Gotta love the old subconscious

...because I woke up at about 4.30 today (as opposed to the usual 5.30) and, when it had become clear that I was well rested and couldn't go back to sleep, decided to switch off the alarm and get up. Only to discover that I hadn't set the alarm in the first place, which is why subconscious obviously had decided to step in.

Nephew left yesterday, i.e. one day early -- we'd discussed it on Sunday, and since yesterday was a regular (and rather packed) working day, we'd decided that staying till today would be a waste of time for him and additional stress for me. Changing the flight wasn't a problem, fortunately, and so Daniel's stay ended harmoniously rather than with me being stressed out.
We did have a wonderful time, although I made he mistake of going running with him -- it's completely irrational to be frustrated because a 24-year-old man is in better shape than I am, but there you are. Still, I bravely held my own. My personal, teeth-grinding record for the uphill walk used to be 53 minutes, and we did it in 45 o_O . Then came the running bit, and I told him just to go ahead, I'd follow at my own pace. But it was good, and we came home after 2 1/2 hours, slightly wrung out but happy.
Opera on Saturday was nice, too. We'd been out till 2 a.m. the day before, and then continued at home till about 3.30. Unfortunately I can't sleep till after 8 a.m., but went to the gym for a nice long workout on Saturday morning, and in the early afternoon we met up with Charlie and his girlfriend for some excellent fish soup, and afterwards there was a much-needed siesta, so as not to fall asleep during Cavalleria Rusticana. The soprano who sang Santuzza was really good, the tenor bearable, the rest abysmal. Orchestra so-so, as always. Choir rather good, as usual. It's just a pity there's no one there to work with the singers on their acting skills -- god, how I'd love to do that!

Guests for dinner tonight, my landlord with his wife plus Charlie and girlfriend. We'll have cold antipasti, followed by my own version of Boeuf Bourgignon and apple strudel for dessert. The incomparable Slavica  made the apple strudel which is now in the freezer, together with a bunch of very appetizing-looking millefeuille sticks with poppy and sesame seeds she also made. I love her!!
So tonight I'll just have to arrange the antipasti platters and prepare the rice. The beef I made on Sunday, because it gets even better after 2 or 3 days in the fridge.

Boss leaves tomorrow for Austria. Due to the upcoming New Year and Orthodox Christmas on 6/7January, work promises to be a rather quiet affair. Irene will be back by Saturday (yay!), bringing Janine with her (yayyy!).
Today should be fun, beause I'll have to spend as much of the remaining budget as possible -- cleaning stuff for embassy and residence (not so much fun), pots and pans for the residence (slightly more fun), new everyday plates etc. for residence (fun), office supplies for the embassy (paper!! pens!!! love it!!!). That should get rid of most of the money, and we won't have to worry about next year's budget. The copy paper we ordered yesterday is going to last the whole year, I think. Oh, and boss muttered something about needing new bed sheets, but if he fails to tell me the measurements of the mattress there won't be much I can do. Let's see -- if push comes to shove, I can still buy sheets and later exchange them for the fitting ones.
Busy day.*rubs hands*
Right, now I need to get going, feed ze boyz and clean their toilet. Oh joy!