts for me! Again, the highlands look absolutely stunning and it just makes me want to live on on of these deserted islands where everything is just a little bit different.

What your life in Edinburgh will be like.

Coming back to my life here in Edinburgh makes me realize all these silly things that happen here. So this is a list of some typical sort of Edinburgh/Scotland situations that probably won't happen anywhere else.

- After nights out, you will crave the chippy place so so much. And you will be devastated because they probably already closed for the night by the time you get there.

- You will give up on umbrellas. cause the windy city will not allow you to have shelter when it's raining from all sides, oooh no.

- Seeing all the Scottish girls walk around with no coats or warm clothes, even in winter and on a night out. And wondering if they have been genetically manipulated.

- You will freeze SO much in winter. Even inside your flat- Because heating is expensive and it leaves you no choice but to walk around with your onesie, a hat and gloves.

- Fortunately you will find coin-operated straighteners in certain pub/restaurant bathrooms. Thank goodness for that!

- Seagulls will turn in to your biggest enemy- they are huge flying monsters that will rip apart any bin bag they can find and make you think twice about leaving your house because they are hanging out in front of your door.

-You will appreciate Scottish summers and be over the moon whenever it is over 15 degrees for more than one day in a row.

-You might start to accumulate a whole mini bar at your house, just because you can not get alcohol in the shops after 10pm.

 

Despite all of these things, I am sure you will fall in love with Edinburgh as fast and hard as everyone else has. It's hard not to fall in love with a city brimful of beautiful cobbled streets, magical sunsets, proud Scots and a lively fascinating culture.

Scotland on Screen {part I, Edinburgh}

Just for fun, I am going to do a couple of posts about this. Maybe this will get me motivated for my essay, maybe it will just distract me. Oh we will see. So I kept thinking about films shot in Edinburgh and there are (sadly) really not that many films that show Edinburgh in all its glory. A lot of possibilities for more films to come and I am sure a lot will change over the next years. But for now, here it is- Films that are set in Edinburgh. Or feature Edinburgh. 

Filth (2013)- Man what a freaking filthy and bathshit crazy film. Not sure if I should like it, but it is worth seeing just because of James MacAvoy, who is incredibly fantastic. Although I was thinking of Mr Tumnus a bit too much when watching it.

Sunshine on Leith (2013)- Aw yes, I loved loved loved it! It is such a cute little film, beautiful non stop and the ending..cuteezzz!! It also felt very special watching this film here in Edinburgh with what seemed to be a lot of locals- I think everyone enjoyed it!

One Day (2011)- I must say I enjoyed the books more than the film and Edinburgh is only featured for a tiny bit, but it is still lovely.  

Trainspotting(1996)- I have to admit I haven't seen it yet (it's on the endless list of films I need to see) but it is the prime example of Edinburgh on screen.And Kevin McKidd is in there, one more reason to see it sooooon.


(There are obviously more film than this and you can read about them here , for example)

what's going on/// September

After 20 months my best friends from home and I were all on the same continent again- something we have to celebrate! We have spent the last couple of days catching up- and now I am all by myself again :(

One Sunday in August I went to get a nose piercing. I felt like getting one for quite some time and then I just did it. I love it and in New York I finally put the nose ring in instead of the stud.

 

Uni started again and we are so excited (haha)- I am love with most of my modules, my schedule is almost perfect and I learned that my grades this semester don't count towards my degree. Phew!

 In terms of Texas and my semester abroad there are no news- I am just waiting for official confirmations so I can finally book and sort everything out... this waiting annoys me so much!!!!!

last but not least-  I forgot how much I love my flatmates!!!

I am just going through all my pictres of New York and Vegas- so next couple of posts are gonna be alllll about my trip!

my 3 favorite blogs {like ever}

http://www.magnoliaelectric.net

My idol, haha. She is incredibly creative and her posts are always perfectly composed, beautifully written and inspiring in every way. And now she is going to go on a 3 week road trip through California and whatnot. I am so jealous and cannot wait for her pictures.

www.thelondoner.me

I only started reading her blog around 2 months ago, but man... I am obsessed. Rose is pretty, funny, doesn't hesitate to eat loads of amazing (sometimes unhealthy) food, has super handsome friends and a super super cute dog named Custard. Her London tips are great and even better, her recipes. Gotta love her!

hhttp://lastdaysofspring.blogspot.co.uk

Marlous is a 21 year old girl from the Netherlands. Her blog is full of great tips for restaurants or stationary shops (you got me already), lunch inspiration, DIY projects, interior inspiration, travel reports and so much more. She wears beautiful outfits and I love her blog design, I just wish she would write more in English.

my birthday wish list

My birthday is coming up on Tuesday and I guess the good thing about celebrating at home is that your parents don't have an excuse not to spoil you- ha!
The only thing I am really asking for is the perfume, mostly because I am always too cheap to buy it myself. The smell if sosososo good and I haven't had my own proper smell forever it seems.
The Gilmore Girls DVD Box is something I have 'wanted' for ages, it's just my favorite show ever. And the Hunter boots are only on there because my cheap wellies have too many holes. But they probably have to wait.

I am thankful that I get to spend my birthday with my family, really. Last year at camp was not really bad, but it's always different to celebrate your birthday with people you have met only 5 days ago.
So this year it's old friends and family and German style, haha. 

13 goals for my summer 2013

via x

• partying in New York
• take the perfect picture of Edinburgh at night
• see the girls from camp again
• write more letters
• plan my next tattoo
• start reading the books that Rory Gilmore read
• buy my food from the local market
• road trips!
• meet someone famous (hello film festival!)
• have reeeeally long hair
• finally find and buy the perfect watch
• make my own infused vodka (cupcake flavor!)
• the living room project

❤❤ {two things that make me happy}

via goodreads

I forget how much I like reading- I can't complain, our readings for uni are still quite interesting, but I do love these kind of books a bit better!
And this is only the beginning of my summer reading list ❤

I know this is crazy because I am already going to Texas next year and don't really have that much money, but Miriam and I are hopefully going to New York this September.
The idea of this trip makes me sooo happy- shopping, beach, roadtripping, drive-in outdoor movies, NYC, seeing our old places ❤❤







and also I should really go to bed.

my four favorite German words

via flickr

1. Heimat

2. Glückseligkeit

3. Freudentränen

4. Feierabend




My four favorite German words- seems like there is theme?



Oh and I decided to visit Julia in May, so Joyce goes Bavaria, or even better: Allgäu!
I am so excited!

Things that drive me crazy... {about Scotland}

1. People trying to queue EVERYWHERE

2. Single glazed windows

3. Edinburgh people who cannot decide what side of the pavement to walk on

4. Taxi drivers who speed up when they see you crossing the street

5. You cannot buy alcohol in store after 10pm.like ever.

6. Royal Mail. It is the crappiest mail delivery company in the world and my rage for them is infinite.






As much as I love Edinburgh and living here, there are various things that drive me nuts. There are probably many more but I will leave it to those.