Corona. Home Office. Week 7 (out of 7?) done. Wondering how long the quarantine will continue… it seems nobody knows so exactly at the moment. I will stop counting.

Let’s talk about (summer) holiday plans 2020:

The worldwide travel warning was just extended to mid of June… warning doesn’t mean forbidden. But most flights got canceled. Most countries keep their borders closed (for now). And the German government just gave a hint yesterday that they wouldn’t charter flights again to get Germans out of corona high risk countries (like they did in the past weeks).

And not sure if you want to wait until your number gets called for swimming access (the idea is hilarious, though):

Maybe all those adverts need a make-over.

Planned a trip? Flight got canceled? Same for us. Same for everyone. The good news: you can still travel… virtually. Some destination ideas:

When you miss traveling…

Anticipation is the greatest: just reschedule your planned vacation to 2021 (or to be super safe to 2022):

This is probably as much hula hula as you can get this year. A virtual trip & real taste of Hawaii (available in any supermarket just around the corner):

Alternatively (or first Hawaii, then Spain) a bit of Spanish flair:

We cannot complain about the weather – sun bathing (and that’s new) also including a bit of a risk this year:

One year ago we were already packing for our move back to Europe. We spent a (last) weekend in April in Seoul and one in Tokyo. Glad we did! Nobody would have even imagined what 2020 would be like. Wow! Appreciating the great memories now.

This year we have been canceling a flight to Shanghai, a flight to Delhi, a flight to Bremen, a flight to Dublin, and most likely a flight to Bari. Wow! (Now you know why we appreciate the quiet time so much). At least good for the environment (even only 20% of flight travel causing pollution)…

Back-up plan: joining the neighbors Wallace (back) & Humboldt chilling in the garden:

And watching our tomatoes grow:

PS: working from home got extended until end of May (for now).

Enjoy the long weekend!

We are healthy (maybe a little back pain… and carpal tunnel Syndrom… our home office set up seems not ergonomic friendly enough…).

This week I’d like to take you on a trip around the globe. As so often I got inspired while readying my favorite weekend newspaper this morning. It’s a virtual trip, of course. A trip around the world in corona times. People sharing a small insight of their current life.

Since mid of March people in Greece are only allowed to leave their house for the supermarket or pharmacies. And: they have to send a text message to their government if they do so. Otherwise there’s a fine of €150!

Before the lockdown in NY the city (who usually never sleeps) seemed already empty. Some people still felt in the mood and dressed up to celebrate spring. It’s a weird spring this year. But spring means also hope! The hope that all will turn out good, eventually.

In Iran young people supported distributing disinfectant which is being provided by the government. People were queuing to get their bottles filled up. Most people cannot stay in quarantine. They live from day to day. If they don’t leave the house for work, families cannot afford food!

In China life seems to become „normal“ again. Every day more shops & restaurants are opening up again!

Brasilians President is following a different approach when it comes to lockdown: no lockdown (but people are afraid and stay home anyway). Some of the mayors created their own rules: if streets get disinfected street sellers can continue selling fruits to keep their income. It’s hopeful that mayors take care of their residents.

Adelaide in Australia is focusing on sport. A bicycle ride to the port feels like being at the main station: so many people running, walking, skateboarding, cycling… everybody keeping the 1,5m distance, of course. Using sport to appreciate and value life!

Poland is currently critical from a democracy point of view. That’s why residents bring up private initiatives to support their health system which may collapse otherwise. Producing masks and providing them for free to local hospitals.

Delhi in India. Also here different times: no restaurant visits, no shopping, no talking to others on the streets, instead: playing tennis on top of buildings. With a ball on a string. Most apartments don’t even have a window. Most families share one room. Migrant workers slept on the streets and were sent back home.

In London a family realized that life goes on despite the lockdown. Different. Trying to create routines in the new life. Talking to parents on the face time. Everything and everybody seems to change. But everything continuous. It feels good to sharpen the focus on important things again. We all have to learn to become more patient again. And then we may value and appreciate again how rich our life is with little things.

Moskau in Russia. Also here lockdown. Only grocery shopping is allowed. All streets are video controlled. Soon to follow: facial monitoring. The police controls very strictly with the help of above mentioned devises. Some people escape illegally to the top roofs. It gives them hope. Up here they feel they still can dream. Uncontrolled.

South Africa. Usually hundreds of shacks share one tap. From time to time there’s problems with the water supply. Since a week electricity is falling out. Groceries are rotting (no working fridges). Groceries paid with the last available money. Also the health system is not as good as in other countries. Keeping the distance is not possible. Police cars are announcing the info about Covid by driving through the streets. Generally, access to news is very limited.

Iquitos in Peru can only be accessed via plane or boat. The village is located in the middle of the rainforest. You would think safe from corona… unfortunately not. The houses here don’t have running water. Families are bathing in the river in public. The hope: the whole world is going through the same: Corona virus.

In Leipzig, Germany, people are amazed by how fast people can get used to the different new life. Church services are broadcasted via zoom. Painting classes are offered online. So are yoga & dancing classes. Musicians from around the globe come together to connect us with music. Of course online. Visible for everyone. Around the globe.

The government in Jordan is using public buses to share bread. Thursday’s have been officially announced to distribute cigarettes. Jordan is one of the countries which followed a very strict lockdown from the very beginning. Since infection numbers are low, lockdown has been limited to daily 6pm – 10am. People are allowed to move around in the day time. A local guy says that he enjoyed the special time. Quality time he spent with his 1-year old daughter. Time he usually doesn’t have due to balancing job & family life.

Hiroji from Japan, 80 years old and believing in Buddha, changed his prayers from good luck for the family and the son to health & hope for the whole world.

People in Madrid getting to know their neighbors. Since the lockdown they are seeing each other every day at 8pm on their balconies, clapping together to show how thankful they are for nurses & doctors doing an incredible job these days. Some kids using a broomstick to swing around the Spanish flag, a symbol for the unity of Spain.

A photographer living in Austria started documenting his new life with corona. Last year he collected stamps from entering 71 countries! These days he is noticing that he doesn’t have any impulse to continue this kind of busy life and traveling whenever the worldwide travel restrictions are gone. He learnt to appreciate family time again. And the most important gift: love and being loved.

Paris, another city empty these days… no cars. No people. France is one of the countries with the highest death numbers due to Corona. So many dead bodies that they have to be stored in containers since there’s not enough space in hospitals. All containers are captured by tents so neighbors don’t have to follow the daily tragedy. Still young people are wearing masks for the hope, for solidarity, even not exactly knowing if it helps or not. Hoping for the best even there are days with only little hope.

Hemmingen, Swabia. A family feeling thankful for being able and allowed to work from home. Thankful for having enough food. Enough to share with neighbors. Happy for a government taking care of their residents. Happy for being healthy!

Thanks, SZ for the inspiration of sharing the worlds thoughts.

Jemand hat endlich herausgefunden wie das Virus tickt…

Nach jetzt rund fünf Wochen halbfreiwilliger Quarantäne ist es Zeit, ein Fazit zu ziehen. Glaubt man den Bestimmungen der einzelnen Bundesländer, so ergibt sich zur Verbreitung von Covid19 folgendes Bild:

„Das Virus verbreitet sich generell und irre schnell in Kindergärten und Schulen. In Altersheimen rottet es Kundschaft und Belegschaft aus. In Hessen verbreitet sich das Virus durch Eisdielen (weswegen diese geschlossen sind), aber nicht in Baumärkten. Sobald das Virus aber die bayerische Landesgrenze überquert, überlegt es sich das anders und verbreitet sich jetzt über Baumärkte (weswegen diese geschlossen sind), nimmt dafür aber Abstand von Eisdielen. Wenn und sofern die Eisdealer das Eis mit der gleichen Hand im Gummihandschuh, die soeben das Geld in Empfang genommen hat, in der Waffel über den Tresen reichen. Hübscher Nebeneffekt: Die bayerische Polizei bestraft Hessen, die sich ein bayerisches Eis holen, die hessische Polizei schnappt sich dafür bayerische Heimwerker.

Das Virus hat eine weitere Besonderheit in Bayern: Es lauert auf Parkbänken, es sei denn, jemand sitzt darauf und liest. Dann liest das Virus mit und ist abgelenkt. Deswegen darf man ausdrücklich in Bayern auf einer Bank als Einzel- oder Doppelperson Platz nehmen, wenn man dabei liest und Tisch und Bett miteinander teilt. Sich selbst fremde Personen sollten aber nur mit einem Mindestabstand von 1,50 Metern miteinander lesen und lieber nicht auf der gleichen Bank hocken.

Ferner macht das Virus einen Unterschied zwischen diversen Supermarktketten. Im Aldi fällt das Virus nur Personen an, die keinen Einkaufswagen schieben, deswegen muss im Aldi jeder Besucher einen Einkaufswagen nehmen. Was die Gänge derart verstopft, dass sich die Leute aneinander vorbeiquetschen. Im Edeka ist das Virus etwas lockerer, da befällt es nur Toilettenpapierkäufer ab einer Anzahl X im Laden. Aus diesem Grund darf dort nur der Laden betreten werden, wenn dafür ein anderer Besucher den Laden verlässt. Dann ist das Virus irritiert und verkrümelt sich.

Auch erstaunlich ist, dass sich das Virus nur in einem Null- und 180 Grad Winkel verteilt, wie die diversen Markierungen in den Supermärkten zeigen. Seitlich sind diese nämlich recht eng nebeneinandergeklebt, mit weniger als wenigstens einer Armlänge Abstand. Gut, das Computerfahndungsfoto des Virus zeigt ja auch einen hübschen symmetrischen Schnitt, da kann man das verstehen.

Außerdem verbreitet sich das Virus gerne in Elektronikmärkten, weswegen diese geschlossen sind. Es sei denn, es handelt sich um Großmärkte mit einer Elektronikabteilung. Da weiß das Virus nämlich nicht, ob es sich auf Cognac oder Computer setzen soll und entscheidet sich dafür, gar nichts zu tun. Deswegen kann man in Großmärkten nach wie vor Elektronik kaufen. Zumindest in Bayern und wenn man eine Gewerbeanmeldung hat. Diese immunisiert zusätzlich.

In Rheinland-Pfalz treibt sich das Virus gerne in Kantinen herum, meidet diese aber in Baden-Württemberg und Berlin, wahrscheinlich hat es Angst, auf Grüne zu treffen. Deswegen sind Kantinen in Rheinland-Pfalz geschlossen, nebenan aber nicht.

Außerdem unterscheidet das Virus in Bayern nach Touristen und Geschäftsreisenden, denn Hotels, die ausschließlich Geschäftsreisende und Gäste für nicht private touristische Zwecke aufnehmen, dürfen geöffnet bleiben. Wer diese ominösen Gäste sind, die keine Geschäftsreisenden und keine privaten touristischen Zwecke verfolgen, steht in der Verordnung nicht drin.

Das Virus meidet generell Dienstleistungsbetriebe – außer Bordellen, da ist das Virus gerne, was ich nachvollziehen kann. Deswegen sind Bordelle geschlossen, Banken hingegen nicht. Daneben fühlt sich das Virus in Berliner Buchläden unwohl (gut, so viel Literatur gib es da auch nicht), in Bayern hingegen sogar so pudelwohl, dass in Bayern Buchläden geschlossen, in Berlin jedoch offen sind.

Das Virus befällt außerdem Zweitwohnsitzbewohner in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (die deswegen aus dem Bundesland geschmissen werden) und Feriengäste in Schleswig-Holstein (deswegen ist für die Hamburger an der Stadtgrenze Schluss). Außerdem verbreitet sich das Virus in Rheinland-Pfalz in Sportboothäfen, was ein schwerer Schlag für die Sportbinnenschiffer ist. In Thüringen und Berlin müssen Bürger, die von einer Reise zurückkehren, die Behörden hierüber informieren und erst einmal 14 Tage zu Hause bleiben, in Bayern juckt das keinen. Außer, er kommt aus einem Gebiet, dass das Robert-Koch-Institut als „Risikogebiet“ ausgewiesen hat. Dann darf der möglicherweise fiebrige Transpirant für 14 Tage keine Hochschule betreten. Gut, das wäre sowieso sinnlos, die sind ja geschlossen. Thüringen nimmt dafür nur noch Thüringer auf, wer aus einem anderen Bundesland ohne triftigen Grund in das Staatsgebiet des deutschen demokratischen Bundeslandes Thüringen einreist, muss Thüringen ohne den Verzehr einer regionalen Bratwurst auch sofort wieder verlassen und darf Thüringen nur als Transitland benutzen. Außer, sie sind bekennende Infizierte. Dann dürfen sie nicht einmal das und müssen einen Umweg über Tschechien fahren.

Während Sachsen ausdrücklich erwähnt, dass seine Bürger beispielsweise bei einem Wohnungsbrand das Haus verlassen dürfen, wurde dies in Bayern schlicht vergessen. Oder die Bayern gehen davon aus, dass es besser ist, wenn ein potentieller Virenträger verbrennt, als sich einem Feuerwehrmann auf weniger als zwei Armlängen Abstand nähert.“

Verfasser unbekannt.

Wie die Bundesländer das Virus verwirren!

Masks yes? Masks no? After many discussions the decision is made: starting Monday, we have to wear a facial mask in Swabia for shopping or public transportation…

Since the decision is made… it’s all about the masks… some people become creative and others freak out. Providing you some ideas for the upcoming facial mask challenge:

Painted mask for the risk lovers & rebels:

Fed up about corona news?

A green & healthy solution (dinner included!!!).

Some people are getting flashed for speeding: 15€ for a fun photo. Would they really recognize us?

This is how people back home get their mouth & nose covered:

Others are busy doing selfies…

And Charlie? She’s confused…

And summer forecast 2020: you better pay attention!

Are you ready for wearing your mask?
I am: let’s do this!

A blog from Laura Naumann. So good, I have to share it (in German).

Die Coronakrise erscheint Laura Naumann als surreales Theaterstück, dessen Auswirkungen bis vor Kurzem kaum vorstellbar waren: geschlossene Grenzen, Menschen, die sich freiwillig totalüberwachen lassen oder ein Umarmungsverbot.

Wenn das Leben die Fiktion einholt: Grenzkontrollen wegen Corona – fast als wär’s ein Theaterstück.

„Ich hatte eine Idee für ein neues Theaterstück, in dem ein fieses, tödliches Virus ausbricht, das sich innerhalb von Wochen über den kompletten Globus ausbreitet. Das Virus trägt den Namen einer mexikanischen Biermarke und sieht aus wie eine Koralle. Das Ganze ist ein Ballett.

Ich hatte eine Idee für ein Theaterstück, in dem in einer globalisierten Welt ein globales Problem auftritt, und alle Länder machen als erstes ihre Grenzen dicht. Ich hatte eine Idee für ein Theaterstück, in dem in Woche fünf der globalen Viruskrise ein Ranking erstellt wird, welches der schön abgeschotteten Länder der Welt jetzt als am sichersten gilt und das mit dem Krisenmanagement am besten macht. Das Publikum darf abstimmen.

Ein Theaterstück, in dem alle Menschen zu Hause bleiben.

Ich hatte eine Idee für ein neues Theaterstück, in dem alle Menschen der Welt zu Hause bleiben müssen, weil draußen das tödliche Virus umgeht und allen Menschen, die kein Zuhause haben, wird deshalb ein Zuhause gegeben: Jugendherbergen und Hotels werden umfunktioniert, leerstehende Ferienwohnungen und Airbnbs zu fairen Preisen vermietet. Und es stellt sich heraus, krass, Wohnraum ist ja gar nicht knapp. Wir haben voll genug Platz für alle und „We will leave no one behind“ – Happy End.

Ich hatte eine Idee für ein neues Theaterstück, in dem 24 weiße Männer um die 60 darüber reden, wie ein neuartiges Virus bekämpft und ein Land aus der Krise geführt werden soll. Das Stück geht 12.000 Jahre ohne Pause und wird zum Theatertreffen eingeladen. Ich hatte eine Idee für ein Theaterstück, in dem alle Schauspieler Virologen oder Minister spielen und alle Schauspielerinnen Pflegerinnen, Krankenschwestern und Kassiererinnen.

Ein Theaterstück, das nie zur Aufführung kommt.

Ich hatte eine Idee für ein Theaterstück, das nur aus Prognosen besteht.

Ich hatte eine Idee für ein Theaterstück, in dem sich Menschen freiwillig Trackingapps auf ihren Smartphones installieren, weil damit ein Virus getrackt werden soll.

Ich hatte eine Idee für ein Theaterstück, in dem eine junge Wissenschaftlerin Makro-Smartphones mit preinstallierter Tracking-Software für Viren entwickelt.

Ich hatte eine Idee für ein Theaterstück, in der es Trackingapp-Pflicht und Kontaktsperre gibt – aber für Viren.

Ich hatte eine Idee für ein Theaterstück, das in einer futuristischen Welt spielt, in der das gegenseitige Berühren von Menschen gesetzlich untersagt ist.

Ich hatte eine Idee für ein Theaterstück, in dem die Körper der Menschen über die Jahre so mutiert sind, dass sie bei jeglicher Fremd-Berührung anfangen zu glühen und zu zerfließen.

Ich hatte eine Idee für ein Theaterstück, in dem eine Gesellschaft sich heilt.

Ich hatte eine Idee für ein Theaterstück, das nie zur Aufführung kommt, weil es keine Theater gibt.“

Corona. Home Office. Week 5 (out of 7) done.

We are healthy!

Spring. Spring. Spring! Wow & yeah! And that means turning our garden into our little paradise (so thankful to be able to live here)!

We missed the seasons while living abroad for the past few years. Now we got them back and loving it. Spring is fantastic after winter! Nature awakens again.

Everything is in full bloom. Flowers. Apple trees. And allergies… BBQ smells everywhere. Sleeping with open windows (cannot get enough of the fresh air). Waking up to birdsongs (sometimes a little too early at 4am). The smell of fresh cut grass. Blue sky. A smiling sun. Summing bees. Every day. It’s a feast for the eyes. And the soul. Is nature treating us for staying at home, isolated?

Time for t-shirts, skirts, shorts & dresses & Flipflops (or Birkenstock). Colors! (And sometimes again quite chilly and time to light a fire since heating is already turned off… It’s April!).

Just sitting in the garden and staring for a while is keeping us busy these days. And happy. It’s actually wonderful!

And we did & do a lot of cooking (our favorite part of lockdown).

Pulled pork: BBQed for 10hours. Hard work for hubby (chilling next to the grill with a beer (or two)).

Cooking traditional Easter meals.

White asparagus time just started & will continue for the next weeks. Yeah!

And a carrot cake, soooo good!

We exchanged with our neighbors who also made carrot cake:

Sometimes it has to be a Döner (local support of the week).

Easter is over. And all is left from the bunny (good! I started jogging again):

I’d like to use the chance to say thank you to all the supporters going with us through the Easter isolation: many thanks goes to Professor Dr. Gin, Baron von Merlot and Dr. Riesling. Grazie to Italy, especially to Signora Prosecco and Giovanni Aperol. Merci to our French friends Mr Pastis & Mrs Rose. Thanks to all of you for your excellent support to be with us in the times of lockdown. Looking forward to your continues support in the next few weeks!

Short work weeks continue… Easter bank holidays followed by unpaid holidays… how can we ever go back to a normal 5-day week in the office? I’m wondering… (2 weeks to go and who knows how May will look like…).

Besides more wonderful things are happening:

A local shopping mall donated 8000 chocolate Easter rabbits to local hospital workers.

Stuttgart teachers are donating money (money saved from canceled Easter vacations) to support the local owners from small shops to pay their rent (wow, that’s very generous).

And finally Germany accepted to rescue 58 refugee kids from the Greek islands…

Isolation makes creative. At least most women should be able to make a (2) face mask(s) (but then no bra anymore? Your decision, ladies…):

And parents in home office. Hilarious.

And the much expected news of the week: lockdown continuous for another 2 weeks (no!!!!!) but smaller shops and book stores will reopen again next week (yeah!). Small steps towards freedom…

Off, into another long weekend in isolation with best weather in the forecast…

Time to start thinking of what to do once lockdown is coming to an end… Vorfreude ist die schönste Freude!

Corona. Home Office. Week 4 (out of 7) done (home office was extended until end of April…). Half time. Maybe. Hopeful anyway. Yeah!

We are healthy!

It’s Easter time. We are still in lockdown (our plans to be in Ireland for family visit were canceled). That didn’t hold us back from shipping Easter parcels to Ireland, China and within Germany.

Unfortunately some bunnies suffer from serious leg breaks… and 25 chocolate rabbits are not considered „hamstering“ (lucky you guys!).

Also our postman got a wee Easter gift. Best delivery man in the world (not only these days).

A 7-year old girl was writing a letter to the local police office, worried that the rabbit couldn’t deliver Easter gifts due to being locked down. Super cute.

Happy Easter to everyone!

We have been creating weekly food plans (that’s so not us…) & shopping lists to reduce going to the supermarket to once per week only (we are queuing to get in, only max. 20 people allowed inside at the same time).

We stayed at home for the past 4 weeks (wow, that’s a full month!!!). No drive to work. No meeting friends for dinner or a glass of wine. No wonder I was so excited about our girls „what’s up date“ at lunch time this week.

No more theatre visits (most shows were moved to 2021). No shopping (well, besides groceries and online). I am missing friends. And family. And colleagues. The little face to face coffee breaks and lunch times in the office are greatly missed at the moment! The discussions and the debates (I can’t believe I even miss the debates…). Yes, virtual coffee helps, but it’s not the same. I especially miss our assistance (in every Telekom from home she’s been asking in the past few weeks: is everybody dressed or in Pyjamas? Laughter. She’s hilarious).

We don’t mind the lockdown but it would be kind of nice to go out and enjoy a cappuccino in a real Café, surrounded by other people and friends and so… you know what I mean?

I don’t like the term social distancing. Keeping distance isn’t what we do as humans. We want to be close and not apart. I’m looking forward that this part is over (already having ideas for a “corona survival party”). Until then let’s think positive during these times and then we won’t mind watching the world through our windows. We are not the only ones watching out, “somebody” is also watching in:

People are good in controlling their life’s. If we can’t, we freak out. Not many things happen spontaneously anymore. At the moment I believe the worst for people is that we don’t know were current virus will lead us to. We don’t have a plan. We cannot clearly see into the future. Am I afraid? Yes & no. Yes, times are uncertain but at the same time I believe we can survive the virus somehow. And maybe things are different afterwards. So I decided to see this as a journey. A journey on which we can write our own stories, pretty much a journey through the new corona life.

Why like a journey? Because I love traveling. I love to take photos and write about it afterwards. These days I imagine we are on a discovery travel. Therefore we need to soak up all the new experiences we make. And be open for new things to happen.

Corona brings out some undiscovered talents: becoming a soup chef (that was always on my to do list): veggie soup, leek soup, asparagus soup… the choices are unlimited. And it tastes sooo good (favorite stays with the white asparagus, though and fresh herbs from the garden).

We are discovering our garden love. Time makes it possible. Finally our wish to grow veggies becomes true: paprika, chili peppers, spring onions, tomatoes, carrots, radish, potatoes, leek, mushroom, sunflowers & poppies. And they are growing. Amazing! And my creative husband built a raised planter (originally our TV was moved in that box overseas).

So there’s something about this time, while widely uncertain, that can bring us closer together – while standing 1,5m apart.

Continuously, lots of good things are happening around us:

After Angela Merkel’s Corona test result came back negative, Syrians in Idlib saying thank you with a graffiti.

Medicine students and retired doctors are offering their support & helping out in hospitals.

Thousands of Germans offered their support for the local harvest of veggies & fruits.

Our neighbors so sweet: leaving us fresh eggs from their hens.

Goose bumps while listening to New Yorkers singing Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”. Wow! Fantastic how people stand together these days!

And the virus seems to help speed up the digitalization in companies (home Office & online orders). Impossible turns into possible (about time…).

U2 has donated several millions to Ireland to fight the virus.

Hubby and I are thinking a lot of how to support in current situation & loved ones (without being able to move… not so easy). So we started supporting the locals. Every Wednesday a different restaurant. This week: pizza & ice-cream to go from around the corner.

Baking & sharing a delicious apple tart (& cream) with the neighbors.

Buying a voucher from my hair salon to help keeping up their cash flow for the time of shutdown.

Supporting the Netherlands in decorating our home with beautiful flowers.

Offering & posting facial masks to family, friends & work colleagues (Xie xie to Mr Li).

Being loyal & shopping local:

It’s not a lot (and doesn’t feel satisfying) but at least something we can do in current situation. I hope and believe that after all this is over all that will have really mattered is how we treated each other.

Besides we are trying to do the best with and in current situation. You may think we are getting tired. Tired of being isolated. Tired of each other… well, we are not.

Instead we are enjoying the time together, roasting pekan nuts with olive oil & rosemary.

We are enjoying a Sunday breakfast in bed.

Production is increasing at Turley Bräu.

We appreciate having the time to notice the weather again. Wonderful, even it’s been a bit crazy: from +17C degrees and sunshine to -1C degree and snow the next day. Hello, April! Hello spring!

We (kind of) move slow and time moves fast. My mind has cleared up, time & space for creative ideas again. I loved preparing some creative Easter gifts for some kids… hope they are going to love it (including a break for the parents).

April is also the month when reduced work hours (and salaries) will start. Also in our company… “Worries don’t change the future but making the present difficult” – trying to not worry too much about it. And despite the reduced salary we are still in a comfortable situation. And maybe it sounds a bit naive but I’m convinced we can master current situation.

And last but not least: have you considered yet getting extra dressed up for leaving the house once per week?

Enjoy the sunny Easter weekend! #stayathome!

Verrückte Zeiten. Macht es euch so schön wie möglich.

Corona. Home Office. Week 3 (out of 5) done. Isolation was increased to 5 weeks.

The best news: we are healthy!

This weeks blog is from a dogs point of view.

Hey there! I am Charlie. I was adopted in the USA. Later I moved with my parents to China and I’m very proud that I’m the only one in the family who barks proper Mandarin!

I have been practicing my German recently to keep up with the neighbor dogs… you can see I’m quite busy (cannot wait to see which language I have to learn next). Those neighbor dogs are quite alright, one of us is usually starting to bark and then the rest of us follows. We are a great team, defending our houses. It’s quite a nice concert (and I’m sure all those post men are super scared of us).

But recently, already a couple of weeks ago now, something has changed. My parents don’t leave the house anymore… (I wonder why). And they are not very amused with our dog concerts… I can tell you! They sometimes get really angry, especially when they are on the phone (they lock themselves in different rooms for almost all day and talk to strangers on the phone). I really wonder what’s going on and don’t understand.

I am not used to them being home during the day. All day. I decided to keep follow them around in the house to find out what’s going on. I stare at them… and still don’t understand.

But it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that when they are home that means all day food & play time, right? Eating all day… what a dream.

Well, it’s now day 19 of them staying at home and what can I say… there’s not more food and not more play time. In fact, they are interrupting my routine, especially my nap time! Now they are having lunch every day. In the same room where I’m usually napping. I need some “me time”, don’t they get it? At least the weather is quite good, still a bit chilly but sunny. So I love to be outside. All by myself. Chilling in the garden, enjoying the sun.

This is how my days go recently: waking up (in the nice cozy bed of my parents).

Stretching. Walking (I love those morning walks, nobody on the roads so I’m allowed to walk & run off leash into the fields. Amazing!).

Breakfast (getting a bit worried since I heard my mum saying that the dog food has been sold out in the supermarket… but I’m sure they will figure something out). Sleeping. Treat time (bribing me! Ha! But for treats I don’t care). Play. Sleep. Walk. Sleep. Play. Dinner. Play. Sleep. What an awesome life!

I don’t mind watching the world through our windows.

Actually, its been quite all right to have them around all day!

The parents point of view:

Charlie is so innocent. She doesn’t know what a virus is. She has no glue what’s going on at the moment. Corona? What’s that? She gives kisses as usual (and she’s the only one allowed). She steels food as usual. She’s lighthearted. She’s the best dog in the world.

She doesn’t get up with us anymore… she enjoys sleeping in…

That’s how you keep a dog busy. Sharing the soup bone with her (yes, sometimes she has to to in lockdown, too. When I’m on a customer call for example…).

When she did decide to get up… She’s our little co-worker.

She’s our reason to leave the house. We are enjoying the long sunny walks as much as she does.

She can get very demanding to be played with.

Day19 at home and the dog is looking at us, “see? This is why I chew those flipflops”.

The quarantine has us realizing why the dog gets so excited when something moves outside of the house, going for walks or car rides. I think I just bathed at a squirrel.

And yes, we think we are bothering her 🙂 because we have been home since 3 weeks…

Dear Charlie, be patient, it will be a little more weeks with us 🙂

Corona. Isolation. Week 2 (out of 4) done.

The best news: we are healthy!

Week #2 started with work and unexpectedly finished early with vacation. Corona is one thing. The virus additionally and seriously impacting the European economy another thing. Earlier this week I’m one of many of my company who was sent on vacation for the following 2 weeks. A day later I was requested to be back at work… so it’s all chaotic. But it really doesn’t matter since I’m at home anyhow (without any concrete plans, obviously). So I’m happy to work but also enjoy the hours off in-between (maybe some good practice we have to get used to in the future…?).

When I’m off I’m dreaming with the girls of being back in beautiful Iceland… these days we are so close and cannot even catch up for a coffee. It’s weird. Other than that the days go different than usual: sleeping in, reading, some days working, cooking, gardening and many long walks with Charlie. It’s all working out.

And lots of time to redefine what’s important (to us) in life:

⁃ Health

⁃ Healthy cooking & eating

⁃ Plenty of sleep

⁃ Outdoor activities (well, a little limited these days)

⁃ Sunlight

⁃ Less stress

⁃ Offering support to the ones who need it

⁃ Being nice

⁃ Being thankful

⁃ … the list is long

Not that I hadn’t known this before… I’m just refreshing my self-awareness. And it feels good! And right.

Not only the shelves in the supermarkets are empty… all streets and restaurants, play grounds… everything is empty, except the hearts. Most of them are full. Full of love.

There’s lots of lovely things happening around us. We have the best neighbors. They offered to share their successful toilet paper purchase with us last weekend (aren’t they cute?). Luckily, we also had a successful Monday lunch break: we got a pack of toilet paper (kind of just in time)! Yeah! It made our day. Yep, sometimes the little things keep you happy.

Maybe it’s karma: I posted all our leftover facial masks to Scott’s mum (she needs them more than us) this week before my former Chinese boss contacted me to tell me that he had shipped more facial masks to my home address – it’s so wonderful to see how people think and take care of each other these days. We feel very touched!

The south-west of Germany is offering the French Elsass available beds in hospitals to support the serious situation of Corona patients. And so does Sachsen for Italy. Neighbor country friendship.

Stuttgart landlords are taking over apartment rents for hair salons since they all had to shut down. Isn’t that beautiful?

German OEMs sharing their masks with hospitals while Pyjama and bra makers started sewing them. Solidarity is something wonderful! I’m impressed.

My employer developed a corona test which makes it possible to reduce the test time for results to 2.5hours! Times to be proud. Proud to work for a company who cares about others life’s.

And since this week German news on TV are being translated to those who cannot hear. That’s huge. And a picture can say sometimes more than a thousand words (for example the stockpiling / Hamstern).

All those examples (I’m sure there’s a lot more out there) show that crisis can also mean good things. I agree with Bill Gates who says that he believes that despite the chaos, there is a spiritual purpose behind everything that happens.

People becoming creative.

Pasta might be sold out… but flowers and veggie seeds are still available. The highlight of our week: planting flowers & veggies in our garden (that has been on our to do list for a long time).

Playing a Japanese game: buying virtual apple orchards, bakeries, cafés and a cheese factory… a great game these days… feels almost like going out.

Love is….

… falling asleep while listening to Björk.

… hubby reading his favorite German book to me.

Wherever you are in the world, a little bit of kindness can go a long way right now.

Stay healthy! We can do this! Together!