Family life
Tons of work, Christmas dinners with friends and colleagues as if the world was ending with the year, Christmas gift shopping, kids’ Christmas school shows, suitcases to pack, stress trying to fit everything in the car, miles and miles of driving before arriving home… I believe the feeling of running a marathon the weeks before the holidays, the impression of holding your breath until the 24th is common to many of us and, in my case, it has been exacerbated since I have children. It doesn’t last, it’s for a good cause, but still it’s such an effort that I usually spend half of the holidays either exhausted and with no energy to do anything at all or, quite often unfortunately, I get sick. Every year it’s the same story: tiredness comes together with a mix of the emotion and anxiety of going back home: emotion because I’m going to see my loved ones and anxiety because I’m going to miss those who are not here anymore very much. With all that, days fly and I always come back to the routine with the feeling I haven’t done much. This time, though, I’m determined to change things and enjoy these days as if the world was really ending on December 31st. I want to do all those things I don’t have time to do when I work: enjoy every single moment I spend with friends and family. I’m going to devote myself to the things I’ve always wanted to do when I’m in Spain, but which I’ve never done because so far that’s not how I used to spend time when I was at my mum’s home. These are some of the activities I’ve planned for the Christmas holidays. I’m sure I’m being too ambitious, but it’s better to think big, right? 1. Bake cookies with Inés. I think you’ve read several times that the kitchen and myself aren’t big friends. Inés, though, seems to have inherited the cooking skills of her grandma and this Christmas I’d like to spend an afternoon with my mum and my daughter baking Christmas cookies. Can you believe I’ve never tried? 2. Make an advent wreath. You’re going to tell me the advent period is over, but last year I made one at home and it was so fun and relaxing with the scent of eucalyptus, Christmas songs and the warmth of the fireplace that this year I was frustrated I didn’t have time to make another one during the advent period (actually the most stressing time of the year at work!). Well, why wouldn’t I make one now even if it’s not the time anymore? If it makes me happy, I just need to go for it! 3. Study the photography breakouts I’ve bought. When I see an interesting course launch, I can’t resist buying it. Then I lack time to look at it and it stays in the hard drive forever. I’m looking forward to having some time to learn more. 4. Take pictures of my loved ones. Since I’ve started to do family sessions I can’t be happier, but at the same time the reality is that I have less time to take photos of my own family. The Pyrenees offer spectacular landscapes and such a beautiful light… I also want to do more documentary photography: my mum with her grandchildren and my brother and his wife while we are all together. Those pictures may not be the most artistic ones but I’m convinced I’m going to love them more than all others in a few years’ […]
I met Melitta the first year I started to work in a private bank in Geneva. She was Head of Internal Communications while I was working in Marketing and External Communications. I’ve always been fascinated by female managers as unfortunately there’s still a long way to go until we achieve true gender equality. I was […]
I’m not one who plans to take a particular type of photo. Apart from the times I shoot families, I only take the camera with me when I feel like it and I usually don’t think ahead of what I want to photograph. This doesn’t mean I’m not influenced by photos or moments captured by […]
I love flowers. I think you already know. My mum always reminds me that I never watered her plants when I was a child. Now I know for sure that I inherited my love of flowers from her, although I only became aware of it quite late. She’s got the most amazing terrace full of flowers […]
Every year, in September, as if it were Groundhog Day, I feel overcome by an uncontrollable desire to redecorate the whole house. I’m sure that happens to many of you, am I right? Most of the time, all this motivation turns into hot air. After a week, I’ve usually forgotten all about my projects which […]
Today I’m writing about what has probably been the most relaxing weekend of the summer. Isla Bonita – which is the name her owner, my dear friend Petra, gave this wonderful place in the Drôme, a region adjacent to the famous French Provence – brings together all the ingredients of an earthly paradise. Isla Bonita […]
I have mixed feelings about addressing maternity matters on the blog. First, because I’m not an expert and don’t want to become one or give any maternity advice. And second, because this subject is very personal and I’m constantly debating with myself about how much to unveil in a forum as public as a blog. […]
Since we live in the countryside, I much more enjoy nature and the changing seasons. The funny thing is that nature’s always been present in my life: in my home village in Spain, in Geneva… But I didn’t see it before. At least, not as I see it now. Now I enjoy it with all […]
I believe it’s not a coincidence that I ended up teaching. According to my mum, as a child, I used to spend most of my time pretending I was a teacher. I used to place my dolls (or my brother, when he agreed) in front of my chalkboard and teach them I don’t know what. […]
I should be happy and grateful to have been able to spend eight months at home enjoying my baby boy. It’s a privilege in a country where you usually get a four-month maternity leave (yes, Switzerland is one of those countries – an opposite reality to Sweden, for those who mix them up). I’m really […]
