I chose my new mobile phone screen saver to put me in the right foot so that I shall concentrate on my fitness this year. I was racing a different kind of marathon over the last two years and a half for my daughter, but now is the time.
We have achieved a lot this year, even if it does not seem like it.
Starting January, after seeing one of the world top neurosurgeon expert again in Sydney, after a few hospital stays, and an unsuccessful neurostimulators trial of 5 days in March this year in Brisbane, we decided to enquire further overseas about the cause before engaging (if at all) on anything more invasive in terms of controversial last resort surgery or pain management (neurostimulation implant), which seemed the only options left.
With a lot of preparation and patience, we managed to secure appointments in the US (via Skype), the UK and France, where we would have to travel 'flat' in expensive flight category (business).
Fortunately, despite losing half of my salary in January (half-redundancy), I got a movie script job (Aquaman 2018) last minute in August (Warners Bros shooting scenes on the Gold Coast, job appointment via University of Queensland), which significantly improved my earnings this year.
It was also a challenge getting insured for the trip and booking early enough reasonably priced business tickets as there is not such a thing as an easily confirmed appointment with very much in demand world experts, who are constantly readjusting priorities. You'd expect to then meet over stressed beings, but no, you meet some of the nicest people who know more than most about the value of a human life, how randomly health issues can sometime strike, and after you leave their office, you will remember having met a human being, not a corporate parrot.
We have gained invaluable knowledge as what 'not to do' in terms of surgery, and came back with a list of suggestions that we are testing one after another to, at least, in order to hopefully improve our daughter's quality of life, if not find the cure. I think we are exploring the edges of what medicine can do for her at this point in time.
Once in Europe, so happy to even have made it there, we saw all new possibilities. We could do more than we thought we could, by the mere fact that we made it there. It had a huge positive impact psychologically on her and me.
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Singapore Airline Lounge in Brisbane as we were about to start our journey |
We realised that we could just walk down habitation buildings in Paris and London without the need to take a car (the car causes painful jittering movements for my daughter). So happy to have found this new freedom (bearing in mind that no excursion can last more than an hour and that they are dearly paid for the following day), we explored as much as we could.
We went on a Bateau Mouche (City Cat) in Pont Neuf (Ile de la Cité) near my friend's place where we stayed for two weeks.
We travelled by TGV to Poitiers in France and with Virgins trains to Liverpool in the UK, in first class, to minimise travel movements and for max comfort, to see doctors.
We sampled European flavours and feels
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| Autumn leaves, I no longer take seasons for granted since living in Australia |
Medieval hotels fully renovated
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| Breakfast table at the Mercure Poitiers (former convent) |
and forever Red Brick English building in Liverpool, see the early morning mist
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| would I ever have believed that seeing familiar morning mist would move me one day |
We enjoyed the convenience of the Heathrow Express train to London City centre
We were bombarded with so-called terrorist threats as we exited a hospital in London (see TV screen at Hospital reception below), and our taxi driver was then interviewed about what he thought about the traffic mayhem that would follow.
It is no so much news in reality if you look at it that way: I remember being in Paris in the 80s, being summoned via high speakers to move away from the glass windows while I was studying for Year 12 final exam at Beaubourg library in Paris for similar reasons, except it was not the same causes .... sad extreme practices.
It is no so much news in reality if you look at it that way: I remember being in Paris in the 80s, being summoned via high speakers to move away from the glass windows while I was studying for Year 12 final exam at Beaubourg library in Paris for similar reasons, except it was not the same causes .... sad extreme practices.
We went to the British Museum to see the Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities sections
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Rosetta Stone Stress Ball |
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I bought myself a silver Egyptian key of life at the souvenir shop |
Travelling Virgin Train, with what seemed air hostesses on board serving you meals and tea refreshments, while looking at the sheep grazing and distinctive stones edges between the fields
Around Harley Street, in London, a famous specialist doctors hangout
Cab war: Uber versus London cabs
Our hotel in London
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| We had a cup of tea with the UK grand-parents in Victoria and Albert Museum, London |
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| Wedgwood Porcelain set - yeah, tastes better... Not sure if you see a link, but such rigid British traditions surely call for reactions for some
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Mise en bouches for the neighbour's Gay Wedding back at my father's place in Paris
Trying coats that we will never wear (too warm in Australia)
Discovering that my dad can make a Sauté de veau purée, accompanied with St Emilion
Cheap wine (cheaper than coke, maybe that is why people don't get fat :) at the supermarket
Watching the soccer games with my friend's sons and another day with pépé, supporter scarf around the neck
Pause midi chez Carette with a friend, Place des Vosges, as a real Parisian, a unique day when the City of Paris was forbidden to motor vehicles, and even the impact of noise pollution on people quality of life was being measured that day
Simple but good: warmed apple tart with vanilla pods ice-cream
Oh, and I also missed a good couscous
Café (no milk, of course), Baba au Rhum, to finish a meal (note the small portions)
Trip to Ile de Ré
(close to Poitiers) where we went in Thalasso to relax for 5 days
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Oyster found on the beach |
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The food at the spa was very local and healthy |
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Salt fields at sunrise near the hotel |
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100 km of cycle tracks on Ile de Ré |
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La vie en espadrilles |
Our bed room at the northern tip of Ile de Ré
Back at my father's home in Paris, where we had to extend our stay for further tests, here oysters and paella from the local market for lunch
Défilé (fashion parade) in Galeries Lafayette
Have you ever set a table with winter roses?
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Special meal for my daughter's 21st birthday in Paris
Back home, no anxiety there for this flight, we knew we could make it back
Back home, no anxiety there for this flight, we knew we could make it back
What else, this year?
Oh yes, my close friends already know, I received the TWB Translation Award https://translatorswithoutborders.org/translators-without-borders-announces-winners-2017-access-knowledge-awards/
and this led in February to a job offer from ENN as a Humanitarian Nutrition Translator, 25 hours a month, I review Google translate translations on crucial forum discussions between NGO workers on the field and Nutrition academics and experts in Oxford for guidance. I am learning a lot about what is happening on the field for new mothers breastfeeding their children on war torn countries or in European camps, what challenges aid workers face on the field, and this has the advantage of supplementing my incomes from Red Hat, while doing a meaningful and satisfying job.
My son has now passed his recreational pilot written test and is preparing for the solo flight
My son checking out the plane before take off
Last leg of the medical trip: further tests recommended in Brisbane in November
After the hospital one week ordeal, we took a break in Noosa in December for 5 days, first family holiday since 2015, where we met by surprise an old friend of mine who helped me out a lot when my second child came. She was with her family, on holiday from Indonesia. Her husband, who was studying at UQ at the time, is now a Professor in Jakarta and her elder son is following the same path, so happy for her. She gave me a magnificent batik scarf that I will cherish for ever. So incredible how key people in your life seem to come back when you don't expect and lift your life again and again... or well, I like to think so.
We enjoyed a Noosa beer with Calamari snack at the Surf Club, best view over the beach
Found in Noosa Hasting Street
Cooking Mahi Mahi from the market
and after Noosa, we spent Christmas at home in a small party, with my husband brother coming all from Britain to see us after his sojourn in New Zealand, and one of my best friends in Brisbane and her daughter who have been pillars of good humour over the years
Now is the time for me to wish my precious friends all the best for 2018
and thanking you for the life boosting energy that genuine friendship rarely fails to convey
Goodbye 2017, Goodbye to my two uncles who did not make it to 2018.
My son has now passed his recreational pilot written test and is preparing for the solo flight
Last leg of the medical trip: further tests recommended in Brisbane in November
After the hospital one week ordeal, we took a break in Noosa in December for 5 days, first family holiday since 2015, where we met by surprise an old friend of mine who helped me out a lot when my second child came. She was with her family, on holiday from Indonesia. Her husband, who was studying at UQ at the time, is now a Professor in Jakarta and her elder son is following the same path, so happy for her. She gave me a magnificent batik scarf that I will cherish for ever. So incredible how key people in your life seem to come back when you don't expect and lift your life again and again... or well, I like to think so.
We enjoyed a Noosa beer with Calamari snack at the Surf Club, best view over the beach
Cooking Mahi Mahi from the market
and after Noosa, we spent Christmas at home in a small party, with my husband brother coming all from Britain to see us after his sojourn in New Zealand, and one of my best friends in Brisbane and her daughter who have been pillars of good humour over the years
Now is the time for me to wish my precious friends all the best for 2018
and thanking you for the life boosting energy that genuine friendship rarely fails to convey
Goodbye 2017, Goodbye to my two uncles who did not make it to 2018.
