Thursday, May 31, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Hospital Window
A great note for all to read it will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations . Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy. "Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."
Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations . Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy. "Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
Willem is quite the pro...
These are but some of the marvelous shots ofWillem, happy in the water, relaxed in nature and extremely excited with a river-trout-catch! The enthusiasm is contageous and thrilling! I suppose by now you have guessed my latest hobby;)
My first real catch...
Gives "one bite, and you're hooked" a whole new meaning! What fun we had! A whole 1.1kgs.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Nicky-ness
If not caught in bed, then with a warm water bottle in her own nest. She has still not fully grown into her size 10 skin-suite and continues to go into hyperactive and ballistic-mode when I take her for short visits to our clinic. She adores all her friends there and this mom finds the exhausted child gives her some time to herself if we then get home! She guards our home and her mom like crazy-so much so that visitors need to be screened and slowly introduced, or they will meet with her protectiveness, loud barking and occasional foot-storms. She simply can not resist socks, towels, mom's "pantoffels" and her plastic snake! Should I give into giving her one of the first 3 items, she would die and go to puppy-heaven! She is absolutely the most adorable, and cheekiest doggy you can imagine!~
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Friday, April 06, 2007
Reskes en aanhangsels
Dirk und Katja 
Kerstin, Elke, Katja und Aninke
Tobias, Thorsten, Dirk und Theo
The half-set Spring/Easter-table...Friday, 6April.
Inner-confusion...
Since my stay in Germany, it has been an ongoing struggle for me to actually figure out where I belong. A part of me belongs here, where I feel at home between German traditions and cute things they do, and also where I appreciate more serious things such as: safety, a secure future for children, good education, a nation that is proud to be just who God made them to be no matter what their job or standing, things that are just run and work, people that are extremely efficient, a clean and neat, organized environment...
And so, as I was traveling per train to and from my "old guest family" from 7+ years back I came to this conclusion. Even if SA gets a monkey for a president and the whole country is smashed like a chewed-up orange, I am still extremely proud to be South African. Yes, we have our con’s and we have our pro's, but at the moment where I am, is exactly where God wants me to be! It does not mean I plan to emigrate like my happy and settled parents when I try to register as a dentist in Holland and Germany. And I have settled in my mind that if the going is really unbearably tough, and if my children get no better education and have no future of substance there, if we fear for our lives and are prisoners in our own homes, then, and only then if God leads us here, will I call this my home.
The Turkish people with their dozen children of no discipline where making a rocket in the train. I thought: they are just as annoying as our "baboons on bicycles" in SA. And they pollute the culture and take up German just to really dirty it, and make menace with. And suddenly the two countries I love most where equal. I putt on my South African Melktertkomissie and Andre Swiegers, and the words just rang so true. "'Cause I am proudly South African..." "Waar was ek heen? Ek het gaan soek. Ek het na meer gaan soek. Ek het my nodigste gepak en op reis gegaan, ek het reguit paaie en roetes wat krom is gevolg....In 'n land ver van hier het ek 'n man ontmoet, wat dieselle taal as ek kon praat maar wie sou ooit kon raai? Dat al het ons ook hoe hard probeer mekaar te vestaan, het ons almekaar net bymekaar gepraat...Waar was ek heen? Ek het gaan soek. Ek het na meer gaan soek...Ek het besef dis weer tyd om op te staan, soveel dinge beleef om in my songs te vertel. En die moral of the story van my hele reisverhaal: Dis amazing om so af en toe 'n lekker droom te vang."
I feel better now that I have cleared this up in my mind. I will be wise as to keep my options open for my career here in Europe, but I will continue to be deliriously happy in a country with just as many imperfections as Germany (they just fall in different weighting categories). My wish is to continue to stay in God's will and go where so ever He leads! And South Africa and its people is His will for me now. My heritage and culture foreign to SA, enriches me and whomever I get into contact with. It makes me who I am, it makes me want to be close to that part of me, but I have a passion for SA and until that changes, I will only visit and enjoy Europe tremendously as traveller, not citizen.
And so, as I was traveling per train to and from my "old guest family" from 7+ years back I came to this conclusion. Even if SA gets a monkey for a president and the whole country is smashed like a chewed-up orange, I am still extremely proud to be South African. Yes, we have our con’s and we have our pro's, but at the moment where I am, is exactly where God wants me to be! It does not mean I plan to emigrate like my happy and settled parents when I try to register as a dentist in Holland and Germany. And I have settled in my mind that if the going is really unbearably tough, and if my children get no better education and have no future of substance there, if we fear for our lives and are prisoners in our own homes, then, and only then if God leads us here, will I call this my home.
The Turkish people with their dozen children of no discipline where making a rocket in the train. I thought: they are just as annoying as our "baboons on bicycles" in SA. And they pollute the culture and take up German just to really dirty it, and make menace with. And suddenly the two countries I love most where equal. I putt on my South African Melktertkomissie and Andre Swiegers, and the words just rang so true. "'Cause I am proudly South African..." "Waar was ek heen? Ek het gaan soek. Ek het na meer gaan soek. Ek het my nodigste gepak en op reis gegaan, ek het reguit paaie en roetes wat krom is gevolg....In 'n land ver van hier het ek 'n man ontmoet, wat dieselle taal as ek kon praat maar wie sou ooit kon raai? Dat al het ons ook hoe hard probeer mekaar te vestaan, het ons almekaar net bymekaar gepraat...Waar was ek heen? Ek het gaan soek. Ek het na meer gaan soek...Ek het besef dis weer tyd om op te staan, soveel dinge beleef om in my songs te vertel. En die moral of the story van my hele reisverhaal: Dis amazing om so af en toe 'n lekker droom te vang."
I feel better now that I have cleared this up in my mind. I will be wise as to keep my options open for my career here in Europe, but I will continue to be deliriously happy in a country with just as many imperfections as Germany (they just fall in different weighting categories). My wish is to continue to stay in God's will and go where so ever He leads! And South Africa and its people is His will for me now. My heritage and culture foreign to SA, enriches me and whomever I get into contact with. It makes me who I am, it makes me want to be close to that part of me, but I have a passion for SA and until that changes, I will only visit and enjoy Europe tremendously as traveller, not citizen.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Some thoughts on my stay in Germany
Imagine sitting within a kitchen overlooking countryside and forests. The woods surrounding you, precious views in front. All you hear at most is the coffee machine pouring out aromatic magic, otherwise just soul-needed quietness. Walking outside the chilly fresh air, one can see the new spring blossoms, buds on twig-ends promising leaves and rich greenness to follow. The sun's last luke-warm rays are slowly disappearing behind far-off beautiful fields where cows have enjoyed a day of grazing.
And as I see these hopeful green plants preparing for a celebration of colour and display, I am reminded of the times past, where I visited Europe in autumn or winter. Each season has it's own unique display. It's own magnificent, characteristic celebration. I have enjoyed these times tremendously, but what a delight to see the air warming and the cold, hard ground turning into an incubation area for sleeping and frozen life, to awake to birds chirping joyfully!
My time here in Germany thus far has been everything but ordinary. To see your parents happy and settled in already is reassuring! We have visited small towns all along the Eifel : Mausbach, Monschau, Vicht, Forst, Aachen, Ratt, Roetgen...They all have there own "personality" and proud uniqueness! I have especially enjoyed Mausbach, in a valley. It has the cutest shops and restaurants!
What I have found great pleasure in, as always, is how the German families all decorate their windowsills, yards and houses depending on the season and occasion. This of course means springy and easterly rabbits and eggs. Colour now is diverse, and for those of you who know me, will know exactly why this is exciting for me! At Christmas time, the colours are fit for the occasion, but now it is bright, miscellaneous and cheerful! I have difficulty deciding what is my favourite time of year to visit Europe. I guess, all year round.... but I would love to see summer too!
And as I see these hopeful green plants preparing for a celebration of colour and display, I am reminded of the times past, where I visited Europe in autumn or winter. Each season has it's own unique display. It's own magnificent, characteristic celebration. I have enjoyed these times tremendously, but what a delight to see the air warming and the cold, hard ground turning into an incubation area for sleeping and frozen life, to awake to birds chirping joyfully!
My time here in Germany thus far has been everything but ordinary. To see your parents happy and settled in already is reassuring! We have visited small towns all along the Eifel : Mausbach, Monschau, Vicht, Forst, Aachen, Ratt, Roetgen...They all have there own "personality" and proud uniqueness! I have especially enjoyed Mausbach, in a valley. It has the cutest shops and restaurants!
What I have found great pleasure in, as always, is how the German families all decorate their windowsills, yards and houses depending on the season and occasion. This of course means springy and easterly rabbits and eggs. Colour now is diverse, and for those of you who know me, will know exactly why this is exciting for me! At Christmas time, the colours are fit for the occasion, but now it is bright, miscellaneous and cheerful! I have difficulty deciding what is my favourite time of year to visit Europe. I guess, all year round.... but I would love to see summer too!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Last, but definately not least...
These are only 2 of the many shelves with cold, meats ("Aufschnitt"). There are about 3 for cheeses and more for fish products, that is but a small section of the "Delikatessen" one could buy in an average shop like Edeka (average to our Spar/ Pick and Pay). We are in German-heaven! Fresh breadrolls and all these for breakfast, traditional meals and coffee-cake for the rest. I pray that my own weigh does not count as overweight when I fly back;) Just joking! We get plenty exercise just walking around and while sight-seeing !
Food, glorious food....
Apfelstrudel, oh jummy!
Colourful Anny-memories
These are actually baby-"Mützen"/ caps. Just imagine the adorable look on their faces! I want 1 too!
The windows are all so cutely decorated for easter! I just can't get enough of the unique bunny rabbits and spring decorations!
Spring has arrived and colour is being planted everywhere! How lovely!
And these postcards, I just wanted to buy and stick on my wall, to remind me when work is tough and life is hard, that pulling faces in the mirror might be the only thing to get you laughing!
Monday, April 02, 2007
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