So I’m leaving for Germany this Friday night (4th), will be back on the 13th, then I’m off to Brisbane to visit my girls on the 16th, and will be back on the 23rd. With a schedule like that, one would think that I’m almost like a jet-setter. Alas, this faux jet-setter had a ton of administrative work to contend with (and is – believe it or not – still contending with) and is frustrated to the point that she can’t wait for the whole shebang to end just so she can go on her ACTUAL vacation and relax her days away in good ol’ Brissie.

I kinda feel like I’m cheating on Germany.

You see, I love planning for trips and doing all the research, and I can get all the admin stuff tied up without any whining. But it is completely different when it’s a matter of work and you have to be accountable to plenty of neurotic folks who insist you plan for the worst. Not that it’s bad or anything, but it’s unnerving and it makes me think of too many worst-case scenarios than I’m legally comfortable with. Scenarios so unlikely that I’m surprised they didn’t ask us to plan in the event of a plane crash. Or what if we encounter an accident on the Autobahn? Or get collective food poisoning? Now why aren’t we planning for those? Can you tell I’m irritated?

I hate having such feelings. I should be looking forward to learning and appreciating the history and culture of the place, but because everything leading up to the day of our departure has been such a chore, I’m not sure if I can give Germany its due. I know I’ll go back one day and really see it the way it intends for me to, but I’m upset that it will now be associated with all the crazy paperwork that my colleagues and I were made to do. And we all know that’s not a good first memory of a place.

So please forgive me, Germany. I promise I’ll do my best to not let my own “baggage” get in the way of our relationship.

It is magical moments like these that make me love So You Think You Can Dance as much as I do.

The song’s by Damien Rice and you can listen to it in full here.

Half the time as I was watching Sex And The City 2 with the girls, I was taking down mental notes. Notes for my future apartment. From chandeliers and couches, to wallpapers and walk-in-closets, I must have coveted about a million things (clothes and shoes not included) by the time the movie ended. It was like watching Elle Decor come to life, and developing plenty of furniture lust as a result.

Take this blue couch and coffee table for instance:

The marriage of contemporary (couch) and vintage (table) is at its best here, and the coffee table just grows on you. Then, there’s this headboard and those curtains:

I have a soft spot for grand, upholstered headboards and dark, heavy curtains. They just evoke a certain sense of luxury and is perfect backdrop for a rainy evening. Then of course, there’s The Closet:

Seriously? There are NO WORDS.

It was also nice to see Carrie’s old apartment, which as we all remember from the previous film, was gorgeous:

When I grow up, I also want a space like that. Yes, down to those floral chairs. But maybe not the blue walls, especially if the space isn’t as open. Then again, they do add to the mood…

Alas, the sad realisation that I was still living with my parents at 27 (as much as it’s highly normal/common in Asian culture) brought me back down to earth and while I love my room in all its refurbished glory, I really can’t wait to style my own apartment. And I know a couple of girls who will agree with me.

(All pictures taken from Elle Decor)