When taking a look back at the recent weeks and months, it becomes apparent that I have not been present on here a lot … However, I very much intend to keep this blog going, although recently, I did not manage to make a proper update or keep myself current with other blogs I usually read. I hope you will forgive me.
One year ago, I wrote a post in which I declared 2012 to be the year of playing, to achieve a better work-play balance. Now, by the beginning of 2013, I must admit that the playing part did not work out quite as planned … However, 2012 has been a balancing act, just not in the sense I had desired. Some playing took place more or less regularly, at least.
~ me playing a little bit of Beethoven ~
With the piano, I refreshed some classical pieces I like to play, and I started to take jazz piano lessons in April. Since then, I have continued to practice chords and scales, and the stuff is actually getting into my fingers, contrary to my initial expectation. A little later, I decided to start playing the guitar, to be more independent from my piano. Guitar playing is fun but also quite painful, as everybody knows who has endured the initial playing on fingertip blisters. Finally, 2012 was the year in which I started composing, and since June, I have written a couple of pieces and also recorded some of them already. Other pieces are still waiting to be properly recorded. All of these things are good for me and make me happy, therefore they shall be continued and deepened in the time to come.
A major outcome of 2012 was the finishing of my studies. After months of final exams, I finally graduated by the beginning of December.
~ me on the day of my last exam (in the bathroom of the clinical psych department) ~
The exam phase was very stressful for me, because I started it while still doing the last corrections on my thesis and running a research project simultaneously, to manage to graduate before the end of the year. When I finally submitted my thesis in summer, I was quite exhausted already and still had almost half a year of final exams lying ahead. The exhaustion got so bad in autumn that there were weeks when I could hardly concentrate at all, which I tried to compensate for by pulling all-nighters and squeezing stuff into my head on the adrenaline rush preceeding an upcoming exam. In the end, everything went well though, and now I finally have a diploma in psychology (which equals a Master’s degree).
However, life did not slow down after my graduation, and I ended up getting sick with a bad bronchitis shortly before Christmas. All visiting-the-family plans had to be redefined, because I spent Christmas Eve sick and in bed and could not go home before the 25th of December. At least, I managed to start the annual Christmas chocolate production in the week before, and turned this …
… into this.
The biggest and most wonderful surprise awaited me at the very end of the year, however, and for that reason, I made a New Year’s Eve dinner for two this time.
So this was it for now. I hope I could give you at least a slight idea of what has happend over here. But now it is time to look forward to a new year, and I am happy to say that I am really looking forward to everything to come.
Happy 2013 to all of you!
Kath this sounds like a very stressful year and I can only.imagine how difficult this has been for you. But I mist admit that the end with the new years eve Dinner for two Made me smile soooo much and I am So very Happy for you!
Yes it was intense, but also a good year overall, with regard to what came out of it. I’m very happy right now.
How are you doing in Frankfurt? I’ve seen you launched the new blog and am looking forward to reading, now that I have some more time again.
Great to hear from you Kath,
But what the heck does this mean: “The biggest and most wonderful surprise awaited me at the very end of the year, however, and for that reason, I made a New Year’s Eve dinner for two this time”.?
Do you have a special friend? A new sweetie maybe?
It all sounds good….except the illness before Christmas. I made chocolates too and gave them for gifts.
I’m glad you are doing so well and I hope you get some deep rest and relaxation and fun…what ever you need and want.
Love to you….xxoo
Thank you, Gel! I can indeed need some rest and relaxation and fun …
My dinner guest was a very special person. It wasn’t the first dinner we’ve had together, and I’m looking forward to many more.
Want to know more about this dinner for TWO!!!!! Spill the beans girl!
Love the pic in the bathroom. That’s so you.
I’ll tell you more soon, Christine, but this deserves a post on its own.
OMG I am getting goosebumps on the dinner for two!!!!! Hope you have completely recovered from that bad cold, and starting a wonderful new year refreshed!
Thank you, Jeno! I haven’t recovered completely yet, this cold is really nasty.
But otherwise I’m very very happy right now.
Happy Happy New Years! (Note, Happy twice!! Hihihi)
Congrats on your Master’s! Now, can I call you Master Kath? Please?
And, man you have to tell me how those packets turned into that fine looking chocolate treats? (or maybe not, I’ve had too much indulgences over holidays, I won’t be fitting into my shoes soon!)
Anyways, I’ve missed you like forever, girl!
Hahaha, “Master Kath”, oh my! But if you wish, you may.
I think I should do a chocolate manufactory post … These little thingies are really easy to make, and you can make many different varieties.
So happy to be back to the blog sphere! You know I’ve missed you too!
Hi Kath!!! So good to read from you, there is a whole lot of happy excitement making its way across between your lines. I’m truly happy for you, and that all you hard work has paid off. Congratulations for graduation, I’m sure you’ve set the standards exceptionally high for all steps that were important for you along the way, and you have made it through successfully.
I hope you get to enjoy some time before you embark on a next challenge, you so totally deserve it!
We seem to be in sync once again on a couple of the points you mention: the grueling fall, (though mine lead to a bit of delay, but also some important changes), a special time after Christmas, and even the bronchitis and the chocolate production.
Looking forward to reading more! Wishing you lots of happy moments for this new year!
Hugs,
Par
PS: love the birdie footprints.
Thank you so much, Par! I hope everything is fine again with you now? Also, I know I’ve been owing you an email like forever … I’m so sorry! But I haven’t forgotten about it, just didn’t have the time and energy (bla bla bla). Seriously, I’ve neglected my friends really badly during the past weeks or even months, this has to change now!
Happy New Year to you!
So good to hear from you again! Was worried for a bit.
Happy New Year!
Thank you, Kim! I’m fine, I was just drowned in stuff … Hope things are going well over there!
it is the last little bit of info that is making me smile big right now! I miss you so, and want to catch up on your life!!
I am also very happy to congratulate you on your diploma – I have watched this journey of hard work, and I am proud of you!
I hope you are feeling better, and are happy and well. let’s catch up soon? XXO!
Thank you, Kris! Yes yes, we should definitely catch up!
Dipl.-Psych. Kath sounds great, no?
Sounds still unusual, to be honest.
Left me hanging on that biggest and most wonderful surprise… can only guess and be happy for you. Congrats on making it through a tough but worthwhile year.
Thank you, Tammy! I’ll write more about that surprise soon, I just had to bring up some suspense.
I have missed you!!!!!!! Somehow I feel I’ve fallen out of touch with you, as though your world is spinning at a different time to mine and we keep missing each other… well duh they are, but I feel I keep just missing you online too lately! I’m sorry. I hope with the pressure off from your studies yo have had a restful break. You have accomplished so much this year and I’m proud and happy of and for you.
cannot wait to hear.
Those chocolate makings…. I am so drooling now. I love rocky road, I love all chocolate
Oh a surprise! Interesting
Love and hugs and Happy new Year xoxoxo
I’m so sorry you’ve felt out of touch, Fi! Please believe me that my life has been in a state of exception recently, and I must admit I’ve neglected all of my friends. I’m really looking forward to getting back to normality now!
Kath, I’ve been neglecting my friends too. It’s been a whirlwind time for many of us – for me it’s more being in emotions and being overwhelmed with life, and for you it’s just been full on in every way possible! It happens. Main thing was I knew you were out there, and I know you care, and I know you know I care too.
love and hugs xxx
Thank you, Fi! I cannot believe that the notion of my existence alone has such a calming effect on you, but I very much like it is this way.
Believe me, things over here were emotional and overwhelming as well, not just happy happy happy … rather the full spectrum of life, and that alone is challenging for somebody already who is hyper-sensitive … You know what I’m talking about. 
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I am happy for the journey you have just re-newed. and to share…
Thank you, K!
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