Category Archives: Crazy Outbursts

Crazy Outbursts, My Life, Steffi Says

The Importance of Storage Space

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So yesterday, I came to another conclusion. Women in general think more than men; they plan, and they think ahead about the future, and what they might need then.

This all came up, while I was doing one of the things I enjoy doing the most at the moment; Thinking about how I will set up my rooms. After I finish up the courtyard this summer (provided that I manage to save up the money required for it), I will get started on my living room.vintage

While wanting it to be appealing and comfortable, I am thinking ahead about how to best handle the lack of storage space in my house (at least, until I renovate the cellar).

I have been looking about possible nice looking, vintage/classic style storage spaces,  and coming up with ideas on sofas with storage spaces as well as an awesome TV cabinet, with book shelves and cupboards.
As soon as I mentioned this to a good friend of mine, he started teasing me about being women, and our ‘things’; the walk-in wardrobe, extra cupboards, racks, wall mounts; you name it… He mentioned, how we all want this, but for him a garage is just enough. He made it sound like something is wrong with us for wanting this. I think, men do not understand that we we are not just thinking about the present, but also about the future. Sure an extra storage space might not be required right about now, but what about in a couple of year’s time? If you don’t plan your furniture right, you might end up having to change your furniture to accommodate more storage space, or add up another piece of unmatching furniture which could have been avoided if thought out properly.

Crazy Outbursts, My Life, Steffi Says

Car Wheels Displeasure

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You might already have guessed it, but today’s post is going to be one of those rants….

On Saturday early afternoon, I found one of the rear car wheels punctured… I’ve always wanted to learn how to change the car wheel, but the screws are always so jammed and rusty, that I could never for the life of me unscrew them. Usually my father has a bit of a hard time, but one way or another he manages. Not this time round. Not even my brother who trains attyre the gym on a daily basis could. What the hell is going on? We oiled them.. and nada. We called a garage which fix punctures and it closed at 2pm. Unlucky, I thought. Turns out it was a slow  puncture so at least my weekend was not entirely ruined.

The Saturday night I met a friend in Msida and we walked to KickStart, which is a rock bar in Santa Venera area. We had a great time, but while walking home a bit after midnight, rain started pouring. First slowly and pleasant, then heavily and unbearable. Thankfully it was not windy so we waited it out for roughly 30mins under one of the house balconies. I drove my friend home and was driving in Msida valley. I had no idea that after 30mins of rain the valley is already dangerous for average sized cars. I had to reverse all the way back to take another route. Made it home, end of story.

Sunday I had a guest over so I did not bother with the car.

Early Monday morning, first working day of the month; the busiest day at work… And I find another flat tyre. If I was not busy, I would have started laughing. Who would believe you, two flats in two days? Both of the screws were jammed right in. In order not to waste more of my precious time, I enjoyed an hour and a half trip by bus to work, and another back.

Tomorrow morning I have to find a way to take my car down to a tyre garage. Wish me luck!

PS. Thank you Transport Malta for your excellent service and ensuring the roads are safe for driving with minimal damage possible!

//end rant

Crazy Outbursts, My Life, Steffi Says

Microsoft 70-461

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During the last couple of months I have been going through a Microsoft book, in order to get yet another certification. Although this could be a good addition to my CV, I am finding this book thoroughly boring and impracticable. Sure, it’s good to know the how-to when you work on SQL Server, and it’s always a positive thing to know how to better yourself and optimise your code. But why would I want to read about its history and in such monotonous American English? Why is the writer bluffing so much in this book, and what about the tricky questions at the end of each chapter? In reality, wouldn’t it have been better if what we read is implied in the exams, by writing down code rather than answering questions based on an X amount of possible answers? It certainly feels like I am being graded on my American English rather than on what I have learned and the skills I have obtained during the last 5 years I worked on SQL Server.

//Rant Over

Crazy Outbursts, Lessons Learned, My Life, Steffi Says

Thought of the day

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I love challenges, and I am always up to getting to know new people. But when it comes to this, I tend to be very selective; In the sense that, I like being around people who are interested in similar things as me, such as cookery, photography, music, travelling… But what I find the most attractive is those who are intelligent, and can hold an interesting conversation. People, who do not pretend that they know everything, and that does not stop them from discussing and learning things. Someone I can learn from, and who challenges me to be better, to test myself. Yes.

Sure, it is lovely to know what others are thinking just by looking at them… But it is also great to not be able to figure someone easily; like an open book. Challenge Accepted!

What does not really impress me is when there are people who boast about themselves, their riches or what they own in order to befriend you. In truth, you are just an object to them, another trophy that they acquired along the way, of what they think is ‘superiority’.

Good things, and good people are hard to come across. Appreciate them, while you have them. And don’t just give up on them just because they’re unique, or somewhat complicated. It’s a gift… They’re worthwhile!

Crazy Outbursts, Lessons Learned, Steffi Says

Of MasterChef & Cooking

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I was having a conversation with one of my closest friends and amongst one of the many topics we tackled, we mentioned taking cooking classes. We thought it would be great to take them together since we both share a passion for the art of cooking, and getting a certification would be a great next step. Apart from this it would also be benefiting for us to get a bit more tips especially in food presentation in my case.

Because of this, we ended up watching a few episodes from MasterChef The Professionals UK. I must say, that I love the concept of this series, were really great chefs from around England (and the world) battle out each other. Furthermore, it is also good inspiration for me, and I can definitely get some ideas to what I will attempt to cook in the next couple of weeks. The most disappointing thing is, that one hour, in reality is a very short time to prepare a good dish especially when you are expected to prepare a quality, well presented, tasty meal. It’s almost sad to see some of these really talented chefs being brought down to tears on TV.

Even if I ever become a renowned chef, I don’t think I would ever pluck up the courage to test myself this way, in front of millions of viewers. I think this experience can either build you up or break you (or your reputation that is!).

masterchef+logo+black

Crazy Outbursts, Lessons Learned, Steffi Says

Things I have learned today

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1. The South of Malta is really beautiful in winter
2. The market in MarsaXlokk is really massive. It does not really smell like fish, as I remember it during my childhood
3. Men who can cook and absolutely love food are awesome. They get my fascination about food.
4. I need a food processor in my life ❤

The weekend was so busy and great. I wish I could extend it a bit more.

About Malta, Crazy Outbursts, Malta, Steffi Says

Maltese houses heating problem

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Maltese houses lack insulation as they are solely made out of concrete. Just to give you a brief idea, the houses absorb a lot of heat during summer. Being inside a house in summer is overall hotter than being outside. Due to the concrete’s heat capacity, the house remains hot during summer nights and makes it impossible to sleep comfortably without a fan or air-conditioning. Exactly the opposite happens in winter. The heat in the house is absorbed by the concrete wall and roof and is emitted outside, because we all know that hot air likes to travel to cold areas. As such, during the night the temperature inside our houses are almost the same as the temperature outside.

insulation

Now the bummer is, that in Malta we do not have a proper heating system in our houses. We buy gas by the cylinder which makes it impossible and unaffordable to have a good amount of heaters around the house, unless we use electrical heating. Let’s face it, no one really has this, unless you are extravagantly rich.

Because of this, every morning I struggle to come out of my cosy, warm bed to the cold reality that is my bedroom and the rest of the house. Especially when you can hear the wind and the rain outside, fighting against one another on who is making the most sound… And then there’s the dreadful traffic… Oh, how I wish I could hibernate during winter and wake up in a more convenient summer spot that is not on the Maltese Islands 🙂

Crazy Outbursts, Funnies, My articles / researches, My Life, Steffi Says

Borrinu… aka Snowman

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This post is a fun one, and is inspired by one of Malta’s top new words… Borrinu. This was invented this year after some people managed to make snowmen made of hail. Anyhow, the translation to this word is a snowman. I guess a snow-woman would be a Borrina.

Today we will have a look at the translation of Snowman in various languages:

  1. Olaf_from_Disney's_FrozenArabic: رجل الثلج
  2. Czech: Sněhulák
  3. Danish: Snemand
  4. Dutch: Sneeuwpop
  5. English: Snowman
  6. Estonian: Lumememm
  7. French: Bonhomme de neige
  8. German: Schneemann
  9. Latin: Pupulus nivalis
  10. Maltese: Borrinu
  11. Norwegian: Snømann — Very Englishy!
  12. Polish: Bałwan śniegowy
  13. Russian: Снеговик
  14. Spanish: Muñeco de nieve
  15. Turkish: Kardanadam

Happy learning! 🙂

Crazy Outbursts, Lessons Learned, Steffi Says

Lazy and Smart

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Most of us bluff and blurt out, that we are smart. And intelligent. But, I think we are all stupid. We are greedy, and we only want what we cannot have. And in the rare occasion where we get what we want, we’d want something better. We are never happy, we always want more, more and more.

We are smart, but what we really are in reality, is puppets on a string, or even worse – parrots. We learn by heart what we are taught, as long as we get good grades. This is how we impress ourselves. Not by knowing the reasons behind things, but by repeating what we were told.

When it comes to life, we are scared. Scared like a mouse is scared from a cat, scared like a little kid who has misbehaved. We complain that life’s unfair, we are barely ever positive. We get angry for the slightest of reasons. We appreciate nothing, until we lose it.
And yet, we pretend we are smart
good enough
intelligent beings…
But all we do is spend our life on cyberspace, or sitting down watching TV…
we barely go out
enjoy life
talk
take initiatives
have hobbies –
Because we are lazy.

Lazy and smart.

Crazy Outbursts, Lessons Learned, Malta

Cashiers who can’t count

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In Siggiewi, we do not have big supermarkets, so usually I drive to the place where I grew up for some serious grocery shopping.

After I chose my items, I went to the cash area to pay for my items. Continue reading Cashiers who can’t count →