Buxtehude in December 2009 Dear friends, again it is time to send our season’s greetings as every year and to summarize the events that happened to our family this year. What a year, the coming one can only be better! In the beginning of 2009, Dieter was still struggling with his job. After 150 mainly disappointing applications and an increasing economic crisis there was little hope for a solution. Finally, in February, he managed to find a job with Siemens in the energy division. That was not only a great relief; it is also a great company. Dieter is very happy with his job. He is quality manager in a department that orders steam turbines in China. It’s a small organization, but he has very nice colleagues. He could bring in his quality experience from Philips and helped the team with some critical quality issues. In November he was taken over permanent employee. The only disadvantage is that is office is located in Mülheim in the Ruhr Metropolis, about 350 Km away from Hamburg. So, Dieter comes home only in the weekend and spends a lot of time on the construction site infested motorways of Germany. During the week he lives in his Mother’s home, in a little vacant apartment. Since Dieter’s Mom is 85 years old it is good that he can support her a bit. Our kids are doing fine. Oliver is still studying in Berlin. He has now passed the pre-diploma examination. In autumn he moved into an apartment near Alexanderplatz, right in the middle of the city. Since summer he has been working with Rolls Royce. It’s a well paid student job. Nils told us in spring that he will not continue with the physiotherapy school after more than 2 years. This was a big disappointment for us. Fortunately he was offered an apprenticeship as orthopedic mechanics, which he started in August. Another 3 years and hopefully he can manage his life of his own. In July he moved out and is now living in a little apartment in Hamburg, close to his girlfriend. Jan is still with us. Currently he is quite busy with school, which he will finish next spring. In summer he is going to start a 3 years education in a Hamburg bank. Jan gives always a hand in and outside the house, which is very helpful since Dieter comes home only in the weekend. Ulrike is very busy in managing the family, 3 moves, cooking and all kind of problem fixing for the boys. Since her Mom, who lives in a retirement home, is not doing very well, Ulrike is quite often on the road to see her. Good thing is that the retirement home is close to Dieter’s office. Since spring she volunteers for the Red Cross in our village, organizing outings for pensioners and blood donation days and so on. We had not much time for vacation due to Dieter’s new job. In autumn we spend a week with friends on Usedom, an island in the Baltic. We enjoyed the countryside and good company with our friends. Next year we are planning a trip to Japan and maybe to Australia on the way back. We are looking forward to this vacation, since our last vacation in Japan was some time ago. Ulrike also plans a trip to California in spring to see our American friends in the West. Short before Christman burglars broke in our home, two times with a week in between. They took family jewellery and money. The annoying thing is that most of the stolen items are inherited from our parents and cannot be replaced. This year we had again many friends with us from all over the world and we enjoyed each single stay. So we hope we can welcome some of you next year. This brings us to the end of the letter. Enjoy some quiet days with your family. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in health and prosperity. Yours Ulrike, Dieter, Oliver, Nils and Jan

Minami Circle