Thursday, April 19, 2007

What I'm up to

Well, I'm in Germany. There's something strange about coming home for the first time after 6 years, an odd mix of familiarity and change. Since my last visit, I have finished 2 graduate programs, I've gotten engaged and married, and I've held 2 different jobs. I've taken up knitting again, this time in a serious way, and I've moved from one state in the US to another. Yet when I come into my room, I see how it hasn't changed since my last visit, how it hasn't really changed since I graduated high school over 10 years ago. The room is still the same, but I am a different person. It's like visiting the past.
Then there are the changes. Stores I remember are no longer open and others have opened in the same spots, familiar to everyone else, but new to me. Some of my friends are still here, but some have moved away. I used to be a big part of the fabric of their lives, and they of mine. Now, I'm just stopping by, barely related lives touching for a moment before we go our separate ways again. It's nice to see them again, but it also makes me feel like oil floating on water, almost like a ghost haunting what used to be my old life. Melodramatic, but it's a fitting description.

My husband is coming over in a little over a week. Then, we'll take a trip to Cologne and look at some of the local sights. I'll take him to the castle where Luther hid out and wrote his translation of the Bible, then we'll look at some other castles, Ephraim Lessing's house, and the library at Wolfenbüttel. It'll be fun.

In knitting news, I'm knitting my dad's sweater, my sister has picked out some sock yarn, and I've bought yarn for Clessidra. I've been ogling these socks ever since the new knitty came out and now, I have what I need to make them.

15 comments:

Carina said...

Yay!!! You're back (on the blog at least)! I've missed you!

*sigh* I'm so jealous of your hubby--great tour of Germany by a local. That just sounds far too awesome, and I wanna come. :-(

I thought about just starting the sock, but I have another pair of socks that are taking ages to get done. I should pick those up and forget about the Jitterbug yarn for awhile . . .

Bezzie said...

Yup, now you know why I sort of don't want to go back home. I haven't been back for 7 going on 8 years! Too many changes!

Is this your hub's first time there?? If so that will be fun to show him your old stomping ground!

mjm knitting said...

Glad to hear you're having a wonderful time.

Unknown said...

I really understand the feeling of not quite belonging... I know it well.

I'm glad you got to check in and update, I've missed your comments! *hugs*

weezalana said...

Not melodramatic at all, and quite fitting indeed. It's always strange to return to a place that was once so familiar and see how much you and it have changed.

We've missed you! But it sounds like you are having a wonderful trip. :)

Jo said...

Woo-hoo! I'm glad you are enjoying yourself and finding yarn to spend money on :) I can't wait until you get back - I have your SP Package the third waiting for you.

Jo (unmasked!)

cpurl17 said...

I'm glad that you're having a good time in Germany, even if there are a few bittersweet moments. I hope you continue to have fun and find tons of great yarn deals!

Zonda said...

It is weird to go home! Sounds like you are having a good visit and probably eating all your favorite foods! Enjoy!! :)

Larjmarj said...

Your reaction isn't out of the ordinary at all. Once you leave a place, it is hard to go back because things are never quite the same as when you left. Places change and inevitably we change too.
German sock yarn though! YUM.
How do the prices compare?

sgeddes said...

I just returned form a visit home too. very strange to see all the changes! They just got along fine without me for all these years!

Anonymous said...

It must be very interesting, yet sometimes sad, to see what all has changed in the years you haven't been back home. But then again, that's how life goes, and I'm sure that the positive things will outweigh everything!
I wish I'd lived closer to Köln so that we could meet for a little chat and a cup of coffee! Have a wonderful time!

Amanda said...

It's nice to hear from you. I hope you are having a wonderful time on the rest of your visit!

I'm having similar thoughts, about feeling out of place, in a related but slightly different context. My husband and I are planning to move back to the town where I did my undergraduate work. We have family there, and a few friends still, but I'm nervous that the familiarity of the move will make the differences even more jolting.

KNIT A NEW DREAM said...

I miss you! Sue

rincaro said...

Just popping by to say that you're missed and I hope your trip is going well! :)

Unknown said...

It is strange going home after a few years. Hope you're enjoying yourself.