Yes, I am still alive. Yes, I am eating well. Yes, I had a good winter break despite working for three days between Christmas and NYE and despite the handsome-and-talented husband being in Amsterdam with his parents on Dec 24-31. I had a very chill week, spent time with the ones I love and had most evenings to myself to catch up on reading and have a Wong Kar Wai retrospective.

2017 was a good year. I became godmother to one of Alper + Lea’s twin girls; they’re 10 months old now and I can’t wait to have food adventures with them in and out of the kitchen. I landed a dream job, and while I was sad to leave the previous one after only a year, I’m thriving in my leading role in an industry I’m truly passionate about: healthcare and patient care. My German is getting better, although my slow progress is at times frustrating.

I ate and drank well with friends and family, laughed till I cried (a lot!), finally went to Schwarzwald and stuffed myself silly with yummy German food, discovered new dishes and flavours and waitressed for Ash in her supper clubs and pop-ups.

I wish I’d spent more time with my sister, nephew and parents. I wish I’d spent more time in NL with the in-laws. I wish the handsome-and-talented husband and I had gone on more trips, seen more films and exhibits together and taken longer walks in pine forests. I should read more poetry. I should get better at scheduling regular babysitting/playtimes with the twins. I should host more dinner parties and invite all the new (and old) friends alike. I should spend more time doing food photography and writing.

I’ll do my best to make all that happen in 2018. Here’s to a happy and healthy one!