America is Dangerous!

Non-Flammamble Vegetable Based Oil!

at least they have the good sense to warn a person.

Minor Updating

*** http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/03/spiders-are-scary-its-okay-to-be-afraid.html ***


Everyone is reading this (see link above). I just read it. Eureka. I seriously think this writer & I were separated at birth. In fact, in a few hours I will be calling my mother to ask if she produced two children without me knowing.


And while this person's updates are frequent & a lot more involved.... I do sincerely feel, if I had any motivation - and ability to draw sloppy pictures - I would give her stuff a run for its money. Very possibly.


Read the one on spiders though. She nails that.

Photo from a friend who is in Hong Kong.

I Went to Greece

Here's what you should know - if you are contemplating a trip there too.

1) Go in the off season.

~ this holds true for most places in my opinion. Early May or September.

2) Do not go during high season.

~ ok, yes this was just mentioned. But can't stress it enough.

~ Unless you want to: jockey for a seat on a bus, or have all the buses be sold out. Or wait 3 days for the next ferry because the one you wanted was sold out. Etc.

3) Greece has a lot of natural beauty. If you are into that, go to Greece. If you need air conditioning & don't like walking places, go to Las Vegas.

4) No 'to-do' list.

We just showed up at a bus station, & got on a bus marked "Red Beach." It was gorgeous. Like a place where a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio as an adventurer of some sort would be filmed.

The fun of discovery - places to hike, eat, swim, photograph donkeys.

Leave your Fodor's at home.

EEEEEK!

Just killed a spider the size of Ecuador.

(It was. I swear.)

Anything spider-related must be broadcast to the world to somehow mitigate the fear.

Mentally Planning Meals for the Next Trip Home

When I get back to the U.S. this is what I am going to eat.

The maple syrup will be warm, and it will cost no more than $14.

Everything included.

BLOND MOMENT OF THE DAY

Started to wash my face. Lathered soap onto hands, then face. Then realized my glasses were still on...

Home for the Holidays

I WONDER HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE MY PARENTS TO REALIZE I CLEANED THEM OUT?


...Zip Lock bags, tea, toothpaste, shampoo, dental floss, magazines, instant oatmeal.


All these things made their way into my suitcase!


I feel toiletry & home item theft is my birthright. Especially given the 200% mark-up on stuff in Switzerland!

:-)

Happy Holidays!

J'e suis the King of Burundi

Today one of the phrases I learned for German class was...

"Die Katze springt sehr hoch". - The cat jumps really high.

which of course reminded me of this favorite skit from Eddie Izzard.

A must-watch -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1sQkEfAdfY

Oh Europe, your use of English delights me

Cuteness

How cute are these kids on the bench eating ice cream?

And this sign on the right - warning drivers, "Bitte Nicht So Schnell"...
("please not so fast!")

This cuteness brought to you by Austria.

Window Shopping

Silky dresses & rainbows of leather gloves in Rome

It Makes Its Way Across the Ocean

The Slurpee Machine

4-Hour Layover in Dublin

I saw the first person drinking a pint of Guinness - at 9:00 am

BY 11:00 am EVERYONE WAS DRINKING. The bars in the airport were full.

The Revolving Door of Expat Life

"Never tell anyone anything, or you will miss everyone"

~ Holden Caufield, The Catcher in the Rye

Rule of Expat Life - People Come, & People Go

It is the major differences of living in an expat society vs. living in your hometown.

It really sucks.

Classics, Italianized

Springtime... for Zurich... and Switzerland

Sheep. Rainbows.

Enjoying Sundays at the beergarten with a view of the mountains & lake.

New York this is not.

I Is Literate

I'm forgetting English. 

Is it "take something with a grain of salt" or a pinch?

Malpropisms were never a problem....  although for years I thought it was "up & Adam" (up & at 'em).    And "it's a doggy dog world".   

At least I still speak jive. 

Mister CH

Was just googling "Mr. Schweiz" to see what this competition is all about.

This website appeared.

Um... Woah.

Really - click on the link. Then note the photo slide show.

Gratuitous shirtlessness seems to be a required element.