Marbeilla

We have all fallen for Marbeilla. How can you not not have your heart melting in front of the breathtaking scenery of sun lightning the sea against the dramatic mountains. During the past week, everyday has given reasons to like the region more. We have done hikings in villages of Ojen, Istan, Camino de Cuesta. All with the kids, although my husband has done a fair share of carrying the pushchair up the mountain It is such a contrast to the concentration of wealth of Marbeilla to immerge onself in the modest mountain villages, only 30min. drive from Marbeilla, as was the case for Ojen and Istan. The kids are as equally mesmerised by this Southern Spanish lifestyle. They have tasted the tapas, listened to traditional Spanish music and enjoyed of course the sun and heated pool of our house. Incidentally, we have rented a house at the best area of Marbeilla, the Bahia, in a close guarded residence, 5 min. from the beach. The house has everything a family with kids could wish for. As we learned, we have the priviledge of living in a russian oligarcs summer residence. Who would have thought as we hastily reserverd the place just two weeks before leaving. In honesty, it was the fenced pool and kids playground in the garden which blew me away. We took the dreaming to the next level by visiting a model house for sale not far from Bahia. We were welcomed by a warm serbian lady, who presented the house to us, with a pool and view to the sea and mountains alike. A three-year concierge service would be offered free on the 1.5 million house. We were all ready to swap our Belgian house for this tastefully designed dream house! All in all, as the sun sets on this last day of this particular year, I could not wish to be elsewhere. (Except of course with the extended family up North!). We will soon leave this decade behind, a decade for me of building my life and family, buying a house, changing career, giving birth and raising four beautiful children. I could not feel more grateful and blessed. With humbleness I bow to the next decade to bring us as many happy moments of sharing, love and health. Welcoming to us a prosperous New Year 2021!

Going against the crowd at Christmas

"We are probably staying at home, although my husband still dreams of going somewhere warm." I tell my neighbourg asking our plans for Christmas. This is the enieme time I tell this, to other neighbours, teachers, our friends. Everybody are wondering what to do this year, after the year "Horribilis" as some have called it. So despite the recommendations and the inconvenience of having to get covid -tested, we decided to take the risk and buy flight tickets and rent a house in Spain. It turns out Marbeilla is the warmest bet thanks to its micro climate, snugged between the sea and mountains, just as we love it! I find a seemingly perfect house close to the beach with a heated swimming poo, kids playground in the garden and we hesitate no longer! For the first time, it was possible to put a euro figure to the risk we took. Should one of us get a positive result in the test, the trip was off. No insurence covers covid, at least not ours. In the next days, I meditated daily to get the negative tests. We filled in the bureacracy, booked a test time and on a Sunday morning 72h before our departure, we packed our babies and drove to the airport for a test. Kids were so excited and brave. Everything went smoothly. We celebrated the bravery by stopping at the boulangery to get some comfort pastries. It always makes a merry group. I refused to consider other alternatives and packed our suitcases. In the evening, we got the results, one by one getting the confrimation this is actually happening! I was so relieved! The night of our departure finally arrived. Kids were extremely concerned what would happen to their Christmas gifts, would Santa find his way to Spain? Well, as it turned out, he was thinking of all, and as we woke up the kids 3am to leave to the airport, they discovered all the presents already waiting for them under the Christmas tree. What a Joy!! The journey to Spain turned out to be horrible. Not because of covid or bureaucracy, everything went flawlessly: the airports empty, no lines to wait, personnel very friendly. It became a challenge, because of banal illnesses that had been staying put the whole year, and decided to emerge just now, at this day of travel. My son threw-up first time at home, second time in front of the security check ("euh, no symptoms of covid, this is just travel sickness"), third time at the plane. My daughter started to complain she had pain in the bladder. My baby threw up in the car and was already on antibiotics for an erupted ear the day before. So in a word, we were all sick. Fortunately, my usual medical arenal for traveling was as complete and came to a real use: we avoided going to the hospital. With a handful of sleep in our hand, we visited Malaga, drove to Marbeilla, went to do grocery shopping (including Christmas meal) and finally could go to our new home for the next two weeks. We entered by a guard by the gate to a luxourious residence area. Our house turned out to be gorgeus, the best actually we have ever had. A smiling buddha welcomed us at the front yard, sending blessings to us for our whole stay I hoped. Evening sun was casting last rays of light to the mountains, as we put our babies to bed and congratulated ourselves for the once again little heroic challenge we had taken. It seemed already worth it.

The last “Rentree”

Four school bags washed - check, four water bottles - check, 2 big picnics and 2 smaller ones -check, 5 diapers and spare clothes - check. It is 22 Sunday night and with these closing remarks I go upstairs, get next to my sleeping husband and lightly snoring 2 and-a-half-year old baby and by long I fall asleep. With this anticipation, I will have a smooth first morning of pre-school with my baby and her three siblings. I will even have time to do my morning sports.. I wake up 7:30. I will have 30 minutes to get my "big girls" 7 and 10 woken up, fed and out from the house, 15 luxuorious minutes more to prepare my 5 and 2 year olds. Ok, I can do it I tell my self while splashing water on my face, drinking a big glass of water with my omega 3, B2,6,12 and iron supplements. I put my training clothes and set the water boiling. Meanwhile, I pack the bags and set the table. 7:42, I have to wake up the girls. They are wonderful, peaceful, independent, elegantly flowing downstairs, eating their breakfast, brushing their teeth and out from the door with my husband. I remain with my two adorable pieces of challenge. The confinement has made my morning reflexes slower, my patience with hardship and resistance more fragile. My littles ones are not acting elegantly. They don't dress up in the proposed clothes (2 year old), or do it tooooo slowly (5 year old). They don't like to eat the porridge (2 yo)or eat it toooo slowly (5 yo). Brushing teeth: both like doing it, eating the tooth paste and throwing the brushes to wherever before my "control tour" starts. Ok 8:25. We really have to get out of the door. Now! Kids dressed I have to go to the ladies room knowing the risk I take. 45 sek is long enough for the 2 yo to have emptied her school bag and opened the water bottle which has now emptied on her brand new school items, neatly packed just 45 secs ago. I search a new school bag (fortunate thing so many kids you always find a bag!)and we are ready to go! Go go go! while we run to school I brief my baby about her day, how there will be a new lady wearing a mask to take her, but who is super nice, and she will meet her new class, and eat and play and sleep just as in the creche. And she would see her big brother during the breaks. And then mom will come (and rescue her). Oh my god I felt bad explaining this to her. I have flashbags from 8 years back having gone through the first "Rentree" with my eldest one. I was worried to sick. There seemingly are things that don't change, mom's concern and love for her babies. So I leave her there. Strategically my late arrival means they all leave immeadiately to classes, no frustrating lingering in tears at the gate. My baby cries in the arms of the lady looking at me upset.I turn around and start running towards the woods.
You all know what happens after these dramatic farewells. As I pick-up my babies in the afternoon, I get two wonderfully joyful bundles of love running towards me with the biggest smiles ever, as if they had en to the school forever! The teachers confirm the day had gon very well, it was rather my boy who had been worried about his little sister, whether she would get warm food, somebody to play outside and so forth. He had searched her first thing during the break and run with a big smile to cuddle her! My little prince!I received compliments for having such great kids. Wow, the big moment for the mom. And we leave home, happy and stronger, having the last first rentree behind. Amen, no more times.

Re-confinement

How does life look from the European epicentre of corona? Since weeks, Belgium has made the headlines having the propagation rates of covid the worst in Europe. Since the return from the summer holidays, the contamination rates started to rise again, and yet, the new government has been very slow to make but mild restrictions. I have been anxious and frustrated in these circumstances, where the inaptitude of the government has left the responsability to us, the parents. It is tiring to be the parent forbidding dance classes an scout camps. Should I let go and have faith in the system protecting us? 24 hours prior full confinement, with over 20 000 contaminations a day and Belgian hospitals being saturated, I still received the invitation for my daughters' scout day. Because it is permitted. Because there are parents who don't seem to be concerned about the risk they are putting their children and others. Fortunately, my children seem to understand the situation. "This is the worst virus mom in my life time" reflected my 7 -year old silently. "Mine too" I replied. I am always uplifting and confident with the kids, assuring this too will pass, trying to highlight the positives. Overall,I think we are doing fine in this new normal. Today we celebrated Halloween among us. We baked halloween cake, decorated the house, did a tour around the corner in the costumes and watched Charlie and chocolate factory to end the day. Kids seemed pleased. Having the confinement in perspective brings me a relief and I can finally say: "everybody are home honey".

Bretagne - summer 2020

Wonderful day of trekking and discovering the area. We headed to a close-by Port Crouesty. The names here in Bretagne are impossible to recall even for a Finn - too many exotic letters combined to consonants! As we approached the port, the girls were ecxtatique seeing the shops lined next to little crêperies and sea food restaurants. Side effects of the confinement. Their pocket money was clearly burning in their hands. We agreed to head first for our tour of the tip of the half-island, have lunch and then would be time for a well-deserved shopping tour. The trek turned out to be amazing. And popular. It climbed up on the falaises and offered breath-taking vistas to the sea, the busy port, the km long sand beaches. Others had discovered the same trail, but not to have crowds. Kids had snack and we decided to have them a swim at the beach before heading back to the village. The water line was full of sea life! My son came first thrilled holding a living crab in his hand, screaming of enthousiasm. My daughter caught also bare hand the sea worm. Incredible! It makes me so happy to see my kids so full of joy discovering new experiences. Our lunch consisted of THE local speciality: galette Bretonne. My kids have already a favorite one with cheese and ham. I found mine, the salad with salmon toast. My eldest discovered local hand-made scented soaps in beautiful floral shapes, perfect souvenir from Bretagne. After the siesta, we enjoyed still bathing int the evening sun, our home beach was still packed with people. The water seemed cooler, but the water donut was still a hit and I had to open stop-watch to share turns. The evening was special. We have enjoyed the French tv, a novelty to the kids and a documentary on the exotic corner of the world: a Saharian village drowning to the sand storms and the coldest town of the world in Siberia where temparatures descend to -60 Celsius! The kids found both places fascinating and the questions were endless. What a day discovering and expanding horizon for my little love bundles. I am ever grateful for the blessings we have, and being able to enjoy this beautiful house islandand spend time together as family.

Biscarosse - summer 2020

I wish time would pause. 5th week into our French sea holiday at the Atlantic coast, there is amazingly little sight of travel fatigue, only gentle, dreamy, wavy holiday routine. Weeks are structured by Saturdays, our marathon travel and change of place days, where we pack and clean, prepare our sandwiches and drive, visit the new city close by while waiting for our new home to be ready. Excitement of discovering new house, rooms, share of beds. Ensuring the essentials are there. Emptying the car, getting kids back to car to do groceries. Preparing dinner and beds, sometimes even venturing out for an evening swim. Ending the day with a glass of cool rosé feeling heroes with my husband. The days go by fast. Mornings are often of activities, visiting like today the Dune du Pilate, Europeans’ largest sand dune. It was amazing! As in a desert. It was so hot and I carried Eva all the way up. My Louise Parker fitness regime thanks, the cardio part checked. Kids were thrilled to slide down the sand hills, we run down too with my hubby, side effects of feeling relaxed! We found a superb sand beach called the Little Nice just 5 min. away. The water was crystal clear, it steepened quite quickly and there was a strong current with the sea flowing through to and from the Arcachon bay. I just read yesterday they regularly witness Orcas and dolphins at the Arcachon, which seems incredible. We are indeed next to the Atlantic Ocean! I am thinking of Liisa and understanding a little how powerful the rencontre with such huge sea creatures could be. Makes one speechless. I feel like re-born. After the difficult spring and year of preparing for the competition I suddenly feel connected more with myself. I am not meditating at the moment, neither am I practicing regular yoga, but I am taking care of myself by following a daily fitness and cardio regime (6th week ongoing!) to loose my Competition preparation, Corona, burnout or Vegetarian regime kg I put on last year. Amazingly I woke-up at the gyne check to make an effort before it got too difficult. I don’t have a scale, but I think I am 2 kg close to my normal weight. I feel so much better and lighter. Not to dwell on self-centrism, but I am determined to keep my beach look. My four beautiful children have been carried, delivered and fed with this body, it is my time now to thank, praise and take care of it just for myself sake. The kids are enjoying so much this time together. Of course they bigger, but it is nothing. I love to listen in the morning Elias come to me half-sleeping explaining in an endless row of words about his dream, often filled with sharks, pirates, speed boats. Lately also fears of loosing me, the age of five fears we all have had❤️ He is so full of energy, joy and love for life this little boy my heart swells thinking about him. Estelle is showing to be so clever, tactful, manoeuvring between Elise and Elias, always first one to compromise. It is so lovely to spend time just the Tao of us, which was so difficult to arrange at home conditions. Yesterday she taught me Tammi, and we got both hooked! No tv at this house makes wonders in getting the kids enthusiastic to play board games! Yey! Elise is probably missing home and her friends most. It is not easy being the big sister. Eva considers her the second mom, always ensuring Elise has her share of drinks\fruits/sweets. She calls her Leia, as her carer at the Creche! Elise is growing up fast. It is quite wonderful how traveling triggers discussions of different topics we would probably not discuss, about the environment, geography, sea life, lifestyles..I feel she is observing and absorbing I can feel it! With Eva it is tough. She has her 2 year tantrums and we are tired with my husband. She is not a morning person, does not want to eat breakfast, screams easily in falset, potty training meaning she no longer wants to do her needs to the pampers. So we stop to do the neessary endless times per day: just when our meals have been served, motorways, from our bikes, at the beach, you name it. It took her 5 weeks to learn to like built castles in the sand, but one of us has to be sitting with her. She hates to get to the water, probably feels the 20 degrees of Ocean water is too chill. With all this, she is so lovable my heart explodes. Her little cheeky smile and curly hear, the way she wants to cuddle and she shows love by caressing my face and sighting “ mom” with this sound of love, I would not change one second of this time. I feel this is the best time of our life. Sincerely, without wanting to be dramatic, the kids are small and adorable, we are together, we are healthy, all is well.I miss my family in Finland and Mexico, but I am so grateful for everything I have blessed with, at this moment. Thank you universe, immensely🙏🏻💋

Halloween

Despite the grey sky, the new wave of the pandemic with contamination rates we've never seen before and the looming lockdown, our family is not feeling particularly gloomy. Perhaps, just because of these special circumstances, we have tuned into small pleasures, taking example from our children and sharing their irresistable excitement over..Halloween! The school is indeed organizing a Halloween party, within the class. We have prepared the costumes weeks ago (witch and Alice in wonderland), sweets and cookies are stacked in packpacks. My hands were trembling when I today heard my daughter's teacher has fallen ill, waiting for covid test results. The school has been struggling to find an alternate teacher in our language section, because apparently so many teacher was absent..I cross my fingers and send a little prayer that my childrens highlight of the fall will not be cancelled. All the other excursions have been cancelled for this year, the skiing trip to the Alps is especially hard to swallow for my eldest. They talk about this 5th grade trip since 1st grade! For the rest, I don't see symptoms of great stress in my kids. Life happens in our daily activities. We are excited about my son's first tooth moving, my baby girls successful potty training, my second ones evening gymnastics or the reading diploma completed. With my husband we have grown to love working from home and don't miss one bit our previous rat-race busy mornings. We are humans with the greatest of gifts, the capacity to adapt, to this, and whatever is to come next.

Back to school

There had to be an end to the wonderful hazy days of confinement with daily routines perhaps repetitive, but yet predictable and bringing stability and comfort to our life.Well, this is now history. We have again four different schedules to follow: the primary schoolers have both 1 distance learning day (different one, obviously), they finish on school days at noon. In pre-school, the classes continue normally, every day, until 15:00. My toddler who returned to Creche is refusing to take her afternoon nap there and the consequences can be guessed: she is a completely exhausted ball of toddler the rest of the day. I am weighing the pros and cons daily: this was supposed to be a breathing time for myself and my husband after three months of 24/7 super parenting! Now it is time to open all my creative projects, continue the to-do lists or simply RELAX. Well, after the first week behind I find all of the before extremely difficult. I feel drained and exhausted, topped with feelings of regret for the poor kids who are themselves trying to adapt to the new normal. So we ended up bickering with my husband on what to do, should we keep the little ones at home or not. Should we keep all of the kids at home and continue in confinement mode and try to find again the balance? I try to keep it cool, breath through, go running, play tennis and practice yoga. I still have difficulties in keeping my focus on where it should be, on the present moment.

Corona - end of confinement

Today, 3rd of June 2020, the National security council met and decided to enter the 3rd and 4th phase of de-confinement. Most restrictions are lifted. Belgian schools start tomorrow, others next week, kids activities, public gatherings (less than 50 people) are accepted, restaurants and cafes will re-open. Concerning individual rights, people can meet with 10 persons beyond the family. According to the press the Covid-19 is under control in Belgium. This was a long list of reasons to celebrate! Freedom after almost 3 months of confinement!

And yet, after a tour among neighbours and friends, feelings are mixed. People are suspicious, after so heavy restrictions, how can they dismantle everything at once? What about the social distancing, wearing a mask and washing hands? People seem unsure whether to dare to put their kids to school (us included: “why risk for the sake of a few weeks?), where to travel and whom to meet? Even if borders open, is it safe to take the plane, should we still stay in quarantine before meeting grand-parents. I made the most difficult decision yesterday not to travel to North this summer, to our greatest disappointment. Given the opening of the schools, the more extensive exposure to other children and families, and the devastating contagion rate here, I cannot take the risk of bringing it to my family. It will be a different summer and hopefully in the fall months we will be able plan another trip.

We will miss this surrealistic, warm spring, which brought hopefully most families together. I will miss our slower paced mornings, long walks and bike rides, plays in the garden and kids joy of novelties, such as sleeping in the tent tonight. We have managed to have time also for ourselves, for the home and garden and for creative projects. I am learning to play piano with my girls, and we finally signed up to the tennis club next door, we have so much fun together playing daily. We started the greenhouse and I have planted plenty of plants and herbs. We witness our baby girl take leaps in development, this week the potty training has taken a new peak! Can’t believe we could soon be pamper-free household!

Really, what I am saying is, I don’t think I am ready to return to any other normal.

Corona - 67 days in confinement - phase 2 in de-confinement

The National Security Council decided to enter phase 2 in the de-confinement since yesterday 18th of May. This means that we are able to ALMOST resume  our life as before: shop in other than grocery stores, go to hair dressers, market and gym. Except that it is not life as before. Wearing a mask is obligatory in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre when going to a store (I finally finished ours!), keeping the security distance and des-infecting hands. Another important change did not take place: the kids school has decided to stay on distance-learning until end of the school year. I am relieved. It would have been impossible to follow the security guidelines in a school of 3000 students. Above all, home-schooling works well. It is hugely demanding for us parents, but I have truly grown to love the lack of logistics and slower pace in our daily life. And to have my family close around me. Even 24/7.

How did this long-waited decision change our family's routines? I think I sense some cabana syndrone, we don't actually have much interest going out although now possible. The girls are on holiday this week. They love our bike rides in the afternoon, but I decided to expand their activities by signing them for tennis in the afternoons. I consider it should be safe: small groups, outdoors, the club has duly set des-infectant liquid in the entry and exit points of the court. First shopping trip? To the crafts store of course, we were out of all essentials. I call our cleaning lady. To my great disappointment, she is not available. So yeasterday I started the 10th time cleaning the house. I am aware my mother has done this for five decades, but we are made of different wood. I would be very happy to outsource this activity and go for a run and yoga instead.

There is talk about the summer holidays. Nothing is certain yet. European internal borders will likely open to save the tourism industry. We were exploring altearnatives with my husband what to do varying from driving all the way, driving half and taking a boat, flying straight  or traveling as the years before taking all possible transports: plains, ferries, trains, car.  At the moment we don't feel safe to go, mostly not to bring the risk of contagion to our parents. The Belgian contagion and death rates are exponentially higher than in the North, we are the risk. Fortunately the kids are not asking yet, so we have some time.

Corona - Confinement day 53 - Gradual de-confinement day 2

The whole weekend, we celebrated the 1st of May by cooking traditional Finnish delicacies. We also celebrated the last day of full confinement here in Belgium. From 4 May, the economy would be allowed to open (selectively) and from 18 May those Belgian schools, which are ready with the security measures, will open their doors. The measures put in place seem  complex: only the certifying classess will re-start with maximum 10 students at time, 1-2 days per week. Wearing a mask will be obligatory in public transport for adults and over 12 year olds. The confort mask is recommended. The social distancing remains in place. Teleworking is still recommended.

The European schools have announced that before 25 May nothing will take place. The parents association made a survey requesting our opinion if we would put our kids to school should it be volunteery. We answered negatively. I cannot imagine a school of 3000 students being able to organise the logistics within the requirements.

The press is considering various post-covid scenarios, ranging from Totalitarian leadership to community led collaborative societies with a common element: high un-employment and increased poverty. As an imminent reaction, people seem less willing to travel in short and medium term.

I wonder our little world and summer holidays. We want to go home. We have explored the alternatives: risks of taking the flights, if it becomes an option, the likely higher price of the tickets, driving ourselves and taking the boat for several nights, avoiding the boat and staying in hotels or even renting a mobile home. The mobile cars necessary for our size family are costly, around 1000 euros per week. It is a considerable budget for a 4-weeks holiday.

It could be, that our holidays will be in Belgium - by choice or obligation. The Belgian beach villages have voiced a concern on over-crowded beaches in the coming summer and intelligent solution - to limit the beaches to local tax payers only. This option has not been much appreciated in the Belgian press.

SO here we are, in front of yet another great challenge to let go of any need to control and plan - because it is not necessarily leading to any desirable outcome - but surrender to what is, in every rolling new moment.

Corona - Confinement day 33

The national security council announced today to (expectedly) prolong the confinement until the 3rd of May. But with a wonderful bonus - the garden shops will open their doors😀 I love the logic! The press is already discussing about the possible re-start of schools in May with progressive opening of bars, restaurants and other activities. All mass festivities will be however cancelled until 31 August included. Distance work should be prioritised until further notice.

 Ouf! I think we would very much appreciate to regain our liberties. What do I miss? Inviting friends over, going out to dinner with my husband. Letting my kids go visit friends. Going to my bakery and chocolate shop, chatting with the pharmacist and florist. Most importantly, buy my summer tickets to go to Finland and Estonia.

At the same time I feel already slightly fearful of the new normal.  To what extend have we changed and will the habits stay?  Will be consume, rush, stress and travel less? Will we keep up with the daily sports routine? Will we remember to cherish all the more the connection and moments with our loved ones? Will we remember to be grateful, everyday, for waking up healthy and safe? I know for sure, I have a list of items I will miss from these hazy days of confinement. I will miss being with my family. All the time. I will miss the slower pace of the days, the slower mornings, later evenings. I will miss the feeling of solidarity and closeness between family, friends and neighbours despite the physical distance. I will miss the silence. The amazing peacefulness outside. And yet, the amazing orchestra from the birds making their spring happen. The emptiness of streets. The clean, fresh air without the car pollution. Our bike rides in the evening with the kids, with safe roads. In honesty, it has been in many ways a dream come true for a country and nature lover as myself. It will be difficult  to move on from this.

Corona - Confinement day 28

My anxiety melt away with the wonderful sunny days of over 20 degrees Celsius. Summer is here! And Easter! And my youngest daughters Birthday tomorrow! It is party time! On the other hand, yesterday I was tempted to play music in the garden, but I felt the gesture suddenly inappropriate. Are we allowed to entertain and feel happy during pandemic? An old Finnish wisdom came to my mind stating “Who has happiness, should hide it carefully”. For the obvious reason not to create jealousy in neighbours. My children are high on happiness. Being together 24/7 has created an unprecedented bonding and their teasing, laughter, giggling is impossible to contain within the walls of our house. We consider this being wonderful, the old lady next door less so. So I should probably save also the music for later. That’s a little sacrifice though, we have had a really fun day today anyways. A chocolate egg hunt, playing in the pool, bike ride and I even managed to squeeze a yoga session in during the nap of little ones. We are preparing for tomorrow’s big day. My eldest had free hands to bake a birthday cake for my youngest, she chose carrot cake. I am so proud of her 😀 I spent 2 hours baking a traditional Finnish savoury pastries, the “Karelian pies” and thanking silently my grandmother whose heritage the receipy was, I felt connected to her. My girls came to the kitchen and helped to create the wrinkles to the pies. The tradition passes on. I feel happy. I don’t feel like hiding it.

Corona - Confinement day 24

For the first time during the confinement, I slept poorly. A few weeks ago we decided with my husband to order our groceries online with home delivery. It seemed the right decision given the contamination risk in the shops and the stressful atmosphere. The disadvantages have started to emerge: for two consecutive weeks we receive 2/3 of our list. Among sold-out items baking flour and toilet paper. No toilet paper whatsoever in all of Carrefour! Above all, we receive only 1/2 kg of apples for the full kg paid. It is not worth a return trip, but my husband thinks somebody is taking their share from between. I complement our shopping by ordering vegetables directly from farm. Even there I receive only 6 eggs for the ordered 12. “To rationalise” explains the guy selling. I wanted to reply to him they should take into account the family size, but in fear of no eggs I accept my 6 eggs gratefully. We are only one month into the confinement and the supply chains are already breaking. I start to wonder what will happen in 6 months, as some sources have estimated the lock-down to continue..Sensitive items will likely include imported fruits, nuts, oils perhaps also medication. We start making a list of essentials. It seems surrealistic. For my husband this is a deja-vu, having lived until young adult under the Soviet regime. Survival and living from scarcity is deep-rooted. He calls his mother for inspiration. She shares her experience of how they got through the worst years. When the flour was nowhere available, she used soaked pasta to make pancakes for the kids. I feel the rising need for self-sufficiency. Green house. We placed the order last week. I call mom for advice for cultivation. She is a pro in self-sufficiency, regardless of the rural northern latitude of my childhood house and garden. Cherry Tomatoes, salads, herbs..We don’t have much space, but it will be a start. It also gives me an empowering feeling that we are anticipating. In the evening, we watch you tube channels on families living off-grid. They are amazing.

Corona - Confinement day 18

 “Days go by as in a dream” said my husband today. I agree. The only way I keep track of time is the awareness that I was cleaning the house for the 3rd time in a row, hence it must be the 3rd week of confinement starting..I am not complaining though. We live in a wonderful semi- holiday mode: I have taken off my alarm clock and sleep uninterruptedly through the night. In most mornings I wake up at 8:00, the kids 8:30 (Really). I practice some yoga or go for a run, kids get to watch some cartoons even though not a weekend. We eat breakfast at 9:00 and start school and workday at 9:30. Our baby girl has trouble not being in the centre of attention. She has a very loud and disturbing way to show this. Often I end up holding her on my lap while doing the math with my second one and trying to enjoy my coffee.

Around 11:00 we go all out for a walk. We have a new favourite trail. I like it particularly, because it passes through a wonderful, peaceful one-way street with an amazing piece of land on sale. I let my dreams fly. Even the neighbours seem nice and considerate. Yesterday we noticed a signpost in front of one of the houses. I read a letter from the Directrice of a Centre for children annexed to the University hospital. She would like to collect toys for the 9 children currently in the premises, who are not allowed to go to the play room due to the Covid-19. I explain this to the kids and in the evening we prepare a bag of toys no longer played to be given to the Centre. The kids are very excited with the idea.

Overall, the circumstances have woken up a solidarity among people I never saw before. One of the most touching events takes place every evening at 20:00, when people go out to balconies and gardens and pay tribute to the hospital staff on their bravery. Yesterday evening we took the kids out to our street and it was very emotional experience to see the windows, doors and gardens filling with people applauding. On the other hand, this has created some negative reactions among the hospital staff as well. One interviewee claimed he feels furious by this gesture and considers it pretentious as majority of the people applauding them now have voted of a party behind the biggest cuts on healthcare in Belgium. I hope change will take place.m

Corona - Confinement day 5

7:20 am. The house is silent. Or did I hear something from the kids room? I decide it was the birds tsirping outside. Very silently (and skillfully,) I tip toe down the stairs, put my jogging gear on and step into the morning sun. The air, the sounds, the whole neighbourhood seems different, it is as if the nature has taking over. I can actually hear our peacock living in the park and sparrows fighting for their breakfast. I feel good. Free! Not confined at all. It will start today at noon. Only essential outings are allowed, and sports. We are fine with food and medication, but there is one place I would to go in the morning: the garden shop. Apparently I am not the only one having their salads in mind. The shop informs us they have to limit the people coming in and lines are already formed at 9 am outside. I will wait for the delivery service starting tomorrow.

My wonderful, good-humoured children wake up and we start homeschooling. Today, everybody wants mom to give instructions. I feel popular, but annoyed after a while, there is little progress. I take my eldest upstairs and we continue with Math. What do we have today? Calculations from fractions into decimals and vice versa. I feel a silent relief, I can still do this! I hear my husband is struggling with the middle ones down-stairs. Did I hear swearing? It is time for a break. I give the kids a small chocolate egg for the work well done (is this lying?) We go for a bike ride, again. This time there is little less whining. People are lining in front of shops, keeping well a distance. People are even lining for flowers!

I feel a bit ashamed to say, but we spent a wonderful spring afternoon in the sun. Girls finished their homework, played Cranium, cared for their rabbits. I have a call with my mom while enjoying the sun. I see my childhood garden in beautiful snow. In the evening I call my sister on the other side of the Ocean. They are so far, yet they seem to be so close.

It is all in the mind. We can keep our loved ones in our hearts despite how far they are. We can also create the feeling of space and freedom if we choose to do so.

Corona - Semi-Confinement day 4

”Today was actually like during summer holidays mom!” noted my eldest in the evening when thinking back on the day. I agreed. Beautiful sunny day. After home schooling, we prepared our bikes and went for the first bike ride this spring. Fantastic weather and we all had a thrill. I was thanking myself for having invested a small fortune for good quality bikes, they served well now. After lunch we prepared the garden for the season, my husband washed the terraces, I removed last leaves, even washed the windows. Kids played all afternoon out in the sun, having a jump on the trampoline and climbing on their tree cabana. I was thanking ourselves again for having a garden, being able to go outdoors, in whatever direction the situation would go as to the confinement. In Italy people open the windows of their little apartments, play music and dance together.

We watched a Finnish movie last night, about the life of a popular old-time singer “Kari-Tapio”. Despite the bad language and heavy drinking, I felt missing Finland. I think the home sickness is also a reaction to the closing of borders, you miss what you cannot have.

I just read the news, the Belgian newly formed Government has decided to move to phase 3 and from tomorrow Wednesday 18 March from noon, until April 4 Belgium will be in full confinement. People may go to the supermarket (alone), pharmacy and doctors. And do sports, ouf! That’s fine, we will manage this too. I have not created an addiction for a Saturday shopping sprint, clubbing or restaurants. Life will not change dramatically.  I can, however, imagine for some, these limitations will be major. It will be interesting to see how the society takes this. Will they reach for the bottle or use time as an opportunity to do something constructively: get to know their families, themselves, developing new skills and overall taking better care of themselves. I am thinking of all the super parents rushing their daily routines and suddenly there is no rush. No urgency. This event, in all its sadness is an opportunity for all of us to pause.

Corona - semi-confinement day 3

Monday 16 March. I had marked this date in my calendar for months in advance. This is THE day, the big day, my competition day! Months of studying would be finally over! I would let my cleaning lady in, take the kids to school and head for my great all-day-challenge at the EU quarter! Weehaa!!
Well it is Monday 16 alright, but my cleaning lady will not come, neither will I drop the kids to school or go try my wings to change my career. I cross over my competition in the calendar. I also cross over girls piano audition, and my yoga retreat, as well as friends over for dinner party. Not fun.

After breakfast,  I set up the kids to start our first day of home schooling. I hear from distance my husband informs me that we do not have any Internet. We actually don’t have Internet. I check my phone for a notification from the service provider, nothing. The whole Belgium has been instructed to telework and e-learn, and -as we find out after persistently calling them - our service provider is conducting a planned maintenance for the next 6 hours..This country does not stop amazing me.

It is evening, it has been a long day, I won’t go much longer. I changed the title having spoken with friends in Spain, who are actually in full confinement, no going outside except for grocery stores. I feel their pain in an apartment with two young children. I send a small prayer that all the Belgians would understand to respect the semi-confinement and the consequences that breaking it will lead to.

Corona - Semi-Confinement day 2

“Today is children’s day” proclaimed my eldest daughter. “ That means, we get to decide the program. Everything.” We looked at each other with my husband. The day starts strong. Clearly there had been something off in yesterday’s program. “Fine, great idea. As long as it includes regular meal times, outdoor activities and one nap (at least)”

The day ended up being superb. The kids baked muffins, we went for a long walk with new neighbours (keeping distance!) with kids similar age. We met so many friends at the park. Everybody feeling seemingly awkward, still getting used to the new social rules: no kissing, handshakes, but the Finnish greeting: distant wave and hi😃 or the ankle greeting, although not so sure about that either, the virus can stay 3 days on a surface. Other observations: so many people - in family formation - outdoors, biking, walk-in, jogging! From what dream world is this! At home the kids played board games together, cared for puppies, prepared salt-dough and made figurines. Very limited tv time in the evening.

The crises management sent another email calling for individual responsibility to respect the Confinement and limit social interactions. The Prime minister sent a video speech, calling especially the youth to avoid spending time with each other, although bars and restaurants are closed. Apparently, several people had organised “lock-in parties” on Friday evening, before the start of the Confinement at midnight. The idiots. The number of contamination in Belgium is over 800. The eldest and ill are the most vulnerable ones, but nobody is immune to the virus. We already agreed with my husband, no play dates indoors.

This  is nature giving a lesson to humanity. Giving a slap to globalisation, over-consumption, over-traveling. Creating tremendous pressure to our healthcare, unemployment and hard-ship likely driving our economies into recession.
At the same time there is the amazing Window of opportunity. These exceptional circumstances push the society with unprecedented speed towards awareness. Forcing us back to the basics, spending  time with our closest ones, face our fears, turn in for introspection.

Corona - Semi-Confinement day 1

It seems still unbelievable. The actions started straight after Carnaval break.  Girls reported the Italian section in school had had only a handful of pupils retuning from holidays. The guards made checks at the school gate to interview people, checking if they had temperature. Apparently they extended the checks to school buses as well, little minds trying to remember whether they were skiing in France or Italy or Switzerland..or in all of them!Anybody coming from the Northern part of Italy was not allowed to enter the school premises and should stay 14 days in quarantine.. Girls’ school stopped immediately swimming classes and excursions, communicated clear and loud about hygiene measures and personal responsibility. Belgian schools stayed open. Swimming classes continued. At work, members were still traveling and circulating freely, from airport to our offices, without limitations. As if we were living in parallel worlds.

News came of new positive cases of the virus propagating in Belgium and the rest of the world - it was declared as pandemic. Things started moving quicker. I got used to receiving several text messages and emails per day from the Belgian crisis management unit, the School Head and the Crises management of the EU institutions. We heard about the Italian extreme measures to lock-down the whole country. Seemed utopistic still few days ago. Wednesday the school prepared its e-platform and girls came home with all of their books. European Parliament stopped all events already earlier in the week, other institutions came after. We saw it coming.

Yesterday, the Belgium government actually followed the steps of China, Italy and a few other countries and initiated a confinement today 14th March 2020 until (at least) 3 April. All activities, schools, events are suspended. Shops remain open during the week, grocery stores and pharmacists also the weekends. People are invited to telework.

First day behind. It was a beautiful sunny day with 13 degrees sunlight. We went for walk in the park. People did not were masks, apart from two persons. We made a list of activities to pick from, and a list of meals to choose. I ordered several indoor games for the kids. I decided this is going to be an opportunity, like never before, to turn the chaos into something positive.