FROM VIENNA WITH LOVE

Hello beauties, followers and friends!
It's been almost a week ever since I came back from Vienna and somehow life happened and I didn't really had that much time to post about this priceless experience. So here I am now - writing few lines about my empirical research on the best cakes in Vienna cafes.
It's no secret to any of you that I am in love with everything sweet, more precisely with those kind of afternoons when you go out have a cake and coffee with your BFF and just purely enjoy life. Well, that's what I'd been doing for last week. And let me tell you: I LOVED IT!! My new fav place happened to be Cafe Central. My dear friend Polona introduced us and I fell in love. Immediately. It's not only about cakes and coffee, but about the atmosphere itself, live piano music and big painting of Sissi. 

We've tried Apfelstrudel, Klimt's Surprise, Winter Kiss and many more. Eventually we also made it to the famous Sacher Eck right next to the Hotel Sacher and had some of its delights. Polona and Bojan were so kind that they've included me into their Valentine's Day, which made me super happy as I was spending almost the whole day on my own :) Thank you once again! 

Yes, yes, I know. Vienna is not only about good food. And yes, we also tried to be tiny bit cultural. So my new friend Beth and I decided to explore Belvedere Palace, which was beyond perfection. Oh boy, I really wouldn't mind spending some more time there. We've visited Wien-Berlin exhibition about the paintings from 19. - 20. century made in Berlin or Vienna and can only recommend to visit it as well, once you're in Vienna, 'cos it's so grand! 

To point out several other things which I've learned during my stay in Vienna, let me sum up: I discovered who Ludwig Wittgenstein was, where he lived and what he built. Also found out about Karl Popper's research on white and black swans. How ontology and epistemology really works. What really is verification and falsification. But most of all that Vienna really is more than tiny bit marvelous!
So thank you everyone who made this week special and great, to name the few of you: Polona, Bojan, Beth, Annika, Laura, Cristina,... and many many more. And most certainly P.T.J. :))
Lenka, xx

ON A STARBUCKS DATE WITH MYSELF

Hello all of you happy faces!

It's Friday - finally -  and I am in Vienna (again!). Kinda wish it was some other city now, but I am super happy, 'cos I am about to meet up with my long time friends, Polona and Bojan, very very soon! In fact, I believe that Polona is already on her way while I am writing those lines from Starbucks, where  I took myself on a proper Valentine's date. Just me and me! Who else do we need? LOL

Being in Vienna, I am part of the Winter School of Methods and Techniques, because my mentor decided that it's never enough of methodology. BUT besides all of those software statistic courses and methodology courses, what I am really trying to embrace is the love for myself and the others. Not only trying to be my best friend but also to be a best friend for others. To be there for them when needed, to offer a valuable advice and always have something kind and nice to say.

Valentine's day is not only for couples! It's for EVERYONE WHO'S IN LOVE WITH LIFE!! That's how I look at this day and that's how I do celebrate it. With friends and coffee I love in a city I adore!

How about you? What are your stereotypes and cliches when speaking of the Day of Love? Share with me :)

With love,

Lenak, xx

PS: This is the view at the Votivkirche in Vienna, I was having lunch just nearby and was mesmerized by it! 

PERKS OF BEING UNEMPLOYED IN FEBRUARY

Let's face it. To be unemployed has actually a lot more advantages than disadvantages. Or at least I keep on telling this to myself. Daily. I know, I know the BIGGEST weakness of unemployment is actually no income. But keep on looking on the bright site of the problem and count with me:
1. Slow morning - every morning. And not only on Sunday. I have time to sleep in, relax, pilates and smoothie. All things which in fact take time and are not really on your list when hurrying to work. 
2. I have time to think and plan my balanced life. Or at least to work on better life. Not only to care more about what am I eating physically, but also psychically. Food for thought became my daily pleasure. I keep on bookmarking interesting articles and yes, of course, planning on sharing them with you :)
3. Time to think of and set up my own little projects. I know it includes a lot of risk and external support not only from my family and friends but also from all the other people around. Having more time I came across loads of interesting people on internet, who were actually studying something diametrically different from what they are doing right now and oh boy, they are so great in making invitations, online courses or daily excersices. Real inspiration! 
4. Socialista lifestyle! Oh yes, being available almost all day long brings loads of opportunities to hang out and meet up with friends and people I haven't seen in a while. Or just with my friends, when they finish earlier at work, just ring me and yes, I meet them in a local cafe and I am super happy. On the other hand, it also includes a lot of days when I am my own best friend. When everyone around is working and my first words of the day are for a lady at the counter in a grocery or post office. 
5. And the most important especially in FEBRUARY is that I can watch OLYMPICS ALL DAY LONG!!! Basically it is the second thing I do in the morning - I turn on my telly. (The first thing is to put water in the kettle to boil.) So my favorite perk of being unemployed especially in February is, that I can sit here with you, write some nonsense and sometime sense sentences and watch snowboarding! Cheers for you guys over there in Sochi!
So here is my secret life on a PhD student, who hasn't really have that much on work, keep on procrastinating on Pinterest and watching Olympics! For now I gotta go, as I have a lunch date with my friend. Have fun guys and share your thoughts on happy life! 
Lenka, xx

HOW FEBRUARY ROLLED IN

February rolled in and it was a complete silent over here. Was speechless for a while and not that I was missing eventful occasions and adventures in my life - I was mesmerized by Wolf of Wall Street, almost crying during The Labor Day, had a very good salmon pasta for lunch, read some books, got sick, then back on healthy. Life somehow just happened while I was watching, sleeping, reading and cooking.
I've just decided to think it all through once again and try to give some answers to questions I've been asking myself for a while. That's to the silent and creativity block. I've been asking myself for who am I doing this? Why am I actually leaving my thoughts, life, friends and photos here? And how come I stuck to this habit for almost two years?
All very crucial and existentialist ones. Albert Camus would be proud of me. So proud! 
But I've decided for the very last time, that I am doing it ALL for myself. And even if my father was the only one reading those lines, it's all worth it. This online documentation of my love for life will remain here forever and I can always come back to it - back to the days when I was living with my legs up in the air, building air castles and jumping on the rainbows. 
So HELLO FEBRUARY and let's have some real fun! 
Lenka, xx