Posts Tagged family
Sunday Column (51)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on 14/02/2010
What a week. I know I keep saying that but it seems like one week tops another 
A virus infection of some sort slowed me down Monday and Tuesday, and Thursday and Friday I had the man-flu. So I only went to the gym, or better say a swim, once this week. That disappoints me a bit but I shouldn’t exaggerate things.
However, on the business side of things, it was a successful week with lots of meetings, positive noises and lots of interest. The next two weeks are already fully booked with conferences, meetings and work related stuff. But I enjoy it. Truly do (Sacha, I mean it!)
My dad turned 67 this week (sorry for revealing your age), and we picked up a Volvo XC90 this week, guess that makes me almost as old as him – but not as wise of course 
The car is great. My mother in law, my wife and boy went down to Rye on Saturday, and it was like driving a proper car. You can see the road, enjoy the heated seats, and it is just a comfortable trip. The 19.4 mpg are a bit too much, but we don’t drive too often, do we?
On Sunday, Valentines day, I got my wife these two ducks I was writing about the other day. And, of course, some roses. Some roses that could swim in the bath and double up as candles.
Sunday we planned to have a really relaxed day. However, I got food poising from the crab roll or prawn Jalfrezi. I was still sick in the afternoon, and didn’t feel well all day, so think that I will not be back in the gym as of tomorrow.
Have a great week.
Sunday Column (49)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on 31/01/2010
What a busy week lays behind me. After a weekend, which wasn’t a relaxing weekend, I found myself being off sick on Monday. Some virus got me down and I worked from home with more breaks and naps than I would normally have. I wasn’t well.
I felt better over the next few days, partly because I had to. I had a lot of social engagements and meetings at work. Networking parties, a trip to Leeds and Manchester and more meetings, emails etc. You know the drill. So work is very busy at the moment and things are going well. I cannot believe it is February already and I have been in my new job for a month. Time flies.
Colin, who I saw little of this week, is growing up. I believe he develops his own character, slowly but surely. He is playing by himself whilst I watch him. However, we believe it is due to his teething, he seems to have a bit of diarrhoea. Shall see and hope it is nothing serious.
Tai chi this week was good, and it will be one year next week. I believe that this is the first activity in a long time I have stuck to for as long as a year. Still I enjoy it and it is good to have a day a week to complete relax and wind down.
Saturday night we took our wee man to friends’ house for supper: Burns Supper. I had my first vegetarian Haggis which gave me heartburn but tasted really nice. It was a great night but unfortunately our baby wouldn’t settle at all. Too much noise, different smells etc. So we had to call it a night at 10 pm and he fell asleep not even seconds after we put him in his own bed. Bless him!
On Saturday we looked for car seats and came to terms that our car just cannot fit the car seat we think is appropriate for Colin. So it is either a compromise on safety, no car or a new car. We spent most of Sunday looking at cars and the results are quite simple:
- Jen and I are both tall and need a car which fits potentially 2 car seats and us plus a pram.
- We don’t want to spend too much money but need to go through a car dealer for our conscious of buying quality and because they offer finance deals.
- Whilst I don’t care less about status, brand or looks, my wife is thinking more about the latter.
The choice will come down to either a big 4×4 (and by big I mean Shogun or Land Cruiser, potentially XC90, Sorento or Outlander), or a people carrier – here it comes down to price….
Anyway, enough thoughts about cars. The more I look at it the less I am interested. I would like to spend little, get much, have enough space, enough security and still have a reliable car. No need for design and looks, just pure functionality – to be continued.
Enjoy your week, enjoy February!
Sunday Column (48)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column on 24/01/2010
Sunday. Hurray.
What a week, I don’t really know where to start.
I am very excited about a few things. One is my job which I really enjoy. And, I am not only saying that. I am convinced we currently have one of the best display media optimisation offerings out there to utilise ad exchanges. People are responding very well to it, so I am very happy with my choice of job.
Anyhow, besides that I am very excited about my son Colin who started saying DADA and I am now sure he means me However, he was quite sick this week, including a big accident on Friday night after which we had to dispose some cushions The joy of having a baby I suppose. My wife didn’t feel well either but so far I have been ok.
Then I am excited about my new regime – I have been up every morning at 5:45 am to go swimming and to go to the gym. Hopefully I keep doing that for the next while. My knee still hurts but with Ibuprofen and hopefully slow progression I am confident it will only be temporary. Fingers crossed.
And then I am excited about Schimanski Not only did I order his jacket, the M65 Jacket I had for years in his stone/beige colour, but I also got the first four DVDs that were available of Tatort with Schimanski. It is great!
So this week has been very exciting. And, re-reading my post I didn’t necessarily put work before my son but I still spend more time at work than at home, that is why.
What else? I met with a good friend of mine on Monday night which was great. Haven’t had a chance to catch up with him for a while. Then I had a workshop about taxes and how to do my tax return which was quite helpful. I managed to have two early nights too to be able to help my wife with our son. I enjoy having less of a commute in order to be home a bit earlier. Of course if often happens that I have to go back to my emails afterwards, but it works well for us.
Next week I am looking forward to download the new Peter Maffay CD. Hopefully it will be a good one. Old songs newly recorded…. – I am touching base with my German roots quite a bit lately and I really enjoy it. It is as if I find myself and my history and slowly but surely know where I stand. Surely, I will write more about that shortly, but I can now let go of it. It took 9 years!
That’s all for today. I am tired. Taking care of the boy all weekend, long afternoon walks, not 100% myself, laundry….I have a lot of respect for my wife who does that every day. She enjoys it, as I enjoy what I do. That is fair I guess 
You have a good week. Mine looks very busy and exciting, so fingers crossed.
Gedanken = thoughts about a boy
Since I started my new job, I have been busy, and I have been speaking more German than I used to. I believe that Colin is benefiting from that, as I try to make the extra effort to speak German to him. Fingers crossed.
I also thought I just write a few lines about his development. My wife already said that I missed things out in Sunday’s post. But I would – I only see him a few days a week. Tuesday is one of them. Tuesdays I make an extra effort to be home early and try to bath the boy and put him to bed. Tonight I managed.
It is great to see him grow. I don’t believe that he is over 7 months already. Before we know it, he is going to be a year. He is sitting up right already, bouncing up and down and says “dada”, not quite in relation to myself yet, but the sounds are there
My wife has done a fantastic job of taking some new pictures of Colin. If you are in our distribution list you will get a link to all of them. We love to share these pictures, however we don’t want them to be distributed all over the place. Anyhow, I think my wife should become a professional photographer. What do you think?
When Colin was born I was less overwhelmed than I thought. Even before that, seeing the first scan, it was just all like it is supposed to be, supposed to look etc. I believe that we have seen development of babies too much these days, it is documented everywhere, and we think we have seen it all. But, 7 months on, I find that I still struggle to comprehend that this little worm on the scan was actually Colin. And today, Colin was sitting in the bath “reading” the book he got from his god mother about animals squirting water whilst I just sit there and watch him. He is self content, happy and can entertain himself. This would have been unthinkable a few months ago when he was crying and shouting much more often.
I reckon that in a few weeks time, maybe a couple of month, I will write about how much he has grown and how much he is crawling. He crawls backwards a bit and tries to figure out completely how to turn himself around. We are getting there and there is no hurry. In his own time.
My wife got a new buggy today, one that we can fold up and take with us anywhere: planes, cars, trains etc. We are getting used to the idea of being more mobile with him. He is eating proper food and enjoys it a lot. His favourite I believe is still macaroni cheese but he also likes the lentil coconut dish, and fish!
It is great. Seeing a child grow up is still a miracle. But you have to see it, you have to look at him and experience it. Hence I try to spend more time with him, and I am destined to take him swimming on Sunday….
Sunday Column (41)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column, personal on 06/12/2009
This week was rather interesting, not to say quite busy.
As you might know by now I have left my job after only 6 months. In summary: it just didn’t work out. However, onwards and upwards. I have been in touch with a few companies over the last few weeks and continue to do so. So far we have not had to cancel Christmas, and I really enjoy the time with my boy!
On Tuesday afternoon I went to see an osteopath for my back and she cracked it well. I felt better afterwards but my muscles that are mainly used to lift heavy things, e.g. Colin, are still very weak and hurt. It also doesn’t help to sit on a too low desk I suppose. However, I go back next week to get more mobility into my back. And, they recommended me to do some exercise….I know Although, a neighbour got me to go to the gym on Saturday, and I did do some exercise, went off to the Sauna and steam room too
Wednesday was busy. I had an unexpected meeting with a good friend in the morning which resulted in possibly another job opportunity. Afterwards I met a friend for a late breakfast, another friend over lunch, having a frutti di mare pizza. Trying to abstain from meat until Friday for my weekly kebab In the afternoon I found time to catch up with a good friend before heading to a Tweet-Up.
I met two guys I met on Twitter, hence Tweet-Up, who are very much into Social Media. We met in the Albannach and tested a few whiskys that night, later being joined by another good friend. So overall that day has been very sociable, online and offline. Unfortunately one meeting had to be canceled which I hope to reschedule for next week.
I spent most of Thursday to catch up on emails and sorting out some potential part time work to tie me over to January. In theory I could start working in telemarketing for a friend in Germany as of today, but I don’t really have an office space yet. So that decision has to be made depending on a few things next week.
It is great to have a reliable network and friends who can offer and do offer you jobs. Because they know, how reliable, hard working and honest I am. So it is good to have friends and to help each other out sometimes.
What else happened this week. Whilst speaking to so many people, the nice things that I heard was a mortgage approval for friends who were seeking to buy for a while. Congratulations again, we will be neighbours soon! Then, another friend’s wife is feeling much better and might be home for Christmas, which I hope for him and his family. Fingers crossed and good luck.
We got a couple of early Christmas cards too and I realise again how strong our network of friends is. Particularly around Christmas and in these hard times. But, it is all good and we enjoy the company with our friends, and as hard as the times might seem, there are still people out there that are much worse off that us. We should not forget about them!
On Sunday we had an excellent breakfast with our friends and Colin’s god-father. “Il Coskino” and his wife were over for a cooked breakfast where I had some bacon, and a sausage. But that should be all for the meat for a while. Back to veggies and fish.
Have a fantastic week, not long to Christmas now!
Sunday Column (35)
Posted by Volker in Colin, Sunday Column, family on 25/10/2009
Another week, another Sunday. And it is a sunny Sunday
This week, after a few days off, passed quickly but different to many other weeks. I believe every time you have some time off and go back to work, you start thinking about things and re-calibre your work. Hence it seems as if you get less done but you actually work more productively.
Anyways, Tuesday was our 2nd anniversary. I cannot believe how quickly those two years passed. And, we are still very happy together and have enjoyed the time together. With the house, boy and all, we are very settled and happy how and where we live. We enjoy what we have, and this is one of those unbeatable feelings to have. Happiness.
On Thursday, at Tai-Chi, we started refining the form. Particularly with the speed and control. Wow, I felt very tired after the session and now start noticing how much good it does for me. Also, I found out that my old work is not doing too well and people seem to not get paid and made redundant. Hence I am feeling very sorry for them, looking back I am glad I got made redundant whilst they could still pay me. Also, I think that it is such a shame for so many people not knowing what the future holds. All I can do is to offer my help. Fingers crossed it works out for everyone.
At the weekend my cousin was here. Her boyfriend works for an airline so it is easy for them to get flights from Zurich to London. It was a lovely weekend. Too much wine on Friday, a mess on Saturday and a lovely walk on Sunday. Time, although we gained an hour with the change to the winter time, was too short and they had to leave just around 2 pm again on Sunday.
It is so nice to stay in touch with family, sharing values and time, and having Colin meeting my cousin and his godmother. Talking about the family, the grandparents, the parents and how things have changed since we were young is interesting, fascinating and scary at the same time. It is so enjoyable and I hope that Colin will appreciate a German godmother that will teach him “Ballueder Family Values”
With her being a trained acupuncturist, I got rid of some back pain and enjoyed some needles being stuck into myself
Another topic that came up this week was the boy: I enjoy it so much more to be around him. He gives me so much back when I come home from work or wake him in the morning. Just the smile at me and the touching, grabbing and love he shows me, makes me feel so good. Whilst at some point I wasn’t sure how much I enjoy having children, after 4 months I want to have the next one…or two We shall see.
Also, we bought instant coffee and, although difficult to admit, I actually don’t mind it too much. I will never be a big fan, but I do enjoy it now and then for a quick cup of coffee. Letting go of my standards is not what I had in mind, but maybe getting used to more average supply of coffee (and same is true for wine after my month break), is not a bad thing in the recession.
This brings the week to a close. I could go to sleep and curl up in my bed, watching the wind in the trees, chasing the leaves around the garden. I love autumn with its fascinating colours. I have some things to do this afternoon, but hope that tonight I put on a nice fire, maybe a nice take away and a nice movie. Just chilling. That’s Sunday, that is autumn.
Love and Happiness to you all,
Volker
Sunday Column (33)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column, personal on 11/10/2009
Here we go again. Another week, another Sunday. I like writing these columns as it gives me some time to reflect on the week.
Monday: a client meeting, it was raining and I arrived there soaked. Met an ex-colleague and got some good gossip, and some good insight from a different perspective. Sometimes it is really good to just sit down and talk openly.
Tuesday: we had a workshop at work which worked out very well and I think we made a lot of progress, followed by a Wednesday where we had a great team night out. I really like the guys I am working with and it is great to see everyone working so hard to make things happen.
Thursday I went back to Tai Chi after a week’s break and enjoyed it a lot. And, before I knew it, it was Friday. Some positive comments from my boss which made me feel great. So the whole week ended on a positive note.
Saturday was divided into two – on the one hand I enjoyed myself and went for a massage. Stopped at McDonalds for a dirty breakfast, Starbucks for a coffee and read my FT. Me time, very enjoyable. Then, on the other hand, it was family day. I spent most of the day with the boy, went to Homebase to buy some plants and paint for the fence, and we had our neighbours over for a few drinks.
However, I am coming down with a cold AGAIN. Wonder if my immune system just decided to walk, or if it is the boy. They keep saying that you get ill more often having a baby, but he seems to be fine. I am off for 3 days next week, and don’t want to spend them all in bed.
Also, this week a friend’s nephew was killed in a car accident. It was one of those moments when you sit down and think “why am I going through all these things in life, hassle, work and stress when it can be over so quickly”. One of those moments when your life comes to a full stop and you reflect.
On Sunday my mother in law arrived. I haven’t seen her for a long time, so looking forward to spending a week with her.
There are many other things going on, which I don’t need to speak about: things like coaching and personal development. Also I am working on my cb consulting website. Would like to integrate some of the sites on this URL and also get some of the balamadana blog content here too.
I reviewed two more wines, so you will get a taste over the next 2 weeks. Will try to write more often, but seem to be busy with my job and the family. Both of which is enjoyable, but I need to work on a routine to fit things like my blog in again too.
Have a fantastic week!
Sunday Column (32)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column, cb consulting, personal on 04/10/2009
Good evening.
From next week, there might be less blog entries, so this blog might stay a tat emptier than usual. I am trying to give this blog and my websites a new face, look and feel. However, this might take a while. Re-branding always takes time. I have a few days off soon and hope to be able to change some design, content and was also thinking of doing some PPC management. Why not? You need to keep learning.
On Monday I didn’t feel well and went home early, was off sick with some kind of virus all Tuesday. Everyone I speak to suggests that if you have a baby they give you all kinds of illnesses. Ach well, better get used to it. However, Wednesday I felt better but gave a party a miss, still suffering from the virus. Thursday was our work party and I enjoyed thoroughly to catch up with a few colleagues over wine. That was the first time in almost 3 months that I had a chance to properly discuss things with colleagues “off site” and in a more relaxed atmosphere. Mainly that is due to my family commitments and other events during the week.
Then, this week I had my first coaching session. That means I am working on myself rather than on / with other people. We made quite a bit of progress to identify values, patterns and things I am interested in. I guess it must be easier for a coach to coach a coach for progress, but in terms of thinking it might be a bit harder. We all have our own ways. But it helped me a lot already. What I am hoping to gain from these sessions is more direction of where I want to go and what to do.
This goes in line with a couple of thoughts about the future in London. Whilst I am sure that we are here for at least another 3-5 years, having a child and a family and a house….it all changes perspectives.
Then on Wednesday night I finally shaved off my tache. I didn’t raise any money but I didn’t really try. This is a bad excuse I know. It is a shame to have not tried harder but I guess I was thinking that I would support the corporate group more than anything else. However, for any next charity events, I plan my own bit. Glad the tache is gone though.
Other than that there wasn’t much happening this week. A lot of work, a lot of new stuff. And, on Saturday, we went to London Borough Market to get some nice wine, prawns, coffee etc. We even had a Bratwurst. I was carrying Colin around London, now that he passed the 9 kg mark, this is hard work. It replaces my gym workout
Saturday night and all Sunday we relaxed and chilled. I had to catch up with some work, both for my coaching and for my job. I am still struggling to get someone else, e.g. Colin, to take over my routine and determine what I have to do.
I wouldn’t say it is inconsiderate, but I have my plan in my head and know what I have to do. But with someone around that needs constant attention and fitting his demands in with mine – taking shared duties with the wife – is not as easy as it sounds.
Maybe that is why I need to re-think the blog. I just don’t have the time to write a lot during the week, and now I don’t even have time during the weekend. Life is changing, constantly, but hopefully for the better.
Have a good week!
Sunday Column (29)
Posted by Volker in Sunday Column, personal on 13/09/2009
Alrighty,
I have to admit a few things.
a) I do wear a moustache But it is for charity, Everyman - I will post a link soon so you can sponsor me. 
b) I got so fed up of my old alarm clock, or new alarm clock, that I replaced it this weekend. Not that the new one is much better in regards to functionality or wake-up sound, but still better than the other. So job done … hopefully anyway.
On Monday/Tuesday I was still down with the man flu. No sympathy but it was much better on Wednesday. However, I needed to travel with work up North on Tuesday and it was interesting to see some other parts of the country.
Wednesday I met some old work colleagues. They do some great design work, so if you need a designer, please let me know. I am more than happy to put you in touch. Also, Friday I met another blast from the past – an ex colleague I worked with in Dubai about 3 years ago. It is interesting to see how things have moved on and changed. However, people stay the same and it is good to stay in touch!
I have a few thoughts about my blog here too. Once I finalised them, I let you know. I think I will reduce my activity here. I did already on Twitter, just because I have less time at the moment. Being a proud dad and working on a career is just enough at the moment.
On Saturday I had a nice massage and found out about my leg, e.g. why my knee hurts and my foot and my hip and….yes, it is just my age So I am planning to see an osteopath soon to get my muscles and ligaments sorted. Nothing to worry about however.
Saturday night was nice to have some friends around for drinks. My wife called it an “adult evening without the kids”. It was very enjoyable!
I spent a lot of time with the boy this weekend and tried to work as little as possible. It is really nice to have some time with him and see how much he is developing.
So a very well round up week.
Have a great week, enjoy the autumn weather…looks like we need to put the heating on soon.
Sunday Column (16)
This week was a week of waiting. And it was worth waiting for!
My patience was stretched, far too stretched for my liking. But with the tube strike there were no more interviews this week and with the imminent arrival of our son, there was little scope to commit to any either. So they have been re-scheduled for next week, fingers crossed!
So this week was focused on one thing – BABY
And, he arrived, much much quicker than anticipated. On Friday, just after 3 pm in the afternoon, Colin Ballueder arrived. 3.7 kg heavy and 53 cm long – nothing compared to his dad who was 3.9 kg and 57 cm but that is a few years ago . He big shoes to fill, although his feet are rather out of proportion already (which of course he got from his mum).
To have a baby is difficult to describe. It still feels unreal although my wife is sitting over at the couch now and trying to feed him. It is overwhelming, nothing like you ever thought how it would happen. It all went very quick at the end and we didn’t expect him until earliest 6 pm but then he decided to come out much quicker. That was a relief for his mother. In total we “only” spend a little less than 19 hours prior to the birth in hospital – not too bad actually And, the “act of him coming out” was only around 30-45 minutes. The waiting is really the hardest part.
Colin has spent his first night at home and settled quite well. Some people call it attachment parenting, I call it comforting, and touching your baby. He wants to be held and hear you breathe, he wants to hear your heart beat.
So many people have emailed and called and send text messages. We are so grateful and thankful for his arrival and the amount of positive wishes for him, his mother and me.
If we look into history, then Colin was born on the same day as:
- John A. Roebling, bridge engineer (1806)
- Chick Corea, jazz pianist (1941)
- Egon Schiele, painter (1890)
- Anthony Eden, Earl of Avon, British statesman (1897)
- George H. W. Bush, president (1924)
- Harriet Martineau, writer and social crusader (1802)
Going by those people he could either be an engineer, artist, or politician. I still hope for basketball or rugby, but we shall see. It will be his decision one day to make up his mind what he wants to do.
Other things that happened on this day in time can be found at MSN Encarta. He is a Gemini as a star sign:
Geminis are thought to be quick-witted, intellectual, talkative, and mischievous. They value learning and may bore easily.
Oh dear, just the dad: talkative and mischievous and intellectual as well (of course).
Being rather exhausted, I leave it with this update for today. I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I will have some interesting posts coming up next week about brain power and also about twitter. So stay tuned.
If you wish to see more pictures of Colin, please email us as we will have more personal ones protected in private album.
Thanks again for this great event, the wishes and the love.
Wish you all a nice week and myself a successful week.
Yours
Volker and family
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