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Departure

It was too hot to stay in Portland today. Much too hot. In fact, right now it's still 102 and it's 8 pm. My goodness. So, instead of staying here and typing on my warm keyboard as promised, I went to Indian Beach with Sam and Joel. Layla, Sam's dog came with us and it was heavenly. On the way down to the beach, I thought to myself that I might be cold. Imagine that! And eventually I did have to put on a light sweater. It was around 85 degrees, foggy and misty with a very light breeze. It was quite possibly the loveliest beach day ever. Joel surfed while Sam and I chatted and traded some books. I gave her Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri and she gave me Julie/Julia by Julie Powell.

I've been back in this heat for about an hour now. I've dunked Rudy in cold water in the bathroom sink twice today because it's positively sweltering. Time to go take a cold shower. Then I can sit in front of the fan eating popsicles while I read.

AWOL

I should really be doing mobile posting given how busy I've been buzzing around the Northwest lately. Tomorrow I promise to do the following posts (do I dare make this promise?)

1. Anniversary Beach Trip
2. Leavenworth
3. San Juans Camping Trip
4. Random Thoughts as of Late

Won't that be fun! It wasn't a question...ding!

Saturn Return

I am so in the thick of my Saturn Return it's not even funny. I suppose on some level it's just a bunch of astrological mumbo jumbo. However, I totally buy into that mumbo jumbo, so it's a big relief to me to read this. Time to go write in my journal and read some self-help books. For real.

Phew!

After literally months of procrastinating, I finally went to a Bikram class on Tuesday. Today I am still sore! It's good to get back into it again. I am hoping to try out a couple of the different studios in Portland and find my favorite. The studio I went to on Tuesday is really beautiful and peaceful and close to work. At Bikram Yoga Phoenix, where I practiced in Arizona, the instructors talked a lot throughout the class about the benefits of the poses, noting that during one posture you're aiding digestion, that in another, your strengthening your fingers and keeping arthritis away. I found all of that health benefit speak very motivating as I sought to release into the asanas. I noticed that during my first class here in Portland there wasn't a lot of mention of those things. None actually. Hmm. At any rate, it is still my favorite thing to do to feel healthy, rejeuvenated and transformed. Now I just need some cute new yoga clothes from Lululemon.

L'anticipation

I can't believe I have to wait until September to see this movie. It almost makes me excited for fall, and the associated end of summer. Just like Desperate Housewives almost makes me excited for Sunday, and the associated end of the weekend, when school's in session. Almost being the operative word. See you in September, Audrey. Until then, long live summer.

Pretty Perfume

Tokyo Milk has the prettiest perfume around. Yes, it smells wonderfully pretty, but the bottle design is awfully pretty, too. My favorite, after smelling and awing over them all on a recent visit to Cargo in The Pearl, is Song in D Minor, shown on the right with the delicate birdcage motif. With white orchid, orange flower, gardenia and amber, it's powerful without being overwhelming.

Quotable Sunday

A good home must be made, not bought.
- Joyce Maynard

For more quotable sunday, click here.

Bastille Day {Portland Style}

Yesterday was a very Francophile day at Jamison Square in The Pearl. It turns out that Portland's Bastille Day Celebration, held each year on the Saturday before July 14th, the actual date of Bastille Day, is the largest Bastille Day Celebration on the West Coast. It is sponsored by the Alliance Française of Portland and there were plenty of thick accents accompanied by "Je parle français" buttons all around. C'était magnifique!

Some of the day's entertainment above the Jamison Square Fountain. The fountain is possibly the most genius design ever. It's essentially an urban beach and the kids love it.

Happy wine drinkers.

A bit of escrime.

Pétanque.

My friend Anne and her daughter Lily with a vintage Citroën.

La Course des Serveurs.

Judges deciding the outcome of La Course des Serveurs.

Joel enjoying our pique-nique.

Me with my pique-nique.

Delicious pique-nique dessert. Can you believe that is a flourless cookie? It is. Mmmm. From the delectable Nuvrei. What a lovely day.

The Curious Case of Lovemonkey

One of my neighbors has no internet because of me. Allow me to explain. Last night after book club, and too many glasses of red wine, (so much for that feeling of pure detoxification I was after) I came home and decided it was a good time to hook up our new internet and router. I got the CD going and started up the instructions, all the while not noticing that my computer had automatically logged on to a neighbor's wireless by the name of Lovemonkey.

With all that wine in my system, I also failed to realize that when I went to http://168.192.2.1 to set up the password that the screen said Belkin, not US Robotics as it should have for my modem. Then, being in a bit of a stupor and feeling very determined to hook up the internet, but not entirely knowing what I was doing, I proceeded to do something that generated a WEP key. How magically techy! Of course, I did not write the WEP key down. And the next moment, I no longer had internet and Lovemonkey had a brandnew password. A password I had assigned yet did not know. Oops! By the time I understood what I had done, it was too late. Lovemonkey was under lock and key.

It occured to me this morning that it might be a good idea to figure out whose apartment emits the Lovemonkey signal and tell them what I did. But the thought of explaining the whole ordeal to a total stranger and informing them they'll need to reset their modem and reconfigure their network is wholly unappealing. They'll figure it out soon enough.

Happy Camper

A common question among my family this week has been wondering what my nephew Lewis is doing at camp at any given moment. I am absolutely certain that he is having the most amazing time ever. I was a camper at Camp Reed myself and I admit that while dropping him off, I would have given just about anything to be 10 years old embarking on a week of camp. Won't it be fun to hear his anecdotes when he returns? And what could be better than childhood summers at camp?

So Adorable {and pink!}

I love this poster. Love. It. The first time I saw it was in a Domino spread on a 30-something couple that had recently moved in together, thereby merging and purging their stuff. I thought to myself, not only is that poster so darn cute, but it's also a good reminder in a relationship. Keep calm and carry on. Sound advice, indeed! This combo of pink and white has solidified my longing for a pink and white bedroom. Mostly white of course (I don't think I'm ready for pink walls just yet!) No. Just enough pink to make it really cozy and inviting. La.

Quotable Sunday

I just realized that I was signed up for a cool blog project I discovered from my friend Kyrie. I also just realized that I completely neglected to do said project. So this upcoming Sunday I will definitely be participating in Quotable Sunday. Such a lovely, inspiring idea.

Green Sea

Joel said that watching the stormy winds whip across The Palouse was just like being at the ocean shore. I quite agreed. Possibly one of the most beautiful things I've ever experienced.

Detox

Since being sick, I've been taking lots of supplements, avoiding sugar, had no alcohol and generally feeling really healthy. I'm craving some yoga. I can tell my body's ready to go even further toward health and feeling wonderful. I miss this. When I return to Portland, from my visit in Spokane, I'm going to sign up and do a 30 day Bikram challenge. Pure detoxification, here I come.

Beautiful Bride

I was so completely nervous on my wedding day that in looking through the photos as I assemble our wedding book, I don't even look like myself in many shots. Except for this one. This one is definitely the real me. Enjoy a good laugh from me!

Eat Pray Love

I have not posted for a couple of days because I was on a mad hunt for some books. It all started when I went to Powell's and spent $40 on books! OMG. This is something I just do not do - books are something you get at the library and then when you're done with them, you take them back to the library and your life remains happy and clutter free. In this particular instance, I was feeling a bit impatient with the library system, but the regret of spending that much money on something I would want to purge immediately after reading was too much for me. I returned all $40 worth of books to Powell's and returned my efforts to the library.

I searched for Eat Pray Love and the system said that I could place a hold and would be behind 8 other holds. With a total of 94 copies, I figured I would get the book quickly, but not quickly enough! I wanted the book then - as in now! Then I happened to notice that there were copies listed as "available." Why am I being asked to place a hold when the book is available? After a number of phone calls and a visit to the grand Central Library, I emerged victorious with my book. Joel and I drove straight to Cannon Beach and I spent the rest of the afternoon reading on a blanket on the sand. So heavenly.

Smoothie

Our blender has been turning out some fabulous smoothies as of late. My recipe of the moment? Mango Banana Orange. Mmmm. To get the smoothest, creamiest, protein rich smoothie around, pick up some Fage Greek Strained Yogurt. It's also exceptionally tasty with honey and berries. I think I'm off to whirrrr up a few smoothies right now!

City Walk

Today I took a stroll through downtown and the Pearl. On my way home I stopped in at Oblation Papers & Press. It is quite possibly the loveliest paper store in the world. Go look and be inspired.photo credit Oblation Papers & Press

Touch

Touching base with a longtime, close friend can have such a positive effect on one's day. I feel a great deal of gratitude for the truly wonderful friends I have in my life. One such person I could not live without is my dear friend Helen. She and I have shared many experiences in the 9 years we've known each other and I'm thankful to have such a vibrant, intelligent, interesting person in my life. Here's to you, Hel!

To Die For {Close Second} Design

A gorgeous Pearl District showroom full of to die for pieces, EWF Modern, was dubbed by one reviewer as "...what West Elm wants to be when it grows up." I routinely drool when walking past its windows on my way to West Elm.From ewfmodern.com

But I must say I am relieved that West Elm has not yet grown up. Our living room is looking so good with the addition of a new rug and coffee table. And we managed to do it for a song! When we purchased our couch, we used the West Elm credit card and got 100 Design Dollars in the mail. The rug was on sale, plus a 10% discount for being a hanging (not on the floor) store model. We loved West Elm's white coffee table, but the Lack model from IKEA for just $12 is a perfect fill-in. So modern, yet cozy enough to call home. That's what I call good design.

Frugal {fancy} Spa

On Thursday, my friend Andrea and I went for luxurious, essential oil scented spa pedicures with a sea salt scrub and parrafin dip with hot towel wrap for only $19! Where, you ask? Aveda Institute Portland! Unlike going to conventional nail salons that smell really awful and toxic, Aveda's products are so gentle and eco-friendly you can actually feel good about using them. One unique part of the Aveda pedicure is that they don't ask you which scent you'd like. Instead, they have you smell each one without seeing the label and you choose based on scent alone. That way you choose the aromatherapy that best suits your mood at that moment. So lovely!

Aveda Institute Portland has an amazing line up of services. It is students who are working on you, but it has nearly always been my experience with students that they are extra careful and attentive, making the experience a positive one. Be prepared that after your services, you will be guided through the retail section by your student with a cute little wire shopping basket in hand. And they will proceed to load up said basket with all the products that were used on you during your services. In the past, when paying $16 for the haircut, I've always welcomed this part of the visit. But with the pedicure, it's a little silly and I'm definitely going to go back to experience the lavender scented footbath before I buy the oil myself.

The only problem now is that I'm having a hard time deciding what I'll do on my next visit. I think I'll be unable to resist the Botanical Skin Resurfacing Facial for a mere $30. 90 minutes of pure bliss! It truly is the best thing around.

Lesson

Joel has been completely uninvolved in our finances since we tied the knot. This is not entirely his fault. After we moved into our new place, I took the reins and handled everything. Then, as it was Joel's first year teaching, it made sense that he was extra stressed and busy. But, over time this has become somewhat irritating for me and more recently I have begun to feel resentful about it, so it had to come to an end.

Yesterday Joel got a lesson (from me) on our online banking Budget Management tools. He now knows how to track spending and assign categories. After that, he got an equally valuable lesson on how to file statements in our at-home filing system. He didn't enjoy his lessons. Not one bit. But he agreed with me that it's better he do these things himself than have me annoyed with him for not doing them. Here! Here! Tomorrow he's getting a lesson on internet bill pay and how to call and set up electronic debit. My life is getting a lot easier. Three cheers for summer and having the time to organize our household -- together!

Conquering Debt

All posts up until now on this blog have been fluffy and noncommittal. There has been no true purpose to what I've been writing about and as a result my posts have been sporadic and disjointed. Folio Rose has a focus at last! Since our wedding last summer I have been fine tuning Joel's and my modest salaries to do my bidding and point our lives in the direction of my choosing. It's not easy. And, up until the big economic burst, being in debt was something that people didn't talk about. Hilarious considering just about everyone was in way over their heads! But now, my day to day struggles with wanting, restraining, economizing, budgeting and credit card conquering will be shared with you here on Folio Rose. As a practical slave to beautiful things, I can guarantee you this won't be a boring journey. I am a true American in that I am a consumer of the finest quality. I love to shop and bring home lovely new things. But you could also say that I am a true American in my persistence and willingness to stick to a difficult, drawn out task. And that is exactly what getting out of debt is. Here we go!

Elusive Summer

Just as the school year came to a close, I came down with a dreadful fever. I have now been sick for five days. I'm starting to feel much better at last.

Oddly enough, having the time to reflect while lying in bed has been nice. I feel relaxed and ready to enjoy my summer, and I know I'm not going to cram too much in. When you're sick and resting time moves differently. More slowly and naturally. It's easy to become stressed out about enjoying one's vacation enough or resting enough or getting out of town enough. All sorts of 'enoughs' can get in the way of actually doing things. I don't feel that I will start my summer wanting it to be enough. It's not something I have to go after, grab at and force into place . If I simply relax, it will come to me. I feel very grateful for this time to enjoy the simple things in life and leave my worries behind.

Neighbors

Tonight Joel and I went to our neighbor Beth's apartment for a casual soirée with Emily and Vince from the 3rd floor. When we got home, I said to Joel, "I feel like a real adult!" Beth had a delicious spread from Whole Foods tastefully served in gorgeous ceramics from Twist. The conversation was easy and light and we chatted away through three bottles of wine. Knowing one's neighbors is truly a wonderful thing. I must say, the longer we live in Portland, the less I want to go back to Europe. There's just something about being here that is so good. I love it. I love it completely and throroughly and I feel loved in return. Portland really is the greatest city on earth. It attracts interesting, cultivated, intelligent, creative, curious, conscientious, thoughtful people. Being here is exciting and comforting. I love this city!

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.