It takes chutzpah to protest what you've created.

I have no rational reason as to why this sub-title from an article in the Wall Street journal gave me the proverbial giggles. I suppose it was more of a stark reminder of the audience which the WSJ panders to, when Jewish words like chutzpah, are used in article sub-titles. This got me thinking about language in a broader context and how many different languages & cultures have influenced the English language. I wonder if any of my ESL (the school's term for English as a Second Language people) friends would know, or be able to contextually infer, the meaning of 'chutzpah.' And, for that matter, how do I even know what it means, without deferring to the mystical, magical Wikipedia? That's right, I just referred to Wipikedia as both mystical & magical. Do not be alarmed, I'm a simple girl.

I recently received Bill Bryson's "Mother Tongue" & various other literary gems via the wondrous amazon.de that (although I must order in German, which can get a touch tricky) delivers to the tiny land of Switzerland who is clearly not relevant enough to amazon to warrant their own site. But I digress, so unlike me. The book promises to enlighten me on this exact topic of how the English language has changed & evolved over time. (Honestly, only a person attempting to learn, or simply exist in, a foreign world would give a shit about how ridiculously challenging it must be to learn English). I may post more on this topic post-reading (when I am all enlightened about the English language) if anyone else out there gives a shit as well.

Righto, so, have I yet noted that one of my favorite (that's right, I play favorites, you are all shocked, I'm sure) kids in Cal's class is Spanish? She is the most blunt, hysterical little girl. She must drive her mother nuts with her crazed verbal diarrhear, but I love her for the few hours a day I am around her. This is, and I quote, how she asks me to open her juice for her, every single day, despite my corrections; "Can you open me this?" Sometimes she adds por favor as she knows I speak that much Spanish at least. Of course, this only endears her to me more. She is six, that magical time when everyone says it's "easy" to learn other languages. But, she still cannot remember the correct way to ask me to open her juice. Or, maybe it's just her strong sense of chutzpah that makes her continue to ask me the way SHE wants to.

Family Reunion?!

 

We passed this sign (Joe was oblivious, shocking, I know;) at the end of our hike on Sunday. I am guessing you all might be a bit surprised to find out there is a retreat center in the family name here?

Spock, Sweat & Some Volleyball Spielen

We are just coming off a carefree, long weekend into another week of Joe being out of town (boo), as for me, I'll be spending most of it sweating on the playground (just standing there), doing laundry, I might even break out the iron (joe's subtle complaints about his shirts not looking as good are finally starting to set in), and going to the gym. Nothing like spending the entire long weekend at the park, hiking, playing volleyball, hiking, going to the movies (live long & prosper) & out for sushi to really make the work week look like a serious pisser. Ah well, the weather has been beautiful, albeit, a bit on the warm (say warm with a v instead of a w, and you've just said warm in german, congratulations) side. Seriously, I had backsweat from the first 20 minute recess, most of which I spent in a completely still standing postion, while partly shaded by the jungle jim. I am really looking forward to the hour noon recess, really, I am.

Yesterday we decided to take a hike outside of Zug, which is just about 30 minutes from Zurich. We had to take a bus out to the hike's starting point. A non-airconitioned, un-ventilated bus. Nothing like creating a desire for exercise by firing up the sweat glands sitting in a stale aired, 90+ degree bus. I feel we have been seriously decieved by every individual who has even said to us; "it doesn't get that hot here." Essentially though, it's not that hot here. Nothing like St. Louis. But, America has air conditioning in cars, buses & public transport (at least I think it does, I have never even been on a bus in St. Louis) --- can anyone confirm A/C in St. Louis buses for me? Anyone? Anyone? Buhler? Seriously, there would be far more violent crimes on buses in the Lou if there was no A/C. Even in the apartment, I got cranky at Joe for putting his sweaty paw on my shoulder because of the increased body heat. I cannot imagine what it's like to be pregnant in Mexico right now, I am feeling for you A.

We do hope everyone is feeling comfortable in their respective environments & getting ready to enjoy some grilled foods & beers on this, Memorial Day. Enjoy a Miller Lite (yum, I just salivated) & some burgers & salads for us!

Train Hobby

My commute to work is about 45 minutes, train & bus combo. I found it quite easy to occupy this time when I had interesting books, but the only one I have left which I haven't read is far too large to be carrying back & forth, but, I digress. One must always, always have a plan for what to do on the train. People will make small talk with me even when I look engaged in something, imagine if I was just sitting there with nothing in my hands. I mean, strangers will find one thing in common on a train & talk about it for the rest of the ride if the can. Take yesterday, I was on a crowded train coming back home from work & I was sitting across from a man & his mangy looking dog that drooled on my leg. The people across the aisle from us (strangers to each other just moments before) could not help but try to talk to the dog man about his dog. Dog man was not interested, so the other two commenced some sort of conversation about this dog. Interesting enough, this dog's only trick was: at every stop along the route, he would stand up & move into the aisle way, blocking everyone who was attempting to enter or exit the train car. And, without fail, every single person said to the dog; "Entschuldigung" (excuse me), last time I checked, dogs (esp. idiot drooler dogs) do not respond to niceties.
Right, so, morale of this story was supposed to be about things to do during the commute. There are about 3-4 different free papers in the area that come out everyday. They are, of course, in German, but some of them are quite amusing, despite the fact that we can't really understand much of the information. One day I will take some photos of these literary gems. The "meal of the day under 20francs" is always a real winner. Recently, I realized they have Sudoku in the back of almost everyone of these papers. Now, I know I am about 4 years late on the Sudoku trend, but I am suddenly engrossed by it. Numbers, the only universal language! However, I totally suck at it. I have yet to finish a leicht (easy) puzzle. The one time I did was sudoku online. I was so proud of myself. Until I realized, it timed how long it took me to complete the puzzle (thanks intranet). And, 98% of people finished the puzzle faster than I did. So much for that feeling of accomplishment. I am about to head out for work, and again attempt a Sudoku puzzle, wish me the best & hope for my sake that Sudoku makes me look too involved to talk to the one of many old dudes that is inevitably always sitting across from me.

Curiosity Killed the Cat

Lucky for me I'm not a cat, and therefore, my only response was to throw up in my mouth a little.

Kindergarten-Grade 5 CHF 27,600
Grades 6-8 CHF 30,200
Grades 9-12 (13) CHF 32,400

How can kindergarten possibly cost AS MUCH as tuition for my Master's from WashU? Or, 5 times as much per year as where I got my undergrad degree? Or, the cost of an ENTIRE CAR. Or, 1/5 the cost of a lovely St. Louis brick bungalow? Honestly, I could do this all night. Any one else have some thoughts?
Of course, it was painfully obvious to me from the first moment that I walked into the Zurich International School (*where I'm currently working), this was no regular, smaltzy, run-of-the-mill kindergarten. No matter how much you dress up kindergarten, all the fancy technology, nothing can negate the fact that these are 6 year-olds. They still spend the majority of the day coloring, picking their noses, and generally talking nonsense, while every once in a while mixing in some handwriting (63% of which is completely illegible). Seriously, I understand if you don't believe me, so go ahead, check it out for youself. There are additional fees on top of the tuition, you know, just for shits & giggles.

Saturday Morning Hike

Our hike on Saturday morning was pretty much the most eventful part of this past weekend; which was much needed & appreciated. We started out in a small town called Rheinau (*and struggled a bit to decide which way to head out of town to follow our recommended path), thank goodness for the blackberry! It was a pretty tame, 3.5/4 hour hike along the Rhein River, but it was a nice day & great to be outside. Although, it would have been great to be able to enjoy Mother's Day with all our favorite mums ;)

Random Mayhem

 

This is the Swiss' idea of a tow-truck. So, for those of you upstart types in our lives, just bring your SUV over & you are on your way to instant tow business.

Today I saw two different crusty men ride down the middle of our street (note: the sidewalks are plenty wide here) on motorized scooters. One of them whistled at me. It was special.

A conversation that took place today between some of the 6-year olds & me.
Y: Scheisse, scheisse, scheisse
me: Y, why are you saying that? Are you seriously saying what I think you are saying?
Some of the German boys: It means 'shit' in English.
me: Yes, I know what it means in English.
J: What did he say?
German boys: He said shit.
J: Oh, that's no big deal. It's not like he said the f-word.

I am so glad I am only responsible for one of these lil guys.

Failed Lake Geneva Ride

Another Rough Weekend

This past weekend Joe & I set off for another physically challenging weekend of riding around Lake Geneva. However, we only made it about 30km when the rubber met the curb & sent me carreening wildly out of control. The choice was fall into the street or the cement building. So, I went with the logical option; body check the building while on a bike. Obviously, the buidling won. I have a bruised hand & shoulder, a pretty deep cut on my inner thigh & a scrapped knee. Yes, a scrapped knee, really communing me with the kindergartners. When I regained my senses, I limped into a pharmacy where a lovely French woman took me into the back & just began to clean out my wounds. We could not communicate at all, but she kept speaking to me in French anyways. This was probably the only time French has sounded reassuring to me. Despite the multiple bleeding wounds though, the woman didn't wear any gloves --- I found out today this is quite common here, although I don't think I will ever get used to that...
Joe & I decided to still go to Evian for Friday night. So, we returned our bikes to the rental place & took a boat to Evian. On the boat ride over the cutest lil French girl started putting her face right up to mine, then decided to start stroking Joe's arm (luckily she realized not to touch my arm:). All of a sudden, she goes from stroking Joe arm to pinching him. It was really amusing. She got yelled at by her mother, but then she came back to kiss & high-five us. It was one of the cutest things and it kind of made me feel a bit less wounded & made me feel more ok with all the stares I was getting for my multiple wounds. People here really need to work on the tactful stare.
We had a nice night in Evian (where the water comes from), although I was not allowed in a pub because I was wearing flip-flops. WTF, reject me for bleeding, fine, but flip-flops, you're a pub! Don't get all snooty on me. But, I digress. The rest of the weekend was spent in Zurich, icing my wounds, relaxing & Joe attempting to help me wash my hair & put it in a ponytail (a skill he will need some serious practice on if we have any daughters).
Of course Callum's teachers think I am some sort of accident prone, abused freak as every Monday I come limping into the classroom. They are making me promise them we will stay in town for the next few weekends, which was the plan anyways, but I agree, we should lay low for a while...