Cheap dates

I have some very good friends, who also are really cheap as dates. Water, coffee and anything non-alcoholic. Unlike me, who takes any opportunity to have a glass of white. Heck, I don't even need a reason.

But it was nice to catch up over a plate of cold cuts (incl homemade strawberry jam and a hot tomato/chili chutney) and as dessert a delish strawberry cake. The only thing that didn't cooperate was the weather today. No chance to sit on the balcony. Luckily tomorrow is gonna be better.

Which is when I'll make up for the lack of steps today. That pedometer is a gadget that keeps you on your toes, so to speak.

So close

Today I thought I had it. I did the jog/powerwalk/run in 18 minutes. 17 minutes is the goal for getting to the "outstanding" time. Pissed me off. But to be perfectly honest, I have more in me, and can push harder. I just wanna be able to do it once, then I can tick the box and put it behind me.

But seriously, it ain't bad for a person my age who smokes like a chimney and drinks like a fish.

A new love

I think I must do as many people do, I must ditch one love for another. Feri, you're a star but today I had the privilege of riding a new horse. Black, beautiful and tremendously well trained. And I didn't have the feeling of "oh jeez is he gonna buck or be too difficult for me to handle", it was more smooth sailing.

And he was fast, which I like a lot. But I also got criticism for that. "Annika, you're too fast, slow down, you're supposed to trot not run" and similar, but I didn't care. I enjoyed it a lot. What a fantastic horse!

I think the trainer picked up on that, since she happened to mention that he was for sale. "You can buy him".

And no, if I would buy a horse I would have to find a way to fund it, and therefore would have no time for a horse. They are bloody expensive. We're talking 15-20 thou to buy the horse, then 1-2 thou a month for keeping it plus all the extras. Nah, it's not gonna work even though I was tempted for a minute.

I really hope I get the chance to ride him again!

Life rocks

Every day I am grateful for the life I live, but today I was a little more so. It started out with a sale at my local Denner (they are renovating and therefore closing for three weeks) with 30% on everything. Can I just say I wasn't alone there at eight in the morning. But I got the stuff I wanted, mainly cat food, and even got some help to carry it home.

Then I was with dog the whole day. We did a vitaparcours round in the morning, which is really funny with a companion. She's a real darling and I had to laugh a lot. She looks at me when I'm doing the exercises like I'm crazy, she might have a point there, and when we get to the little lake in the middle of the forest, she goes absolutely bananas and wants to swim.

Then we had a little rest, all the four of us. Two cats watching the "monster", but when they get too close the dog retreats. Clever dog. Trust me, never play with a cat, they always win.

After that doggie and I went for a walk into town, and of course she went bathing every chance she got.

In the afternoon we met up with the dog owner, and went for a premiere cruise on the lake this year. It was gorgeous. Warm, sunny, practically no wind and few people. And we had wine and sandwiches and music.

I was thinking of how lucky I am. I am healthy, I have good friends, I have a boat, I have animals around me and I live in the best city in the world. There is nothing that can top this!

PS. And I'm almost up to 25,000 steps today. An added plus to a perfect day.

Earth day

Today google has a quiz due to earth day. Not sure how it's connected, but the quiz gives you the answer which animal you are.

Tada, I'm a woolly mammoth "So unique, you're technically extinct. But on the bright side, scientists hope to be able to clone you some day!" Hehe.

Lippizzaner ride

Yesterday I was riding my second fav, a lippizzaner, a breed that is mostly known for performing at the Spanish riding school in Vienna. I saw them when I was 15 years old and in the midst of my first horse-crazy period. I was in awe then, and still am.

If you're not a rider, you don't get how difficult it is to get the horse to perform like they do, and making it look effortless. Trust me, it takes many, many years of daily training to get as good as they are. Obviously I was nowhere near it yesterday.

However, I got a compliment. Not from the teacher mind you, we're still at "Annika, where are you not supposed to be looking?". Me: "at the horses ears". Right.

No, it was from a fellow student, who I consider to be the star in our little group of four. She said to me "you may not be as powerful as I am, but I think you're better technically". Not sure she's right, but I am still basking in the praise, especially since she's normally the one who always knows everything, and who I believe to be the better rider.

The less powerful she was referring to is that I cannot ride for 50 minutes without taking breaks. I am sweating like a pig, need to drink water in between, and have decided that after these six months (ending June) I will go back to 30 minutes lessons with a private teacher. That way I hopefully will last the whole lesson, and I don't have to take other horses into consideration. The riding hall is not that big, so now you always have to look out for the others.

I look forward to learn more, especially now when I have gotten to know the horses a bit better, and one day I shall jump again!

Swiss XVIII

At the interview I asked about why I haven't received the results of my German test, made in January, and when I was promised to get the outcome six weeks later. Turns out you only get a letter if you didn't pass, which they didn't tell you at the time.

I find it a bit weird that you're asked to pay 250 francs for a test, and then you don't get to know what the result was.

However, today I saw the score. I had six points missing, and those six I'm sure was just one question (there weren't that many) and that one was in Swiss German. I had a feeling I answered incorrectly on that one.

The speaking part was top score. I'm sure they don't take incorrect grammatics into the equation. The writing part was also top notes. Now I'm certain they don't care that much about grammatics. The reading bit was also 100%, but the listening (which included the Swiss German question) was where I was failing.

But all in all, I'm pretty happy with the results.

Swiss XVII

Today was a bit of an anticlimax. I had the interview, hopefully leading up to me being a real Swissie.

I have been studying pretty hard. That broschure I got before the interview has been read a number of times, and many of my friends have been questioning me, helping me to prepare for the interview.

Ok, some of the information I knew but now I also know everything about the political parties, the various "Rat" on the three different levels (Bund, Kanton, Gemeinde) and how many members they all have. As well as learning the names of the three females on the top level, the four men I chose to forget. And that wasn't even in the broschure.

I know the history of Zürich and of Switzerland, I know how many sports organizations there are in Zürich (500), I know the rights and the obligations (mainly to pay tax :) a Swiss citizen has, I know about the various political rights.

I even know that Zürich in the 400 BC was called Turicum and that Ulrich Zwingli (who I at first thought was mostly known for having a bus stop called up after him) in the 1600's was a reformer who welcomed refugees to the city.

Anyway, this time I was greeted by a younger man, and he was very friendly and open, as supposed to the first time when I visited the City council house to get the application form. I immediately felt at ease.

He first took the documents I had brought on request, and reviewed them for a few minutes. Then I was invited to join, and he explained the procedure. First I have to get approved by the city, which I got the impression wasn't gonna be a problem. And if approved, I get my name printed in a newspaper (gotta start reading The Tagblatt!). Then the application is sent to the cantonal level and at last to the country level. Every level issues a charge (no surprise there!).

Then we talked about my financial situation (of course they wanna make sure that I'm not gonna cost them anything), and finally...drumroll...he asked if I had read the broschure. I responded vividly that "all" my friends have been involved and that I've been studying really hard, which btw is true, and he just said "ok, so then you know". What??? Not even one question I got.

So there you go. But I don't feel that I studied for nothing, it was all interesting and now I know. Well, I'll know for sure in about eight months. This is the estimated time it'll take for them to process my application. So my plan of having a party, celebrating, in september was probably a bit optimistic.

Slow but steady, that's ze Swiss for you!

Hugo

Today my fav dog came to join me early in the morning. We did a vitaparcours round, and she stayed with me the whole time. Mind you, she was looking at me a bit when I was doing the various movements at the stations, but she is a very flexible dog and when we took a detour at the little lake in the forest she was as happy as one could be. She loves to swim. As well as shake off the water at me afterwards.

And that got me thinking coming back. I have this idea since quite some time that I should get my own dog. So I googled, and found Hugo. Hugo is a bigger dog than I anticipated, but somehow I felt like this might be it.

So in the evening I had a friend of mine phoning up the owner to ask if he was still available. He was. However, in order to get a dog in Switzerland you have to take a theory course of four lessons. Before you're even considered to take over a homeless dog.

I actually don't mind. Not everybody is as good with animals as I am, and I understand that you have to have certain basic skills.

I just wish it was the same with children.

19 minutes!

I did it! I jogged/powerwalked the round in 19 minutes, which means good. 17 minutes is regarded outstanding, and that's my next goal. But there is no rush so to speak.

Tomorrow I'll have a dog with me, and that might slow me down a bit. It's not like I'm competing, I just enjoy feeling more healthy and agile.

At the same time, my cig producer has launched a new packaging and is therefore selling them at a discount. Gotta stock up!

Good and bad, yin and yang, plus and minus. Guess that's life.

Sächsilüüte 2015

This year "der Böögg" burned down in a little over 20 minutes, according to some old myth indicating a mediocre summer, but today it was fabulous weather.

I took a stroll into town clad in only a sleeveless top, a short dress and bare legs. I know, not pretty with shiny white legs, but I need to start somewhere. I don't agree with a friend I met, who claimed that "I was born white, so that's how it meant to be". I believe more in improvement of what you've got. Except for when it comes to clothes of course, since I hate shopping.

Anyway, I went down to the city, thinking that shops were open. They were not. And I got caught behind the lines and lines of people. It's not that I am extremely claustrophobic, but I don't like crowds, so finally I managed to cross the street and get to my fav bar, where I sat down with a drink and watched all the "Zünfte" parade by. A "Zunft" as I understand it (nobody has been able to properly explain it) is an organization consisting of one profession like bakers, smiths, painters and people who make flour, that sorta thing. And it's not only you have to be one, you have to have a friend or several of them recommending you into a "Zunft". Can I mention that there are very few women involved?

Most of them are very old (surprise, surprise!), and all the "Zünfte" are parading by in wagons drawn by horses. And they shit. Not that I mind, 'cause horseshit doesn't smell that bad, but you have to be careful not to trot in it. However, Zürich city excels in cleaning up. Two hours after the parade was over, there was no shit to be seen.

And even though the city was crowded I managed to find a few spots where the view was fab and there was space enough to breath.

Can I just reiterate that I love Zürich?

A humbling experience

I was put in my place today at the riding lesson. Well, that's stretching it, but I didn't get what the teacher was telling me, so she asked me to dismount and showed me what she meant. And that's a real humbling experience, 'cause when she did it, it looked like a stroll in the park. And it was an easy thing.

However, today was hot and I didn't mind a break of a few minutes, gulping down half a liter of water, while watching what I should've done and didn't do.

But afterwards it went better, and I could clearly understand what she was saying. The way you sit on a horse has a big impact, which I kinda knew, but at the time had forgotten.

And as always, when we do leg-yielding I hear "Annika, look up in the corner, not at the horse's ears". Yeah-yeah, one day I will learn.

Up mine

So after going to and fro on the ass problem, I finally decided to have a check-up. Not that it bothers me and gives me pain on a continued basis, but I thought what the heck, why not do a little prevention to what might be a bigger problem later on.

And I gotta say, I just love the doctors in Switzerland. I showed up as we agreed on at 15.15 and was whisked into the doc's office immediately. We had a brief conversation about the problem, then I was led into an exam room, and a nurse asked me to take off my pants and shoes, not the underpants mind you, and I was placed on a bed on the left side. I got a little "sexy" paper blanket to cover myself with, and in came the doctor. Put a finger up my ass, then some sort of device, and it didn't hurt at all. After a minute or two, I was dressed again, and another conversation with the doc took place.

All in all it took 15 minutes and now I have an appointment for a colonoscopy.

And this is where I get a bit weary, since the doc's explanation is to not treat just the visible symtoms, but to check out that there is no bigger problem higher up. I buy that, even though I realize that they are selling treatments and that here in Switzerland you are more responsible for your own health than in other countries I lived in. But hey, I have started to treat my body as the temple it is (well, more or less), so why not go with the doc's recommendation?

Plus the fact that he said "in our age" these procedures are to be recommended.

Before the day I have to drink a lot, some sorta mixture to make my stomach empty. I, of course, asked if I could mix it with wine and he responded that it would be ok with white wine. "But it's a liter, that's a lot", he said. Haha and hurry for Swiss doctors!

Above average

I was around 21 minutes around the vitaparcours without the stations today. Average is 22, but I have to check the seconds next time. Plus today I did "run" a 6 minute-round before I started.

But that ain't bad for somebody with my previous lifestyle. I am pretty proud of myself!

I'm a libra

I can hardly believe it myself, but two days in a row I've been out for an hour doing the vitaparcours run. Well, run is stretching it, 'cause I mostly powerwalk but I do all the stations but one.

Apart from the station with beams which you're supposed to heave yourself up from, I can do all of the others. And even the walking backwards balancing on a wooden beam is getting easier.

It made me think of the time when I was out fishing at Tenerife, decades ago. It was a pretty high sea, and I was the only one having lunch together with the crew. The rest were up on deck emptying their stomachs. So my balance should be pretty good. It's just I haven't used it in a while.

I'm not at the stage of being a training maniac, but I must admit I enjoy it. Especially afterwards :).

Swiss XVI

One of the rights being a Swissie is that you have "Initiativrecht", i.e. the right to take an initiative. Which sounds a bit funny, but it means that if you have an idea, and get enough people to sign up for it, you can take it to a higher level and eventually, if you're lucky, it becomes a law. There is a bit more to it than that, but simplified, that is it.

There are few initiatives that are taken on, but recently ze Swissies made it more difficult for foreigners to become Swissies (just my luck!) and the initiative against minarets was accepted. Personally I think that all church bells should be forbidden, but I have a feeling I would be quickly voted down. There are also initiatives on a more local level, like if a new tramline should be allowed in Zürich. Direct democracy it's called.

However, my nerdy neighbour thinks Switzerland is a "half-direct" democracy, but it's not in my broschure, so I don't think it's gonna be in my favour to discuss it in the interview.

And recently I got a crash course in direct democracy. I sent out an email to all my neighbours, suggesting a "go green"-initiative. Meaning they could collect all their metal, bottles, and other disposable trash in containers that we would put in the basement, and I would, for free, bring it to the correct disposal containers. My thought was I have time, and they have less.

I was immediately voted down, with the reason that "it's everybody's responsibility" and "there is no need for another disposal station in the house", as well as a simple "no, I'm not interested". One party thought it was a great idea.

Now, I happen to know who gives a damn about green environment in this house and who does not. Most people take responsibility and recycle, but some do not care. And I only wanted to help.

But that's direct democracy for you. And for my next "initiative" I have learned that I have to state my reasons for it, and do a bit of marketing. And that's so not me. I think that what is obvious to me, it should be for everybody.

Common sense I think it's called.

Swiss XV

As a preparation step before my interview with ze Swiss authorities, I wrote an email to the most critical person I know, who also happens to be a neighbour. And as usual I procrastinated, thinking there is plenty of time to prepare.

Until today when I got an sms saying "coming over in 45 mins for your prep". Oops. But even then I managed to hang a wash, to clean an ashtray and to make myself presentable, before I started to study. It's mainly this friggin political system with all different governmental bodies that makes me crazy. It's boring and uninteresting and I really had to force myself to remember how many members each body has.

And what I had forgotten was that my neighbour is a real nerd. He thrives on history and wanted to make sure that I understood all the background to the simplified version in my broschure. Which I wasn't too interested in. I was more looking to pass the test.

So two and a half hours later we were done. If I don't pass the test now, it isn't for lack of trying! I just have to filter out all the "unnecessary" information.

Jam

Yesterday evening I did something I guess not many people do on a Saturday evening, and certainly something I have never done before.

Strawberry jam! I have always thought it was really difficult, but with the recipe I used it wasn't at all.

I mixed sliced strawberries with cinnamon sticks, sugar, bay leaves and substituted the Cointreau with Cognac. I also added a tiny chili, which turned out to be the strongest chili I ever ate. Used another one for soup I did earlier in the week, one teeny-tiny one for two liters of soup made it so hot I was sweating eating it.

Recipe said to cook between 15 and 30 minutes, but I used 50 minutes. And even though it turned out totally ok, next time I will use a only one cinnamon stick and I will slice the strawberries in even smaller pieces.

But I gotta say, it is satisfying to be eating breakfast with bread I made myself topped with homemade (by me!) strawberry jam.

Dogsitting

Today I'm dogsitting for several reasons. First of all, it's nice to have some company when going for a walk. Second, the dog needs to be trained to be with others than the owner. Third, I wanted to see how my cats get along with the dog when the owner is not around.

This is a dog I know since quite some time, but I wasn't sure how it'd work out. Now we've been for a walk in the forest, and it wasn't a problem at all. I let her lose, and she stayed with me the whole time. My cats have come out from their hiding quarters, and even though dog and cats keep a respectful distance, they are not afraid of each other.

Oh Feri my Feri

Today everything was back to normal in the riding lesson, we all got our favs. But I gotta say, that it's getting to be a bit not boring, but I would like to be more challenged. Not having the same procedure every time.

Yes, I know, I'm not professional, nor do I have an ambition to be, but I would like to jump or at least do something that is different from the time before.

However, when you deal with live animals you never know what is going to happen. After the lesson we dismounted, and then you normally prepare the horse a bit before it's your time to take it to the stables. One at a time.

Prepare means you slacken the girth, untie the bridon a bit and put the stirrups up. When all this was done the new students had come into the riding hall, and one had a fit, started galloping uncontrollably and upset all the other horses. This you have to have respect for, I mean you are in charge of 500 kg's of muscles and bones.

But it ended well, and I got to take my beloved Feri into the stables, take the saddle off, the thingies they have around their ankles and lead him into the box. And of course the best bit, give him the carrots I carefully prepared, having sliced them into nice pieces, which he picks up so gently from my palm.

It's funny, when I'm there I'm thinking to have my own horse would be a dream. However, when not there I'm thinking what a chore and responsibility that would be. I'm torn.

And now I can think about it for two weeks, since next Friday is Eastern and no riding lesson :(.

Friends

I was having an acquaintance/friend over for lunch today. We are not in constant contact, but have over the years become more than acquaintances. And I was thinking after our date today, that he is one of these people that makes me feel good.

He's polite, nice and serious but with a latent sense of humour (Swiss-style). And we always have interesting discussions. He works with something that is close to my heart. That's how we know each other in the first place.

And luckily I am now old enough to be able to choose my friends, and do it diligently. He's definitely one to stay in my life. Of course together with all the other ones that have already passed Annika's needle eye ;).

Flat

Yesterday I was looking at a flat. Not for me mind you, since I'd never leave my beloved apartment unless I was forced to (like I usually say, feet first), but friends are flathunting and I am always curious to see how other people live.

The flat itself had a nice layout, was modern but with dark brown colours. I am not a fan of brown. And it was located in the middle of Zürich, surrounded by asphalt (ok), other tall buildings (not ok) and too close to railways (also not ok).

My friends were also not too keen on the place, so the hunt goes on. I'm curious to see where they end up.

Gadgets

I dunno know about all these electronic gadgets. Today I was spinbiking at home for half an hour, and the bike said I had burned a little over 300 calories, whereas my step counter said 60. The discrepancy is too large to believe any of them.

And I don't trust my body either. The other day I was out walking more than two hours, ate normal and the next day I had gained half a kilo. That simply doesn't make any sense.

So all of a sudden I am 4 kg's away from my goal weight, when I was 2.7 kg's away a week ago. And that without munching down a lot of food, or doing anything differently.

I am disappointed!

Fax?

You know I'm not the one to run to the doctor immediately when I have an "issue". However, today I felt that "it's now enough". So I bit the bullet and called my house doc, explaining that I have a delicate problem and that I found a specialist, but he wouldn't take me on unless I had a recommendation from my house doc.

Had the conversation and he assured me that it wouldn't be a problem to write this paper and send it on to the recommended physician, and after we hung up I had this funny feeling that something weren't right.

It kept on bugging me and it was only hours later I realized what it was. It was my house doc telling me he would "fax it over" to the other doc. Fax? Didn't that disappear in the 90's?

Anyway, I think he probably meant email and as long as the message gets to the right doc I'm not bothered.

10 wine bottles lost :)

When walking today to see my friend I was bringing two bottles in a rucksack. One bottle with lemon water and one bottle of wine. And I was thinking it was a bit heavy, but looking at it from the bright side, I was thinking it was good sportingwise.

Seeing all these episodes of Biggest loser, you know the one where they get to take all the weights on again that they lost, all sighing and saying "I cannot believe I had this on my body before", then having to a a walk or a run and take the weights off along the way. I was thinking the same today, when carrying only two bottles with me.

Since I started to live more healthy I have actually lost approx 10 wine bottles! Imagine that!

Walking and talking

Today was all about walking (and talking). I was meeting a friend who lives about an hour from me, and I chose to walk there. Sun was shining, the wind was a bit cold but it was a nice stroll. Ok stroll it wasn't, it was more like fast walking.

Anyway, after a bit of rest and a sandwich we took a walk around the lake nearby including a dog. With a dog you don't walk fast, since there is too much sniffing and discovery to be made, which is kinda nice, since it makes you "smell the roses".

And I had my friend question me about the citizenship. Every time I meet a friend these days I shove the broschure into their hands, saying "question me" (or else;). I'm doing better and better, but it's like with my studies earlier in life. I tend to leave it to the last minute. Maybe it's my way of taking a walk on the wild side ;).

Oh dear.

Treat

The last week I've been looking after the neighbours flat, picking up the mail and making sure everything was all right. For me it's not a chore, it's something I like to do for several reasons. First, it's nice to live in a house with so few people that you know all of them, and second, I like to keep it secure here where I live. Making sure the mailbox is emptied on a regular basis is one of the things, and also having lights go on with the help of timers is another. Plus the fact that knowing that somebody is there if something bad would happen.

As a thank you when they came back today they brought me chocolate, a kinda chocolate I remember from my childhood. My grandfather used to hide a chocolate bar in the kitchen drawer, and when we arrived I used to open the drawer to check it was there. But in those days kids (even including me) were well brought up, so I didn't say anything. Probably the grown-ups knew, but didn't tell.

It was only after a while my grandpa said to me "Annika, I bought something for you, it's in the kitchen drawer", and I ran there and got the treat.

Funny that, how a small token can bring you back x years in time and make you feel like a child again.

8,000 steps

I knew it! 50 minutes riding lesson gives around 8,000 steps on that pedometer I bought, even if my friend claims that the horse does all the work. So not true.

Yesterday I did around 6K steps, it was a quiet day and I didn't move around that much. Today I'm up to 18K until now, which will be the end result, since I realized that putting the thingie in my underpants ain't the best idea. It falls on the floor, or one time it was a close call with the toilet.

I don't aim to use it every day, but to see how much each sport gives in terms of steps.

Anyway, had a new horse today which was a darling. She was lovely, putting her head on my shoulder, wanting to be caressed and being very obedient when it came to prepare her for the lesson.

However, good thing they have stable help, since I'm a bit of a technical idiot sometimes, and couldn't figure out which way the cover went. You know, after you've taken the saddle and everything else off, you cover them up to prevent them from being cold.

So yes, I have a new second fav. A white Andalusian beauty of "normal" size.

Focus

Today I was planning to have a friend over for lunch, but he had to cancel due to sick kid. Totally understandable, but a bit disappointing 'cause I was planning to use him as a guinea pig for a cheese soufflé, which I never made before.

In the end though, it probably was good that he postponed, since I was caught up in the nostalgic series North&South on youtube, while making a try with the soufflé, and ended up forgetting to whip the eggwhites.

But ok, a solid cheese mix is not to be sniffed at. And next week I'll be able to do it properly.

Paella!

I just love paella, and today was a good day (paella-wise). I went with a friend to a fish store, carefully looking at the origin of the fish/shellfish likes and ignored everything from other continents, but again, when something comes from "North Atlantic", how can you be sure?

And like my friend remarked when I found mussels from Greenland, "it's as far as it is from Vietnam". Ok, I haven't googled but he may be right. Thinking what if I used the mussels growing beneath my boat?

Nevertheless, the paella(s), actually made two, were absolutely delicious.

And while we were there, in the shopping heaven of Zürich, we also visited a sports shop so now I've got a thingie that measures my steps and has a watch. My friend measured the average of my steps (69 cm if I remember correctly), and configured the device, and it ended up giving me a too positive result, or so I think. After coming home this evening I have apparently walked almost 2,000 steps. Ok, so I was cooking and walking around, but still. It sounds a lot. Perhaps I have to discount the steps.

And we were talking about my riding lesson on Friday. My friend figured that "the horse will do the walking/trotting/galloping", where I was thinking that I might do the most "steps" then. We shall see.

Sporty morning

So today I tried the vitaparcours for the first time. It was fab weather, the sun was shining and the temperature was just right for exercise. No excuse.

It took me exactly one hour from leaving my house until I was back. That included the powerwalk to and from, the actual round, also powerwalking, with fifteen stations (I did fourteen) with various movements. The most difficult was to balance backwards on a beam, especially at the turns. Funny that, since the beam was broad enough to encompass my foot.

One time I wanna try to jog the round without the stations. There is a sign at the end, saying that in my age an outstanding time would be 17 minutes, 19 would be good and 22 is the average. I wanna see where I'm at. The problem is I do not have a watch.

Thinking of buying one of those thingies which measure the number of steps, the time and maybe the pulse or something else. Didn't find anything on the net, but am sure a sports shop would have one.

PS. 2.7 kg's away from my goal as of this morning. However, not sure the paella we plan to make later will help :).

Guinea pig

I had a distinguished guest today, and fortunately I had prepared the cake already yesterday, so when he showed up today I had just enough time to decorate it. First time I tried this particular recipe.

And I got full marks, so I guess I can do this again.

The filling is banana and cream, and the topping is made of butter, sugar, milk and dark chocolate with chili. Yum!

Clean balcony

When waking up this morning and I saw the weather I decided it was a good day to clean the balcony, and make it ready for spring.

It's not as quick as you think, even if it's only 15 m2. I have to move things around, do a part, then move back and so forth.

But it was nice, and I was chatting to my neighbour who was also out enjoying the 19°C and sun, ironing. Which I found a bit weird, but still.

I scraped moss and cat hair from between the tiles, handpicked all the leaves off, hoovered, scrubbed the four chairs and two tables, cleaned all the glass walls, and showered it all off with the fab hose my friend installed last year. The one that goes from my bathroom being 8 meters long, extending to 24 meters and reaching every corner of my balcony.

Unfortunately all things didn't get dry before it got colder and darker, so I still have to put everything in place tomorrow, but a welcome chore. I look forward to put my new shelf out there and fill it with spices and flowers, only that'll have to wait a wee bit, since it's still cold at night.

And it's funny how differently the cats react. One is there all the time, sniffing, checking and being overly curious, whereas the other one hides as long as I'm working out there. Then eventually coming out and only after three tries I got her to get out there to check. Everything that is not normal for her is scary. It's enough to move a piece of furniture to get her to go into hiding, and the other one is always around, probably not knowing what curiousity did to the cat ;).

50% off

I had forgotten how favourable it can be to shop in the evening. Normally I'd go during the day when it's less people, but today I needed something for this evening so went to Coop. At the same time I was shopping for Wednesday, and for less than 15 francs I got 15 chicken wings - bio mind you! And I don't mind bio when it's 50% off. And it's good to know these chickens were roaming in the free while they were living. Guess they are less happy now though.

Gotta do this more often, especially since I cook lunch boxes for my friend, and we have now settled on a fixed price. Maybe I can even make 50 rappen per portion :) ?

But good thing something was cheap, the other ingredients for our upcoming paella on Wednesday weren't. When asking the young male shop assistant for which rice was best suited for the Spanish delicacy it turned out he didn't even know what paella was. But after consulting with a colleague he came back with a smile and pointed to the most expensive rice package there was. Of course.

Then I tell you, saffron is the equivalent of gold. 5 francs for 650 mg.

But there you go, if you want eat a delicious Spanish paella, it's gonna cost.

PS. Never made it before, better not screw up!

From turd to delish

This makes me remember a time when I was living in Utrecht, and was working on a project. We worked our asses off, and were really tired. We ended up having dinner in the restaurant in the hotel where we were staying and ordered a dessert with chocolate mousse.

We were presented with two turds, one white and one brown, on a plate and I couldn't stop laughing. I laughed so much I got cramp in my stomach. A combo of being tired and easily amused by something so simple. But it did really look like two turds placed next to each other.

So yesterday when I was baking I had a flashback when looking to what I was about to produce.

Still, it turned out delish even though the dough was not exactly appetizing. And by adding a hint of cognac, I think I enhanced the flavour.

Well done Denner

Some time ago there was a robbery in the shop where I go several times a week. However, I am impressed the way Denner is dealing with the issue. They have now placed a security guard there every evening as a precaution.

I think this is a good idea, at least for a period of time, in order to make the personnel feel more secure and to prevent this from happening again.

I know, in the end us customers have to pay for the service, but rather that, than having people getting stressed and be sick from fear.

Fish

When I grew up we used to eat fish a lot, fresh fish from either lakes or more commonly from the sea. Several times a week fish was on the menu, and I loved it.

Still do. However, it is difficult to get fresh fish from Switzerland, which is landlocked. As far as I know it's only "Egli" - a small fish - which is local.

So I always try to see where the fish is imported from, when I do buy fish, which is maybe once a month, and I ignore those from other continents. However, fish comes from the sea and who knows where they originate from. It often says North Atlantic, which is not exactly close but what is the alternative? Never to eat fish?

I also think about fresh vs frozen. Today I tried a dish with frozen fish for the first time, and I honestly couldn't tell the difference from fresh. Talking to a friend about it, we thought that maybe frozen are even more fresh since they probably freeze it directly on the ship. However, one cannot be sure that "fresh" fish from the counter in the shop hasn't been frozen before.

Nevertheless, fish has to be transported a long way, either with trucks filled with ice or in a freezer. Not good for the environment.

But I still like fish, and hope that I make up for my lack of environmental care by being careful with other polluting stuff.

Big is not always better

I cannot believe I got the biggest horse in the stable again. I must've done something to upset the owner, since she's the one allocating the horses to us students, and I was very clear from the beginning that I wanted a "normal-sized" horse.

And every time I have to ask for help, since he's huge and I cannot reach high enough to put the gear on. But I did clean his hooves. This is something they always do before leaving the box, I guess they want to keep the stable clean.

Picking a hoof up is no problem, but when an approx 600 kg horse leans on you when you're busy trying to scrape off dirt from inside the hoof, it's kinda heavy. Four times. And that's before you even have sat on the animal.

Frankly, I think that those private lessons of 30 minutes suits me better than 50 minutes with three others. The hall where we ride is not very big, and you always have to look out for others when moving around. Plus the fact that it seems that my energy seems to seep out after half an hour, just when it's time to start galloping, which is my fav.

But having prepaid the lessons until June, you can be sure I'll utilize every hour until then.

My beautiful city

Yesterday I was out walking with a friend in my hood. And I cannot believe how lucky I am to live in an area this beautiful. Yes, it was still a bit cold in the wind, but with the sun, a jacket and some wine we certainly enjoyed the view.

Swiss XIV

Today I had the first questioning by a friend on Swiss things, the stuff that it's in the broschure I got, and according to him I didn't do very well, whereas I think I did.

I know my weaknesses, they are about the politics and the political parties, but rest assured I'll know everything about them when the time comes. And it made me laugh that he, a Swiss by birth, didn't know everything either.

So, in this broschure it's everything you need to know if you wanna be a Swiss. And it goes without saying that the information they put in there are all positive. I mean I get it, who wants to promote something that isn't in your favour?

But let me quote this about the "Knabenschiessen", which is a kinda festival with youngsters who get to shoot (according to the broschure it started several hundred years ago and was military-related). Since 1899 it's the biggest party in Zürich (still according to the broschure) and here comes the quote "1991 kam es zu einer grossen Wende beim Knabenschiessen, als auch Mädchen am Schützenwettbewerb zugeslassen würden". Which means that women (well I guess girls) are also allowed to participate since 1991. If they would have said 1891 I would've understood why they put the info in there, but 1991, hello?

And I do miss the information about the half-canton Appenzell innerrhoden being the last canton in Switzerland to allow women to vote...drumroll please...1991!

Just saying(s)

Today I learned a new saying in German "Man schmückt sich nicht mit fremden Federn", meaning you don't take credit for something you haven't done. I'm not sure if it tops the other saying I learned "Dein Argument steht auf wachliche Füsse", meaning your argument is not valid...literally means standing on wobbly feet. Or rather not.

And yes I know, I probably misspelt it, but you get the meaning. And I am against my will a bit drawn to ze German language. So shoot me. However, the 100+ million people (give or take) who have German as a first language, probably will appaud me.

Just saying.

Look at me!

The older I get the more I realize you have to hang on to the friends you have, 'cause getting new ones are difficult.

The problem is not having friends, it's to have friends who are living close to me. Friends are everywhere in the world, and they are only a click away on email, skype or whatever social media there is these days, but I am more of an oldfashioned type. I like people irl.

I like to be able to call somebody and have them visit me when I feel a need to, I like to know that they are there for me if I get sick, I even enjoy having friends coming to see me when I ride. It's like, I have no family of my own, and to have somebody come and watch me progress and say "that looks good", means something to me.

Fortunately I have one of those, and I'm grateful for that.

Jump to the next level

You know that I've been thinking about horse-jumping since I first started to ride again, and I now feel that I have reached the level where I am confident enough to try. However, I want to make it as a reward, so first on the list is to become Swiss, and apart from having a huge flag-waving party, I'm gonna book a private lesson and jump my heart out.

Also, it wouldn't be a good idea to jump, hurt myself and limp into the city hall office. Knowing ze Swiss, they want financially sound, healthy people with a good knowledge of Switzerland.

So yes, that's what I'll do. Swiss - jump - then I'll have to think of what's next.

Shrimp and alco

I may be fond of alcohol, but sometimes, even for me, it can be a bit much. Today I had a visitor for lunch and after enjoying a shrimp mix on toast, I remember her visit last time when she enjoyed an Irish coffee, and sure enough when asked, she'd like one.

So I joined her. Brown sugar, cognac (I know, not very "Irish" but who cares), coffee and whipped cream.

Then later in the afternoon I got an unexpected visit from another friend, and whaddayaknow, he also enjoyed a toast and when asked what he'd like to drink...he responded "I don't suppose you have an Irish coffee". So I joined him with another one.

After he left I slept for like an hour, am so not used to drink that strong alcohol in the middle of the day. And I do expect to have gained a whole kilogram. All these sweets and rich creamy shrimp mix. Not a day where health took a first seat.

Less energy

One of the things the broschure I have to study before my interview with ze Swiss authorities, holds information about energy use and the goal is to have each person use less than 2,000 kWh. I am proud to say that the last year I again reduced my use of energy with 5.64%, to 1.847 kWh.

This is especially good since I'm home a lot. But now I really don't know what I can do more, other than keeping it on the same level.

But maybe that's good enough?

Nutcake

I love it when ze Swiss assume I know everything about Switzerland. Like today. I have been picking up mail for the neighbours over the weekend, and as a thank you they brought me a nutcake.

"It's not the traditional from Engadin, this one is from Bergün". Hahahahaha, like I would know the difference. I've never been to any of these places, much less tasted their cakes.

But it's appreciated. Any sweets are welcome in my house.

International womens day

Today it is international womens day. And despite it being 2015 women are still to a large extent discriminated in the world. It's a disgrace if you ask me.

In the 90's when I was in the middle of my career I employed a guy from Romania, and he told me that in Romania on this particular day every woman got half a day off from work plus they were given flowers and sweets.

Nice. So 364.5 days a year the same women got to cook, clean, wash, take care of kids and do everything else to make a home function, but this day they got a rose and some chocolate to make up for it. I tell'ya, it makes me angry.

And still today, women in certain countries get raped, and then blamed for having sex outside their (probably forced) marriage, and sometimes even executed for it.

I remember the early 90's when the top dog of the company I then worked for, a large corporation with 130.000 employees, and this particular manager was making a tour trying to mix with me and other people who made the company successful, with the message that he was like us. Except for that he was making a helluva lot more money than all of us.

 He was sitting next to me, and I asked him why there were so few women in leadership positions, and he responded like I was a kid, saying "these things take time".

Well he was right in a way, since nothing much has happened since, but it's only because we choose to. There are too many woman in rich Western countries who do not claw their way up. I'm not saying the men are not to blame, 'cause they are, but I like to see more women standing up for themselves, rather than focusing on how they look and to please everybody around them.

I know, I have chosen to quit the rat race, and may not have so much credibility anymore, but when I was still racing, I was doing it fiercely. More women should do that.

Cooking Sunday

Today I am again making lunch boxes for my friend. And after making like thirty different menues, I asked him to have a wish when we were shopping earlier this week. Of course he chose something I have never cooked before.

But being me, I am rising to the challenge. So now I'm slow-cooking a large piece of beef for several hours with water, salt, pepper, bay leaves and onion plus a little garlic to add that extra touch.

Also for the first time roasting sweet potatoes (which is not a potato I learned but a root vegetable). I googled and found that you're supposed to roast it with the skin still on. Whether you can actually eat the skin when roasted I am not sure. I added salt, olive oil and fresh rosemary.

He also chose creamy spinach to go with, but here I had to buy frozen so not an issue to cook.

Am also thinking of doing a red wine sauce, since I have an open bottle and I prefer white to drink.

It's hard to believe that I actually enjoy cooking. I am still amazed, and realize I should've listened to my Mum when I was younger. She was a masterchef, and was always telling me to take cooking classes. Ok, I'm not gonna go that far, but I will continue to experiment in the kitchen. And enjoy it!

Keep your distance

It's nice to know that I can still confuse men, however yesterday it was unintentionally. I was hanging with a latino, and as everybody knows, people from densely populated countries are used to stand, sit or walk close to other people.

I, however, come from a country where there is more space than people, and therefore I am more comfortable with keeping a bit of a distance to others. Really, I don't need to feel your breath or have you touch me just because you're standing too close.

Luckily here in Switzerland there is enough space, so we don't have to invade each others.

And yesterday I didn't mean to offend, I was just explaining how I felt, but I realize in hindsight that I confused the hell outta the latino. I hope he understands it was nothing personal.

I'm not tall

Today to my great disappointment I didn't get my Feri. Instead I got the biggest horse in the house, 1.85 but very gentle, so gentle they use him also for kids.

When we were all standing there, adjusting stirrups and tightning the girths, I got a question from a fellow student if I managed to get onto the horse without standing on the bench. Told her she was crazy, there is no way I can get on a horse that big without help. "I'm 1.65, the horse 1.85, what do you think?". She responded "no, my Mum is 1.65 and you're taller". Excuse me? Wanna see my (expired) passport?

I mean, I'm getting much fitter, but getting your leg up so high you can heave yourself onto a horse that tall, no way. I have enough anxiety about jumping off it, without twisting an ankle or similar.

And I must admit, that the first time I rode him it didn't go very well. With a huge horse like that you have to adjust to the larger movements, but this time, I felt almost comfortable. So I guess I'm making progress.

However, I'm pretty sure kids don't put any pressure on the horse, they don't force him to do things and I did. Normally I don't like to use a whip, but the teacher insisted, so I used it once to get him to gallop a bit faster. Haha, he didn't like that and I got a kick as a response. And the teacher told me to slow down. Hmmm. She shouldn't have given me the whip.

And she remarked that "Annika, you understand Switzedütch", 'cause that's what she uses most of the time (but making sure I follow), but I gotta tell you, "Handwechsel" in high German vs "Handwäschle" (speaking from deep in your throat) in Swiss German is not that difficult to understand. Just saying.

Shopping

So I went to Ikea again and got another bench for the balcony. However, when coming home I realized it would be a perfect addition to my kitchen. For the cat food. So now I have to go a third time. Ah well, there are worse things in life.

I also got a mat solely for visiting dogs. I rather hoover a mat once a week than mopping drool off the floor. Besides the mat was 10 francs full price, and this week it was 20% off. 8 francs as an investment in visiting dogs, I think is reasonable.

And then I got an egg-boiler-machine. I know, it sounds ridiculous, but I used to have one years ago and when it broke down I actually missed it. Today I found one in Aldi for 13 francs, and even though the colour is a bit...well, how can I put it...a bit girlish, I couldn't resist. And I cook eggs a lot, every second day at least so I will certainly use it.

Lastly I got some small glass containers that can take oven heat. I often google recipes, and I saw this one with chocolate souffle...so maybe if you visit and are lucky...

Oh yeah, forgot, I did get some candy too. It is impossible to visit Ikea without coming home with a bag of sweets.

PS. The must-have thingie had sold out, so update comes later.

Ikea vs H&M

It's funny, I remember Ikea decades ago when there was always a screw missing or it was something else not working with the product. Nowadays it is very seldom I have complaints.

H&M on the other hand, has over the years not improved at all. Today I'm wearing a sweater which I just discovered has a hole in it, and it's less than a year old, and a pair of jeans also with a hole. And they are pretty new.

I believe it's intentional. H&M are known for having fairly modern designs, and they want people to come back. Which they do, since it's always packed in the stores. The reason I still shop there? I have shares ;).

Anyway, just thought of it since I'm off to Ikea again shortly. And I've seen something else I "need". Update later.

Swiss XIII

I was told when having ze German test that I would be informed in writing about the results, but that it would take up to six weeks. It has now been almost seven weeks, and no report about the result. However, in the meantime I have received another request for information (which of course I had to pay for) and today an invitation for a personal interview. I therefore assume I passed the test, but a diploma or some sort of confirmation would've been nice.

As I understand it from the broschure they kindly attached, it's gonna be all about politics and how well I understand how things work in Switzerland. As well as my financial situation. Nothing about what I bring to the Swiss society, or how well I am integrated.

Not sure I think that knowing that the 'Regierungsrat' in Zürich has seven members, that the 'Parlament' in canton Zürich has 180 members and that the 'Gemeinderat' in the city of Zürich has 125 people representing the citizens is important, but if that's what they require, I shall study.

One step closer. I tell you, if I make it, it'll be a huge party including a lot of waving of Swiss flags.

Zumba - not for beginners

So today I went zumbaing all the way. I had asked the teacher beforehand to go easy on me, since I don't feel superfit.

To my delight we were only five students, and three of them were my age or older. All women. The fourth one was one of these you really should hate. Young, perfect body, did everything exactly like the teacher, and in general a person that would be on my hate list. Until I spoke to her, and complimented her for the moves. Then it turned out she was very nice too (how's that possible, there should be a law against it!), and told me she's done zumba once a week for three years and that it's all about practise. Phew! That made me feel better.

'Cause the zumba itself was very difficult. Ok, the teacher told us beforehand that there are no rules, and he's not gonna correct any of us. It's about having fun and move at the same time. Suits me.

It was loud music (the only one I recognized was Take on me with Aha, tells you how old I am!), a fast beat and swift movements in a gym hall with mirrors. So you looked at the teacher, tried to mimic his movements and by the time you had, he was changing to something else. It felt like I was always a bit behind.

But it was actually fun, and it's hard to not be happy with an energetic teacher who smiles and even looking around at the others, I saw them smiling too.

In the end it slowed down a bit and we stretched, and the teacher told two of us, the beginners, that it actually hadn't been a beginners lesson, it was a full on one.

So after one hour I walked out of there, tomato-red in the face but with a smile on my lips. Yes, I'll definitely do this again!

Tuesday in Zürich

I had a very nice day today, first meeting up with a friend and we took a long walk including a dog, having a glass of wine (me) and coke (her) at the top of Zürich. Then lunch at my place with soup and fresh bread. And a lot of girl talk.

In the evening another friend was visiting and it was an equally nice talk, but a strange menu. She's on a funny diet meaning today she could only eat ham. Cooked ham. So while I was enjoying another bowl of soup and the leftovers from lunch, she munched on ham and ham only. Very weird.

As I understand it it's not like a diet, but "Stoffwechsel", a kinda try-out to find out what your body can absorb and better deal with. But far be it for me to judge (haha, yes probably I will just a little bit) but I can understand. And if it works for her, fine!

However for me, a day without chocolate is a day lost.

Don't look up my arse

Here in Switzerland the health or sick business works like you have to pay an insurance. It costs an arm and a leg, and your house doctor is the first instance for any illness. Which is fine with me, unless it's something to do with your privates. Ok, I do have a gynecologist, but other than that it's my house doctor.

However, since about a year I have a little rear problem. And there is no way I'm gonna visit my GP and have him look up my ass. So I called a doctor, who was recommended to me, and told him I needed a removal, but got a no-go. I need a "recommendation" from my house doc.

Stuck within a rock and a hard place so to speak. There is no way I'm gonna get my house doc look at the "problem", and without a referral I'm not gonna get the procedure I need.

And for this I pay half a fortune every month. Not everything is good in the land of Switzerland.

Zumba

A long time ago I had a conversation with a friend, and we decided to try out a zumba lesson together. For reasons unknown that didn't happen, but a couple of months ago I got a flyer in my mailbox about a free try-out in my hood.

So on Wednesday I'm off. And I especially liked the swift answer I got. I registered and within 5 minutes I had an answer, addressing me with my first name and welcoming me on Wednesday.

Oh jeez, what have I gotten myself into?

Loving relationships

Yesterday afternoon the semi-new neighbours had a housewarming party. I was late, 'cause of the new friend, and as a punishment I sent him dogwalking while I was having a glass (or three) of Prosecco with all the neighbours. Turns out he didn't see it as a punishment at all, and came back for dinner as a happy man, bringing flowers for me. Oh dear, I might have been a bit harsh with him.

Anyway, while at the neighbours I talked with one of them about weightloss. She is skinny as a I-dunno-what and still talks about losing a few kg's. Told her she should rather focus on getting her guy losing a few (he could easily lose 30 kg's and still be quite sturdy), but that didn't stop her. Her guy whispered to me "she doesn't mind, she's looking forward to the life insurance". Which is so not true, and I don't understand why she's so insecure. She has a fab life with a loving husband, kids, a fantastic home and a good job plus she's gorgeous.

Good thing I don't have these hang-ups. I enjoy every day I'm alive and healthy, and I especially enjoyed yesterday including the dinner, except for maybe the Sicilian balls which had rice and bolognese inside...

No marito

A funny thing happened today when this new friend and I were shopping in an Italian supermarket. It was one of those where everybody speaks Italian, there is a counter for fresh food, a bar (of course) where Italian people gather and a woman who keeps it all together.

My friend was busy shopping for dinner and I was loking for a gift for my neighbours (tell you later), and ended up choosing a bottle of exclusive olive oil. So there I was standing at the counter waiting to pay, while an old woman with a walking chair was giving her orders to the shop assistant who was running around getting the stuff for her. Then the old woman pointed at me saying to the assistant "she can pay before me, she only got a bottle of olive oil", the shop assistant responded also in Italian saying "bla-bla-bla-italiano-whats-it-marito".

Unfortunately I understand enough Italian, so I revolted, and quickly told her: "no, no, we're not married, we just came here to shop together". Good thing I have picked up a few foreign languages in my time.

So I got to pay my olive oil and left with my dignity intact ;).

Punctuality means respect

Busy day today, but it didn't start out very well. A new friend was picking me up at eleven o'clock, and being me I was standing outside the house waiting a few minutes before. And there I waited. And waited. And waited.

Twenty minutes later I decided to get back inside and was half-irritated (read very very very irritated). Told the cats that men cannot be trusted, which they agreed on. Five minutes later the door rang, and there he was. Finally. If you know me, you know how much I hate people being late, but this was a new friend so I just told him very gently that had he been five minutes later I would'nt have come at all. Well, perhaps not very gently since I think he got the message pretty quickly. He of course didn't understand at all, he was all like "well you were coming visit so I had to clean", like it was my problem that he couldn't plan better.

Anyway, moving on and we had a really nice day. Visiting some favourite spots of his (including his home, which was pretty clean), and even his indeed very nice neighbours, who pointed out that he didn't sleep at home last weekend. That was when I had my party and he ended up sleeping at my neighbours, not at my place. Which I felt a need to point out. I'm not as easy as I used to be ;).

But he loves animals, which with me is a redeeming factor. Anybody who has a lovely cat like this deserves a second chance.

Leg-yielding

Yet again today I went a bit early to the stables to prepare my fav horse for the riding lesson. I know, I used to do this all the time in my youth, but I guess it's a combination of being a bit thick with age and also that new things have come along over the years.

Nowadays it seems like you have to do things in a certain order and that it is important never to let the horse lose in the box (like when you have put the bridle on, don't leave without also putting a halter on and tie it to something...again I had the same problem as I do with my boat. Knots are definitely not my thing.) Has to do with safety. But I managed, the bridle, the saddle but I still struggled with the "gamasch", I don't know what it is in English but it's some covers you put on the bottom of the legs.

Anyway, they are helpful there, and I got it together in the end. And I got a compliment! I tell you, there hasn't been many since I started riding again, and rightly so, but it warms my heart to hear that once in a while I get it right.

Leg-yielding in trot ain't easy. I know, it looks easy when you watch professionals do it, but I can assure you it's not. And I wish it would've looked as good as on the pic I stole from internet.

PS. It means that you move forward and sideways at the same time.

Fresh lemons

The other day I got some fresh lemons from a friend, and that triggered my brain to come up with something to cook or bake. So far I've done a lemonzested chicken and some quite delicious, if I may say so myself, and I may since it's my blog, cookies.

Now thinking what I can do with the third. Nothing to waste is my middle name.

From thought to action

What a beauty! Now I realize I need another one for indoor use as well. For my plants, as well as storage for cat thingies.

Yes, I can feel another Ikea trip coming up next week.

Easy target

Darn Ikea. I'm planning a visit today. Actually, I don't really need anything but going with a friend and his shopping list. However, today when checking the mail I received a catalogue with outdoor furniture, and immediately saw a bench that I want for the balcony.

Funny that, I didn't realize I wanted one until I saw it. How easy a target does that make me?

Accident prone

This streak with accidents keeps on happening to me. Last Friday riding I was doing something with my right hand, hence holding both reins with my left hand, just as Feri chose to use his head to violently address an itch on his leg. I didn't feel much then, but waking up the next morning I realized my left thumb was almost twice the size of normal.

When working yesterday I dropped a coffee cup, which made me remember to never lift anything with wet hands (or maybe it was my thumb!). Yesterday evening I pushed a glass over, and this morning taking care of all the clean cutlery and crockery (yes, was clever enough to put on the dishwasher last night) I dropped a glass on the floor.

It didn't stop there. When making breakfast (or rather brunch) this morning I was cutting the same thumb with a cheese knife.

Accident- and diseasewise it hasn't been a good start to 2015, so I'm thinking the only way to go from here is up.

Successful party

I would say that whenever I could keep one of my neighbours up until nearly one in the morning, it's a successful evening. He's normally the one starting to yawn at nine.

But yes, I had put in an effort. As a starter it was gazpacho, a veggie soup served cold in schnapps glasses together with a garlic bread.

For main it was pork cooked for hours with garlic, onion and sambal, as well as creme fraiche and cream, served with spaghetti and beans.

So there we were enjoying ourselves, three old friends and a new one, who quickly joined the group.

Then, after a few hours the rest of the house came for dessert, just as planned. As a surprise for the birthday...well woman...girl would be to stretch it. So I had a made a cake and one of the guests brought some cookies.

And after the kids left (yes I know, but to invite these neighbours without their loud offsprings would mean they wouldn't come, so what can one do?), we waltzed. I think the guy who claimed he was an excellent waltzer realized that I was better. Little did he know that I waltzed my way through the 80's. It is nice to surprise people sometimes.

All in all a nice evening. I am lucky to live in a house with neighbours like this!

I'm falling apart

I really don't understand. The past year I've been living more healthy than ever in my life (ok, maybe except for my teen years), and I've never been so sick.

A couple of days ago I started to get pain in my hip (and no, I'm not old enough to need a hip replacement!), so bad I woke up at 5.30 this morning. Fortunately I still have some painkillers since the last stomach thingie.

And yes, today I started to feel the same symtoms as a couple of weeks ago. Still haven't vomited but my belly has started to swell up, and the activity in there is loud. I really don't have time to be sick now!

Soon off to my riding lesson, and I'm not gonna let my failing body defeat me. Hoping for some adrenaline to get me going. And this time I'm going there early. I still have to learn to prepare the horse for the lesson. Previously I have had help, and everybody seems to know exactly what to do and do it quickly. Today I want to take my time, and bond with the horse.

The princess and the pea

My cats are lovely, as any cat owner would say, but let's not forget that they are predators. Instinct. So the other morning I woke up, thinking my bed was uncomfortable, moving around a bit, and finding a blue ball. I was laying on it.

This particular blue ball was a gift from the monster kid next door, and the cats absolutely adore it. Actually, I think one of them would be a world class football player, should cats be allowed to compete.

However, I am grateful that I get to wake up on top of a blue ball, as supposed to a half-dead mouse or a bird with one wing.

Sometimes it's the little things in life.

I'm faster than google

Today, through a combination of greed and bad conscience, I walked all the way to a friends place. Greed, 'cause it pains me to pay for a ticket, and bad conscience 'cause I haven't done any sports since being sick last week. Also a bit of laziness I guess, like "I'm sick, I cannot push myself".

Anyway, google maps told me it would take 44 minutes, and I made in 41. And I was walking fast! Door to door it was like 56 minutes. Then of course I indulged in food and chocolate, but nevertheless, it did me good.

And as of this morning I was only 3.6 kg's away from my ultimate goal. What I'll do if I ever get there? Oh I dunno, probably eat a whole bar of chocolate :).

Mafia?

On Monday this week I went to the airport to see a few friends. They had a few hours transit time, and I hadn't seen them in a long time. So long, that one of them remarked "you have lost weight, you look good". Music to my ears.

Anyway, we were having a few drinks and I told them about my new potential friend, the Sicilian. I may have exaggerated a wee bit, and done it a bit loudly, since a guy at the next table remarked "not all Sicilians are mafia you know". Haha.

I didn't believe for a minute.

A bottomless hole

Yesterday was really strange. I was hungry the whole day. I cannot remember when I ate as much, it was like a couple of hours after I ate, I was craving food yet again.

Apart from being away in the afternoon, meeting two good friends travelling through Zürich, I was eating, eating, eating.

And funnily enough I didn't gain one gram since the day before.

Maybe it was like my body was making up for being sick, not being able to hold down food, 'cause today I'm back to normal. What a weird experience!

Talking about food, I have now cooked lunch boxes for a good friend of mine since about ten months, and I'm running out of ideas. So far I have cooked thirty different menues including fish, pork, beef, rabbit, chicken, all different sorts of cuts served together with potatoes, rice, spaghetti in all various varieties, always with some greens like carrots, peas, peperoni, cauliflower, broccoli, onion, beans or whatever you can think of.

On the other hand, the recipient of the boxes is a very easy person. He would gladly have that I start all over again on the menues.

Still, it's a challenge, and I'm up for trying something new. Ideas welcome!

Valentines date

I had a date tonight. It wasn't meant to be a Valentine's day date, but since I had to cancel last week due to my failing body, it just so happened.

Turned out to be fun, and a somebody who I might hang out with more times.

And who would've thought that I would spend an evening with a Sicilian who looked uncomfortably close to Gandolfini (except alive)? And enjoy it?

Horses are like people

It was fun back in the saddle today. I had to miss last week 'cause of my friggin stomach, but today I was continuing my love affair with Feri.

He was very alert and awake, 'cause it's school holiday and he hadn't been moving all day. We were three in the class, and Feri and another horse didn't like each other. At all. I tell you, it was difficult to navigate making sure they never came close.

They are like us. Sometimes you just don't like somebody, but we have the luxury of being able to avoid those people and also the ability to not show it if we don't want to.

With horses, it's a little bit different. Body language. Ears flat back, nervous trotting, the odd kick. It was almost like I felt I couldn't control him when we galloped. Speeding like a mad man he was. Fun!

Otherwise it went pretty well, except for the volt, a circular movement. First, it was "Annika, next time the volt should be round". Hmmm. But I listen, the teacher is very good and sees every little detail, so I tried hard and made a perfectly round volt the next time over. Then it was "Annika that was pretty good but you should sit down, not ride rising trot".

She's never satisfied, but I get it. How will I learn otherwise?

Oh, and a funny thing. Another student was taking over Feri after me, and when looking at the stirrups she remarked "you have long legs". I actually think it's the first time anybody has said that to me. Not that I have short legs, but I'm not that tall. Turned out she was the same length and the stirrups fitted her perfectly. But long legs? Yes, I have them :).

Miracle medicine

I gotta admit, the doctors knew what they were talking about. The medicine they gave me has made wonders. I feel almost fine again. Yes, I still have a swollen belly, but maybe now just a 6-months pregnancy, and I'm down to 1,5 painkillers today compared to 3,5 yesterday. What still bugs me is that they only gave me 3 on the day I was at the hospital. They should've given me more to last me to the next day, 'cause after 2 sleepless nights I had less resistance to pain and could've used a full nights sleep. And the prescription said up to 6 a day!

However, last night I slept like a baby, actually babies don't sleep a whole night I've heard, so more like a log I guess, and today I've been very active.

Baked bread forever. Should've checked the recipe beforehand of how many loafs there were, so it took me hours and hours and ended up with bread to last me until next month.

Then I made a soup. Soup is not my forte but surprised myself with a veggie soup consisting of cauliflower, parsnip, carrot, potato and leek. Mixed it, added some chili and cream and voila, a fantastic soup. Pat on back.

So yes, am back in business and thankful to live in an age where there are medicine to make you better.

Medicine and pralines

Last night was hell. I'm not joking when I say I was awake every hour, and up to vomit four times, despite only having had two cups of soup yesterday. I really wonder what was in that drip thing I got at the hospital, since I had gained 700 grams this morning. What the heck?

I was swearing over incompetent doctors and for not giving me enough painkillers. The pain was almost unbearable.

Was considering calling a neighbour to ask for help getting medication, but first of all, both neighbours are on vacation, and second...I had a voucher since 5 years only valid two more days for Sprüngli and it felt funny to ask somebody "can you please go and get me some medicine, and btw, can you pick up a box of pralines as well?"

So I bit the bullet, dressed in jogging pants (can't have anything pushing on the belly, which was swollen to a degree of 9-months pregnancy), and headed out in the darkness, -3°C at 7 o'clock in the morning. Got the bus down to the main station, where the pharmacy is open 24-7, and as soon as I paid the clerk I popped a painkiller like a drug abuser.

Then I went to Sprüngli, got a lovely box of delicate decadent pralines, which are now awaiting me as soon as I get fit again.

Talking about fit, I got home, popped another pill and slept for three hours, and woke up like a new person. I was even a little bit hungry!

This afternoon I've been almost fine. Energy is back, I've eaten several small meals and am grateful that the belly medicine has started to work (one pill every morning). Fingers crossed the positive spiral will continue!