I talk too much my mouth hurts

Since Monday it’s been quiet time. Taking time off work to rest, it’s almost like a retreat within your own home. There’s been a lot of tea drinking, reading, listening to podcasts; gentle exercises, small house chores, baking sessions every other day. Going for long walks for fresh air has been really important, and as the end of the first week approaches, setting up time for human interactions during the day really really helps, too. 

A bit of boredom is not too bad, knowing that it won’t last too much longer. Enjoying it while it lasts!

It's still very hot and humid these days in Auckland. Not helping that the cyclone Gita is passing by, blowing these heat about. 

The first thing I want to do coming through the doors after another intense day at work is to slump down and take a nap, but that isn't so easy when there is a big and growing bump in the way. Moving in this heavy weather isn't fun especially with the extra weight and skin and fat, slowing you right down, even when you know the traffic light is going to turn green any minute now, and the train is going to close its doors in another 30 seconds, and you could make it if you quickened your steps just a bit... Sorry, I'll take the next one.

So instead, I scooped myself a glass full of plum ice cream to cool off with. Don't feel too hungry anyway. My stomach is squished half way up my chest these days so I feel full all the time. Then starving the next. Sometimes. Can't quite decide. 

Dinner was leftover risotto from last night. Picked some red ripe tomatoes from our balcony pot garden, thinking I'll make some lentil salad with them tomorrow. 

Favourite moments of our first year together include: scuba diving by Little Barrier Island in NZ watching a school of Kingfish go past at an arm’s length from us, swimming by the sea outside one of our apartments in Montenegro, the joy of watching our baby move during the 12 week scan. 

One down, many more to go!

For the summer holidays this year, A and I decided to rent a campervan to travel from Christchurch in the South Island to Auckland in the North Island. We’ve been going at our own pace, stopping whenever a cool place presented itself, going on walks and swims along the way. The weather has also been cooperating, raining only during the evenings and nights. So far, we’ve been very lucky.

More than half way through our Christchurch-Auckland road trip, long hours on the road provides an ideal time to reflect on the many things that has happened this year. 

Who could have imagined that I’d find someone with whom I would not be embarrassed to be around despite not showering for three days, in the tiniest of spaces? Someone so perfect for me that I could not imagine anyone else to be by my side as my partner and the father of my future child? 

2017 began with a dream wedding. Friends and family from all over the world made their way to the end of the globe just to celebrate our special day with us. We had survived the long and the even longer distance relationship and had come out winning. Everyone looked handsome and they made the day and evening more meaningful. 

The mid-year surprise honeymoon had a rocky start with a missed connection but was more awesome than I could have foreseen, thanks to my A+ husband. Escaping the NZ winter to travel around Montenegro for two weeks, staying in a mushroom shaped chalet to a tiny wooden camping cabin to a luxurious five star boutique hotel, going swimming, scuba diving, tramping and generally eating heaps... What a dream. I think perhaps all of 2017 was a dream.

In between the major life events, everyday life also kept us pretty busy. 

We started a new hobby of scuba diving. Though on pause during the cold wintertime, we are halfway through our open water certification and can’t wait to get our advanced levels soon, so we can explore the amazing sea life in deeper depths. 

Our unit is coming along nicely, with newly added homely touches here and there: a coffee table and a wine barrel TV console, both designed and handmade by A, a Thermomix to make cooking and baking easier for me. If only the indoor herbs garden will just stay alive. That’s a continuing project for 2018. 

Work had its ups and downs but was almost always full on, and we’ve settled down quite comfortably in our professional settings. We are both ready to take on more responsibilities in the new year. 

The new year 2018 hasn’t even begun and we already know that it will be supercharged with more work, trips, and lots and lots of nappies. 

Will 2018 be better than last year? 2017 will be pretty hard to beat. It may even be impossible. But we won’t stop trying!

As a person who always has a list of goals for herself, here are a few resolutions for the upcoming months:

• To be stronger, mentally and physically. Take time for reflections and go on daily walks. Add weekly runs by the end of the year. 
• To read more. Be it fiction, non-fiction, English, French, Kindle or audiobooks.
• To use my hands more. Cook more, play the violin again, make things. 
• To get out of my comfort zone. Namely, get back into driving. 

Treated ourselves to homemade virgin strawberry mojitos and felt healthy with fresh salad lunches on both days. 

Met up with old friends from Europe and chatted about our next travel dream destination - snorkelling in piscine naturelle away from the tourist crowds. Wouldn't that be nice! 

Cannot believe it's October already. Where has time gone? 

Last weekend we went to a fancy French Cafe with another couple. By the end of the 7 course fine dining I was stuffed and had trouble moving. 

At work we are making October the start of a healthier stretch to the end of the year. No more snacking on chocolate and chips; more drinking water every few hours to get hydrated - and to force exercise yourself by having to go to the bathroom every other hour. 

Spring seems to be here but it's not a definite, yet. The wind and rain seems to have been our constant companion this year. I do hope they won't stay for long. 

Started a little project this week. Watching and rewatching Youtube tutorials on repeat trying to see how it's done. It's my first time crocheting and it's quite fun. Let's see how it turns out!

The birthday weather was horrible. The rain kept coming and the wind kept sweeping with no apologies in sight. The air was piercingly chilly so.. I stayed home. The husband was at work the whole weekend as well so it was the perfect time all to myself. Doing nothing much. 

I did manage to go out for a beautiful brunch then a massage/facial/manicure pamper session in the morning, though. The rest of the day was spent in the warmth of my blanket watching episodes of River Cottage, a series about a chef surviving in the nature that had been on my watchlist for a while. It confirmed my dream to one day have my vege patch and maybe a few chooks and even pigs, but the fashion those days were definitely not one to be nostalgic for. 

When the husband finally came home we went out to celebrate at a game meat restaurant, an interesting choice, perfect for a special day. It was terrine and hare rillette and duck liver mouse and poussin hearts. With red wines to wash them down with. 

The sun came back on Sunday and it was much better. Here's to hoping for another great year ahead!

Merci beaucoup, husband, pour le premier mois merveilleux !