Slow moves
This is a slow time for ambivalent updates. Which shouldn't come as a big surprise for those of you aware that Pablo and i are taking this entire week off to slooowly move our stuff into the new home. The snow turning the streets into massive slides and the fact that pregnant bellies are not allowed to carry heavy things makes the action a lot more 'zen'. Breathe in. And out.

Red Hot Chilli Friday



This week's theme for Photo Friday is "Rural", so i decided to submit my picture of peppers -big and small- taken on the local market at Loulé, on the South of Portugal. Christmas holidays 2003.

It's the only area in Portugal i know, and i believe the best to visit is the winter, when the tourist season hasn't started and the grey atmosphere follows huge areas of sunshine. Don't miss it.

Home
We made it. We're scared and jumpy, but proud of finally having bought our very first home.

It's a 3-bedroom flat located on the third stage of a four-storey building without a lift, great views, amazing light and a too decadent looking kitchen. 50 kilometres from Madrid, in the beautiful town of San Lorenzo del Escorial.

We'd like to paint and buy new stuff, with time.

We can't wait to cook in the oven (at last...).

We'd love to have everything ready for Liam.

We are eager to fill up the entire set of built-in wardrobes all over the house.

We're hoping that the moving will be as easy as possible.

We'd like you to come over and stay for dinner.

The Year(s)
After solving a few issues with my hosting company, i can now manage the site from my home laptop, and i am back to my dreamweaving routines with this blog.

The 'Four Season Ladies' of the picture are a hint of my first job after getting my portal back. As i did with the year 2002 and 2003, i have taken the time to review 2004. It is a great way to exercise memory and relive the best and worst, the ups and downs. Though this time it was a little different. 2004 was The Year for me. I managed to stay madly in loveget married and conceive someone. Wow.

Now i sit and wonder. We are signing the new home mortgage next week. I started my childbirth preparation classes this morning. Liam is due in April. I should find a new job after the summer. So will 2005 also be The Year?

Mark(er) my words
Magazines will give you anything for free nowadays, as long as you buy theirs before you fall into Cosmo or Vogue. I'm an Elle reader/page turner. So they gave a weird checkered bag-purse away with one of their last numbers.

Today, as the storm left our tv antennae totally whacked and our router out of control, i decided to grab Pablo's black marker (the one he uses to write the CD titles -let's hope he's ok with this new usage) and the silver one we got to do our wedding invitations, and i 'decorated' the Elle bag.

I figured it's the only way i'm ever going to wear the thing. Now i guess i'm not so sure anymore :)

Hey Jude
Can someone tell me why the last three films i've seen at the cinema contain the gracious Jude Law? He is cute, and i suppose he is talented, but why is he the new Hollywood spice on every dish?

First came Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. Black and white Jude. Boring, but good aesthetics all around.

Then along came Closer. Sexy, though Trix's vote would sooner go to Clive Owen. Jude's smile becomes classic here. And i liked his character's deterioration. Go watch it.

Last night i finally saw The Aviator. Of course it has great parts, it's Scorsesse, for crying out loud. But no pregnant woman should be forced to sit with a kicking baby and moody bladder for three straight hours. Jude's cameo as Errol Flyn was excellent, though.

Remember her?



I thought this week's challenge at Photo Friday is an excuse as good as any other to track back the night when Dixie was a few days away from the altar and Headless Trix lost her mind on the dancefloor.

Mum shows off (the baby)



Mum and Liam beam on their 28th week. You can see more of me, me, me over here. I must have no shame.

Belated birthday
My little blog turned 3 on January 26th and i neglected a proper party. The webbie is now a toddler who can walk, brag, begg, scream, sing and, most certainly, talk. Happy birthday to ambivalence and to you, boys and girls, who keep her running.

A week in February
It's turning out to be a slow week. Waiting for stuff to happen. Trying to find the peace, the calm corner, keeping all the good energy in the same jar. Expecting a call from the bank so we can have a home. The ice wave that hit the town last week has turned into a sunny string of mornings that make the scenery look even more bizarre. It's still great to feel the rays tickle your nose while you take a walk just before lunch. Such as today.

The slow week slowly unfolds. It's not a bad week. It's only slow. It stretches like a used chewing gum in a bored teenager mouth. The slow week hugs the routine. I went to the doctor yesterday and we watched Liam at the ultrasound. It was exciting to see his huge belly, his hand touching his face. Pablo and i counted the weeks and got a little nervous because time seems to fly inside my womb. But time isn't flying now. Not in the world outside.

Monday, Tuesday. I shouldn't have another cup of coffee. I should get my paperwork done. My neighbour speaks loudly into his cell phone and leaves the patio window open. He'd prefer to meet someone at eightish. I can't stand the tv anymore. I like the dress i'm wearing today. Listening to certain songs makes me instantly happy. Or maybe relieved.

We landed in February yesterday. Last year, when this month settled in, i found it a bit too white. I guess the same thing is happening now. But it's just this week, slowing me down already.