Category Archives: Lessons Learned

Crazy Outbursts, Lessons Learned, My Life, Steffi Says

Appreciate the good things in life

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Sometimes, when I am struggling with life or I’m just having a hard time, I try to write down what I’m going through. Other times, I try to focus my thoughts on the good things I have in life.

I will share this with you, in the hopes that you will realise that there’s more to life than bad things… Sure, we spend most of our life thinking about what went wrong, or how bad we have it… and what about that damn bad luck or bad timing? But if you fight it, good things can be achieved like…

  • Having a good relationship with your family
  • Having friends that you can count on day in, day out (I don’t have many, but that’s ok! Quality over quantity)
  • Appreciating the little thing
  • Having a job
  • Being able to afford a roof over your head and a daily meal on the table
  • Being able to pay the bills at the end of the month
  • Being your own person, even if this make others cringe… Embrace yourself!
  • Being a decent cook
  • Owning two naughty but loving cats
  • The ability to drive a car and go places (unless the roads are flooding because of heavy rain!)
  • Affording to go on holiday every once in a while
  • Making random people or strangers happy with a simple act of kindness
  • Owning your own little house
  • Being creative in my own way…. through photography
  • Being able to listen to live music and talk with people over a few drinks (Sounds simple, but some of us don’t have the privilege)
  • Volunteering in a charity shop
  • Having that one person (or more!) in your life, that will always make you smile… no matter what you are going through

Surely this is not all…. I’m only getting started 😉

Crazy Outbursts, Lessons Learned, My Life, Other Reviews, Restaurant/Accommodation, Reviews, Steffi Says

Why use TripAdvisor?

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Some of us do not see the purpose in Trip Advisor and think that saying your thoughts about the service you have received in a restaurant is like you are attacking them personally, or attacking the employees. The way I usually end up rating a restaurant is with regards to various aspects:

  • The food
  • The atmosphere
  • The service
  • The value of money considering all the above

Most often than not, before making a complaint on Trip Advisor,  I try to talk to one of the employees; let them know I am disappointed or that something was not as expected. If they choose to not do anything about it, then it is no longer my problem. I have tried, and I got nothing out of it. And I feel like it is about time to share this with the Trip Advisor society, to warn them on things they can expect. When something goes wrong, I would still when possible mention the good sides of the place I have visited. And just because I see something as wrong, it does not mean that everyone should agree with me. It is only my point of view.

At this point I have given almost 200 contributions to this site, and I have received over 40 helpful votes; I think I am doing something right. I’d say, that even if in Malta it is not yet as popular as it is in any other country, the tourists are looking at it to decide on the best locations and services

So before you complain about a negative rating, learn from it and fix things… Reply with concern to negative rating.. That way a customer feels like his review was read and dealt with.. Especially if the negative comment is ‘voted up’.

Then, move on.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/members-reviews/SteffiGrimm

Crazy Outbursts, Lessons Learned, My Life, Steffi Says

I wonder…

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Sometimes, I wonder why I used to spend time with certain people, even when they gave me so much shit….
Is it perhaps, because I did not love myself enough, or is it because I was in love with the idea of someone?

I wonder…

“We love heartbreak, and we love putting it on ourselves. We’re more nostalgic for things that never happened than we are grateful and present in the things that are. We start missing things we never had, that we just created in our minds, in this false, alter-reality.”

Brianna Wiest

Lessons Learned, Steffi Says

What women want

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Read the below…

http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/comment/blogs/50471/what_women_want

Thoughts?

Lessons Learned, My articles / researches, My Life, Steffi Says

Thoughts on Genders

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Some people wonder, why I enjoy spending time more with the male gender rather than with the female gender. Today, I will try to explain this, and please note that whatever I write here, it is not always the case for men and women.

Most of the girls I meet, are very dramatic, and girly. I do not find anything in common with them and their idea of a perfect way of spending the day… Shopping and trying out clothes and then, buying nothing… because their tummy is too fat, or their boobs are saggy. Whenever I go shopping (which is rare, since I mostly shop online), I know what I want, I find it, try it, purchase it; end of story. Women are never straight to the point, and most often then not cannot decide on anything. I find this stressful, and annoying. Especially when all the complains are on things which don’t matter, like ‘I just straightened my hair but now it’s raining, and it’s gonna be a mess’… blah blah blah. Why do I have to hear about this? I am not Jesus, and I can’t make the rain stop. Just deal with it.

violin

Men, are the other way round – straight to the point and the good ones are truthful and loyal; though rare. You always know where you are with them, there’s not many mind games going on. Unless, they fall for you. Because then, most turn into a woman, instead of manning up and tell you what they’re feeling (or make them stop, if they dislike it).

For instance, if I look bad in a dress, it’s more likely that a guy would come to me and say it, rather than a woman. Because, that’s how they are made. Women would try and compliment you on the good parts of it, rather than letting you know it doesn’t suit you (or talk about you with their friends). Men would behave like women in this case, when they want to get laid, or they like you too much.

Lessons Learned, Steffi Says

Share the love on Valentine’s day

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I am not big on commercialised feasts, and I do think that you should show your love to the special people in your life all year round. But I received this video by email this morning, and it was certainly beautiful. And it is not about people, it’s about the nature surrounding us and all the changes that are happening to it… Something we are often forgetful about.

This, is all done through Shakespeare’s Sonnet number 18 to life; in a beautiful 100-second film that’s a celebration of the world around us. Listen to the cast of familiar British faces: David Harewood, Meera Syal, Stephen Fry, Dermot O’Leary, Jarvis Cocker, Deborah Meaden, Emilia Fox, Alison Steadman and Raymond Blanc, and let me know your thoughts in the comments.

#showthelove

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

Lessons Learned, My articles / researches, Steffi Says

Meet Halfy…

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Halfy is what his friends call him. And there’s a whole story about why his nickname is this. Let’s start with a photo of this American guy.

halfy
Carlos ‘Halfy’ Rodriguez

Yes, the nickname is self-explanatory now that you have seen the photo. But guess what? He was not born this way. In fact, one night he was on drugs, and while he was driving he hit a pole, flew out of the window and landed on his head. He’s doing well, and until this day, he has not undergone any cosmetic surgery. It seems to me, that he likes his new look.

After reading this story, I was curious to read about other similar stories.

Meet Steve Gator, a twenty six year old guy from Essex (England) who had his skull crushed. He was attacked by two teenage thugs on his way home after work. Very unlucky. Unfortunately because of this incident, he is suffering from a lifelong disability.

steve_GatorITV_450x319
Steve Gator – Before & After

Another victim back in 2008, by the name of Alan Hind, twenty eight year old, also had an accident where he shattered his skull. It all happened when he fell approximately seven meters while working on his roof. On top of that he suffered from kidney damage and he turned deaf from his left ear. To this day he still suffers from trauma and memory loss.

Hou Guozhu; Chinese, at the age of eight, had a large portion of his head removed. He was a healthy boy just like his twin brother, but when he was three, in the year 2000, he started to suffer from periodic spasms of is left limb. His family traveled to all the local hospitals for help but this was not enough. Six years later his father afforded to take the boy to the Beijing Brain Institute were he was diagnosed with a rare inflammatory disease of the brain, know a Rasmussen Encephalitis. He underwent four operations, and for this treatment his family had to sell almost all their possessions, including the house. The father also turned to the media to help with donations. In 2011, the kid finally had the cosmetic surgery done; in which a titanium alloy plate was implanted.

hou-guozhu
Hou Guozhu – Before & After

These three victims as can be seen from the pictures to this article, have undergone cosmetic surgery.

Enjoy life, and make sure you don’t lose half of your head! 😉

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.