Monday October 30
Wow, it's light outside again at 7am when the kids have to leave the house on their way to school! It sure helps the psyche and the extra hour "lie in" yesterday was also very welcome.

Wish it happened more often…

I'm actually not tempted to crawl back into bed for another hour.

This might of course have something to do with having to submit this column today.

Now the dilemma is which events, insights and thoughts to share…

I'm glad that Purvanov will stay on as head of state. For me, he was all along the man to represent Bulgaria. Looking dashing in a suit and sporty on the football field, was good enough for me (superficial as I am at times), but then again nobody asked for my vote!

Saturday 28
Invited K (from the kids' school) to spend the day with us. Amazing difference it made to my day. In addition, hubby was out and about - no one breathing down my neck at 12.30 asking what's for lunch, as I clear away the last scraps from the breakfast table. K was the perfect intermediary for my normally non-stop squabbling kids. Not one single ear-piercing yowl from my young daughter. It was a delight to make a lasagne and salad lunch, which was hungrily devoured at 2pm. Without the slightest protest, all three sat down for two afters after lunch to do their homework. The reward - freshly baked brownies. I probably spent as long in the kitchen as I usually do on a Saturday, but it didn't feel like a chore and the children's joyful sounds all day long were a real treat.
I plan to invite K again next weekend!!!

Friday 27
Cancelled my pilates class for an important meeting that our sales manager had been trying to set up for weeks. So 9.30am Coffee Heaven in City Center Sofia it was! By 10 past 10, still no sign of the other party. Of course, only her voice mail was on and her colleagues also had no idea of her whereabouts. I'm furious! Don't people keep diaries in this country? Can't they call if they are running late or can't make it? Or how about an apologetic phone call afterwards? We all have mobile phones these days!
This is no isolated incident. Last week we had 10 confirmations for our brunch invitation, with only two people actually showing up. Not one person called to apologise! It's not like we forced them into accepting the invitation. I don't know what Robbie Williams means by a rude box, but I am tempted to make it a new feature in the guide and to name the culprits! Because not showing up for a pre-arranged meeting or a dinner invitation, or whatever, is not only extremely unprofessional, but also downright rude!!
Thought some retail therapy might put me in a better mood. Fat chance, when you see a bra in M&S that sells for seven pounds in the UK being marked up at 35 leva here!

Thursday 26
"You know you're never going to survive unless you're a little crazy," the tune is still buzzing around my head, as I recall the highlight of Seal's concert last night. Well, I knew that this guy must have something special beyond his great music and last night I saw it first hand. The charisma and sheer sexual energy of this performer can even get an exhausted woman in her (dare I say it?) mid-40s going! To be serious, Seal really gave a brilliant performance, flirting and chatting with the audience during his one-and-a-half hour show. He came across as sexy, raunchy, kind, humorous and just plain charming. Take your pick - I don't think anyone was disappointed. I'm still amazed at how many of the Bulgarian audience knew the lyrics to his songs…

Tuesday 24
A bit confused by the British announcement restricting Bulgarian and Romanian immigration after they join the European Union. It doesn't seem correct or fair. Of course, I understand the fears that underlie this kind of move, and, to be honest, many Bulgarian employers may actually be relieved as more and more countries impose restrictions. It is near to impossible to find and keep good staff, especially here in Sofia. The last thing we need is a further brain drain. My experience is that anyone unemployed in Sofia is unemployable…

On the other hand no one seems to mention the thousands of Brits that are migrating to Bulgaria. Maybe Britain and Bulgaria should go for a swap scheme. Not all Bulgarians are delighted with the effect of the property boom in this country, largely sparked by British interest. "We'll send you a Bulgarian doctor if you send us a British-trained graphic designer!"