July 7th, 2023

The days all blend into one another, just as monotonous as ever. These days, I spend more time out on my balcony, where a gentle breeze offers welcome relief in this summer heat. This weekend, they’re forecasting 33°C, a real scorcher! Strangely, 33°C in Morocco was quite bearable, but here it’s like being in a sauna. I suppose it’s because we tolerate the dry heat of Morocco better than the oppressive humidity we have here.

An old colleague, who has since taken over the marketing department, gave me a call. We had a long chat about work. What still surprises me is that despite these conversations, I feel absolutely no desire to return to the office since retiring. That chapter is definitely closed. But when she told me she was going on holiday with her family, two days in Singapore, then a month in Borneo and Malaysia, I must admit, I felt a little bit of jealousy!

Just now, another former colleague sent me a photo of himself and his wife, comfortably seated in business class. He’s landed a contract in the Singapore branch until the end of October 2024. Lucky him!

Well, Singapore has never really appealed to me. It’s such an artificial city and always stiflingly hot... but for a year, it must be a fascinating experience. Plus, from Singapore, you’re perfectly positioned to explore all of Southeast Asia, a great starting point to discover that magnificent part of the world.

During his daily visit, my surgeon told me that my antibiotic treatment will be extended from 10 to 14 days. Of course, I would have preferred the opposite, but at this point, I just have to take things as they come.

Deniz’s journey, the ex-refugee I’m supporting, took a new turn yesterday. He’ll begin his nursing training on 2nd August at a care and residential centre called Tertianum Viktoria in Bern (https://www.tertianum.ch/wohn-pflegezentrum/tertianum-viktoria), which used to be a hospital. Quite a coincidence, as it’s the very place where I was born!

The Tertianum group runs fairly upscale facilities catering to a wealthy clientele. From the hospital, the view is stunning: the old town of Bern on one side, and the peaks of the Bernese Oberland on the other. Deniz had two offers, and given the terrible shortage of nursing staff, both employers practically fought over him to offer the best deal. I think he made the right choice!