Flee market

I was working today in the old peoples home, and last week I was alone, normally we are two. Not a problem. I served the 19 guests without being stressed.

However, today it was something different. It was a flee market in the home. Great I thought when walking in seeing this antique player at the entrance, and the oldies moving and smiling.

But nobody had told the two of us working there. Me and a nearly 90-year-old who is living in the home but is still fit and clear in the head.

We had nearly 60 guests in two hours, and several ordering more than once. The problem wasn't the serving, it was that we didn't have the equipment for it. The saucers, the cups, the sugar, the milk, everything was running out and we had to run into the kitchen and the other bigger cafeteria (closed on Saturdays) to fill up. And a small coffee machine that takes at least a minute to make one cup of java. Two of us serving, two hours, 60 guests. And none of them were patient, they were standing at the bar giving us orders left, right and center.

Nevertheless, I loved it. I'd much rather have stress and being busy, than standing there waiting for guests and being bored. But I do tell you, I have written an email to the manager to say, please next time give us some warning. Forewarned is forearmed.

Another horse

Yesterday I had a new horse, a lovely one, if a little nervous so there were an incident where another horse had a fit and mine caught on. Luckily I stayed on his back.

However, the last few weeks I didn't feel like I made any progress and got any better. But I know, it's like weightloss, sometimes you come to a standstill, a plateau, and you just have to keep moving on. And it's still fun.

Blog shadow

It's been a traumatic few days. I lost access to blogger. All of a sudden I couldn't load the blog, the one where I post items, it just returned a blank page. I think it's all these automatic downloads, and different browser requirements, that makes the computer go bananas.

And as much as I love blogspot, now owned by google, I do not like their support. They have no helpline, only forums and so called "help" pages, where you can read stuff, but not get help for your specific problem. And nobody to call. I guess they're making a lot of money on scrapping a help desk.

Anyway, I, having little patience, but good neighbours, am now back online. Applaud please :).

Atheism

One thing I've been thinking about a lot lately is religion. Not because I'm about to be religious, but because it seems that all the bad in the world is coming from just that. Fundamentalists, who claim that they do bad things in the name of Jesus, God, Muhammed or whatever they are called.

I really don't care what religion you have, and I respect that people have to believe in something, as much as I expect them to belive that I don't, but I draw the line at violence.

When you hurt people 'cause of your belief, you should sit yourself down, take a deep breath, and slowly realize that you're the idiot.

The only thing I have against religion, apart from violence, is when you impose something on children, like the orthodox jews do with the curly hairdos on kids. What the f...? If the kids want to look ridiculous when they are adults, fine with me, but don't push something on your children before they are grown up enough to make a decision for themselves.

And another thing. These burkhas to cover up women. I hate it, and I really do want it forbidden. Yes I like democracies, and everybody should do what they want within reason, but I fail to believe that any woman would want to cover themselves up. Why is it that we see documentaries about women in burkhas who dress themselves up underneath and do nailpaint and whatsit? Because they don't wanna show it? I don't think so.

Nah, religion is not for me, but I do realize that some people crave it. That's fine, but quit hurting others. And yes, I believe that the Palestine-Israel conflict now will be solved!

Energy saving IX

On this test, which I took quite seriously, I mean WWF is a known organization and Ikea is rather big, so I take it they have spent some time putting this together, I gave myself 104 points out of 120, i.e. 87%.

I believe this is a good result, and that few can compete with. However, I'm open to be challenged.

It seems like I can increase this percentage by eating more bio and more vegetarian stuff, but since I don't fully believe the "bio" label, I think that buying food and produce from local (or as local as possible) suppliers is more beneficial than if a "bio" product is imported from another country.

I am since about a year a satisfied customer of a Swiss egg company, that delivers fresh eggs every two weeks directly into my mailbox. Happy, freegoing chicken. Ok, I haven't exactly visited the farms, but hope that the Swiss label will be proof enough.

Further on, I have no car, which I understand is a big polluter, and wasn't even included in this "test". Probably because you almost always need a car to get to an Ikea store.

I have no bathtub, which also is a big energy waster. But mostly I am proud that I have reduced the indoor heating from about 22-23°C to 19-20°C this last year. As indoor heating stands for more than 70% of your average energy use, this is huge.

It's not to say I cannot do more, but I will struggle to improve. I do like my meat. But all in all, I'm pretty chuffed with my result.

Energy saving VIII

The last round is also on healthy lifestyle.

Curtains can reduce the heat loss with up to a third, and you add a nice atmosphere to the room.
I don't have that problem, since I live in a minergy house and have no loss of heat through the windows. top score 2, mine 2.

Dark blinds are ideal for room with direct sunlight. They reduce the light coming in and keep the room nice and cool in the summer. Through clever heating and cooling you can save a lot of energy and you also sleep better when it's dark.
Well, this issue doesn't exist in my home. Again, it's minergy and energy-reducing and I actually like the sunlight. I do have curtains in my bedroom, as to stop direct sunlight but otherwise I like a bit of light. And I have no problems sleeping.
My score 2 out of top score 2.

Grow your own food and spices. When you have gotten used to have access to fresh ditto, you wouldn't want to go back.
I agree on this, but there is only so much you can do without a garden. I have fresh spices and herbs in the summer, and I freeze some of it, to be used in winter. Not all plants can survive a Swiss winter though.
I gave myself 1 out of 2 top score on this.

In total my points 5 out of top score 6.

I cooked a rabbit

I guess it's me and Glenn Close. But at least I did it tastefully :). With onion, chili, and a sauce with broth, creme fraiche and spices. Yummie!

Energy saving VII

Moving on to healthy lifestyle.

Enjoy hiking and bike holidays in Switzerland or at a neighbouring country.
No problem here, since I very seldom leave zone 10 in Zürich. And I do enjoy hiking, and biking (in the comfort of my home). 5 points out of top score 5.

Eat seasonal bio products.
Hmmm. I'm getting much better in buying what's in season for the moment, but bio is not my thing. I don't trust the label. However, more and more products cannot be found other than with that "bio" label, so I give myself 3 out of top score 5.

Eat vegetarian, as often as you can.
Yikes. I do eat a lot of vegetables these days, but cannot see a quality of life without chicken, beef and pork, so 2 points out of top score 5.

Relax in the forest, mountains or the beautiful lakes in Switzerland.
Absolutely, couldn't agree more so of top score 5 I get 5+.

Enjoy being without electronic devices such as smartphone, computer and similar, and shut them off when not in use.
Not a problem, I have no smartphone (and sometimes even forget to switch on my antique mobile phone), and even though my computer is always on when I'm home, I do switch off everything when not at home or sleeping.
4 points out of top score 4.

Use fitness in daily life, like walk or bike to work, to the fitness center or to grocery shop, to your meeting.
No issue here, since I don't have any means of transportation. I walk to everything, or use public transportation. 4 points out of top score 4.

21 for me, top score 26.

Energy saving VI

Still on water.

You can save 567,812 liter of water in your life if you switch off the tap when you brush your teeth. Five people could fill an olympic pool.
I dunno how they come up with such a precise number, but I gave myself 2 points, same as the top score since I do this.

This one I'm a bit uncertain of, it's something about changing a bathroom water mix battery, but since I have modern equipment I chose top score on this, 3 points out of 3.

Recycle your medication, paint and other poisonous stuff, and don't flush it down the toilet, since it will pollute the water and increase the cost of cleaning it.
1 point out of 1 for me, I always give back medication to the pharmacies, recycle the paint at the trash place and I cannot think of any other poison, except for maybe Aceton which I occasionally use to remove nailpaint.

6 points for me, 6 points top score.

Ole people rock

I was again serving coffee and cookies in the old peoples home today. I still enjoy it very much, they are sweet and talkative, even though I only understand half of what they say when speaking Swiss German.

And today I was on my own for the first time, normally we are two. Nineteen customers in two hours. This sounds not too much, and it isn't, but most of them arrive at the same time. However, all are very friendly, and I now know who needs what help and what they want most of the time.

One needs a half coffee and half milk in a tee glass, since his hands are shaking too much to hold a normal cup, another one wants one deciliter of rose wine in a bigger glass for the same reason. One wants a "gucki", i.e. a Coke with lemon, another one wants a glass of lukewarm water.

A new one today wanted a bottle of beer "but not cold". Ok, had to go into the kitchen and ask the guys there if there was a bottle that wasn't chilled. We were all laughing a bit, 'cause who wants warm beer? But I can understand. Well I guess, it's because of false teeth or something, that makes you not want to drink anything too cool.

Nevertheless, I do enjoy it and especially when the people there start to recognize me and greet me, worrying about me working alone and how can I cope? The fact that few of them remember my name is something I can live with, 'cause I don't know their names either.

Plan B

Was hanging out at my neighbours place this evening. They buy me dutyfree ciggies, and who am I to say no to that? What I didn't expect was that I am their plan B on Monday.

Turns out their babysitting help is sick and they're not sure the after-school people can take her, and they asked me if I would be plan B if it doesn't work out.

Yes, they know very well my view on kids, but on the other hand I've seen this particular one since she was born and think I can teach her a thing or two.

Like cooking. She doesn't know about healthy food, and she certainly doesn't know how to prepare it. So if plan A doesn't work out, she's gonna learn a thing or two about food, whether she likes it or not.

At my place children know their place, if you get my meaning. If she knew about plan B, I'm sure she would protest. Or maybe not.

Riding in a fog

Today I got a horse whose favourite pastime was to...well stand. Or possibly walk slowly. I'm telling you, there is no chance a work-out could do more for burning calories than this.

I was literally working my butt off in order to trot and gallop, and had to use a whip to make him move his somewhat larger ass. I really don't like using tools like that, but was assured by the teacher that it's not hurting, just giving him a strong sign to get going. Only one time was he protesting by kicking his hind legs, and I immediately felt bad. Until he stopped again.

I was trying so hard, that I had condensation on my glasses most of the time. However, he was a charming horse, very sweet and friendly. And I got a semi-compliment afterwards from the teacher, "Annika, that went pretty well". Hurray! Boosted my confidence. But I do wish I'd get Feri next Friday.

Claw

Haha, I should know better than to think that my reflexes are better than the cats. Considering they are in their prime, and well, I guess I'm not.

Yesterday I was playing with one of them, throwing things and making swift movements against her, and guess what happened. She beat me.

A sharp claw, aided by all the cat trees and stuff I bought them just in order for them to do just that, hit me like a knife. Blood spurting and a decision to never do that again.

Mind you, my cats would never hurt me, they are sweet and soft and lovely, so it was my own fault. Much as when I show a horse what to do, and he/she doesn't understand, because I didn't do it the right way.

Goes to show, you have never learned enough. Correction, I haven't learned enough yet.

Cold

Yesterday I started to feel a bit thick, like in the nose, not in the brain if that's what you thought, and today I woke up with a full-blown cold. Already at seven this morning I was awake, with the feeling you normally have after an alco night on the town, thick tongue, dry and not able to breath properly.

Guess I had been sleeping with my mouth open, 'cause my nose was closed up, and had probably been snoring.

Today has been spent using I-dunno-how-many napkins, shots of nose spray and my universal medicine white wine. It's amazing the amount of snot one can produce in a day. Where does it all come from? Sometimes I'm thinking it's the brain that goes.

Ah well, good news is I have no fever, and am high-spirited as usual, so have accomplished a few things despite the runny nose.

The best thing today was a new recipe I tried. Arrack balls. Only I didn't have arrack at home (who does?) so used cognac instead. Rolled in chocolate sprinkles. Mmm!

Ikea

The "owner" of Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, left Switzerland some time ago, to live his last days in Sweden where he comes from. His house is now for sale for a mere 4 million francs including land, and the buyer is advised to tear down the building 'cause it's in bad condition.

Talk about being humble, when being one of the richest men in the world.

Vitaparcours

I live next to a forest, but until today I didn't realize there is a vitaparcours there. Actually, I didn't even know what a vitaparcours is.

Turns out to be a walk/jog/run trail with workout stations along the way. This is excellent news.

Today I walked the trail with a friend and a dog, which meant it took maybe three times as long as it would had I been alone. Lots of interesting things to sniff, according to doggy.

So now I'm waiting for some warmer weather, and I'll be out there. Something I'd never thought would happen, much less that I'd look forward to. Just goes to show, you never know what's around the corner.

Nursing back to health

I think my way of nursing (cooking and bringing whatever he needs) is working. Yesterday he was lying down, but today he's sitting up. I wonder what will happen tomorrow? Going for a jog?

Limpy

A friend of mine was having an operation today, and was told he shouldn't be alone the first night, so asked if he could move in for a few days. Of course.

He then phoned me after the op, and said he was on the way. Another friend was bringing him, and I was preparing to be a nurse. Haha, got a skype saying he was delayed, was out drinking with a group of people.

Anyway, he finally arrived, limping on crutches, and completely sober so no worries.

I had of course prepared the bed by hoovering like crazy to get rid of cat hair, putting a duvet at the foot of the bed to prevent the cats from hiding under it. Closed doors don't work here, unless you want to put up with a lot of miaowing.

Like that worked!

Energy saving V

Moving on to water.

Use rainwater when watering your plants.
This is so common sense that I don't know why I haven't thought of it before. So now I have a plastic container on the balcony, waiting for rain. Have to find a more suitable pot though, so that I easily can pour it into the water can. 1 point out of 1 top score.

Install aids to help save water.
Here I don't know what I can do more than is already done in a modern flat, so I chose to put a 2 out of 2 top score.

Buy textiles made of bio cotton.
Hmm, I chose to take 1 point of of top score 3 here, since I seldom buy things, but when I do, I don't look for bio.

Do not wash salad, fruit and veggies under running water, but in a bowl.
0 points out of 1 top score, since I do it under running water. However, I am quick. Besides, if I use a bowl that one has to be cleaned too.

Use warm water only when absolutely necessary. One liter of 40°C water has an impact on the environment between 60 and 100 times more than one liter of cold water.
This I do, except for now in winter when I tend to spend a minute extra in the shower under warm water, just because it's nice. 2 out of 3 top score for me.

Drink tap water.
No problem here, this is all I do, except for wine of course, so 2 points out of 2 top score.

8 out of 12 for me.

Swiss XI

So back to the institute where the tests were held, and this time I was whisked into the class room immediately. To my surprise the test was made together with another student, and two teachers. But it felt more like a chat.

First we were asked to present ourselves, where we came from, where we live and what we do. Then we were asked to pick a picture out of five, the themes were work, school, food, house or leisure time. Work and school were out for me, was briefly considering to talk about my newfound love for cooking, or give them a rundown of my project with a new flat but ended up talking about leisure time.

They asked why I chose it, and I responded because I have a lot of it. That rendered a few smiles. Then I talked about cooking, starting with sports again last year (mentioning that I lost a few kg's and got a few comments from the teachers that they would like to do that too...yes both women) and my horse riding. Which I could've talked about a lot longer, but after a little while, they looked at the time and told us the 15 minutes were up.

Right. Was that it? It was this easy? In hindsight I don't know at all why I worried.

And back to the Swiss bureaucrazy. The institute is not allowed to tell us how it went. The information will be sent to the Zürich city, and we are to wait for the results from them. Up to six friggin weeks.

Ah well, again, if I don't pass, I shall sell up and leave immediately.

Swiss X

I normally don't fret about things in advance, but I think I might have done it subconsciously last night, 'cause I woke up at five. Ok, I had put the alarm on six, but still, a whole hour before.

The day of my German test. We were to show up 8.30 at the absolute latest, bold text on the "invite". I, of course, being notorious for getting lost, left early and so was there at 8, thinking I could wait there having my sandwich. No go, was not let in the door, "we are still preparing, sorry you have to wait". A couple of degrees and snow/rain. Nice. NOT. And I wasn't alone. All fifteen of us were early, so when we finally were let in, we were all anxious to get started.

First up a hearing test. Not the one with electrodes involved, but to listen to German, then answer some questions. Only they couldn't get the tape running, to the point where it got to be embarrassing. For them. So we were shown to a waiting room (aha, so there was one after all), then waited waited waited. Finally they called a technician, and we got started on the reading test instead.

35 minutes set aside, and I was done after 15. Directly on to the writing exercise (a letter to a fictive boss about being sick, and when you'd be back bla-bla-bla), 25 minutes allotted and I was done in 10. And I double-checked everything. Two of us left.

Was talking to the fellow immigrant afterwards, and we were both flabbergasted over the level. It's almost like there is something hidden. This was way too easy! So much for googling the names of the Bundespräsident and Stadt Zürich Präsident this morning!

Finally after another hour of waiting we got to listen to a voice talking for a minute, then answering some questions (why they couldn't have read us the tape in the first place is beyond me but this is Switzerland, therefore there are rules). Four questions, the last one in Swiss German, and I might have missed one of the answers on this one.

Now, on the instruction sheet it says that the whole test will take 90 minutes, so I thought I'd be home at 11 this morning, and then I can celebrate.

Nope. We were done with the three first tests by 12, and now I have to go back in the afternoon for the last one. Oral examination, but not to check the condition of my teeth, but to test how I speak. One of the guys were lucky enough to have the test before we left (he claimed he had to work clever bastard), and he told me it was easy. To look at pictures and describe what you see.

When reading the conditions I can see that you have to pass 60% of each test, and if I don't do that I don't deserve to stay in Switzerland!

Not jumping but back in the saddle

Heck, it gets more and more fun every riding lesson. Probably because I learn more and become more and more secure with the horse. Actually, Feri is very skilled and I know every time something goes not that good, it's my fault. Humbling.

Today we did the embryo to jumping, i.e. galloping over a couple of barriers lying on the ground. I was imagining a huge, high bar and I was flying over on a sorta Pegasus :). Yes, I'm dreaming and it wasn't a giant leap for humanity, but a small step for me.

Energy saving IV

We're still on the trash theme.

Use cloths when cleaning more than once, i.e. avoid paper and wipes.
A no-brainer if you ask me. I even wash the cloths I use in the kitchen and for cleaning. 1 point out of 1.

Have recycle station in your house to make it easier to...well recycle.
I always have a carton on the balcony where I throw all cartons from food, cigarettes and toilet paper rolls carton in. When I see how many cartons I have on the street every month, in comparison to my neighbours I always win. And they have more people in their homes than I. I'm pretty sure it's not because I eat or smoke more. Smoke more yes, eat more no. 1 point for me, 1 top score.

Choose products you buy with less packaging, so that you get less trash.
I gave myself 2 points of out 2 on this one, but am a bit hesitant. Yes, I do rather buy minced meat at Coop where it comes in a plastic bag, rather than Denner and Migros with a plastic container, but I'm not sure how much less waste there is.

Check your fridge regularly, so that you put food in front that is about to go out.
Not a problem for me, since I am the sole eater from my fridge. 3 points out of 3.

Don't waste food. Food stays longer good if you use a plastic container, rather than plastic or aluminium foil. Use a transparent container so that you see what's in it.
Again, I win. 3 points out of 3.

Use batteries that can be charged, rather than the ones you have to recycle.
Hmmm, I gave myself 2 of 2 on this one, but am not sure. But considering I charge my mobile phone, my camera, my Dyson (hand-hoover), my computer and most devices I can think of, I believe I do what I can. But ok, I do have a thermometer on the balcony on battery, a clock and I'm sure something else, so perhaps I overrated my score this time.

25 of 25, challenge me?

Energy saving III

The next page is about trash.

Only buy what you need.
Easy-peasy, I get 5 points out of 5. Last year I even started to sell things I no longer need.

Use shopping bags more than once.
Again, I'm in the lead. Have done this for many, many years already. I buy a bag for 2 francs, and use it for more than a year easily. Until it falls apart. 1 point equals top score.

Only throw food away if it's clearly inedible, do not trust best-before-date.
Once again I'm a winner. I smell the food, and if it smells ok, I eat it. The only time I throw away food is sometimes when milk gets old, 'cause I don't drink milk, only use it for cooking, and yes, once in a while I do bin leftovers but not very often. 4 points out of 4.

Recycle your trash.
Here I excel. Unlike some people I could mention in my neighbourhood I recycle metal (including aluminim foil) and glass, by bringing it to the nearest glass bank. I put carton on the street once a month, and paper twice a month. In fact, I have very little trash, which is good 'cause it saves me money. Here you pay for the trash-bags, and I use at most a 17-liter bag every week, mostly it lasts longer.

So 13 points out of 13 in this round.

Energy saving II

Next up is energy saving tips from Ikea, not involving WWF. My guess is it's because the tips are directed towards products from...drumrollplease...Ikea.

Only wash when your clothes are really dirty, hang them up between use to keep them fresh.
Top score 3, my score 3. I used to wash clothes after one use only, no longer. I use the same piece several times usually. There are advantages with being home a lot.

Hang wash to dry, rather than using a dryer.
No problem there, I do it all the time. Don't even have a dryer. Top score 3, my score obviously 3.

Do not use stand-by-mode for electric devices, shut them off completely.
Since today I do this also for the telly and modem, thanks to the thingie I got yesterday at Ikea. Since long before that I always shut of the coffee machine, the computer and the mobile phone when not in use. Top score 2, my score 2.

Use a proper top for the cooking pan or pot, and keep it on there while cooking.
Yes, I do this. Top score 2, my score 2. Since some time I have also started to use tops when frying, 'cause I hate it when I have fat flying around from the pan. However, in order to get a proper frying surface on meat and not have it cooking, it is a balancing act.

Use of timers.
Yes, I have one for one lamp in the living room. It is not only to save energy, but to keep potential thieves out when I'm not at home. Top score 3, my score 3.

Remove the battery charger from the electricity outlet when not in use.
No problem there. Top score 2 and so is mine.

Keep your fridge/freezer away from your oven. When the oven is heated, it makes the fridge/freezer work more to keep cool.
This is a difficult one, since this decision was taken some seven years ago and fridge/freezers are not normally moved easily. Plus it would cost a helluva lot more to move now, in comparison to the energy saving cost. I give myself 1 out of 2 top score, since my machines are fairly modern and should be able to deal with this unexpected "problem".

Choose a thick carpet to avoid cold and drafty floors, and you will have warmer feet and a lower electricity bill.
Not an option for me, I have floor heating and too nice floors to be covered up. However I give myself 4 points out of top score 4, since my floors were never drafty in the first place.

Keep your winter duvets ready. Then you can lower the temperature in the bedroom without freezing. Not an issue. I am warmblooded and sleep normally with a sheet only. 'Cause of the floor heating I cannot get it cold enough to freeze. And temp is set to 0°C so no energy use whatsoever, even if it is around 20° in the bedroom. The temperature flows around in the flat, and if I wanted it cooler in the bedroom (which I do want) I have to close the door and even then it wouldn't work to a large extent. Besides, cats wouldn't permit it. They hate closed doors. Top score 4, my score the same.

Ended up with 22 of 26.

Energy saving I

For once I thought I'd share not my own wisdom, but somebody elses. When in Ikea yesterday I got a folder which is a cooperation between Ikea and WWF, you know the organization with a panda as a front figure.

There are plenty of tips on how to save the planet, and I thought I'd share them with you and how I scored on each tip. Each tip has a top score, and I have tried to be truthful when setting my own. This of course I expect to be challenged on.

First up is energy:

Always switch the light off in rooms you do not use.
Top score 1, my score 1.

Rather use insulation pans and steamer pots than the oven and steamers (I guess they mean steamer oven).
Top score 2, I gave myself 1 since I'm not sure exactly what they mean. I do use modern pots and often covered and I do use the oven, but never anything steaming.

Only use lamps and spots on A+ or better, like LED.
Top score 3, my score 3. I live in a modern apartment and LED is a fav.

Wash your clothes in lower temperatures.
Top score 3, my score 2. I only use two programs, 40°C for everything except for twice a month when I wash sheets in 60°C. Actually I do think I couldn't do anything more on this, since clothes don't really get clean in 30°C. Or at least that's my feeling.

Use the sun as energy as best you can.
Top score 3, my score 3. I use it for light in the apartment, I have solar cell lamps on the balcony, and I use it for warming up the apartment, i.e. reducing heating. As well as being outdoors when it's sunny, which is healthy I understand :).

Optimize the heating in your apartment.
Top score 5, my score 5. I have spent many hours on calculating the heating cost, and this year I have drastically reduced the heating in my flat, almost to the point when I've been freezing sometimes. Also, I no longer keep the balcony door open for the cats, letting the heat out, but instead have chosen to act like a doorman. Or woman. Like when the furry ones choose to stick their nose out the door, stay for 30 seconds, then decide it's time to head into our cozy abode again. And then of course doing the same thing minutes later.

Shut off the heating on the stove minutes before you stop cooking.
I do this all the time. I also never heat up the oven beforehand. I do it once the food is in there. Top score 2, my score 2.

All in all I scored 17 out of 19.

Ikea gift

Went to Ikea today in order to pick up my gift. I don't think there are many people who can say that got something for free from Ikea, it's kinda not their MO, but I have. Twice now.

It's because I applied for a competition to get a greener world, and didn't make it, probably because I live quite green as it is...or try to...but it rendered me an email saying they would cheer me on and give me a gift as an appreciation. Nice.

While there, my friend and I went through the whole store (as you do) and of course we ended up buying something. Which was the intention from Ikea giving me the gift, I understand, I'm not stupid, but what they didn't expect was that we walked out with purchases of 10.45 francs. Together.

I got a new glass form and my friend bought not only one, but two, potato peelers ;).

But ok, I got a bit crazy in the food shop outside the cash counters, and spent a whopping 32 francs on delicious stuff like herring, marinated cucumber and sweets.

Coming home I checked out the gifts and they were not bad. Two thingies for electricity, you know the ones where you with one button can shut off the whole thing, one thermos in stainless steel and some other less useful things. Not bad!

Swiss IX

So I sent in the application for the German test, in order to take another step to become a Swiss citizen. Yesterday I got the confirmation that I am "welcome", together with instructions that I must be on time ("pünktliches Erscheinen ist zweingend") and that I must bring a confirmation that I have paid the "Prüfungsgebühr", the 250 francs. Ze Swiss certainly don't make it easy for you.

But they don't know me. I always pay my bills on time and I am always on time for any meeting. In my life I have only missed to pay on time once, and that was when I was travelling a lot, and had once to pay for a Christmas party for the whole company (65 people approx). The credit I had on my bank account wasn't enough, and so the bill didn't autogiro as expected.

Anyway, it took me some time to figure out how to prove to ze Swiss that I have paid. But today I realized I could download a payment in pdf-format, send it to a friend to have it printed, and voila, I can bring it to the test. But then again, how easy wouldn't it be to fake such a document? I'm thinking, wouldn't it be better to have a proper accountant to check their bank account if payments have been made? These days with everybody being online all the time, how difficult can it be?

However, not sure I'll suggest it, since it might have implications on my wanna-be-Swiss-wish.

Wish me luck with ze German test!

Monopoly ewz and city of Zürich

I got an answer from the city of Zürich regarding my question about high and low tariffs on electricity. It didn't get me much wiser, but at least I got informed that no, they hadn't thought of changing the tariffs to be low on holidays, 'cause there was no demand for it. Or at least it was what the person who answered speculated. She couldn't know for sure.

"Dass man zu den Sonntagen noch die (wenigen) Feiertage hinzunehmen würde, stand meines Wissens nie zur Diskussion. Ich kann es nicht mit Sicherheit sagen, stelle mir aber vor, dass Feiertage nie in Betracht gezogen wurden, weil solche Sonderfälle die Umsetzung verkompliziert hätten. Man hätte dann auch noch regeln müssen, welche Feiertage gemeint sind (nur die offiziellen oder auch die lokalen?). Und so etwas hat im Interesse der Einfachheit wahrscheinlich nie jemand gewollt."

And she thought that it would be difficult to differentiate between official holidays and local ones. Makes me think they might not have computers to operate the electricity distribution here in Switzerland. Or that they can be programmed.

PS. ewz is the sole provider of electricity in the city of Zürich, i.e. monopoly.

Hair

I think I'm slowly becoming my own mother. Not that she was a bad person, but you know, a mother is always old in a childs eye.

I remember growing up, and I realized she didn't wash her hair that often. Maybe once a week or a little more often, but still. I was washing mine way more often, 'cause of sports and horses and production of hormones I guess. It used to get fat quickly. And I remember thinking, oh gosh, my own mother is not taking care of her hygiene.

Haha. Little did I know that with age your body dries out. And no, not in the places you may think, but on my head. My hair has all of a sudden become even more delicate than before, and no longer is there a need to wash it every third day like I used to. On the opposite actually, when I don't wash it for a longer period of time, like four or five days, it looks better.

So now I have a real dilemma. Riding lessons every Friday, when my head gets really sweaty and possibly stinky (not sure, cannot smell my own head), so do I wash my hair twice a week, or do I wait and wash it after the lesson? I.e. only once a week?

Not really a problem considering what's going in the world, but in my little ditto, it's something I think about. Not a lot though, but I gotta write about something :).

Hurray for Coop

Yesterday I bought a set of four plastic boxes at Coop, those that you use for storing and/or freezing food. When I got home I realized that one was broken, and so brought it back today to Coop to replace it.

First I got told that I had to bring the other three, since it was a set, and then get a new one. Well, I had used the other three, so that wasn't an option, unless they wanted used boxes back.

After like ten minutes, when the shop assistant was supposedly in discussion with a manager, I was given a whole new set for free. So I ended up with seven boxes for the price of four. And let me tell you, Coop will earn those francs back, since I am now a very happy customer.

Not sent from my iphone

I have to laugh every time I get an email with a note underneath saying "sent from my iphone". I assume this is a commercial trick by the provider put in as default, and that most people either don't know how to remove it, or care to do it.

So from now on every time I get such a message I will reply "not sent from my iphone", and in doing that contributing to the free advertising.

Irl

This year in November I have been blogging for ten years, and I am proud to say I do it for myself, not for anybody else. Even if I didn't have any readers, I would still be going. 'Cause it's for me. That said, I love when I get comments, especially challenging ones, but even if I didn't, I would still be going strong.

I hate it when famous people, whose blogs I read, suddenly stop without a comment why. That's when I realized most people do it for money or fame.

That leads to me think about Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I'm on none of them. And I read in the newspapers about people being addicted. They cannot stop reading about other people's lives. How sad is not that?

I was on the bus yesterday, and had forgotten my book (yes I still read real books while travelling) and was watching people instead. Almost everybody was looking at their iphone or ipad or i-something I still haven't heard about.

Personally, I still prefer people in real life. They may not be perfect, like today when I was visiting some friends, and we disagreed on how to raise kids (haha, me the expert!), but they were real people. Irl. Not anybody online only.

Not everything was better before, but some things certainly were.

Three hoodies

Had my first group riding lesson this year today. From now on it's gonna be every Friday evening until end of June. And I tell you, it was hard! I didn't realize that three weeks with no riding, despite that I've done some sports in between, was gonna be so sweaty.

Ten minutes in, I had to stop trotting, go in the middle and just stop for a while, another ten minutes and I had to ask the teacher to hand me the bottle of water I brought. No saliva left. Even so, I enjoyed it immensely. Today we did slalom, when you ride between cones, and the exercise when you make the horse go forward and left/or right at the same time. No idea what it's called in English*. Or German. Or any other language for that matter.

Of course galloping is my fav, and I was rocking today. Was given "my" horse, Feri, and we were doing good. Had some friends coming by in the end of the lesson, and they said I looked the best (of three :).

But in the beginning of the session Feri was a bit slow, and my legs were not strong enough to make him go faster, so the teacher gave me a whip (which I don't think should be necessary), and funnily enough that got him going. Without me even using it. The carrot and the stick kind-of-like.

And the whip was long, so accidently when I was giving him the sign to gallop I touched his behind with it, and off we went at a very good speed. Fab fun!

The three hoodies? Well, after the lesson my friends took me for a drink, and I got to make horse-talk for an hour or so. It wasn't only me, one of them raised lots of questions and of course I was happy to answer.

Then they walked me to the bus stop, and it was raining. All three of us had hoodies, and I was looking at them raising theirs, like one-two-three and there were us, three people walking, well into our middle-ages, looking like suburbian kids. Well, if you have a bit of imagination i.e.

Good fun! Who would've thought that I would prefer horses to men on a Friday evening?

*googled, it's leg-yielding. Does it make you any wiser?

Electricity in Zürich

Quite a few years ago I learned from my neighbour that after 10 pm the electricity is cheaper. She told me she was always running a washing machine or dishwasher after this time in order to save money. I quickly picked up, since I also believe that if electricity is provided outside office hours it is better for the environment. I may be wrong, but that's what I think.

When you rent an apartment you seldom have a choice, since common washing rooms close at 10 pm and not every rental has a dishwasher.

Anyway, I wasn't sure that it was valid on holidays. I mean, I think it should, since like Christmas day is a day off for everybody but all their website said was "22-6", i.e. 10 pm to 6 am every day Monday-Saturday and all of Sunday, so I sent a question to them.

And they answered that the City of Zürich has in all their wisdom (ok, not exactly, but "dieser hat sich auf diese Logik festgelegt", which basically means the same) decided that it is so.

This of course triggered me to send an email to the City of Zürich to ask why. Now I am impatiently awaiting the answer.

I rock in the kitchen

I have a friend, and we meet on average once a week. Normally we switch, I cook one week and he cooks the next, but since he has a limited amount of menues on his repertoire, it has turned into me cooking most of the time.

I don't mind really, since I like to experiment, and tonight I must admit, I excelled!

A fairly cheap cut of pig, "voressen" like ragout, cooked for more than two hours together with onion, garlic, soya, creme fraiche, cream and my new fav, sambal oelek. And since we're both fond of alcohol a little cognac added in the end, taking the pan off the heat before all the alco had cooked off.

Omg, it was friggin tasty! Served together with roasted potatoes and lightly cooked carrots with melted butter.

I'm just saying, I rock in the kitchen.

Coop and Migros same shit - or nobody is perfect

When I go shopping I always make sure I get the receipt. I think it's a remainder from the time when I didn't have much money and always had to calculate the amount before I got to the cash counter in order to make sure I had enough to pay for my purchase.

Normally I would check it at home, but sometimes like today, when I didn't have too many items, I took a look at it before leaving. Turned out the shrimps I bought for one of my spoiled cats had gone from 4.90 to 6.25 in one week. So I questioned it. 4.90 was printed on the item, and I was right. As usual :).

But the point was, first I had to wait for the manager of the store, then he had to give me the money back, after that I had to sign a "release form" or whatever, that I had gotten the money back, and finally he charged me with the correct amount. Like I was the person who had done something wrong.

I remember last year when the same thing happened in another store. I got home and saw that the cucumber I should have paid like a franc for had been charged with ten francs for another item. So went back, same thing happened, money back, sign for it, then charged the correct amount.

Every time it feels like I have done something wrong, having to sign my name to something for which wasn't my fault. There must be a better way to treat customers.

Cat rules

Slurp

I'm absorbing fat. Don't worry, it's no rant about weightloss this time, but about skin care. I finally got around to do some pedicure, scrape off dead skin, clean and finally smear baby oil on my feet and put socks on.

The idea is to get the skin to absorb the oil, be really smooth like babys feet. Not that I'd know, but you understand. However, five minutes later they were as dry as before.

I have now smeared another layer of oil on them, and expect I have to do a third round before going to bed.

I blame the winter and the dry air. Good thing is that we're now going towards more light and I can already feel a spring in my step. Or maybe I'm just wishing.

Monte Verità

Who knew that the hippie movement started in Switzerland? I didn't. But I just saw a documentary about how it all began on a hill in the southern parts of Switzerland, just outside Ascona.

The pioneers named it Monte Verità, the hill of truth, and for years in the beginning of the last century they were "hippieing" away there being naked, eating vegetarian and being "one with nature".

I would say that they were real pioneers, since there are people today doing the same thing. And not without a point. Apart from the naked thing, which for me personally is private.

And it was most interesting to see the take the producers took on the beginning and end, first with the remarks "when you've been dead for 80 years, you get a clearer perspective on life" and then with parallels to today about globalization, raw capitalism, financial crisis, foreign wars and fast communications spanning the globe, which is actually true, even though we think a lot has happened in the last 100 years.

Anyway, a film I can recommend, it's available another 20+ days, so be quick.

Another useless gadget

I was cleaning one of my kitchen drawers today, the one that gets used the most and may I add, when guests cook here, always open and don't close when they fry, so all the fat and grease gets into there. Anyway, now it's clean and I found a gadget that I didn't know I had. A wine thermometer.

One would think that it was something I could use a lot, but since I am a person with common sense I can feel and smell when a wine is cold and not. I have no idea how I got this, I think it may be decades ago somebody gave it to me, and I can assure you, it's never been used.

Perhaps I can sell it as an antique?

Sambal oelek

I was looking up a recipe yesterday, and saw an ingredient listed that I had never heard of. Sambal oelek. When googling I realized it was a Thai/Malaysian paste with chili. Excellent!

Then I forgot all about it. Until I was shopping today, and accidently saw a bottle with "Sambal oelek" on it, and remembered, yes, chili! Reading on the label it turned out to be 86% pure chili and very few other ingredients, yes I know 14%, but nothing with E numbers, and I decided to take a leap of faith and buy it.

Whoa! Tasting it, I realized it's just up my alley, stuff I love to add to dishes. Now I just have to learn to remember the name.

Selfie pin

In my mother tongue we say that even the sun has spots, meaning nobody is perfect or right all the time. As strange as it sounds I am not either.

At the moment I'm hung up on Shark tank and Dragons den, two similar reality shows that focus on entrepreneurs trying to impress wealthy investors to put money into their business, and I tell you, if I had been an investor being presented with a so called selfie pin I would have so rejected it. Nobody can be that narcissistic! Says the woman who blogs about her life :).

I would have been wrong. Which got proven today when I met my neighbours coming back from their holiday, talking about all the sites they had seen, all the presents they had gotten and what was most amazing. Well, to be honest it was the guy who was most excited "can you imagine how many holidays we've been on, and no pictures of the two of us together?". Hmm, no. But all you gotta do is to ask somebody on the street or the restaurant you're in to take one with your camera.

A selfie pin is a device that people with iphones (everybody except for me) can put their phone into and it stretches so that you can take a pic of yourself. I was told "everybody" was walking around with one. Which sounds a bit strange to me, and dangerous! A piece of long metal device, like an umbrella, poking into others while walking. Trust me, this is a one-season device.

And if it's not, I'm wrong twice, but I have no problem with that. 'Cause this is an idiotic trend, and if I was asked today I still wouldn't invest.