However, one day, my mindset changed. As I lay on the bed in my luxurious hotel room, I could see no benefit other than a high salary. Whats the point being a hunting dog in an expensive suit with an indulging, patronizing smile, doing the same job day after day, year after year? I asked myself. I talk to the same people, I tell them the same things and every company in every city in the world is the same.
It was at a Chinese exhibition when I first thought the unthinkable. I warmed to my computer-related topic with a Chinese colleague and we found a lot in common. He offered me the chance to set up a common business and I thought to myself, Why the hell do I have to go on like this? To tell the truth, I was scared, but for the first time in my life I was truly content. It took us two years and a number of false starts with the wrong products, but finally we succeeded in getting it right. Who dares wins!
DONT LET THEM EAT AWAY AT YOUR NERVES
My Grandma loves looking at her old photographs. She says memories come flooding back and relives them. She says they are good and bad. The former ones make her happy taking her back to the times when she was young and beautiful. The latter stir up sad memories and remind her of the things she would like to change but cant. My mum often sympathises with our Grandma and tells me we shouldnt let bad memories eat away at us, we should put bad experiences behind us. We have to always try to live in the present and live for the future. But I think its easier said than done.
* FRAGILE MEMORIES
Our grandparents and parents store up so many memories over the years, good ones and bad ones, that its worth trying to write them down or record them. My mother keeps an old photo of me and associates it with my early childhood before she divorced my father. Looking at the photos she always smiles and sighs. It suddenly came back to me how fragile and unstable the happiness might be. So when I saw my Grandma looking through the album, I took my notebook and asked her to tell me something about those photos. Of course, they stirred up lots of happy memories and some sad ones too. For example, when she and her husband lost their jobs, my mum was very little and they tried to get along on just their Social Security checks. She added that happy ones stuck with her forever, though. People try to block out their sad memories, but there is no use in doing that because you might forget the good ones. Its true that you can get an unexpected flashback to your unpleasant experience, but it can help you learn a lesson or teach others how to avoid it.
* DOES IT RING A BELL?
For me this picture conjured up a series of crazy events. I was the only girl in the group and when I got my diploma I was on cloud nine and wanted everyone to see how happy I was. So when going out in the corridor after the graduation I couldnt hold-back my feelings any longer and started jumping like a child. Little wonder I didnt notice the steps on my way and fell down. As I fell, I grabbed another boys gown and he came down on top of me. Then we both were taken to hospital with a broken wrist and foot. Guess what happened next! We got to know one another and eventually married. Its amazing how one picture can call up an event in such detail. When I look at it, my thoughts always flash back immediately to that moment. Sometimes I ask him Does it ring a bell?
Not just one a thousand bells! he usually replies, smiling.
8. LOCATION
* ODD MAN OUT
Eric was a reliable colleague and excellent employee. He was not greedy and never had money to burn, but he managed to get by. However he always said he felt uneasy in our corporation and wanted to try something else. He was content, and never worried about promotion or a great career. To me he was the odd man out because he even didnt have a girlfriend. So I wasnt surprised when he said he was going to get a new lease on life. As the big day arrived, all folks were incredulous saying, How can you throw all youve worked for down the drain? However, Eric was ready for adventure. He left the office and never looked back. Ive never met him since then but Im sure hes happy, if not wealthy.
* LONG-AWAITED REST
It was the first time I had a week off and we set off for a lovely hotel which was tucked away in a deep forest. Our room on the first floor opened onto a balcony with lovely view of a charming lake. Woods stretched away to the horizon. Early morning I could see a few fishermen who were spread out over the lakeshore. My wife and I went out onto the balcony wrapping ourselves up in tweed blankets, drank frothy coffee and felt we were completely cut off from the crazy modern world!
* A NEW ROOM
Come in, mate. Do you like it?
What a great room!
Well, I like it too. I rented it at a knockdown price. The landlady was kind. The room was a bit dim and dull when we moved in, but my girlfriend bought these nice curtains, which helped to brighten it up. In fact, I like it so much here that Id rather stayin than go out most evenings while shes working in the cafe.
Youre a lucky, man! The cave I rent is so miserable. I hate it. I stay out as long as I can! I even stayedon at college tonight until it closed!
You may need to find a girlfriend too.
No, thanks! They all are high maintenance, you know. Too expensive for me by far. Well, Ive come to bring you your powerbank with the cable you left it behind at the lecture this morning.
Oh, thanks! How stupid of me! I owe you big time.
Never mind, I stayedbehind to ask the girls about a revision and then saw the powerbank lying there.
I see. Thank you very much. So, interested in girls, are you? Well, take it easy and remain calm!
Im OK. Just hate talking about it.
No problem, understand. Would you like a coffee now youre here?
I am in a hurry. Gotta be off. But Id love to call back another time, if you dont mind.
Sure. Let me know when youre free. Itd be great to get together with the others tomorrow evening. Feel free to drop in.
9. CHANGE
* FRIENDS ARE OK WHEN THEY DONT GET IN THE WAY
Now Im sitting and dreading Luisa coming back. I am wondering if its really her flat and I am the one staying here as a guest. It all started so easily and innocently and looked like a favour to a friend. Luisa called and asked to just put her up for a couple of nights Now, more than three months on, Luisa is still here, in my flat and shows no sign of keeping her word to leave.