You're Not Celebrating Togehter?

 

I hope you all had a nice and peaceful Christmas without any Covid-related unpleasantries such as t(he threat of )having to self-isolate. Mine was nice and quiet and just like in previous years, I spent it (only) with my parents. Now that I've had an "official" boyfriend again for more than 2 years and in fact he has actually been more than that for 1.5 years already, people automatically assume that we'll be celebrating Christmas together. I'm not sure if this is likely to happen soon and to be honest, I don't mind in the least. We stick together like superglue most of the time and I have absolutely no problem being apart for a few days, even on Christmas. I'm an only child and as long as my parents will be alive, it is a no-brainer for me to spend the holidays with them. Highflyer has 3 children, 2 of whom live abroad and unlike me, has 8 (!) siblings, some of whom he is also used to spend Christmas with. I don't want to deprive him of his idea of the perfect Christmas and neither does he, so this works just fine without anyone of us feeling this is a compromise. I was single for many years and had got used to this any way and before that, my partner of 11 years not being Christian, it was not your standard constellation, either. Also, being together with a pilot whose duty plans don't obey a Mon-Fri 9-5 schedule soon makes you not count on his automatic availability on weekends and holidays anyway. In a nutshell, I'm a big girl and spending Christmas apart from my love is just as "survivable" as a birthday in lockdown...and I'm pretty sure my upcoming one will have that privilege again.

Away from it All

 

It was always my plan to spend at least a week at the beginning of the year skiing in Tyrol. As it happened, Highflyer had last Thurs-Sun off work and so I also took Friday off and we spent a rather spontaneous long ski weekend there already before Christmas. We had 3 gorgeous ski days and it was such a welcome change both from pre-Christmas obligations (cards, meetings, wrapping up things at work) and doom-and-gloom-news. Three days away from my daily routines in Vienna made all the difference and despite the fact that the muscles in my thighs were burning on Saturday from so much exercise I wanted to squeal for joy in view of the majestic mountain scenery, perfect snow and blue skies. Once more I feel very privileged to have access to all this and I don't take it for granted.

Extremes

This is a picture of the chapel at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna where I got my Covid-19 booster jab on Saturday evening. Without registering, without a noteworthy queue and by a friendly doctor who did his job really well. Once more, I felt extremely grateful that I live in a city with so many easily accessible options for this vaccine. This is not the time for yet another rant about stubborn anti-vaxers, but a reflexion on how extreme attitudes about and reactions to this pandemic are. From people like me in the middle of the spectrum who are do their best to cope with all the lockdowns and restrictions even if they do "cramp their style", but still try to lead a semi-normal life and not just wall themselves in in complete panic, to people who deny the danger of this virus and/or reject the vaccines against it on the on end and those who just see potential danger everywhere and deny themselves any joy that might safely be available on the other. Both are concerning in their own way and while I respect (only) the latter group of people, I also feel sorry for them and hope they will find a way out. Literally.

 

Self-Care

 

I have mentioned before that - surprise - I was/am somewhat underwhelmed by the lockdown situation with a generous sprinkling of new virus variant for good measure. Among the things that keep me sane is the fact that I don't forget to spoil myself and to do things I love and that invigorate me. This could be undertaking a new kitchen experiment that is appreciated by Highflyer, a relaxing soak in the bath tub with a luxurious bath gel and a good read or getting 3 advent calendars (one with "gourmet" food items, one with cosmetics and one from IKEA filled with chocolate and gift cards) for myself. There are few things I enjoy as much as finding gifts for loved ones that will bring them joy, but one of those loved ones happens to be myself.