Jason's Daily Notes

Monday, 27 January 2014

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Monday
Got up around 8:15. Had vollkornbrot and frischkäse for breakfast. The sun is rising a few minutes earlier, like 8:30 instead of 8:55, but it still is dim and the middle of winter. I can't wait for longer and warmer days.

Anton is busy and a little stressed over his exams, which start this Wednesday. He also still has lectures this week. I emailed Anselm about the additional bill (for utilities, etc.) for 2013. I didn't realize we were expected to!

I went to work later than usual, around 9:30. I realized that I am giving Kila the impression to always be at work by 9 when really I am flexible and don't care.

Work was full of things to do, just keeping up with our campaigns. Luckily Kila is able to help me with some things.

Lunch: Mensa with Carl, Toby, Nicole, Miikka, Yati, and Rob.

It's cold. I should wear one more layer.

I should also buy new winter clothes (from Primark). But I am stubbornly trying to make it to the end of the month without withdrawing additional cash from my account. Living cheaply comes at a cost.

I am trying to get over Mike. I didn't talk to him at all today, and I resisted the urge to bother him. I need to be my own person, and being so (emotionally and socially) dependent on him is not good for either of us.

One publisher frantically emailed "Jason make sure you have the materials to us by 12pm ET." So I rushed Toby to set it up in one hour. Cool.

I stayed at work a bit late, with Nicole, to plan our trip to London! It looks like President's Day weekend will be it. We'll book the flights today.

I drank no coffee today. Success.

Home. Had some dinner with Anton, then chilled on the couch. It's nice to have a couch in the kitchen.
Trying to make new friends in the area, meeting them online. I know it sounds weird, but it's 2014 people, c'mon!

Weekend 24-26 January

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Friday, 24 January 2013
Work continues to be busy, partly because of my new intern. I am creating tasks for her to do, but I still have a lot to teach her before she moves forward. However, the French team at work is really happy with her, as she is a definite francophile.

I stayed at the office for some beers. Mike was too busy chatting with others (Jules, Nick) to talk to me. I did not go out with Toby, Yati, etc. - I just biked home.

Saturday, 25 January 2013
I was up and awake at a decent hour. I didn't go shopping to REWE, though. I thought I had left my wallet at the office, so I went there but found nothing. (My wallet was just on my desk, d'oh!) Mike was in Cologne with Caro. I had a mini-vent against him and am trying to control how angry I feel that we aren't talking. I just need to get over it, and with time it will feel better.

Francesco and I planned a "spontaneous" night out that turned into a house party at Nicole and Ricardo's in Oberbilk/Volksgarten. It was a bit awkward that her flatmate and her friends were over. It was also not easy to find the flat, and it's doorbell didn't work. But we had fun. Got quite drunk. I stayed and didn't go out to the club. It was raining. I biked back to Mike's place to use the internet outside his door and he and Caro were just returning. I guess I am really jealous that they are together and I no longer have Mike. But I will get over it.

I biked home in the rain.

Sunday, 26 January 2013
I was a bit hungover. Made a nice big "half English" breakfast with Anton (bacon, eggs, beans) that really helped. I just chilled at home the whole day, staying very unproductive. I ordered earbuds and a replacement "yolo" jewelry-holding hand for Nicole (which I broke at the party). I called my mom, and she wants me to write her speech for her before she goes to the Philippines this next weekend. Watched The Wolf of Wall Street, since everyone has been talking about it, I enjoyed it but was also affected by all the hype it had received.

I'm looking to replace Mike. He clearly doesn't care about me as much as I care about him.

Sunday, 19 January 2014; Catch Up

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Over a month since my last post... Ooops.

How can I recap? Christmas was celebrated with my friends and colleagues at trivago (2 nights at the 2 trivago flats). I was a bit stressed trying to get gifts for everyone, especially for Mike, because I wanted to buy him 4 gifts (Christmas, birthday from me, birthday from the office, housewarming, and for getting a traineeship at work), but in the end it all worked out.

Mike celebrated his birthday in the NL but returned the day after. I "surprised" him with Lisa and Julia, but I think he expected it and was not actually surprised. Jojo showed up, as well as Dieter (his friend from Montreal) and Caro. (I think that there is something going on here, because Mike told me that he spent the night with Caro in the NL, and he said that "someone was staying over" that night. I thought it would be a one night thing, but he has kept texting her.)

Anyway, then came New Years. I took the slow regional trains (the cheapest option) to Berlin with Eliz, Antonis, and her friend Kubra. We had an amazing apartment in Friedrichshain. I loved the neighborhood, and I loved the vibe of Berlin overall. It was really more impressive now that I have lived in (relatively boring) Düsseldorf for 8 months.

The 3 days in Berlin were mostly spent meeting up with people - Mike and Merlin (who kind of did their own thing for the most part, sadly); Tod; Felix and his friend; Maria and her friends; Marina and Milica; Ricardo, Rob, Ricardo; Isabella, and Desi; Manuel and Eva (who met us at Rosi's after midnight on New Years); and Tatiana and Daniel. Whew!

The actual celebration of New Years at Brandenburg Gate was a bit disappointing; crowded and no big fireworks show. I was most impressed by the fireworks that people were shooting off in this streets - everywhere! The next day, the streets of Berlin looked like a war zone with rubbish and broken glass everywhere. Antonis and I stayed one more night to travel back on the 2nd with Mike. It was not as fun as the journey to Berlin, though: the entire time was spent on our phones instead of with each other. (That is one implicit resolution I have, to limit my time chatting on my phone.)

And I should also list my actual resolutions:

1. Do not complain. Focus on the positive things in life. Be a positive influence in the lives of the people around me. If I have nothing good to say, don't say anything at all

2. Take my job more seriously. Be more professional. Be at the office by 9am each day. Don't distract myself. Dress professionally (collared shirt at least) at work.

3. Pay off at least one of my student loans. Put all my extra money toward paying those loans down.

4. Make friends from outside trivago. Meet one non-trivago person per month.

5. Travel to one new country. (As always.)

6. Celebrate my birthday weekend with a long trip.

Back to work; things have suddenly become much busier after the new year. Numbers are good. Lots of new clients want to get in touch. I desperately need an intern!

I helped Mike finish writing his thesis. That was on the 5th, and it was the last time that we actually hung out with each other.

The weather has been good; above freezing, sometimes above 10C, which is great for January. I really look forward to longer days and warmer weather!

On the 11th, I joined 8 coworkers on a 1-night trip to Amsterdam. We took a Czech bus that took 5 hours but gave us a tv screen at each seat and complimentary tea/coffee. We spent the entire time in Amsterdam hopping between coffeeshops :) Our hotel was not very good and located far away. But it was cheap.

I GOT MY WALLET BACK! I got a letter from the Ordnungsamt (thinking it was from my little police incident a few weeks ago) but it was great news. I reclaimed the wallet, which of course had no cash but at least had my drivers license in it!

Last week (Jan 13), sections of the office moved to the new building. The company is growing, which is great. However, we are now separated.

On Friday afternoon, my team moved to new seats, next to where we were previously.

Yesterday I did my usual shopping at REWE in the morning (I was up around 9am). Did some laundry. Went to the office in the afternoon - Muhilan was also there. I sat at my new desk, hung up my flag, and patiently waited for the slow Internet connection to load.

In the end, I ditched Ralph's birthday party and just stayed in Düsseldorf. I went to Rob and Sabrina's party instead. This was cool. I ended up staying until 5:30am, smoking in Rob's room. Laughing at Nick and Jean, who are quite the comedians.

Sunday (today) I got up around 11am, did some quick laundry and cooked up some curry and rice (to use up my chicken before it expired). I rushed to get ready and to the office by 3pm. (Badr's daughter and her grandpa were at the flat when I left.)

I biked to the office and met my coworkers. A few minutes later, Thomas pulled up in the 9-seater van and we were off to Winterberg!

Carl and I were hungover and tired, so most of the 2-hour ride was silent for us. However, Paula, Amelie, and Victoria were chatty in the back seats. (Maybe on the way back the guys should sit there and be the Backseat Boys!)

We arrived at the resort (Dorint) and I had to pee. We each got our own room which is spacious with a kitchen (?!) and a door to the outside courtyard.

Had drinks (in a rotating booth) then dinner then tried to do go kart racing but it was already booked for the night. So we had another drink and retired :) (dude, the word "retired" is just short for "really tired"?!)

Wednesday Morning, 18 December 2013

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Priorities:

I can't find my wallet.
Where could my wallet be?
It must be at home (somewhere stupid) or at the office.

Could it have fallen out while I was biking home?
Could the cleaners have stolen it?
Could it have fallen into a trash bin?

I refuse to accept that I won't get it back. Someone must have it.
I'll go to the police station and bank today.
Fuck, I don't want to go to work. I want to just crawl into a ball. I also just want to go home. I feel like cancelling Christmas and New Years and just flying back to LA.
I feel so stupid. Where could I have left my wallet? Am I that absent-minded? I can't be trusted with anything.
Yesterday was my performance review meeting. It went OK. There were some areas where I could improve, as always, but it was really sobering that I was overall rated as "average."

I want to be the best at everything. That's what I was taught.

I still have very spotty memories of the Christmas party on Thursday, but I did hear some stories.
The weekend sleepover/get together in the Netherlands was really nice and gezelig!
The big day at work was Monday. We had activities and prizes to commemorate the launch of our new identity.
It was on my way home (rushing) from work that I may have lost my wallet.
Went to the Christmas markets in Cologne.

1 Week Back in Düsseldorf - Reverse Culture Shock or just S.A.D.?

Thursday, December 12, 2013

I returned to Germany last Wednesday night. It was cold as I expected. Everyone here follows the rules. It does get on my nerves a bit.

I was welcomed back to work with a US/Canada breakfast. Pancakes and bacon, yes! And the sad news that Alexa was leaving; she's moving to South Africa.

I stayed at home this weekend. Went to REWE with Anton. We drank a lot of the chai I brought from India.

Sunday there was a Thanksgiving dinner at Alexa's place. I made homemade mac n cheese and mashed potatoes. Was nice. Nothing too exciting.

Nelson Mandela died.
Obama took a selfie at his funeral.

Work is work. Not much exciting happening. I have a lot to do, but nothing particularly exciting. Hopefully this will change soon, once I get an intern. Oh yes, and I have yearly reviews up soon.

I've been really lazy and just staying at home everyday, going to bed early (like 9-10pm; maybe still some jet lag?), and not even motivated to unpack and wash all my clothes yet. I still haven't gone to the Christmas Market in the city center. It's just too far away and too cold for me to bike there.

I hate this cold weather. And I wish it would be sunny and just cool (like 10 degrees warmer). But no.

Weekend, 8-9 November 2013

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Saturday, I got up relatively early and did my food shopping. I made sure to buy some probiotic yogurts to prepare my stomach for India :). Went to Francesco's, chilling in his flat for some time, and we walked around to buy spices. We walked back to his place, then Mike joined. Cesco stayed to do his laundry. Mike and I biked to Toom Baumarkt (near REWE on Ulmenstr), because he wanted to buy curtains for his flat. Along the way, Mike told me how he slept with Julia twice this week, on Monday and Thursday. I knew it would happen, but I didn't feel very upset as I thought I would be (and why should I anyway?). We didn't find decent curtains at toom, so we stopped by my place to rest for a little bit before we biked all the way to Obi to continue our shopping. At Obi, there were curtains but not roll-up curtains in the right size. So we left, trying Bauhaus. There was not much selection there, but at least curtain rods in the right size, so Mike got those. We biked to his place on Bismarckstr. and dropped them off there. He also installed a new port for his internet. We biked to my place and got to cooking Thai green curry for dinner. It was done pretty quickly (we make a good cooking team) and then we both fell asleep in my room :) The party at the company flat was going on, but we didn't make it there until past midnight. People were already leaving, but we just chilled there with Cesco, Nicky, Yuti, Oscar, Anna, and Andreea. Funny conversation ensued. Biked home around 2:30am.

Sunday, I was pretty productive. Something smelled really bad in the kitchen, so I cleaned out the entire fridge, and the unplugged freezer (which was covered in mold)! I went to the office in the afternoon, getting some work done on our academy presentation. Mike took his mom, stepdad, and sister around the office too. (They were visiting, and his stepdad helped with installing his curtain rods.) I went to the company flat and joined Carla, Matze, Julia, Eliz, and Rob for a little toke. Actually several not-so-small hits :) We used plastic bottles. It was cool to chill with everyone. Sabrina and Matilde returned from a trip to Amsterdam. Julia left to get her bike from her ex-boyfriend. I tried to get Mike to join, but he was writing his thesis. So I went home around 11pm and Mike came over again to get his thesis corrected. I was cozy in bed by 2am. Mike biked home - poor guy is sleeping on an air mattress still.

Friday, 8 November 2013

Sunday, November 10, 2013

1 week until I leave for India!

The weather is chilly.

Stressful day full of FAILs.

Had to mail in my form for travel health insurance. Printed them out and went to the post office and mailed them in. I had to buy a bike bell and small toiletries for my trip, so I went to Nordstraße. Didn't find what I wanted at Woolworth's. My bike broke (the rear tire shield). So I went home to fix it. My solution? Duct tape. But my neighbor helped me by applying twist ties instead.

I made lunch at home. I got in the mail the official health insurance form, with a free return envelope! FAIL.

Stayed working until 8pm. So much to do (sending new deals, etc.)

Matze and Anna returned to visit for the weekend! I stayed and had a drink with Matze and Carla and then just went home.

Thursday, 7 November 2013

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Work. Thomas is still out of the office (for the rest of the week)
Mike: "I have something to confess to you." So we briefly meet. He has been offered a traineeship! But for less money than he wants.
Lunch: Leftover veggie cordon bleu and pasta.
Salsa dancing. My partner was Marina. It was a bit more challenging; we combined all the steps from previous weeks.

Thursday, 7 November 2013
Full day of work.
Lunch: Mensa (No NA Meeting)
It was raining the whole day.
Stressed. Over setting up the email campaigns.
I stayed in the office until 9pm, with Didem. Tried to create the slides for my academy presentation, but only got through 1.