Before I forget November

Maybe, because it's the last month before the holidays, or maybe because so much happens in it, November seems to speed by every year, and almost become unmemorable; neither Autumn, nor Winter, an in-between month. Of course, I'm talking from the point of someone who lives in a big city in the northern hemisphere. But I'm getting carried away about, and by, November. It is still here and I will mention a few more Consular events lest I forget them.
After the beautiful opera singing, and quality films, there was the Consular corps lunch. It always surprises to see that most of the consuls are still male. The consular corps has no equal representation rule since it's up to each country to decide. Serbia is very progressive, as they have posted many female diplomats all over the world! I was lucky to sit at a table surrounded by the most charming consuls there.
Then there was the, " Grand-Messe", Church concert partly organized by the Romanian Consulate. Very nice choir and 4 gorgeous solo voices!
The work at the house is taking much more time than expected and so I have some extra time to write this little public diary/blog while overseeing the workers, etc., and much less time to go to my studio to paint. Who would guess that one new shower was so much dust and work!
But this week I certainly plan to finish my painting of lovely T.J.
Writing this feels so private that I have to remind myself of the possibility that someone else might read it. It's a very modest foray into the internet world. Like an apartment with an open door, but you didn't send any formal invitations.

November colours and Consular Events!

It seems that November is the busiest month for all kinds of events; a flurry of activities before the winter sets in! Apart from National days there are musical and movie events. I missed the German National day in early autumn, as I was in Europe, but I came back just in time for the well attended Turkish National day! The Ambassador to ICAO spoke a few words in Serbian to me, as he had previously been posted in Belgrade.
What really impressed me was the recent "Soirée Lyrique Consulaire", sponsored by the Spanish and Uruguayan Consulates. The competing young Opera singers displayed such incredible talent! It would be hard to choose a winner!
The Italians also held a Soirée musicale that weekend with beautiful Italian arias.
The first Argentinian Consular  Film Festival was a real treat with a very amusing film called "Me casé con un Boludo"; very well acted and humorous. Congrats to the Lovely Argentinian Consul General and her team for organizing a very successful opening with free tickets for the night!
Apart from this, November has been beautiful with many orange/mauve/grey sunsets set against a cerulean sky, which I find particular to this month! That combination of colours inspired one of my paintings 2 years ago, and is slightly present in the new painting I am working on now! I hope to finish it while we are still in November!