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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

WOYWW 95

Hello dear WOYWWers, how are you today? The last two days we had lovely weather and I'm hoping that it will keep like this since I am a bit tired of all the rain. I know that I have no real reason to complain, we're living in a wonderful place with great weather most of the year - I actually sound like a spoilt Californian, and I don't like that at all!!!


Perhaps some of you feel like I do - I can't get Japan out of my mind. This triple disaster has touched me in a way that is quite new to me. Perhaps it is the dignity of the Japanese people; perhaps it is me getting older. I don't know and the why really is not that important. I have these feelings; and finally I took out my watercolors and just put to paper what I felt - a big wave that got angrier with every single stroke.

During the past few days I have prepared my German class that I'm starting to teach tomorrow evening. It's called "Survival German" and is a six-weeks-course for people who want to travel to Germany (or German speaking countries) and learn some expressions, sentences, useful words, small conversations and lots of information about the country and the culture. I have been teaching this class since 2003 and am constantly changing it, learning from my students. Most of all, it's a lot of fun.

Now I guess you want to go on and see other interesting and creative desks around the world. Thanks to the wonderful Julia we come together every Wednesday and visit each other - please join us.


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36 comments:

  1. judeMarch 29, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    Busy desk today hun very creative!Good luck for your teaching.Have fab creative wednesday
    hugs Judex6

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  2. SarahMarch 29, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Glag you could find an outlet with your painting...


    Hope the class goes well. I am fluent in Dutch but German always sounds so anger to me!

    Thanks for sharing your workdesk today. Wishing you lots of creativity until next time!

    Sasa (Sarah) at 1

    http://blueboxbabe.blogspot.com/

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  3. NickyMarch 29, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    I know what you mean about how the disaster has touch everyone - have fun in your German classes and have a great week x

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  4. AnonymousMarch 29, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    It is so tragic what has happened and keeps happening in Japan! They still are having earthquakes, which is so sad. Your German class sounds like a lot of fun. :-) Happy WOYWW.

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  5. AnonymousMarch 29, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    hi there, sistah.
    basically
    i am jealous that you speak german.
    my family is german and
    guess
    who only speaks
    english?

    moi.

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  6. DragonMarch 29, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Nice tidy desk... Ditto for me this week! Your class sounds interesting ... Have a great week
    Frankie
    xx

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  7. SueMarch 29, 2011 at 10:50 PM

    Hi Carola
    has been very sad watching the news, fabulous artwork very touching, hope the class goes well,have good day, happy WOYWW, sue,(13)x

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  8. MarjoMarch 29, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Haha, used to be a Californian, traded that in for some Oregon rain...Do miss the sunshine..now we have liquid sun...rofl

    Thanks for the peek and sharing. Have a great WOYWW

    Hugs Marjo #22

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  9. Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCardsMarch 29, 2011 at 11:43 PM

    Happy WOYWW! – quite bit going on here again, know what you mean about Japan really feeling for them still as it going tot take so long for things to return to more even keel for them.. love your watercolour .. and am sure it was cathartic for you doing it! thanks so much for sharing..
    Shaz in oz. x

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  10. HelenMarch 30, 2011 at 12:00 AM

    Great wave - it looks very powerful. I agree, the Japanese are very dignified in their reactions to this tragedy.

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  11. VirginiaMarch 30, 2011 at 12:20 AM

    Thank you for sharing you desk, I think we've all been touched by the situation in Japan, for me it's the helplessness I feel in the situation.

    Hugs

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  12. alexaMarch 30, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Guten Morgen! How wonderful to be able to express your feelings so graphically in paint ... And I'm fascinated by all the wonderful colours on the sheet below too!

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  13. Jona PanesaMarch 30, 2011 at 12:56 AM

    its lovely! you may want to join the efforts of Tomoko for Japan. you may find details on my post on : Cards for Japan in my blog. have a nice day!

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  14. karenMarch 30, 2011 at 1:34 AM

    It is wonderful that you have art to be able to get your thoughts and feelings out! Your memorial picture to Japan is great!
    Have fun teaching your course!
    xoxo Karen #68

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  15. JoZart DesignsMarch 30, 2011 at 2:39 AM

    Art is so emotive and it's so interesting to see your expression and feelings for the Japanese tragedies coming through in this strong wave. I wonder if that is why Hokusai painted his great wave?
    I could do with coming to your German language class.... but don't tell your students that almost everyone starts speaking English as soon as you try to use German! That's why my German never improves. I speak and learn more German (and French) when I visit Switzerland!
    Thanks for your kind thoughts to me,
    Love JoZarty x

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  16. Cauliflower CupcakeMarch 30, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    It has definately touched me too, as you say maybe it's the dignity of their culture.It really shows in your drawing how you feel inside. Let's hope something good comes to them all soon.
    Happy woyww
    rebecca x (41)

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  17. Theresa PlasMarch 30, 2011 at 3:21 AM

    Hey Carola - Good Therapy on paper! Happy teaching and WOYWWing.

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  18. SusanneMarch 30, 2011 at 3:38 AM

    Yes, what is happening in Japan is so frightening. I continue to pray about it. It's good to express your feeling in your watercolors.

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  19. voodoo vixenMarch 30, 2011 at 3:51 AM

    Morning Carola, your painting is so poignant, the colours getting darker and more forbidding say it all really, such a sad time for a stoic race. Annette #11

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  20. MarcieMarch 30, 2011 at 4:48 AM

    Me too - I've been playing in my 'art' journal of late. And - Japan has definitely touched all of our hearts. Love seeing what's on your desk!

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  21. Ginnie HartMarch 30, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    Good for you, Carola, for getting out your watercolors to paint what you were feeling. Sounds like something I could do...get out my pens and color a mandala.

    Your German course sounds wonderful. I wish I had someone like you doing that in Dutch!

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  22. KezzyMarch 30, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    I think many people feel how you feel about what happened to japan, i certainly do, and looking at your journal i can see you express what your feeling through your art. X

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  23. Sandy HuntressMarch 30, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    I think your wave painting is quite beautiful. I know you said it was angry, but something lovely came out in the final product.

    Happy woyww, Sandy #120.

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  24. ScrapcollectrMarch 30, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Isn't it wonderful that we can vent in a peaceful way thru art? Inviting desk...
    *smile*
    #103

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  25. Maria OntiverosMarch 30, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Your feelings are beautifully expressed in your art today! Thanks for sharing,
    Rinda

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  26. okienurseMarch 30, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    JOurnal page is expressive of your writings today. Good luck with your German class this week. Thanks for sharing. Vickie #83

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  27. ClareMarch 30, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    Thank You for sharing your desk and your thoughts and feelings. Anyone not left feeling overwhelmed and touched by all the heartache and destruction in Japan and other disaster hit areas of our world just would not be human. Thank you.

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  28. StarlaMarch 30, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    It's great that you use your art to try and express your feelings.
    Good luck with the teaching! Starla 117

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  29. Ohhh SnapMarch 30, 2011 at 6:55 PM

    I've been thinking a lot about Japan too. I'm glad you could find some expression through watercolor. TFS! #128

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  30. MarianneMarch 30, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    O my goodness you have a gazillion comments ! I try so hard to not think about Japan. It's so heartbreaking.
    Good luck with your class, it sounds like fun.

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  31. TertiaMarch 31, 2011 at 12:29 AM

    Japan has touched me in a very weird way too. Can't seem to stop thinking about it.
    I did German at school, but that was 30 years ago, so no use here any more except, my kids are very impressed when I understand the notices in our favourite German Butchery. LOL

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  32. DiMarch 31, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    A very expressive piece of work and such a tragedy in Japan. I lived in Germany for almost 9 years and could do with brushing up my German. OK if I come and stay in sunny California for a while?! :) Di x #63

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  33. ElizabethMarch 31, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Hi, there's not many of us who haven't been touched by the tragic happenings in Japan and your painting really expresses these concerns. Your class sounds like something I could have done with before I went to live in Germany. I was there for 6 years and learned the language as I went along! So good luck with your class and have a great day - hope the rain has stopped now :) Elizabeth x #96

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  34. Julia DunnitApril 1, 2011 at 3:38 AM

    Me too, Carola, I think it's the dignity of the people in the face of these massive events; I'm actually finding that I'm cross that our news focusses on Tokyo's opinion of everything when the people up North who really were affected seem largely unreported. Gah, media. Menswhile, I think expressing yourself in art is by far the best way. YOur classes sound fab; I would sign up just for the info..I think of myself as a European!

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  35. AnonymousApril 2, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    Great desk and a beautiful picture. Is that a towel beneath it? Because a fabric artist would probably kill for it!

    Thanks for sharing.
    cheers, rachel #70

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  36. peggy aplSEEDSApril 3, 2011 at 4:56 PM

    i think the world is a smaller place nowadays because of the internet and media and so maybe we feel so much more for others than before. we recently had some visitors from Japan and thankfully they were safe, but i have a Japanese wrapping cloth that is on the far side of my desk that i should include in next wednesdays post (i usually only take a picture of the middle part). my son left for Germany last Sunday and will be there for six months for work. he could have used some lessons like the ones you give!

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Thanks for stopping by. I'd love to hear from you!