Recognising the fact that we are now probably too old to seriously consider raising children, we have decided to adopt a Beagle puppy.
Takara (Treasure) was born on the 7th November 2011. He shares his birthday with his grandfather Brian. For me (Cyn) this is a good date, as I am not likely to forget his birthday! For whatever reason, I seem to be getting more and more forgetful in general.
This new addition to the family has changed our lifestyle a great deal already! Takara wakes up at between 5 and 5:30am and wants breakfast! After a full day of play he wants dinner at 6pm and then gets tired and cranky around 7pm and wants his mummy (Takako) to put him to bed. We put him outside (I carry him out) at 10pm and then Takako and I are off to bed ourselves!
My 8am wake ups and 12-2am bedtimes have had to change, but in general I am not that upset about it! Still, for these two new parents, "nanny naps" are slowly becoming a necessity, especially as we try to keep up with HRH!!
Other than this, we both start back for another semester (6 months) of study after which we will both begin the job hunting process! We are both doing some volunteer work with the local community radio station, and will start our own programme on air sometime in the next month.
I am also doing a few hours a week with Communicare, working with helping to find homes for newly arrived refugee migrants.
These activities are so different from what I did in Japan and in a way very mentally taxing and in another, very relaxing! In any case, it is a great departure from the life I have lived, less stress, less responsibility and less strategising! Being so easily replaceable is in itself so free!! :)
Anyhow, Takako and I wish you all an equally stress free and happy 2012.
Cynthia
