What images come to mind when you hear "moving house"?

Unless you're the programme director of a tv channel and for you this means moving a show about a grumpy doctor to a different slot, you might think of endlessly packing boxes and a lot of hassle in general. How much easier would it be to just take the house and move it. Impossible you say? Well, these guys in New Zealand did just that, I took the photos myself on my trip there two years ago.
Have a great week!
Hugs,
Mel

Are you curious about my expectations?

Hello dear friends and readers and Happy Valentine's Day to you if you are reading today on the day of posting, whatever your relationship status may be. And that's that out of the way. I write these posts infrequently, usually when some kind of "inspiration" strikes me, by something I read or something someone said. Earlier today I was chatting to a friend who went to the movie "The Black Swan" yesterday. I haven't seen it myself yet, so asked how it was and ... he didn't like it. According to him it was very dark and not at all what he had expected, he couldn't wait for it to end. Fair enough, I've heard very different opinions about it and as I said I haven't seen it myself yet, so don't expect me to tell you (or anyone for that matter). In addition we all have different tastes. We have the right to like or dislike something. How boring would the world be if we all liked the same kind of book, movie, clothes, food, everything ... ?

The interesting thing was that he didn't recommend not to see it - "Just don't have your expectations too high!". What are expectations anyhow and where do we get them from? And are they useful?

Looking at the origin, the Latin verb "expectare" from which we get "to expect" we are actually waiting for something to happen. What is this we expect, we wait for, based on though? It may be based on experience (yes, I expect the sun to rise tomorrow too as it has done for zillions of years), oftentimes on assumptions whether fact-based or not and - quite often - other peoples' opinions (based on their experience and assumptions)? Somehow not all of this sounds convincingly reliable to me.

There is also another side to it. With low expectations you are less likely to be disappointed - you didn't "expect" it to work out anyhow. If this relates to a task you perform you probably won't get very far because you didn't aim too high in the first place. With high expectations on the other hand, even though the risk of "it not living up to expectations" is higher, however generally the end result will be better.

Ok, back to the movie you haven't seen. What do you base your expectations on? The reviews? Your friends' and colleagues' opinions? Your liking of the main actor/actress? How about replacing "expectation" with curiosity. Hmmm ... a new movie with (insert favourite actor/actress here) ... I wonder what that is like. My next-door neighbour said his cousin had seen it and thought it was crap. I wonder what I'll think of it. Oh, it's up for umpteen oscars, it must be good. Am I weird if I turn out NOT to like it? Don't worry! It's not about expecting a lot or a little or nothing at all - it's about being curious ... not only about a movie, but about how life will unfold.

Have a great week!
Hugs,
Mel

It's all in the mind, isn't it?

Long time no post - A very happy new year to all you readers I haven't "spoken" to yet. It's already - or only - end of January and we had some mild weather following the "big snow". Therefore I had been tempted to believe winter was over and spring on its way. Unfortunately, it isn't so :(
Would some summery pics with icecream at the seaside make you feel warmer and maybe even lift your mood? Well, if you think so, have a look at the smilebox I've put together.

Create a free scrapbook

Have a great week!

Hugs,
Mel

Let is snow!

It's been snowing here for a while - quietly but steadily  - and luckily I can walk to most of my jobs this week. With christmas approaching I have updated the blog design (thanks to http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/) and am currently putting the finishing touches to my 2011 calendar - a gift which the family eagerly awaits each year. This is going to be January - photos taken last christmas from my mother's kitchen window.

Enjoy the weather wherever you are!
Hugs,
Mel

Christmas arriving quickly ... just like every year!

So there we are in the middle of November, Lebkuchen and chocolate Santas have been on sale for a while but NOW it's getting serious. I was most surprised when I saw on Monday that our local christmas market is being erected already. I live only a stonethrow away from the market square so I can watch the progress every day when I cross it. It's officially going to open next Monday, yes it takes some time to put up and pull down (which then happens BEFORE christmas, no market AT christmas and even the nativity scene might have disappeard becore December 24).

So what's so special about the christmas market in Neustadt? Apart from the usual stalls with gift and deco items, pots and pans (I always wonder who goes to such a market to buy a new frying pan), spices, sweets, food, more food, mulled wine and even more mulled wine (available in 0.5 litre glasses - that's twice the size you usually get, for my UK friends: That's a pint of mulled wine!) it's the setting which sets it apart. Its main part is located in the historic market square and when looking at picture postcards of the event one might think the houses around - all lit up tastefully, non neon-flashing style - are simply backdrops. However, they're not - they are real houses! The photo (taken from the town's official website http://www.neustadt.eu/) just shows the Rathaus (town council building) and one of the houses to the left, however it might give you a little bit of an idea. The other options is of course to go and have a look yourself. If you do, drop me a line ;)
Till soon, hugs,
Mel

Missing a step does NOT save time!

Hello my friends,
As some of you may know this Monday when leaving the house I somehow missed the last step leaving my flat (in a really old building with loads of narrow, windy, wooden stairs - not the one in the photo which is from www.bilderkiste.de), fell and managed to sprain my ankle. My son was on his way to his school exchange trip to Sweden and I had to say goodbye there and then instead of taking him to the meeting point. My little daughter offered to alert the neighbours (at 6:50 am) and my older daughter's hair was full of shampoo at the time. And then there was me, lying in the corridor whingeing and cussing. Anyhow, all kids sorted themselves out, went to school, the neighbours stayed unalerted and I spent the day with my foot up. So first part of the post is a warning: Watch your step! Getting hurt and being unable to walk is EXTREMELY annoying. On the bright side, there's a learning experience in nearly everything: Now that my foot is getting better (only hurting slightly when walking instead of being painful all the time and horrendously so when putting any weight on it) I really appreciate it and I am grateful to generally be able-bodied. It's the old "You only know what you're missing once you've lost it." I have also learnt that I can ask for help and have had some really kind people drive me to and from classes.

All this got me thinking about taking steps, not only literally. Every single step in a staircase is important - miss one and you might suffer (more or less) severe consequences. In a worst case scenario that can literally break your neck. And if you don't take the first one, you'll never get anywhere. Same goes in life: Even the longest journey begins with the first step. Yes I know that's old and cliché, but I think it's very true. Equally important are all those smaller or bigger steps in the middle of any project. If you change direction so might your project (which is not necessarily a bad thing). If you miss one, you risk falling (I thought about writing "failing" but then I don't like that word, since "there is no failure, only feedback" which can be the topic of another blogpost.) A "shortcut" in between might not necessarily save you any time. And what happens if you miss the last step? All the effort you put into a project is in vain if you don't finish it.

Imagine, for example, you apply for a new job which you really think you're suited for. You research the position and the company, compose a well worded cover letter, perfect your CV ... and then you don't send it? What would have been the point in investing the time and energy? There might be a nagging voice inside your head telling you that you're over- or underqualified or there is some other reason why wouldn't get the job anyhow. Or even worse someone outside your head telling you so. Well what the h*ll do they know?

Go for it, whatever dream it is you are pursuing and enjoy every day you can walk or run towards your goal. And watch your step ... and in case you do trip I know some great homoeopathic remedies now ;)

Hugs,

Mel

Farewell my friends - I will miss you!

Today has been an interesting day. One of those where you feel happy and sad and proud and joyful, tearful and huggy - all at the same time. The second and final leg of my hypnotherapy diploma and NLP practitioner course finished today. It was so much fun, I'd like to do it all again! (I probably won't say that about all the written homework.) So for you guys I've made a little photo memento. Enjoy!
Hugs,
Mel

Another free picture slideshow by Smilebox