

Happy New Year – and a little update
My New Year resolution a year ago was to try new things and to embrace the hard. I did try new things – mostly out of frustration, such as meditation and mindfulness – and tried to get a little better at things I had tried before, such as therapy, and cross country skiing, which I embraced because when we were up in the mountains at the beginning of the year it had first snowed a lot and then the temperatures had dropped so everything was a slab of ice and running would turn into ice-skating. I also tried to keep … Continue reading Happy New Year – and a little update

Postpartum running – round 2
After spending 9 months on bedrest, having a c-section, and being in the NICU with Astrid for a full five weeks when I wasn’t able to take more than a few steps (not wanting to leave Astrid alone, not even … Continue reading Postpartum running – round 2

Unmedicated delivery vs C-section
Disclaimer: I gave birth twice, once vaginally, once by c-section. Would I have opted for a c-section, if given the choice? No. But it was necessary and I am so grateful I was able to safely bring my little girl into the world without taking excessive risks and putting her in danger. Let me preface this by saying that after going through both a vaginal, unmedicated birth and a c-section I am shocked public opinion still needs a debate about one or the other. Bringing a life into the world is such an uncanny, unbelievable act, that the way you … Continue reading Unmedicated delivery vs C-section

Happy Halloween!
The only reason I impatiently wait for Halloween is for it to pass, so I can start feeling some Christmas atmosphere. Brussels being at its worst during the long, dark, rainy autumn (except when spring is equally cold, grey, and … Continue reading Happy Halloween!

The IIP, aka the Interpreter Impostor Syndrome
Impostor syndrome is everywhere, and I am definitely not immune to that. I have all sorts of IPs for each area in which I am active, for each role I see for myself, and for every time of day… I am a walking impostor syndrome (with one exception: I don’t have mum impostor syndrome. I am quite sure I have earned that title). But that does not mean that impostor syndrome has to win. I think women are particularly prone to feeling a fraud and generally underestimating their value, even when there is absolutely zero evidence that they should doubt … Continue reading The IIP, aka the Interpreter Impostor Syndrome

Healthy fishcakes with homemade tartare sauce
We try to eat fish at least twice a week, and although we like it very much sometimes you just want something a little different. These fishcakes are the ultimate comfort food while also being healthy or at least healthyish … Continue reading Healthy fishcakes with homemade tartare sauce

Spring picnic healthy lunch
I have been waiting for spring forever. I should have been born a bear or a marmot or one of those wise animals who go into hibernation as soon as the cold weather arrives and only come out once the … Continue reading Spring picnic healthy lunch

Children and hospitals
Can I brag about my child for a second here? We spent seven hours in a hospital yesterday. For one of the exams he was required to stay still. We didn’t want to sedate him. He was afraid and crying … Continue reading Children and hospitals

Yay for Simone! And her recipe for roti
The first weeks of 2021 have been eventful for us. More eventful than we would have liked on some fronts, but also full of excitement on other fronts. The biggest good news come from Simone, our new au pair, whom … Continue reading Yay for Simone! And her recipe for roti

(Em)brace yourself for the new year
Let’s take a different approach at New Year’s resolutions. Do you remember which ones you made last year and which ones you stuck to? In my case, the last resolution I made dates back to last September (which is why … Continue reading (Em)brace yourself for the new year