Open: A Boy’s Wayang Adventure

Today I'd like to share a book written by a friend of mine. Eva Wong Nava lives between two worlds. She reads copiously and writes voraciously. We first met in Paris where we used to ride the public bus to school every day accompanying our young daughters. She has since moved to Singapore and our daughters are taller than we are by now.

Eva is a very talented writer and has managed to bring together the rich and yet historical world of Chinese opera in the setting of a Singapore public school, exposing the thoughts, feelings and interactions of a special needs individual meeting that of a neurotypical world.

Open is a 10-year-old boy with a curiosity for life and the things that happen around him. He is on the autism spectrum and loves to draw. He is especially good at drawing monkeys. When his class is selected to perform in a Chinese Opera based on the Monkey King and the Journey to the West, Open must find it in himself to overcome his obstacles and boldly step on stage. A heartwarming story about friendship beyond barriers, Open is a gift calling to the largeness of our hearts.

You're looking at the back cover of the movie edition of the book. Yes, the book is based on a movie, directed by Raymond Tan of Brainchild Pictures. Although most people would say that Open is based on the movie, the author says it's an adaptation of the movie. That's because the book tells the story in Benjamin Oh's voice. Who is Benjamin Oh? You'll have to read the book to find out.
Click here for more info: www.ethosbooks.com.sg

Spring is coming

Back in Paris and enjoying the flower shops promising the imminent arrival of spring... or so we hope!

The French art of living celebrates beauty, and this is especially evident in Parisians love of flowers. Most Parisians don't have gardens, so they bring fresh or artificial flowers into their homes.

In Paris, a floral shop can be found on practically every corner, with gorgeous blossoms spilling out into the street. Pass through the door, and the mingling of delicious fragrances from a vast array of blooms is intoxicating. Each store is unique, a masterpiece - the florists are artists, the flowers, works of art.

Opened in Palais Royal in 1830, the first Parisian flower shop was allegedly that of Mrs. Prevost.

Today the Lachaume boutique is proudly the oldest remaining florist in Paris from La Belle Epoque. Maître Fleuriste since 1845, this family of Venetian origins, has remained true to its aesthetic philosophy ever since the time when the very Marcel Proust visited their shop daily, in search for a fresh cattleya to keep company to his buttonhole.

Easter in Ibiza

So, I have been busy enjoying a long Easter weekend in Ibiza with family and friends and in this case pictures can most definitely render the atmosphere better than words ever could.

Arriving from Paris to find the SUN!!!!

Old abandoned fisher huts

Breakfast is served with love at Café Passion

French toast you would never find in Paris

Chilling along the beach...

... Spanish style!

It's too chilly for a dip but soaking up the sun rays nevertheless...

... Beach crawling ...

... Sangria is flowing...

... Celebrating Birthdays and Easter.

All that is left of the seafood paella!

Deliciously invigorating lime&lemon semifreddo!

A visit to the local flea market... 

... followed by aperò ...

... Tinto de verano, olives and aïoli... 

... while enjoying the spectacular sunset.

Happy Easter 2018

A place in the sun

In desperate search of the sun the Expat family flew in from Paris, Dubai and Geneva to reunite for a long weekend in Ibiza. Much to our surprise the island season does not begin until May?!? It is a pleasure not being surrounded by tourists constantly and though we don’t exactly blend in we have a good gang of friends that make us feel at home.

And since it’s a bit too chilly to lie on the beach and the wind is so strong it practically blows you off the cliffs, the only alternative is to enjoy the delicious food along with the exquisite company and memorable sunsets. Viva Ibiza!

A quick flight back home

When your friend celebrates a big birthday there are no excuses not to party, no matter how far away she lives. Friendship is a precious gift and life is worth celebrating.

With that in mind I travelled to Lugano from Paris for a weekend and treated myself to flying straight to Ticino with SWISS rather than the usual easyjet to Milano Malpensa and then having to trek up from Italy. And what a treat it was...

Taking Switzerland with me from now on...

A little treat from the Lugano tourist office... a traditional Easter "colomba" nicely wrapped up in a mini-suitcase! Ready for take-off!

A spectacular bird's view onto Lugano.

Silserli und Süessmost... the chocolate was eaten before taking off.

Sunset over Lago Ceresio bordering with Italy.

A U-turn and we are traversing the snowy peak of the Swiss Alps.

Thank you SWISS for making me feel at home all the way to Paris Charles de Gaulle.

Absurdity of French administration

The time has come to throttle someone from our French insurance company. If I weren't already used to France's bureaucracy I believe I would be having a serious breakdown. I am very close to staging a major tantrum only it would be of no use.

Over the weekend I just read somewhere that Thomas Jefferson once said: "When angry count to ten before you speak: if very angry count to a hundred." Well, I've been counting since this morning...

I will not bore you with details but I have been fighting it out with the public health service and the private additional health insurance that is customary in France since beginning of November last year!

We are going round in circles and although at least my phone calls are being answered, none of the terribly bored-sounding assistants the other end are able to assist me. My twenty something e-mails have been left unanswered (not one has received a response!) and every letter I send - including original prescriptions and invoices - comes back in its integrity asking for more proof. We are now at round 7 I believe and the paper trail just keeps getting heavier.

The French phone company is making a fortune off my telephone calls. If I did not speak French I would have learnt it over the phone by now! Thank Goodness I can communicate in their language but the lovely bureaucrats still don't seem to understand what I am saying... or, they just could not be bothered.

I feel like I am battling with a computer that just keeps on producing the same monotonous moves and can do so until eternity. So, where can I pull that plug?

Is there even a chance of out-living French bureaucracy? I fear they will ALWAYS get the better of you in the end... and should anybody ever be in doubt the bureaucrats will go on strike the Friday before Easter weekend just to make sure you remember who rules the Nation!

Sweet memories...

Sometimes I just can't help myself... I admit to taking pictures of food, especially sweet food.

Looking at the photo lets me travel back to a specific moment and will often put a smile on my face. Without wanting to revel in memories, it is nice to remember the smell, the taste, the atmosphere, the occasion and the company of that place in time. You remember conversations, feelings and situations without having to see a person's face or a place.

Nothing beats a box of chocolates in my book... those who know me well will confirm!

Homemade mousse au chocolate is a close runner-up.

Best made with Swiss chocolate!

Pavolva is high on the family favourite list of desserts.

Les merveilles de Fred are a truly Parisian discovery

Les macarons can vary widely in quality and taste!

An authentic crema catalana is also hard to come by.

Parisian interpretation of a tarte tatin and a lemon meringue pie

Parisan rooftop honey is hard to find.

A modern version of a chocolate easter egg, I wonder?!?