First week

My first (work) week was extremely long and tiring .. I really have to get used to it. Finally I will have more routine life, but the days are looong .. I normally got up before 7am and this week the earliest I was back at the B was 8pm. On Tuesday I finally got my PC and could get started with basic administrative stuff and looking at reports. On Wednesday I got my phone and the only things missing now are my SAP-logon and a laptop for meetings etc. (and of course my necessary knowledge). Every day I got more tasks to work on and got taught even more things. Yesterday I even got private lessons from my colleague/superior/boss. She really takes good care of me and makes sure I’m not overwhelmed. Plus, she doesn't treat me like an employee and is very considerate. She will be on holiday next week, so she and I want to make sure that I have some tasks, things I can practice on and have appointments with people I have a lot do with in the future.

Other than work, I have been viewing some apartments and pre-arranging things for it (like applying for forms, comparing furniture/household appliances). I also bought my first hair dryer today and I must admit that I partly picked this one because of the fancy box :P

My fancy-packaged hair dryer! :)

No, but I wanted to have a small travel dryer that can be fold-away and the others were very ugly .. I know some of you may shake your head now, but I will test it first! ;-) Most of the apartments I have seen I didn’t like at all – a lot looked run-down and not taken care of, had an odd smell or there was something else I didn't like. Last Saturday I have actually seen one, I really liked, but I still wanted to check out some others to avoid an impulsive decision. Anyway, after seeing all the disappointing apartments, I signed the contract to my first own apartment TODAY! :) I am very excited .. can’t wait to start renovating and furnishing and decorating it! If everything goes according to plan, I can move in mid-February. 

Today is my only free day of the week and I will just RELAX! If I’m in the mood, I will go to the harbor and take some pictures and do sightseeing (now I’m new, I can still do it), before I bring my new DLSR camera that is still at home. This is also my plan for tomorrow:

Magazines to catch up on to

I have brought a lot of magazines and a book to read here (normally I only read, if I’m bored or can’t fall asleep) and up until now I haven’t found the time to read any of them. When I get home, I just want to sit comfortably and watch TV while having “dinner” (which is either bread or unhealthy).


Enjoy your Sunday!

First day

I was back at the B (for bed, not B&B since it doesn't include breakfast) at 9pm, since I somehow managed to take the wrong bus .. twice! I was really pissed off and felt so stupid .. especially because I was starving and started eating my groceries in the bus, but then got nauseous because the bus driver was speeding ruthlessly. Finally, in the "right" bus, there was a drunken, smelly man right behind me. I know, I am spoiled being used to having a car in Germany, but I just wanted to get "home" after such a long day - I spent almost 13 hours outside the B! After work I went to see an apartment - it was a collective viewing, which means everybody who saw the apartment ad on the internet could just go there unannounced and view it. When I got there, about 20 people where in front on me, which made me feel so frustrated, since it made me realize that apartment hunting in Hamburg would be so hard and exhausting. And the apartment wasn't even nice - at all! However, I've actually already viewed an apartment last weekend, which I'm quite fond of. Now we are still in the negotiation phase, so keep your fingers crossed!

Anyway, my first work day was fine, nothing special .. only some basic introductions and I met some of my colleagues (only men!). Tomorrow will be more interesting, since I will hopefully get a computer, phone, etc. so I can get started! Oh btw, this is the view from my current office (yes, I can see the Hamburg harbour from my desk)!

The green tower is the famous clock tower of the HH harbour!

Unfortunately, I learned today that we will be moving to another office in 2-3 weeks, where I can not enjoy this beautiful view any more, but I'm here to work - not to look outside the window!

It's getting late and I have to get used to going to bed early (I normally go to sleep around 2pm). This was my work outfit btw. (sorry for the bad shot) I don't think I will be posting one every day and I doubt I will blog every day as well ;-)

(Zara shirt dress, Zara cardigan, H&M tights, leather boots, 

Zara belt, Burberry watch, Sfera earrings)

 

One more thing .. my cousin's daughter was born today. In Chinese, I'd refer to her as my niece. Can't wait to meet her. Congrats to Wally & Joyce with their beautiful daughter. Isn't she the tiniest and cutest little thing?

Welcome to the world, Kirsten!

Goodnight from Hamburg!

First blog

I have decided to start blogging - in the first place to keep my family and friends updated about my life. My last year 2010 did not start off very well; it was rocky and stressful, especially in the summer period when I was writing my master's dissertation. But in the end, I had the best December and ending of a year ( - ever, if I dare to say). I accomplished many things within one month, which made me very happy - I graduated in the most beautiful church in the Netherlands, I went to Lisbon (Portugal) for my birthday with my sister and I got offered a job in Hamburg, where I am right now.

Here’s a little recap of my last year in pictures .. when browsing through them, I realized that I haven’t taken many pictures in Q1, but the later in the year, the more pictures .. (click on the pictures to get a larger image):

Q1/2010 in Utrecht

Keukenhof, Lisse

Queen's Day in Amsterdam

Stockholm, Bavaria, Utrecht - May

Málaga, Spain - June

October

Finland, Estonia & Latvia - November

Eventful December
-

This year (well, the first days of this year) has been quite busy as well. I was very happy that my best friend visited me, I had a little party to celebrate my graduation and birthday from December and to celebrate me getting a job and moving away. Here is a last recap of this year so far:

January 2011, part I

2011 is going to be a very exciting year for me, starting my first real job in a new city, new environment, looking for my first own apartment, etc. and I hope I can share some interesting stories with you.
Tomorrow will be my first day at work and I can't wait for my new life to start ..

Greetings from Hamburg!