Sunday, February 21st, 2021
What a gorgeous day!
The sun is shining, temperatures are just under -1C, the air is crisp and dry. All the remaining snow is covered by a lining of ice making it sparkle in the sun. I love those cold and crispy sunny days.
We thoroughly enjoyed our feast with D. and A. last night. The food was wonderful, the wine lovely and the company thoroughly enjoyable. Given my early start to the day though, I had to call it a night around 23:00 as I was freezing, always a clear sign of being overly tired. Coming home we cranked up the heat and I made a beeline for my bed, snuggling under the duvet I fell asleep within seconds.
EM and I had a slow start to this beautiful day, with breakfast in bed while watching YouTube clips about Tilburg and Segovia hoping it may make the choice of where she wants to study easier. Currently Tilburg seems to win. I so wish we could jet to Madrid for spring break to check out Segovia. EM felt it is a campus one would need to visit to decide. I shall try and see if it can reasonably be done. Fortunately, I have a colleague in Madrid whom I can ask what current COVID protocols in Spain are. Not that a flight with N95 masks is something I look forward to. But flying is not the worst part either, if only we do not have to spend five days in quarantine.
After breakfast EM and I went for a 45-minute walk through the neighborhood, something we have not done in a very long time. It was lovely to spend this one on one time with my daughter.
Later, EM made lunch for the two of us, a recipe of cherry tomato and feta cheese with pasta she had been wanting to try out for a while and it was delicious.
I went to work of the pasta at the pool immediately afterwards. This 14:15 slot is great as I could swim an extra 15 minutes and just left as the aqua aerobics class started. I have a notion I may be able to extend the swim into class as they seem to be using two lanes only.
Since returning home I have been on the phone with a few friends in the neighborhood to see how I can connect my new French friend. So far it seems to be a success. Everyone I spoke to is super willing to help and I may host a little get together in my garden next week – weather permitting – to make introductions. One of my friends also mentioned that she might know a potential buyer for my house if and when I am ready to sell. It would be awesome if I could cut out the agent fees, though I will not be ready to sell before autumn for sure.
I first need to ensure EM finishes high school and then I need to get her settled into university. The latter is a key concern as I want to be sure she chooses what is right and best for her irrespective of the BF. If it is meant to be, they shall persevere. She should however not sacrifice her education for a first love. I do hope I have brought her up to be an independent young woman with her own mind, knowing what is right for her. Choices should not be one sided. If she is the love of his life, he should consider following her to Europe and not ask her to sacrifice her future. She is so proud of her global citizenship, her worldliness that I have a hard time seeing her in a small-town life in Florida.
The USA today reports 28.7 million cases in total with 50.2K new infections and 511k dead.