This kissing thing

I dunno, but I think this thing with parents kissing their kids on the mouth is a bit...I dunno know...strange. It seems to be a habit in America, but I feel a bit uncomfortable watching it. I have never kissed or been kissed on the mouth by my parents.

A kiss on the cheek, a hug, is totally ok. But kissing on the mouth is for me reserved for lust and love for a man.

I don't think I'm a prude, but this kissing on the mouth with kids seems wrong to me.

Mum 77

If my mother would've still lived, she would've been 77 today. When I was little I thought that my parents would always live, as children do. Never mind that you fight with them, or have a different opinion, it's still a security to know that they are always there, knowing you better than anyone, and supporting you even if you make the wrong choice once in a while.

I was talking to somebody today, saying exactly that, how she would've loved to know I have a great apartment, two very, very, very cute cats and how I enjoy life. And then my friend remarked "she would've loved your niece too". Oh yeah, forgot about her.

But yes, my Mum was a loving person. She was the one who talked to the alcoholic sitting on the bench downtown, being kind, she was the only one who visited an old auntie with no family of her own, she was the one taking care of everybody else before thinking about herself.

I know, I make her sound like a friggin saint, but certainly, in comparison to me, she was.

RIP Mum.

Mum

Today my Mum would've have 76 years old, had she lived. I cannot say I think about her every day, not after all these years, but she's always somehow with me. Every time something interesting, scary, funny, irritating happens to me I feel that I want to share it with her.

It's been nine years now, and she should've lived much longer.

And tonight, a candle has been lit for her. Mum, I still miss you. Lots.

Everything is relative

The more observant reader of the blog (haha, doubt there is anybody who has read everything I wrote since I started November 2005), has noticed that I do not have a label called "family". There is a reason for it. The reason is that my immediate family is very small. In fact, only one person in addition to myself. To the day 9 years ago my Mum passed away. And I don't think I exaggerate when I say part of me died with her. This is good and bad. No doubt, the bad things I don't even have to go into, one day you'll be there yourself, but the good thing is that you realize that not every little setback or negative thing in life is all that. If for example somebody tells you that they don't really like you, like the other day, it's ok. I can deal with that, especially since it is somebody I don't care about that much. It would be much more troublesome if it was a person really close to me. It is also helpful when it comes to little problems. Ok, so I sometimes get really upset momentarily if I don't feel I get treated correctly, but now I can put it into perspective, which wasn't always the case before. An example: I get a bank statement, saying they have deducted the equivalent of about 45 francs from my account for delivery services. Now, I got my credit card sent to me last year, thus no need for a delivery charge. I wrote a very nice message back, and the reply was that they made a mistake and would pay me back within 2-3 days. That was about 18 days ago. But see, I don't get upset about these little things, I write a nice message (ok, somewhat ironic/sarcastic) back stating the fact that I am still waiting for the reimbursement. I know, you cannot really compare death to bank statements, but it's how you react to various things in life. Some things are important, some are less so.

Happy Valentine's Day

Cats make me laugh

There are so many reasons for loving my cats, but the best one is that they make me laugh.

This morning I had trouble waking up. But when the door was pushed open, and the cats dragged a whole bathroom mat (and not a small one!) in under my bed I had to wake up and laugh. Which I think was the point. Can only assume the cats thought I was a lazy bitch, and needed to get up.

The fact that when I throw a mouse, and they look like Fred Flintstone driving a car, not getting their claws into the granite floor, and are kinda running without getting anywhere before getting the speed of light.

How they chase each other around, bushy-tailed, believing they are lions, just the next minute being tired, falling asleep in a heap.

Yes, they add more fun into my life!

75

Tomorrow my mother would've been 75 had she lived. And I'm not exaggerating, she was the best. Simply the best. The nicest person I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Not saying we never fought, of course we did. Especially when I was a teenager. Contrary to what you might think, I was a tad difficult. Getting home drunk when I was 13, hanging out with boys, that type of thing.

When I got older we liked each others company. We liked to hang out, go out together, visit each other, just being the best friends.

There are very few days still when I do not think of her. I miss you Mum!

A woman or a wimp

It is really funny. I have a good friend, who is an independent successful woman. After meeting a new man she has turned into a clingy loveseeking, dare I say, wimp. This was really unexpected.

And don't get me wrong. I think it's fantastic when a good friend of mine meets somebody she loves. It's great and fabulous. I just wasn't expecting her to change into another person.

It's ok when a 20-year-old cannot leave her man alone and feels the need to touch, kiss and cling to him also in public, but when a woman in her prime (ok, like my prime is 40+) does the same it makes me wanna say "get a room".

Again, it is fantastic when people fall in love, but must they "make love" in public?

Solar cell lights

One of my aunts is a very sweet person. She sends me packages with books, dvd's and the occasional gift. Like solar cell lights. Those you can put on the balcony and they get charged by the sun and they lit up at night.

She has no reason to, she does this just because she's a good person. I am fortunate to still have some good relatives.

Lovey-dovey...

No comment.

What is happiness?

I have been watching this show about happiness. What makes people happy. And it boils down to three things I understand. We need something to do, someone to love and something to look forward to. I think there is a lot to this "truth". I like the fact that it is not specific. And I don't believe it is "someone" to love. For some of us it is "someones". But something to look forward to appeals to me. Future is the name of the game somehow. To dream, to have a vision, to have a goal. Yes, very good stuff!

Blind, deaf and mute

Love is blind they say. Sometimes I think it's deaf and mute too. Apropos nothing special.

Die Liebe

One of my friends is much more a Madonna than a Whore if you permit. And feel free to comment on which category I belong to :). However, recently she met somebody and gosh, did they move fast! The first week it was referral to boyfriend/girlfriend and the L word. The next week (which is now) it is talk about changing of surnames. Sometimes things happen fast even for me, think I got whiplash! But I'm so happy for her. Saw a pic of him on the net, and think they are made for each other. So my guess is there'll be more than one wedding this year!

OMG

The small intimate wedding that Bro's girlfriend told me about, has now grown to something like 100-120 people! Guess small in Eastern Europe is different to here. And I gotta make a speech! In three languages, whereof I don't speak one. There is a lot to be said about a quick one in Vegas! Suppose it's not a good idea to include my sarcasm, dry wit or any sort of jokes that I find hilariously funny. Darn! How can I write a speech including love, hope and eternal bliss, and then stand up and speak with a straight face? I'm gonna end up like Smithy in Gavin&Stacey (1.10 into the clip), except it won't be because I'm moved!

Käsig?

My brother and I communicate often, but mostly it's me on msn or skype going blah-blah-blah-blah, and then blah-blah-blah-blah-blah, and after that blah-blah-blah-blah-blah and he goes: "ok". Today he rang me. This is an event, and I knew something was up. Turns out he got engaged with super-girl. He, and get this, he asked her father for her hand in marriage! Yikes! Hasn't he learned anything from his sister?!? And then he told me he went down on his knees!!! Now I'm thinking what the word cheesy is in German... Oh and yeah, I'm kinda happy for him too.

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...

Tolerance, deafness and alcohol

Saw a tv interview with Sarah Symonds yesterday. Never heard of her before, probably because I don't read glossy gossip magazine. Apparently she's been sleeping around with several famous men, and is trying to make a buck or two out of it. She appeared relatively sensible, but it doesn't mean I have respect for her. On the other hand, I do respect her parents. They were in the audience listening to the interview, and on the question how you can stay married for (I think it was) 47 years!! the wife answered: "tolerance and a certain deafness" and the husband "alcohol helps". Cool people!

Casablanca revival

I have a small wound on my wrist, which I was wiping blood off with a napkin. Facebook girl: "what happened?". Me: "I was ironing". Her: "you need a servant to do that for you" while looking at SBN. I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Matchmaking

I am a real matchmaker. My most successful couple is now awaiting a baby after having been together 7 years. This is not a profitable business though, all I've been offered after all this time is to babysit. Haha. Soooo not funny. But I'm kinda happy for them. Told them to plan to come to Zürich next autumn for my housewarming. Without the baby obviously. Also told them I'll come visit them in 14 years time. That's when the kids start to stay away from the parents, and hide in their room with a computer game or something. Suits me fine. PS. This is the woman who's 8 months pregnant and have gained 4 kg's. Life is just not fair!

Diamond anniversary

This is indeed very weird, since I am so the not marrying type, but I know this couple who next week have their 60th wedding anniversary! How is that possible? The same guy for 60 friggin years? I am so impressed. Phoned them this evening, since they sent me a birthday card and I wanted to thank them. "Did you get the invitation?" was the first thing she asked. No I didn't. So apparently it's in the mail, but unfortunately it is already next week, so cannot make it. The cards got held-up at the printing shop, and she got a bunch of flowers as an excuse, but it doesn't really help for someone like me who has to travel. They live in Jersey. Wonderful little island. And I mean Jersey the channel island, not the NY Jersey. Great place. I've been visiting twice. They are the old-fashioned couple who serves you tea in bed in the morning, and places a warm water flask in your bed. And still you can talk "man business" with the wife, which I remember we did lying in sunchairs out in their cute garden. I am lucky to know such people.