We are meeting at the playground by the river today. Each of us with a coffee to-go in hand and some sunglasses on our noses. The weather is warm and spring really is here. The trees are showing their green buds. Three more days and they will burst – how timely for the Easter weekend. We decide to head along north down the river towards the beach and then into the woods. The last coffee days have been a bit rushed but today we both have little more time. We are using our lunch break to meet and then add an hour to it. Finally really catching up on this April coffee date. And also getting some steps in for the CBWC. How efficient we are.
If you and I had coffee…
…I tell you that earlier this month I was really sick for a week. I spend four days in bed with a fever. I was so sick that I couldn’t even read. I napped continuously. And I realized I am not able to remember the last time I had a fever. It sure isn’t fun. The week I happened to be sick was a full week too. I had to cancel three or four appointments. Unfortunately the one in the sleep clinic for the feedback consultation as well as the neurologist for my migraine check in. Both appointments are hard to come by. The sleep clinic lucky gave me a follow-up appointment in May. For the neurologist however I have to wait ill August. Sigh. I really wanted to get this all out of the way. Well, I guess I now have time to finally make an appointment at the optometrist.
If you and I had coffee…
…I mention that I am (again) thinking about starting a book club. I may have mentioned it before. When I was sick I had a lot of time to think and be in my head and this thought kept reappearing. I have made a whole plan of what books to read when to meet and even a name popped up. I would include it in the church setting and would love for different age groups coming together and discussing books on different ethnic groups, cultural backgrounds and religions. Wouldn’t it be fun to push our mental horizons? Developing an open mind, empathy for others and maybe subtly be a bulwark to all the hate and discrimination and misunderstandings? I may put too much hope and pressure in all my thoughts. I have not yet made it official. The main reason is that I do not want to be the sole organizer. I did mention my plans to a few people including the pastor and everyone was positive about it. But I am realizing I am saying yes to a lot of things lately and the first three months of this year have been so tough. Maybe I shouldn’t put more on my plate? I would want to know your thoughts on this…
If you and I had coffee…
…I share that I am not really on top of this year’s 100 day project. Officially the project is on day 50-something and I am just done with my quote number 21. My plan is to collage/write my favorite 100 quotes I have collected in recent years. I underestimated a little how hard it is to pick a quote to visualize. Often they are rather long and I don’t feel like I have the time or sufficient space to do the long quotes. Or I am drawn to quotes from the same person/book which is also not really great. So I am giving myself grace and do this project more or less for myself this year. In past years the community aspect was a big driver for me to stay on top of things and not fall too far behind. But its is a little quiet this year in the community – or I am not as engaged and therefore no one comes by. Instagram is really tough these days and there is so so much advertising it really is no fun.
However I am enjoying the collage making and have created a ton of postcards – without quotes – that I have sent in the last couple of days.
If you and I had coffee…
…I vent a little about the taxes I had to rush getting done. There was some miscommunication with my accountant. I had sent a few documents the tax department sent to me mis February asking what they mean. There was mentioned taxes needed to be handed in my mid March. I was a little shocked as they usually do not have to be handed in by August. I waited for 6 weeks to get some feedback ( I did write weekly reminder emails) and then suddenly all files were supposed to be handed in by end of March. I was pissed. Because I just waited 6 weeks for feedback, gotten different deadlines each week and was not able to make any plan on when to tackle that task. It was very stressful. Luckily once I started I appreciated my past self who had already done everything for my corporate tax accounts and just had to check and sent all files to the accountant. The private taxes took a bit longer since I hadn’t done much there but in the end I was able to deliver everything by the extended deadline of April 10th even though I was down for a week. But I requested a new accountant for future taxes since this is not working. It wasn’t the first time she was unable to get me feedback in time. So much so that I actually had fines to pay. This was not the first issue I had. It’s been going on for over a year. And her superior did remember my previous complains so she did suggest to move my account to someone else. I only agreed.
However, one sad thing did happen. I decided to close my one company I had opened eleven years ago. The one I always wanted to grow – art, jewelry and gifts. I have only ever sold a handful of items. Remember the greeting cards I created and then was not able to print? Well, I finally admitted that it is not a priority and instead of keeping that company running and spending money on it for no income I decided to bit the bullet and just close it down. I am a bit said and it feels like failure even though I always said it was more for fun and if things happen.
If you and I had coffee…
…I will shock you by saying that I saw an UFO. Don’t believe me? Well check out these photos.
During one evening when I was walking and getting some fresh air I saw this phenomenon on the night sky. It was really eerie. At first it was just a tiny blob and then the swirl appeared. The next day I saw that it made national news. Apparently it was some sort of fluid being released from a space station and the light was cast of in this weird shade. But it sure was exciting seeing. I never believed it was an UFO and always figured it was something like a space station or satellite thing. Have you ever seen such a phenomenon?
If you and I had coffee…
…I happily report that the husband and I decided to through a summer party. The date is set. The save the dates are sent. It is going to be a white party. So far eight people have RSVPed. Of course I would invite you if you happen to be in the neighborhood mid July. Unfortunately most my (online) friends are not on the same continent as I am. So now we need to get a few things in the apartment done before the party is taking place. Deadlines and people coming over are always such a boost to get things fixed, right? And then I can start planning a few things about the white party. Is there some white food I could serve? all that comes to mind is coconut something. Maybe rice salads? Yoghurt dips? mhm…. this needs thought.
If you and I had coffee…
…I want to talk about Easter plans. Last time I mentioned that my parents are on a cruise and that there was no joined celebration. And my sister decided to spend Easter Sunday with her boyfriend’s family. So The husband and I decided to do the Easter weekend (it’s a 4-day weekend in Germany from Good Friday to Easter Monday) at home and really chill. Of course saying I chill means I have a gazillion ideas I want to do now that I have time. I will go to church on Good Friday and on Easter Sunday. And then there is a night service on Saturday I am debating I want to join. I never get to go to church in Berlin since I am never here so I am looking forward to.
And then I figured I could do some Easter egg craft. It has been forever I done some Sorbian Easter Eggs. I also want to do another technique I haven’t done in probably 20 years. And then I figured I could do a puzzle. But I also want to sew myself a maxi skirt. And then I want to read like five books. So much for my chill weekend. I also need to clean up the terrace (I have already started) and then I am hosting ym sister and her boyfriend on Easter Monday for brunch which means I have to bake and prepare a few things. Just typing it I am overwhelmed with the decision making. Anyone else filling up the chill time with all the tasks and wants?
We are back from our loop around the woods and end up on the bridge close were we have started. We enjoy this view for a little bit.
Then hug and say our good byes. We are both so happy we had more time to catch up today. I am heading back to the desk to do some work now and you have things to do to. We split and head in different directs but turn around and wave.
Ever seen an UFO or some night sky phenomenon? Have you ever done a white party? Any ideas how to make it fun? Which of my Easter plans should I prioritize? Anything you want to share with me while we are at our April coffee date?
