Random Facts About Me

I've written a couple of these posts already, but I thought I would do another one. There are always more random facts you can learn about a person! Especially when someone moves to a different country, you tend to learn a lot more about yourself.

1. I am totally fascinated with lingustics and where words come from and how they evolve with time.

2. I hate the way my clothes feel all stiff when they air dry.

3. I have such a sensitive sleep pattern. If I take a 30 minute nap during the way, it makes it so much harder to fall asleep at night.

4. I love thunderstorms. I find it so amazing that nature is about to create this sound and blinding light out of thin air. It's so impressive! Plus the torrential rain makes me weirdly happy.

5. I really love souvenir shops. I love looking at all the ridiculous knick knacks people invent for the tourists, knowing that, as hideous as one thing might be, every single one will be bought at some point. I don't usually buy anything other than postcards, but I'm allowed to window shop, right?

6. I've never been a fan of groups. If I'm hanging out with friends, I don't usually like if there's more than three people.

7. Speaking of which, I can't figure out if I'm an introvert or extrovert. People give me energy and make me happy, but only one or two at a time....

8. I'm really bad at putting makeup on. No matter what happens, I either look like a raccoon, a girl with 90s sparkly way too colourful makeup or like a two year old did my makeup. I use a lot of q-tips and makeup remover to make it look anywhere near normal. Hence why I normally don't wear makeup.

9. I'm a cover and bed hog. I will take all the blankets away from you and most likely push you off the bed in my sleep. #sorrynotsorry

10. I make lists for literally everything. I've even made a list about lists I need to make.


What are some random facts about you?

Easter in Berlin

Though I spent the majority of my weekend working, Easter in Berlin was beautiful. Usually, my entire extended family gets together for an Easter dinner, but as I was away this year, I had to make different plans, which mostly involved serving people burgers and a lot of walking.

Saturday morning, I went for my last long run before the half-marathon. It was such a beautiful day! I regretted not bringing sunglasses with me and took off my sweater within the first few minutes of the run. We ran around the Tierpark right next to the Zoo, which is a really beautiful area of the city. After this, I walked around Alexanderplatz, where there was an Easter market and festival happening. Music, beer gardens, shops, sweets and pretzels every where! Even a few rides for the kids. It was an incredibly sunny and beautiful day, that it seemed like all of Berlin had gathered there.

It was a really great 4-day weekend (for everyone else, obviously. I got one day off) and I can really feel spring coming on. It's getting warmer and warmer every day and the sun is starting to show itself a little more!

Happy Easter!

20 Things to Never Ask or Tell a Runner

For some reason, running seems to be a complete mystery to most people. Whenever I mention that I run, I always get the same questions or comments.... Have you people never run before or what?!
Anyway, for those of you who know someone who runs, here are a few tips on things to not say to us. Unless you want some dirty looks.

1. How long is this marathon gonna be?
The same length as every marathon....?
42.195 km or 26.385 miles

2. Don't you get bored?
No, don't you get bored lifting weights at the gym?

3. You're almost there!
Trust me, I know EXACTLY how far away I am, don't tell me I'm almost done!

4. You run? Oh I hate running.
Trust me, I do too sometimes.

5. Running isn't good for you. It's going to ruin your knees.
I'll take my chances.

6. Are you fast?
Compared to Usain Bolt...?

7. What if you get lost?
Well mile markers and big crowds usually help... or you know, the GPS in my cellphone.

8. Why would you pay to run a marathon?
The money usually always goes to a charity and someone has to pay for the road closures, police and permits!

9. You don't look like a runner.
What the **** does that mean?!

10. You ran a marathon? Did you win?
Of course! Me and the 10,000 other people who crossed the finish line.

11. What are you running from?
I'm running away from dumb questions.

12. How do you even train for a marathon? Do you just run it a bunch of times?
You slowly build up the milage. You can't just run a marathon every week to "practice."

13. Running is easy. Barely even a sport.
Is that why it's in the Olympics?

14. Don't you get tired?
Obviously, I do, but it's called stamina.

15. I would love to run too, but I just don't have the time.
An hour run is 4% of your day. I'm 100% sure you can manage it.

16. How do you hurt yourself running?
Oh honey, if you only knew.

17. How come you're not losing weight?
BECAUSE I'M ALWAYS HUNGRY!

18. Your life can go back to normal, now, right?
hahahahahahaha no. I've already registered for another race. It never ends.

19. Why do you spend so much on running shoes? Can't you just get Sketchers or something?
Running shoes is our only real equipment, and it's a matter of life or death, so of course we are gonna spend whatever it takes to have the best for our feet.

20. If it rains, will the cancel the race?
Running in any weather is just what we do! A little light rain is always welcome on a hot marathon day.

There you have it! I mean, you can definitely ask all your silly questions, but you've been warned!

Extreme Wanderlust

Ever since I landed in Berlin, I've been wanting to travel even more than before. I am so close to everything, now and it seems completely normal and doable to go to a different country for the weekend. While I sit here at work, I plan all these trips I could possibly do and the majority of them wouldn't cost me more than €200 for the weekend!

Here's a brief overview of the trips I will be going on 100% this year.

Isle of Skye, Scotland

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I registered for yet another half-marathon. This one will be taking place in a gorgeous area of Scotland that I didn't get to visit the first time around. The Isle of Skye, an island to the west of Loch Ness, in the Highlands. It's going to be an absolutely amazing experience to run there. On top of it all, I'll be camping instead of getting a hotel!


Oktoberfest, Germany

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That one is quite obvious. I'm in Germany for the third time and this year, I will finally experience Oktoberfest. I will go for the opening weekend and get to experience the craziness of the beer-drinking festival.

Bondensee (Constance Lake), Germany/Austria/Switzerland/Liechtenstein

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This year, I will be running my first FULL marathon! It's the 3-Country Marathon, that starts in Lindau, Germany, makes its way down to Austria, does a small loop in Switzerland and back up, to finish in Bregenz, Austria. It lounges the Bodensee (Constance Lake) and it's bound to be a very beautiful trek. Afterwards, I will go explore a bit of the Austrian countryside as well as spend a day or two in the teeny tiny little country of Lichtenstein.

There you have it! These trips are actually going to happen 100%! There are also all kinds of other weekend trips I would love to take, and I'm sure I'll get around to it at some point.... For example, I would love to visit Krakow, Dubrovnik, Budapest, Athens, Hamburg, the Black Forest.... etc. etc. The list never ends.

Bier Yoga

Yoga and beer... Both of these things are great separately, but what about combined? Many yogis would shutter at the idea of combining the two, but, it's actually kind of a hilarious and lovely idea! Why hasn't anyone thought of this years ago?!
Bier Yoga is a new trend here in Berlin and the title says it all: you're doing beer and drinking yoga  doing yoga and drinking beer! I decided to try it out, even though I have never been in a yoga class in my life and knew I would probably fail epically.

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We gathered in this sort of bar (the location changes from time to time) and everyone socialized, grabbed a beer and sat down on their yoga mats facing the stage. Jhula, the instructor started off by asking who had never done yoga before, and a good chunk of us timidly (or proudly) raised our hands. I have to admit I was quite relieved to know I wasn't the only beginner in the room. Then she asked who had never drank beer before, and of course, we all laughed as we were all experts in that domain.

Already, you get a good feel of the atmosphere. It's relax, friendly and totally welcoming. I've always been reluctant to go to a yoga class simply because it's so serious and I would be afraid of making mistakes and giggling at my lack of flexibility. At Bier Yoga? Everyone giggles and laughs at their mistakes and at the hilarious ways we use beer bottles to help with our yoga poses.

I definitely need to work on my flexibility...  Sign me up for another class!

It was honestly such a great session! I will definitely go back. It's only 5€ plus however many beers you decide to get. It's a great environment and an awesome way of getting people curious about yoga. If you're ever in Berlin, definitely go try a session of Bier Yoga. Whether you're a pro or not, and whether you understand German or not, you're definitely going to have a great time.

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Prost!