Little things in life

In life there are a plenty of things that make people smile. It can be big, like getting married or buying a dream house for example, but it can, of course, also be small. I have to admit that I lately wonder much about life. What's life about? What's my purpose in life? What are the things that make me happy? And what are the things I'd rather like to avoid? I caught myself writing down things that give me rest and happiness. I can be daily life stories, but I also figured out that it can be the most tiny thing you actually won't think of in the first place, not intentionally at least. For example, recently I sat outside underneath the veranda, it was raining after a long day of heat and the first thought that came in my mind was: mmm, the smell after rain. It sounds a bit silly, but think about it, those little things make you smile, aren't they?

The things I love most:

Friends & family, love, laughing, cozy nights watching movies and series, parties, going out for drinks and/or dinner, reading a good book, listening to rain while falling asleep, the smell after rain, fresh flowers, burning candles, singing birds, morning silence, animals, freedom, traveling, cultures, languages, interior, design, decorating, photography, blogging, shopping, fashion, perfume, polished nails, pretty things, music, singing, dancing, sports, coffee (Starbucks!) & tea, baking, food, fruits, sun, snow, going out for a walk, running, the feeling after a workout, Christmas feeling, summer, autumn coziness, fresh spring...

Ahhh there are so many things I like! Feel like I can go on and on. Anyway, what do you like most?

Bonjour Bruxelles. Salut!

Summer holiday has almost come to an end. In two weeks I'll be attending my college classes again. My final year of European Studies, eeeek!! Yet, I don't want to think about that, I'm still enjoying my holidays. Like last week for example, I went to Brussels just for one day. I might or might not have been there before.. If so, I must have been very young, but I can't remember. Anyway, since Brussels is close to my hometown - 2 hours by car - I decided to visit this city for a day trip.

Here are some photos:

Cute Belgian houses at the Grote Markt

Manneken Pis (aka Little Man Pee), famous Brussels landmark

Entering this chocolate store was like entering heaven! 

Trying to find the European Parliament.. The roads were blocked everywhere, drove the same route 3 times and it was still not possible to come close to the building. ''Thanks'' to the navigation system I was still able to see just a part of the building.

The famous Atomium building. As a visitor you are able to go inside and go all the way up. Unfortunately I was 10 minutes late to enter the building as it was closed already. Such a pity!

I expected Brussels to be much smaller, but it's actually a huge city and also so crowded! It's a nice city to visit someday. Oh and don't forget to buy some Belgian chocolate!

Grüße aus Berlin

I came back home from Berlin on Monday night, and the trip was great! My family and I drove 6 hours by car to Berlin and for 5 days we stayed at a design hotel in former East Berlin. Every morning they offered the most yummy breakfast buffet, I miss it already haha! So yeah, Berlin was my holiday destination for this summer. It's a city you can't visit in one day, it's massive! The weather was so hot. I heard this week will all be cloudy and rainy, I guess we were very lucky the sun was shining! We took the Hop on-Hop off bus tour to get an overview of the city and in this way we were able to visit everything that seemed interesting. My first impression of Berlin? What a huge, happening city!! There are people everywhere at every hour of the day. All I can say is, ''Berlin, du bist so wunderbar!'' 

Das Brandenburger Tor

Der Berliner Fernsehturm, 368m high
The restaurant rotates once every 30 minutes

Der Berliner Dom

After so many years, I think there are still some historical differences left between East and West Berlin. I find it very interesting to pass a modern street in West Berlin and then just around the corner you walk into another street which is full of nostalgic buildings of the wild, early days in East Berlin. I am not saying that East Berlin is all old and stuff, but yeah, here and there you still see some differences even though most of the buildings are renovated.

Truth be told, I have to admit that I actually find East Berlin, especially Alexanderplatz, the 'happening' part of the city as there are plenty of acts and performances at the streets in the evening. West Berlin, on the other hand, seems for me the modern part of the city. The Kurfurstendamm has got so many big-name shops, including the biggest department store called KaDeWe. Note: you have to visit this store, it's amazing!!

The Berlin Wall, West Berlin

In Eastern Berlin you get a taste of life during the Cold War years, especially if you visit Checkpoint Charlie, which was the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East and West Berlin. Furthermore, the East Side Gallery, which is the east side of the Berlin wall is also nice to visit. It shows 105 paintings as a memorial of the division of the city.

Checkpoint Charlie

Through the entire city double rows of cobblestones mark

 the original leap of the Berlin Wall

East side gallery, East Berlin Wall

Not only the Cold War was an important happening in the history of Berlin. World War II was also very important. I noticed that Berlin doesn't pay much attention to this war. However, there is a museum that shows and explains the entire period from beginning to end. You are also able to visit the place where the Führerbunker of Adolf Hitler once was located and where he committed suicide, but to be honest, there is nothing much to see since it was destroyed. I believe that there are still some underground parts of the bunker left, but on the surface you only see a parking-lot, some trees and a board with the bunker map and some explanations.

Down below you can see the Holocaust Mahnmal, aka The Memorial for the murdered Jews during Wold War II. This is also a must-see. It is designed to experience the feeling of isolation and disorientation, symbolic to the Jewish experiences during the holocaust.

And here are some random pictures of the city:

Skyline Berlin

Schloß Bellevue, official residence of the President of Germany

Der Deutsche Bundestag

Make love, not fashion

Berlin's street art

In my opinion in Berlin is everything possible. It's a modern, happening city where you can still see some wonderful, touching differences between East and West Berlin. If you like city trips, go and visit Berlin. Do some research on the history, take the tour bus, go shopping and have delicious meals. I assure you, you'll have a great time!

Oatmeal Banana Cookies

Lately I have been watching '24 Kitchen', a Dutch television channel. I just love it, it makes me want to cook immediately!! There are so many recipes I would like to make.. or at least try to make as I like cooking and baking a lot. Today I decided to make Oatmeal Banana Cookies. In my opinion it's sort of a homemade muesli bar, it's super-easy to make. I thought to share this with you, so here's the recipe!

You'll need:

• 240g oatmeal 
• 2 bananas 
• 40g mixed nuts 
• 1 vanilla bean 
• 1 pinch of salt 
• 1 tbsp cinnamon powder 

Note: preheat oven at 180ºC

Cut the nuts into smaller pieces. If you like, you could also add some dates. Not everyone likes dates hence I decided to add more nuts instead.

Split the vanilla bean length wise with a knife and scrape out all of the oily seeds from the inside.

Put the oatmeal in a bowl and add the nuts and vanilla. Mix all ingredients together and add a pinch of salt and 1 tbsp of cinnamon powder.

Next, take two bananas and mash it.

I know it doesn't look very appetizing to eat haha, but it smells oh-so delicious!

Anyway, add the mashed bananas to the bowl..

... And simply mix it all together until you get a nice bonding mixture.

Pour the whole mix into a slightly buttered cake pan. Make your hands a little wet and press firmly. If you like, you can add a little bit more cinnamon powder on top. Put it into a oven for about 30 minutes, 180ºC, and bake until it's golden brown.

When it's ready, cut the lukewarm cookie into square pieces and serve it!

Tadaaa, here it is!