15 months: last vacation before the big move
by
, 04-16-2017 at 08:32 PM (1786 Views)
We came back from Australia yesterday at 5 AM, so we are all pretty jet lagged and tired, and I'm very puffy after the long flights.
Our trip was great, we got a lot done but also had a lovely time with our dear friends.
It was great also to be able to find lovely food and cook a few meals from scratch that I can't cook in Taiwan because I can't find the ingredients or if I can once a year it's imported and just crazy expensive. So we had lots of veggies (arugula, spinach, zucchini etc..) but also some nice fruits (blueberries, raspberries, watermelon etc..) and had one of the best steak ever in a little steak house restaurant. Food was just divine. I just miss western food so much! I was eating more meat during the trip and can see that my energy level is up big time! Iron absorption is for sure better directly from meat and veggie compare to supplements..
We walked a lot and my tendonitis has been really improving a lot those past weeks. Now I can walk 6 kms per day without pain. From all the supplements I've been taking, something must have been working finally! But I'm not sure if it's turmeric, omegas, Emu oil or silica??
I also came back from Australia with a huge container of emu oil capsules, I'm covered for at least six months! indeed the cost of 300 capsules was the same as what I usually pay for 30 capsules so it was a no brainer. I'd rather bring back useful supplements instead of souvenirs..
I checked my weight this morning, it didn't really move in 3 weeks, well I'm up one pound but I also have huge water retention from the +13H flights so it's temporary for sure.
I will check again in a few days but I'm not worried.
Funny thing is that I can see my body has changed during the trip, looks like fat is shifting for some reason (better nutrition and more exercise does help for sure! but it was only two weeks!). I didn't buy that many things even if temptation was big but one dress was really amazing (designer in clearance, hard to resist!) and to my biggest surprise I was able to get it in a size 12! (AUS 12 is US10) I think sizing was a little off because I usually still wear size 14/16 US even it was becoming a little loose lately I'm still a strong 14 (16 becoming too big but a few 14 are still too tight). Anyway, it's nice to be able to get smaller sizes. I did get a few pieces in merinos, all in size 14 (US 12) because I'm always one size smaller in tops.
I'm all set for next winter! Since it seems work will be back home it's going to be cold compare to the past years.
Last news from work seem to show that we are heading back home. One option was a country where safety for the kids could have been an issue so we declined. I'm trying to get ready mentally for the long commutes, because when we are back home we live in the countryside and work in Paris, so it's a 3h commute per day. It's not that bad since most of the trip is by train, where we can always sit and I do get lots done during that time.
The quality of life is much better for the kids in the countryside so it's all worth it! But I'm expecting a big culture shock especially for the kids...we've been abroad for almost 15 years...
Oh well, at least nutrition won't be an issue any more!