maternity posting: dubai

4-day weekend + November in Brussels = 4-day holiday in Dubai. We headed back to the sea and sun for a couple of fantastic days. Had a great time, meeting up with our old folks--including the ultimate host, JP--and revisiting some of the old hangouts like Barasti, Bussola, JBR beach, and Tips & Toes :) We pretty much kept to the Marina-side and didn't make it past the Emirates Hills exit...!

In lieu of a Friday brunch, we picnicked and 'watched' a polo match at the Dubai Polo Club. Reminded me of going to a baseball game, which can at times be a glorified social event with occasional cracks of the bat which grab your attention.

The trip for me was again a reminder that although our time in Dubai was short, we met some fantastic people....friends that will especially be sorely missed when it comes to needing a last-minute babysitter ;)

maternity posting: oktoberfest

So since i'm on maternity leave and officially nesting, i.e. freezing meals, baking cookies, framing pictures, let me spend some time updating you on a couple of major events from the last few months. Let's start with Oktoberfest. Yes, THE perfect event for a pregnant woman. Miles and miles of steins of beer. Kind of like living in Belgium.

But we couldn't pass the opportunity up, especially since we could get tickets to a tent through Democrats Abroad Germany (and a free place to stay with the Munich chair). We met up with Julie (a friend of ours from Amsterdam) and her fiance, Stefan; they both live in Zurich and joined us in Munich for the festivities.

All in all, it was a great time and great timing: it was the first year they've served non-alcoholic beer and enforced a no-smoking policy in all the tents. So yes, THE perfect event for a pregnant woman!