These days…

No idea how to title this post other than done. These days in Germany there is nothing much to tell. First, it was bad, now it is good. Preparing for the last of three final exams - the one in Sociology - was pure panic. After years of not having done anything at all for this subject, it wasn't easy. Not only was it hard to re-learn all the theoretical basics but also to gain in-depth knowledge on issues of social inequality and of gender relationships. I had just three weeks. Daniel had to bear all my moaning out of fears of failure. Thank you for being there for me during those three weeks! And sorry for bothering you and, despite your advice, not being able to calm down. For all that the oral exam at the professor's office was finally the turning point. Panic resolved into confidence. The casual chat went well. Adrenaline made me look like a real sociologist. And it was also a bit of luck that finally I got top-grade. Never been that surprised; and for a long time not been as relaxed as from that day on.

from the last snow to cherry blossom - spring arrived quickly finally…

…making night-flights to dusk-dives

 Thank you Daniel for being there, for such a kind exchange and good times in BN!

It has become spring in Germany and meanwhile something like summer. I have been doing my old part-time job in Bonn. Driving home in the evenings, it has meanwhile not been dark anymore. We had cherry blossom. And jogging in he fields it is warmer. Birds are singing. Flowers have been popping up and all is greening. My thesis has made great progress. I wish I could write much more, make a PhD thesis out of it - old ideas coming back. But I need to restrain myself now; reduced the full amount of information to a readable and balanced document. It will very, very soon be done. Also I have started to repeat my old book and am continuing to learn Indonesian language again. Still the plan is, to settle in Bali one day in the future. Make a contribution to the place in any way, and also benefit from it. Language will be essential to adapt, and Indonesian has always been a love whereas Vietnamese was, and is, more for practical reasons.

another session in Aachen of endless chats, presentations and reflections on old times

Indonesian again - repeating my old book

For now, the plan is to be Vietnam again. I have been waiting for green light to get back to Asia for another mission, and just got it. Saigon calling. So these days I keep myself busy with finals works in the thesis. Have arranged some meetings with friends here. And also have been doing other things here at home as long as still possible, organizing old photos, work on new ideas, and started a bit of travel writing. The past year, I have re-focussed on important matters and it brought some interesting insights and directions. Germany isn't that bad anymore as I thought when I came here. I just started to get used to it, and now it seems time has come to leave it again. It is perfect. My only concern is that career needs to bring about opportunities to also stronger combine the 'living in three worlds' that I am currently pursuing. Will work hard on it and have fun in doing so.

this does not include a hundred articles red but not considered, many borrowed books, and folders of digital material as well as websites…it all and six weeks full of experiences and interviews on spot needs to be compressed to about 100 pages. it is almost done

Recently I saw Central World in Bangkok burning down. Even though I never got as familiar with Thailand as with other countries in the region, I suddenly realized what an important change this country has brought in my life. I still remember myself sitting at a fast food restaurant the business district, seeing a Thai businessman and wondering whether I would work for a business in Asia one day. Apart from many journeys and assignments done it is meanwhile nearly three years ago that I stood in an office in Bangkok to meet the COO of the company of my first regular, open-ended assignment for Vietnam. Journeys will continue. It seems it has to be like this. Can't await it…