Day 82: New beginnings in faith

"Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence"  Pope John Paul II

Project 365: #82

After a three hour handover of the house last night we were rewarded with this view from our hotel window, with the most beautiful moon. It gave me a sense of peace after all the running around and organising of the last few weeks.

And this was our welcoming view this afternoon! You can even see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty if you look really closely! Fitting for our new immigration. It seems as though, after all the months of stress, things are falling into place. I keep reminding myself to have complete faith, and move forward fearlessly. I am looking forward to the new adventures awaiting us!

Day 81: Auf Wiedersehen Hannover

 "Goodbyes are not forever. Goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you until we meet again!" ~Author Unknown

 

Project 365: #81


This is my favourite place in Hannover: Herrenhausen Gardens.  If I could have, I would have worked there! Magnificent gardens, truly fit for a queen, have survived for more than 300 years in their original structure, including the baroque “Great Garden”. The beautiful gardens were  originally created by Electress Sophia as the “Grand Jardin de la Leine” for the summer palace of the royal house of Hannover. I shall treasure all my experiences and memories of Hannover, especially the culture and beauty. Thank you for the enriching, growing experience! Auf Wiedersehen Hannover...until we meet again. 

 (Photo courtesy of the official Hannover website)

Day 80: Grumpy old men

"There's a fine line between angry and grumpy. Angry isn't nice, but grumpy is funny" - Rick Wakeman

Project 365: #80

This epitomizes a large majority of the older population here, they look angry and a little sad, as if life owes them. I do understand that their generation has had a hard time, but it does not justify continual anger and intolerance. This statue is actually one of two, with an accompanying woman, a little distance away. Both have the same expression...it would be nice if they were just grumpy, with a teeny sense-of-humour and not finger-pointing angry. I have been reprimanded for silly things several times by angry-grumpy old people here...luckily most of the time I have no idea what they are saying!! I don't think I will miss this...but then again, there are grumpy old people everywhere. I guess that getting old can be a hardship in itself, and perhaps we should be a little more patient with the aged...we too will be old one day.

Day 79: Here comes the rain again

"Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams" - Ashley Smith

Project 365: #79

It could not be a gloomier-looking day for the start of the summer holiday! It is not just drizzling, but pouring! But, no matter, there is always something or someone enjoying it - this morning it is the ducks! Even though the sun is not streaming down, the view is still beautiful. It is really important to notice the beauty all around us, otherwise we become swept away in all that is negative, and overcome by the chaos. Beautiful moments are also fleeting: a glimpse, an angle, a smell, a memory. So, it is important that we are always appreciative, living our lives with positive energy, noticing the beauty around us, and fighting to make our dreams a reality.

Day 78: Last day of school

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" - Nelson Mandela

Project 365: # 78

Last day of school today! Not only last day of the school year, but last day of school in Germany. It is certainly a day of mixed emotions.

This has an unbelievable rollercoaster journey. When we arrived here, our hearts were not in this school. We had left behind our beloved Collegiate and South Africa, and nothing would ever be able to compare or live up to the standard. However, last night, while I was listening to the performances at the year-end concert, I had time to reflect. I so enjoyed the primaries performances, and wondered where the time has gone. I remember being one of those parents in the front row, over-enthusiastic and taking hundreds of photos. Now, I am watching the second half of the show, with the children all grown up, and one of my daughters performing her own composition!

We have had the benefit of both schooling systems, a traditional South African school, and a truly International School. The values, discipline, and excellent work ethic instilled in the girl's primary years have truly benefitted them here. They have taken all they learnt previously and applied it to their new school. There was definitely some adjustment, but the advantages have strongly outweighed the disadvantages. The girls have become independent, tolerant, forward-thinking, problem-solving, critical-thinking, compassionate, and empathetic. They have embraced friends from all religions and cultures, and  everything German. I am grateful for this experience and their dedicated teachers. I am confident that they will truly be able to overcome anything that life throws at them, and I do believe that this education has equipped them with skills that they can use to change the world for the better.

Day 77: Ominous weather

 "I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather, to exercise the art of patience and to respect the fury of nature" - Paulo Coehlo

Project 365: #77

The view over the neighbour's property at the rather ominous looking weather (especially for summer, as this is not a nice summer thunderstorm, but more like a coldfront). It actually sums up how I feel, and not really what you discuss with anyone. 

When moving home in your own country, it is the excitement of a new house. When moving from an adopted country to another adopted country, you have already experienced the unknown, and remember all those feelings of anxiety....a bit like a storm brewing in your stomach (instead of delicate little butterflies). You have feelings of great excitement, together with feelings of extreme anxiety. As with the weather, the feelings will pass, and beautiful days will dawn...but in the meantime...I know, I know...I do have faith that all will be good, it is hard when you are a control-freak to let go of all those hundreds of factors out of your control though! Ominous weather usually brings rain, which is essential for growth, so I will focus on the long-term here knowing that storms quickly pass, and exercise patience for what will come.

Day 76: Night lights, big city

"I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars" - Og Mandino

Project 365: #76

Mike's view from his stroll back to where he is staying from the resturant last night along the boardwalk in Jersey City - could be worse!! Beautiful city from far, not sure that I am really a city person, but the darkness truly makes the city appealing, and quite romantic looking.

Light is  the way forward, but if it were not for darkness, we would not appreciate the light, and certainly not the night-time city-scapes, or the beautiful stars. In our darkest hours, there is always light from somewhere, illuminating hope. We do not need to fear the dark, for it too shows beauty in other ways. Without darkness, we would not know our inner strength, and what we are truly capable of, or that if we look around, we can still find beauty and joy.

Day 75: Empty house celebrations

"Daughters are like the sunlight that reflects on the raindrops of our lives to make beautiful rainbows" 

Project 365: #75

Happy Birthday Nicole! Who says you can't still celebrate in an empty house...this could be the best place for celebrations, and parties!  Tee-hee! It is amazing what you can improvise with when you need to make a plan. There were even homemade chocolate-glazed cupcakes (thanks Caitz), a singing candle, and phonecalls from around the world (through the time-zones)! Well, at least this will be memorable. Thank you for turning our raindrops into rainbows through your music, fun, kindness and laughter!

....meow!

Day 74: Royalty

 "Royalty is completely different than celebrity. Royalty has a magic all of its own" - Philip Treacy

Project 365: #74

Ernst August - the King of Hannover from 1837 to 1851, son of George III, a landmark outside the main train station. You forget in the day to day routine that royalty still exists in Europe. There are still descendants living in Hanover, and a great history between Germany and Great Britain. One of my favourite things while living here was visiting all the castles (the family just roll their eyes...not another castle...) You can almost feel the history in the walls. I always imagine what it must have been like to be the elite and royalty in those days, and would have enjoyed living then. Royalty truly has a magic that you can feel. Not so much the middle and lower classes, especially in winter. It is quite remarkable how resourceful people have been through the ages, and how we have survived until now! Oh yes, this was today, note the awesome summer weather, pouring with rain and 14 degrees!

Day 73: Father's Day

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me" - Jim Valvano

Project 365:# 73

We are especially thinking of all the Dads today, as we are spread over three continents! Two dads in Africa, one in North America and we are in Europe (never imagined that)! Thank you Dads, for truly believing in us, and always supporting us, no matter what; and teaching us good values, and true character! We miss you, and your unwavering support and guidance, but are grateful that your belief in us helps us to pursue our dreams!

Day 72: Graffiti

"Graffiti's always been a temporary art form. You make your mark and then they scrub it off" - Banksy

Project 365: #72

The view from the train is pretty diverse, from the urbanisation of the city centre, to farmlands on the outskirts (a good geography lesson). But on all the barriers, and walls near the railway lines is graffiti.

There were four things that struck us when we arrived in Germany on our first holiday here in mid-summer:

1. Everybody seems to smoke - which was really alarming as I really though the world trend was to decrease smoking.
2.  Although drinking is prohibited in public, there were many people walking with beers and alcohol in the streets (we did walk around at the time of all important football matches).
3.  A large majority of the population (mostly youth) have tattoos and piercings.
4.  There is graffiti everywhere.

The first two are abundant as there are not very strict prohibition laws, and limited policing. You can drink wine and beer from age 16. And the second two are to make a statement, and leave your mark as freedom of expression. Both are entertaining and I will miss them...but it doesn't mean that the girls will be allowed tattoos!

Day 71: Continual connectivity

"It's all fun and games until you lose your WiFi signal"

 
Project 365: #71

Well, this is the empty house, back to what it was before we moved in, just a little cleaner! It even has the same smell...invoking all the memories of arriving here. In the corner you will see the all important WiFi still connected, next to the box, waiting to be shipped back to the service provider at the VERY LAST minute - for how are we to survive without WiFi??

These are pretty much first world problems, we all managed perfectly well historically without WiFi and wireless connections. Now it is possible to become completely wireless. Through this we have created more and more wireless signals in the atmosphere....long-term effects? Completely unknown....but for now, without thinking about the consequences, I am totally reliant on WiFi for both work, and entertainment...for what would life be without Netflix for pure escapism?

Day 70: Moving

"Moving on, is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard" - Dave Mustaine

Project 365: #70

The stages of moving....thinking about packing...still thinking about packing...still thinking about packing...YIKES...the removal company is coming tomorrow....all packed up...where's it all gone?

Packing is awesome, I love boxes...

I just love all this stuff on the table...

Lounge gone...

Bedroom had a window....

Yeep - tight squeeze for the container... (no, elliot did not move us again, boxes pretty much intact and as-is from last move).

Going....going...whole house in a container. It is a weird feeling, overwhelming excitement mixed with uncertainty and fear of the unknown. This is when faith kicks in, trusting that all will be good on the path we are on. I am relieved to have this part done and dusted. When all the boxes were packed and ready for packing into the container, I couldn't help feeling  guilty at what we have - we really live in unnecessary excess, especially seeing practically untouched boxes from the last move (yes, the attic was filled with them). The container leaving was so final, and sad...moving on is the easy part, saying goodbye is harder. But, there are new adventures waiting!

Day 69: Really living

 "Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower" - Hans Christian Andersen

Project 365: #69

When we first moved here, we were all just living, trying to survive all the newness from day to day, and it probably took me eighteen months to start living. I was not doing anything constructive, trying to keep myself busy, but everyday things became tedious, and housework was just the pits. I became a Netflix addict as WiFi made the accessibility so easy. One episode ran into the next, and next, and next. Luckily I can clean the house really fast and make it look like I have been slaving all day! (That in itself, is an art!) I suddenly woke up one day, and realised that life was passing me by, so decided to do something about it. I began running, and gardening, and doing all the things I love. Running was actually to get active again and loose all the pounds piled on from the delicious German bread! I do agree that sunshine has a lot to do with it, which is severely lacking here compared to down South! Freedom is something we take for granted when we have it, and now that we have all become accustomed to great freedom, will really miss it. And of course, life would just not be the same without flowers! I am so pleased that I have woken up from my deep slumber and started really enjoying life, and not just living!

Day 68: Birthday tribute

"May you always fly high in life and touch your dreams"

Project 365: #68

A tribute from across the miles - hope you are having an awesome birthday. I know that we have all made out like this was the worst thing that could have possibly happened to us, but thank you for the adventure! We have learnt (actually, are learning) a new language, a new culture, experienced Europe, loved our lifestyle (in summer, at last), lived on a lake shore, grown as individuals, grown as a family, so thank you! A toast (G&T...have to finish all the liquor), in a disposable (recyclable) plastic cup (as the crystal has been packed), including a piece of lemon (cut with my pocket knife, as no cutlery in sight)! Here's to many more adventures, wherever we may be, flying high (or paddling low), and touching our dreams.

Day 67: Happy place

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul" - Luther Burbank

 

Project 365: #67

In all the madness of packing up house, I will post some things that make me happy! These were also on my run on Saturday, I just love all the roses that are blooming everywhere, and the pretty gardens.

This house looks like what I remember from the nursery rhymes. I like that it looks all wobbly, but I am not sure that I would like to live in it!

 I just loved this climbing rose with the bench underneath.

If I lived in a cottage, this would be it! There were blooming roses everywhere, wafting their scent in the warm summer air - happy place!! Just the thought of the flowers soothes my soul.

Day 66: The Nanas of Hannover

"I am quite certain in my heart of hearts that modern music and modern art is not a conspiracy, but is a form of truth and integrity for those who practise it honestly, decently and with all their being" - Michael Tippett

Project 365: #66

This was on my trip to town the other day, but I couldn't include them with anything else, as they symbolize Hannover. These are the Nanas by Niki de Saint Phalle, created in 1974, beside the Leine River. You can buy mini-Nanas at all the curio or gift shops in town. They originally caused a local outcry, but have become celebrated in Hannover, and everyone seems to know them. I was unsure about them initially, but have begun to enjoy them more and more, appreciating the essence of freedom and rights in Hannover. They certainly brighten up the landscape, especially in winter, and juxtapose the historical buildings, giving you something to think about.

Day 65: My journey of daily adventures

"Life is a journey and it's about growing and changing and coming to terms with who and what you are and loving who and what you are" - Kelly McGillis

Project 365: #65

Sixty-five down, and three hundred to go! What I can't believe is that it has been sixty-five days since our look-and-see visit to NJ, and on Monday is the beginning of our packing up! Whew! So, today, I set off on a nice long-scenic run, as I am not sure that I will have the time again. I did miss my running partner, and took way too long, as I stopped to take pictures all along the way! I am not sure why it takes people so long to take their blinkers off and look around them at the blessings and beauty everywhere...but since I have at last, it is really time-consuming, as I see all sorts of things I want to take pics of! (It does also have a little to do with procrastination, as I have loads of organizing and packing to do at home). Anyway, today's pics are a tribute to my running route and my journey of coming to terms with who I am, and loving what I do and what I am. Running has truly been my sanity, and has made me realise that I am capable of far more than I give myself credit for...it has taught me to focus on goals, and push myself a little harder, that has relayed to everything I do. I have become more determined in all I tackle...long may it last!

Beautiful wild flowers on the side of the road. The rose bush at the back was in full flower, and the scent was stunning....one of my favourite summer smells!

 I took this pic for Mike to guess where I was...but he knew already from a tracking app! No surprises here!

Baby Christmas trees a-growing!

 An ink-splashed  horse.

This awesome garden gate, with part of the original old wall.

And by now, I really wish I had brought money with me...these strawberries smelt DIVINE, and it was so hot and humid!! I could taste them!! I have loved the freedom and beauty here, especially in summer. May we all embark on a journey of self-discovery and adventure!

Day 64: Some history of Hannover

 "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana

Project 365: #64

My adventure today led me on a trip to the city via the  Göttingen Seven, statues of a group of seven professors from Göttingen by Floriano Bodini in 1998. These professors included Georg Gottfried Gervinus, a literary and political historian; Friedrich Christoph Dahlmann, a historian, politician and public law specialist (co-authoring the constitution of 1833); Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, both philologists (I had to look up the meaning of this word!); Wilhelm Weber a physicist who together with Carl Friedrich Gauss, invented the first electromagnetic telegraph;  Heinrich Ewald, theologian; and Wilhelm Eduard Albrecht, a constitutional lawyer, jurist, and docent. In 1837 they were protesting to  Ernest Augustus I (who became had just become King of Hanover  when his niece, Victoria, became Queen of the United Kingdom, ending the personal union that had existed between Britain and Hanover since 1714), against the abolition or alteration of the constitution of the Kingdom of Hanover, refusing to swear an oath to the new king. Outside the statue's gate are the three members of the Göttingen Seven, who were banished from the Kingdom and inside the gate are the four members  still  confronting the King (on the horse), after being dismissed from their office but not  banished from the Kingdom of Hanover. (All this knowledge gleaned from Wikipedia).

These are remarkable statues, so lifelike that you can feel their protest, even though now silent. The constitutions of our countries are just as important now as they were then, and it is important that we remember our past through history books and works of art like this, in the hope that we do not repeat our mistakes, and at the very least, learn from them to improve our future.

Day 63: Red flags

"This is the thing I've learned, after a lot of couch time: There are always red flags. You need to look for those red flags along the way so you don't continue to make the same mistakes" - Michelle Pfeiffer

Project 365: #63

The weather was perfect yesterday morning, so I set out early. I never really plan my running route before I leave, but start planning it on the way. The route I decided on is very scenic, and the last stretch is through a restricted zone, so when I saw the red flag, I was disappointed.

 This is a military zone, and basically, when the red flag is flying, you can't enter the zone as they are doing military-ops. The rest of the time, you enter at your own risk.

How awesome is it though, that you can still use this zone when it is safe to do so? When we first arrived here, I once became lost, and ended up in one of these areas. I was petrified, as I couldn't understand the entire sign, and thought I would be shot, or in huge trouble, at the least! It is really important to look for the red flags in our lives, and to take heed. It means proceed with caution, or turn around and go back. We all have them, we just need to heed their warnings.

Day 62: Hauptbahnhof, Hannover

"Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him" - Dwight D. Eisenhower

Project 365: #62

I will miss the Hannover Hauptbahnhof, this is the main train station, and the hub of the city. It is always busy, except at 03:00 am (yes, I have been there in the dead of the night, fetching children from outings). It is where all trains converge, coming in and out of the city, and underground, where all the local trams run from. It also comprises two levels of shops and restaurants. (You can always tell a train station is nearby by the piles of bicycles outside). I will miss it, as I never in a million years thought I would survive without a car, and yet, here I am, and actually reluctant to going back to driving everywhere, and once again becoming "Mom's Taxi". The upside of that is that US driver's licenses can be issued at 16, and we will have a 17- and 15-year old...so one down and one to go....needless to say, I will probably still be car-less!

Train stations represent the hustle and bustle of life, with people coming and going, and always in a rush. There always seems to be a hoard of people rushing to reach important goals and destinations. I do often wonder where people are rushing to....maybe to ensure that the train of the future doesn't run them over. Of course, you can take a break, every now and then, for a cup of coffee or an ice-cream on the sidewalk under the umbrellas, enjoying the fountains.

Day 61: Stadtfriedhof Bothfeld

 "An awareness of one's mortality can lead you to wake up and live an authentic, meaningful life" - Bernie Siegel

Project 365: #61

This is where I go when I need to remember my mortality: the cemetery across the lake from us. It is a reminder that our problems on this earth are not insurmountable, and that we are only here for a short time. It is no use to mutter and moan about everything, but just get on with things. There are also always more people in a worse situation than ourselves. We need to live the best life we can, making the most of each day granted to us. Reminding myself every now and again does jolt me into really living in a more authentic and meaningful way!

Day 60: Locks on the canal

"Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books" - John Lubbock

Project 365: #60

This was my adventure yesterday morning! I decided to make the most of the last couple of weeks here on my bicycle, as I am not so sure that it will be as easy or safe in NJ. So, I have been ticking things off my list to do and see, and was so excited that I managed this, and the weather was good too! My intention was to cycle somewhere and then go for a run, but I was so enjoying the cycling, that I decided to go a little further and forget the run! I ended up at the Mittellandkanal again:

I have mentioned the Mittellandkanal before, but not that there are locks on it - so I ventured to find them: the Hindenburgschleuse Anderten. I think that locks are another amazing technological invention, this one was built from 1919-1928, allowing for an altitude difference of 14.7 m in the waterway, and at the time of inauguration was the largest single lock in Europe. It takes just 15 minutes for the water levels to change, and my timing was just perfect to witness a barge arriving at the lock and being elevated for the next stretch of its journey.

Of course, there is always the cute wildlife that goes with the canal - ducklings and cygnets!

On this adventure I learnt how locks work, and even had some lessons from a sailor on one of the barges! I also learnt how ducklings manage to safely navigate their way from harm of oncoming boats, and over the wakes they create! Amazing!