So much on my plate

The movers came, packed up nearly 90% of our house withing 4 days and gone was the massive container heading towards Seoul for our next adventure. I was so happy when they finally arrived to pack the things because that meant progress and one step more in the direction I've been looking for months now: EAST! 

We were left with an emptied up house or you could even call it a massively decluttered house if you wish. That was a strange but good feeling. For the first time during our travels around the world we are keeping a home base. My challenge now is to make it homey and cozy so we can come back for vacations and family and friend-reunions. And you know how I love remodeling spaces!

It is all a bit calmer now here and I am trying to figure out how to live in this space another way.

There is so much space and I am now taking out things from the basement and the garden to add it to the vast spaces left.

And of course I cannot resist painting some walls in new colours. this is partly because they need it and partly therapeutic. I've been worrying about Japan a lot. I was always so interested in this beautiful country and now was even drawn closer to it after entering the doll world, the Japanese crafting scene, the wonderful magazines and all the great people I met on Flickr. And then there was this catastrophe that seems to get bigger every day. And involved is not only a country I have feelings for but also part of our future: Seoul is so close and therefore also our moving plans come into focus again in a different angle.

As you can see in the map, Fukushima may be miles away from Germany, but it is close to Seoul where my husband now is working and looking for houses for our family... This is all so sad and I can only pray and hope that this atomic catastrophy will come to an end so Japan can start anew and rebuild itself.

As for our family: we put our flights on hold and we are waiting now for the situation to clear . To not go mad about all this there still is daily life: children have to be waken up, lunchboxes packed, children to be driven to sports events, attending music lessons, seing friends, doctr's visits and the like. We are talking about Japan and what happens at the moment. Even more so because Pauline took up Japanese at school this semester voluntarily (She said: "Mummy, with us you never know - maybe one day we will be even moving to Japan and then I will be prepared") and her teacher is coming from the region now destroyed by the Tsunami...

But I have to maintain normality and so I am preparing another Birthday: Moritz will be turning 10 on Sunday and we will be having a small party at the local swimming pool for him and his friends. 

1. pool party, 2. m, 3. Goggles, 4. university club swimmers, 5. Black Forest Cake, 6. Cuba Gallery: VW Van, 7. Swimming Pool, 8. 999, 9. Swimming pool, 10. O, 11. Bunting, 12. Swimming Pool, 13. R, 14.Pool, 15. Pool Water, 16. alice, 17. letter I, 18. The Pool, 19. pool, 20. T, 21. Swimming Pool, 22.Scrabble Letter Z, 23. 10, 24. England v. Portugal 7/1/06

See, occupied and hoping the best! We are keeping Japan in our thoughts and I am amazed what people have been doing in the Flickr communities these days. You can click onto the links for the pictures and find your way through charity events, raffles and the like. This is another thing I so love about Flickr: The fast reaction and how people are working together and act quickly to help and be there!

1. ARt FOr JAPan, 2. Dolly Community for Japan!, 3. "the other side of the world" getting closer, 4. A Radiation detector in Tokyo #quake #Japan #radiation, 5. help {japan}, 6. Japan !, 7. Japan-2011, 8.Charity Events For Japan, 9. Untitled, 10. ♥, 11. japan, we love you, 12. Japan quake, 13. Japan Needs Your Help (Donate Now!), 14. Japan Kisenuma, 15. Japan Quake 24x36, 16. one in a thousand

Hope to greet you soon with better news! 

 

 

 

Comments

[Imke]

Liebe Yvonne,

das muss sich wirklich merkwürdig anfühlen, sein Haus einzupacken und alles Richtung Osten zu verschiffen in dieser traurigen Zeit. Jeden Morgen lese ich mit Herzklopfen die neuen Schreckensmeldungen aus Japan. Seoul ist wirklich nicht so sehr weit entfernt.
Sogar unsere Freunde in Kalifornien machen sich Sorgen, dass sie noch etwas abbekommen und sie sind ca. 5500 ml entfernt.
Ich drücke Euch die Daumen für diesen mutigen Schritt und hoffe und wünsche mir nichts mehr, als dass sich die Situation in Japan entspannt.
Liebe Grüsse aus Berlin
Imke

[Ariana]

Yvonne, I totally sympathize! We just packed up all of our things also to move out of Germany, to... destination unknown. I think maybe your husband and mine have some job similarities. We were hoping to take a contract in Misawa Japan, and now of course that is not a good option. Feeling so overwhelmed for everyone... I understand why you may want to wait a while to go to South Korea, and hope that this unexpected time of limbo will somehow bring unforseen blessing for your family.

[ChantaleP]

Hi Yvonne, Wow the big move. Now on hold? I know how you feel. I have been feeling exactly the same way. Feeling completely helpless knowing my friends are there. Although they've all reached out and communicated saying they are ok. But now with nuclear threat, low food, shortages.. I am also worried. I can understand about your move to Seoul. It will be alright though. Perhaps as Ariana said, this is a blessing in disguise for you. We now just pray and hope for Japan..

[Natalie]

Good luck for you with the big change! and lots of hopes for Japan..

[Chuzai Living]

I came to you through ANASTASIA DRAWING AND DREAMING. I enjoyed the post about your interview. Your house in Germany is gorgeous by the way. My husband and I moved from Metropolitan DC area in the States to Jakarta, Indonesia last summer, so I know exactly what you just went through. Our pack-out was one from hell which was exhausting, but I felt great after we were done. It's like running. It's tough in the midst of it, but I love how it feels afterwards. I am happy to have found your blog. It is beautiful. Kaho

[decor8 Holly]

Good luck in Korea and enjoy your new life!!!!

[Yvonne Stehle]

Hi Kaho: same here: the moving is stressing althoug everyhting is all so well planned and organized by the relocation agency. And I also love the feeling afterwards when your familiar things are taking over a new place. it is so exiting!
And thank you for the nice workd about my blog!
Yvonne

[Yvonne Stehle]

Thank you Holly! I will! And all the best for you, too in your new home. Hope you get everything youve been draming of when relocating. i love when things get familiar in a new place and I am happy for having given the opportunity to travel the world with my family. It is a childhood dream come true. So thank you for your good wishes!
Yvonne

[dawn]

My parents are in Seoul. They don't talk too much about the nuclear troubles reaching them, but constantly remind me about it since we are heading out to California this week for the next year. It's good that you can hold off and wait. We can only hope at this point that everything turns out okay in the end. I have been trying not to worry as much as possible, but it is hard. SO HARD :(

Hugs for you Yvonne! It's good you're painting and keeping your mind clear :)

[Eco chic Housewares]

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[Mayra]

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