Today, this awesome little dude came up to me on the playground talking to me about this marker he found on the playground. The subject changed to where his mom, dad, brother, sister & himself were born. I had some general clues as his English & German are both perfect (one p Swiss, one Aussie). He eventually turned the subject to my lack of German speaking skills & told me, seriously, "you need to be able to speak German, tell me all the words you know. Do you know how to say no in German?" Thanks, that's actually one of the few I've got down little man. Then he turned to correcting my pronunciation & baffling me every time he said something in German. Thank you 7 year old, thank you very much.
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Another stark reminder of my German ineptitude: at Aldi the other day. A man approached me asking something about beans in German. I clearly deduced that by the two different packages of beans he was holding, with context clues, luckily, I am ept.
(eptitude (I heart made up words): definition It's the way you carry yourself when you've demonstrated the ability to be capable. In the English language there is the word "inept", but not its inverse. I think there should be a word to recognize the fact that we all can be "ept", and once we are we should wear that badge proudly) ---Since I don't have many other badges to be proud of in the language department, I am patting myself on the back about context clues...pathetic, no?
Right, so I said to him in German that my German is not so good. So he asks if I speak French. Of course, the two dominant languages in this country & I have to shamefully say 'no' to both. Thanks for knocking me back down to size Switzerland.
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Joe & I ran into our upstairs neighbors (the only people in the building who we have any communication with) at the gym. They somehow also knew that we were moving & asked us about it. First question: how much is it? Not where, not why, but how much. Cutting right to the heart of what's most important to people here.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
I Like Your Style Too Chicago
Thanks to the encouragement of my rockin husband, who spent the past week workin' it like McCracken, I enjoyed ski holiday (seriously Switzerland, ski holiday?) in Chicago, almost exclusively hanging out with my fantastic family. Mags, Nick & I enjoyed a Saturday evening at Sushi House (where we were 1 of 2 non-couple tables present due to Valentines Day, niiice).
Sunday night at A. Patti's, hanging out with the Maviglianos & enjoying time with my crazed, adorable little cousins. Monday was an all-day Kristin & Charlotte shopping excursion/hanging out/5buckchuck eating experience. Seriously, that is one mad cute little lady. She sticks out her tongue while smiling and shimming about, honestly, how can one resist a combo like that?
Mags & I made a trip into the city to see David, eat good food & pay a visit to the John G. Shedd aquarium, much of which is exactly the same as it was when we took field trips there as kids in school. For some reaon, I was dead-set on seeing "the show - Fantasea" which ended up to be beyond lame for a group of 3 adults who could clearly identify that the girl who was "randomly" drawn from the audience to interact with the dolphins & penguins was the worst plant job ever. If she waved her ridiculous wave one more time....
Additionally, while downtown, a rather street (baggy jeans, sideways hat, you know the type) looking man stated to me; "I like your style." I gave him a perky "thank you very much." My brother effectively shot down my excitement by stating that 'there's no way that guy was being serious.' Or, that perhaps 'style' means something in different cultures that this little suburbanite/Swiss is missing out on.
Friday night was GNO with Karla, Ann & Co. We ate delicious food at Ben Pao (oh goodness Chicago readers -- like 9 people;). You must go there. It was great to catch up & spend some time out with the people I have been friends with the longest. Ann & I picked up a train beer before heading out to the suburbs. The guy who snapped this photo of us completely missed the point, which was to get us under the sign of the bar, but ah well --- he was also in fatigues & insisted on a 'GO Army' from us. Can't expect much from a guy that notes 'That was a great shot, I'm sure I'll be seeing this photo in Maxim soon.' Yes, because nothing screams racy publication like winter coats & Miller Lites.
Of course, I also mixed in a lot of time with my favorite grandparents. From walking with Nana, Aunt Mary & Mom, to eating popcorn at the Meells, to lunch out with Papa, working out with Mom & falling asleep on the couch watching the Olympics with the p's most nights, I enjoyed more than my fair share of quality family time. I can't thank Joe enough for encouraging me & supporting me in going. I was overjoyed to be at home, but I'm also beyond happy to be back in our current home, returning the favor of supporting the guy who's still busting it.
Sunday night at A. Patti's, hanging out with the Maviglianos & enjoying time with my crazed, adorable little cousins. Monday was an all-day Kristin & Charlotte shopping excursion/hanging out/5buckchuck eating experience. Seriously, that is one mad cute little lady. She sticks out her tongue while smiling and shimming about, honestly, how can one resist a combo like that?
Mags & I made a trip into the city to see David, eat good food & pay a visit to the John G. Shedd aquarium, much of which is exactly the same as it was when we took field trips there as kids in school. For some reaon, I was dead-set on seeing "the show - Fantasea" which ended up to be beyond lame for a group of 3 adults who could clearly identify that the girl who was "randomly" drawn from the audience to interact with the dolphins & penguins was the worst plant job ever. If she waved her ridiculous wave one more time....
Additionally, while downtown, a rather street (baggy jeans, sideways hat, you know the type) looking man stated to me; "I like your style." I gave him a perky "thank you very much." My brother effectively shot down my excitement by stating that 'there's no way that guy was being serious.' Or, that perhaps 'style' means something in different cultures that this little suburbanite/Swiss is missing out on.
Friday night was GNO with Karla, Ann & Co. We ate delicious food at Ben Pao (oh goodness Chicago readers -- like 9 people;). You must go there. It was great to catch up & spend some time out with the people I have been friends with the longest. Ann & I picked up a train beer before heading out to the suburbs. The guy who snapped this photo of us completely missed the point, which was to get us under the sign of the bar, but ah well --- he was also in fatigues & insisted on a 'GO Army' from us. Can't expect much from a guy that notes 'That was a great shot, I'm sure I'll be seeing this photo in Maxim soon.' Yes, because nothing screams racy publication like winter coats & Miller Lites.
Of course, I also mixed in a lot of time with my favorite grandparents. From walking with Nana, Aunt Mary & Mom, to eating popcorn at the Meells, to lunch out with Papa, working out with Mom & falling asleep on the couch watching the Olympics with the p's most nights, I enjoyed more than my fair share of quality family time. I can't thank Joe enough for encouraging me & supporting me in going. I was overjoyed to be at home, but I'm also beyond happy to be back in our current home, returning the favor of supporting the guy who's still busting it.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Books, Bücher, Libros, Books!
I arrived to work on Wednesday & went down to the lounge to make myself a tea, which is one of my many feeble attempts at maintaining my body temp while outside for recess. And, imagine my surprise, confusion & delight, when I see a bunch of tables set up with endless books on them and a sign that states 1CHF per book, or 20CHF for a bag! Our book shelf was already overflowing, now, it's just hopeless. The books will remain piled up on the ground until we move, of that I'm sure. So, I purchased over 30 books the past few days, for just 28CHF. Honestly, I felt like a kid in a candy store. Although, that does mean that my new love, the Kindle (thanks brother), is going to be taking a backseat for a while as we plow through all these novels. Joe was quite excited as well since books are pretty much the main thing I spend money on. Most of my reading for 2010 for 28francs, I'll take it;) Most notably, we are now proud owners of a hardcover anniversary addition of Atlas Shrugged. The huge 60franc Africa book (2007 edition) was definitely the most exciting deal. And, the first book I'll be reading from the pile is The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. Get ready for a lot more book updates. Currently, I'm working on Stones Into Schools, the sequel to Three Cups of Tea. I heart being a giant geek.
A giant hooray for ski holiday (yes, ski holiday) & my impending visit to Wheaton, thanks earth for having comparably shitty weather all over my world!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
'It's Like War Out There'
Is just one of the amazing things that was said last night during our apartment open house. Firstly, it's really surreal to have a steady flow of about 25 people in & out of your house in the span of 45 minutes. The apartment is being judged by straight up strangers and to hear the differing opinions was beyond amusing.
The guy who stated it's like war out there was talking about the apartment search process. Looking for an apartment in Zurich is analogous with war. Classic.
The quips are made so much more amusing by the individuals interesting take on the English language, at least one person from each 'couple/roommate group' spoke English well, except for one single guy with a giant hole extender in his ear who we couldn't communicate with at all. He said something, we said our German isn't so good, he stared at us for a while, then took an application & left. Seriously, no wonder I was tossing & turning on Tuesday night in anticipation of this event.
The afternoon started out with a bang with the friends of our neighbors. A woman that moved in upstairs a few months ago came by with her daughter on Monday to ask if I would recommend her friends for the apartment. I gave her my number & told her they could call me to arrange a different time to come as they couldn't make it during the set viewing hours. Our neighbor & her daughter are both clean, courteous and generally normal looking & smelling. So imagine my surprise yesterday when I opened the door at 4.30 to her friends who looked & smelled like they were long-haul truckers just in from 12 consequtive days on the road. The woman was rocking green sweatpants with yellow stripes in addition to her giant boots, hair that was washed at best a week ago & excessive light blue eyeshadow accompanied by three day old, crusty eyeliner. She winked at me with those eyes, which was almost more disturbing than the strong funky body odor layered with cigarette and pot smoke they left lingering in the house. They left, I washed my hands, then called Joe to recap.
Luckily, no one else held a candle (or a bag of sewage) to those people. Although, some of the later viewers had a few of their own interesting things to say.
Here's a few of the humdingers:
In a slightly shocked tone: 'How did you guys even get this apartment in the first place?'
'Wow, the kitchen is so beautiful.'
'The fridge is so big.'
'This apartment is not 75m' (online it's listed at 75)
Joe responds: 'Yeah, maybe it's more like 70'
Guy: 'No, I'm pretty sure it's more like 65.'
They proceed to just look at us incredulously, then leave.
A guy that spoke little English, just looking at the kitchen: 'beautiful, beautiful.'
I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
The guy who stated it's like war out there was talking about the apartment search process. Looking for an apartment in Zurich is analogous with war. Classic.
The quips are made so much more amusing by the individuals interesting take on the English language, at least one person from each 'couple/roommate group' spoke English well, except for one single guy with a giant hole extender in his ear who we couldn't communicate with at all. He said something, we said our German isn't so good, he stared at us for a while, then took an application & left. Seriously, no wonder I was tossing & turning on Tuesday night in anticipation of this event.
The afternoon started out with a bang with the friends of our neighbors. A woman that moved in upstairs a few months ago came by with her daughter on Monday to ask if I would recommend her friends for the apartment. I gave her my number & told her they could call me to arrange a different time to come as they couldn't make it during the set viewing hours. Our neighbor & her daughter are both clean, courteous and generally normal looking & smelling. So imagine my surprise yesterday when I opened the door at 4.30 to her friends who looked & smelled like they were long-haul truckers just in from 12 consequtive days on the road. The woman was rocking green sweatpants with yellow stripes in addition to her giant boots, hair that was washed at best a week ago & excessive light blue eyeshadow accompanied by three day old, crusty eyeliner. She winked at me with those eyes, which was almost more disturbing than the strong funky body odor layered with cigarette and pot smoke they left lingering in the house. They left, I washed my hands, then called Joe to recap.
Luckily, no one else held a candle (or a bag of sewage) to those people. Although, some of the later viewers had a few of their own interesting things to say.
Here's a few of the humdingers:
In a slightly shocked tone: 'How did you guys even get this apartment in the first place?'
'Wow, the kitchen is so beautiful.'
'The fridge is so big.'
'This apartment is not 75m' (online it's listed at 75)
Joe responds: 'Yeah, maybe it's more like 70'
Guy: 'No, I'm pretty sure it's more like 65.'
They proceed to just look at us incredulously, then leave.
A guy that spoke little English, just looking at the kitchen: 'beautiful, beautiful.'
I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
Feeling your Feet & Face, Overrated.
We spent this past Sunday sledging with Ryan & his son Chance at Klosters (right near Davos where the World Economic Forum was wrapping up --- no Sarkozy or Turley sightings on the sledge run though, shocking as that may be). But, we did have the good fortune of sighting & enjoying some rare Swiss-winter sunshine, although it did not have much of an impact on the overall ability to maintain a normal body temp. Santa brought Chance an incredibly pimped out sledge which he steers while Ryan brakes. They raced Joe countless times on his wooden rental while I was left in their misty, snowy wake. The 3.5k run was much faster, better maintained & most importantly, steeper than our last sledging outing. It's always great to partake in 'kid activities' with an actual kid, although Joe certainly can act the part, it was fun to spend some quality time with the Baganz's before they leave.
Favorite quote of the day: (but first a sidenote - the Baganz's apt is the one we will be moving into in 87 days, but whose counting?)
Chance to Joe: Mr. Joey Joe Joe, when you move into our house, do you want to sleep on the bottom bunk? Right now, it's my bed, but you can have it when you move in.
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