Typography in Braunschweig

A few months ago, I did a post called #TYPELOVE #PARIS. Well it's about time I featured some of the kool-lookin' typography here in our little city! The typefaces they use on public buildings here are just so unlike the typefaces I grew up seeing in North America. Dare I say they have better taste o'er here? ...with a preference for classicism, I might add.

#YOLO

I have not purposely intended to bust a Drake up in here. Nor do I think this postcard's a stunning example of typography at its best (I found it in the foyer of a local bar/resto here in Braunschweig). It's all about the message, really. I'm feelin' the message and I'll continue to endorse it for as long as I live.

F*CK YEAH! IT'S 2013, B*TCHES!

Happy Belated New Year's, ya'll! New year, new beginnings! Do I have a New Year's Resolution? Heck nah! I say just live life to the fullest every single day, and get sh.t done NOW! Stop playing the waiting game and chase that dream like you're running after the last 165D bus heading south down Weston Rd. North! As for me, I cannot wait for what the future has in store this year. I plan to continue doin' my thang here teaching English, learning as much as I can as well as improving my spoken German. It really is all about making movements and living without regrets. Cheers to 2013! Make it LIVE!

#TYPELOVE #PARIS

Bondz and I are such typography nerds. Inspired by my sissy's Type-Fiendin' in Paris et Roma post, here's some more of that type ish to get you all hot and bothered. Taken sometime last month during our 4-day jaunt 'round one of the most visited cities in the world, I feel like these photos capture tiny glimpses into what Paris is all about. She's brash and overrated but I love how she's also grimey yet dainty and oh-so-cosmopolitan. Wanna know what's b-b-badass? Madeleines from a vending machine.

Braunschweiger Hafen — Sept 2012

We went on a bike tour of our own city last Saturday and there's nothin' like discovering kool things and new sights in the city you live in. It was André's grand idea to check out the Braunschweig Harbour... I had no clue that BS even had a harbour! We witnessed some interesting sights indeed. My fave shots are the typography ones. What can I say... still a #designnerd at heart.



See the guys on the red/blue/white boat that says BERLIN on it? They waved to us — it made my day.

we see what we want #Nyood #Toronto

... NOT WHAT WE ARE. [oldie but goodie photo taken sometime when I last visited Tdot - Jan 2012?]

Quarkbälle Typografie

#hamburg #fischmarkt #quarkbälle #zimt #zucker #typografie #lila #juli #2012

I, English Teacher in Germany

Oh, how they scoffed! Not many thought that I'd succeed when I flew back to Germany last Feb with high hopes of finding work teaching English. But I proved them all wrong, ha! Furthermore, I've come to really enjoy what I do. Of all the jobs I've had in my lifetime, never have any of them felt as rewarding as this. If any of you are interested in teaching English abroad (particularly in Germany), read on...

How to Become an English Teacher in Germany

1. You don't need to secure a job beforehand, just start the hunt asap once you arrive.
2. Put some time into making two kickass resumés: one in English and one in German...
3. ...but make sure you research and implement the form & style of German resumés first!
4. Deliver both resumés to every language school in your city, either in person or via e-mail.
5. If you are a beginner in German, private language schools might be your best bet...

6. ...Why? Because it won't be required as part of your job to speak German fluently.
7. Teaching jobs at tutoring companies usually require you to speak fluent German.
8. Get out there and keep meeting new people! You never know who's connected to who.
9. Scope out the local university for weekly events (e.g. English Meets) you can attend.
10. In the meantime, start learning German! Need I explain why this would be useful?

11. Be persistent but keep your options open. It took me almost 2 months to find work...
12. ...at which point I'd already applied to Plan B jobs: Babysitter, Waitress, Cleaner, etc.
13. It is not necessary to have teaching experience in order to teach English in Germany.
14. Being TEFL\TESOL certified isn't usually necessary in order to nail the job, either.
15. Having said that, any kind of Bachelor's Degree is usually the minimum requirement.

16. At the interview, they want to see that you have a personality that suits teaching.
17. Useful traits to possess: energetic, flexible, creative, fun-loving, open-minded, honest...
18. Shoutouts to Katie and Robyn (two expats living in Germany) for helpin' me out heaps!
19. Stay motivated by the thought that the demand for native English speakers is huge here.
20. Yes, it'll be a time of struggle/uncertainty but stay passionate and good things'll happen.



So there you have it, folks! I'll likely be adding more and more points to this list over time. If you have any specific questions though, don't be afraid to ask me! I'd be pleased to give you more of the nitty gritty deets. The thing is, you just gotta possess the drive, persistence and determination! And beware: when you do nail the job, if you've never taught before, there'll be a steep learning curve. And that's actually more challenging than finding the job itself! In case you're wondering, the photos in this post are of recent flip chart notes I wrote during one of my Business English classes. Yay for colour!

Bist du verliebt?

#Braunschweig #Masch #2012 #Verliebt #Ja

Happy Mother's Day, Mama!

Today is Mother's Day and unfortunately, I'm unable to give my mama a great big hug... which sucks. As such, I'm sending a MAHAL KITA to my mama from across the Atlantic. Originally written to me from another loved one (you know who you are - tee hee), the message is now being passed on. Love ya, momskis! Can't wait 'til you, dad and Ates (hopefully) come visit us later this year. Make it happen!

Exit > Maximum Speed 10 km >

No one else I know appreciates this typographical stuff the same way I do (other than my sister). I literally gasped when I saw this sign of sorts painted on some random brick wall in the city. As I gawked at the beauty of its raw fadedness, I tried to figure out what typeface it was written in. Nope, couldn't figure it out. Just glad this sign made me reminisce on my OCAD days. Kern that sh.t, kids!

Doppio Concentratu di Pomodoro — Marca Bianca & Marca Rossa

Lovely example of packaging design, oder? I could get all OCAD-y and argue that there needn't be all that CAPS LOCK text at the bottom of both tubes... but I love the aesthetic of them, so whatever. Although these products are from Italy, here in Germany, tomato paste products are typically sold in tubes too. Still, I've yet to see kickass tomato paste tubes here. Wanna know how to make an easy pasta sauce? Squeeze 1/2 tube tomato paste into a pot of 500g passata (sieved tomatoes) & simmer.

Thanks, Rosie!

I'm such a sucker for anything homemade. That's why I went straight bananas when this card was handed to me. Examining it in my hands with a mixture of excitement and shock, I'd forgotten how much I loved the feel of construction paper and how much I missed being crafty. #aleenescrafts



Much love to Rosie for being so thoughtful, and a big fat "You're Welcome" for the tees, etc. Respect for getting creative wit' it, girl! You've inspired me! I'm itching to create something fun outta funky-coloured construction paper now! PS. The image on the left was the front of the card, and the image on the right was one of the pages inside the card. Do we see a designer in the making here, people?

ANTI QUARTERLIFE CRISIS

Yes, I'm 25. How does it feel? %$#&in' awesome, hey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I've had it up to HERE with fellow 20-something-year-olds. Why is it that people in their 20s tend to groan whenever their birthdays come along? You are not old, get over it. %$#& the people who expect you to be married by now, or to have kids by now, or to have bought a house by now. %$#& the norm and what society tells you to do. It's your life and you can live it however way you want.

On that note, I am unperturbed by what other 25-year-olds are doing. I won't settle and work at a job that disgusts me. I'm (*gasp!) ditching the notion of stability at the moment. I'm living each day with no regrets. I'm taking advantage of my 20s to explore, to try new things and to take on new challenges. I'm taking risks while I have the freedom to do so... to put it simply, I'm celebrating life!!! Because there's no time like the present, folks!!! Quit thinking about it, make movements already, and eventually (without a doubt), you'll find yourself getting closer to your dreams.

Bäckerei & Konditorei Uekötter

We quite fancied the look and feel of this paper bag, so I decided to scan it and share it with ya'll. The baker appears mentally challenged, but I'm not buggin'. To whomever the designer was at Bäckerei & Konditorei Uekötter, cheers, and thanks for all the laughs.