Oh my friends, I hadn't planned a summer holiday but apparently that's just what I needed.
Life thrums with change. I have been editing books for Walther König, planning my contributions to Berlin Stories, translating a booklet for the Buchstabenmuseum and helping restaurants with their English-language PR, alongside my other work, alongside naps beneath the trees at the Haus am Waldsee and picnics in the wilderness between the oaks at the curiously unfrequented playground down the road.
In the midst of all this, we have a new flat. It's on the other side of town, in Schöneberg. The prospect of such change leaves my whole world trembling. I've lived in the same square half-mile since 2000. Of course, Prenzlauer Berg has changed so utterly in that time that I often feel I've left already. Yet what will it be like to not know the streets by heart?
This is the new flat last weekend. The previous tenant lived there since 1947. Now there's so much to think through: the kitchen, the walls, all the details that will let us conjure a home out of bright, empty space.
Yesterday I woke in the dark and lay listening to the rain. Today the sky was full of sun. I'll tell you about everything as the days go by. For now, thank you for being patient with me. I'm glad to be here again.
My goodness. Your absence makes sense now.
We are off to Athens tomorrow for 10 days, catch up when we are back. Looking forward to all your stories.
Posted by: Suzy | 06 September 2011 at 06:47 PM
Glad to have you back!
Posted by: Sam | 06 September 2011 at 07:27 PM
What lovely news, and what a beautiful way to share. I am glad your life is full of good things. I'm sure your new home will be as beautiful as your website.
Posted by: Eve | 06 September 2011 at 08:03 PM
I wish you many Happyness with your new home once it's finished.
Hopefully we get more stories from you then. :)
Posted by: Laetitia | 07 September 2011 at 08:31 AM
starting a new flat? how exciting! :) so busy you've been this summer. you did need a vacation ;) it's still odd, to me, to see an unused playground. welcome back.
Posted by: jonquil | 07 September 2011 at 03:33 PM
missed your voice, good that you are posting again!
Posted by: alexandra.v | 07 September 2011 at 08:13 PM
I am so glad you are back. Good luck with the new flat and everything else. Its great to be busy!
Posted by: elizabeth wheeler | 15 September 2011 at 03:11 PM
Suzy, Sam, Eve, Laetitia, Jonquil, Alexandra: Thank you!
Elizabeth, for all that it leaves me dizzy, you're right, it's very good to be busy.
Posted by: Berlin Reified | 17 September 2011 at 10:25 PM
i'm so excited for you! my man often talks about how he would like to live in schöneberg some day, we'll see what happens :) good luck making it your home!
Posted by: sandra | 17 September 2011 at 10:50 PM
Sandra, thank you! I would love to have you two as neighbors and will have to have you over for cake often to make my case.
Posted by: Berlin Reified | 19 September 2011 at 07:56 PM