Best wishes for 2008!!!

Another year is almost gone. Hope we all had good memories for this 2007 that’s fading a great expectations for the upcoming 2008.

I don’t want to think about the things I planned and never did, let’s just leave the past were it is, and think about the present. For the future… “que sera sera” (what will be will be), as the song says!

31st December, 3:23 pm and still stuck in the office. Plenty of work thought for this last day of the year. Anyway, tonight is just a night like another; I just hope for a 2008 bursting of good moments with the people I care, with you.

My best wishes for you all!!!

Love
Pumuka

29 weeks!

Today at 29 weeks the baby is taking more and more room. I’m feeling more and more tired as well. Her eyes are complete open and her eyelids are already quite long. I want to meet her so badly… to hold her, feel her skin against mine, her eyes on me… my little angel.

She can’t see anything yet, but the can distinguish light intensity. She’s discovering the sense of taste swallowing amniotic liquid – I hope she liked the soup I just had tonight. I think she didn’t enjoy the salad from this afternoon; somehow she let me know that. I’ve been feeling a bit sick all afternoon; I’m looking forward for a good night sleep. I need it.

X-mas decorations on!

Ladies and gens this is our tree!

28 weeks and 3 days!!!

At 25 weeks her skin is fine and delicate. She’s around 30cm now and i can feel her more often.

At 26 weeks her nostrils are open, but I wonder if she can get any smells at all. Her lungs and breathing muscles are ready to start working. She’s beginning to have some fun in there; she tries to suck her thumb, catch her feet or the umbilical cord (not much left to do though). She must be around 800g by now.

At 27 weeks she can open her eyelids, her eyes are completely developed and the sight areas of the brain are active. Guess she’s ready to have a glance at the world out there.

Today at 28 weeks she’s 1089grams, a kilo already!!! She’s not so small after all. She can make the difference between light and shadows.

I’ve got a new due date, it’s for the 2 March. To my surprise it corresponds to my sweet Maite’s birthday. I’m pretty sure she knows somehow, wherever she might be… How I wish she was still amongst us to see it. I miss her so much; I was so bond to her since I was just a little girl. She had a great influence on me. Everyone says that since I was very little I was always trying to copy her every move. But I shouldn't be sad now…

It would be so nice to have our baby born on that day…



think i was five when this photo was taken... will she look like me?

Story behind the scenes…

Prague, perfect scenery to live your own fairy tale. Maybe fairy tales do come true after all… I am personally living mine, and this is theirs…

He, Glen Hansard born in Dublin in 1970, is the founding member of Irish rock group The Frames. He quit school at the age of 13 and gradually established himself as one of Irish music's most popular and greatest talents. In April 2006, he released his first solo album, The Swell Season, in collaboration with Czech singer Marketa Irglova. The Frames are currently touring around USA

She, Marketa Irglova born in Moravia in 1988 (Czech Republic) is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. At the age of 19, she has proved to be quite a talent, having already recorded an album of music with Glen while also co-starring alongside him in ONCE. She began playing music at the age of seven, when her parents got her a piano. She met Glen when he was visiting Prague, and they began playing together and eventually collaborated musically, which resulted in the release of The Swell Season.

And they lived happily after all...

Sources taken from Once official site: http://www.oncethemovie.com/

Thanks for such a fantastic music!!!

Are we ready for this?

“Add to these common concerns the extra consideration of having your first born in a foreign country and it can quickly add up to sheer terror! Will the medical facilities be as good as they are at home? Will I be able to understand what people are saying in the delivery room if things start to go wrong? Will they do things to my body that wouldn’t be done at home – and can I stop them if I don’t want it?

Birth is an important time for couples – they made the baby together, and they need each others’ support when the time comes to bring it into the world.

So imagine a couple like us – young, inexperienced, excited about our first child but not always confident in Czech institutions’ way of doing things. I, the mother, don’t care for medical procedures in general (at least not where a natural process like birth is concerned and would rather have a water birth at home any day.) The father is a man who wants the best possible care in any situation, wants to be informed of every detail, and wants to be in control. Could there be two people more apprehensive of getting sucked into a big communist-era hospital with old equipment, domineering nurses, long empty corridors, depressing color schemes and terrible food? At a time that should be the backdrop for a precious memories to last a lifetime?”
If you wan to read more.

I came across this article in the expats site, and somehow I felt like I was reading my own thoughts. I know we all have similar if not the same questions and worries when being parents for the first time. But sometimes, I can’t help feeling so lost, like I’m alone in this one.

Sometimes is hard to communicate in an equal level with my doctor, although she speaks English; so I’m scared to find out how it will be when the D day is here. She won’t be in the hospital with me, so I’m really considering looking for another obstetrician that will be with us throughout labour, delivering our baby and then continuing our care during the postnatal period. Is it too late to change now? Not that I’m not happy with her really, but i need more… I was also considering a midwife, but I don’t know if I can find one that speaks English in the maternity I’ve chosen, and if I’ll get an opportunity to meet her beforehand.

Further down the article, and to my relief I find out that compared to other “western” countries, things are sometimes even more progressive here in CZ. “much more willingness to let a woman try a drug-free birth is she wants, doctors won’t let you “schedule” a non-necessary c-sections, and the rooms themselves are equipped with the latest “goodies” like physio-balls, showers, and multi-position birthing chairs including the squat-bar “monkey bar” support for childbirth in a squatting position. Routine episiotomies are not performed, only when absolutely necessary...”

This sounds good to me, but still I’m scared. It will be fine in the end, I know, but I just wish I could find someone who could comfort me, and give me the confidence I need.

I’m calling Stephanie this evening; I think this is exactly what I’m seeking for.

Here i am with Mouss&Mel in Mozaika last week. So good to have them around...

2nd Trimester

Best time. I feel great with my new body, I love it. So round, so cute. Thought is getting harder to keep with my previous everyday going. But still this little girl and I have plenty of energy to do many things together.

At 21 weeks, she could fit in the palm on my hand, amazing right? Her digestive system started working already and she’s swallowing amniotic liquid. Her brain is working constantly, generating nerve centers; so she’s more sensible to everything around her, what I do, my voice… She has defined sleeping phases, of around 20 mins each. Her eyelids are developed, but she won’t open her eyes till week 28.

At 23 weeks, she moves more and more – she still has the room for it. Sometimes I think I can feel her, but it’s so short I’m not sure. It must be her, what else?

Today 24 weeks, she sleeps around 20 hours a day – sleeping beauty. She hears me; now her little ears are completely formed. I love singing for her, hope she likes it. And she’s around 600g.

I’m very tired lately. I know I should take more care of myself; hard with all that is going on.

But I will do, for both of us sweetie. I Promise.

Dream a little dream of me...

He once said to me “If we would get everything what we want we wouldn't have anything left for dreaming”. Dreaming is nice, there’s always place for dreaming, true. But is also nice to get what you want, to be honest.

I love dreaming, about my future, about extreme situations that hardly will ever come true, but hey, as long as I can imagine them… Everything is possible in this little head of mine.

I can’t really say if I once dreamt about me being a mom, I might have. Know I imagine our baby girl. I dream of the things we’ll do together, the places we’ll visit and how nice it will be to feel her tiny arms around me. Mmmmm

I never dreamt of us, being a "happy ever after couple", you know sort of

But I guess we’ll do just fine. What else could I ask for? Well, that’s a tricky question members of the jury, of course I could ask for many things. But so far, I just want things to go as smooth and nicely as they do now.

Yesterday it was belly dancing for pregnant women. First time. Plenty of “panza mujeres” and me shaking our hips and butts, up and down, round and round. It turned out to be a great experience, lost of laughs and good vibrations. I took my mom with me, she’s visiting this week. It was fun. A pity I don’t speak better Czech, but still sometimes the language is not such a big barrier.

My tummy is getting huge and is not always very easy to get use to it, but its feels great. I still haven’t felt the baby moving, or maybe I have but I’m not sure. I feel so many things at the moment. I love being a “panza mujer”.

The pic is from Arthur de pins, check his site, he has interesting stuff.

21 weeks and 2 days

Since we are little, I think every girl dreams of the idea of being a mom one day. Maybe it’s not really in our minds at that time, but amongst our first toys there’s always that baby doll and its bunch of accessories. So far we all seem to enjoy it. I had one myself, “Nenuco”. I remember I had a bottle which he drank from, a potty to wee on, and he blew bubbles when you pressed one of the hands. I spent so much time playing with him. I don’t know if I ever give him name, I guess i did, but I can’t remember it…

Then you grow up, and the baby doll ends up somewhere in the back of your closet. Guess my mom gave it away.

Years later, you a start dating and suddenly being a mom becomes one of your first fears. You do everything it’s needed, and everyone wears what they have to wear, but still you’re afraid of those little buddies. So you take the pill, but still, you worry. I remember the first time I bought a test, I was so stressed. How many ways are there to pee on a stick? Still you wonder if you did it right!

Then, a day comes when you feel the call of nature and… naaa that's bullshit. One day you simply realize it would be great to have a little one around, someone half you, half him. That little person that will call you mom, and ask you things like “why so many of the children in his class had birthdays in September?” and you will go “it's cold in the winter. it gets dark early, so parents cuddle a lot. It's sweet, Xmas love”. Kids are hilarious, and I’m anxious to see mine growing, learning, surprising me every day.

Well, the truth is we don’t need winter to cuddle. May is nice too, anytime is good. And so here I am now, with a sunray growing in my tummy. I hope she’s warm and comfortable in there, as right now is freezing in Prague. She’s 360grms already and according to the last check up she’s doing just fine. It’s hard to explain it in words, but I’m so excited and scared at the same time. Frightened to do anything that could harm her and excited because it’s simply amazing to be able to conceive life… I’m going to be a mom… I’m going to be a mom.

Today i declare myself a new “panza mujer” (belly-woman), as my belly is getting rounder and bigger, i simply love it! Someone even asked me today in the tram if I wanted a sit, guess I can’t hide it anymore, nor that i want to.

2 more days...

Two more days and the holidays will start, can’t wait. I’m so tired… September has squeezed me like a lemon, and to tell you the truth there’s not much left.

The apartment, here we are, we love the place, but there’s so much to do. They started with the kitchen on Thursday, we still have no idea of the furniture, and most of our stuff is still on boxes… I know we are lucky to have found this place, our home, but for the time being it will be a forlorn home sweet home . There’s dirt everywhere due to the works for the kitchen, and maybe because we haven’t clean much, but was the point if everything is so messy?? Is like were back to the student life…

We’ll clean one day,promised!

In the office is been crazy as well, David is working late almost everyday and I’m overloaded with stuff, of course everything is urgent and needs to be finished immediately. I just need to disconnect for a bit…forget about change requests, SAP customizing settings and the endless confcalls…

The evenings just fly away, I have the feeling I don’t turn out a nice penny off them. Apart from the days I go climbing or I decide to tidy up in our forlorn home sweet home. I keep telling myself it will take time to get things sorted out, but I’m so tired when I get home I just do nothing. Absolute zero. Not even diner, well mainly because there’s no kitchen I guess. See, I haven’t updated the blog for centuries…

Ivana came for a visit and then Tony and Sylvia. Ivana visited Praha for the first time. I totally agree with her when she says it looks like Disneyland, with all those millions of roving vagabonds - so called tourists - on the streets, camera on hold and map on the other hand. It’s like they are part of the scenario. But I think she like it here. Les Dick are not new to this city, so we decided to take them to Krakow. First time for me too. The trip was long, but worth it. We rented an apartment in Kazimierz district. Once a very nice area but practically damaged and abandoned after the 2WW. It reminded me of Malasaña in Madrid. Nice ambiance to go out at night. On Sunday we visited Auschwitz… some other time I will speak about this visit, not now. Still hard to believe mankind possible of such atrocities.

A good friend said...

The world is full of Kings and Queens,
who blind your eyes and steal your dreams

Have you find yours?
He/she can be anywhere, anytime waiting to be found...

This is a photo from Rangiroa in the Pacific ocean... perfect place to share with your queen or king!

Destination...

What's the difference between a Kenyan road and a cigarette?
...

....
There's more tar in a cigarette.

You guess right, we are going to Kenya on a couple of weeks. Hope not to get eaten by lions nor mosquitoes! :)

i took the image from Don Shank; he has a curious blog Shank Pile. His drawing are very interesting. this one in particular, i love it.

Que frio!!!

Crazy week so far, my mood has been speeding up and down like a rollercoaster. Just like the weather, it started shinny and nice and all of a sudden temperatures drop to 7C. Its freezing outside, jezz!!! I’ll check the forecast for tomorrow, but I have the slight hunch I’ll have to take out the mid-winter coat.

Počasi: between 10C and 18C - Chance of Rain
20% chance of precipitation

We’re still living among boxes, loads of tagged packages and bags that I don’t remember anymore what they hide. I should start tiding up, organizing, I should. But I don’t. Too cold, and I’m too tired (the guys will laugh at this, as if i was always complaining!). Well the truth is WE should.

The apartment is great, even though it looks like storage now. Hope you’ll have a chance to see it. Aramis has plenty of room to run, stairs to climb and many windows to peer the outside world. He’s almost back to normal, speaks less though, maybe he hasn’t got anything to say. These things happen…

Ahoj Černomořská

Musilkova is part of our past now. In less than 24hours will say good bye and move forward. If these walls could talk. A year and seven months is time enough for plenty of memories.

I will definitely miss the heart of this place, the living room, with these huge windows on both sides. So cosy and now so empty. Just some boxes are left on the corner, not yet ready to be sealed. This reminds me we still got some work to do here. In today’s menu the chef suggests more packing for tonight, the last memories to be bundled for next destination.

I will miss you Musilkova, but is time to move on.

They took of the stitches from Aramis. He’s almost back to normal, but still needs to be taken care off. His plastic thing is gone too, i think he really appreciates that!

Let's move!

Today we went to Mělník, an ancient town that became famous mainly due to grapevine cultivation. We wandered around the castle, we went down the cellar and we ended with a wine testing in one of the caves. The wine… not good to be honest, but the palace worth’s a visit!! Curious maps of some European cities.















Next stop Kokorin castle. Not visible from most points as it is hidden within the valley. The castle was built up in 1320 by Mr. Hynek Berka from Dube, and was lived in up to the half of 16th century, then it stayed empty and turned into a ruin. The bastion houses tall ramparts, deep ditches, and a tower, like taken from a Romanesque novel. Better if you take the wooden steps among the trees, until Kokorin's majestic tower becomes visible. Then it's over a wooden bridge over a deep ditch, and you're there. The interior is not up to scratch, but I recommend the surroundings.






On Sat we started moving our stuff to the new house. From Thursday we’ll be living in the "black sea" - Černomorška. The apartment is beautiful, I love it. It will take us some time to furnish it, but we’re not in a hurry!! Aramis seemed to like it, by the way he’s much better now.

Nurse

Aramis is getting better. A little bit grumpy lately, but I understand, with that plastic dish around the neck, he must feel like handicapped. Poor baby.

This morning, we got an unpleasant surprise. Blood stains are not nice to find out. The crazy cat had ripped off his stitches during the night. I don’t want to imagine how… with his teeth I guess as he doesn’t have other tools. Too gore to wonder how.

So back we went to see Mr Vet. He says everything is fine, that Aramis should get well despite the slaughter. We just have to keep an eye on him. I think we need more than one eye to keep him under control! Naughty cat!

But it’s true that he’s getting his strength back quite fast. He’s speaking again – still we don’t understand – he wanders around he flat, he jumps up the window. I just want him to go back to normal. It must be painful for him too.

He had, what’s commonly known as FLUTD. Very common on male cats.

Aramis are you ok?

My little baby is sick. Three visits to Mr.Vet in less than 24h lead to intravenous fed, surgery… I’m so worried. “He’ll be just fine”, I keep telling myself, “he’s a strong cat”. But still, I can’t help feeling this way.

He’s two and a half now. He came home when he just was 4 little months. He was so pallid then, and merely furless. He’s always curious about the slightly new thing around the block. Always recalling our attention. Always in the hunt for hug, that’s our cuddly sweetie!

And now he’s behind that door, all alone. I don’t know if he woke up already. Is he ok? And here I am, in this crowded waiting room. With all these doggies around, 2 sleepy big ones, a hyperactive little one and a fourth one that doesn’t look very good… poor fellow. Smells funny here…I wonder why?

And my baby…does he knows I’m here? Is he awake? This is my only concern now. And please, somebody open the door, the air is getting thicker and I find it hard to breath!

Aramis are you ok?

And after the storm...

What? The calm reigned all over the kingdom? Naaah, don’t think so!

We asked for more!!! How can I put this into words…the koncert was tremendous!

The Zmini stadium packed, see it yourselves…

The fans gave it all, pounding and responding to the groundbreaking music. I didn’t see much though, due to my 1.60m, but I didn’t give a toss, I was jumping like the most. It all started with “the beginning of the end”, ironic?

They fumbled on the old albums, and gave us “closer”, “dead souls”, “hurt” at the very end…and many others. Around 2 hours of non-stop f*** good vibrations, like the song says… (well, almost).

Thank you boys! See you soon…

NIN in town!

Tonight 20h00 you will found us at Zimni Stadium. Trent Reznor and his band will perform live in Prague. Yesterday in Bratislava today is our turn.

Got my tickets, got my docs and got plenty of energy to ravage!!

Here’s one of my favourite's

What if everything around you,
Isn't quite as it seems?
What if all the world you think you know,
Is an elaborate dream?
And if you look at your reflection,
Is it all you want it to be?
What if you could look right through the cracks,
Would you find yourself... find yourself afraid to see?...

Enjoy...

Nine Inch Nails - Closer: Director's Cut

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC0IAyUnCfA&mode=related&search=

A little bit of history

Been to Prague's transport museum today. Opened in May 1993, it takes you on a time trip from the horse tram car from 1886 to the articulated bus from 1998. All these years are well represented with around 50 vehicles, original photos, tickets and other historical documents.

Unfortunately for us, everything was in Czech. But we still enjoyed the visit, just like kids do. Jumping on every car, staring at the pictures and making up the rest…

Here’s a photo of a tram over the Charles Bridge. Today, you can only go by walk and soon it will be closed for reconstruction. It would be impossible to still have cars over the bridge now, the crowded groups of strollers would block their way every sec!!

This is a motor car from 1900. The dark green colour and labelling indicated the route followed. The numbering of lines was introduced later in 1908, it was then also that the red&white became the official coating for all these cars.

This car comes from 1908, and we can see the final red&white touch. They don’t look much different from the ones we use today, inside clearly less comfort but still…

On 1972 the Trolleybus - those funny buses attached by strings like puppets to the electric lines - operation was suspended. First time I saw one, was in Ukraine last year. Two years later the Metro system was opened, just one line, today’s line C between Florence and Kačerov.

In 2002 Prague suffered the most devastating floods ever. One third of tracks and metro stations were affected. Today, in some of them, like in Karlovo Naměsty, you can see the marks left by the flood, scary…

Back in time

Quite a dull day today. But my friend Vitek sent me back in time, and no drugs were involved!!! We went through all that music that still makes us jump like villains!

I told him about Def con dos, and even Sociedad Alkolica, and he seems to like it.

Dani, do you remember in 96 Festimad!!! It was…let me say… WAOHHHH!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MnEpzGWxIA

Happy weekend everyone.

9 to 5

Life is a chain of events. When you turn 30 and you have a job, these events become routine; at least Mon to Fri from 8h00 to 17h00.

Every morning it’s the same old ritual; alarm clock, shower, breakfast, feeding Aramis the “cat” and catching the tramway. I can take tram 10 of 4 to I.P. Pavlova then I change for the underground’s red line.

But today Mr. 4 is no more and Mr. 10 is taking a new route. I have the slight hunch that this is not the only thing that will be different today. It will take me longer to get to work from now on, but that’s fine with me, I kind of enjoy this alternative course in my everyday.

BTW: I. P. Pavlova is a metro station on line C. It was opened on the 9th May 1974. It was named after Russian physiologist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov.

Tumble outta bed
And I stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition
And yawn and stretch
And try to come to life

Jump in the shower
And the blood starts pumpin'
Out on the street
The traffic starts jumpin'
The folks like me on the job from 9 to 5

Workin' 9 to 5,
What a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' byI
t's all takin' and no givin'
They just use your mind
And they never give you credit
It's enough to drive you crazy
If you let it ...
- Dolly Parton -

Incy Wincy Spider

On Sunday we drove 1000Km to get back home and find Incy Wincy Spider in our room. Very nice one I must say.

When I was little I used to sing this song: :)

Incy Wincy Spider

climbed up the water spout
Down came the rain

and washed poor Incy out

Out came the sunshine

and dried up all the rain
So Incy Wincy Spider

climbed up the spout again

Hooked to the silver creen?

The holidays are over and I find myself again face to face with my silver screen.
Quite hard. You know, we should be allowed to some time to acclimatize to the office environment again. I really meant it. What a torture!

Anyway here I am again. Uh, and the short vacation was basically super trouper! Didn’t have time to see you all, sorry for that, but i promise to come back soon.

Half past 9, quarter to ten
10:15, and were coming around again
Hold off, are we going soft?
Flushed my zoloft, and were comin’ around again
Found out, and I almost drowned
Walked back down, and were coming around again

If I could talk Id tell you
If I could smile Id let you know
You are far and away
My most imaginary friend
- The LemonHeads -

Holidays! Celebrate!

This is what the song says, right? And this is exactly what we are up to!

So far, the family, the sun, the pool, nice food, drinks with the friends, more sun and a few shopping (not too much of this) Incredible but true, I’m not much in the mood for impulsive shopping this time, maybe it’s due to the high temperatures?


Que calor!


Today is Maria's Birthday, just 28. Felicidades. And last week another friend, Sylvia joined me in the exclusive 3O's club. Bonne anniversaire!!

Calm & queasy

How to stay calm after all,
20, 30 years locked in the "done" drawer
You can check them any time,
But they will remain the same.
Regrets?
Maybe, just one; it all went too fast.
Wish to go back?
No, not really,
That was then and THIS is now.

Last Friday it was “apero dinatoire” at Mel&Mouss’s place. Lots to drinks + to eat + lost of everything so we ended up singing and dancing ‘till exhaustion. Of course just Mel and I, the rest stayed glued in the terrace.

Saturday it was hard to wake up. Ruxi&Gyuri came to pick us up, destination KVIFF . The festival was nice, but almost impossible to get tickets for the films. A friend of Ruxi got us tickets for “My Brother Is Getting Married“, casually the night before we walk pass Jean-Luc Bidetu, one of the main roles - what a tiny world. The film, if it was trying to say something I didn’t really catch it. But it made me laugh.

Yesterday i went climbing with the boys again. Franta’s path is not a secret anymore. But i still can't do the ceiling; have zero strength. :(

Today i’m going to the movies. “La mome” I will cry for sure, how couldn't I over a woman who was raised in a filthy whorehouse, sung and slept on the street, traveled with the circus, lost her child at 20, went blind for a time, was wrongly accused of murder, struggled with a drug addiction and lost other loved ones by the bucketload in her life, and still got up on stage at the end of her life to sing "Je ne regrette rien" (i don’t regret anything).

As i said before, regrets…what for?

Non, Rien De Rien,

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

Ni Le Bien Qu'on M'a Fait, Ni Le Mal

Tout Ca M'est Bien Egal

Non, Rien De Rien,

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

C'est Paye, Balaye, Oublie,

Je Me Fous Du Passe

Avec Mes Souvenirs

J'ai Allume Le Feu

Mes Shagrins, Mes Plaisirs,

Je N'ai Plus Besoin D'eux

Balaye Les Amours

Avec Leurs Tremolos

Balaye Pour Toujours

Je Repars A Zero

Non, Rien De Rien,

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

Ni Le Bien Qu'on M'a Fait,

Ni Le MalTout Ca M'est Bien Egal

Non, Rien De Rien,

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien

Car Ma Vie, Car Me Joies

Aujourd'hui Ca Commence avec Toi

-- Merci Edith --

I love surprises

And who doesn’t? Of course there are surprises and surprises if you know what I mean. Nice ones and not so nice ones. I personally love the nice ones.

A month ago I turned 30 – that it was not a surprise, believe me – but I had a lovely unexpected birthday present. Mum and my sis came for a visit. It was awesome to have them home. Of course we ended up arguing for all and nothing every 30 mins, but hey that’s how we get along. And we do just fine. Now I miss them both, so much…

This is Mel, Gigi and me, after the birthday diner at Valetta. Drinks, balloons, and this is what happened next:

Sometimes it’s hard with mami, you know she still thinks we are 6. But that’s mum, and she won’t change now. And somehow I don’t want her to, how strange is that? What a surprise, to hear me saying this!!

Strobl...we'll b back!!

Our weekend 40Km from Salzburg… what a blast!!

Thanks Marrrria of Austria for a wonderful time! I could say many things or just… click!!

Traditional villages


Bullfighting…mmm the red bull style!

Part’eee time in K.U.K bar in Bad Irschen, where everyone knows everyone so they dance on the table.

and breathtaking views.

Summer's here...

Or at least this is why they said yesterday on the news. But to be honest, it doesn’t look like. Outside is grey and cloudy and inside I’m freezing and i have so much work…damn it!! So I could say is grey inside as well. I’m back in the office today; Vitek kindly came to pick me up today. Thanks!. And I’m realizing that everything is grey round here, my desk, the screen, the laptop, the keyboard, the floors, the ceiling…mmm

So, they said that this year the summer will be extremely long, 93 days and 4 hours, if I remember correctly. Well, I just hope it won’t be grey outside all those 92 days and 4 hours left! Please!

For me, the summer is this... niiiiiiiiiiice isn't it? You see? no grey!


The teambuilding was fun. Too much alcohol for some people, but nothing to regret. I followed my new technique, drinking lots of water in the meantime; so the next day I was perfect (ok, i meant fine but perfect can be perfeclty used as well :)), a bit tired because not enough sleep but ok. Hanover didn't came to visit me in the morning, that's nice from her, not even a missed call!!! Super trouper!

I hope Lorenzo - this is how we call the sun in Spain (don’t know why…maybe wikipedia knows) - will come out some time during the weekend. We are driving to Salzburg to meet with Marrrrrrrrrrrrrria and George of the jungle. Looking forward! I hope my leg will follow too :)

Hezky vikend people of the world!

Mind your step!

These are the kind of things that happen to my friends Eugenia or Kamila. But now it happened to me.

After dinner in a pizzeria in Andel, I was going down the stairs, and somehow I lost my step. I think my shoe got stuck and I tripped over. It all happened so fast; and suddenly I was on the floor and could get up. Morvan and Suri were there, I felt they were more shocked than me. It wasn’t that bad, I could hardly walk, but nothing seemed broken.

So we took Ana and Suri to the train station and then we went to the hospital. David seemed angry, jezzz it wasn’t my fault. I don’t fall on purpose!!! Anyway, nothing is broken, only some bruises. My feet looks like an eggplant at the moment, but will survive.

I just hope it won’t last long. Tomorrow I have teambuilding in a boat, and on Friday we are going to Salzburg to see Maria. I don’t know for the boat, but I really hope it’ll be over for the weekend. Mmmmm, so no climbing this week.

Ups I forgot to say… THE WEDDING WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!!!

Margarita, anyone?

A dear friend of mine is getting married tomorrow. “I never dream that I’d loved somebody like you…” Well this shit happens Mr Isaak, and thanks God it does! It’s so wonderful to find that special person. But I won’t lie to you, it’s not always roses and Campaign, of course not, but that’s the game we call life. Who doesn’t love challenges? That’s what we are here for.

And I’m simply in love with my own challenge. Sometimes, I just sit, and look at him and realise how happy I am. It’s dam true! Even in the mornings, while having coffee and toasts with that terrible “I just want to go back to bed” look. Even when he gets mad because I’m never ready to leave, there’s always something that I think needs to be done before we leave. And we’re always late, I know! And I run around the house, the clock keeps moving and he gets more nervous. I can’t help it. Not that I do it on purpose, of course not. But that’s his challenge. I’m sorry for that baby. But I always found out the way to make it up to you; don’t I?

But let’s concentrate!!! Two people tomorrow are throwing a hell of a party. And I will be there, to cry, laugh and to enjoy every single instant with them. Ruxi, Gyuri I don’t need to wish you best, ‘cause I know you’ll do. It’s just another day in life, but it remains one of those "special days". Like when you finally ride your bike without your mum running next to you, like that first stolen kiss (too wet but still the first), like the last “see you” you said to that someone you knew you wouldn’t see again… sad but still special… you know. – Maite I miss you… -

…

As I said, life isn’t roses and Champaign, but why just a margarita will be less? You have two in one, if you know what I mean! We should always try to seek the good side, even if it’s tiny tiny.

I’ve been umming and ahhing about what to do with my life, and I still do have some doubts, everyone does, but I have HIM. Lucky me. Lucky you Ruxi & Gyuri. I wish that luck to all of you. Even to those of you I will never meet.

Believe, and this shit will happen to you too!

By the way, I still don’t don’t know what to wear tomorrow, but… I don’t really care! You are my best suit baby… I don’t need anything else.

soo tired...

I need some sleep, but it will have to wait till Sunday. Will i survive?

Yesterday, mohito party with the colleagues was fun. Mostly with Mr.V and his magic trick!!! It was hilarious. Lukas, your apart is great, and the chillout zone simply stunning! J

Tonight the party is still going on, want a hint?

A second one? Try to guess what’s going on…

Tomorrow I might get some rest, but its Friday you know…

And Saturday is the “Yes” thing coming!!! Yes Yes yeeeeeeeees I want to spend the rest of my life with you.

And still no dress!!! To tired to even worry about it.

Little poem

I read this the other day… so cute.

Butterflies are love…
You are my Butterfly

My Bozzterfly

...

I’m going climbing again, I hope not to damage my nails, they are a little bit too long for climbing, but I need them like that for Saturday. The guys just don’t understand.

It’s so hard to be a woman!! Maybe it’s just us that make it hard.

mmmm

I shouldn't forget the rice. In ours it rained rice, jezzz, was terrible!

I need a...

dress!!! or two!!!

My friend Ruxi is getting married on Saturday, and i have nothing to wear! What a catastrophe I must say. David says I have plenty of them, but somehow I have to disagree. There are some, true, but I can’t wear them; out of season, too short, too long, too black… He just doesn’t understand!

I have turned this city upside down, but nothing. Zero.

Maybe I should try a cocktail suit… Mmmmm still 4 days to decide.

Or maybe I can go naked!!! Naaaah, I should still Ruxi’s thunder. :)

J’ai le blues du businessman…

“J'suis pas heureux mais j'en ai l'air

J'ai perdu le sens de l'humour

Depuis que j'ai le sens des affaires

J'ai réussie et j'en suis fier

Au fond je n'ai qu'un seul regret

J'fais pas c'que j'aurais voulu faire…

J'aurais voulu être un artiste

Pour pouvoir faire mon numéro

J'aurais voulu être un chanteur

Pour pouvoir crier qui je suis

J'aurais voulu être un auteur

Pour pouvoir inventer ma vie
….
J'aurais voulu être un artiste

Pour pouvoir être un anarchiste

Et vivre comme… un millionnaire”

------------------------------------

“I'm not happy, but I look like I am

I lost humor sense Since

I got the business sense

I succeeded and I'm proud of it

In fact I have only one regret

It's not what I wanted to do

I wanted to be an artist

To be able to do my show

I wanted to be a singer

To be able to shout who I am

I wanted to be an author

To be able to create my life
…
I wanted to be an artist

To be able to be an anarchist

And live like a… millionaire”

Lyrics from Claude Dubois.

It’s just one of these days, that becomes so heavy… Just want to get home.

Plans for the WE

Par'tee time!!!

Chez Marcel is opening again, after the fire. Hey! It wasn’t our fault; we were not even there when it happened. If we had, not only half of it would have perished under the flames… We never leave things half-done, do we :) ?

I’m glad nothing serious happened. And we have double celebration comming, Christophe’s birthday tomorrow. Felicidades!!!

After… who know where the dark paths of the Prague’s night will lead us to… I’ll just let my self go. Morvan was suggesting this:
http://www.superdance.cz/partylist/tiskova-zprava-0--akce-4193-bora-bora.html
I don’t know; are the guys in the flyer going to be at the entrance? Spookie!!!

Tomorrow, maybe Abaton. My friend Vi-tec told me about this Austrian beatboxers band Bauchklang. Quite interesting, so why not?

For those of you who understand Czech… http://abaton.fanonline.cz/detail_akce.php?id=293&anch=1

Listen to “Barkign news” here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhnwJu5LQ7I&mode=related&search=

My birthday’s over. Thank you all for everything. Especially my mum and sister that came all the way here…I miss you already. I love arguing with you so much!!! It was great to have you here…sniff

And thanks for the roses baby. They are gorgeous!! Rojo Valentino!!!! Love them. Love u more.

As time goes by

“You must remember this

A kiss is just a kiss; a sigh is just a sigh.

The fundamental things apply

As time goes by”

A day like today, some years ago i came to this world. Did i ask for it? I can really tell, but i’m glad i made it all this way. It was a Sunday, that’s what it says from the newspaper scrap my mom kept in the photo album. Born on a Sunday.

What was going on back at that time?

A man was executed by firing squad in Utah; it was the first execution after the reintroduction of the death penalty in the USA. Things haven’t changed today; in too many countries some still have the power to condemn others to death. I don’t understand it really.

The Spanish transition to democracy after Franco's death in 1975 was taking place. In February there was a massacre in Atocha’s Train Station in Madrid. It was a neo-fascist attack. In 2004 ten explosions occurred aboard four commuter trains heading Atocha. Again many died, many were injured, too many for god sake… as i said before, things still have to change.

The Punk band The Clash released their debut album The Clash in the UK on CBS Records. “Should I stay or should I go...”, a classical. I had great times pumping around with this song…

The first Apple II computers went on sale. It was one of the very first and most successful personal computers. Originally running only the built-in BASIC interpreter contained in ROM, later Apple DOS was added to support the diskette drive; with microprocessor running at 1 MHz and 4 KB of RAM! Ever seen a 5¼-inch floppy disk drive? Quite big to miss it! :)

In June the 15th Spain had its first democratic elections, after 41 years under Franco’s regime. Some things were changing already luckily!

Times goes by and so do we. Life’s not perfect, or maybe it is but we just dont see it that way. If we don’t like it, then lets change it, like it was done before. Anyway I’m glad to be with you all, and looking forward for the future.

See u there!!

Welcome the 30’s!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Love u Boz. Next year is your turn baby...

Pumuka is back

I haven’t been away for that long have I? the truth is that I’m busy busy busy, doing what? Don’t even know. The truth is, I have plenty at work…and after work I never stop.

On the 5th May we had our 1st anniversary. It was great. We where in France and went to see Carte Blanche Vitalic at La Vapeur, Dijon (France).

Then we came back to Prague and... we bought an apartment!!! :)

And last weekend we celebrated it. You know, we became crazy like Indians.

I don’t have time for more. I’ll come back soon. Ciao!

Angelina s Pittem v Praze!

Y yo con estos pelos!!!!

Spring came, and along came Brad....ahhhhh...Brad :)

You know this city is kind of tiny, so it's easy to bump into people just like that. I’m going climbing with the boys tonight. Maybe I’ll see him there in the gym. Well I prefer not, to be honest. I need to concentrate hard while up there you know.

Enough nonsense, I’m going climbing.

Rhapsody in pink

2 weeks, since the concert. At this precise moment I was jumping around… and singing to. She hand me the micro, and I tried to sing… it was great. Singing along with Juliet for a couple of seconds.

It is the real life? Is this just fantasy?... Open your eyes…

I remember my band, back when I was still wearing the school uniform… “Estacion Sur” (south station). I’m starting to write again, but is difficult without them…

Excuses, excuses…

Juliette & the Licks: Natural Born Rocker

Filled with more raw energy and enthusiasm than a class of hyperactive first-graders, every Licks show promises to be nothing less than a spectacle filled with of Lewis’ manic Iggy Pop posturing, intense Patti Smith-like vocals, and spandex-heavy wardrobe. And don’t think that the band’s substance-free policy of “hugs not drugs” will put a damper on things. As Lewis explains, the band is probably crazier on stage sober than if they were assisted by chemicals.

Four on the floor Tour.

Juliette and the licks live tonight at Retro Music Hall - Praha 2 - 20h00

www.julietteandthelicks.com

www.myspace.com/julietteandthelicks

See you there!

How to: Get Started Indoor Rock Climbing/Gym Climbing

I just found out that indoor rock climbing is fun, social and a great work out. But it’s also painful and your body aces for days, but hey, it means you worked out! It looks as the gym is a perfect way to learn the basics and a good introduction before you know, try outdoor rock climbing. But I’m not even close to start with real rocks…

Time Required: Several Weeks
Pumu: that’s all, are you kiddin’ me?

Here's How:
Find a climbing gym near you.
Pumu: Done! Two tram strops from home.

Take a class. Classes are also great to get to know other people at your skill level.
Pumu: I have my own private class. Thanks to the boys!

Be social. The gym is much more enjoyable if you have friends to climb with. Choosing climbing partners at your skill level will greatly increase the quality of your experience.
Pumu: Pumu is super social hey! The boys of course are much ahead of me, but its dead fun with them. It must be fun for them too, to see me like a frog squashed to the wall, while screaming that I’m too high! I must look ridiculous…

Hire a trainer. A personal climbing coach will help you develop movement techniques and teach you how to reduce the chance of injuring yourself.
Pumu: Coach nebo couch? Done. I have 3 for the price of one!

Tips:
Cross Train. Diversifying the physical activities you do will help you become stronger and reduce the chances of injury
Pumu: Dancing salsa counts like cross training?

Warm up. Integrate cardiovascular exercise into the start of your gym workouts to increase blood flow and limber up your muscles
Pumu: Always!

Don't over do it. Climbing on the ergonomic climbing holds can torque your tendons and muscles. Train in the gym no more than three days a week when learning to climb and stop if it hurts.
Pumu: three days a week? That is over doing it for me!!! So far, only once a week it’s far enough.

What You Need:
Climbing shoes
Pumu: Got them. Aren’t they nice? Although I’m not really fond of the colour… I'll get use to it, but not to the pain...worst than ballerinas!

Harness
Pumu: Not yet for me. Apparently Franta says I don’t go that high, but when I’m up there, oh man, I stress in such a way. I must overcome this freight from height…s if I may call 1m high… Yes Lukas, even 1m is high for little Pumuka!

Chalk bag
Pumu: I don’t need it now…

Belay device and carabineer
Pumu: woah!!! Not yet there. No need for that at the moment.

Comfortable workout clothes
Pumu: maybe I should do some shopping… niiiiiiiice. Real shopping Vitek!

Tips taken from About:Climbing

Febio Fest '07 is over

Febio Fest '07 ended last Sunday. I didn't go to any of the films, but I did enjoy some the concerts. Some of them took place at the Parking level -3. Never been in a concert underground? Of course no smoking allowed, but there was everything needed, drinks, food, toilets, some tables and enough place to dance…

Last Friday a Brazilian band was playing. The percussion teacher is one of the members of the group. She’s the one at the left with the short hair. She’s awesome!!

The concert was cool, but I was still to tired from Thursday – we went again to Chez Marcel – so I didn’t enjoy it as much as I could have had… I was still tired... (did i mention it already?)

At the end of the concert, a pretty dancer came to warm up - like if it was needed - the ambiance. Lucky for me my husband was already gone :). Jezzz, these people know how to move!! Wish I could do the same. The crowd, mostly male "biensur", gathered around the stage like hypnotised… these men…

But I must admit her dance was captivating!

Life is full of surprises!

The birthday party at Srch was enormous. We didn’t know what to expect when we got there, in the middle of nowhere. At the train station, something draw our attention; a huge map of the ancient Czechoslovakia. We hadn’t seen one since school times.

Welcome to Srch!!

Tomas came for us and we went straight to the party held at the firemen festivity house. We got there, we ate and we drank and drank and we danced and we drank again. There was life music, and somehow I ended up signing. I don’t know why they let me get hold of the microphone. I guess i stole it... :) Like a virgin, Mama mia, American pie… And this poupourri ended with “Living la vida loca”, as the crowd requested something in Spanish… in Spanish you get it?

It was awesome. I danced with Tomas’ father, the grandma, the cousin… Here I am with grandma

Then something incredible happened when I was introduced to Tomas brother Petr:

Pumu: Your father says you speak Spanish…
Petr: Si un poquito (with a very nice accent)
Pumu: donde aprendistes espagnol?
Petr: en Madrid?
Pumu: anda, pues yo soy de Madrid!
Petr: de donde?
Pumu: de Pozuelo...
Petr: de Pozuelo de Alarcon? (with a perfect pronontiation)

- big silence -

Pumu: Booooooz you wont believe me, Petr lived in Pozuelo!!!

You should have seen the amazing look in my face! I meet a Czech in the Czech countryside that lived in Pozuelo for a year. In Jupiter Street, just 5 mins walk from my parents’ house. Back in 1995; this means I was still living there. I’m sure our ways met once… but how could we know? This is simply astonishing!! I love when things like this occur.

The world is so small…

Petr - a friend - Boz - Tomas