From Heaven Down To The Basement.

Hey folks,

it's been quite a long time since I've last updated my blog and I am sorry (not really, but just go with it). Well, what happened?

Easy peasy answer to your question.

C H I C A G O. 

That happened. Yes! Be jealous!

Okay so. Anyways, I just totally forgot what I wanted to tell you. Ah right, Chicago. It started out phenomenal!

1) The flight was good.

2) I lived with Kristin's stepsister while she stayed over at her Aunt's.

3) I was off for 2 1/2 days in row because well. Look at Number 2. ;)

So I decided to explore Chicago by myself with all my free-time I'm not really used to. 

First day first. Tuesday afternoon.

I thought it might be a brilliant idea to explore the European neighborhood where Bonnie (the lovely stepsister of Kristin) lives. Turned out it wasn't quite the brilliant idea. Well, it started to really come down the moment I was outside for about 5 minutes. 

30 minutes later, I was soaked with water and decided to return back, spending my lovely free-time with reading. (No kidding it was no fun!)

Second day. Wednesday the 27th of May. 

Since Bonnie gave me really cool insider tips I decided to book a trolley-tour in order to see as much as possible of downtown Chicago. (Yep this might ring a bell in your smart little brain. I took a trolley-tour at Key West too!)

The tour was good though. The guide was hilarious and the stops were really lovely. Like I was able to take thousands (no not that many) pictures for you. :)

Third day. Thursday 28th of May. 

The weather was incredible, so I decided why don't I walk 1 hour to the closest beach? And that's what I did before my host dad picked me up so that I would stay at Kristin's aunt too. 

The next couple of days were good, even if I worked 10 and two 9 hours shifts for the last three days of the week, but well I guess I didn't complain though, because let me show you the view I woke up to at the new place.

(I KNOW IT'S AMAZING!!!)

Alright. So you maybe ask yourself: Anica what about your weird title? Well, let me explain. Irene's apartment (Aunt) was on the 57th floor of a huge skyscraper (heaven) and then after visiting the 50th marriage anniversary of my host dad's parents (and it was nothing like Bollywood, duh), I ended up living in the basement. Really. THE BASEMENT.

It wasn't the worst basement to be honest. I had three sofas and a hollywood swing, but it was freaking cold and every freaking morning someone came downstairs because the freezer was down there and let me tell you that those stupid stairs made the loudest noises ever. 

Anyways, the last four days were boring as hell. I worked more hours than they needed me because well. The big family stayed over at my host dad's parents because well that's Indian culture I supposed. (Which also caused me to be abandoned into the basement).

Whenever I was off, I tried to be outside (spent most of my time sitting on a bench at a lake and watching people exercising while I ate my fruit salads) since the weather was incredibly good. Sunny and not too hot. Just perfect. 

I guess that's it. I'm back in Houston and there are 111 days left until I am going to board the plane back to Germany. (Time flies!)

This entry is crap and I am sorry, but I am so freaking tired. 

I don't know when I'll start working on the video for you guys, I guess maybe next week, but be patient with me. (I lived in a basement!)

Lot's of love.

Yours, 

          Anica (basement-resident)

Called a hero.

Hey there folks, 

so my schedule is back to normal and I have to confess that I can't wait to be back in Germany because hell I miss my workouts (especially my gym) and soccer. I've never thought that I've might miss soccer since I've quit in February (so over one year now) because I just didn't feel the passion anymore, but hell the passion is back and I am so sad that I can't play here because let's me real all the soccer clubs here suck so badly!! (No joke!)

Since the weather was surprisingly good this morning, my little S. and I went for an one hour walk just around the neighborhood and guess what I've found on the sidewalk? 

Yep, right. An brand new iPhone 5. 

Of course, I've tried to unlock the cell phone in order to contact someone from the contact book (maybe there would have been someone called Mom or Dad or Brother or something like that), but the cell phone had a look even though it was still on and fully charged. (So you know the 4 digit password you need for unlocking the phone was on). 

BUT due to the fact that there was a lovely picture of a girl (I guess she's about 8 years?) in the background of the phone I was quite sure I've saw her face before. Yep, I just walked passed by them like 10 minutes ago so I quickly turned around, walking into the opposite direction of my destination and guess who I found? YES! I've found the little girl with her older brother (I guess he was between 10 and 12 years old), searching for the phone. When I called them while waving with the phone, they immediately ran towards me, hugging me and thanking me for finding the phone (well I just made their day!)

Feeling like a real hero, let me just quote our small conversation!

Boy: "Thank you Ma'am, thank you so much for finding the phone!"

Me: "Oh don't mention it!"
Girl: "Thank you Ma'am, you just saved my day!"
Boy: "That was really kind of you Ma'am, thank you so much!"

Me: "My pleasure!"
Girl: "You are a really nice person!"
Boy: "She's a hero!"

Well, obviously they exaggerated a little bit, but I didn't mind at all. Who doesn't love to be called a hero and a really nice person? 

So after saying our farewells, which included one last hug, little S. who watched the whole scene with a smirk on her face (yeah really she smirked!), and I finally arrived at home, chilling for the rest of the day. 

After watching some of my shows (and eating horribly bad and unhealthy), I am sitting here, writing my little adventure of being a hero while feeling bad for eating all that crap and trying to convince myself that this was just an excuse, but well we'll see. 

I guess that's it!
Let's hope that there are going to be some pictures this week since the weather is supposed to be really lovely after Wednesday. 

Yours, 

       Anica (Hero)

P.S.: I know that I am kinda annoying with all the bad nutrition and fitness stuff, but I can't help it. I don't know how I should resist all the temptations surrounding me while my host mom is baking every single day (Like she just baked chocolate cupcakes with a soft chocolate center and chocolate topping - heaven?!). There is one Au Pair from my Miami vacation giving me hope because she just told me that when I am back in Germany all the pounds I might gained here are going to disappear really quick again, because I'm getting back on track there and I hope she's right! I really hope she is!