Lonely Island Letter #1: January 2010

Welcome to the first Lonely Island Letter!

I'm just coming from my new dentist, who – apart from his beautiful looks and his simple friendliness – managed to do something very evil – without any pain. Isn't it interesting how beautiful and bright the world looks after the dentist visit is over? How we can see the beauty in every little detail?

This is the first in a row of monthly letters from my lonely island (except for two wild animals) in Plagwitz. It's an instrument to track how I'm doing, what I'm into, what the people around me are into, what books I read, films I watched and what I'm grateful for in this month, for everyone who wants to know – including myself.

Here we go...

Color of the month January

White. Snow white.

Around me

My parents are preparing their move. Our old house is sold and yet pretty empty, I guess. Makes me sad, as if I'm losing a part of my childhood. Maybe the biggest part.
Matthias is in a good mood, some changes are in development.
Luise has come back from the USA with new plans. Which include not to stay in Germany for a long time.
Weebee has started her everyday creativity blog, look at it! I am looking forward to inspiring entries from my sister in creativity!

What I learned in January

- How to make chicken legs in the oven
- Life is short and you have only one, but this one is your own and you decide what you want to do with it.
- Midday is the best time for mindfulness practice.
- Saturdays are the best days for shopping list collectors.

Books

I started the new year with "Seelen" by Stephenie Meyer (the original is called "the host"). It was thrilling to read, the story based on a fascinating thought experiment: What part of me defines more who I am – for myself and for others: My body? My soul? Both?

It's a good match to the other "end time" books I read in November/December – "The hunger games" by Suzanne Collins, "Die Straße" (The road) by Cormac McCarthy, and, of course, my longtime favourite "Die Lichtung" (Into the forest) by Jean Hegland.

At the moment I'm reading "Die Bücherdiebin (The book thief) by Markus Zusak. I like the language, and the story is quite absorbing. As ist is mostly a book about father and daughter, would maybe a nice present for a father (mine?)

Movies

I am rewatching Season 1 & 2 of the german crime series KDD-Kriminaldauerdienst, before watching the third and last season on TV. I like it's hyper-realistic style, but it's dangerously addictive - especially for something that will not continue after season 3.

What I'm into at the moment

Mindfulness practice (MBSR). A vague longing to Berlin and the poetry therapy course in that beautiful studio in Kreuzberg. Some unpleasant things bout being sick, being paid while sick, finding a health resort, Steuererklärung, having my teeth made, worrying about the future.

Oh, and chicken leg recipes of course.

New in January:

- My first breakfast at Cafe Cantona.
- I developed a fondness for chicken legs.

- I made my first Paté Chinois, a recipe from Quebec. Une bonne bouffe pour les jours froids!
- First time in Kosmos Sauna after renovation. Still prefer Sauna im See, to be honest.
- First Kneipentatort. Im Kap West. Oder bei Horns Erben.

- First concert of the new gospel choir, I sang a solo!

- Due to my car being stuck in the snow for quite a while, I made some experiences with public transport, something I usually avoid as good as I can. Surprisingly it had at least three positive effects on my life:

1) Arriving in time. 2) Go for a walk every day, fresh air and daylight!

3) Slowing down: I had to start earlier, then I sat in the bus or train, than I had to walk a bit, then I was there in time. It all needed more time, but it felt as if I am given time at the same time.

Question of the month

How can I make peace with my childhood house being sold?

Wisdom of the month

Things you do without a reason have the most potential to include meaning.

My special thanks in january go to

Matthias for extraordinarily amusing and vivid evenings.

Mr. S., as always, for wisdom and some nasty smiles.

Nancy for sharing her photos so that I know that a person I care about is still alive.

David for a New Year's letter. He sent it to me although it's in french. I'm sure he knows I'll find a way to read it.

Pataks for the wonderful indian curries.

Meinem Steuerberater for helping me with the Einkommenssteuererklärung.

Future plans

- Continue my mindfulness practice.
- Calm down. Calm down. Calm down.
- Enjoy life.
- Learn to live with little money
- Keep away from facebook.

Wish you all a creative february,

Stefka