Geranium

Alright, I'll admit it. I haven't come up with my blog focus just yet. But this was too good to pass up posting about. Mrs. Meyer's Countertop Spray is simply marvelous!

I fell in love with the Mrs. Meyer's Geranium scent when visiting a colleague's classroom a while back. She had set up Sink Scrubbing and the children used the Geranium Surface Scrub to that end. It delicately scented the entire room. My children also use the Surface Scrub and it makes the entire classroom smell heavenly. La.

Since that chance discovery, I've been waiting for things to run out so I can switch over to Mrs. Meyer's at home. Not only do these products smell spectacular, but they're plant-derived and non-toxic, too! Best of all, Mrs. Meyer's actually outperforms Mr. Clean spray making my tile countertops gleam. Splendid.

Focus

I really need to narrow the focus of this blog. It needs to be about one thing, but I'm not sure what that one thing should be. It makes sense though because I think to myself, "Oh, I should update the blog." And then I think, "But what with?" Hmmm, that's a problem.

I'm going to put some real thought into this conundrum. I have some questions that need answering. What is my life really about? What is my life really about that everyone else's life isn't really about? What is my life about that everyone else's life isn't really about and is also interesting? Yep. Good questions. Now to go off and find the answers.

Summer is Here

For the past ten days the weather has been gorgeous here in Oregon. We've taken advantage by camping at Bagby Hot Springs, enjoying many evening walks through the Pearl District and down to the Willamette, and going out to the beach. Yesterday I accompanied Joel and our neighbors Vince from the third floor and Beth from the first floor to Indian Beach at Ecola State Park. It was a rare hot day at the coast and I set up camp on a little blanket and watched them surf from the shore. There was a cool breeze that kept the temperature just right. Not too hot, not too cold. Today Joel is on a bike ride in the Willamette Valley. Having just woken up half an hour ago, I'm not sure what I'm going to do today. Whatever I decide, I'm sure it will be heavenly. This weather is hard to beat.

To Die For {Close Second}

While out shopping and strolling with my friend Samantha along 23rd Avenue a couple of months ago, I discovered this body cream which is no less than to die for! It has a subtle yet heady scent that is comforting while almost exotic. I'm no stranger to Santa Maria Novella, having a bottle of their luxurious rose water my brother gave me as a gift following his sojourn in Florence. On a hot summer day, nothing beats splashing rose water all over my arms, neck and decollete. It makes even the stickiest summer days feel fresh and intoxicatingly rosey.

But even Italian prestige coupled with that je ne sais quoi scent can't justify the $88 price tag on this covetous pot of cream. Then I happened to be poking around in Anthropologie yesterday when I came upon a {close second}.

Tocca solid perfume in Stella is very similar to the scent of Idrasol and at $30 is much more affordable up front. It is much, much smaller than the Idrasol and it's just a perfume solid, not an extravagant, silky cream. However, the Tocca solid contains sparkles (!) and it's small enough to get through airport security.

Trust and Proceed

I came upon this magnet and was surprised to see that this mantra of sorts is actually a Cadet Maxim. Over the past week I've put a lot of thought into how I live my life and what makes me who I am. I have been contemplating a big change and confronting all of the questions and fears that come long with such consideration. Along my train of thought came an apparently defining moment of my childhood. I've always been very small. At Catholic school a common PE activity was Dodgeball. Naturally, my strategy was to hide at the back so as not to experience the inherent discomfort in being hit with a ball. And, naturally, I then discovered that once my team was down to two or three people, I was completely vulnerable and totally exposed. So, I came to the logical conclusion that in fourth grade, as a burly girl of 3' 10" I had to put myself out there. I walked away from dodgeball unscathed, exuberant and vitalized.

I strive to move through life with unwavering intrepidity. As I stumble through the Meisner class I'm currently taking with Michael Mendelson at Artists Repertory Theatre, I am called on as an actor to reveal myself truthfully and vulnerably. I can honestly say that I began the class with my usual gusto, but then, inexplicably, I withdrew deep within myself and stayed there, feeling insecure, and even fearful for several weeks of class. Last week I resolved to go into class and confront the work. In what followed, I revealed and uncovered a self in which I feel immensely proud. I walked away feeling light and humble. In my entire life, I am comfortable taking great risks, making mistakes, discovering the truth and finding my own way as I advance into the unknown.

Skin Change

Perhaps it was moving back to lush Oregon from Arizona that did it, but my skin is a mess! I never dealt with pimples or blackheads throughout high school or college and now I find myself needing a completely new skin regimen because my skin is no longer dry, but actually a bit oily! Ick. I picked up a few samples of Kiehl's Herbal Blue face wash and moisturizer last week and have used it for the past few days. I don't dislike it, but I'm not completely sold either. Another product I'm considering is Clinique's 3-step System with Mild Soap, Clarifying Lotion 2 and Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel. For the time being, I have a few Biore strips drying on my face. Does anyone have any other good suggestions for combination skin? Or maybe an answer to the question "what is going on?"

Tupperware

So maybe it's a little crazy, but I attended my first Tupperware party in Switzerland while working abroad and absolutely loved it! We had a blast and made some delicious treats with the nifty Tupperware contraptions all while we drank wine and chatted away. It's been nagging at me for a few months that maybe I could have a lot of fun being a Tupperware Consultant. It would kind of be like joining a cult devoted to leftovers, I know this. But just look at those little pepper, garlic and onion keepers. Tupperware is not all puke green and burnt orange square containers anymore. They actually have some really great stuff!

Paint Swatches

Sunday afternoon, I picked up a few paint swatches at Ace because Joel and I would love to paint our living room a nice robin's egg blue color. With our brown couch and dark wood furniture, it would be just the thing to really bring the room together. Except the ideal color would be just a little brighter than robin's egg blue, and a bit warmer with a little more yellow. So almost a very bright, light, nearly greenish blue. The confusion of trying to find that color is only made more confusing by actually seeing swatches of different blues. In different lights, some give one the feeling of being deserted on an arctic tundra cold and alone. Others in different lights become dinghy greys that would surely depress me on dark Portland winter days. So today I'm going to tape them in the wall and then after going to fetch the mail, or on arriving back from the laundry room, see how they strike me when I open the door. It's the quest for the perfect blue.

Found

Someone in our building was getting rid of this frame and left it in the laundry room. I immediately loved it and knew it would make a great mirror. The mirror only cost 96 cents at Ace and the mounting hardware another $1.49. Not bad!

Reinvent

Sunset magazine has inspired me yet again. My childhood nightstand is in sorry shape. The bottom embellishment has come off and it's falling apart in general. However, I love it and can't bear the thought of junking it. So, what am I going to do? Turn it into a bedroom vanity just as Sunset did with this tiny office desk. I've been wanting a vanity for ages and now I realize, I have one already, it just needs a little tweaking, sanding and perhaps some paint? I think I'll make this next weekend's project. I'll let you know how it goes!

Bunny Hop

This is quite possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen. As a fan of Rudy himself, my Uncle Cyrus is always on the lookout for rabbit related news and sending it my way. Our darling rabbit, Rudy, will have his fourth birthday this upcoming Tuesday, May 5th along with my niece Audrey. If only we had a backyard in which to train Rudy in jumping over fences. This rabbit is set for a competition coming up in the UK. Read the full article, courtesy of Uncle Cyrus, here.

Vault Martini

My latest obsession is Vault Martini Happy Hour. Not only are there at least a dozen fabulous martinis for a mere $4 - Habanero anyone? But there is also a Bubbly section featuring ridiculously divine champagne cocktails that will make any girly girl squeal with delight. Pair a few of those with crostini and herbed goat cheese and you've got yourself one happy hour! Soon they will know my name and and a crisp, refreshing French 75 will be on its way the moment I sit down. Mmmmm.

The End

This is the end. My Swiss Lark has officially ended and what a lark it wasn't. My time in Switzerland was difficult. I was surrounded by liars. I was in an essentially abusive work situation. I was alone a great deal of time and when I wasn't, I didn't know if I could trust who I was with to relax too much. Unfortunately, the human desire to belong overrode my decisions at times and I trusted where I later felt I shouldn't have. I feel a subtle grieving period beginning - for the friendships that never quite solidified, for the disappointment, for leaving a place
so beautiful in its isolation both physical and (more so) politically. Mostly, though, I will grieve quietly, even subconsciously for what it could have been, what I hoped it would be and it was not. Swiss Lark.

Kayaking and Change Ahead

This weekend I went to visit my friend Clare who lives just outside of Geneva in France. We had a fantastic time and went to Annecy where we picnicked by the lake, strolled through the old town, did a bit of shopping, had a glass of wine on a terrace on the side of the canal and rented kayaks on the lake. It was a great experience. I had no idea how much fun it would be to paddle around in a kayak. Now I'm excited to do it again!

My computer died, so the blog has seen a huge gap in posts. It only died a couple weeks ago, but having Joel here meant that I didn't have so much time by myself and so rather than blogging, I was out hiking and discovering different parts of Switzerland and talking about and planning our WEDDING! During the lunar eclipse in March, Joel proposed out of the blue and it was quite splendid and lovely.

Then everything started to change dramatically and quickly. It looked as if my school were to be sold. Then it turned out it wasn't going to be sold. But by that time, I was already in the mindframe of considering other options. Joel and I received a fantastic offer in Phoenix. He's doing the Montessori elementary training and then we'll both be teachers at the same AMI certified school. I really can't wait to work in a genuine Montessori program and finally begin doing the work I was trained to do. It's a lot of change, but I'm really excited.

Sick Again...

This time it's Tonsillitis AND Strep Throat. At the same time! So here I am at home with my antibiotics. The pain was so raging I barely slept two nights in a row. I couldn't swallow; I could hardly breathe. The doctor took one look in my mouth and backed far far away. Antibiotics are a good thing. Today I am just sick and exhausted as opposed to the sheer misery I was in before. I'm telling you -- working with kids...I don't know. Really rough on one's health. Everyone says the first year is the worst. It better not be like this next year.

DONE as in finito, fini, fertig!

The hell that has been finishing my Masters in Baltimore from my overseas domicile is now officially over. The papers were finished last night and now I have only to wait for my diploma. This afternoon Joel and I took a sunny, warm walk down on the shores of the lake with Robin after school and then spent a lovely, balmy evening strolling through town. I could literally feel the stress leaving my body. What a relief to finally be done.

Total Lunar Eclipse

Tonight all of Europe will be able to see a total eclipse of the Moon, weather permitting. Right now the skies are partially cloudy, but the wind is really moving them east, so Joel and I have reserved a carsharing car and we're heading up to La Chaux-de-Fonds to try and see it later tonight. The eclipse lasts a total of three hours, but the full red eclipse like the photo, will last one hour, peaking at 23:20 GMT, so 00:20 here in Switzerland.

Strange to think that while we're here in the dark, everyone at home will be in broad daylight, enjoying the sunlight that simultaneously will be creating the shadow that reddens the moon. I love eclipses. Please please please let the skies be clear!

He's Here!

Joel arrived Sunday safe and sound. I met him in Geneva and luckily all his bags and the bike box fit in the car just fine. It was a joyous affair to bring him back to Neuchâtel after anticipating his arrival here for so long. Monday afternoon we enjoyed a delicious meal of Raclette. Mmmmm. More stories to follow...

Amazing

Click

Just About Ready to Pee My Pants!

Joel is going to be here in a little over 15 hours. I am so excited I can hardly stand it. This is months and months of planning finally coming to fruition. I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight or not.

Today I got everything ready. The fridge is stocked with everything wonderful and Swiss. I have cheese from Aux Gourmets, kirsch, white wine, everything to make a fondue including fourchettes and the table stand with combustible gel. I completed my raclette paraphernalia as well. The wooden boards for resting the hot cheese holders on and the little paddles for scraping the cheese are now in my possession. Take a look in my fridge and it's just like any other fridge in Switzerland - fondue cheeses, raclette, cornichons. I have to say, I really felt like a local asking for my preferred cheeses in grams and then asking the cheese steward to grate it. "Mouliné s'il vous plaît, madame." Then she handed it over in the cute little fondue bag that has a jolly bubbling pot of cheese on it. Mmmm, yum!

Yes, Switzerland is having its influence on me. I can tell the difference between different gruyères, I routinely carry cash and I'm actually quite punctual now. Hard to believe, I know. Switzerland is great, but most of all, it really does make me appreciate being a Yank.

Three cheers for my Yankee arriving tomorrow. Hip! Hip! Hooray! Hip! Hip! Hooray! Hip! Hip! Hooray!

Miss Piggy

I eat too much. I've been wondering lately why over the last couple years I seem to be on a packing trend. As in packing it on. I've gone up a size or two and it just sucks because I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I had rabbit fast metabolism and now I don't. I'm getting older. Uggh, that word, older. But it's true. I see myself starting to age. Key word starting. So, with a lot of care and good habits, that process can be greatly slowed.

That positive energy is what took me surfing on over to Real Simple's Ditch Your Diet. It's an innovative way of looking at diet and nutrition. I picked the "grazer" plan for myself, because once I eat, I'm hungry again quite soon after. Wow, the plan sure didn't look like that much food. The picture above shows nearly an entire day's worth of eating! You know what that means -- I've gotten used to eating way too much. After all, I did have three slices of bacon, an egg, a piece of toast and a cup of coffee with cream for breakfast this morning. No more of that!

I'll start tomorrow. The food looks really tasty and vacation is the perfect time to start. I've been such a little piggy that this will practically feel like a fast. And I think that's just what I need, so I'm going to look for places to add the yummy drink of hot water, lemon juice and cayenne pepper and walnuts and fish for omega-3 and essential good fatty oils. And of course I will have to substitute wheat-free alternatives where applicable. Hurrah.

I love the end of winter and the feeling of rebirth as spring starts to appear. It's like a call for good health and a reminder that we are always in a process of renewal. Goodbye winter piggy, hello spring chicken!

This is Friday Night

I'm just at home baking some bread and listening to music. It's Ski Holidays now so we have the next week off of work. Ahhhh. And, if that isn't good enough, Joel is arriving Sunday morning and I'm all set to go meet him at the airport in Geneva. It was quite the dilemma that I'll have to describe another time, but suffice it to say that everything worked out beautifully and my instincts served me very well.

I finally bought speakers for my computer today. They're so so cute! I especially love the heat activated volume up and down buttons. And they have really good sound. Honestly, it is like all of my music is new after relying on PowerBook built-ins.

So, here I am. As with every event that is highly anticipated, it's seems it will never come and then it arrives so quickly! Joel will be here in less than 48 hours. I can't wait. But I also have a lot to do before then. Oh yes I do...

Loaf

It burned a little on the top, but I'm so proud of my first delicious loaf of spelt bread. Let's keep in mind that I baked it in a glorified toaster oven that has no temperature settings. I think it turned out great! I added some ground up almonds that made it really moist and give it a bit of protein, too. Baking bread is wonderful for many reasons. 1. It makes your house smell great, 2. It's relaxing and process driven, 3. There's something ancient and biblical about it that makes it an almost meditative act. I'm a huge fan and that's a good thing because I really can't tolerate any more wheat. It's one of the hardest things to cut out of one's diet, especially in Europe, but I'm trying. Still, there will always be irresistible crèpes, fondue and quiches that I don't make at home or just don't taste the same. But I've got toast taken care of!

Tupperware

It's crazy, but I came all the way to Switzerland for my first Tupperware party. I have to say it was great. Robin hosted and we sat around drinking wine and marveling at gadgets and gizmos. Who knew Tupperware had come so far! I am now the proud owner of the "Quick Chef" among other fantastic pieces. Perhaps my favorite is the "CheeSmart," a covered plate for keeping cheese at its freshest in the refrigerator. You can see it all at in German, French and Italian here.

Vapor Trail to Nowhere

This morning I got in a total huff over the communication hurdle I can't seem to get over while being abroad. When I went to France to study abroad, it was really easy to maintain communication because it was short lived. I made and received phone calls, left and got messages, sent and received emails, care packages and letters. All the while anticipating my return home. But, now it's different. I moved to Switzerland, entered the daily grind and there's no end in sight. Everyone at home is in their daily grind, too and when daily routines don't overlap it's very easy for lots of time to go by and feel like the distance is growing further and bigger and more pronounced.

Sometimes I start to feel like I have to solicit every bit of communication I have with people back on the other side of the Atlantic. In other ways, I know that I'm busy and doing my daily thing and that's what everyone else is doing, too. Being so sick and missing an entire week of work it was like everything just stopped. I was not busy or doing the daily thing at all. I had no TV, no radio, just the internet and a couple of English books and magazines that I've already read. Time slowed way down and all I could do was lie in bed and watch the occasional vapor trail of a plane make a line across the sky. I wondered if some of those planes were going to New York.

This morning, in my huff, I sent off an email to the people I miss the most haranguing them with mixed fonts, colors and text size for not being better communicators. Later I felt guilty. It's not about them, or their communicating. It's about my missing them and missing being around them and wanting to be able to share the everyday stuff that I now experience in a different orbit than they do. I sought comfort and justification in that fact that I'm still on the Earth and that the internet, cell phones and cheap calls have made the Earth small and communication effortless. But I'm living in another world from everyone I love and care about and that's just something I have to deal with.

Respite

I made it back to work today after my relapse Tuesday and Wednesday. It felt odd to emerge from my apartment and join the world again after so long being inside. My new best friend, Domino's, made it so I didn't even have to venture out for more groceries, or stand so long as to cook a meal. In Switzerland Domino's is so organized that you can order online and in my somewhat limited, but recent experience they arrive way before the guaranteed 30 minutes. Best off all, they have a "Carte de Fidelité" or in English, "Faithfulness Card" so after 5 deliveries the 6th pizza is free! What a deal.

This morning I found respite in the increase in light. While the sun was not yet up when I left the house, the sky was a beautiful crepuscular glow and it felt like morning, not like I had decided to go out in the middle of the night as per usual. By the end of the month, the sun will be up by the time I leave the house and from there it just gets closer and closer to Spring. See for yourself.

To be completely honest, I love the snow and the cold in Winter. It's the darkness that I have a difficult time with. So, hurrah for the return of the light.

Well, it's back to bed for me. I made it through the school day, but it used every ounce of energy available. I'm just not at 100%. So I'm listening to my body tell me that I'm exhausted, I acknowledge the pain in my shoulders and neck and I recognize that those pesky flu viruses are trying to maintain their hold on me. It's not over. And if I don't listen, I fear it never will be.

Well Being Friday

All set up for watching "Paris, je t'aime" surrounded by pillows, warmth and a cup of tea.

I am learning - slowly - that working with children means you'll be awarded an express ticket to having pneumonia in the hospital if you don't take care of yourself. Listening to one's body is a lot different from knowing that one should listen to their body. Taking care of oneself is all about listening to what the body has to say.

I've always forced myself through sickness. Dragged myself out of bed, gotten through the day despite the fact that I was in pain. This is the stupidest thing a person can do. It is so wrong, wears the body down, makes a person weaker and ultimately more susceptible to further sickness - like me lately. After several days of doing just that I went to the doctor Thursday short of breath, fearing I had driven my poor self to pneumonia. I don't have pneumonia, but I do have a bona fide case of the flu and a doctor's note that I stay in bed until Monday. By the time I had left the doctor's office, bought some soup and was waiting for the bus home, I felt that familiar surge of adrenaline kicking in, my tired heart and weary body thinking it needed to gear up to get through another day. I thought to myself, maybe I'm not that sick after all - clearly was not listening! By the time I got home, back into bed and relaxed I felt worse and worse and worse and even worse still by the time I got up today. Mind over matter is a horribly dangerous thing. It puts such undue stress on one's adrenals, heart and immune system. I am finally starting to understand what it means to listen to my body. And all this time I thought I knew...

Keeping the house calm and serene for optimum relaxation.

I'm going to be a lot more serious about my health from now on. I'm going to eat things that make me feel good and avoid the things that don't, I'm going to listen to my body, rest and manage stress healthily, truly take care of myself. All of the small decisions I make now will affect my enjoyment and energy now, how I age, the health I am able to pass onto my children during my pregnancies with them and ultimately my longevity and theirs. It's all important. Now and then.

Waldorf, Hands On Learning and the Thesis Continues

I'm experiencing insane levels of stress as I finish my papers for my Masters in Education. The papers are due March 15th which feels like it's just a weekend away and I've run out of time. I still have three and a half weeks until Joel gets here and my goal is to have the papers completed by then. It's just overwhelming. School everyday, come home, eat, feel so tired that I just want to sleep, try to work on the papers, can't sleep because I haven't finished enough on the papers. Sick with a stomach thing last week, now sick with a bronchial/sinus thing this week. The whole staff is sick, sniffling and miserable. The stress levels are high for everyone and I've got this research, writing and Masters on top of it. It's too much. 2007 really hit the ground running.

Every Fondue is Different

Friday night I had the pleasure of going to dinner with my friend Robin, her husband Tim and his friend Wao at the oldest farm in La Chaux-de-Fonds. La Ferme des Brandt was built in 1614 and has really cool stubby wide doorways, strange details and a huge dining hall that is half consumed by a giant fireplace. Unfortunately the fire was not blazing, but the fondue was super yummy.

I haven't been in Switzerland that long, but I have been here long enough to know that every fondue is different. It's amazing how a pot of bubbling cheese could have such distinctly different results each time, but it does. It depends on the cheese firstly and principally, but then there is the cook. Some people use a lot of garlic, others not so much. Some people use kirsch, some don't. Some people use just a little bit of wine, others a ton. But, even if the same person makes it with cheese from the same source, it's different every time. When you get a really good fondue, enjoy it while it lasts, because like the snowflakes outside, it's a unique and random result in a universe of possibilities.

Sick Day

I'm home sick today, feeling isolated and having no success researching my thesis. I guess this is the perfect time to bring the blog up to date.

Basel Weihnachtsmarkt
My friend Carolyn and I took a pre-Christmas trip to Basel. Both the Christmas Market and the city lived up to their reputations and the gluhwein and sausages were just right. Yum.

I love the keepsake mug.

Enjoying the Weihnachtsmarkt.

Me and Carolyn.

Cutest building ever.
I want to live above that shop behind those shuttered windows.

Winter wonderland. Minus the snow.

I love this bakery -- hearts everywhere.

Outdoor stand up and deliver culinary delights.

Home
The holidays were great and that made coming back to Switzerland a bit of a let down. Back to the routine, back to the stress, back to being without my love bunnies. Rudy doesn't arrive until April 1st, but it's just five weeks until Joel arrives, so I've been devoting much energy and love to nesting and turning the apartment into a happy, cozy little nest for us to be in together. La.

Seattle

Silly

Driving to Oregon

Rudy wears H&M

Rudy gets an eye infection

Rudy won't come out from under the Christmas Tree

Rudy's first flight from Seattle to Spokane.
Propellers. Fun!

All dressed up and ready for New Year's at Chop Suey.

Chop Suey 2007.
The opening band, Wild Sweet Orange, from Alabama were completely awesome.
Get on over to kexp to listen.

I shall try to be a better blogger in 2007.

In Lieu of 10,000 Words

The absolute best chocolate bar on earth.

Another morning, another view.

Peculiar berries that the birds apparently eat in winter. Soft like a mushroom, red like a rose.

The sun fighting against the fog and the mountains.

And there it is.

Fondue for one, breaking all the rules. No caquelon, no fourchettes and rosé wine. What a disgrace!

Here comes the sun.

Nothing but Alps as far as the eye can see.

Alpine sunrise over the lake.

Beautiful walk home through the little forest.

Thanks

It's odd to think that Thanksgiving is happening all over the United States and yet here I am in Switzerland on a nothing Thursday doing nothing in particular. I should go to bed, but somehow I can't quite get tired knowing the holiday, nine hours behind me, is in full swing. My colleague, also American, and definitely the best friend I have in Switzerland and one of the best friends I have had of all time, bought me a Thanksgiving present. It's this really fantastic smelling mild liquid handsoap. I am sure thankful for her. She is a constant link to home, knows about things non-Americans don't know about and just gets it in a way that only someway from your same home can. She is from Seattle, born in Portland, so she's not only American but a Northwesterner, too. If she weren't here, Switzerland wouldn't be nearly so great. I know that long after this experience is over, she and I will still be friends because even though we haven't been friends long, she's one of those special ones that clicks straight away and you know it fits. It may seem silly, but I'm also thankful for Switzerland. I'm enjoying life here, it feels right and it makes me more thankful for home than any Thanksgiving ever has. Here's to the expat life!

The Green God (Part Deux)

Nothing like mentioning Starbucks to get lots of feedback on the blog. It's funny, too, because while I was writing the post, I was going to write "Now, I normally never go to Starbucks, but I have never been so happy to see a Starbucks in my life," but instead I wrote, "I have never in my life felt such joy at seeing a Starbucks" because upon reflecting a bit, I realized it's not true that I never go to Starbucks. I guess you could say I rarely go to Starbucks.

The Green God is definitely not my first choice in coffee. If I'm in Spokane, I'd rather go to Bittersweet, Rockwood Bakery or Thomas Hammer, and yet I'd pick Starbucks over the Rocket anyday. Sorry Rocket fans. In Portland I'd rather drink Stumptown Coffee. When in Seattle, my first choice would be Café Fiore, then Lighthouse, then Diva, and then just about any of the millions of incredible coffee roasters in Seattle. But sometimes in Seattle those places are really far away, so a quick pop into one of the millions of Starbucks is a natural thing to do. Especially one that has those yummy breakfast sandwiches. Mmmm.

In the Northwest, there is a different attitude and relationship toward coffee than in the rest of the United States. Last Spring I was in New York and Pennsylvania for my brother's graduation and didn't have a decent cup of a coffee for a full 6 days. On day 4, I saw Starbucks in Manhattan and you better believe I was happy then. The only problem there was that they seemed to have altered the Starbucks Americano to suit the taste of East Coasters. It tasted like watered down coffee to me and my sister Amy, a fellow coffee connoisseur. But, hey, it was better than diner coffee which I'm convinced was Sanka or some equally disgraceful powdered disaster.

I'm not saying that Starbucks is the only good coffee outside of the Northwest. The basic truth is, that when you live in a place long enough, you know the good coffee and where to go and you don't really need Starbucks anymore. But here in Switzerland, the whole notion of Starbucks is so comforting, so like home and so familiar, I can't help but love it. I am a Northwesterner afterall. I like my 16 ounces of coffee in a paper cup, and I like walking around with it even more. The closest thing I can get to that in Neuchâtel is nasty Migros "à l'emporter" coffee in a whimpy 12 ounce cup that's only half full, too hot and they're really stingy with the cream and sugar. So, while at home in the States I am more or less neutral on the topic Starbucks, here in Switzerland I am devotedly PRO-Starbucks.

The Green God

It hailed to us like a shining, familiar green beacon of hope after being kicked out of not one, but two local establishments for wanting simply to enjoy a warm drink in lieu of a full meal.

My impressions of Switzerland are becoming increasingly negative despite the fact that I'm feeling more and more at home here. On a trip to Bern yesterday, my friend and I received what I have come to expect as a Swiss reception in any sort of customer service situation. We were yelled at in a language we didn't understand (Swiss German in this case) and then expected to be content anyway by the waitstaff. This no longer surprises me, but it still makes me angry and when the offender speaks French, I tell them off effortlessly - somehow I have no trouble finding the words when I'm angry. When they don't speak French or English, I tell them off in gests, which is what language is all about anyway. By the time we were yelled at a second time yesterday, we had been searching the streets of Bern for a cute cafe or tea house that wasn't either overcrowded, overly smokey or staffed by yellers for over an hour. My sprits really began to drop and I was ready to go get on the next train back to Neuchâtel.

Then Carolyn saw it. The Starbucks sign. I have never in my life felt such joy at seeing a Starbucks. I stumbled around that corner to find a little piece of home in a mean, foreign city. It was all familiar, the decor, the refrigerated case full of muffins and donuts, the overstuffed chairs, round dark wood tables and most of all the protocol. I know what to do in Starbucks, there's no way in hell anyone's yelling at me there. The curvy Starbucks signs had favorite seasonal drinks like Peppermint Mocha accompanied by ridiculous Swiss prices, such as 7.80 chf for a tall Latte! Once we got through the long line, the cheerful barista in his green Starbucks apron greeted us in the most cheerful, not at all resembling a yell, Swiss German and then spoke English when he realized we were not Swiss. YAY! I paid 4.80 chf for a Grande Coffee, sat in a window seat sipping it and kept the insulating sleeve as a souvenir. It was the most enjoyable Starbucks experience I could have asked for. In fact, it completely redeemed my opinion of Bern.

But it's not Bern that I like; it's knowing that for 30 chf and an afternoon I can spend an hour and half on a train and take a mini trip home.

Settling

Today was an incredible day. It may have been the contrast to yesterday which I might describe as the worst day ever, but whatever the reason, I had a good day today. School has been stressing me out as working as a Montessori is always a matter of being one step ahead, calm and "looking for the child who is not there" as Montessori herself put it. When the kids are bouncing off the walls, screaming and destroying the materials, it's really hard to remember this. I'm trying to make it a kind of mantra. Keeping her books close to me and reading them often is a source of great inspiration and reassurance. Almost everytime I open one of her books it's as if she's writing to me personally, describing exactly what I should do to change the direction of something in my classroom or deal with a difficult situation with the children. Today I decided to be the change I want to see at school and it's working already. Ghandi and Montessori would have gotten along well.

This evening I made several major purchases. I passed the point a long time ago when I could pack up everything of mine and leave on a plane the way I came. Crossing over into the territory of really settling in here was something I've resisted. I didn't even move my suitcases down into my storage space after arriving for several weeks, and that was after finally unpacking them completely. Now, I have a brand new, shiny, snazzy Philips hairdryer and top of the line Sonicare Elite toothbrush, both with Swiss plugs. I'm settling in on a deeper level, mentally and physically. The decision to start changing my behavior as the teacher to effect change at school gives me a sense of ownership that I've been lacking and my feelings toward Neuchâtel are more and more feelings of comfort, a place I can call home. This is a good shift because all I've been able to think about lately is my trip home for Christmas. The States will always be home and I will no doubt settle down in Spokane one day. But in the meantime, it's important to be connected to where I am living, enjoy it fully and be present in each day. I am glad to be putting the effort into doing that. Of course I'm still counting, though. Five weeks until I go home for Christmas. Five weeks of living in and making the most of Switzerland.

Global Gimcrackery

So, it's not just here on the European continent. Christmas is getting an early start everywhere. A German friend who lives in the US just chimed in that Christmas displays have taken over the stores and display windows. It appears that the movement is pioneered by none other than Macy's (see picture) who decided to bypass Halloween this year and get straight on to Christmas. This suprises me, as according to Wikipedia, Halloween is the 6th most profitable holiday for retailers in the US. I made a quick trip to nordstrom.com to see if they had started up with all the nonsense yet. What did I find? A greeting that nordstrom.com is under construction. What could this mean? Possibly that nordstrom.com is being made over in Christmasy colors and lights? It would disappoint me to see this happen as Nordstrom has always made a magical transformation the day after Thanksgiving to ring in the Christmas Season. I am not a wild fan of the commercial Christmas trumpery and the frenzy of the season can get a bit excessive, but I have always enjoyed Nordstrom's decorations. They are always tasteful, stylish and very pop. The Santa at Nordstrom always has a real beard and convincing spectacles. I hope they're not breaking their tradition and getting out the Christmas stuff early.

While we're on the topic of holidays in America and abroad, I'd like to take this time to clear the record. Everyone here in Switzerland believes Halloween to be an American holiday. It is not. It is an ancient Celtic holiday that has been celebrated for thousands of years in Ireland and Scotland. Halloween has become part of the American melting pot of culture due to Irish immigrants in the 19th century -- learn this and more about Halloween here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween. The talk page is also quite interesting.

I myself can't wait to get home and do some shopping in the States over Christmas break. I have been scrimping and saving in hopes of having a bit pot of cash to spend while I'm home. And I intend to spend, in full American style, like a drunken sailor, comsuming to my little heart's content.

Sick

Today was a sick day for me. I slept. Pretty much all day long. That's good because I was up last night with a fever. Pretty much all night long. Drrh. The day was spent drinking effervescent vitamins and wasting time on MySpace between naps. Whoever invented Paracetamol deserves a thank you. Sick days are a drag. The whole day goes by and nothing is accomplished. Well, except that I don't think I'll still be sick tomorrow. Nevermind, that is something accomplished. And I did manage to do one load of laundry. I would add a picture to this post, but I look horrible. I should go wash my sheets and pajamas and take a shower to avoid reinfecting myself. There's nothing better than climbing into clean, yummy smelling, just washed in Persil sheets all clean and scrubbed with nails clipped and hair combed. Mmm, that sounds so nice, I think it's about time to get ready for bed. Afterall, I'm pretty tired.