Coincidental

Now that I am in my final weeks at the Firm, it is only natural that I am in a bit of a retrospective mood. One of the things I will forever remain grateful for is the opportunity to get to visit countries off the tourist track and meet interesting people there, some of which have become friends. This past weekend, I was in Sofia with Mademoiselle (who could understand why I love the city). My last business trip in my previous job role took me there pretty much exactly a year ago and I missed it. I miss frequent travels to CEE and CIS overall. Be that as it may, we were having lunch on Sunday in a new restaurant next to our hotel, catching up with a Bulgarian colleague of mine, who is currently on maternity leave. Our table was right next to the door and suddenly a party of 3 (a man and 2 women) come in with a pram. Turns out I know the guy pushing the pram- a former Lithuanian (!) business partner of mine, who essentially was part of the same former life that took me to Sofia. He was just as surprised to see me and it was a crazy coincidence (it turned out he was in town for a conference and had taken his wife and baby plus a friend for the weekend), but then again it completely made sense as my business trips to Vilnius happened during that period of time when I would come to Sofia regularly and both the friend I met for lunch and that Lithuanian university professor were reminders of my not-so-distant past.

Singled Out

Do you know the feeling of having been singled out to experience something awful? Asking yourself "Why me?!"? I'd have to lie if I said I didn't, knowing all too well that like envy (which I really never experience) or jealousy (oh, yes, been there) these feelings are completely futile and destructive. When the Empress and I were in New York, we also visited the 9/11 Memorial museum on the site of the destroyed World Trade Center. As can be expected, it was very moving to relive that historical day right in its epicentre and see and hear so many sad things. It must be like the ultimate monument of WHY ME?! for everyone who lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks that day.

The first quarter of 2017 has been quite weird and unexpected in many ways for me and at times my enthusiasm at the beginning of this year has seemed ridiculously naive and hard to switch back on. Nonetheless, I remain excited and positive about what the coming months will bring, knowing that it is up to me myself to make good things happen. Whenever I am inclined to put my name down for the VIP guest list of the latest Pity Party, I remind myself that this is SO not my crowd and hopefully never will be. Life can be unfair indeed, but so far, I, personally, really have not had much reason to complain. Unlike a colleague at the Firm's Stockholm office whose husband was one of 4 people who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time and sadly lost his life. We should all sometimes take a look behind news headlines to remind ourselves that most things can be regained or replaced and hopefully our own mundane first World dilemmas fall into exactly that category.

Happily Ever After

This past Saturday, a dear colleague, known here as M.C. got married to another lovely colleague, who is one of the funniest men I know, by the way. It was a happy ending to a love story of Telenovela proportions, some of which episodes were "produced" right in front of my eyes for months. Suffice it to say, there was drama and suspense galore and this budding relationship was fodder for A LOT of gossip and disapproving shaking of heads. Guilty as charged. It was heartwarming though to now see this union which was obviously meant to be get the official seal of approval. Bride and groom radiated happiness and it was a beautiful wedding. Often happiness you have to fight for seems all the sweeter and more deserved, but I still naively wish that dating/loving/marriage would be simple and straightforward, with clear communication, no casualties on the way and no tears for anyone involved. One can dream.

From Meltdown to Midtown

Last week, on Tuesday afternoon, something happened to me that was like a badly scripted Hollywood movie. I received bad news that hit me really hard. Worst of all, I did not see it coming. Silly me. What is worse, I had interpreted the "IMPORTANT!!" in my calendar invite as a good sign and had been giddy the whole day. I'll spare you the details, but I had a little meltdown. And then another on Wednesday. And then, on Thursday, I left for New York with the Empress for a long overdue girly weekend break that we had talked about for years. The perfect diversion if there ever was one! As I a writing this, I am still there and enjoying every minute of it. Admittedly, the weather could be (a lot) better, but otherwise no complaints! I had last been to NYC in 2008 (twice that year, in fact) and had almost forgotten just how awesome this city is. Highly recommended if you need a change of scenery!