
1. Where are you? Tell us the story that got you there.
I was born in Berlin, Germany (the ugly side, but we escaped before they made me learn Russian or wear blue uniforms…). To be able to afford fashion school in I worked as a Berlin-to-London coach tour guide for over four years (with the odd Italy, Spain and France tours). That was the most exhausting job I ever had- I always had 50 tourists following me around asking questions. A lot of questions. I never had any time to discover the London outside of Tower Bridge and Big Ben. I loved it though since I first came here when I was 15 and sneaked into that shitty tourist disco Equinox using a (bad) fake ID. Eventually I decided to get some retail job and live here for half a year. Just to find out how it is. Now it’s been nearly three years. Oh well…
2. Why do you Moblog? And which of the posts on your Moblog are your favorite?
I am obsessed with memories. When I was 12 I started keeping a diary. I have about 35 books (am still too embarrassed to read some of them), 5 video tapes (had a sharp look back then), 2 audio tapes and thousands of printed out e-mails- all hidden in Berlin. When I came to London I decided to blog publically to keep my friends and family up to date. Now I have one blog for words and one for pictures- simple!
My favourite posts? All the ones of happy times- like this one or this one.
3. If you could take a year off, what would you do with it.
Travel. I love Asia. I would like to take care of baby tigers in Malaysia and film a documentary about it. Wouldn’t mind looking after baby elephants in Vietnam though.
Note to self: Find out whether there are any elephants in Vietnam.
4. If money, transportation and reservations did not need to be considered, where would you be having dinner tonight? What would you eat?
I would be sitting at a floating restaurant at Taman Negara in Malaysia. It is the most amazing place I have ever been to. Next time I will wear leech-proof-gear though. They have trees, funny animals, mountains and rivers and if you go outside the tourist season it will be rewardingly calm. Don’t get me wrong though- I don’t really like Asian food and they have nothing for vegetarians apart from boiled green leaves and rice, so I would have someone fly in some Italian creamy pasta dish with broccoli and feta.
5. What do you actually do all day long?
I have a pretty boring life really. I get up at 9 in the morning, catch a bus at 10am, have a cinnamon whirl, arrive at the office at 10:45, pretend to be managing online gaming communities, actually play a lot of Pool and Bubble Town all day long, lock the doors and leave at 8pm, take the bus home, cook some dinner (sometimes I get dinner cooked), watch some telly and fall asleep at 11pm (am a very tired person).
On the weekends I get up late(r), take care of my plants, wash clothes, have a bath, skype with my mum and spend money on cosmetics, food, soil, drinks and some clothes from time to time. I like going out even though I am starting to get annoyed by loud music and drunks and I never get past East London because I hate it if I can’t (potentially) walk home.
6. What trait do you most dislike in yourself and what trait do you most dislike in others?
Dislike? In myself? Is crooked toe nails a trait? If yes I also dislike it in others.
7. What’s your motto? Your tagline? Your favourite saying?
My favourite saying is “Palim palim but that doesn’t really mean anything. My motto. I don’t know.
We live in a world where everyone’s highest priority is being happy- we constantly question the places we live in, the relationships we have, the jobs we do because we have too many possibilities in life. It’s called “die Qual der Wahl” in German. If I wanted to be a kettle farmer in Australia I am sure that I could become just that. Or equally I could teach art to children in Paraguay. Or I could just stop asking myself what I might be missing out on and be happy with what I have and do. And if I am not then I can still change it, right?
I like to get excited about the first strawberries on my balcony or about stats day at work and I am definitely looking forward to what experiences I’ll have in the future.
I should print that out and stick it to my mirror. So should you!
8. What is your strongest memory from childhood?
Being in Sweden in a huge red wooden house in the middle of nowhere. No water, no electricity, just lakes and saunas and reindeer and the biggest raspberry bushes in the universe (always look inside your raspberries before putting them in your mouth!!!). Me and my dad went to some tiny peninsula with a rowing boat when a small-ish (big enough) cyclone hit us. We ducked inside the boat (on land) and got spun around several times. Very shaky knees, very strong memory.
9. What movie have you most often recommended to others and why, or what’s your favorite movie?
I have to say that I usually don’t like movies. I get bored with them very quickly. Same with books. I love documentaries though- preferably about travelling or animals or fashion.
I don’t think I have a favourite movie. Forrest Gump was alright. And Moonwalker. And You and me and everyone I know.
I certainly recommended High School Musical to a lot of friends. Some of them even watched it.
10. Of all the places you have travelled or lived, is there one in particular that you think everyone should see some time in their lives, and why?
Berlin. Because it is the best place I have ever been to (I think I also said that about Malaysia). It’s got a great mix of cultures, incredible parties, an interesting history, the best kebabs, it’s cheap, the weather isn’t too bad and you can meet my friends and cat there.
Conversely, is there one you never want to see again?
Jena in Germany is pretty bad but I don’t think I’ve ever been to a place I really hated.
The original can be found here.