Just for Ken....

As promised. I just had my friend Ken on the phone, who complained about the fact that I had not updated my blog since mid-august. I told him that nobody wants to hear/read about somebody depressed while reading a blog (FYI I am not depressed anymore, hence the blog posting!). So here I am, all cheerful, after talking with Ken for 25mns or so (Ken, I hope your boss is not reading my blog otherwise you can't bill for those 25mns).

As per usual, talking with Ken is always uplifting and entertaining - and he also let me in into a secret (which I will not share here unless you, reader, bribe me - and I have expensive taste).

And why the hair cut photo you might ask, well it is so that Ken will recognize me when he comes to the Mint in a few weeks!.

Ciao for now,

"Seven Pounds", by Gabriele Muccino with Will Smith

This is remarkable movie. The plot is interesting and it does take a while to realise what may or may not happen, with the occasional twist every now and then. A little depressing for sure (so you better watch it when you are in a good mood!). And don't forget to pick up a box of tissues too (because the tears are more likely to happen about 1:40mns into the movie!).

Will Smith is such a good actor and so talented. He has come a long way and he totally deserve any recognition is getting.

Re-discovering Prince....

1984 - the video of "When Doves Cry" was playing over and over on the TV in the promotion of an upcoming TV channel called Canal +. (the kind that pay - a bit like cable TV). Anyway, I was 13, thought that the guy coming out of the bath tub with a rose in his mouth was pretty sexy. This was my introduction to Prince. Then came the movie Purple Rain....and gosh I loved the clothes...Yes my teenager years was the 80's . Yes I did have the look (or trying to have the look - since the parents were not particular keen on it but who cared I was a teenager).

2009 - I saw Prince in various settings before but the best so far was last Saturday, at the Montreux Jazz Festival, at the auditorium. The sound was so clean. A crowd of 3,500 people, and me in the front row. 25 years later, Prince is still the sexy man who came out of that bath tub. Saturday's shows (he performed them back to back) are his only shows scheduled for Europe in 2009.

The set was amazing, picking up from his earlier years, re-arranged in a jazzy mood....His guitar playing wowed me, his stage presence was perfect, eclipsing himself to make room for his band members when appropriate, his voice - gosh the guy can sing...

I really felt I was re-discovering Prince (and music) all over again. He is the kind of musician that lifts you by his music and what he has achieved. I remember one line in Purple Rain, when the venue manager says: "No one cares about your music but you" - think about this, that might have been true but Prince stuck to it, did what he wanted, not responsding to "the trends"....If anything, he should be an inspiration to us all (as my friend Peter said).

Saturday, I re-discovered Prince, I re-discovered music...I got inspired.

Ferris Wheel....in Geneva

We actually have two right now in Geneva (one by the lake and one by a park on the other side of the old city). Why have one when you can have two right? Anyway, did you know that the Ferris Wheel was a response to Eiffel Tower? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferris_wheel).

It reminds me of this awesome book "Devil in the White City" - great book that combines the story of the Chicago World Fair in 1893 and the true story of a serial killer. It is full of history details but the book is written like a novel. Pick it up if you don't know what to read this summer.

Ogres do eat children....

My dad came to visit me last week end. On saturday, we took a day trip to Bern, the capital of Switzerland. The old city sits on the top of hill in the curve of the river. It is very pretty and the architecture is outstanding. Also there are a lot of statues around the city - unfortunately I don't really know what they represent but I will do some research and keep you posted.

Here's the link to all the photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/sabine123/BernJune2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCJD4w-7Wp-KTOw#

Enjoy!

"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak

I came across this book totally ramdomly - yo kow one of those Amazon recommendations that only cost you $ 4 and you think "why not, if it sucks I only lost $ 4".

This book does not suck - it is one of the best book I have read in a long time. It is supposed to be written for young adult (I am still young, right?), but it does address some pretty heavy stuff. It is the story of Liesel, a 10-year old girl, who stays with foster parents in Nazi Germany in a little town near Munich. She sees the rise of Hitler and experience the war. She gets hooked on books and words. For me, it is always interesting to read about Nazi Germany from the German point of view.

Growing up in the north of France, the war was never talked about, and if it were, there was never good things said about the Germans - I was raised to "hate" them. School teaches you how bad they are without even considering that they were humans too.

As with "Suite Francaise", The Book Thief shows that that not all Germans were Nazi, that many risk their lives for the Jews, and many of them paid the price. It shows that choices were made for them.

I think the best line in the book is: "If words didn't exist, Hitler would have not happened". I think it is important to remember the atrocities of that war, as much as it is important to remember that a lot of Germans died too for standing up and speaking out.

A few photos of Damon...

Pajamae is Damon's cat.

She looks pretty good for a little old lady!

5 days in California

It feels good to be home, even going to a baseball game when I don't understand the rules! Most importantly it is good to be with friends (and boyfriend of course!) .

Wednesday was a busy day: landed at 1pm, went straight to baseball game with Cynthia and her kid Nicholas, then Ocean Beach, on to dinner with my best friend Misha at Weird Fish (veggie and fish lover you SO need to go there - thanks Reilly for introducing me to that place a year ago or so), then Gosta Berling concert at El Rio (Damon, DG, Carter and Greg - it was so nice to see you perform) and thank you to the friends who came to give their support.

Thursday, met with a mortgage broker (woohoo - yes I do want to buy a place i can call mine in the SF or East Bay), then lunch with Courtney, Reilly and Erik (always great to hang out with you - I miss you so much), then afternoon at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation (catching up, catching up!), and met with Delice for a few (mmm, many glasses of wine) at EO5 in Cole Valley (Delice - I do miss our talks, our laughs and our cries!). Then back to Damon's cabin for the night - he made me a very nice dinner. (his own recipe!)

Friday, breakfast with David at Saul's in Berkeley (one of my favorite places). Took Pajamae (Damon's wonderful cat) to the vet (this little one is nearly 10 years old and in perfect health!). Mid-afternoon at the cabin while Damon worked, weather was beautiful - I love reading in the garden...Took a few photos (see somewhere in this post)...We watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show (I so need to get that DVD with the sing-along version).

Saturday - sleep in...then Damon and I headed to San Francisco for some shopping, sushi, more shopping, went to see Star Trek in IMAX (highly recommend it), wonderfully casted, storyline in the star trek tradition, a great move all around...then Thai food and back to the cabin at midnight.

Sunday - Damon just made me breakfast, called dad and brother (both being the most wonderful dads I know). Watching soccer (Italy vs Brazil), then a little shopping at Berkerley Bowl before heading back to SFO to catch a flight to Geneva.

Madera Latina

Last sunday, I went to an outdoor concert - it was free, the place was overlooking the lake. I offered the band to take photos (since I have started a photography class) - it you are interested, here is the link:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sabine123/MadrinaLatina?authkey=Gv1sRgCLTD2vyyhcjlNw#

And Sunday coffee place...

I found this place called "La Vouivre" (the Flying Serpent) - I really like the decor, and they were playing some opera and classical music - it felt like being in the old world.

Happy Hour Place....

Gwendolyn (some of you may have met while at Happy Hour at Mr Smith's) and I have found this little spot in Geneva - about 5mns walk from my apartment. It is unfortunately close on Sundays (like everything else here!).

I took the view from the patio so you have an idea as to what we are looking at while sipping a glass of wine - and they do have a vegetarian menu! Yeah!

And this ad is for..........

The ad says: "Results noticables within 4 weeks, clinically proven". Honestly, what do you think this ad is for? Sexual enhancers....Wrong....it is for Slendertone! http://www.slendertone.com/

I saw this ad in the window of shop that sells solutions to back problems - they do say that you need to tone up your core (ie abs) to strengthen your back.

Beautiful Day in Geneva

Photos were taken at 5:30pm tonite (about 8:30am SF time). From kitchen window. Yes there is still snow on the mountains (we had good rain over Easter).

No wonder Swiss Banks are rich!

Think that YOUR bank is charging you too much....try this (yes I keep on learning about bank charges the hard way). :

• if you go and deposit a check at the bank, they charge you about $ 1 per check deposited and a $ 5 for giving you a receipt/advice.....and they give you two copies....
• they charge you about $ 2 for mailing you your statements....also come in two copies
  
• monthly charges are about $ 40 per month to have a checking account.(ok I admit they gave it to me for free for a year - but still!)
  
• bill pay - it costs you about 30 cents per bill pay as long as you initiate it from your checking account , unless your checking account has a minimum of about $ 10,000.(it costs you about $ 1 if you initiate it from your savings)
• some branches don't have teller services...I guess they are just there to look pretty!
• you can only make cash deposit at an ATM.
• bank transfer to US account - well it can be between $ 10 and $ 30 depending on third party charges!

Solution: Sabine just opened an account at the United Nations Federal Credit Union (the Global Fund employees are allowed to do so since the beginning of the month). Love my credit union in SF, and will love the UN Federal Credit Union.

For Damon....

Here are the two photos I like...the gloves being my first choice.

Yogurt Flavors....

I have re-discovered yogurt since I have been here. Mainly they taste finger-licking good. And come in so many different flavors, and some of them are seasonal....so I have a favorite of course: chocolate and coconut...and then there is rhubarb....but the latest one is Aloe Vera flaovr (with pieces of Aloe Vera).

They are a little rich for sure....so one or two a week is enough. Moderation and quality is the key.

Visit to the doctor in Geneva

So now it is my turn to experience the health system. Upon return from SF, I got a very bad pain in my left calf, no swelling, just like a very bad cramp. After 5 days, I finally decided to go and have it check out by a doctor (because people at work kept telling me about the possibility of blood clot). So here I am at the medical center, friday nite 5:45pm..(fyi, medical center closes at 6pm!). The doctor there tells me that she needs to rule out blood clot, so need to do blood work and injection of anti-coagulant as a preventive measure. Left the center, without paying (they told me they'll send me the bill). The doc calls me late friday nite, results shows possibility of blood clot, so she scheduled me for an ultrasound at the hospital first thing Saturday am - in the meantime she gives me her cell number just in case I need to call her (really? you are giving me your cell phone number?). Went to HUG (Hopital Universitaire de Geneve) - , did the ultrasound, I am clear of blood clots (phew!), being put on strong pain killers and schedule to see a soft tissue specialist on monday. Again, they just tell me we will bill you...

Note: my ultrasound specialist was a doctor from Eastern Europe I think, with the cutest accent, keep apologizing for being late and a little stressed, then when she had to write the report, she asked me to correct her french because her grammar and spelling are not up to the part...How funny! I need to tell you that her supervisor did come and cross-check her findings. Then she called me later in the day to check on how I was feeling. My regular doctor called me to on saturday to check on my progress.

Basically, here in Switzerland, there is limited exchange of money between the patient and the doctors office if you live here. They kind of trust that you (or your insurance will pay up). So that's nice because they treat you no matter what. My experience so far has been rather positive - responsiveness of the staff (doctors and nurses alike).

"Stick it" by Jessica Bendiger

So I watch this movie the other night (http://video.movies.go.com/stickit/) and i loved it. A good insight of the world of gymnastics with a lot of humor. As a former gymnast, I always enjoyed watching gymnatics, I think it is such a challenging sports. This movie proves it, shows you how far the athletes are pushed...The girls are hot, the music is great, Jeff Bridges as the coach is perfect. A feel good movie to relax your brain.

Health System in France

Americans (sorry to put everybody in the same basket) think that France has the best health system, that we are always covered, that the government takes care of everything. Well let me tell you a little story.

My dad has been suffering from a hernied disc since last August. He was told to give up tennis, sailing, and other type of sports (for those of you who met Dad last june, you know that would have been a difficult thing to do), to stop D.I.Y (jeez at this rate, my grand-parents house will never be remodeled!)...because it would heal by itself with rest. Well, 7 1/2 months down the line, my dad is still in pain, been on sick leave for 6 weeks, and finally convinced his doctor to give him a referral for surgery. My dad saw a surgeon and got his surgery scheduled a week later.

My dad had surgery 10 days ago. Surgery happened on thursday and on sunday was sent home with an ambulance. Since my dad lives alone, in the middle of nowwhere, and was to be confined to his bed for one month, he requested an at-home nurse. He was told that at-home nurse are only covered by the insurance if it is an emergency surgery. So, the lady hinted at him that he should call when he is back home on sunday and say that he had emergency surgery to qualify for at-home nurse. So he did, only to find out that he was only allowed to 12 hours for the whole month......It also took five days for the at-home nurse to start.

Thank god that my dad has friends and family that were able to come in the am, lunch and pm to come and prepare his meals, running errands (mainly to the pharmacy), do his house chores and feed the cat.

He was able to arrange to be admitted in a convalescence hospital. He was lucky enough that a bed (in a shared room) was available at the time of the request (although the bed was only available as of today).

Bottom line is: we always think that the grass in greener on the other side, but we should really remember that with the way the world is going right now, health systems keep on failing, as well as retirement systems. I can argue with you, all my american friends, about the French health system, as much as I can argue with you, all my european friends, about the American health systems....It is important to know the facts - and I have to admit, I didnt' know how bad the French health system was til I had to deal with my dad surgery.

PS: my dad is happy to be at the hospital, because, as he told me earlier today, the nurses are nice! ;-)

Carnaval de Dunkerque....a family tradition

Many of you have heard me talked about the Carnival from where I grew up. So when I visited my dad last week-end, on sunday, it was the official closure of the season. My dad's friends came for lunch in their outfits before heading off partying. It is very difficult to explain what this carnival is since it is rather unusual. It is very popular (i.e for the people), very crude songs, lots of drinking, lots of eating, lots of men dressed up as women and starts mid-january til mid march.

A little bit of history: sailors used to party for 3 days (around Mardi Gras) before sailing out to sea for 6 months. The bill was paid for by the people who owned the boats. No women were allowed on the boats (bad luck) so men would dress up as women to pretend. The umbrellas that you see is a mockery of the high society who used to come to the beach with their little umbrellas....

This video on youtube captures pretty well what is all about (honestly I didn't know there were so many videos on youtube about this event!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBCiyUC0w50&NR=1

If you are born in Dunkerque, you grow up with this, you don't even walk, that your parents are already dragging you to see 'La Bande', you go to your first ball at the age of 12, and usually that when you get drunk for the first time too!

"Vicky Cristina Barcelona" by Woody Allen

If you are looking for a light comedy, this is for you. I used to be a big fan of Woody Allen but over the years he really made crappy movies. Just because you have the name, Mr Allen, does not mean that you are making good movies - regardless of your following. The movie is based in Barcelona (where I am going next week) and the characters are hot and sexy....boys (Javier Badem) and girls (Rebecca Hall, Penelope Cruz - she is really hot when she gets angry in spanish! - Scarlett Johansson)...so everybody should really enjoy it...

W. by Oliver Stone

So I watched the movie "W." by Oliver Stone a couple of nights ago. Some of you might remember that the movie had a bit of publicity last September/October because it was the first time that a movie about a US president was out in theaters while the president was still in office. Looking back on it, a few days later, I have to admit that I was disappointed. I thought I would be more outraged by the character (i.e Bush). I ended up not liking nor disliking the character, I just felt sorry for him - he is a person who is/was a drunk, is in constant battle to please his dad (I think that's why he went into politics and why he drank so much), is being definitely a puppet to Romney and Cheney. He always tried to reinforce the fact that he was the decision maker mainly because nobody respected him. I don't respect him, I think he made very poor decision and could never stand up for himself. Remember we are all humans, so we all make mistakes, some of us make bigger mistakes that other (for sure!) - btw, don't take me wrong, I am not defending any of his actions, I just think it is very sad that somebody had to go this length to please his parents (or at least get their recognition/acknowledgment)

Decorative project

My wall are too white to stay empty - tell me what you think....

To San Francisco and Back...

As many of you know, I took a short trip back home, and by home I mean San Francisco. It was a much needed (short) trip to recharge my batteries, spent some time with Damon (my wonderful boyfriend), hang out with some friends and enjoy the nice weather and the sun. I was getting very unkind to the grey weather here. It also gave me the opportunity to bring back my little trouble maker Halcyone aka Halcy aka Babou (pictured)

For those interested, his flight was uneventful, mainly because he was probably high on tranquilisers (thank you Cynthia), and the customs didn't even bother looking at his papers or even at him for a matter of fact. So he is slowly adjusting to be an indoor cat again.

Suprisingly, since I came back it looks like Geneva has been waking up from hibernation - the weather has been very nice: cafe and restaurants are bringing out their patios and people seem to enjoy having a beer after work. I feel that I have come back to a different city. So it looks promising for the spring and summer month. Although on the week end, it still seems rather empty since people still go skiing.

Crazy people do exist in Geneva!

So I must have been very naive about moving to Geneva...I thought that people begging or talking to themselves didn't exist in Geneva! I was wrong.

Yesterday, it must have been "Crazy People Day-Out" day in Geneva - because it really felt like being back on 6th Street and Market - the only difference is that they are speaking French, German, English, Italian and some other languages I do not understand. So Geneva's crazy people are maybe educated (granted they didn't speak all the said languages at once!)

Also, what I have noticed lately is that a lot of people coming from Eastern Europe do beg on the tram. But they do play music for you. Mainly the accordion (did I ever tell anybody that I hate the accordion?). Although the other day, two people got on. One with an accordion and one with a stand-up bass. I could not see them since they were behind me. I thought: "Hmmm, pretty original". As I got off the tram, I noticed the stand-up bass: it was soooo hand-made, with strings that you use for hanging your clothes (you know what I am talking about right?) in fluorescent colors, and one string was made of the string you use to seal up a box. Unbelievable! Also they played American Songs like Tutti Frutti, Blue Suede Shoes...(by the way some of the words didn't make any sense!)... etc. It was rather unreal.

And tonite, as I was walking home and talking in English with a lady I just met at an expat meeting, we were approached by a homeless person (rather drunk) asking us for our papers in French, and telling us he was from the "foreign people police". He got quite a shock when I replied in French - I think he sobered up all of the sudden!

Have a great night,
Sabine

The famous Water Fountain - yes you can see from my window!

Some of you may have heard of the famous water fountain in Geneva (http://www.ville-ge.ch/en/decouvrir/en-bref/jet.htm), well I woke up on saturday morning and guess what I realised that I can actually see it from my kitchen window. Here are the proofs.

How to stay warm in Geneva?

So last sunday (i.e february 22), as i got home from Paris, I discovered that I had no heat. But I did have hot water. Since it took the heating company 3 days (yes you read it correctly) to come and have a look at what was happening, I still had the opportunity to take a hot bath and curled up in bed and stay warm.

Well since yesterday, not only I do not have any heat, I also do not have any hot water! So what do you do, considering it is about 40 degrees outside, that I live in an old building with old windows? Well you lock yourself up in the kitchen, put on the oven (it is electric so not to worry) and make some hot dinner, and drink half a bottle of wine! - FYI I have hardly had a drink since in a month! I am sure my coached training session tomorrow am is gonna me interesting!

Slumdog Millionaire

So I went to see Slumdog Millionaire yesterday (BTW, when you see a movie in original language here in Geneva, it is subtitled both in french and german).

I have mixed feelings about it. Mainly because I read the book first. And I think the book has much more substance. So I highly recommend it. First of all, in the book Jamal and Salim are not brothers, but friends and do lead rather separate lives. In the movie, Jamal is portrayed as a good guy that doesn't really know how to survive. In the book, Salim is the dreamer, the actor wanna be who is a big fan of the movie star. Jamal's character is so much more interesting in the book. He is the survivor.

To me, it seems that Danny Boyle has decided to go the "love story" avenue to satisfy a blockbuster audience. It is a little sad, knowing that Trainspotting and 28 Days are so unique. Don't get me wrong, I think the direction, the photography, the music are pretty good. I just wish that Danny Boyle had followed the Jamal's character a little closer to the one portrayed in the book.

My two cents! I do not know what the criterias are to be chosen as "Best Film" at the Oscars, and I have only seen two of the other contestants, but I do not think it deserved it. I would not have given it to Benjamin Button either. Milk could have been a good choice (how about giving Milk the best movie, and best actor to Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler?) . As for The Reader and Frost/Nixon, not sure if they were best movies material.

Anyway, the above just reinforce my idea that the Oscars have become a "politically correct" event.

Bottom line: read the book, see the movie, and make up your own mind!

Today monday was delivery day!

Since a few of you expressed the wish to see how I furnish my apartment (but honest you should just come and visit so you can better appreciate the sofa! - yes it does fold out into a bed!)

And please let me introduce you to Chloe.

So I met my niece Chloe (she is 2 weeks old) for the first time. My parents said that she looks like me, and so did my sister-in-law's parents - apparently I looked exactly the same when I was this small. Personally I don't really see it, but if it is true, she is gonna be really cute and good looking when she grows up (wink wink). She is like any other baby: she cries, she sleeps, she eats. But sometimes she does smile in her sleep.

Have you ever met my nephew Martin?

So I went to spend the week-end in Paris, at my brother's house. It was really nice to be around familiar faces. I got to hang out with my nephew Martin, who is 2 1/2 years old. He talks a lot and loves to play. He has his moments for sure (you know they call it the "terrible two") but he does not throw tantrums. I think he just needs a little attention - the arrival of his sister, Chloe, was a big change for him but he is SO proud of her.

Wanna see what I see from my office window?

Too bad they are building offices! Bye bye cewl view!

Corporate Induction.

So this week, I have to attend the "corporate induction". I think it is quite interesting they call it "corporate" because we are a Swiss Foundation, and therefore do not fall under the "corporate" name. Anyway the purpose of such things, is to introduce the new comers to what the Fund does, the mission, the vision, how we do it, what departments in the company, etc...So we get 45mns presentation from each department. Feels like a little of being brain-washed because they all sing the same song: "we are doing great work, we are using the world's money to save lives". My favorite is from this lady from my team that said: "I think the new mission statement for the Global Fund should be: using the world's money to put funeral homes out of business". Because since The Global Fund has been investing in country programs, the mortality has decreased and therefore funeral homes are getting less business.

A figure struck me today though, without the efforts for the Global Fund (who has been around only for 7 years), 3.5 millions people would have died. Also, I have found out that we do not have any overheads (they are paid be the interest gained on the money given to the Fund from governments, so basically a dollar given to the Fund is used to support programs of treatment and prevention. Pretty cewl hey!

We had an HIV/AIDS training today, led by a 56 year old HIV positive man, who was diagnosed about 24 years ago - and surprisingly enough, amongst the 12 new comers in the room, I was probably the only one who had even met an HIV+ person, or was even aware of the HIV/AIDS story. And I kept wondering: "why did you guys decide to come and work here?". I was surprised on how little knowledge people had, but then I had to remind myself that if I had not moved to San Francisco, I would probably have been as ignorant as them. I felt privileged. Once again.

I am looking for the next two days session about TB and Malaria - it is gonna be new grounds for me and a learning experience. Hopefully I will have time to update this blog before I leave for Paris for the week end.

Remember, together we can make miracles happen.

Sabine

and when it is snowing.

this was taken Thursday of this week. at about 8am. It snowed pretty constantly that morning from 7am til about noon and the sun came out!

But here is the view from my kitchen window

when it is kind of sunny at 8am in the morning

View from Lounge Window

Ok, not so great - but remember i live in the city...but the playground is on the 3rd floor of the building across from me. I wonder if kids actually play on the swings in the summer!

View of the bathroom

You did ask for it....

The rug story.

So I have been looking for a rug to put in my new apartment. I saw this rug store that was going out of business. So I went in earlier this week and totally flashed on this beautiful blue rug, from Nepal, hand-made (see photo with the beautiful flowers sent to me by Damon, with the fire place in the background).

Anyway, many of you know that I am not the materialistic type and therefore hardly ever buy something like furniture and so forth. But this rug totally called my name (but the price tag didn't for sure). The reason for the shop to go out of business is the owner is retiring after being in the business for 55 years - he is now 70. So he gave me a good price. (So I though, what the heck....for once, I will ship something with me when I move! Plus I need a nice fluffy rug). And he tells me that he will deliver it the following day with this guy that comes and help out in the afternoon. I obviously warn him that I live on the 4th floor and no elevator.

So Friday arrives, and the shop owner shows up with his friend (who also happen to be 70) - so can you just imagine my face when those two guys show up to deliver my heavy rug, carrying it up 4th floor - I was praying that neither of them suffered a heart attack on the way to my apartment.

Once the rug delivered, they decided to check out my apartment, opening doors, checking my kitchen closets (and noticed all the bio food that I bought)! I felt like saying: "are you planning on moving in?. You got to love older people sometimes.

Anyway, the rug dealer was over the moon because such a nice lady (i.e yours truly) had given such a nice home to such a great rug!.

Life in Geneva

So I am slowly getting accustomed to a few things here: shops do close at 7pm on week-days, although Thursday is late nite shopping til 9pm. On Saturday shops close at 6pm and everything is closed on Sundays. Even many restaurants are closed on Sundays, and a few on Saturdays. So it is always a bit of a challenge to get things done. It takes forever to have furniture and appliances delivered (yes I am still waiting for my fridge and my stove - Reilly: I have a new appreciation for microwave food, so I can now totally related to you past experience!). And about 10 days to get your internet connection (I am still piggy-backing somebody'else, pretty slow, hence lack of blog update!)

The weather has been unpredictable for sure - one day it snows, one day it is sunny, or you might just get lucky and get both in the same day! However it does stay pretty cold.

Some of you have expressed the desire to see photos, so I will do so in subsequent posting with little anecdotes here and then. BTW - today I have finally put up curtains and curtain rods in my bedroom (my dad will be so proud!).

People go to Milan for one day just for a shopping trip, you can borrow bikes for free for a CHF 50 deposit, museums are free!. Begging is not allowed: they see it as a way for you to make money because they are a lot of services you can use so you should not beg, if you are caught begging, the police takes the money you "earned" and fines you...mmmm, interesting.

You need to pay for a bicycle licence (CHF 5/year) so that you park your bike in the bike parking zones, you need to pay for a dog licence (CHF 5/year) which pays for the "poo" bags available on the streets (although people don't seem to want to clean after their animals), they are pretty behind in terms of recycling (which drives me crazy!). But hey it is a new culture, with its good things and bad so let's ride it..

Where has Sabine been?

Really, nowhere....The work week has been mainly dealing with Carla Bruni-Sarkosy's visit to Burkina Faso. And no I have not met her. The Global is a fairly complex institution so I am still learning the ropes. They do invest a lot in their staff and they are plenty of opportunities for learning, which is great. They do encourage their staff to take one foreign language class. Obviously the class is outside working hours but it is paid for by the Fund. So I don't really have anything truely exciting on the work front at this point.

Elizabeth of Bavaria - photo 2 (read previous post first)

I like this picture a lot - the contrast of the snowing day with the colorful rose is just beautiful. And she was so pretty.

Elizabeth of Bavaria - photo 1

So while on my walk today along the lake, I came across this statue. It is a statue of Elizabeth of Bavaria, aka Sissi. If you have some time to kill, you should read about her (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeth_of_Bavaria#Assassination).

The statue is in commemoration of her 100th anniversary of her death - she was stabbed by a fanatic in 1898, while she walking along the lake. She loved traveling and Geneva was one of her favorite spot.

For me, it reminded me of the triology of "Sissi". The actress who played her was Romy Schneider, a german-austrian actress (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romy_Schneider) who died at the age of 43. The "Sissi" triology is one of my favorite childhood movies.

Fancy a sauna/hot tubs in the lake?

So last year, the city renovated the "Bains des Paquis", which are saunas and hamams on the lake, and also a swimming pool. Ok, it is not as luxurious as the Sutro baths but I think it is pretty cewl. I was there last sunday when it was sunny, and the place was packed. You need to make reservations on the week end. Although the weather was not that great, I still think it would be pretty cewl to be in a hot tub, with water coming from the lake (btw the lake is so clean it is unbelievable) and still "enjoying" the fact it is snowing (and cold).