The traditional New Year post (a bit late this time) .

"Some are born mad. Some remain it." Samuel Beckett

So what can i say about this year unless that it was another average year with surprising and amazing moments . Or a surprising amazing year with average/boring moments, glass half full or glass half empty?!

Oh well who cares, as long as i have a glass in my hand and friends around me. right!

2013 ey, loads of things have changed during that year, i will not get into too many details.. A lot has changed but i haven't really, well i did but bleh.

I know I've come a long way already, but life is an ongoing process. And we're never really done evolving.

So here goes, Things for 2014 [things i think i & humans in general should do.]

- Get my shit together, starting with cleaning my messy messy room! 

 - Put yourself first sometimes. You know sometimes you live your life as a dusty potato until someone (or a book/movie/song) says something that makes you understand that you're worth it. And that you too should be treated like a nice shiny apple. (Yes a shitty food analogy, deal with it, it's 2014!) 

- Get an cool internship before 2015!
- Eat more types of food, seems dumb but that's really something. Like taste that weird looking unpronounceable asian dish! And taste more unusual food (i hear fried worms are super tasty!) 
- Go back to the Motherland! #nuffsaid
- Meeting interesting people. I love having unusual friends, more than that i love having friends who seem very normal until you get to know them. Those are the one with the interesting (sometimes fabulous) stories. 

- Travelling. So this year alone i went to Prague, Amsterdam, France (Paris) and Spain (Girona). That was a first of all four. I only spent a day in Prague but for the other three i had an amazing time & met some petty cool people. I seriously need more of that! (I'm thinking maybe an Italy Tour for next time..) 

- To follow the previous statement, i should seriously start getting active on CouchSurfing. That shit is great! I spent my New Year's celebration in a camp in the middle of the forest outside Girona in Spain. It was a CS event with people from everywhere who have been everywhere. Most of them were 10 or 20 years older than me but i seriously couldn't feel the age difference. See their years of adventures and interaction with new cultures & people made them forever young at heart. They are free, loving, caring, open minded like no other. [That's a way of life!] 

- Get a proper job so i can travel more & go to tons of festivals! (Woodstock in Poland, anyone? ) 
- (I've given up a while back telling myself to diet. Food taste too good, fuck you Cosmo & Vogue. I'm chubby and [kinda] fabulous!)

 - Find a purpose. A passion, something that makes me wake up in the morning and stay awake at night. Something that is stronger than the rest.

- No judging, just loving (this one speaks for itself).

- Actually actively try to learn German. Yes it ia hell, but it would be nice for once to answer something else than "Ich spreche kein Deutsch, sorry." I mean how amazing is this word " Schwangerschaftverhütungsmittel" right! (-_-") [also some Germans are quite cute so that!]

- Improve my Spanish, that language is muy sexy!

- Do not be afraid of the world, it is full of possibilities that are just waiting to be taken.

- Enjoy every moment.That moment when you're walking at the beginning of the summer and a beautiful song plays. The sun is heating your face, the boys are are wearing colourful tshirts, life is just amazing!

- Appreciate the little things, like a warm shower to start or end the day. 

- Do something most people (or you) think you cannot do. Choose one and give it my best or at least try, hard!

- Do more cultural things. This one has been on my list for a while. Even tho i know random things abt random things, i have never read "To kill a Mocking Bird" or anything by Edgar A. Poe or Jean Paul Sartre or seen any Hitchcock movie. 

- Not judge a book by its cover. Just because people are beautiful, smart, outgoing and nice doesn't mean that their life is always completely perfect. There is no reason to be jealous or wish them some of your current bad lucks. A good friend of mine once said "There is no need to be jealous,cause in the end it only depend on you to make a difference."

- Learn to cook yummy things, like a strawberry pie!  

- Get more wine-knowledge. Cause it's nice being fancy :) And because while in France I was completely lost when it came to which wine to buy. Cabernet Sauvignon? Chardonney? [all i know is Shiraz is a big NO!]

- Re-connect with an old great friend.

- Be loved, Share love, Make love.

May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. 
And may you be in heaven half an hour before 
the devil knows you're dead ! [ Irish proverb.]

[And may the odds be ever be in our favor.]

50 Things to do before the end of your Undergrad years at University.

I know College Bucket List have be done over and over again. But guess what not everyone has the goals (or priorities). And Bucket List are extremely fun to do, even you should try ! So this is my College Bucket List, 50 Things to do before the end of your Undergrad years at University (academic or not). Since I'm a freshmen again I thought now would be a good time. And for those of you who are almost (already) done I hope you have done at least half of those things. I mean come on University is suppose to be the best years of your life, live a little. Make them count ! :)

No, not everything on the list is something that I plan to do but it should [totally] be considered. ;)

1. Say Yes to new places. Just for the experience but without putting our lives in danger.
   
   
2. Do something crazy - Carpeing the fuck out of the Diem- . Flash your boobs, run naked,paint half of your body green, paint your whole body in green, have a threesome. You know just for the fun of it.
   
   
3. Go out on a week night and make it to class the next morning at 8am.
   
   
4. Get drunk before class. I mean only before a boring class and make sure you can get the course online … Or just do it whenever.
   
   
5. Go to a class that has nothing to do with your degree. You know just to see what it's all about, you're a Ecos Major go to a Sociology or Politics class.
   
   
6. Try to hang out with someone that you would normally not hang out with. You know, open your mind to something that is just not you. “He is cute but you're normally not into asian guys”. Or "this chick is really cool but she never goes out I can't be her friend." YES YOU CAN! Get out there, who knows what can happen. 
   
   
7. Go “party like a white girl” ! Yeah you have to do that at least once. Just go out, dance on tables/bars, have crazy fun, do something stupid and don't worry about what anybody thinks because it's just you and your people having the night of your life (this may include a lot of alcohol.)
   
   
8. Participate in a Flash Mob, a strike or a Protest (everything!). Even if you're shy and stuff. Just to stand together with other people can make you feel so alive. :)
   
   
9. Try to have a first (above 85%) in as many of your classes as you can. Okay You.Only.Live.Once and partying is fun, but as far as I'm concern Drake has a banging career and tons of money. Don't let the “YOLO” life make you end up in the gutter!
   
   
10. Go to a theme party & participate. Not just “Black and White Party” but something wild like a ABC Party. Just for the fun of being dressed up and stupid ! Hell Yeah !
    
    
11. Visit your University (the city where your University) at least once. I'm not talking about the stupid tour they give during Orientation Week (even if it's very useful), but have a tour on your own. Go to the gym, have a little picnic in that small park, have a nap on the grass next to that weird status...
    
    
12. Sleep under the stars, go Camping. According to the Green people, the pollution is slowly making it harder for us to see the stars. Seriously, maybe in 20 years star gazing won't be something you would be able to do.
    
    
13. Spur of the moment Road trip !
    
    
14. Study Abroad. You cannot truly know who you are until you have been completely taken out of what you've always known, out of your comfort zone.

15. Learn a new language. It's the 21^st century, seriously if you don't speak 2 or 3 languages you should second guess your life decisions.
    
    
16. Hook Up in the library (or a classroom). WHY NOT ?!
    
    
17. Try to read at least a book every 4 months just for you. Yes yes the lecturers already give you so much readings to do but reading for pleasure is cool. Or you can just be lazy and get the recording of the book. :) 
    
    
18. Skinny Dipping. We are young and stupid, enough said.
    
    
19. Try a food you cannot pronounce and would never normally eat. Again just for the experience.
    
    
20. Give back to the community. Do I even need to explain why you need to do some charity work !
    
    
21. Learn to drive a (manual ) car. On day it will be useful, you'll see.
    
    
22. Donate blood. Make sure you weren't binge drinking the night before though, “OMG they found blood in my alcohol system!” 
    
    
23. Learn to play at least on song on an instrument. Music <3
    
    
24. Make a youtube video or create a blog (or both). It's the 21^st century, everyone has one of those.
    
    
25. Beer pong tournament !
    
    
26. Get published or inspire someone (or both). No everyone can write. Or just have your picture published in the papers if you're very lazy. :P
    
    
27. Master in baking or cooking at least one thing (that isn't too easy to do). Guy or girl you need to have that one meal that people are like “Huum wish XXX was here to cook this”.
    
    
28. Go lay on the grass on a sunny & beautiful afternoon and just take time to notice how beautiful life is. After that you have to manage somehow to stand up and make it to your next class.
    
    
29. Go wine tasting (or beer/whisky tasting). If you don't drink go taste chocolate, that's good too! :P
    
    
30. Learn a few fun drinking games.. (Flanky Ball, Kings, Pyramids...)
    
    
31. Discover your inner talent. Werther it is painting, drawing, singing, acting, playing an instrument, dancing, sports, become a Dj even. Anything .. 
    
    
32. Drink with a professor. If you're lucky enough to have a cool lecturer enjoy ! :)
    
    
33. Go to a field party. There's nothing like an open air party, and I just want to add that falling on the grass hurts less than falling on the cold hard ground.
    
    
34. Go to a school event, get involved ! It's YOUR school after all !
    
    
35. Go to a live music show. Acoustic music YEAH !
    
    
36. Go watch slam poetry, a public reading or a theatre piece. Not it's not only for hipsters, nerds and hippies. A lil a bit of cultural things never hurt anyone.
    
    
37. Fall in love. I've seen that in movies, seems cool.
    
    
38. Body shots ! YEAH !
    
    
39. If you live in a small town, go to all the clubs/restaurant at least once. How can you really know which one is your favourite if you keep on going to the same ones. You have three years. :)
    
    
40. Go watch a sporting event. Sexy Rugby Boys ! :)
    
    
41. Take part in a sporting event. Even just a fun run for charity.
    
    
42. Pull an all nighter. Okay there's no way in hell you can survive 3 years (or more) in University without spending at least one night (or a few) without sleeping.
    
    
43. Join a student society. You meet new people, it's good for your future. And between you & me student society are mostly about hanging out & parties.. ;)
    
    
44. Make a dramatic change in your hairstyle. Soon you'll have to go look for a job and you won't be able to have red or blue highlights, might as well do it now!
    
    
45. Dress up for class. Nothing not to extravagant. :)
    
    
46. Take part in “ … Day”. Suit-Up Day. Write love on your arm day. Hug Someone wearing red day.
    
    
47. Raise your hand to answer a question or tell your opinion in a very full lecture. You have a voice, use it damn it ! :P
    
    
48. Wear a shirt with a message. Write LIFE on your shirt and hand out lemons ! :D
    
    
49. Makes friends for life, have the greatest memories.
    
    
50. Finish university without getting pregnant or without even getting a STD.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    [Bonus] 51. GRADUATE ! :D :D
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Also Read : 
    3 Reasons Why the ‘Do it for the Story’ Mentality Is the Only Way to Go Through College
    10 Confessions You Never Want to Make to Your Parents About Your College Life

Pre adulthood confidences, last day as a teen ...

Last day as a teen.

It doesn't really mean anything, but if we think about it, it does.

I am turning 20 years old tomorrow. People always talk about 21 being the big number, but if you're not living in the USA 21years old isn't such a big deal cause you have probably been drinking and clubbing for a few years now.

20 years old, it's not such a big step in your life. Nothing really is suppose to change when you turn 20. Turning 20 is more like the end of a phase, I guess.

It is the end of your teen years.

I still remember when I became a teenager, at 12 or 13 years old.

Freshly off the boat from Belgium, it doesn't seem so long ago, 2004/2005.

But when I really think about it, it was like millions of years ago.

Another time, another life. Back when I was in high school, in Madagascar just starting to get my life together.

I remember I thought this is what life was going to be for the next 5 or 8 years.

It all made sense and I wanted it to stay that way, for as long as possible.

Life could only get better from there. The blue skies and shiny days made me sure of it.

More happiness than tears, more friends than enemies, a lot of love, few heartaches, just how life is suppose to be at that age.

And suddenly it stopped, I had to move. To a new school, a new place, a new country, to a new life.

Life as I knew it was over, I saw all that I've had and all that I was hoping for collapse in front of my eyes. Collapse like a beautiful cards castle that your cat accidentally bumped into.

And boom, all gone. Right before you could take a picture of it, so your mind will remember it but your reason will always make you doubt yourself. Did it really exist or was I just dreaming.

14 years old Mozambique, a new school, a new place, a new country, a new life.

It was so different. I tried to stay who I was but slowly I lost the idea of who I was, I lost the idea of who I wanted to be, who I should be.

If you can't change the things around you,. Change yourself.

So I repressed all of my teenager's feelings, for a little while, for a few years.

Life was livable, life was okay, life became kind of good.

There was good, even great moments, but life in general was only kind of good. So I settled for that.

I tricked my mind into thinking that was true happiness. That this is how life was going to be and that I was fine with it. But I wasn't.

I was dreaming and hoping for something more.

Freud said that unexpressed emotions never dies, they are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.

And they came back, those teenager's feelings that I've tried so hard to repressed.

They came back in uglier ways, slowly but surely punching me in the face, one after the other.

And I did what could be consider as mistakes, but I have learn so much from them that I am glad I did a few more and I am still doing them, cause life is about what you experience.

To be completely honest, it is the things that could have been a mistake that I didn't do that I regret the most. Cause I will never know if they were really mistakes.

2010, graduated from high school I was ready to live life, my mind was hungry for adventures.

But I had to put my life on hold, for a little while. I had to press the pause button and keep all of my feelings trapped inside of my body. All imprison in me, waiting to be free.

So when the time arrived to let them run freely, my cage just exploded.

They were all over the place, I was all over the place. But I was so happy.

2011, Rhodes University South Africa.

A new place, a new country, a new life. And what a place, what a country, what a life.

It is true, I had no intention in living there and I had no intention of loving it.

But I did, a damn the ride I had. This was the life my mind was waiting for.

I didn't know it before but I had been waiting for South Africa for a very long time.

And when it happened it wasn't all perfect but man it was so close to what I had always wanted that demanding perfection just seemed a bit silly.

More happiness than tears, more friends than enemies, a lot of love, a few heartaches, just how life is suppose to be at that age.

Life was so good all I could do was tilt my head back and laugh at the sky.

Not only life was better, but so was I. Not the kind of better than you can see or measure, just something that only I could feel deep in my bones.

And when I came back home for the holidays I could really feel it, the difference inside.

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered. And yes it felt good.

And suddenly it was there again. Bad luck, hitting my life like a big pizza pie and trust me it wasn't love.

I can still see Life and Bad Luck laughing while I was being sucked in by a black hole.

And right before I let myself be trapped by insanity I remembered something, 'Tough times don't last but tough people do, fuck your past but don't let it fucks you' (Monastry's bathroom).

So I did the only thing I could do, I pressed pause on my life again and waited for better days.

But this time I didn't imprison my feelings, I spit them on a page of an old notebook and got rid of them forever. (almost)

And for those few months I was fine (barely), gladly numb.

Now I am in a small city of Eastern Germany, where I would have never imagine myself to be in a million years.

Trying to make this place my home and trying hard to get use to the weather.

20 years old minus one day, freshly off of the boat (again), weird, annoying, sometimes doing things I shouldn't, raising my hypothetical glass of wine to new beginnings and the possibilities they bring.

Actually if I have to be totally honest, I could use another few years of acting like a teenager … :)

The Germany Experience (Munich, Bavaria)

• If you don't know what's happening drink some beer.
  
  
• If you're bored drink some more beer.
  
  
• If you're still bored there's Jagermeister and Vodka !
  
  
• No matter how bored you are DO NOT mix cheap Wine & Korn (looks like vodka but taste WAY WORST) [Listen Learned]
  
  
• In Germany you take White Tequila with salt and lemon like everyone BUT you take Gold Tequila with Orange and Cinnamon [they are weird,. I know]
  
  
• If you're lost ask someone in the street, everyone is somehow super nice and they will help you. They might even walk you half way to your destination if they can. Don't worry if you don't speak German almost everyone speak English, maybe ask young adults to be sure.
  
  
• Try every as many different kind of beer as you can, I mean you're in Germany you should know your shizz. [My advice, Wiessbier or Altbowler, both sweet beers. YUMMY]

• If you're a gay hag like me and go for a Queer night out. Even if you don't know anyone, gays are cray in a good way you'll have a great time. And some tipsy gay just may buy you a drink ! [If in Munich, Queer Sunday at Cafe am Haus is the way] ;)

• In almost every country I've been to you must (for some reason) hide your alcohol in bags, fruit bottles or just drink inside. No in Germany drinking beer (or something else) in the middle of the day in the park is absolutely normal. Don't be surprised if you see an old couple sitting in the bench next to the shops with a 6packs next to them. It's Germany, [Go beer or go home!]
  
  
• And yes I know it's a stereotype to think that because you're in Germany there will be beer everywhere, but there really is. If you want beer you can buy it in the most unexpected places. The Internet Cafe sells beer. The cell shop sells beer. The night time pizzeria sells beer. I mean all we need now is for stupid Mc Donalds to sell beer too ! [go beer or go home!] :)
  
  
• If there is four things that Germans love (still talking about the typical stereotype of Germans here) is Biking, Beer, Wurst (sausages) & Bread (or Pretzel ).
  
  
• But really biking is like a passion for the Germans. They bike everywhere and all the time, no matter the weather. And I quote “It is so much fun to bike when it snows” says a German girl. Some cities don't have underground stations so all they do is BIKE all the time. And yes there is even some cities that have more bikes than people in it (e.g. Munster)
  
  
• Talking about underground stations. They are very practical, and yes it is totally an excuse to get lost in the city. Try this, jump in the underground get out at a random station and just walk all day discover the city. Who cares if you look like a retarded tourist with your confused face and your possible map. Be adventurous. Just make sure you know the name of your underground stop by heart. Btw in Germany they are called “U.Bahn & S.bahn”
  
  
• Beside all i've said German people are really very serious people (I know serious people that loves beer). They are serious and they are (almost always in a hurry). When in the “U.Bahn”, “S.Bahn”, bus or tram, when you see the Germans standing up ready to go out don't stand up too. It just means that the next stop is 5mins away but life is too serious to wait for the door to open while sitting. (big generalisation here)
  
  
• If you have met Germans outside Germany (exchange, on holidays, or just abroad) you must wonder “What Germans serious? No ways”. Well yes they are. But apparently they are only robots in Germany and once they go abroad on holidays they become the crazy Germans we all enjoy so much. (big generalisation here again)
  
  
• Because in Germany all your time must be used wisely, here is a little drinking game i've learned there that allow you to work out (running) and drink beer at the same time.
  So it's simple make two teams, each person in the team has a can of beer (it's always easier with a can of beer). The two teams stand one in front of the other, and standing between them in the middle is a empty bottle (for example). And each person must throw a ball (or a onion if you don't have a ball) and make the bottle fall. When the bottle falls everyone in the team of the person who threw the ball must start downing their beer. The first team that has all players with empty cans wins.
  See in normal drinking games the point is to make the other one drink, in Germany it's the other way around. The winner gets drunk first. :)
  
  
• Germany is not very famous for its nice weather well because it's weather sucks. It's as stable as a pregnant woman-menopausal-PMS all together (yes like that, well in Bavaria it was).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  So obviously a Sunny day is like a miracle for them. Our dear deutsch are used to Cold and try or Cold and rain. The sun is a gift and when it is there you must enjoy it to the MAX. Go strawberry picking, biking, walking, lay on the sun, perve on hotties, swim EVEYTHING! :)
• 
  
• When it's football season some song will be sang. Songs you won't understand. In that case just smile, clap your hands and remember to scream at the end DEUUUUTSSCHLAAAND ! You'll fit right in with the other crazies. Ofc don't forget to hold you glass of beer high while screaming no matter how heavy it is.
  
  
• Yes heavy glass of beer. See in the normal world a big glass of beer is 0,5L well no in Germany that's a normal. A big glass is 1L. And yes that shizz is heavy but even German women carry it like it's nothing. Some people even carry 4 at the same time, but well don't try it.
  
  
• If it's football season and you are agoraphobic, avoid every restaurant/bar with a Tv, avoid public transportation actually just stay at home. If you have to take any kind of public transportation stay on the surface (bus, tram) because from my experience the underground “U.Bahn” gets very VERY full. And maybe you may find yourself in the same underground car as a group of young adult proudly wearing the colour of their team, singing and screaming some German gibberish, and yes some of them just might be drunk. In Munich the street Leopoldstrass/Marienplatz is the worst (is you are agoraphobic) or the best thing that is happening during football season. Either way Football & Beer, YEAH ! Once again if you don't know what to do, clap and scream DEUTSCHLAND! :)
  
  
• So Yeah I said that German peeps are very serious people. But they are also very “Free Spirited” (even in the so called “Christian Conservative” side where I was living >> Bavaria). For example in the early hours of the 23rds of June a few thousands of people stood nude in one in the street for the love of Art. When I say nude I mean nothing but some body paint on. People of all age, gender, size (I even spotted a pregnant woman in the crowd) and it was absolutely amazing.
  
  
• A little History break here, did you know that Hitler started his little group of crazies in Bavaria? And it is also there that is situated Dachau Concentration Camp which was the first concentration camp of Germany and also the only one that was open from the very beginning until the very end. Not such a great part of history but it is always good to know. [History Nerd]
  
  
• If you go to Germany (especially if you are currently living in an African country like me) people will make an enormous amount of jokes about how Germans are racist and will kill you nazis blah blah blah. But beside that very dark part in their History the people I have met in Germany are quite cool (some more than others). And I even talked to old people in the street (one of the many many times I got lost) and even in the “Christian Conservative” side of Germany they were all extremely nice. And I don't know if I am lucky or completely blind and stupid, but as far as I am concern I met ZERO racists.
  
  
• In Munich there is actually so many international people that if you wanted to be racist you should just move out of the city before having a panic attack. Funny enough during my two months in Germany I must have met a good 8 Germans. I somehow always ended up sitting next to/talking with international people, USA, Netherlands, Italy, Columbia, China, even countries like Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Albania. But Germans were the hardest to find.
  
  
• Someone would wonder “Why would someone in their right mind learn German?” Well I asked this question to myself so many times. I must have taken the decisions in a moment of insanity, but I regret nothing because once you get passed the fear of words with 12 letters it is actually a nice language. Plus according to statistics (I swear I read it somwhere) Germany is one of the country where most people from Europe would like live. :)
  
  
• And if you still have doubt about Germany think about BEER FESTIVALS ! Yes festivalS. Especially “Oktober Fest” which is basically the biggest craziest beer festival of all. Fun Fact abt the “Oktober Fest” is happens in mostly in September, yeah Germans are weird like that, don't ask. Actually do. You want to hear drunk people tell you stories, it is always fun. :)
  
  
• If you've been anywhere else in Germany they will tell you that people from Bavaria are weird. But weird is always good. Plus I would have to say from personal experience, there is something very “homy” about Munich. It's not really a city, but not really a village either and that makes it feel so cosy and nice. Once you're use to it you don't really want to go.
  
  
• One last thing, DEUTSCHLAND ! *raise glass of beer high and proud* :)