Spring 2021

Lockdown measures continued into Spring along with winter weather. Curfew, limit to the number of guests allowed in your home, restaurants/bars closed, non-essential shops by limited appointment only. Still needing to wear hats, gloves, and scarves everywhere. Feeling so over it and longing for better times and warmer weather. Coupled with the envious feelings (and also joy!!) seeing friend after friend getting vaccinated back home and feeling like we would never get out of the pandemic here. 

We found bright spots wherever we could and celebrated the lifting of lockdown measures (On April 28th, curfew was abolished, terraces allowed to open from 12-6 and appointments were no longer needed for non-essential shops). I marveled at our garden coming into full bloom. I worked more than ever and started training to counsel couples undergoing PGT-M (pre-implantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases- screening embryos for genetic diseases that a couple is at risk to pass on), an area of genetic counseling that has always fascinated me. 

I had a wonderful mother's day in the sun (and occasional rain) at the beach, enjoying drinks at a cafe and not taking that for granted like I always had before. 

On May 19th, terraces were allowed to open for longer hours (until 8pm) and open-air attractions (zoos, amusement parks, etc) were allowed to reopen. Even sex workers were allowed to go back to work! Things were certainly looking up! 

Parents have not been allowed in ISA since last March. There are pros and cons to this. I don't miss the crowded corridors or the time taken off work to attend in-person meetings, but do miss the opportunities to interact with the kids in their classrooms and to attend community-building events like Global Village Day. Lucky for Pete, since he's in the building already, he's able to volunteer in the kid's classrooms, albeit outdoors only. When Jude's grade asked for parents and grandparents to zoom in to show what instruments they could play, Pete was able to give Jude's class a live outdoor concert. He also hosted each of the pre-K classes at an outdoor science lab, something he's been doing since Jude was in that grade. 

And so many walks in nature with friends, appreciating the beauty of Spring! 

Le food walk in the sun before cafes were allowed to reopen

First meal at a restaurant in 6 months! Happy day at de Veranda with Christie even if it was freezing cold!

BBQ with friends

Maeve started swim lessons! 

First terrace visit with Pete. Couldn't find a sitter for Jude so we got some quality time with our sweet boy.

Jude loving his friend's birthday party in the cold rain! 

Celebrating the glowing mom-to-be, Carina!

Mother's day with my little loves

Chilling out max

Managed to get some games of Kubb in after the rain! 

The sweetest picture from school on Maeve's science day with daddy. Pete is now a celebrity in all the pre-K homes with kids exclaiming to their parents, "I met a scientist!" Pete eats this up!