Our Current Issue – December 2011/January 2012

auf Wiedersehen 2011…   

Well here we are again – at the end of one year and anticipating what lies ahead in the coming year. It actually boggles my mind how quickly time now flies by. Now that I have more than a few years under my belt (forty-six to be exact), I have an even greater perspective to look at events in my life, across a number of decades. Technology is taking us on a wild ride, advancing so quickly that it’s sometimes hard to keep up. We live in a world where science fiction is rapidly becoming science fact. After all, who would have believed twenty years ago that our cell phones would be “smart”, we’d store information in “clouds”, our cars would talk to us and park themselves, hybrid and electric cars would be affordable and popular, and that compact discs would be at the end of their lifecycle, headed down the same road as cassettes and vinyl records.

The close of yet another year provides an opportunity to sit back, reflect, and gain some perspective on the world that’s flying by. Some may recall lost loved ones, while others look at their children, wonder where the years have gone. The time for resolutions will soon be upon us filled with vows to put away the cookies and start exercising, snuffing out that cigarette for good, and plan that tropical honeymoon you never quite got around to the first time. Whatever events or challenges your year held, remember – it has all been part of making you the person that you are today and being happy with yourself is a resolution worth keeping.

Moving along, we celebrate the holiday season with our latest issue of German Life. We start off with Don Heimburger’s compilation of Christmas Markets with a Twist (page 38) across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Alevtina Altenhof takes us on a tour of Berlin at Christmas (page 20). Zac Steger introduces us to Basel, Switzerland’s Father Christmas—Johann Wanner (page 42) and Brenda Ruggiero brings us the story of Leavenworth, Washington’s Nutcracker Museum (page 56). Finally, for “crafty” types, Sharon Hudgins has devoted At Home to making salt dough ornaments (page 50) and Anna Cramer explores the German New Year’s Eve tradition of Bleigiessen (page 10).  In a non-holiday vein, Leah Larkin tours the half-timbered wonder of Quedlinburg (page 32).

Be it dreams of a vacation home on the beach, a new job opportunity continued good health, or a financial windfall, we hope your wishes for the coming year come true. From our family at German Life to yours—Frohe Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr!

Mark Slider

Editor

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