Country Animals

So, what is the most terrible animal out there? These fluffy eared cows seem friendly enough as long as no one disturbs their meal of fresh green grass. (The little ones were very interested in my dog and kept following us. My dog was very terrified, though.)

This Western horse (is it a Dixi?) is a little bit shy, but friendly non the less.

This one is a horse fit for a king. He is so tall, that I feel like a dwarf. I would really never mount this horse out of fear of falling. (But then, I never really mount horses. I only admire them, when I'm at home. Many neighbors have horses in my little town and I remember the times when I - as a little girl - begged my parents to buy me one. We have old stables at our house - nowadays used for fire wood storage - but other than that we have no experience whatsoever. When I was 12 I was asked to join a riding circle. But I was prejudiced against "little spoiled princesses" who would fight to ride a special horse and I never joined. Even though I know some basics of riding I never learned it as a consequence and am a little bit sad about that.)

He really is my "special friend" as I am allowed to snuggle his super soft nose. Aren't his eyes telling you something?

Well, my dog's smile isn't really terrifying either. He's such a cutie pie.

That's more like it. My cat is one of the most horrible creatures wandering our country town. He was on the hunt for grasshoppers when I took the picture.

But really, most of the time, he is lying in my bed like this. Lately he has gotten used to come upstairs at 5 am (the dog will wake my mom and beg her to go downstairs with him - then he will not even go outside but turn as soon as the cat has entered the house - my mom is really pissed off by this behavior...)  and snuggle next to my legs. Obviously he is missing me, now that I left home again.

Well, well, finally: The most scary and aggressive animal out there at the moment: the wasp. Last year we had hornets, who would hunt down the wasps, sadly, a neighbor destroyed the hornet nest last winter . (That's  illegal, you know!) So this year we have wasps again...

Looking at my pictures I really wish for a new camera. Well, and better skills, I guess.

Greetings!

Hamburg recap

Sorry for the long absence! Time has been flying past like the new Shinkansen Hayabusa. my mother is feeling better now and I'll leave my little sleepy home town and go back to Heidelberg tomorrow.
Hamburg was great. I just love that city. Maybe it reminds me a lot of Tokyo? It may well be that the water right in the middle of the city gives the impression, but no, Hamburg has its own charm entirely. The weather wasn't welcoming, but I wasn't there for sightseeing anyway. (Even though I did, obviously.)
The interview on Friday was one of the best job interview I've ever had. The atmosphere was great from the beginning, no stress questions occurred and my Japanese was praised by the Japanese boss - a lovely middle aged Japanese women with style.
But even though we all liked it each other on the spot, I'll still have to wait for them to make a decision as they will also meet other applicants. Wish me luck (again)!
Afterwards I was lucky to enjoy a great afternoon in the city and visited the Urban Outfitters Store (for the very first time - liked it a lot!), Muji (the last time I was in Muji at Narita Airport to buy some useful things for the flight.) and a MAC store (I actually bought a lipgloss, even though I wasn't supposed to spent money.).
I spent the two nights in Hamburg at my sister's place. My little nephew didn't even recognize me anymore and wanted me to leave again! That's the curse when family doesn't live close by anymore.
Well, I really enjoyed the trip and am happy that the interview went so well.

Greetings to you all.

Off to Hamburg

I'm off to Hamburg as I was invited for a job interview. I'm so happy. Wish me luck!

August rushed in

Things have been crazy around here.
Today another job offer came in and since I didn't receive the call from Japan I've been waiting for, I'll definitely try to get this job. It's a job in Germany (in Hamburg - a city I totally adore!), but still I'd be able to speak and write and translate Japanese. And that is all I'm asking for at this point. (Well, and be able to pay my bills and if it is possible at all to work with nice people.)

My mom is in pain after surgery and reacts kind of mean. I guess I'll forgive her.
My cousin visited me today out of the blue. I was so happy! We bought flowers for my mum and talked a lot and had a latte and a piece of cake in the garden.

Later today a friend from Japan will arrive at my home town and we will have lots of fun together. At the moment she is still up in the sky. Have a safe flight!
I'm going to bed now.

Good night.

P.S.: Lately Korean Drama have kept me awake till late at night. I've enjoyed City Hunter very much and now I'm watching Secret Garden. I just can't go to bed without knowing how the story goes on. Unfortunately I'll look like crap in the morning after watching too long.

End of July

What I did in July:

- got a mini job, worked hard for a week and lost the job again (boss didn't like me...)
- wrote more job applications
- got a phone call from a firm in Japan
- got to second application round with that firm
- may need to travel to Japan for a real interview if I pass second phone interview next week
- had a self presentation workshop on sunday (see picture of bento I made for that day)
- traveled two hours by train to meet up with a friend with whom I've studied 5 years and with whom I spent a wonderful time in Tokyo and with whom I shared a tiny apartment for 2 years. (We hadn't seen each other for 1 1/2 years. See first two pictures above - road pictures out of the train. Yes, it was a rainy day.)
- July was a cold and rainy month in Germany. I worked, read and wrote applications.

What I'll do next:
- write more job applications.
- have job interview via phone connection to Japan! (Got any tips?)
- go home and take care of the dog and the cat as my mom will have surgery next week.
- take care of mom after surgery (I'm a little bit worried. It is nothing major but the people at the hospital want her to stay for at least 10 days!)

Let's see what August has in store!

In need of the seashore

Can you be in the need for water, salty air and a stiff breeze? Well, of course you can. My family is used to hills and forests, but when vacation is near we tend to pack our things and drive 7 hours up north to the German Baltic Sea shore. While Rügen (Germany's largest island) was once our favorite spot, it has become rather pricey and we end up on Usedom (second largest island and shared with Poland). It has the longest beach Germany has to offer! And the most sunny hours as well. (Even though there is a debate going on about that between different tourist areas in Germany.)

We don't lie on the beach (maybe a little) - we walk up and down several km most vacation days. It's so much fun having the waves lick at your feet and collecting shells. My dog just loves the sand! And there are some beaches there, where dogs are allowed (which is still very uncommon in Germany!).

Well, these pics are from september 2009. That was the last time I was there with my parents. I haven't had time or money to go back there the past two years, but maybe I'll join my extended family there again in September. This time my sister, her husband and my nephew will be there, too.

Grandpa Walter: Pictures

One of the scarce color pictures, dated 1982. My parents wedding. I wasn't on my way yet, but Grandpa Walter already looks the way I remember him. White puffy wisps of hair on either side of his head and his characteristic smile. The car was especially rented for the big day: a lada. Not many people could afford to buy one in those days and I really don't know where this car came from...

My real (young) father is hugging his mom, while Grandpa Walter is watching. On sunday one wore the best dresses one owned in those times. Time: Maybe late 1970s?

My grandparents were the cutest couple ever! They were happily married for over 50 years. Time: Early 1980s.

Granpa Walter worked hard all his life. This is one of the oldest pictures I own of him: The date on the back reads 1967. A huge storm had passed our little town and the tree had fallen. So it became fire wood.

My grandfather and an aunt (?) working in the garden. As I mentioned before as goods and food were most of the time scarce one had to grow its own vegetables and fruit. Date unknown.

Cellar building for his dream house in 1980. As he worked with heavy machinery, too, Grandpa Walter lost some fingers during his lifetime. I remember those hands very well. I was never grossed out, because those hands told stories.

House is almost finished in late 1980. A friend of my father (?) is helping building the roof. Grandpa Walter is obviously happy about the outcome of the labour.

Retiring from work in the late 1970s.

While hard work was a constant part of life in GDR, most people managed to get something good out of it as well. And Thuringians do a lot of BBQing. The Thuringian grilled sausage is very famous to this day!

You get the picture.

Grandpa Walter also loved to make music - up to the day he died. Not just harmonica...

...but also accordion. (For which he had to get inventive later in the 1980s and model some fingers out of fimo clay to be able to play.)

Yes, Grandpa Walter, you are missed and I will never forget you. Thank you for teaching me lots of stuff and being there for me. Lots of Love.