Happy New Year!

2014

It's getting towards the end of another year, and I'm reflecting back on this one. I feel that 2014 has been a very good year for me.

First and foremost it's now 11 resp 9 years ago since my parents died, and I'm thinking that they probably would've been dead anyway by now by age. It was extremely traumatic the way they both went, and it took me many years to come to grips with it, but now I'm at peace with that. And even though I'm not religious I did have to study christianity in school, and so sometimes think that they are sitting up there on a cloud, looking down at me. Preferrably not when I'm naked.

Second, I managed to lose about 10 kg's, and those 10 have been bothering me for quite some years, although I didn't want to admit it. Now I'm up for the challenge of losing another 5 next year. Not sure it'll happen, but I'd like to try. If I reach that goal I promise to stop.

Third, I'm really proud that I took up horseback riding again. That I dared to, and that it's going so well. Look fw to those group lessons next January-June, even though it's at a strange time, 7.30 pm on Friday evenings.

Fourth, I continued to work as a volunteer about twice a month, serving coffee, drinks and cookies at the old peoples home.

Fifth, I started to clean my own home. This may not sound like a big deal, but since I had cleaning help for the last 30 years, it is to me. And I don't hate it! I actually kinda enjoy it.

The only bad things that happened this year was that a good person died, one that I knew pretty well. She was far too young to go, only 55. And that I lost contact with a family member. But that's life (or death if you will).

Life goes on, and I hope that 2015 will be even better!

Melt!

I really don't like snow in the city. It just causes a lot of problems and discomfort. I rather look at a Christmas card on paper (and you know what I think of them), than having it on my own balcony. And this thing with minus degrees, I really do dislike. I cannot even risk having my beloved white wine box on the balcony, for the fear it'll freeze and explode. Not enough alcohol in it to be sure it doesn't. Go away immediately please!

Alligator creek

Once in a while I look at my visitors. I can only see either the provider or the ip-number, and today was a low day. Understandable, since most people are recovering from spending a whole day with the family, and/or have eaten too much.

But it made me happy to see I had one visitor from a foreign place called "Alligator creek". Imagine that there is somebody sitting in front a computer down under in a remote place (I'm guessing here) called "Alligator creek", looking at my blog. How amazing is not that?

It's like Crocodile Dundee would be interested in what I have to say. Mind-boggling.

I got money!

I got a Christmas gift, money. I love money. Not that I care about money as such, but the freedom it buys me. But today I got money as in coins. Special coins, printed with a name. A bit weird I must admit.

Turns out to be "money" printed with a name of the owner of a restaurant empire. Well, empire in Zürich which may be stretching it, but still. Rich in Zürich is pretty rich.

They miss me. I used to go out a lot, and now I don't, so it was given to me as an encouragement to go party again. What a dilemma!

Blood is so not thicker than water

Christmas is usually a family thing, a gathering of all sorts of family relations, food, gifts, and whether you like it or not, it's the tradition. I used to love it. That is when I still had a family.

Since quite a few years I have learned to not care, or find other ways to celebrate. Life goes on. But I have to admit that when I ran into a friend yesterday, and it turned out that he had no plans either, I was happy. So we met up, had a nice Christmas dinner and later in the evening I realized I had some sms's on my phone (ok, may consider to upgrade since I almost didn't get the msg's, it was only when somebody else called and my phone made a noise that I could hear), from friends nearby, asking if they could stop by for a drink.

Of course they could. So we ended up with four of us, good friends, no stress, drinks and sweets, and even though I got ditched about my "Switzedütch", I ended the evening having warm fussy feelings.

Singing Christmas tree

I think I've had an overdose of fresh air today. Was on the go for 5.5 hours! It was fantastic weather, sunshine and about 6°C, and people were sitting outside restaurants all over town. I love it. No snow as far as one could see, and glühwein sold everywhere.

Went around town and met some friends, even made a spontaneous purchase! Got a new pair of sexy boots ;).

Finally we watched "the singing Christmas tree", which looked much better in the evening.

Bis gli

You know, this Swiss German so called language makes me laugh every time. Ze Swiss try to take ze German language and make it their own, in order to prove their independence towards a much larger country. At least that's my take on it.

Personally I don't think they need it, since Switzerland has since long proved its independency plus that it's one of the richest country in the world. But that doesn't seem enough for ze Swiss.

For the just English-speaking audience I think the high German would read "Frohliche Weihnachten & ein gutes Neues (Jahr)", meaning Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, but I'm sure the somebody can correct my wobbly German here.

I communicate a lot in German these days 'cause not everybody is fluent in English. Well, I guess it's like 50-50 since a lot of Swiss/Germans want to practise their English. Anyway, I sms'd with somebody the other day and got an answer saying "bis gli". After googling I realized it meant "see you soon". So I used it to a Swiss friend in an email. When I met her later I asked if she was impressed with my Swiss German. She responded she didn't even realized, since it was her language. So much for trying.

But perhaps it'll help me in my strive to become a real Swissie?

Weirdos or geniuses?

I love meeting new people, especially those I find a bit weird. Meaning they have a passion for things I never could imagine anybody would be interested in.

Like the other day when I met an apparently clever woman, who just made her PhD in science. When I asked what particular science it was (thinking I'd probably have no clue, but still a bit curious), she responded "I PhD'd in what wood sounds like". And all I could think about when responding was "oh really?". And then of course, being me, I launched into a long speech about how I hate wood, since I grew up with it and how much I prefer stone. But she was gracious, and pretended that she just got into that field by accident. That may be true, or not, but I'm still in awe how somebody could spend many years looking into "what wood sounds like". But I'm proud of myself, since I did refrain from asking what it might be good for.

Then a guy joined, and he turned out to be passionate about German architecture and building structures from the 1950's to 60's. Another area that is blank in my brain. I tell you, it was hard to even pretend to be interested. And even though I got a bit of a lecture I think I managed to forget it all again. Good for me. Still, it's nice to see people being so hot on a subject, that most of the population couldn't give a hoot about.

He did have one interesting hobby though, he was very knowledgeable about chili's. Chili here, chili there, different types of. For me who loves chili, it was eye-opening. I knew of course there are different types, but for me, chili is something you add to a dish and it tastes better. And hotter. But he knew his stuff, and after hearing about his chili plantation in his window, I think I might keep him as a contact.

Venturing out of ZH

I was visiting a friend yesterday, who's got a new companion. He turned out to be a real darling. And I brought gifts, and I think one of them made me his new best friend. It was edible.

Unfortunately the blinking collar wasn't such a hit, it was too big so now it needs to be changed. Which I guess is not so bad, since it'll give me a chance to meet him again.

Coming back pretty late at night I had to laugh. The bus taking me to the train station from a quite remote village had a sign on some of the chairs "for women only after 8 pm". Laughing 'cause I was the only one on the bus. But nice thought. Ish.

However, when back in my beloved Zürich I got on another bus to take me the last bit to home and it was packed. It was like one in the morning. Love the infrastructure here in CH.

Fab Feri

Got the horse I fell in love with last time today. What a fab animal! I know, it's been a bit much of horse talk lately, but relax, now it's a three week break over the holidays :(.

Horse talk

Had a friend over for dinner tonight, and it turned out that she's quite experienced with horses. I didn't know since she, as I, was doing a lot of horseback riding in her youth when we didn't know each other.

Anyway, I was informed about all her accidents with horses, one with her head split open and bleeding like crazy (that would explain a lot!...and yes, I'm joking), but it made me think about those riding sessions I was offered in the spring. Outdoor riding in a group. It's funny that, when I was really young I didn't think about accidents or that anything bad could happen to me. Sure, I was falling off many times, a horse suddenly stopping and I was doing a probably not so gracious loop over its head, or it was taking off at a speed I couldn't control and slided off being thrown into a wall or similar.

Nowadays I have a tremendous respect for these big animals. But I'm still not afraid. And I do look forward to every new session. Tomorrow morning is the next. I'm hoping to get this one again.

Appointments

Personally I am very strict when I make appointments, whether it's business or private. I think if you've committed, you show up. Therefore I have a problem with people who don't. Especially when it happens more than once, like 50% of the time.

I know, there are reasons always. Sickness, accidents, something more important than going for a dinner or showing up at a meeting.

Nevertheless, I can only think of one or two times in my life when I have done the same. For me keeping a promise is crucial.

I don't know why I am like this, probably because that's how I was raised. And therefore I react strongly when not everybody is like me.

It's not like I'm not understanding why somebody cancels a simple dinner, and the reasons why, but I do get very disappointed. After all there is some preparation involved.

But what I most react to is cancellations at a late stage, like the same day. If I would cancel a commitment the same day, I would make sure the recipient got the message. Not just send a text and hope it's read.

And yes, it happened to me today. I was busy preparing everything, buying extra stuff to make the dinner special and then I recieved a message very late cancelling everything. Fortunately I had another friend coming along, who really enjoyed my efforts. But still, it's disappointing and even though the reason is more than understandable, I am feeling like I won't try to invite this person again.

Tree

Time for some Christmas lights in this darkness.

Nice to read you

Talking about languages, I got an email the other day with the phrase "nice to read you". Needless to say the person is not an English native, but I found it endearing, and actually very accurate.

In English writing the phrase would most probably be "nice to hear from you" which is incorrect, since we don't actually hear each other.

Think I might start using the phrase.

Swiss VIII

Oh scary. Today I got a letter from the authorities, saying that they will only process my application for citizenship further if I have passed a language test. There were three tests that are approved, and the one I have was not amongst them. Typical.

So now I have to register and pay a fee of 250 francs for a new test. And if I do not pass the two hour test that consist of talking and understanding, writing and reading, I have to pay an additional 150 francs to do part of it once more.

At least they have given me six months. Fingers crossed!

Food and death

Together with a friend I went for an outing today, picking up some great delicacies from my home country. Yes, I'm gonna indulge over Christmas, even if it means I won't reach my second goal weightwise. Nowadays I'm much more relaxed with goals, whatever it is. If I don't reach it within the next day, week or month, I'll reach it later. It's good for the stress level. I have none.

We also went to visit the grave of my friend who died much too young some months ago. We lit a candle that we bought in a machine (how clever is not that? to have a grave-candle machine in a cemetary...good business). It is heartbreaking, but at the same time we can now laugh and talk about her and have good feelings. She was a warm person with a big heart, who went far too early.

We also talked about how different it is with how we want to be buried one day. Some people want a coffin, some want to be cremated (and here the options are varied...one is to be buried in a specific place, and one is to be put inside a plate on a wall...haven't seen that before). There was also a place for where children was buried, which even I, who don't much appreciate them, find very sad.

Personally my ashes will be spread in the Zürichsee, I have seen to that. And yes, it's legal. So think about that friends, when I'm gone, you will be swimming with me all around you :).

Christmas cake

Had another order for a cake, so decided to step away from the traditional green and go Christmas.

 

I really hope it tastes like normal, meaning great, since I realized coming home from shopping that I had no baking powder at home. Used natron instead. And did add some lemon juice, as advised from the world wide web that said "never substitute baking powder with natron without adding something acidic". Why? I have no clue, but had to trust the www.

And the actual cake looked ok, and I'm sure, together with raspberries, vanilla cream and whipped cream it'll taste delish. Tomorrow I'll decorate it.

Thumb healed - almost

Two weeks later my thumb has almost healed. The skin has not yet completely covered the wound, but nearly there. In hindsight I probably should've visited a doctor to get some stitches, but you know me. Don't bother unless you're dying.

And tomorrow I have another riding lesson, cannot wait!

Candles

Today I did something I have never done before. Candles. The oldfashioned way. It was a bit cold, since we were outdoors, but social and fun. There were live music and punch, so I kinda forgot my fingers were freezing. And there were Finnish candles as well to warm up at.

You start with dipping a wick into 75°C wax for about 5 seconds, then wait until it cools down a bit, then dip it again in an in-and-out-motion, then cool it off, and keep on going until you have a decent size candle. For a bigger one it takes half an hour.

It was done at the old peoples home, and one lady was really hilarious. And somewhat dement I should think. She kept on forgetting to take the candle out of the wax, but finally learned to count to 20 before she put it in again. But the funny thing was she kept on counting quicker and quicker, and so her candle ended up looking like a baby carrot (yes, orange).

And I came home with three smaller candles, that I plan to put into my winestand...and somehow they all ended up purply :).