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Have a good evening friends. I'm off to celebrate in suburbia, and will no longer be online. See ya next year!

Quick but delicious

I have developed a new recipe. It came to me after Bro brought fresh figs, goat cheese and prosciutto from Italy (in turn based on a recipe by Nigella) and some figs were left-over. Place two figs on a plate, cover with two slices of raclette cheese, 1.45 mins in the microwave. Serve. Delicious!

Happy new year!

Sport is dangerous

I dunno why I have a category called "sports" but I guess it's because other people find it interesting. Like today when a friend called, he had travelled around Asia and was flying back from Australia after playing a football match, when he developed a blood clot in his leg. Not being a sick person normally he didn't go to the doctor until 4 days later when he felt pain to his heart. Nearly died he did. Ambulance, a week in the hospital. Now he's not even allowed to have an orgasm, that's how sick he is. This evening I met a guy who has pain in his legs from footballing. Seriously, I dunno why people cannot accept that aging doesn't allow for some things anymore. I was clever enough to stop with sports when I was 25. And even though I drink and smoke all the time, I am never sick! The conclusion people? Exactly. Sport is dangerous.

Zebra

The last few times I have cut my hair and blonded it, nobody has noticed. So why do I bother? Very good question indeed.

So now decided that I will let it grow and be whatever darker blonde I actually am. Once it has become really unbearable and ugly I will stripe it. Dark blonde, light blonde, a bit like a zebra. Then I'll be darned if somebody didn't notice!

Lamps

It's a good thing to have helpful neighbours when it comes to shopping. Today I spent half a fortune on two lamps. They are gorgeous though. Doesn't really show on the pics, but the big one has three different colours that can be dimmed, pink, green and blue. The small one changes to all sorts of colours, and can be programmed to do so by itself. How cool is that?

Love story

It was a long time ago I laughed as much as tonight. We, the new neighbours who don't know each other very well met up for a drink after an invitation on the whiteboard. I thought it was gonna be an hour of drinks and chat, but just came home after 4,5 hours of pure fun. The highlight was when the man in one of the couples told us how they met, fell in love and married. I don't know quite how to describe it, but it was very very funny. I give you an example. After several dates and mutual appreciation, she was eagerly awaiting a kiss. He didn't quite know how to approach it so said "so how's work going?". This is comedy gold as Smithy would've said. And as usual the woman had to take matters into her own hands, and if she had not, I bet she'd still be waiting...

Whiteboard

When we all moved into our brand new house I donated my whiteboard to the building association. At first nobody understood why, but now it is used almost on a daily basis.

It is a smaller whiteboard placed at the entrance of the building, and we use it for communicating with each other. Like today, there was an invitation for drinks tomorrow at one of the neighbours. Excellent tool enabling parties.

But since I was the one giving them the whiteboard they now think I am responsible for it. Like yesterday at dinner the neighbours were complaining that the red pen doesn't work anymore. Huh? So buy a new one. It really isn't my responsibility anymore, but I know what will happen. I will cave in and buy the friggin red pen!

Ethnic food

Had friends over for dinner tonight, introducing them to some ethnic food. Food that Bro and me grew up with and are used to. And yes it does involve some "raw fish", herringlike. Not sure what to make of "I really do like it" said several times. It could on one hand mean they did actually like it, or it could be polite meaning "no way in hell I'll ever eat this again". But to be on the safe side, I mixed some banana drinks which I know they like...disappears like butter in a frying pan. Then they left. Party poopers!

View of Zürich

I think I have the best flat in Zürich, but if I didn't I would vote for my neighbours (who happen to live a little bit higher that I do). The view from their house is to almost die for.

Train lover

I know a grown-up man who plays with trains. Yes, I do mix with a variety of people.

PS. Please note the Church shoe that I paid dearly for!

Real candles

I have never in my life seen a Christmas tree with real live candles. Until tonight. Was invited to a dear couple I know, and they had a tree with real candles they lit just for us. I do not get teary-eyed easily and won't be, but it's close.

Sweet is the word.

Then we had raclette.

Homemade

Made in China = no quality. Homemade = made to last forever. Look what I got for Christmas! And the thought that somebody actually made the effort to knit a pair of socks just for me is...well endearing.

Thank you aunt!

Lights

Amongst my Christmas presents I got an icicle light for my balcony. Great! 12 meters long. Except for when I unpacked it the fineprint stated 12 m CABLE, not lights. Hmmm. The lights were actually no more than 2 meters, and stopped working today. Great quality product made in China. I should've gotten that karaoke machine instead.

Chairs

Finally! After nearly 4 months I'm with chairs! No more borrowing from neighbours when having parties. And we were lucky enough to get the very last 6 ones. Only of course when coming home one was defect and needs to be changed. Have a feeling it'll take ages to fix.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all my blog readers!

Gifts

When I grew up it was a competition every Christmas. Who got the most presents? My parents were very inventive. They wrapped up things like a toothbrush, a book, a small something, which meant that we got many, many presents each. This continued until I was quite old for this type of thing, and I still remember the expectation. Because somewhere among all these little packages there were valuable stuff. I honestly cannot remember a Christmas when I got disappointed. So no horrible childhood memories to blame if I fuck up my life. That is good to know. Now when it's only Bro and me, things have become a little different. We take the minimalistic approach. Only I have a feeling that I in a weak moment promised to pay for a pair of Church shoes. Good thing I'm a rich bitch!

Yeti

I have been in Zürich 7,5 years and in that time it has never been as cold as it was Saturday night, minus 12°C! No wonder we girls decided to stay in and enjoy the fire, the food and the...hmmm, company :). On top of this it was of course snowing too, and yesterday morning I discovered foot steps (??) on my balcony. Or what is it? I cannot make it out. I can see the bird feet (at least I hope it is!) but what are the squares? I think it might be the Swiss version of a yeti!

Triple A

Having a girls dinner, and it just so happens we have names starting with the same letter. A. They are fine people, except for that they got this idea in their head that it would be fun to travel to London together. I dunno, I'd rather just stay in Zürich. Besides, look at'm. Would you go anywhere with these people?

Christmas is acomin'

This years Christmas tree looks remarkably the same as last years, but in a new and fabulous place! And I managed to put it up all by myself. Girlpower!

Online in Switzerland - oxymoron?

Yesterday I got a letter from the tax authorities in my native country. We have long ago made up, and I don't pay taxes there anymore but apparently they still like to keep track of me (still have a bank account there). This letter summed up my earnings for the last 3 years which amounted to the equivalent of about 15 Swiss francs. But they sent it to my old address, despite my having told them about the change (at least I think I did). So sent an email saying "you still have my old address, please change". Today I got the answer (translated): "Hello, changing to your new address immediately, best regards". Had this been in Switzerland you would've had to go to the 'kreisbüro', provide your passport and permit, sign your name, get a really big old-fashioned post-stamp on a piece of paper and pay at least 20 francs for the privilege. Not all things are better in Switzerland.

Gavin&Stacey third series

Well I got the dvd delivered last Saturday and watched one episode before I went to a party. Then two more episodes after I got home. Went to sleep at 2 in the morning, woke up at 9 and continued watching. Some people would say I'm addicted. Then I watched it another two times. Turns out neighbour is just as hooked. She has borrowed the first two series and seen them about 3 times. Now gagging for the 3rd series, which I generously lent her :). It's nice to share the same sense of humour...what's occuring? Tidy! Lush!

Draught

I have a steep learning curve when it comes to my fireplace. I have eventually learned which knob is for the airing and the other one which is opening the shaft (haha, did you notice I managed to get the words knob and shaft into the same sentence...I am clever!). Anyway, I had the "incident" some months ago where smoke went into the flat and darkened the walls covering the fireplace. Yesterday the same thing happened, the air just turned and in 30 secs flat was filled with smoke. Tonight friend was pointing out that perhaps it was because the kitchen fan was on. Then I remembered that the neighbours having the housewarming said the same thing last Saturday. "We cannot have the kitchen fan on at the same time the fireplace is going". At the time I felt pity for them, after all, an expensive flat and you cannot be cooking at the same time you have the fireplace on. Now it dawned on me that I am in the same position. Darn! But sure enough, as soon as I switched off the fan, the fireplace was rockin'. Mind you, I'm gonna have the construction guys repaint the walls for free!

Strawberries!

Can you see my hand waiting to grab the glass? Yummie...

Ok so a little mishap. I chopped the strawberries, then poured it into the blender, mixed with a little sugar and a lot more rum. Some ice. Forgetting that I didn't screw on the bottom from washing the container after the banana daiquiri. Oops.

Wasted alcohol. That is just not on. But no worries, there was more where that came from.

This aging thing

Truth be told I don't mind being older. I like the feeling of getting wiser (and closer to retirement!). I do have lots of younger friends, so don't think I'm old in mind. However, I do really mind losing my blonde hair which apparently is what happens when the body ages, hormones and stuff. It's like I do not recognize myself in the mirror. Luckily there are remedies to be taken, and yes I've learned my lesson, so now going to the hairdresser (ok not as often as I should but still). Horror today when I realized that the blonde is disappearing and darker hair is making its entrance on top of my head. In comparison to the blonde hair it looks friggin grey! And that I do mind very much. I can have an aging body, but darn if I'm gonna look it! Appointment with the hairdresser next week.

Christmas present

Today I treated myself to a little Christmas present. A stand that holds equipment for my fabulous new fireplace.

Things like a stick to move around wood with, a brush, a little spade to scoop up ashes and a grip thing...could also work as a weapon!

Look behind you

Ok, so the reason I went to the gathering tonight was to impress this guy. Me and my big mouth made an impression. Made a remark and this guy said "you know the line you're not supposed to cross? Look behind you". Hmmm. Surely all marketing is good, right?

Keeping up appearances

Once in a while I have to attend outings with people I wouldn't mix privately with, but usually these are fancy gatherings and who am I to say no to a free meal? It is sauted this, and brewed that, it's parfoiled and panfried, it's roasted and seared and what-have-you. Mind you, it does look nice but tastes well, funny. Best case, they have used some spices for the cooking. The good thing is at those type of outings the servants are observant and come around with the wine bottle ever so often. Probably because they would rather die before participating in one of these parties themselves and have compassion. And that's all I have to say about that really. Besides, who in their right mind goes home at 10 o'clock in the evening after a free booze evening???

Multi-tasking

It was a busy day today. First a friend of mine from the UK was flying in and stopping by to see my new pad. We had a drink. Then it was the housewarming of the neighbours upstairs. Yes, it's almost 4 months since we moved in, but some people are slow. But they have a really nice flat and I got some new design ideas. In the middle of their party, another neighbour and I left briefly to go see yet another neighbour who had her birthday. Bringing gifts of course. Liquid ones. And there were nice-looking men so we probably stayed longer than we should've. Then back to the housewarming for a while, before heading to town to meet up with UK girl and co again. She insisted on meeting in a place I detest, and I was there 5 mins before they arrived and in that time I managed to chat up a Turkish guy and tell him how much I hated the place. I'm sure he enjoyed it. Ha. After "enduring" the time in the place I do not like, but with friends I do like, we left. Only because friends have to get up early tomorrow and I had places to see, people to go. Ending the evening with an sms from an unknown person inviting me to a party tomorrow (Sunday!). Yes, after requesting identity it was a person I do know. But since I got the 3rd season of Gavin&Stacey delivered today, I don't think that I have time for a party tomorrow. Surely 3 days in a row is enough!?!

Google sex in Zürich

Across from our building there is a "massage place". Which wouldn't be a problem at all, until you realize that cars with men are driving around in the evenings. Today one of the neighbours bit the bullet and went there to ask if they could do a massage and how much it would cost. The woman said "200 francs" at which time he stated "that's a bit much". Their reply? "How much can you pay?". The thing is he went there to ask if they could do a massage for his wife who has birthday tomorrow. We had great fun googling the place tonight showing him that the address showed up under "sex, clubs, zürich"...

Birthday business

I dunno, but don't you think it's a little bit strange to have 8 people living in a building and 3 of them have birthdays 3 days after one another. It is indeed unfortunate since having 3 parties in a row is...well tiring. The middle man is the unlucky one, because it is easy to party one day. Then after a day of rest, it is ok to go on partying. So sorry guys for leaving early tonight. Tomorrow is another day!

Come home safely

I have a thing with friends coming to see me. When they leave going home I always want them to send me an sms telling me they got home safely. Call me stupid, but it makes me feel better if I know they got home without problems. My neighbour has taken me up on this. She always says "come home safely" when I walk up the stairs from her apartment to mine. About 7x2 steps. Also thoughtful.

Lamborghini

The boyfriend of a friend of mine wanted to have a Lamborghini for his birthday, and she thought that he naturally should have one. Thoughtful.

Just a Thursday in Zürich

Just a Tuesday in Zürich

I had a dream

As you may remember we have a new little one in the house, and as cute as she is on a distance I can assure you that I do not have any "oh-god-it's-too-late-and-I-want-children" feelings. None whatsoever. Which made my dream last night a bit weird. Dreamt that the neighbour was supposed to look after the baby, but that she dumped it with me! I was stuck with an infant! More of a nightmare than a dream I guess, but why?

The red eye

The red eye used to mean something else, like when you travel for work getting up at the crack of dawn to catch a flight. Nowadays I don't have to worry about that, which means that red-eye is taking pictures of friends being pissed. Much better! Ok, so they weren't pissed, just happened to look it :)

Chicken wings

I know that I have bad imagination when it comes to cooking, but I don't think it matters. I imagine friends come to visit me because they want to see me...but it's nice to see they enjoy the chicken!

Gospel

Spent Friday evening in a for me very unusual place with 300 people who believe in this lord and hallelujah business, listening to an American gospel group. I must admit that the music itself is catchy and humming-along-friendly, even though I could have lived without that blessing song when (Swiss!) people stood up, waving their hands and seemed to be in trance. Cunningly I dragged a friend along who didn't realize it was gonna last more than 2 hours, and so had somebody to exchange sarcastic comments with. Like when I was sneezing and she said "bless you". Which I countered with "next time you're in bed with your boyfriend you're not gonna shout his name, you're gonna scream jesus!" It seemed funny at the time. Anyway, the evening was a one-off and the music was great, so no regrets.

Disorder disorder disorder

Cannot let the accusation of not knowing disease from disorder go unchallenged. This is what wikipedia says: "A disease or medical condition is an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions, associated with specific symptoms and signs.[1][2][3] It may be caused by external factors, such as infectious disease, or it may be caused by internal dysfunctions, such as autoimmune diseases. In human beings, "disease" is often used more broadly to refer to any condition that causes pain, dysfunction, distress, social problems, and/or death to the person afflicted, or similar problems for those in contact with the person. In this broader sense, it sometimes includes injuries, disabilities, disorders, syndromes, infections, isolated symptoms, deviant behaviors, and atypical variations of structure and function, while in other contexts and for other purposes these may be considered distinguishable categories." I of course referred to epilepsy in the broader sense!

Cleaning help

My dear putzman is living far outside Zürich, and in my new flat I want cleaning help a little more often that he can provide so asked around in my circle of friends. Got recommended this company, which conveniently is located in my area of town, and where you can hire help for a little less than market price. They employ people who have difficulties finding work. Two times my new help has been here now. The first time she left the balcony door and a window open (3 days after the burglary attempt). This time I came home early surprising her using my washing machine for her private wash. What type of people do that? I don't mind friends using my washing machine, but everybody I know asks permission first. And besides, I only met this person twice. Well, wrote an email to the agency asking them to ensure it doesn't happen again. I think that I next time shall be home when she cleans...

Gospel vs smash hit

In a weak moment I agreed to go to a gospel concert tomorrow with my religious neighbours. Don't take me wrong, I do look forward to it. I am always open for new things. But when Bro told me he's seeing a show in London tomorrow I wonder who drew the short straw?

Happenings on a Thursday

I love being at home. And I honestly think that going out is overrated. Especially when you can have people, dramas and drinks where you live. Excellent. Like tonight. Some friends dropped by. Fortunately I always have chilled white wine in the fridge. Then a neighbour stopped by and promptly stole two of my friends to go and have a look at the baby next-door. I will refrain from writing what I thought of that here. After chatting to the remaining friend for a while, she all of a sudden went stiff, started breathing funny and stared straight out in space. Good thing I know she has epilepsy, but gotta admit I'm not that experienced with diseases. What to do?!? I hugged her, I offered her some water, I opened the balcony door for fresh air. After a little while she came to. Unknown stuff is scary, but when it's about friends I think you instinctively do what is right. At least I hope so!

4-wheeler

Yes, in Zürich we like the big cars. Personally I think it is sane to have a 4-wheeler on the streets of...hmmm Zürich. Yes, it's not like we have trams, trains, boats and buses going every 5 minutes. Irrelevant if you ask me. No, a big environmentally unfriendly big buzzer is what we want! Mind you, this big m-fucker drove me home and got me there a whole 5 mins earlier than if I had taken the tram!

Piccola Italia

Tonight I discovered THE Italian restaurant in Zürich. It's called Piccola Italia and is soon to have its own website. It's a smallish place in Zürich almost at the end of a tram line, still only 10 mins away from the city center.

This is the type of place where they remember you the second time you come for dinner. Ok, so it probably didn't hurt that I happen to know the new owners. But I had a fab time tonight. Me and three blokes. What can I say? I know how to have a good time.

Google wave

I have recently been accused of being old-fashioned in terms of technology, and it is true that I think that a mobile phone is best used for phoning and texting. However, I did have my first laptop in the early 90's and a mobile phone some years after. But as it turns out these days you have to be first on blogging, twitter, facebook, myspace, msn, skype and what have you and preferably test all beta-versions too. Today I got an invite to google wave, which I took for being spam and promptly deleted. Then I was contacted on msn by a friend asking what I thought of google wave. Ok, so now I have installed it. Thing is, I cannot be bothered to read any instructions or manuals, so don't really know what it's good for. Other that I found out it can be chatted on. Just like msn and Skype that I already have. More of the same communications tools, yeah that's what we really need! Off now to meet friends irl...

Boots

Not keen on this weather at all. Started to snow yesterday, which is when I discovered I didn't have any shoewear for winter left. All gone in the big clean-out. So had to do a little emergency shopping trip this morning, since I don't appreciate tripping around town with wet socks from shoes that cannot hold water out. What an exciting life I lead!