The Storks are back in town

Stork nest on the roof

Today marks my one week arrival in Germany. It’s been a busy week and I am happy about the progress made so far. I have worked nonstop and I know that soon or later I need to take a break as to not burn out. Besides, a little “me time” is on order as well. I yearn for the silence of my tiny abode and I miss my little girl a great deal. What a difference from just a few weeks ago. Physically I am holding up better than anticipated and even the additional movement, no matter how difficult and painful, seems to help. I appear to be growing stronger and besides, I am medicated.

Sometimes it’s easy to think that I can relax a little and that I am still at the very beginning of my journey here, but I know how quickly time can sneak up and before I will know it the weeks will have passed. I rather have crunch time now and the possibility to relax later and enjoy, vs taking it easy now and stressing out later because there is no time left.

The storks have returned to a town near my village and also to Rothenburg where I am staying, mainly, with my uncle. Seeing them definitely brought a smile and Mom was always fond of the storks. On a little toad trip she once counted over 50 of them, out in the fields, walking on the side of the road, or on rooftops just like this one. Round iron cradles atop the roof are provided by many people for a royal nest and the return of the storks each year. It’s a sight I always look forward to when I am back home, here in Germany.

Travel time

Skyline of my favorite medieval city in Germany and a Stork on one of the roofs.

Travel day has arrived for me and I am on my long haul back to Germany. Posts are scheduled beyond my departure, but most likely you will find me silent on the blog for awhile as Wifi resources and time will be limited to accomplish what I have set out to do.

At the time I wrote this post I found myself stuck on an emotional rollercoaster. I was trying to stay busy with the amount of endless tasks that still needed my attention, I felt as if I was paralyzed, unable to get it all done. I lost my vision and drive, and all that stood out, were the things not done yet instead of giving myself credit for all I had accomplished already. It’s simply too much at once and I felt overwhelmed.

This post was written 18 days prior to departure and a lot can and will change in 18 days. Some of the stresses I felt have fall to the wayside, and I had to surrender to any concern I might have had. Now it’s no longer in the planning, but I will be in the thick of everything and hopefully things will continue to fall in place.

I distract myself with a TV program and Cinnamon is sitting here whining non stop. She has learned this behavior in order to get a new toy, which makes her back off so I can get done what I need to. Nothing in this case, just vegging out in front of the TV. I catch myself getting upset at her crying and non stop interruptions, and soon I will wish I could have her interrupt me. What a mess.

Traveling to and from Germany has never been easy for me and weeks before is when I turn into an emotional mess. Home is where the heart is they say, but for me this has never truly applied, no matter how much I wanted to believe it. My heart is not only in one place and regardless of where I am, a part is always left behind, leaving me and those who love me feeling incomplete. I am accepting that this is my fate and I have made the decision to leave my home country many years ago. Mom always said that it was my choice, that I did it, I made my bed so to say and now I had to lay in it and suffer the consequences of my actions. I believed her words and perhaps this is what I’ve had coming. Either way it will always be this way, for the rest of my days. It’s a different kind of pain, a different kind of constant that has been with me long before my physical pain made to itself known. And most likely it is part of the reason that caused the physical pain and triggered a disease.

More than ever will I need to believe and realize the importance of this time. More than ever do I need to trust my body and my guardian angels that I am protected at all times. More than ever will I need to remind myself that this is the time where I am changing my stars, where I am getting closer to my own dreams, eliminating burdens and responsibilities, not only for myself but also for others. It simply has to be done…

It is official

It is official and my flight to Germany in booked. I will be leaving the 14th of March, to arrive in Germany by the 15th. What a strange feeling and I am filled with emotions. Selling the house couldn’t be smoother, with a better buyer or better help at hand. Everything and all prep is being done for me, yet I know it will be one of the biggest emotional journeys I will have faced by the time everything is said and done.

And on the health front I have barely six weeks to get in better shape. To influence my constant and prepare myself for what lies ahead. I have to admit it is one of my biggest worries, one I have to completely surrender to because it could turn out a number of ways. It’s a big challenge for me not being at the top of my game and again I am reminded that we have relatively little if we don’t have our health.

A wave of panic washed over me walking Cinnamon today. every step was painful and I pushed myself on to walk 2.5 miles. Cringing, grimacing, every step a misstep to happen. My ankles seem to be locked in place, there is no give, no forgiveness if they should twist by the slightest unevenness in the pavement or dirt. Sometimes a small rock gets in the way, unnoticed and unable to prepare for when a heightened pain nearly brings me to my knees. My left knee pops in and out of place, another excruciating experience and yet I pushed myself to get better. Sometimes I just don’t know but the doctor said to move as much as possible. Sometimes I think they hav no clue of what that takes and what pain has to be endured. By the time I made it back to the car I was in tears today and could barely lift that left knee into the car. It will have to get a whole lot better within those short six weeks I hope.

Hodophile

It’s time for a new word and I am changing new word Monday to new word week. I made the decision based on rescheduling this segment a few times over the past weeks due to holidays and other events. I still like to continue this series, but from now on it will post during the week, on no set day. The only segment that will remain in a set schedule are Sunday’s Reiki healings at 7 PM PST to allow you time to tune in.

Today’s word reminds me of one of my passions.

Hodophile (n) one who loves to travel.

I am definitely a Hodophile and exploring new places brings out my inner child. The voice changes, there are gleeful sounds emerging from a place deep within, which remembers wonder and joy. It’s an exciting time for me, a time of gratefulness simply being allowed to experience that particular moment. It wakes my sense of exploration and adventure and it has given me wings in the past to master a few challenging hikes. It’s like the adrenaline carries me, utilizing strengths reserves I didn’t know I had. Nothing is like seeing an amazing place for the first time, especially through the eyes of wonder.

I can see clearly now

While I was in Germany last year we were able to watch some great bobsledding practice runs. Both, the men’s and the women’s team practiced that day, and for us it was a completely unplanned event. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time. I say “just” and yet timing is everything, isn’t it?

There was only a handful of people watching, mostly coaches, sponsors and a few spectators. It was a prime viewing event as we stood right next to the track with the bobsled rushing by us. A truly unique experience. ❤️

Wild beauty

Another shot from my recent trip traveling the German Austrian border. I was immediately intrigued about the jagged mountain range, although our trip took us the other direction, away from this wild beauty.

Our destination, Hallstatt was overrun by tourists, even this time of the year, which was surprising to me. I would later hear that there is an exact replica of Hallstatt in China and the tourists were here to see the original. We soon found ourselves seeking an area that wasn’t buzzing with quite as many humans. And guess what, that jagged, wild beauty seemed like a perfect solution. And it was.

This particular picture was taken at the end of the day when the clouds rolled off the mountains, leaving its breathtaking landscape in a mysterious and little eerie looking fog. Imagine the sound of church bells echoing through it all and you are literally right there.

Arriving in Germany

The flight was pretty smooth and went better than expected. My layover in Seattle flew by and before I knew it I was on the plane to Frankfurt. For the first time ever, I napped on the plane….here and there. I’m sure the days leading up to the flight, and the news about Moms passing left me naturally exhausted and tired. Perhaps I could have napped standing.

“Ok another part of the journey behind me” I thought once I arrived in Frankfurt. Off to the next one, claim my luggage which was one of the last suitcases to enter the carousel. All belongings in tow, I was heading for the rental car counter. Luckily I felt wide awake and any sign of sickness due to exhaustion was not present at all.

With the car located, I made the trip to my village with little to no problems and arrived in time to change, freshen up a bit, and off we were to the most emotional part…Moms viewing. All in all the day passed filled with adrenaline and my body was strong and supportive, knowing this was something I had to power through. Today my feet are swollen and I didn’t sleep all that much, but I feel rested and ok.

Mount Rainier

This picture was taken at the Seattle Airport while making my connecting flight to Frankfurt. What you see in the distance is Mount Rainier a active stratovolcano of 14,000 plus feet. As you can see it’s massive and above the clouds.

It feels strange to fly again after the scare coming back last year. I’m not sure what happened, but I barely made it once I landed and could hardly walk. It’s been a journey ever since to get back to health, so naturally it frightens me a bit.

I am catering to every whim to make sure my body makes it. It’s strenuous that’s for sure and I’m already feeling exhausted. It’s not like in the old days as I put these trips behind me without a second thought. I don’t make the long trips with ease anymore and I don’t like that they are soooo long.

I think I’ll do some Reiki in the plane and place some power symbols within myself for the long flight to Frankfurt, the car ride home and Moms Service tonight.

Picture perfect

A older picture of Lake Tahoe, bluest of blues besides Crater Lake, Oregon.

Golden Gate

Have a beautiful week everyone.

Picture from my recent trip coming back from Germany.