September

I like September because is the month of the "plans". Well, for me it's the time of the year when I start thinking about ways of getting less stressed, feeling better etc. I'm not particularly good at sticking with these kind plans except for Pilates which I'm going to start in a couple of weeks. 

This year I want to set up some sort of rules and/or habits before it's too late (read: stressed out).

1. don't check my emails before 8 a.m. (or before breakfast). I often work at home which is tricky because I tend to check emails when I get up in order to ged rid of (part) of them. This causes stress though as sometimes I wake up quite early thinking about emails or things that I have to do. This has to stop. Take this morning. I woke up and 7, it's 8:18 and I haven't checked my email yet which is usual for me. I am feeling good and I'm about to start my working day in a relaxing mood. I haven't checked twitter & haven't switched on my iphone which is even better. I'll switch everything on in 10 minutes. 
2. decide a regular habit of work. Again, working at home is difficult as there's no schedule as such. You can even have lunch while working or working after dinner, why not? Usually I don't work right before or after dinner. This is my time with G. However, I do sometimes work while having lunch IF I feel there's a need for extra work. I have to stop it, it's not even healthy.
3. ...
4. ...
5. ...

more to come...

Done!

One paper is almost done. It's a big relief. I think we've done a good job but it's not for me to judge. It's been a productive week so far as I've worked at home where I do focus much more than at my work place  (sharing the office space is both good and bad). So I guess I can take one day off from writing :-) 

Working at home allows me to:

- have flexibility in terms of working hours. I work more BUT I start "late" (first thing I do in the morning when I'm at home is walking the dog) around 9:30-45 and finish when I am done with my job. If I am done at 1 p.m. I have lunch at 2 and then work again until I have finished (4? 5? 6? Doesn't matter). Which makes sense, right? I don't get why some people don't understand the importance of flexibility as far working hours are concerned. Some days I can write for 8 hours while others I have to stop after 3 hours because I have to do some research etc. I only have to meet the deadline, I can even work in the evenings or on Sundays. It doesn't make any difference as long as I meet all the deadlines. I know, though, that this doesn't apply to all jobs.

- spend more time with big boy ... I wish I spent more time with my partner too but he's been quite busy lately.

- cook more & eat what I really love instead of eating sandwiches and salads for 5 days in a row.

- workout when I want instead of when I can.

- spend quality time with my family.

- be more productive and relaxed.

So, it's all good!

Exhausted

Hi there,
I hope you are well.

I am exhausted, to be honest. Work, work & work.
I'll be away next week for 3 days. Perhaps I'll find time to write from Austria.

Ok, back to work now.

Have a nice weekend

A huge amount of work needed

Oh my God!

I've just realized that in order to meet ALL the deadlines a huge amount of work is needed. This means that I shall be working all weekends except for THIS coming weekend as it's our anniversary (we would have liked to go somewhere but the weather forecast is dreadful so we'd rather stay and home and celebrate with big boy).

I don't even know where to start as I definitely don't have time for the amount of work which is due by March. In any case, I won't cut Pilates ;) 

Ok, there's no need to panic. But still... am I going to make it?!

I hate working on Saturday as G. is at home. Perhaps I could work only in the morning while he sleeps. This might be good idea.

Before I go back to work, let me just say something that has nothing to do with work, deadlines etc. 

Conceiving is not as "easy" as we excepted and, believe or not, I am fine with it. I'm not stressed out anymore. That said, I have taken my doctor advice and I am now checking my ovulation & taking folic acid (it helps fertility and prevents spina bifida). I hope this is going to work. If not, I'm not sure we want to undergo fertility tests. Anyway, it's too early now. We need monitor ovulation, try a bit more, then we'll take a decision.  

My doctor told me that "getting pregnant is never easy" and that I shouldn't be stressed. Well, I am not and I trust her. She is 41 and just had a baby so she knows exactly how challenging is conceiving when one is not in her mid twenties anymore.