So, what a lousy week. Last Sunday I managed to catch the cold/ throat and ear infection that Bibu enjoyed during the Toussaint school holidays. So feeling miserable was the order of the week, coupled with the fact that i had a long winded meeting on Monday and Tuesday that I could not NOT attend and the fact that my boss was on holidays for three weeks. She's in the Bahamas now, by the way. Yeah, I could really hate her but she's a very cool boss, so no.
So have been feeling crap all week. Friday was a public holiday and I spent it at home doing pretty much nothing. Felt much better for it and I am not decidedly on the mend, albeit with a very stuffed nose and cracked lips for breathing through my mouth all the time. The house is tissue central.
This cold situation is coupled with another health-related item that is going on and all that has really affected me. It's funny how we always notice how good it is to be healthy when you have been feeling miserable for a while. And, it's only a cold, but it does enough to tint everything around you with a dark cloud layer. Or maybe it's just me.
For the first time since I got back to work just over a couple of months ago, last week I really did not feel like doing anything at all. Not going to work, not cooking, not answering calls from friends, nada. I have also been sleeping very badly for the last few weeks. I am super tired, but then lie in bed for hours thinking about all the things that could go wrong, all the things I am not good at, etc.
And then I watched a couple of documentaries on TV that got me thinking. the first one was a documentary on Flemish TV on a journalist visiting present-day Somalia and showing how life equals to pretty much nothing there, people roaming the destroyed streets of Mogadishu and living in the rubble, risking their lives with every step. Definitely something that we are not very often confronted with. As people living in the "first world" (whatever that might mean) we have a vague idea that there are people in least fortunate countries living in war, poverty and hunger. But it's all so theoretical, so far removed from us. It doesn't stop us from spending money on things we don't need or in wasting things life food and water, which might mean life or death to others.
The second one, on the famous French ENVOYE SPECIAL programme, was a report on the food waste generated by supermarkets, how in most cases all things which are deemed not for sale are thrown into the garbage bin. And how increasing numbers of people are living off this "garbage" which is still in quite good condition. I used to think that opening garbage bags to feed yourself was the lowest you could go and that it was something you would only see in underdeveloped countries, but in fact, the reality is more about how we as a society are buying too much, then throwing away perfectly OK food.
So I been thinking about perspectives. Yes, I was feeling like crap this past week, miserable and anxious about a few things that are going on in my life today, but compared to these things, it's nothing. My life is not perfect by no means, but I realised how privileged I am in the life I lead, how I can have anything I need and lots of things I don't actually need, with astounding ease. Once again I was focusing on the negative and forgeting about the positive: the great things that I have in the shape of a family that I love and that loves me, Bibu, Mr M, my friends, a job, a house.......... the list could go on a on.
Anyway, now re-reading this post seems like a badly written new age thing, but it's just this small realisation that most of us are really spoilt for choice. We have too much, we don't value what we have and we worry too much about stupid things.
The writer of one of the blogs I follow, who is going through an unbelievably sad family time, but with awe-inspiring humanity and resilience, had one of the best closing lines on a post today. I am stealing it now with pride:
"Don't go to bed angry with anyone tonight. Big hugs all around"
I"ll second that!
Have a great week, whoever you are who's reading this.
Sunday 13 November 2011
Monday 3 October 2011
D-day + 1 month
How did this happen?
Well, yes, D-day came and went, and here I am, one month later and nothing to show for it?
Yep, I am busy-busy-busy. Work is gathering pace. Immediately I was thrown into a one cool project that was launched a couple of weeks after returning and that has kept me, and continues to keep me, rather busy; Days at the office seem to fly by, which is a good sign, I think. Bored I am not.
And, I have been DRIVING for over one month already. The first few days I was actually more worried about the driving to and from the office that of going back to work in itself. And although the pararlel parking bit is still not my forte and I can only manage it in about 5 to 6 movements as oposed to the official 3, I can honestly say that I am begining to enjoy it. Sitting in the traffic jams is not nice, but from everything I take a lesson.
This afternoon, for example, as there was already a long queue in the street next to my office in the direction I usually take, so I decided to try a new way home. It was quite good, albeit a bit nerve-wracking at times, as I was not familiar with the turning areas, etc. At one point I did indeed turn on the wrong street, too early, and had to make a detour and lost a few minutes returning to the avenue where I was supposed to be. But, hey, it's another feather on my bow.
All practice is good, before I sit for the practical exam sometime in November (aggggg, trying not to think about it too much)
Other than the working and the driving, another novelty of this past month is how tired I am. It's running from home to work to Bibu's school to pick him up, back to home the whole day. I can tell you, by 10pm I am ready to go to sleep.............and do it all over the next day, starting at 6:30.
But hey, cannot complain to much, really. The transition has been quite smooth and slowly the pieces of the puzzle are coming together.
Well, yes, D-day came and went, and here I am, one month later and nothing to show for it?
Yep, I am busy-busy-busy. Work is gathering pace. Immediately I was thrown into a one cool project that was launched a couple of weeks after returning and that has kept me, and continues to keep me, rather busy; Days at the office seem to fly by, which is a good sign, I think. Bored I am not.
And, I have been DRIVING for over one month already. The first few days I was actually more worried about the driving to and from the office that of going back to work in itself. And although the pararlel parking bit is still not my forte and I can only manage it in about 5 to 6 movements as oposed to the official 3, I can honestly say that I am begining to enjoy it. Sitting in the traffic jams is not nice, but from everything I take a lesson.
This afternoon, for example, as there was already a long queue in the street next to my office in the direction I usually take, so I decided to try a new way home. It was quite good, albeit a bit nerve-wracking at times, as I was not familiar with the turning areas, etc. At one point I did indeed turn on the wrong street, too early, and had to make a detour and lost a few minutes returning to the avenue where I was supposed to be. But, hey, it's another feather on my bow.
All practice is good, before I sit for the practical exam sometime in November (aggggg, trying not to think about it too much)
Other than the working and the driving, another novelty of this past month is how tired I am. It's running from home to work to Bibu's school to pick him up, back to home the whole day. I can tell you, by 10pm I am ready to go to sleep.............and do it all over the next day, starting at 6:30.
But hey, cannot complain to much, really. The transition has been quite smooth and slowly the pieces of the puzzle are coming together.
Tuesday 30 August 2011
D-day minus 2
In two days............ I'm going back to work! Yep, it's been 28 months of a sort of 'sabbatical' during which I moved with Bibu and Mr M to Tokyo and experienced the expat-wife life in all it's Asian glory. There was also that earth-moving thingy that happened back in March this year, but let's not spoil the memories.
I guess, however, that come Thursday, the one thing I will be asked over and over at the office will be 'how was living through an earthquake'. But well, cannot complain. The hype of me returning to the office will probably wither out after a few days. Will make sure I milk the prodigal daughter thing as much as I can. I am even considering baking some apple and cinnamon muffins, see? They will love me, hahaha.........
September 1st will also mark the return to school for Bibu. I have been mentioning this event to him a few times over the last few days, along with the fact that from now on I will also work. I wonder how it would be like. Hopefully the change to longer days will not be too tough on him. We'll see.
In the countdown to the D Day, things are pretty tame at home. Weather is Belgian crapitude at its best, cold as winter and grey, grey, grey............. Not much going on except trips to the supermarket intertwined with stops in the park, at the pet shop, at the toy shop, at the book shop............. and so on. Plus long indulgent afternoon naps. All that will change soon, so might as well enjoy it, right?
Ta-dah for now !
I guess, however, that come Thursday, the one thing I will be asked over and over at the office will be 'how was living through an earthquake'. But well, cannot complain. The hype of me returning to the office will probably wither out after a few days. Will make sure I milk the prodigal daughter thing as much as I can. I am even considering baking some apple and cinnamon muffins, see? They will love me, hahaha.........
September 1st will also mark the return to school for Bibu. I have been mentioning this event to him a few times over the last few days, along with the fact that from now on I will also work. I wonder how it would be like. Hopefully the change to longer days will not be too tough on him. We'll see.
In the countdown to the D Day, things are pretty tame at home. Weather is Belgian crapitude at its best, cold as winter and grey, grey, grey............. Not much going on except trips to the supermarket intertwined with stops in the park, at the pet shop, at the toy shop, at the book shop............. and so on. Plus long indulgent afternoon naps. All that will change soon, so might as well enjoy it, right?
Ta-dah for now !
Sunday 17 July 2011
Easy Sunday in Brussels
So, yes, we're back in Brussels. In fact, we've been back for over three months, writing in my blog not being an obvious priority, obviously.
Anyway, been back, my parents came in late April to visit and stayed for over 5 weeks. Bibu had his first stint at a Belgian pre-school during June. I enrolled and completed a 20-hour driving course at a very cool driving school. Visited the Antwerpen Zoo and Planckendael about 4657313644360 times already this summer. Went an incredible three times to the movies (OK, one was to watch Cars 2 with Bibu, so that probably doesn't count) and even managed to meet up regularly with friends.
Today, in view of the totally impredictable and now frankly crazy weather we are having in good old Brussels, I arranged to meet up for brunch with my boss (who's also a friend). She's not from Brussels, so I decided to show her the bringht lights of the city (ha-ha) and we went to this place in Brugman square. It has a terrace where one a sunny day you almost need to fight with your teeth to get a table. But today, we had a good sense to look for a place inside, which quickly became more crowded than outside. Anyway, had a nice chat on all things work and gossip, dusted with a bit of our personal lives quests and challenges. It was really nice. After brunch, emboldened by the few rays of sunshine coming through, we went for a little walk in the nearby park Tenbosh, which is one of my favourite parks in Brussels.
After that, I arrived home to a very silent house. Bibu and Mr M were sleeping the siesta very sweetly, so I let them be. I retired to tackle more earthly matters, like the Kilimanjaro of ironing that has been waiting for me for over two weeks.
And so, that was my Sunday. Nothing too earth-shattering, but a nice girly chat and some plain domesticity. Sometimes, it's all one needs.
Anyway, been back, my parents came in late April to visit and stayed for over 5 weeks. Bibu had his first stint at a Belgian pre-school during June. I enrolled and completed a 20-hour driving course at a very cool driving school. Visited the Antwerpen Zoo and Planckendael about 4657313644360 times already this summer. Went an incredible three times to the movies (OK, one was to watch Cars 2 with Bibu, so that probably doesn't count) and even managed to meet up regularly with friends.
Today, in view of the totally impredictable and now frankly crazy weather we are having in good old Brussels, I arranged to meet up for brunch with my boss (who's also a friend). She's not from Brussels, so I decided to show her the bringht lights of the city (ha-ha) and we went to this place in Brugman square. It has a terrace where one a sunny day you almost need to fight with your teeth to get a table. But today, we had a good sense to look for a place inside, which quickly became more crowded than outside. Anyway, had a nice chat on all things work and gossip, dusted with a bit of our personal lives quests and challenges. It was really nice. After brunch, emboldened by the few rays of sunshine coming through, we went for a little walk in the nearby park Tenbosh, which is one of my favourite parks in Brussels.
After that, I arrived home to a very silent house. Bibu and Mr M were sleeping the siesta very sweetly, so I let them be. I retired to tackle more earthly matters, like the Kilimanjaro of ironing that has been waiting for me for over two weeks.
And so, that was my Sunday. Nothing too earth-shattering, but a nice girly chat and some plain domesticity. Sometimes, it's all one needs.
Saturday 12 March 2011
Japan's biggest earthquake in Japan............and we were there....
So, probably everyone knows about the 8.9 earthquake that shook Japan yesterday afternoon. In the almost two years I live in Tokyo, this has been by far the worst and apparently Japan's worst in 140 years, since they begun recording them.
I wrote my experience of the moment of the quake for Argentinian newspaper La Nacion. Here is the transcript (it's on Spanish only, sorry!)
"El sismo se sintió súper fuerte en Tokio. Yo estaba en casa con mi hijo de 2 años y de repente, a eso de las 14.50 hora local de Japón, se empezó a mover todo. Fue muy fuerte y duró mucho, como dos minutos fuerte y otros cinco un poco más leve. Cuando paró un poquito empecé a preparar la mochila que tenés que tener lista en caso de evacuación, con un poco de agua y comida, una radio a dinamo, etc, y agarré a mi hijo para irnos afuera. No se cayó nada dentro de mi departamento, pero las puertas anti-fuego del edificio se habían accionado todas. El portero estaba muy asustado pero vino a decirnos que según la radio no había que evacuar, pero como yo estaba tan nerviosa preferí irme para el parque cercano a casa donde es el punto de encuentro en caso de catástrofes. En la puerta de calle ya estábamos reunidos casi todos los vecinos del edificio, con nuestros hijos y nos fuimos al parque y ahí se sintió otro temblor fuerte, tanto que un taxista se bajó del taxi que se movía horizontalmente con mucha fuerza. Los cables de electricidad (en Japón son aéreos por los terremotos) se movían un montón, lo mismo que los árboles. En el parque Arisugawa, donde nos reunimos, hay una estatua ecuestre de bronce pesadísima que se movía un montón. Estuvimos en el parque como dos horas y luego fuimos a casa de una amiga que vi en el parque, que vive cerca y en planta baja. Ahí nos quedamos otro par de horas, sintiendo varios temblores leves más. Dicen que hoy hubo más de 40 temblores en Japón. Todo el transporte público se cortó y el tráfico es un caos. Mi esposo tuvo que volverse caminando de la oficina una hora y media a pie y le prestó una de nuestras bicicletas a un colega que vive a 50 kilómetros de Tokio porque no funciona ningún tren. Hace dos años que vivo en Tokio y, en general, los japoneses ni se mosquean cuando hay un temblor. Esta es la primera vez que los veo súper asustados. Pero eso sí, súper bien preparados. Por ejemplo, enseguida la gente se puso el casco anti terremotos y veías muchos nenes con la protección para la cabeza. Y la gente súper ordenada. Vi por la calle mucha gente con bolsitas con comida y botellitas de agua, comprando mucho como para pasar la noche o un par de días, pero ninguna escena de histeria ni pánico. Ahora vamos a intentar dormir un poco, pero hay un temblor leve cada 30 minutos más o menos, así que calculo que va a ser una noche larga."
Right now, we are closely following the news on the issues at the Fukushima nuclear plant. Apparently the latest news say that the radioactive leak has been small and there is no immediate risk for Tokyo. It's surreal times. There are still tremors as I write this. In all honesty, I just want to be out of Japan as soon as possible. We are living in a month's time to Belgium, anyway. But I cannot wait. We are even looking into available flights out of the country..... I just hope things stabilise and the tremors end. My thoughts go to all the afected people, people in the refuges and the ones who have lost family members or friends. It's a horrible experience and we in Tokyo got it relatively easy.
I wrote my experience of the moment of the quake for Argentinian newspaper La Nacion. Here is the transcript (it's on Spanish only, sorry!)
"El sismo se sintió súper fuerte en Tokio. Yo estaba en casa con mi hijo de 2 años y de repente, a eso de las 14.50 hora local de Japón, se empezó a mover todo. Fue muy fuerte y duró mucho, como dos minutos fuerte y otros cinco un poco más leve. Cuando paró un poquito empecé a preparar la mochila que tenés que tener lista en caso de evacuación, con un poco de agua y comida, una radio a dinamo, etc, y agarré a mi hijo para irnos afuera. No se cayó nada dentro de mi departamento, pero las puertas anti-fuego del edificio se habían accionado todas. El portero estaba muy asustado pero vino a decirnos que según la radio no había que evacuar, pero como yo estaba tan nerviosa preferí irme para el parque cercano a casa donde es el punto de encuentro en caso de catástrofes. En la puerta de calle ya estábamos reunidos casi todos los vecinos del edificio, con nuestros hijos y nos fuimos al parque y ahí se sintió otro temblor fuerte, tanto que un taxista se bajó del taxi que se movía horizontalmente con mucha fuerza. Los cables de electricidad (en Japón son aéreos por los terremotos) se movían un montón, lo mismo que los árboles. En el parque Arisugawa, donde nos reunimos, hay una estatua ecuestre de bronce pesadísima que se movía un montón. Estuvimos en el parque como dos horas y luego fuimos a casa de una amiga que vi en el parque, que vive cerca y en planta baja. Ahí nos quedamos otro par de horas, sintiendo varios temblores leves más. Dicen que hoy hubo más de 40 temblores en Japón. Todo el transporte público se cortó y el tráfico es un caos. Mi esposo tuvo que volverse caminando de la oficina una hora y media a pie y le prestó una de nuestras bicicletas a un colega que vive a 50 kilómetros de Tokio porque no funciona ningún tren. Hace dos años que vivo en Tokio y, en general, los japoneses ni se mosquean cuando hay un temblor. Esta es la primera vez que los veo súper asustados. Pero eso sí, súper bien preparados. Por ejemplo, enseguida la gente se puso el casco anti terremotos y veías muchos nenes con la protección para la cabeza. Y la gente súper ordenada. Vi por la calle mucha gente con bolsitas con comida y botellitas de agua, comprando mucho como para pasar la noche o un par de días, pero ninguna escena de histeria ni pánico. Ahora vamos a intentar dormir un poco, pero hay un temblor leve cada 30 minutos más o menos, así que calculo que va a ser una noche larga."
Right now, we are closely following the news on the issues at the Fukushima nuclear plant. Apparently the latest news say that the radioactive leak has been small and there is no immediate risk for Tokyo. It's surreal times. There are still tremors as I write this. In all honesty, I just want to be out of Japan as soon as possible. We are living in a month's time to Belgium, anyway. But I cannot wait. We are even looking into available flights out of the country..... I just hope things stabilise and the tremors end. My thoughts go to all the afected people, people in the refuges and the ones who have lost family members or friends. It's a horrible experience and we in Tokyo got it relatively easy.
Sunday 6 March 2011
Eight little boys in kimono
So, last Friday was the day of the delayed photoshoot with all the boys from Bibu's class at kindergarden. A while ago, all maums had agreed on organising a photo session with the boys dressed in taditional kimono, at a small photo studio in the same floor of the Acachan Honpo shop in Gotanda. I thought it was a great idea, as it will be a wonderful souvenir for Bibu of his friends in Japan, specially since it looks like we'll be heading home for good end of April (iupiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!)
Anyway, the first date we agreed upon had to be cancelled as Bibu was sick, so last Friday was the re-scheduling. It went fairly well, considering the appointment was right after school, early in the afternoon, which is the nap-time for most of the kids. By the end of it, they were all cranky, tearful and sleepy, but we managed to get a couple of nice photos of the whole bunch. At least some where noe of them was picking their nose/ crying/ trying to escape/ all the above.
I chose a green jacket kimono for Bibu and he kind of stood out among the more demure blue and grey kimonos of the Japanese kids. Probably a gaijin faux-pas, but well, it's not about blending in the background, uh? Will share the result as soon as it becomes available. Watch this space.
Anyway, the first date we agreed upon had to be cancelled as Bibu was sick, so last Friday was the re-scheduling. It went fairly well, considering the appointment was right after school, early in the afternoon, which is the nap-time for most of the kids. By the end of it, they were all cranky, tearful and sleepy, but we managed to get a couple of nice photos of the whole bunch. At least some where noe of them was picking their nose/ crying/ trying to escape/ all the above.
I chose a green jacket kimono for Bibu and he kind of stood out among the more demure blue and grey kimonos of the Japanese kids. Probably a gaijin faux-pas, but well, it's not about blending in the background, uh? Will share the result as soon as it becomes available. Watch this space.
Sunday 27 February 2011
Please, February, end once and for all!
Yes, indeed, please. Just go away. You have brought us.....
1) stomac flu. All three of us had it on your first week back from Argentina. Nothing to feel more at home than a good old gut-spilling bug to begin the Chinese new year in top form. The worst I've felt in years.... Made me realise how great is to have good health and how trully minor things like a stomac bug can ruin your life
2) more sickness for Bibu, as in 6 days of continuous high fever courtesy of an ear and throat infection. Lovely....
3) depressing weather... I'm done with the cold, ok?
4) depressing reading: Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar" is a great book, but surely not for February, right?
5) Mr M being away on a business trip for 10 days (also, said business trip was to Belgium, so big envy vibes going on) Add point 5 to all previous points and you get the picture.
So, I won't me missing you, dear February 2011. Bye.
1) stomac flu. All three of us had it on your first week back from Argentina. Nothing to feel more at home than a good old gut-spilling bug to begin the Chinese new year in top form. The worst I've felt in years.... Made me realise how great is to have good health and how trully minor things like a stomac bug can ruin your life
2) more sickness for Bibu, as in 6 days of continuous high fever courtesy of an ear and throat infection. Lovely....
3) depressing weather... I'm done with the cold, ok?
4) depressing reading: Sylvia Plath's "The Bell Jar" is a great book, but surely not for February, right?
5) Mr M being away on a business trip for 10 days (also, said business trip was to Belgium, so big envy vibes going on) Add point 5 to all previous points and you get the picture.
So, I won't me missing you, dear February 2011. Bye.
Thursday 24 February 2011
A first in Tokyo
Bibu is playing next to me on the sofa (yes, the yellow one) and watching his 51651752175626 episode of Thomas the Tank Engine. He (Bibu, not Thomas) has been sick since Monday evening, when a low fever started. When the low fever turned into 40 degrees yesterday evening, I called the doctor and made an appointment for this morning.
As I suspected, he had an ear infection. It's been his first ear infection since we live in Tokyo. He used to have them very often in Brussels, what with the chilly and damp weather being the ideal weather for them. Oh, well, it's good to know at least what it was. Being the stoic and hyperactive kid he is, it was hard to even tell he was sick, apart from the readings in the thermometer.
So, with the exception of this morning, when we went out for a grand total of an hour to go to the doctor, we have been confined inside the appartment for the last three days. Mr M being in Belgium until today didn't make things any easier. Thank God he's back.
So, the casa de Detoured is a bit like a cabin these days. Bibu has the fever and I have the cabin fever.
As I suspected, he had an ear infection. It's been his first ear infection since we live in Tokyo. He used to have them very often in Brussels, what with the chilly and damp weather being the ideal weather for them. Oh, well, it's good to know at least what it was. Being the stoic and hyperactive kid he is, it was hard to even tell he was sick, apart from the readings in the thermometer.
So, with the exception of this morning, when we went out for a grand total of an hour to go to the doctor, we have been confined inside the appartment for the last three days. Mr M being in Belgium until today didn't make things any easier. Thank God he's back.
So, the casa de Detoured is a bit like a cabin these days. Bibu has the fever and I have the cabin fever.
Sunday 20 February 2011
It was a weekend of....
Finally visiting the DAIEI close to Toritsu Daigaku, sharing a sugar-glazed doughnut with Bibu at Stabucks, missing the pony ride in Himonya park for a few minutes, attending a proper for-grown-ups-only housewarming party that our ex next door neighbours threw in their quite lovely new appartment in Roppongi, going for a long lunch in Nakameguro followed by walk to the park and some super delicious cheesecake and pancakes at Daikanyama with one of the mums from Bibu's school and his son.
In short, I ate a lot of sugary, evil things. But oh, so good....mmmmm!
Mr M away in the grey country (a.k.a. Belgium) since last Tuesday and back next Thursday. Doing it all on your own for 10 days in a row is hard, hard, hard. Again, my respect to single parents worldwide. It's now 19:30 and I am very tempted to jump under the duvet and call it a day, but it just feels wrong. Will hang on with chopsticks under my eyelids if necessary until.......mmmm, maybe 21:00 or something. Much, much better!
Ciao, bellos!
In short, I ate a lot of sugary, evil things. But oh, so good....mmmmm!
Mr M away in the grey country (a.k.a. Belgium) since last Tuesday and back next Thursday. Doing it all on your own for 10 days in a row is hard, hard, hard. Again, my respect to single parents worldwide. It's now 19:30 and I am very tempted to jump under the duvet and call it a day, but it just feels wrong. Will hang on with chopsticks under my eyelids if necessary until.......mmmm, maybe 21:00 or something. Much, much better!
Ciao, bellos!
Wednesday 2 February 2011
Setsubun and Chinese New Year
It's also time for Setsubun here in Japan. For some strange reason, this bizarre chasing-demon-out celebration holds a special place in my heart. Maybe it's because it is all so..... magical and silly in a way. But also optimistic, full of new hope for the upcoming spring and new beginnings.
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| Roasted soya beans |
Another practice from recent years it to eat a "Ehoo-maki" or giant sushi-roll filled with shiitake mushroom, cucumber, eel and so on. For good luck, one must eat it facing the "happy direction" while keeping quiet. I asked my Japanese teacher yesterday about this "happy direction" and she mentioned it changes every year and this year it is "south-south-west", as determined by the monks of the main shinto shrine in Japan.
So today I went for a walk in Jiyugaoka and bought a couple of these Ehoo-makis for Bibu and for me (Mr M has an office get-together tonight so will miss on the Setsubun fun. My maki is a traditional one and for Bibu I got one filled with tonkatsu. not very setsubun-ish but he will definitely eat that one. Mr M has more or less figured out the "happy direction" from our dining room, so we will be facing it at dinner. Not too confident that we will achieve the "eating it while keeping quiet" bit, but hopefully that's not the crucial point, hehe.
Wednesday 19 January 2011
Leaving tomorrow
Buenos Aires, that is. After a good five weeks living the grand life down in good old Baires, meeting up with friends and family and working my way through far too much carne, it's time to call it a day and go back to Tokyo.
After taking Mr M's parents to Ezeiza airport this morning, my dad and I came back home and I started work on the suitcase packing. Thank God I bought an extra bag and got the Uniqlo manly baby-bag. In the end I'll be checking in one big suitcase and two bags. Didn't feel like I bought too much stuff, but when is time to pack, all those bottles of shampoo and hair dye and cheese and quince paste make up for a lot of space and weight.
Packing is more or less done. Couple of things still, but I have tomorrow morning to take care of that. My head now is filled with dread. Dread at the "goodbyes" moment when my parents walk Bibu and I up to the entrance to migrations. I don't want to think about it, it will be HARD. It's always hard and you would have thought by now I should be a pro at saying "see you in four months". But no, it doesn't get better, and with Bibu on the equation, it just gets worse every time.
En fin........ it's part of the reality I live in, must put a brave face on and get on with it. Anyway, not looking forward to that AT ALL.
Also not looking forward to 36+ hours travelling with a two-and-7-months boy........... Why oh why must Tokyo be on the other side of the planet? Grrr......
Bon, I think it's time to go to sleep. I guess this will be my last sleep in a horizontal, comfortable position in the forthcoming 50 hours, so better make the best of it.
Over and out, back in a few days from the land of the salarymen and the OLs, the TOTO washlet and the green tea kit-kats.
After taking Mr M's parents to Ezeiza airport this morning, my dad and I came back home and I started work on the suitcase packing. Thank God I bought an extra bag and got the Uniqlo manly baby-bag. In the end I'll be checking in one big suitcase and two bags. Didn't feel like I bought too much stuff, but when is time to pack, all those bottles of shampoo and hair dye and cheese and quince paste make up for a lot of space and weight.
Packing is more or less done. Couple of things still, but I have tomorrow morning to take care of that. My head now is filled with dread. Dread at the "goodbyes" moment when my parents walk Bibu and I up to the entrance to migrations. I don't want to think about it, it will be HARD. It's always hard and you would have thought by now I should be a pro at saying "see you in four months". But no, it doesn't get better, and with Bibu on the equation, it just gets worse every time.
En fin........ it's part of the reality I live in, must put a brave face on and get on with it. Anyway, not looking forward to that AT ALL.
Also not looking forward to 36+ hours travelling with a two-and-7-months boy........... Why oh why must Tokyo be on the other side of the planet? Grrr......
Bon, I think it's time to go to sleep. I guess this will be my last sleep in a horizontal, comfortable position in the forthcoming 50 hours, so better make the best of it.
Over and out, back in a few days from the land of the salarymen and the OLs, the TOTO washlet and the green tea kit-kats.
Monday 17 January 2011
Online happiness is...
Still living the summer life in Buenos Aires. Cannot say I miss anything about Tokyo, except Mr M, who had to go back a few days ago as someone has to work and bring home the bacon in the Detoured household. Bibu and I are coming back in a couple of days........not looking forward to the trip back home at all. But well, until teletransportation is developed, will have to brave the gazillion hour flights up to the land of the rising sun.
In the meantime, these are the blogs that manage to put a smile on my face every time. Pure visual bliss:
http://www.designspongeonline.com/
http://www.desiretoinspire.net/
http://emmas.blogg.se/
http://www.thecoolhunter.net/
Alert: these blogs will make you want to redecorate. You have been warned!
In the meantime, these are the blogs that manage to put a smile on my face every time. Pure visual bliss:
http://www.designspongeonline.com/
http://www.desiretoinspire.net/
http://emmas.blogg.se/
http://www.thecoolhunter.net/
Alert: these blogs will make you want to redecorate. You have been warned!
Sunday 9 January 2011
2011 starts on the 10th
So, new year, new life, right? Except for me the proverbial 2011 penny only dropped today.
People, we're in 2011.
Welcome you all and buckle up. The pages are blank (much like this blog, in a fashion), possibilitties are endless, many forks lay ahead in the road....
Love it.
Me, I've been in Buenos Aires for three weeks now. It seems, and actually is, a long time, but it feels like they passed in a blur now. First week: first meetings with friends and family and the cheerful pandemonium that is Christmas. Second week: trip to Chile and Mendoza with Mr M, Bibu, Mr M's parents and mine. Loved it all and had great weather. Towards the end Bibu got a bit "lack-of-any-kind-of-rutine" crazy, but well, it's to be expected with so much going on, so much attention on him and the fact that everything happens later here in Argentina. Third week: more get togethers with friends and family and Mr M going back to Tokyo yesterday (someone has to work in the Detoured household, after all) He should be arriving in a few hours. Missing him already....snifff.
Anyway, since we're already on the 10thg day of this new year, I thought it's high time I polished up my resolutions for the year. Every year they are a slightly re-incarnation of the previous one, but I just love making them, so here it goes:
NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS v.2011
People, we're in 2011.
Welcome you all and buckle up. The pages are blank (much like this blog, in a fashion), possibilitties are endless, many forks lay ahead in the road....
Love it.
Me, I've been in Buenos Aires for three weeks now. It seems, and actually is, a long time, but it feels like they passed in a blur now. First week: first meetings with friends and family and the cheerful pandemonium that is Christmas. Second week: trip to Chile and Mendoza with Mr M, Bibu, Mr M's parents and mine. Loved it all and had great weather. Towards the end Bibu got a bit "lack-of-any-kind-of-rutine" crazy, but well, it's to be expected with so much going on, so much attention on him and the fact that everything happens later here in Argentina. Third week: more get togethers with friends and family and Mr M going back to Tokyo yesterday (someone has to work in the Detoured household, after all) He should be arriving in a few hours. Missing him already....snifff.
Anyway, since we're already on the 10thg day of this new year, I thought it's high time I polished up my resolutions for the year. Every year they are a slightly re-incarnation of the previous one, but I just love making them, so here it goes:
NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS v.2011
- Lose those 5 kilos once and for all
- Relax a bit more and worry only when it's actually called for (and know the difference)
- Get Belgian driving license (deja-vu all around)
- Infuse this blog with a breath of life (a.k.a write more often)
- Focus, focus, focus (hocus pokus focus)
- Family-related resolution (not forpublic consumption)
- Work-related resolution (ditto)
Cheerio!
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