tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21171588158834261332024-03-06T06:02:37.327+01:00The London LifeSwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-29537843033326438482010-11-15T21:14:00.010+01:002010-11-15T21:56:22.948+01:00The Proposal: How it Happened<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC9n18cnYskXqexwMFWJ1atGS4I62LmASxQd5nWdqnzHKhw31oeV0bs77PK_ej2cGYKIKFlxRlL7rgnx8LxallI_-HcH14lrGMZsUF36184EA6HG26OVUlNFoTfo3_LM7rJkAY_eCWfuL/s1600/P1050696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPC9n18cnYskXqexwMFWJ1atGS4I62LmASxQd5nWdqnzHKhw31oeV0bs77PK_ej2cGYKIKFlxRlL7rgnx8LxallI_-HcH14lrGMZsUF36184EA6HG26OVUlNFoTfo3_LM7rJkAY_eCWfuL/s320/P1050696.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539876676517494930" /></a><br /><br />In April 2010, Eason (always thinking ahead on planning the perfect birthday for me) proposed the idea of going to Edinburgh for my 30th. I thought it a fantastic idea – a city I have wanted to travel to for a long while now, plus not too far away that friends wouldn’t be able to come. We got to planning right away! In total, 15 of us took over the city of Edinburgh for the weekend of 12-14 November (well, maybe the rugby fans there for the Scotland vs. New Zealand match outnumbered us, but not by much!). It was so wonderful to have friends there celebrating my birthday!<br /><br />Friday night we all met up at Bank bar, just next door to our hotel, the Radisson Blu (a castle-looking building right on the Royal Mile). It was a fun night – live music, great friends, and the best part was (after living in London for a while), quite cheap beers! Even in the dark I could see I was going to love Edinburgh.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX05TVGGOWMli2mS4eRK25ydpGBbCPpz5ba8U-L8VM4oZ0iYGLYQMBt6KIUxp_UnPYYe4o_6kan4Q16a28OBqwU91oZO4g5IqOcHk0urEl3xfif1GzrbMaq5gxioHQnbV5gTJGdJnDgOEO/s1600/P1050617.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX05TVGGOWMli2mS4eRK25ydpGBbCPpz5ba8U-L8VM4oZ0iYGLYQMBt6KIUxp_UnPYYe4o_6kan4Q16a28OBqwU91oZO4g5IqOcHk0urEl3xfif1GzrbMaq5gxioHQnbV5gTJGdJnDgOEO/s320/P1050617.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539874852807276194" /></a><br /><br />Saturday morning the crew all met up for a tour of the castle. It started off as a beautiful day, then rapidly turned into a cold, windy and ominously dark afternoon, finally ending up to be quite nice in the early evening (pretty unheard of for Scotland this time of year!). After a yummy pub lunch at Deacon Brodies, we did a little shopping (girls) and rugby watching (boys) and then I headed back to our hotel for my birthday present from Eason: a spa session! I had a fantastic massage, facial and manicure; it was the most relaxing afternoon I’ve spent in a while.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69Kcn6-14WpjPcs1T7gGj6QZuXP1Dvec1uybIm1oOw0-IsjcM2P-vxS6EXhDWGFuUBw4Rwpz08hgDZk8uN-IdMenU-CGPVMVKpSe8qeiW0RLTrRp7ilv2e_cbR2u1z1BpdyLy3A7w02LV/s1600/P1050636.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69Kcn6-14WpjPcs1T7gGj6QZuXP1Dvec1uybIm1oOw0-IsjcM2P-vxS6EXhDWGFuUBw4Rwpz08hgDZk8uN-IdMenU-CGPVMVKpSe8qeiW0RLTrRp7ilv2e_cbR2u1z1BpdyLy3A7w02LV/s320/P1050636.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539874874305837266" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSGv7etUfQQC6fIFBqiC-plmqdzImCUdBE0DkQtN3G5UmODStPlw_tJrsbnt4KP-B4ndb6IfSGDyRr0bbAqjfvm34B9pQ2TX1Fyrj-1sbXJJnL-6jh3PUsWuLwLPhA5M4wJ44IYvlBGfW/s1600/P1050634.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSGv7etUfQQC6fIFBqiC-plmqdzImCUdBE0DkQtN3G5UmODStPlw_tJrsbnt4KP-B4ndb6IfSGDyRr0bbAqjfvm34B9pQ2TX1Fyrj-1sbXJJnL-6jh3PUsWuLwLPhA5M4wJ44IYvlBGfW/s320/P1050634.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539874868808881762" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSYQ-J3Pg1IHcWz82QSNg9nT8nJNBAOcVAaSj5jwD_-uuEMXCICZbuAyq2_l3p00tKvtqbjjPL1NW-E9G1wJT6fvk6n8YhPkMXE83oDNRnRl7ODiPITpIH-C2S3VTgYZDLgwPjXDzrxAS/s1600/P1050622.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSYQ-J3Pg1IHcWz82QSNg9nT8nJNBAOcVAaSj5jwD_-uuEMXCICZbuAyq2_l3p00tKvtqbjjPL1NW-E9G1wJT6fvk6n8YhPkMXE83oDNRnRl7ODiPITpIH-C2S3VTgYZDLgwPjXDzrxAS/s320/P1050622.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539874864307840930" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHPT2n7rLJqDBbKlpWcqcy6wl_OH68cBrNd7pd97pRQM_Vw3ilJ4B-JGPoz4734pcfndchSv901pl2gDfhrmbFlABrqOwnePJ26ERNc5WhcGCOR1dJ9fGpub12SDIjRrbhuiSw5sJ7TP0/s1600/P1050640.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHPT2n7rLJqDBbKlpWcqcy6wl_OH68cBrNd7pd97pRQM_Vw3ilJ4B-JGPoz4734pcfndchSv901pl2gDfhrmbFlABrqOwnePJ26ERNc5WhcGCOR1dJ9fGpub12SDIjRrbhuiSw5sJ7TP0/s320/P1050640.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539874882557678866" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJCcjhq6Zrq7IUsLgJ7l4pF2xliTxX2LzJNn38rNxbAU-Qlwmx3cKZk_2K4MaZn93f93WhmpeaOwjHf50ybOjGJwt5nOjOa9JuJAZ-fKlm7X1BsETURZ6fSTOrnJ4y3Ty-lc8Ma1MiaSh/s1600/P1050658.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJCcjhq6Zrq7IUsLgJ7l4pF2xliTxX2LzJNn38rNxbAU-Qlwmx3cKZk_2K4MaZn93f93WhmpeaOwjHf50ybOjGJwt5nOjOa9JuJAZ-fKlm7X1BsETURZ6fSTOrnJ4y3Ty-lc8Ma1MiaSh/s320/P1050658.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539876695000414466" /></a><br /><br /><br />When I headed back to the room, a very tiny part of me thought “what if Eason is in the room, ready to propose?” I almost didn’t work up enough nerve to go back in! But I quickly realized I was playing that game that all girls play (“maybe TONIGHT will be the night…no it won’t…maybe it will…don’t get your hopes up…stop being crazy!”) when I got back to the room. I carefully put my ear to the door (what was I expecting? A string quartet and the smell of roses seeping through the crack of the door?), and what did I hear? The sounds of a happy and relaxed man watching not only rugby on the hotel t.v., but college football on the laptop as well. I quickly realized tonight was not the night and set my mind back towards getting prepped and ready for the big birthday dinner out at Tiger Lilly. Around 6:00 there was a knock at the door: “Room Service! Where would you like the wee champagne?” (okay, the “wee” bit was added for emphasis because the Scots really like to use that word!). “What’s this?” I said. “Oh just a little something for your birthday – Morgan and Eric are coming up too. I thought it’d be nice for you to celebrate with them a little since they didn’t come until this morning” Eason slyly replied. I bought it. He is always doing such thoughtful things (one reason why I’m a pretty lucky girl!). <br /><br />Morgan and Eric showed up around 6:15 and we all just relaxed and sipped our champers. Finally, Morgan handed over a gift which she said she and Eric were merely responsible for transporting. When I opened it up, I found the most thoughtful gift I’ve ever received: a picture book entitled “Hayley’s First 30 Years.” I opened to the first page, a picture of my family from when I was a toddler, and I lost it. Tears everywhere. Eason had spent months emailing my friends and family, gathering pictures from birth until now. I knew immediately that my mom had a big hand in this as she has organized all of our pictures into boxes back home. I didn’t realize until later how much the rest of my family and friends contributed and for that I am very humbled. I cannot even imagine the amount of hours it must have taken Eason to put this gift together. It is priceless. We laughed and (I) cried while flipping through the book of embarrassing and touching pictures. Finally we got to the last page, a page with 2 pictures of Edinburgh with the caption: “Edinburgh for Your 30th.” <br /><br />It is at that point that Eason turned to me and said “And do you know why Edinburgh is so important? Because that is where I ask you to marry me. (Down on one knee) Will you marry me, Hayley?” (At least he didn’t say “The Hag!”).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfm-ks8io0ByOaswFHljfzLcRRrVRa39biG6REgiQA4jd8hRwu_1nFQ-dn2jwB9s_AVtaov0VafgNaYUEf7KvKwEhnvfgKXP4254oVrpc6HViBuTc9v9F3my7Eh7TOOvMCF2yo5eI6HMM/s1600/IMG_7210.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfm-ks8io0ByOaswFHljfzLcRRrVRa39biG6REgiQA4jd8hRwu_1nFQ-dn2jwB9s_AVtaov0VafgNaYUEf7KvKwEhnvfgKXP4254oVrpc6HViBuTc9v9F3my7Eh7TOOvMCF2yo5eI6HMM/s320/IMG_7210.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539878194369615154" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyvdsv2qfCyB-Ym3x3YOJV2FxOBfFNfLFi-mZcCIP5DIJJXI-Mxz5aJdQ-VfAiTEBYey0oVFcoVbFMJIWLz1RnvtO0ASFhtF30vG9ACtUFE1EyksGnELNH_bCXDqyPzQsarFSM09P2CXC/s1600/IMG_7197.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyvdsv2qfCyB-Ym3x3YOJV2FxOBfFNfLFi-mZcCIP5DIJJXI-Mxz5aJdQ-VfAiTEBYey0oVFcoVbFMJIWLz1RnvtO0ASFhtF30vG9ACtUFE1EyksGnELNH_bCXDqyPzQsarFSM09P2CXC/s320/IMG_7197.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539878187584613330" /></a><br /><br />I know I said “yes” and I’m pretty sure I said “Are you serious?” I will never forget the smile on his face. He was grinning ear to ear! Nothing could have prepared me for the story that was to come. “Did you speak to my parents?” I asked. “Well, let’s just say, I didn’t go to Qatar for that ‘work trip’ a month ago. I went to TEXAS.” Luckily Eric was snapping pics this whole time and my mouth just kept opening wider and wider as this amazing story unfolded. Of course my first response to this was, “you SAW my nephew!?” (I’m always jealous when anyone gets to see him and I don’t!). “Nope,” he said “your sister knows nothing about it.” “MY SISTER DOESN’T KNOW?” Her genuine response when I called her proved that: “Oh my gosh, I’m in the Target and I just wanna scream!” How in the world did he do this? <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OP7jm1QvICcwQ0XpKZSd-lbCbt3HQbG3myDbC_-dMrlNFXLTAIwCRvI5pfMqlcjyaZe65MNRSiT1zqB5b7IMEJ2lfJn4gUPQoq6comfE3qewyhFtnnkj1OmBNjlRqV6_dAbvi55L1JcZ/s1600/P1050661.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0OP7jm1QvICcwQ0XpKZSd-lbCbt3HQbG3myDbC_-dMrlNFXLTAIwCRvI5pfMqlcjyaZe65MNRSiT1zqB5b7IMEJ2lfJn4gUPQoq6comfE3qewyhFtnnkj1OmBNjlRqV6_dAbvi55L1JcZ/s320/P1050661.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539876713439717602" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld7owUmJ1gkSC0Glwy7KvTHkp6MwU1c6QXfvqLjiwXhE8JKA-G8ahJ9qDU62XjpJKEQGmDpTX3YfKt6TDQEHDJlti0H-DtPQXG1HaHTu8v-NC_ZyMNNLzIOjp9tu_kxJ6UmwU7HhRZ6jP/s1600/P1050665.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld7owUmJ1gkSC0Glwy7KvTHkp6MwU1c6QXfvqLjiwXhE8JKA-G8ahJ9qDU62XjpJKEQGmDpTX3YfKt6TDQEHDJlti0H-DtPQXG1HaHTu8v-NC_ZyMNNLzIOjp9tu_kxJ6UmwU7HhRZ6jP/s320/P1050665.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539878179062731266" /></a><br /><br /><br />I found out later it involved a very long, baby-crying-filled flight to Houston, a very frustrating drive through the Woodlands to pick up the ring, and a long drive from the Woodlands to Lufkin on a “Farmhouse Road” (that’s Farm to Market road for us Texans). Stephen, my brother in law, had arranged for my dad to stay late at work on a Friday (that must have been the easiest part of this whole operation!). Then he directed Eason to Mom’s (where he parked down the street in front of a neighbors house). Eason said the look on Mom’s face was priceless. She had NO idea why he was there and stared at him like he was a ghost! After getting their blessings and having a quick dinner at Applebee’s with Stephen, Eason crashed at the hotel in Lufkin, only to leave first thing in the morning to head back to the Woodlands where he got to lounge around and watch football all day. He was in heaven! There is a long standing joke in my family that Eason could be in the CIA. After he pulled this stunt off, I’m beginning to think there may be some truth to it!<br /><br />The whole idea behind this weekend was so perfect. Everything to the last detail was planned meticulously. This man knows me inside and out. I am humbled by his love and devotion. Every day I fall more and more in love with him. There are many things that I love and appreciate about Eason; just to name a few: <br /><br />*His ability to not be bothered by the little things. If you know me, you know this is exactly the type of person I need on my side. He keeps me grounded.<br /><br />*His character. He is a good man with a big heart. He is empathetic and loving and accepting to all people. He challenges me to be a better person.<br /><br />*His love of traveling. We have been fortunate enough to see so many places in the world together and I wouldn’t wish to have seen them with anyone else. He is the perfect travel buddy.<br /><br />*His goofy side. A tiff never lasts long with us because he always (and sometimes frustratingly) makes me laugh. For this I am so thankful!<br /><br />*His honesty. Though it took a while to get used to in the beginning, this is the trait that I most appreciate about Eason. You can always trust him to tell it like it is. I knew I would say “yes” to him because I knew if he ever asked me to marry him, it would be an honest and thoughtful request. I would know deep down in my heart that he meant every word. He has never once misled me (well, except for the Qatar moment!). ☺<br /><br />There are many people in my life who have shown me how to love unconditionally. Of those people, three men stand out: my Daddy, my Peepaw, and Eason. I remain humbled by the love that I have in my life. I cannot wait to marry this man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5Ds7-qHPiYLBd0K41_F2sPxcG5oLgT3Qp9Rp_8C74tL21KlZpwwCMAXCHEgcv3blW3Mpx4Q2teLBQcDLSRhpnB9OO39QBlgS3pus2KQsPX4a6kPzEiFmOdEmw3kZ4tUFLytF0yBC61z5/s1600/P1050662.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5Ds7-qHPiYLBd0K41_F2sPxcG5oLgT3Qp9Rp_8C74tL21KlZpwwCMAXCHEgcv3blW3Mpx4Q2teLBQcDLSRhpnB9OO39QBlgS3pus2KQsPX4a6kPzEiFmOdEmw3kZ4tUFLytF0yBC61z5/s320/P1050662.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539876724887620770" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GUCSWC4CYXWe5EyBu-Kg3c1Bjin2hlGuoCl92mGuYTHkkvVeI4PSSnyoq-6D7KQWrbmyZBy0CjQZaw8SPYv-7JTn_PH6fWbqW1e4D52ewyK71lUrmvusCRLRzvIJLDaiRQdp84QYx4Dd/s1600/P1050680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GUCSWC4CYXWe5EyBu-Kg3c1Bjin2hlGuoCl92mGuYTHkkvVeI4PSSnyoq-6D7KQWrbmyZBy0CjQZaw8SPYv-7JTn_PH6fWbqW1e4D52ewyK71lUrmvusCRLRzvIJLDaiRQdp84QYx4Dd/s320/P1050680.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539876740094134482" /></a><br /><br />I love Edinburgh! It will always be a very special place for us! :)SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-81488034982356094592009-09-06T19:38:00.008+02:002009-09-06T21:26:05.023+02:00You Never Go Hungry...in Hungary<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rKyO8Sf01Gpd4DGWJAAsKf9pluEcc_5NfSUP_fD4UCRzz2aWtQV-3ztMs2eIhAbu_hovPGHqXnV67_CxktyZ0LxnwNtzCEbI4yP5LTewY9Kc56-FiS1wSajYf7gNp5lVPG7WRAF6WEEa/s1600-h/P1020151.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rKyO8Sf01Gpd4DGWJAAsKf9pluEcc_5NfSUP_fD4UCRzz2aWtQV-3ztMs2eIhAbu_hovPGHqXnV67_CxktyZ0LxnwNtzCEbI4yP5LTewY9Kc56-FiS1wSajYf7gNp5lVPG7WRAF6WEEa/s320/P1020151.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378437114980791250" /></a><br /><br />Last weekend we had a 3 day weekend (right on time - just the day before school started)! Eason and I packed our bags and headed out to visit Candace in Budapest, Hungary. This was my first experience in "Eastern Europe" (which for record is VERY Western). Candace seems very happy there. We got to meet some of her work friends and she was an excellent tour guide! Eason became best buds with her Italian Greyhound pup, Jack. I think it's safe to say a dog is in our (pretty foreseeable) future. Gotta get a yard first.<br /><br />One of the highlights for me was going to the hot thermal bath house where you can relax in the warm natural springs. The bath house looks like a castle and you feel like royalty inside. The whole experience was very relaxing and unique (minus the naked and hairy European women - could've done without that!)<br /><br />Eason's highlight by far was the yummy food. It's basically meat and potatoes...all the time. We never went hungary in Hungary!<br /><br />A little history: Budapest was under Communist rule until 1991, so the city still has sort of a sense of newness about it. The public transport rivals that in other major European cities - very efficient, pretty clean, and felt very safe. Budapest is actually 2 cities (Buda on one side of the river and Pest on the other). Buda is more of the low key, residential area which holds the famous Castle District. Pest is the more "happening side" with plenty of restaurants, bars, shopping and also is the home of Parliament and the city's financial district.<br /><br />If you ever get the chance to go to Budapest, I say take it! It's a lovely city! 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLj6ePJAAZ15mhEfUEA-gZPm5owxBj-ktGYufdYXE9hXwI065O5_j7YCs54Bjw57NyCUEmll_6PfbkFZ7iaKqBKOhND9hLCldB6pSXcd1JPIuGetDylkRJgOCLaVO1rGFluTvtyCUZEpX/s320/P1020121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378437098275228002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9zzkAlomrSpzf9o47zZVWl7Z-CzLfFwbjBvKYTVW-LGbXCQXBCBHfuI7W6D7e0EoWRSAG8M8yIqarN6JV1QCHDJpcKe42no6ZdPZf8zow5OIRf3OYGNBv4mtPoOLGL11DQ137tcpJcMx/s1600-h/P1020117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9zzkAlomrSpzf9o47zZVWl7Z-CzLfFwbjBvKYTVW-LGbXCQXBCBHfuI7W6D7e0EoWRSAG8M8yIqarN6JV1QCHDJpcKe42no6ZdPZf8zow5OIRf3OYGNBv4mtPoOLGL11DQ137tcpJcMx/s320/P1020117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378437090171053490" /></a>SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-69374930004207857572009-08-14T10:45:00.007+02:002009-08-14T11:10:39.807+02:00Brighton and Kew GardensEason took 2 days off this week to show me around. We started off with heading to the coast of England to a place called Brighton on Wednesday. Then Thursday we went down to Kew Gardens, the biggest botanical garden in the world. It celebrated its 250th anniversary this year! Wow!<div><br /></div><div>Enjoy the pics! </div><br /><br />Brighton:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkzWDNKSi5l2mA9NZt3Ocu7Jdeh9YouLfRcXjKmfqku9nqQalRuacIdhoRromAMpuYnuPAM2L3H6s9gk0EBqs6dCBio2EPTtgEcbUH01kGoKi4x1biLEZX6frjhXOX4_uAVzeQqMl1ycC/s1600-h/P1010724.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkzWDNKSi5l2mA9NZt3Ocu7Jdeh9YouLfRcXjKmfqku9nqQalRuacIdhoRromAMpuYnuPAM2L3H6s9gk0EBqs6dCBio2EPTtgEcbUH01kGoKi4x1biLEZX6frjhXOX4_uAVzeQqMl1ycC/s320/P1010724.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369741088452596226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYH0BYYvRSwFMiXTTEvO6ShnfBA95HmrjWHvqFasgmxhyRPYhnlfkzg2LWtF347QayNTbdYQ09mdEEoFbUo7ZbBnOK2SnLfHVGMjYrvpc8unRdoiOo6EgFKEvByKEq6aHYVxAx9oIfzmxM/s1600-h/P1010723.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYH0BYYvRSwFMiXTTEvO6ShnfBA95HmrjWHvqFasgmxhyRPYhnlfkzg2LWtF347QayNTbdYQ09mdEEoFbUo7ZbBnOK2SnLfHVGMjYrvpc8unRdoiOo6EgFKEvByKEq6aHYVxAx9oIfzmxM/s320/P1010723.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369741077053354482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamHQsnA84diQ4Sqo0F8V5peBWPBbSrdHw39IGz7WlOjSFs662F50oq60kAyOCwkgbL7kboZhiey8MvpNySvlY77GgI4abqDGfTTUCYOMGqn6k_hvyQqXn-l11RaUGXJfSJZI8HKGvSJhe/s1600-h/P1010713.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamHQsnA84diQ4Sqo0F8V5peBWPBbSrdHw39IGz7WlOjSFs662F50oq60kAyOCwkgbL7kboZhiey8MvpNySvlY77GgI4abqDGfTTUCYOMGqn6k_hvyQqXn-l11RaUGXJfSJZI8HKGvSJhe/s320/P1010713.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369741069164268994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0_rALC1AQmjMOMNUxf2IogF-Nft2Uyb3Vy5TfBs8Aw5CdTNiykZGTtYOGnr_80N9KZYPQFY71HrQqD9B-79VZUEM4VTEnrqlWnajH3O_cUchQO-2I7Ey0d_6c9FNNQrqdN3VkgoyMisL/s1600-h/P1010712.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0_rALC1AQmjMOMNUxf2IogF-Nft2Uyb3Vy5TfBs8Aw5CdTNiykZGTtYOGnr_80N9KZYPQFY71HrQqD9B-79VZUEM4VTEnrqlWnajH3O_cUchQO-2I7Ey0d_6c9FNNQrqdN3VkgoyMisL/s320/P1010712.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369741060896844866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I1ad8LxYUpWOUkcUfFh5U76bX4B1gWTKfyR7VksZ10fsmg3GTRZYnEbIyUTPcOxQ8z8_x51XBBv1GpiVlgiqcQqFvpxTE_tmzJ5SJD0lKjALtygqVjia-FdLzngh5Cps4oCl77r9ozmG/s1600-h/P1010710.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I1ad8LxYUpWOUkcUfFh5U76bX4B1gWTKfyR7VksZ10fsmg3GTRZYnEbIyUTPcOxQ8z8_x51XBBv1GpiVlgiqcQqFvpxTE_tmzJ5SJD0lKjALtygqVjia-FdLzngh5Cps4oCl77r9ozmG/s320/P1010710.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369741052667980162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNKVhgiMsSW7rpgfxpgU0t8NhFufrT8fStkX6b7VH2Q15U4b6Xv4niXPbRyJqgJTU_HRsFvyEQX4afc03ODmhgkC4QIhKb7ZMmeJtwmHkZ1momNqwOsWeTcpj7IUH1uZkOTpzg9ei7seT/s1600-h/P1010709.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNKVhgiMsSW7rpgfxpgU0t8NhFufrT8fStkX6b7VH2Q15U4b6Xv4niXPbRyJqgJTU_HRsFvyEQX4afc03ODmhgkC4QIhKb7ZMmeJtwmHkZ1momNqwOsWeTcpj7IUH1uZkOTpzg9ei7seT/s320/P1010709.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369739778090125026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3sgBGeE_CUaTfEK_CrNfmjNPEsHDBWB3s8YnR2xiZl5s5POUXDzNd72P1UClJcnFhUt9fzFhBRHEudV4UamvSONZkQP6xFMKgUyJ8p7-lFUbiszsTUr8-hVhptDSMj6n0D8y8xSRLI-m/s1600-h/P1010706.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3sgBGeE_CUaTfEK_CrNfmjNPEsHDBWB3s8YnR2xiZl5s5POUXDzNd72P1UClJcnFhUt9fzFhBRHEudV4UamvSONZkQP6xFMKgUyJ8p7-lFUbiszsTUr8-hVhptDSMj6n0D8y8xSRLI-m/s320/P1010706.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369739767390723794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8_Vu9lq7zLFHm03OJyMiNL6fU3f0ncB5bD-QgJtQj61u6KDrfQQV-MZtV9HmZwne6w3g4rwmI4UGFra8dAcpz42JIk2RlVN_2sXs77OnFBQIB41efzqOtSHYCf92sLJ8c7pMGhU5hoTi/s1600-h/P1010703.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8_Vu9lq7zLFHm03OJyMiNL6fU3f0ncB5bD-QgJtQj61u6KDrfQQV-MZtV9HmZwne6w3g4rwmI4UGFra8dAcpz42JIk2RlVN_2sXs77OnFBQIB41efzqOtSHYCf92sLJ8c7pMGhU5hoTi/s320/P1010703.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369739761818419554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwBGYP3GUWxlyQ4srHm4C8I-AkJyiaT7KPVbNYV5isApeR9ReeCW7HnTj9gHLSEDznAMddWgLZTWHgZ17KuJ51gKKiXvM3QaZzjLtVLZ8Uxl6mWXY75eLqBuRZ7MiRUPtPqICPZWV6Cem/s1600-h/P1010695.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqwBGYP3GUWxlyQ4srHm4C8I-AkJyiaT7KPVbNYV5isApeR9ReeCW7HnTj9gHLSEDznAMddWgLZTWHgZ17KuJ51gKKiXvM3QaZzjLtVLZ8Uxl6mWXY75eLqBuRZ7MiRUPtPqICPZWV6Cem/s320/P1010695.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369739752595260498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEJh62hkDfCAmKZODjeJSMRXgIttWeiA8LAyoi8cAVLWxsKgErLHb9oW2IMWYT7elitbSf-vKgwcnDQDJYxkFZe1-DJxEh3_ezgA9S2SvzSPPezSCGb3xGbF-taRf4mBwOwwxN63v-V_d/s1600-h/P1010696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEJh62hkDfCAmKZODjeJSMRXgIttWeiA8LAyoi8cAVLWxsKgErLHb9oW2IMWYT7elitbSf-vKgwcnDQDJYxkFZe1-DJxEh3_ezgA9S2SvzSPPezSCGb3xGbF-taRf4mBwOwwxN63v-V_d/s320/P1010696.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369739743969677314" /></a><br /><br />Kew Gardens:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm58F1D-Rf_2FaW1eHmuP3WJWmXILiR0NtDftoIhZYJLtd9-uCeJWXhyC8PXmGAvguFql-PTryFfrXisGsHuU-1n95voyq82tKK7_LxZwJd_QNUkpZZ5OJuFbmDLDJNU7x5CU3i8gr1pPv/s1600-h/P1010761.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm58F1D-Rf_2FaW1eHmuP3WJWmXILiR0NtDftoIhZYJLtd9-uCeJWXhyC8PXmGAvguFql-PTryFfrXisGsHuU-1n95voyq82tKK7_LxZwJd_QNUkpZZ5OJuFbmDLDJNU7x5CU3i8gr1pPv/s320/P1010761.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369744173692263650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsYjdarhnRBoYHNZJLSKctKFG6zTt4wRlxuiLfU3_AlsDISLxm39e01nZrMH-3Ycu_pDUluj5RItJlmHrFn-T94A0vtNPD5GrLpHfy-ORm7IqCgtQO_ZnOOR0aIEYTCjQ11mxDPUAKDOqJ/s1600-h/P1010759.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC2Au_SM2J9awskz-Sqb0mtC9eSzBsuP3MVfscgCNnkgW4TGFzqxqnf_hgCLDf-32x7rsU4iRMTlnbidsijAvI4g5BIq3weCC32rF4VWskMhJbCIdCMiSNxX-FVufZEUAekZsXDTLCEH0/s320/P1010735.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369742541130287826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyxYz_p-x4225aicdTaqzRkIqn5nA-vTCi_jewSKZ7u8lf1ZtgaQ6IAvbQvEe6HGqfeoGUIbGPxgvNCDlvmRgyFtQQtVU1Mld7F_vquPqmrfz897LhkqiLpGMmPG7PxUteEJXeVeER-wI/s1600-h/P1010732.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyxYz_p-x4225aicdTaqzRkIqn5nA-vTCi_jewSKZ7u8lf1ZtgaQ6IAvbQvEe6HGqfeoGUIbGPxgvNCDlvmRgyFtQQtVU1Mld7F_vquPqmrfz897LhkqiLpGMmPG7PxUteEJXeVeER-wI/s320/P1010732.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369742535362981586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW2s-TggkqLEpo6PUKD2fpfLjM8e-dqnpckcz4NINa0mLfnHIgo3oBstDUB8E5ArVam-ihhka6Asz1DxxbIbzrhhcJJaYIS8_JYM_hW0-jwzqs3nRTG1na9mueKG-yiibwWbXslGSOmN5/s1600-h/P1010731.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW2s-TggkqLEpo6PUKD2fpfLjM8e-dqnpckcz4NINa0mLfnHIgo3oBstDUB8E5ArVam-ihhka6Asz1DxxbIbzrhhcJJaYIS8_JYM_hW0-jwzqs3nRTG1na9mueKG-yiibwWbXslGSOmN5/s320/P1010731.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369742524772880434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLPl_cvUk0BOgJMQa00hK-xMm0cDpdVAN3chNe6U4ovh89dbmBj209fNhwdo6V_mB7VVVF-LiZCLqmG07vmjEx2bCSyoPMo6jTHRqdlyywurBLpDuVc4SlWPKcSL86aafIx5gb6Dkl5BK/s1600-h/P1010730.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLPl_cvUk0BOgJMQa00hK-xMm0cDpdVAN3chNe6U4ovh89dbmBj209fNhwdo6V_mB7VVVF-LiZCLqmG07vmjEx2bCSyoPMo6jTHRqdlyywurBLpDuVc4SlWPKcSL86aafIx5gb6Dkl5BK/s320/P1010730.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369742516547816562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j63hJUYDMiDE3N3NstVNOdGblYRvHSCLktLbVWwZtPXIl2lOem05MAyPGlhuwjvwIgqDgnHcUgvXiwlsPV_zVCrConYUXPnlICc2BdrcscLfPBV3F42mrD9XNSQbXTOGr8_FqFEglR1v/s1600-h/P1010727.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8j63hJUYDMiDE3N3NstVNOdGblYRvHSCLktLbVWwZtPXIl2lOem05MAyPGlhuwjvwIgqDgnHcUgvXiwlsPV_zVCrConYUXPnlICc2BdrcscLfPBV3F42mrD9XNSQbXTOGr8_FqFEglR1v/s320/P1010727.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369742513144064338" /></a>SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-86018333136088694812009-08-10T11:00:00.008+02:002009-08-10T11:31:25.312+02:00I'm Baaaack!Wow, last post was April 19th? Really, Hayley?<div><br /></div><div>Okay, okay...I apologize for the lack of keeping my blog updated. I have no excuse other than pure laziness. I logged into blogger and half expected for my account to be deleted! I had a very scary close call when I couldn't remember my password! But I'm back in business and will try to do better about keeping up to date. It looks like all of my other blogger friends have put me to shame - it'll take me all day to read your updates. Thank you for your inspiration!</div><div><br /></div><div>Where to start? Since I last left you, I was the Swiss Miss - living in Lugano, Switzerland and loving the Switaly life. That chapter has closed for me, but another new and exciting chapter has begun! After a very fun (and much needed) rechargeable summer in Texas, I have finally made the move to London! So far the weather has been great, although I do think that the UK could invest in a/c for those few months where it can be "hot." </div><div><br /></div><div>I arrived on Wednesday after a fantastic flight (the whole row to myself and on demand movies!). Eason took the day off to pick me up at the airport which was much appreciated. Lots of Hag Bags made this trip! It was so good to see my boy as it had been 7 weeks since I saw him last. But the great news is, the era of "Long Distance Relationship" has ended for us! That was a long 20 months! He had "Welcome Home" flowers for me which are still alive and beautiful even today. It feels so good to see my boyfriend every day and not worry about when the next time will be. :)</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBVt0ELrk1gcgmzmdfWoJk7js-8qTJa1XRALC-4dT0Wx8118ZwTvWjHi7e0twG2KKF0Xkl4vGRL2TBfwZoom5DAnDM9ULdezGzPmI78pI9pG9-5gWkl2yeVxAO-OlHO8wTmMqdAHamDml/s1600-h/P1010678.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBVt0ELrk1gcgmzmdfWoJk7js-8qTJa1XRALC-4dT0Wx8118ZwTvWjHi7e0twG2KKF0Xkl4vGRL2TBfwZoom5DAnDM9ULdezGzPmI78pI9pG9-5gWkl2yeVxAO-OlHO8wTmMqdAHamDml/s320/P1010678.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368263123011673298" /></a><br /></div><div>This weekend was great - it started off with the Great British Beer Fest down in Earl's Court. Talk about a lot of beer from a lot of different places. It was good to hang out with some of Eason's fun workmates! The only thing better than the beer was the fact that there were SO many men there, that for the first time in my life has their ever been a LINE for the men's room and completely open stalls in the women's room. Fantastic! Saturday we walked on down to the Garden Cafe for some yummy breakfast, then spent the rest of the afternoon shopping on Oxford Street. Talk about a place being rammed with people. Good weather sure brings everyone out around here! Then it was home to get ready for Date Night. Date night consisted of Japanese food (first time for me!) and a movie at our local movie theater call the Everyman. In this theater you sit on comfy couches and have a waiter and a full bar! We had dessert and watched "The Proposal" before walking home. It was a great night!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89MLCX6fD4QxK5dW97s2YJELbNT2U8HGr7ad-D-JL66MUPoKDQckJBTiIkSt2Ct5Asdez7iEWe3wYDMLEZMRnppXTQ2AwxfVTwrT0gKAt76bY3Y2S2ftvoBTKDX_VZ1cosyRqFjIw9JQ9/s1600-h/P1010679.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89MLCX6fD4QxK5dW97s2YJELbNT2U8HGr7ad-D-JL66MUPoKDQckJBTiIkSt2Ct5Asdez7iEWe3wYDMLEZMRnppXTQ2AwxfVTwrT0gKAt76bY3Y2S2ftvoBTKDX_VZ1cosyRqFjIw9JQ9/s320/P1010679.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368264026781385378" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mr. Beer Fest</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguq8uIRyrHIqYO2mwb_QK1bAAZj-be9Zk5FnKBgTvOsvpeakqQNMQp2c7iofvuXu3h3HZPabmU-NWDd5oUBwWDCydA1vJGD8HV27dkQnpFOHp6SaD9_wbb8rEC3mK1rKCdC2_8y_0p2Duj/s1600-h/P1010683.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguq8uIRyrHIqYO2mwb_QK1bAAZj-be9Zk5FnKBgTvOsvpeakqQNMQp2c7iofvuXu3h3HZPabmU-NWDd5oUBwWDCydA1vJGD8HV27dkQnpFOHp6SaD9_wbb8rEC3mK1rKCdC2_8y_0p2Duj/s320/P1010683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368264046328513826" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me and Sophie<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hSuTDwNnH6ykHM6oG9w7IEo52eN_CaKLJCkKvJQUPfIcraDxKIjdd7a9CmedNUglaaPC7V8tpzGcSefqSZgME_3bOIhEf3VY_HuBjPkQq4-PE0aqyc0QR4u0LM-WrW2K1iKxlpYMSwxf/s1600-h/P1010681.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hSuTDwNnH6ykHM6oG9w7IEo52eN_CaKLJCkKvJQUPfIcraDxKIjdd7a9CmedNUglaaPC7V8tpzGcSefqSZgME_3bOIhEf3VY_HuBjPkQq4-PE0aqyc0QR4u0LM-WrW2K1iKxlpYMSwxf/s320/P1010681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368264035236120178" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Very Long Que for the Men's Loo!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1yFuj9HqgS7hP-auBkA4UJ0319mzQyzbQunlCy6ohbS-bQO5DBZUA3uoKcNzzvCNyBdT58pLVdMkXvbqNxZEk9vffonmupbi9tvJFQmdI-kDWGRjiNiH398mLxKkJbQY1G36GNZx790r/s1600-h/P1010682.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1yFuj9HqgS7hP-auBkA4UJ0319mzQyzbQunlCy6ohbS-bQO5DBZUA3uoKcNzzvCNyBdT58pLVdMkXvbqNxZEk9vffonmupbi9tvJFQmdI-kDWGRjiNiH398mLxKkJbQY1G36GNZx790r/s320/P1010682.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368264044880137266" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>No Line for the Girls' Loo!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhO2rQ4UGhNR8J1l9r4GQeJi1rbnsMHwQfz2n27srISyLu4I1zC6oHBCsa5rpjEx6Uo6CMAI4K3WkyVl8LrKioOi20-MRSUAReeSpKKIX1SgSVKLdiHWZyTPCVXB-d5LCpyDWeFzMq8T-s/s1600-h/P1010680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhO2rQ4UGhNR8J1l9r4GQeJi1rbnsMHwQfz2n27srISyLu4I1zC6oHBCsa5rpjEx6Uo6CMAI4K3WkyVl8LrKioOi20-MRSUAReeSpKKIX1SgSVKLdiHWZyTPCVXB-d5LCpyDWeFzMq8T-s/s320/P1010680.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368264028874377746" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Eason and the Ladies from Work<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday we lounged around and watched our new flat screen t.v. We have officially hooked up the Slingbox to the big t.v. - football season, watch out! We watched (or shall I say "I watched") So You Think You Can Dance, then switched it over to ESPN for you know who. He is a happy, happy boy to have football back on t.v.! After that we went on a "little run" which turned into a big adventure. I was craving Mexican food already, so after our 2 mile run we decided to catch the nearest tube to a burrito place Eason had been to. Well, of course the first tube stop we came to (2 miles away from the place that we ended of our run) was closed, so we walked another mile to catch a train there. Of course that train would not be stopping at the burrito street stop, so we had to go past it and switch to another train. By that time we decided to abandon the first burrito spot in just go for the back-up at Angel. After no luck finding that place, we stumbled upon Chulango and BINGO! We're talking Chipotle all the way, folks! Very yummy! Only took 2 hours to find but it was worth it! And the best part is, it's near Morgan and Eric so we have now found a new Mexican eating spot to enjoy with our Texas friends!</div><div><br /></div><div>That's all for now. More soon as we have a big week of meeting up with old friends, holiday trips this week, and a birthday surprise for Eason this weekend!</div><div><br /></div><div>Until then!</div><div>Hayley </div><div> </div>SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-82783172569000116992009-04-19T13:06:00.009+02:002009-04-19T15:50:31.715+02:00Rome and AmalfiThe much awaited spring break (much later than I'm used to!) finally arrived, and boy was I ready for it! I had been planning this 2 week trek all across Italy for months and I couldn't wait to start it off on Saturday with a trip to Rome with Eason. This was the first long vacation we have ever taken together (besides going back to the US). It was really fun to get to experience Rome together. It's one of my most favorite places in the whole world, and I was excited about showing Eas around. Despite the earthquake (kind of scary) and us getting immediately ripped off by an unlicensed cab driver (crazy how they can speak perfect English until they are trying to scam you, then it's ALLLLL Italian), the trip was tons of fun! We ate lots of pizza and gelato and walked all over the city. Some highlights were the Borghese Park in Rome (on our way to Borghese Gallery), spending some time on the Spanish Steps at night (how romantic!) and going to the Vatican before the Easter crowd came the next week. We also got to go to the Colosseum and Roman Forum - my favorite! The weather was great and we both got some much needed (and hard to find in Europe) sun!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjBNzVNlDLSMeo8xmpuZaku3Jfy8YLoW6w8YinE9E42r2Wq0f3JvJCky30SJn-csOlzN-P5ybHTfESm3WUvSpXPHhxK-CFsmed5xVt8Ix842K6kwyev-CzN6fLTVcSGM5PR5vlV7mB6VA/s1600-h/P1000254.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjBNzVNlDLSMeo8xmpuZaku3Jfy8YLoW6w8YinE9E42r2Wq0f3JvJCky30SJn-csOlzN-P5ybHTfESm3WUvSpXPHhxK-CFsmed5xVt8Ix842K6kwyev-CzN6fLTVcSGM5PR5vlV7mB6VA/s320/P1000254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326366682503010930" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Roman Forum</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQcM4oKDXXNP31aRPENCQaTbJm4b3Gku4rii9xAExKXmrbtPbW0vIW4hDaMhp_4bGkWfjz0KvwNPQb-tm_8JRqobjuCSqvS4bLFfTQcbs1XKebLavar5gU-vGczxrtPUD42j-aPnCcMFY/s1600-h/P1000257.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQcM4oKDXXNP31aRPENCQaTbJm4b3Gku4rii9xAExKXmrbtPbW0vIW4hDaMhp_4bGkWfjz0KvwNPQb-tm_8JRqobjuCSqvS4bLFfTQcbs1XKebLavar5gU-vGczxrtPUD42j-aPnCcMFY/s320/P1000257.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326366674423878978" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me and Eas in front of the Roman Forum</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOCggf6DNrJlNFVPkB7Xf-TBBTsI_-MFmmBj8oLN5QhuL0IZjx9uNdn3Q5-AzfWA1qK7Pj0BR0IX9J-r54nfU7v-HlFaWmbEhdZqMaf-p5D4KHnoIk3pAFFLXjJFK7S-K_-5lj_CKODU4/s1600-h/P1000203.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOCggf6DNrJlNFVPkB7Xf-TBBTsI_-MFmmBj8oLN5QhuL0IZjx9uNdn3Q5-AzfWA1qK7Pj0BR0IX9J-r54nfU7v-HlFaWmbEhdZqMaf-p5D4KHnoIk3pAFFLXjJFK7S-K_-5lj_CKODU4/s320/P1000203.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326366671975441154" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In front of the Pantheon</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsOThTdih6kBogl-eqMqqlxFbZRmPOU_SN2nqLvPdpkFUPGcYHihYYZWzlKTusEpGY5ZNhbO0j7104lvWxRQ-xq9cCdYmK0FBqRj0nli86zO4Kkgx7qCbIBZ_XY30HmAXYwutFUwZ_jST/s1600-h/P1000187.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsOThTdih6kBogl-eqMqqlxFbZRmPOU_SN2nqLvPdpkFUPGcYHihYYZWzlKTusEpGY5ZNhbO0j7104lvWxRQ-xq9cCdYmK0FBqRj0nli86zO4Kkgx7qCbIBZ_XY30HmAXYwutFUwZ_jST/s320/P1000187.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326366667423733890" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Making a Wish at the Trevi Fountain</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv4SwOQCi_5Ne-vroPdA4eCcC2OAZqwoZ1ZrTgtzpeODg0EFATj2XZd8pWIhSytux1SEo2JzXu3QHgxUnQlM9qqd2jjfaZ2HnU2_jb0lRMJYaQCNaCYTOIaemAEvc_eUvChhvIm1qPZ1j/s1600-h/P1000340.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLv4SwOQCi_5Ne-vroPdA4eCcC2OAZqwoZ1ZrTgtzpeODg0EFATj2XZd8pWIhSytux1SEo2JzXu3QHgxUnQlM9qqd2jjfaZ2HnU2_jb0lRMJYaQCNaCYTOIaemAEvc_eUvChhvIm1qPZ1j/s320/P1000340.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326370256183598450" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In front of the Vatican</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz1ev-RbVEkCxtOxN-KO-OaFx6xofsgbPWGY1oiJLpPM4Jonz5NmJPKROrnaMa2-762cft7AqLFFapkM7UuKfc6yvL-gw201cbMLIW4n3TLOh_GJ1djJl1CGZz2-ApSGC2KtpzCbbHiht/s1600-h/P1000306.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz1ev-RbVEkCxtOxN-KO-OaFx6xofsgbPWGY1oiJLpPM4Jonz5NmJPKROrnaMa2-762cft7AqLFFapkM7UuKfc6yvL-gw201cbMLIW4n3TLOh_GJ1djJl1CGZz2-ApSGC2KtpzCbbHiht/s320/P1000306.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326370252333370898" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me in front of the Pantheon</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrGIIJHnLnkgko1HAtxZkqSIp_mi1O58B0QuXhNJxsuDtMolYbdkF8YuJJJWgqhn-qPdNXQ7ZKm3a7GJtq4KcmfI3NwDoWnPYfr5huGgrsgJ1mC1CGJOGZJoCx4KbUblM5jAZMLeuAxsP/s1600-h/P1000298.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrGIIJHnLnkgko1HAtxZkqSIp_mi1O58B0QuXhNJxsuDtMolYbdkF8YuJJJWgqhn-qPdNXQ7ZKm3a7GJtq4KcmfI3NwDoWnPYfr5huGgrsgJ1mC1CGJOGZJoCx4KbUblM5jAZMLeuAxsP/s320/P1000298.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326370247329740930" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>My favorite cross in Rome - at Colosseum</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuDC7o4OzOzkxTErupyyw269qlF37-RZJuph_Goyv-FaMT_O3UbNPwM8VslDLvImy-nFcciIDiPA0QWCgnCm4Hz96u59LBSxkx0_d2vIuUlSYlX_n1Rtivma2Pk4nD30UUgUnAs6zH9Cf/s1600-h/P1000293.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuDC7o4OzOzkxTErupyyw269qlF37-RZJuph_Goyv-FaMT_O3UbNPwM8VslDLvImy-nFcciIDiPA0QWCgnCm4Hz96u59LBSxkx0_d2vIuUlSYlX_n1Rtivma2Pk4nD30UUgUnAs6zH9Cf/s320/P1000293.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326370245640792770" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me and Eason on a sunny day in the Colosseum</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR3pzYZAb6udgn5PeRFgxuf1JJuA90h5L5BQ9IYpVYr9lanbeYGDyChNWl9tzmzuq3udSYPgUcdu6Z18C6MBQPPhZRhSHmBvfRhRc2U1NxVqsZU3uZrn23vJ4mmwEMaG5U_8AaSdg_hHW/s1600-h/P1000292.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR3pzYZAb6udgn5PeRFgxuf1JJuA90h5L5BQ9IYpVYr9lanbeYGDyChNWl9tzmzuq3udSYPgUcdu6Z18C6MBQPPhZRhSHmBvfRhRc2U1NxVqsZU3uZrn23vJ4mmwEMaG5U_8AaSdg_hHW/s320/P1000292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326370241880336066" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Colosseum!</span><br /><br /><br />On Tuesday we trained down to Salerno (Amalfi Coast). Our plan was to drive down the windy roads of the coast all the way to the city of Sorrento. Eason was very excited about driving 007 style (too bad the roads are way too windy and crowded for all of that)! But that didn't stop him from singing the James Bond theme the entire way. It was a beautiful, sunny day and an absolutely breathtaking ride. I tried (unsuccessfully) to take pictures, but most of the time I only got the car window...and the windy roads were making me a bit sick! Check out the picture of the big tour buses sharing the road with us measly little cars. They actually had to honk when coming around sharp corners so that the cars around the corner (and out of sight) would stop and let them come through first. I held my breath a lot on this drive!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxs8eviz6LMYYQi6KfYzoBDTAsZTHuBle_LQ3M0YEtcYYstxgdXuQ-qGY6lhQfOtIlApYbeAiFKHMryXMtZ-w7wmSGbjEle7iYan_kj-xm2OqJBdEuiZ4QkLa9VhDlBe6m0-jJ8pxjzxTx/s1600-h/P1000417.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxs8eviz6LMYYQi6KfYzoBDTAsZTHuBle_LQ3M0YEtcYYstxgdXuQ-qGY6lhQfOtIlApYbeAiFKHMryXMtZ-w7wmSGbjEle7iYan_kj-xm2OqJBdEuiZ4QkLa9VhDlBe6m0-jJ8pxjzxTx/s320/P1000417.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326373413502142162" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The drive on the Amalfi Coast</span><br /><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdygWRB2sT5SrcFxnVyWcDjQbeyckHMoIWPHfjUIoPFWGmHGDQs9YIDeaqNv9dDoGOGp0RLsUSpGWPUlxkysLSZ2i8wJOMbBGS8xtedTwuAfE3RlylKUccfjvfdgJT7HzA1iw0rgM5ya3x/s1600-h/P1000379.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdygWRB2sT5SrcFxnVyWcDjQbeyckHMoIWPHfjUIoPFWGmHGDQs9YIDeaqNv9dDoGOGp0RLsUSpGWPUlxkysLSZ2i8wJOMbBGS8xtedTwuAfE3RlylKUccfjvfdgJT7HzA1iw0rgM5ya3x/s320/P1000379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326373408908039570" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>A tight squeeze!</span></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNcy3SYMFSawFELQqWFiMhiud1nvvWFlchhR4JVMb0exp1sXwBAKpguMjMm_3VEtX5Ba8dNR7NuuXlOhChydnx6w_FiFRABONUtECkuc62FtmF4TOPXtx2i2TtMaapw4v1F9kxcrZvCor/s1600-h/P1000415.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCNcy3SYMFSawFELQqWFiMhiud1nvvWFlchhR4JVMb0exp1sXwBAKpguMjMm_3VEtX5Ba8dNR7NuuXlOhChydnx6w_FiFRABONUtECkuc62FtmF4TOPXtx2i2TtMaapw4v1F9kxcrZvCor/s320/P1000415.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326373407150814978" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>007 Driver</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg92EhG82TDJpi_CKGP1KHkg1JtFpOmX9nmdgTDy7WlDyiUXoZpLDHoqo7VQAHK6GDuaVdKIjgLwqrvW6XvsNHv0vaYUKQA07OUU3zf9JmzWlPARxBOL9ZhXCPGknpL6g_NB8Stfh4oV5Q/s1600-h/P1000447.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg92EhG82TDJpi_CKGP1KHkg1JtFpOmX9nmdgTDy7WlDyiUXoZpLDHoqo7VQAHK6GDuaVdKIjgLwqrvW6XvsNHv0vaYUKQA07OUU3zf9JmzWlPARxBOL9ZhXCPGknpL6g_NB8Stfh4oV5Q/s320/P1000447.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326373421695353298" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Beautiful Sunset in Sorrento</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrw-zB0rQh4y5OCzeiyIYM939kdMQgUAFiToG7gLqxqSJxViU2rShBDGqQncuO0g7QEIt-gX-HnlWrMKuM6nwPqAQkQxqc-3HM3y19hMDKiuycZQw01A5BLuJVbxIk4SXOu2gqPsF_Uoz/s1600-h/P1000439.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrw-zB0rQh4y5OCzeiyIYM939kdMQgUAFiToG7gLqxqSJxViU2rShBDGqQncuO0g7QEIt-gX-HnlWrMKuM6nwPqAQkQxqc-3HM3y19hMDKiuycZQw01A5BLuJVbxIk4SXOu2gqPsF_Uoz/s320/P1000439.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326373419255571938" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sunset in Sorrento</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhCC-XdxhQOow6M-iLRl16ixYlgP_2eFSaiKKBR4knvsjNtW5YD1SoyM_R99jsFXvAzbfmnQMY7GH4Ybn3Rh1KthLHnOS_-owXYvnYCoESjgyR5QDU3HEP6Jhy7Ud6CJ90AFA7Fzzydzc/s1600-h/P1000557.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfhCC-XdxhQOow6M-iLRl16ixYlgP_2eFSaiKKBR4knvsjNtW5YD1SoyM_R99jsFXvAzbfmnQMY7GH4Ybn3Rh1KthLHnOS_-owXYvnYCoESjgyR5QDU3HEP6Jhy7Ud6CJ90AFA7Fzzydzc/s320/P1000557.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326376714235460082" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me and Hil doing some Rock Climbing</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg1M5wDfhhXRalDDKzCy4UtBhb4qCt0HkXO-JYVRUrZAHmFITKhMClEcJMG3ZYfBpTQX-TReuC-NJwx5dQCJ1YUu7NlBspD3UttUQPfLjfU_XwUAQG_B2PbRHLdnIGjpNsJg5juKB4Aoz/s1600-h/P1000541.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlg1M5wDfhhXRalDDKzCy4UtBhb4qCt0HkXO-JYVRUrZAHmFITKhMClEcJMG3ZYfBpTQX-TReuC-NJwx5dQCJ1YUu7NlBspD3UttUQPfLjfU_XwUAQG_B2PbRHLdnIGjpNsJg5juKB4Aoz/s320/P1000541.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326376707927604850" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Hanging out in Sorrento</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrmp_jvVBkbMmNBSaaKfRC8OhLEriWRwetiw6QDg3W8BiY5o6GztNQwb6AyKI1s1ZXMT74Ov36Eh9oGq-x5Cbe3WF9s_dbQSDhAPe_rgfqU4JPP-VsWdPclRFR4wZkdvenhNC1wpboZRP/s1600-h/P1000506.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrmp_jvVBkbMmNBSaaKfRC8OhLEriWRwetiw6QDg3W8BiY5o6GztNQwb6AyKI1s1ZXMT74Ov36Eh9oGq-x5Cbe3WF9s_dbQSDhAPe_rgfqU4JPP-VsWdPclRFR4wZkdvenhNC1wpboZRP/s320/P1000506.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326376704350925218" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I'm so Happy my Sister Came!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZD-dhUJkjcgHuvh-iJc-zzH2f-Ffn9n3HNSyyP3mQB8o7WZyOCjvg7bt4DMrSDmt2pe92QyDqt1q5m7aS0SekdpuXNw27gugge9LmE0I3N5LSj6fD5qaUKq_TzxIGVrrYTyzy8FQdAb1/s1600-h/P1000481.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZD-dhUJkjcgHuvh-iJc-zzH2f-Ffn9n3HNSyyP3mQB8o7WZyOCjvg7bt4DMrSDmt2pe92QyDqt1q5m7aS0SekdpuXNw27gugge9LmE0I3N5LSj6fD5qaUKq_TzxIGVrrYTyzy8FQdAb1/s320/P1000481.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326376700160739666" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me and Eas looking down on Sorrento</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh8yXKFnM1bo7kHy5YJ_XvLssJEml8raDApZUwwibPgMlk5qQWlU_q9zI9L3CIkz6t8QUXwEo6xnYZ6nAwdvXACYoGBIKvvBeweShMjrzPsKzS1N6G51QZZ21k1NS5yIZqgQ-G3SbpaxI/s1600-h/P1000480.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVh8yXKFnM1bo7kHy5YJ_XvLssJEml8raDApZUwwibPgMlk5qQWlU_q9zI9L3CIkz6t8QUXwEo6xnYZ6nAwdvXACYoGBIKvvBeweShMjrzPsKzS1N6G51QZZ21k1NS5yIZqgQ-G3SbpaxI/s320/P1000480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326376697359370770" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sorrento</span><br /><br /><br />Friday came around and it was time to head to Amalfi. The 4 musketeers loaded up in the small European rent car (it wasn't a sports car, though Eason will tell the story as if it is)...we had bags everywhere! I cranked up the Itunes on my computer (better than Italian pop music) and down the coast we went! We stayed the night in Amalfi, but didn't see much of the town. After we checked in we were taken to our rooms. Sounds easy enough, only the elevator was only big enough for one person and 2 bags, and our rooms were in the apartment "only a few feet away." Yeah. Right. Only a few feet, 8 flights of stairs, through a door, on to a rooftop, through another door, up more stairs and into a completely different building. Mad props to the boys for carrying most of the (heavy) luggage. Us Haglund girls aren't great packers. :)<br /><br />As soon as that feat was accomplished, it was time to find some relaxation. We walked about 20 feet from our hotel where we found a little outdoor bar. Perfect - we'll have a beer then explore the town. "Have a Large beer?" asked the waiter. Sure, why the heck not...that drive down the coast was stressful! Well one large beer turned into 2 (that and the fact that we me some fellow Texans at the table next to us). At first we were slapping ourselves on the wrist for not going out and exploring the city more, but then we got to experience something really special. Turns out Amalfi was holding their annual Good Friday processional that night and we ended up with front row seats! The businesses turned off all of their lights and lit candles. The streets got very quiet and all of the sudden we heard the sound of singers. There must have been 200 people involved in this awesome processional. I felt like we were witnessing a very private and special town tradition. I love how much religion is still a part of their lives. What an awesome experience!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoez-p7v_KxZJeJopFIL9XgzGLnVrv9WGzcSFYwxW0UWoLm4VCt4eljTYZSuFZ0nmtBpMNvMRjMMX40ZVVlybFxWm1oZw-h4bKBA6wPW0HmUC83QIVBU3BcjmeLBCpvUWMKN-w8qGVEr-I/s1600-h/P1000592.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoez-p7v_KxZJeJopFIL9XgzGLnVrv9WGzcSFYwxW0UWoLm4VCt4eljTYZSuFZ0nmtBpMNvMRjMMX40ZVVlybFxWm1oZw-h4bKBA6wPW0HmUC83QIVBU3BcjmeLBCpvUWMKN-w8qGVEr-I/s320/P1000592.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326383506426332274" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">The Group in Amalfi</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vOFEkXrD0sQXERBWKT0icp-aSkckQCEU67exIFKAC9uVDOiFmgN0o8pNRAPW2eKObDZ9vOgEO-AavMOU0MnEemf09FbnlP0q0iQaasQ9bC0pF4edpc2fdPKds57OVKP3o-GL9VtVoIJS/s1600-h/P1000591.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vOFEkXrD0sQXERBWKT0icp-aSkckQCEU67exIFKAC9uVDOiFmgN0o8pNRAPW2eKObDZ9vOgEO-AavMOU0MnEemf09FbnlP0q0iQaasQ9bC0pF4edpc2fdPKds57OVKP3o-GL9VtVoIJS/s320/P1000591.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326383504950250962" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Me and Sis Drinking a Texas Sized Beer</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY66W4DbOzbisgQ1POqehiBSUIpTUroV68d7zmCxyTlBsStHw8zluCUDxpYlEM6lDkQUdEdD5-BBj6kn4nO2Run_y0VfYdtPHAao61zxJfox8DsUanlPLURepQg-jutEMUCb-ADZVwQU8/s1600-h/P1000589.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJY66W4DbOzbisgQ1POqehiBSUIpTUroV68d7zmCxyTlBsStHw8zluCUDxpYlEM6lDkQUdEdD5-BBj6kn4nO2Run_y0VfYdtPHAao61zxJfox8DsUanlPLURepQg-jutEMUCb-ADZVwQU8/s320/P1000589.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326383500112569042" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Me and Eas in Amalfi<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z9qrsTYM1LjeenLncFpaNHrxRev6VmYDAiKFpSOhncRg1zgab0_PxUjKBYpaeQmRsXYcuwaCIrHFdEm_AiirBdS0J2JVFvSSVHMqHiaFUEBrBoySAmBHKBDTSfcX1GDrgo1Mg7aVhlJ4/s1600-h/P1000638.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Z9qrsTYM1LjeenLncFpaNHrxRev6VmYDAiKFpSOhncRg1zgab0_PxUjKBYpaeQmRsXYcuwaCIrHFdEm_AiirBdS0J2JVFvSSVHMqHiaFUEBrBoySAmBHKBDTSfcX1GDrgo1Mg7aVhlJ4/s320/P1000638.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326383516258369810" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Good Friday Processional in Amalfi</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bPuOR8ubw-1fq6CcGC9evHNKUoiiC1pT53loawIWKrRpS91BHXxiJ56sHPiyKuXreNvOe0JvfiQzfUA4MBIKnEZW464yhwP-MpQtT6vSuMhPrV7emaZefRSrFHhz2-yXYx_ZQVqP6hWZ/s1600-h/P1000653.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0bPuOR8ubw-1fq6CcGC9evHNKUoiiC1pT53loawIWKrRpS91BHXxiJ56sHPiyKuXreNvOe0JvfiQzfUA4MBIKnEZW464yhwP-MpQtT6vSuMhPrV7emaZefRSrFHhz2-yXYx_ZQVqP6hWZ/s320/P1000653.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326383511757804002" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Good Friday Processional in Amalfi</span><br /><br />Then back to Rome we went, where Dad and Lisa were meeting us. After an amazing Easter weekend in Rome, Eas headed back to London and the rest of us headed north to Florence. Following Florence, Dad, Lisa and I went to Milan to check out The Last Supper before heading to Lugano. More on these adventures in the next post!<br /><br />Ciao ciao!</div>SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-4216301594276637062009-04-02T16:39:00.006+02:002009-04-02T17:39:09.520+02:00Mom and Marty Do Europe (and Other Visitors!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhX3bDbuYjfe6b8PbJOQUbJsZxbkSg1LXjnpeYqmoFlQCrsjpx25-pmqNreu1DJbhv91sR_9RyHRCNR3QFpFzIWrgU3v3HrqlqqJEapkgZ8HbStJNqM7vdih4ztVYaxxAKREGm2r2k0WC/s1600-h/P1000016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhX3bDbuYjfe6b8PbJOQUbJsZxbkSg1LXjnpeYqmoFlQCrsjpx25-pmqNreu1DJbhv91sR_9RyHRCNR3QFpFzIWrgU3v3HrqlqqJEapkgZ8HbStJNqM7vdih4ztVYaxxAKREGm2r2k0WC/s320/P1000016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320105653478919890" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mom and Marty in Lugano</span><br /><br />These are very exciting times. My parents (Mom and Marty) came to visit. Normally this would be huge (I miss my momma) but it was an even BIGGER deal considering the fact that neither Mom or Marty had ever been abroad before! And boy are they hooked! Marty, for sure! He particularly like the laid back, easy-going Italian lifestyle. I think he could have been happy as a clam just sitting on my nice, sunny porch all day, every day! It didn’t hurt that the weather was absolutely beautiful that week. Nearly 70 degrees and sunny the whole time! It hasn’t been like that before or since, so I’m quite sure they brought it with them (and took it home)!<br /><br />When they showed up with about 10 bags my jaw hit the floor. What in the world are you doing with so many bags?! Turns out one of them held my very important diplomas needed for my UK Visa application, and the other bag was entirely full of American goodies (also very much needed)! We’re talking Starburst, Chex-mix, Skittles, Rotel, Velveeta, GIRL SCOUT COOKIES…oh my, was I a happy girl!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfLHVuNrGSCSlFMGkLSLvg0PHk-fAucUVqc4reEnSkQRXqaFm4bkhTpqRaudwA_yaNygLs8TQ8qFVDOSdkPSwRkkFmjIQyl97F8ug1XV9fm3yj5BbP5sIeKu9rHevhRCh4sXQT4FD2X0m/s1600-h/P1000008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfLHVuNrGSCSlFMGkLSLvg0PHk-fAucUVqc4reEnSkQRXqaFm4bkhTpqRaudwA_yaNygLs8TQ8qFVDOSdkPSwRkkFmjIQyl97F8ug1XV9fm3yj5BbP5sIeKu9rHevhRCh4sXQT4FD2X0m/s320/P1000008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320105651165039778" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>M/M Eating Yummy Gelato in Downtown Lugano</span><br /><br />I took Mom and Marty down to Lugano one day and up the funicular (like a cable car that takes you up the mountain) to see the beautiful views of Lugano and this area another day. We also went to Como for a day which was great fun! We really lucked out on the weather. So relaxing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6G83uWNUiZEU86mRY763UugOANJ7ppKC_aia268DBqBfFfTAIMka_8SDl9a_fnDStKUMGW7UABJ2emiI3V0_wJoIHNviQ61AkrE1YTeqWS8UdNNUehQUtyKG2GFZgswdcd669kNra6rs/s1600-h/P1000072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6G83uWNUiZEU86mRY763UugOANJ7ppKC_aia268DBqBfFfTAIMka_8SDl9a_fnDStKUMGW7UABJ2emiI3V0_wJoIHNviQ61AkrE1YTeqWS8UdNNUehQUtyKG2GFZgswdcd669kNra6rs/s320/P1000072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320105669406456738" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">View of Lugano from San Salvatore Mountain (Funicular ride)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dPelgohVS5AzdI7zKeU6rLAuC551ao3RLXvn7gO146cRfCkmRBA6RhXBO6SK23fZszN0nQYQdKOWDBH8KeZSvtaYytZSaQ4OoJU_ruCCG5qfG-PULFqcgm31jMKWLTmrZhiis9YrhyHz/s1600-h/P1000036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dPelgohVS5AzdI7zKeU6rLAuC551ao3RLXvn7gO146cRfCkmRBA6RhXBO6SK23fZszN0nQYQdKOWDBH8KeZSvtaYytZSaQ4OoJU_ruCCG5qfG-PULFqcgm31jMKWLTmrZhiis9YrhyHz/s320/P1000036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320105660902436738" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Mom in front of the Duomo in Como</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxan5lFFuEyy45x0HoybDUhBubujeq3kTEALP45EiknpmhLBuYglgNXM16lJ7JjkVaxQOxUpC9p6wy9uyuY4l7q-uBkdyODflHzzOuEM-7ukgvyO9OoSdorEAxJ8sDiiX20RxXHvYi53CW/s1600-h/P1000058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxan5lFFuEyy45x0HoybDUhBubujeq3kTEALP45EiknpmhLBuYglgNXM16lJ7JjkVaxQOxUpC9p6wy9uyuY4l7q-uBkdyODflHzzOuEM-7ukgvyO9OoSdorEAxJ8sDiiX20RxXHvYi53CW/s320/P1000058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320105658794632498" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me and Mom in Bellagio</span><br /><br />The days that I was working, Mom and Marty went on little day adventures. Having never traveled via public transportation, I gotta tell you I was so proud of them! They took boats, trains, planes, busses…they did it all! They really enjoyed the castles of Bellinzona and especially Lucerne. They also got to see the Last Supper and Duomo in Milan which was a real highlight for them.<br /><br />The last weekend of their trip I took Mom and Marty to see the City of Lights – London! Eas had plans for us on Friday night and met us at the train station. He really was a great tour guide all weekend! We had some yummy meals (Turkish and Brazilian!) and even got to meet up with Morgs and Eric and Adam. It was such a fun time! Saturday night we went to see “Wicked” which I loved! Mom and Marty stayed at the newly renovated Langham Hotel near Oxford Circus. Wow, what a treat, let me tell you! We even got access to the VIP lounge which provided snacks and cocktails to us for free. It was so nice!<br />I was so sad to see them go. We had such a blast! It was nice to have my mom here to calm my nerves and clean my house (like only moms can!). But alas, they had to go home and I had to go to Geneva! I don’t know that I’ve wide publicized this, but a couple of months ago I was offered a teaching job in London! I haven’t told many people about it because it was all contingent upon whether or not I could get a work visa to work and live there. It’s not quite as easily done as you might think. Apparently they are limiting the number of people who come in to work/live because of the bad economy. So bad timing on my part but oh well!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXl4eOvn6s_RrB5_q-fX6mwCpDxMliNH53YEfqUkSu6ukGTZWSH64-unvVuNZsC3rfZVRwNwuQRvQHypXNXZV4It-RbLOZWR_ib9fwBr4tolxx7APScfHPEleRSgNHr_73qaOBgSk5U_A/s1600-h/P1000127_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXl4eOvn6s_RrB5_q-fX6mwCpDxMliNH53YEfqUkSu6ukGTZWSH64-unvVuNZsC3rfZVRwNwuQRvQHypXNXZV4It-RbLOZWR_ib9fwBr4tolxx7APScfHPEleRSgNHr_73qaOBgSk5U_A/s320/P1000127_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320108070008869346" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Four of us Soaking up the Sun in London</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW6x8AqL-8WGGty6mGSPMS2kuOcfEU8fhsWEbfBOQ9kX8KJ6jAje5Rfww6FZouq5ngkIYRnBtEzFbGHBUm9CUl64bL6_cENQmlAu2GNjzKLWStby_v8AuJ3Qbjg3OOzWBUWuo2iD9iMFT/s1600-h/P1000126.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXW6x8AqL-8WGGty6mGSPMS2kuOcfEU8fhsWEbfBOQ9kX8KJ6jAje5Rfww6FZouq5ngkIYRnBtEzFbGHBUm9CUl64bL6_cENQmlAu2GNjzKLWStby_v8AuJ3Qbjg3OOzWBUWuo2iD9iMFT/s320/P1000126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320108066993190418" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me and Eas in my Future City!</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKp2PK76tVsYXWYjO1sAh94L80qCFF9R8LwerYnnZEVNpQ4LGmNzRa8Scj5YTGkNi-PlOwMZ3xjPD3xgpnUrRt02fbgfwXssPWDpFmXbZ9tcUzDBKT9AEzoHMuyflH7t89YpaCP9FUqYj/s1600-h/P1000124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKp2PK76tVsYXWYjO1sAh94L80qCFF9R8LwerYnnZEVNpQ4LGmNzRa8Scj5YTGkNi-PlOwMZ3xjPD3xgpnUrRt02fbgfwXssPWDpFmXbZ9tcUzDBKT9AEzoHMuyflH7t89YpaCP9FUqYj/s320/P1000124.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320108065731539826" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The London Eye and Thames River</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpmXtqmk0hglmAZoH95lTqblKUqSj82lJTjBuPiugtW3HE8EqncvGJvKPlj_rueRzV7Nh35JyQ-95v0-swzItnpOruV57lgIVeD5X5VG_FXAH6d4yHRaghAtS-8HY68UT2G7vkhWhcku3/s1600-h/P1000123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpmXtqmk0hglmAZoH95lTqblKUqSj82lJTjBuPiugtW3HE8EqncvGJvKPlj_rueRzV7Nh35JyQ-95v0-swzItnpOruV57lgIVeD5X5VG_FXAH6d4yHRaghAtS-8HY68UT2G7vkhWhcku3/s320/P1000123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320108063748586850" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me and Momma</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVuoXdkj4QDSLNoYRB-9JbdtO8e8CJhXLwJKmKUdkUGYmU9dHF7jOZZ5FhD7vG2LFKUm6PEpzdQ8KpQbTh1jiU9gUreuP8jaIs7FZkAp5VgMHZSZfbSPVXWZ27OBppmp_dHspDPXSvpfK/s1600-h/P1000120.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVuoXdkj4QDSLNoYRB-9JbdtO8e8CJhXLwJKmKUdkUGYmU9dHF7jOZZ5FhD7vG2LFKUm6PEpzdQ8KpQbTh1jiU9gUreuP8jaIs7FZkAp5VgMHZSZfbSPVXWZ27OBppmp_dHspDPXSvpfK/s320/P1000120.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320108056852174498" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Eas in front of my New School: Southbank!</span><br /><br />So on the day that M/M left, I took a VERY early flight to Geneva from London so I could FINALLY turn in my UK Visa<br />Application and all of the documents. This has been quite the process (as everything had to be in it’s original form – bank statements, diplomas, pay slips, etc). It really got down to the wire as I was waiting on a Fed-Ex package from Dad that arrived 30 minutes before I took off! Wow! But the bottom line is, I turned it all in and was on a train back to Lugano that afternoon. Sadly enough the whole process to get to Geneva and back to Lugano took as long as my parents’ trip back to Lufkin!<br /><br /><br />I have never been to Geneva so it was nice to get to see the city (even if for just a few hours). The train ride back was absolutely beautiful, too! Long, but beautiful! The problem with turning in my application was that they had to keep my passport for anywhere from 4 days to 3 weeks. You can imagine how unsettling of a feeling that is when you’re a foreigner living in a country other than your own!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQbPtUNWn308UNTNIYZgTtKP3iCx-51Y04VpOoJhz_w5Jw8bC93D0JOhoCZbqlxySp2llwWYi54Yz_Aez7vUcWWj-yHP_VLcxKeb59u1XUsm0qHmzOUkhC2j9nv-RsbzymGp6WmdlwkW1/s1600-h/P1000134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQbPtUNWn308UNTNIYZgTtKP3iCx-51Y04VpOoJhz_w5Jw8bC93D0JOhoCZbqlxySp2llwWYi54Yz_Aez7vUcWWj-yHP_VLcxKeb59u1XUsm0qHmzOUkhC2j9nv-RsbzymGp6WmdlwkW1/s320/P1000134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320113689120040434" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Lake Geneva</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVIAzpXZbSpHaga6ekldZLwQ7GBlHznNa1mpAB3tQCxvHMWSKtSxHkEZOyK3NrHow5CMdKci4up8yOyLxb_GChs9nC3OD8H4PApZjQXCuMQb6yy5G4hfYDzkrcjviKajy0ZXoDSsevIWq/s1600-h/P1000145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVIAzpXZbSpHaga6ekldZLwQ7GBlHznNa1mpAB3tQCxvHMWSKtSxHkEZOyK3NrHow5CMdKci4up8yOyLxb_GChs9nC3OD8H4PApZjQXCuMQb6yy5G4hfYDzkrcjviKajy0ZXoDSsevIWq/s320/P1000145.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320113694727944450" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Notre Dame of Geneva</span><br /><br />But I’m happy to say I got my visa! They called not 3 days later and said my passport was ready to be picked up. It was a nerve-racking trip to head back up there without knowing my fate, but luckily I had nothing to worry about. Now inside my passport is a lovely visa permit to work in the U.K. for 3 years! No worries, I’m not planning on staying there that long but it’s nice to know I have the option. I am now accepting London visitors to Casa Hag in London next year. Please come visit!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyknh7OBTfin07Nd3lK18aPPfcdOjREsrD5rMU_2LzG0TQyLHK6JthKCSyZkgEzH_pnFh72EgufF_kf3mT5pLYu29FdAYFZuWy95nt7UC-arcWcQesovclp6CEfe4Q9Omd83FpYV9fXt1/s1600-h/P1000170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyknh7OBTfin07Nd3lK18aPPfcdOjREsrD5rMU_2LzG0TQyLHK6JthKCSyZkgEzH_pnFh72EgufF_kf3mT5pLYu29FdAYFZuWy95nt7UC-arcWcQesovclp6CEfe4Q9Omd83FpYV9fXt1/s320/P1000170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320113703529251522" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>My Train Ride Back to Lugano from Geneva<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOt0lp2I_mKYiZR-wBZfBwGekpGeTZzvcILD0Ws6mg-RcRpeTJOGQgiyAIKh2je9c5VxNgAThrbv7YwCSAf30lsesbpRIaZSuTZX7OzR5ypsYtFSeAH34aYzONnBkIH9Y5CRHXLCfuygr/s1600-h/P1000159.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitOt0lp2I_mKYiZR-wBZfBwGekpGeTZzvcILD0Ws6mg-RcRpeTJOGQgiyAIKh2je9c5VxNgAThrbv7YwCSAf30lsesbpRIaZSuTZX7OzR5ypsYtFSeAH34aYzONnBkIH9Y5CRHXLCfuygr/s320/P1000159.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320113695854651938" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Glacier near Zurich</span><br /><br />Next on the list of visitors were Jenni and Darin. They arrived the day I got back from Geneva. They were in Italy on a trip with their Dad, Liz, Jacque and Kevin, and were nice enough to pop on over the border to come see me (I didn’t think I’d have my passport back in time to travel to Italy)! It was so great having them here (even if just for a night). They picked the best time to come (Lugano Chocolate Festival was going on!) but didn’t get to see how beautiful it was due to all of the rain. But none-the-less we had lots of good pizza and lots of good wine (and lots of good chocolate and fun, of course too)!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA8ciDSQMCkynbD3fnk75GqWYBbYg54k7wGGw-c8Hd7QTLrt1gzNHKTygKYbk8fReSSok4RcZA5TIM-19atJioKjfp74TD3Izkzwi9EpDhvC4llQtkskySzKV7Dm44DT1Cq5cGwo-tVW5/s1600-h/P1000179.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA8ciDSQMCkynbD3fnk75GqWYBbYg54k7wGGw-c8Hd7QTLrt1gzNHKTygKYbk8fReSSok4RcZA5TIM-19atJioKjfp74TD3Izkzwi9EpDhvC4llQtkskySzKV7Dm44DT1Cq5cGwo-tVW5/s320/P1000179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320117577331410962" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Jenni and Darin at the Lugano Chocolate Festival</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lUMIe8z8WXedA31-gOUguk1YrviB94RDBBpnoqp-5pqo311INc43s7aGX_MGtt9hInnm5OxdO87V11ZaZVzQq9dF_5bE0cSzV1DB-_XqRhQcB311uIDqJpvmlzr30i5vtHhx2N9bxNwz/s1600-h/P1000180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lUMIe8z8WXedA31-gOUguk1YrviB94RDBBpnoqp-5pqo311INc43s7aGX_MGtt9hInnm5OxdO87V11ZaZVzQq9dF_5bE0cSzV1DB-_XqRhQcB311uIDqJpvmlzr30i5vtHhx2N9bxNwz/s320/P1000180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320117580761663250" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span style="font-weight:bold;">Making Chocolate Easter Bunnies!</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLedumXgPQYNUPJgcsTfqYg_QJ4UqUKwAMTwqpwYk8_THB5PHtPvewHeYhMpneLdtvrIcZdqghk60yjS0lbJ-ddEeIfoKkbSQnkrPtp2cn4OILdTTkj-N3hCXOUclvVRqpw0Hv5RoCISr/s1600-h/P1000176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLedumXgPQYNUPJgcsTfqYg_QJ4UqUKwAMTwqpwYk8_THB5PHtPvewHeYhMpneLdtvrIcZdqghk60yjS0lbJ-ddEeIfoKkbSQnkrPtp2cn4OILdTTkj-N3hCXOUclvVRqpw0Hv5RoCISr/s320/P1000176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320117568790687154" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Yum! Chocolate!</span><br /><br />I want to extend a big CONGRATS to all of my friends who have had babies recently. Kelly had a beautiful baby boy (Hayden), Casey had an adorable baby girl (Tatum), Kristin had another sweet girl (Ava), and Jenny May is about to pop any day now! WAIT, this just in (literally as I typed this): JENNY MAY HAS HAD HER BABY! Welcome to the world, sweet Bekah Burkhart!! I can’t wait to meet all of these sweet young people!<br /><br />Well I’m off now for 2 weeks – it’s Spring Break time around here (finally!). I’m heading to Rome on Saturday with Eason to see<br />all of the sites! Then off we go to the Amalfi Coast for a few relaxing days (other than the scary driving in Italy part!). Hilary and Stephen are meeting up with us down there – we are so excited to spend time together, just the 4 of us! Dad and Lisa join us in Rome next week (for Easter) and we will all enjoy Italy for the rest of that week! We’re going to Rome, Florence, Milan, Lugano and Como. PHEW! Take that Carmen San Diego!<br /><br />Ciao for now and Happy Easter to everyone!<br />HayleySwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-41393226169953300942009-03-10T20:22:00.011+01:002009-03-10T23:33:48.893+01:00I'm a Bad Blogger...BAD Blogger!Shame on me! It's been a while, hasn't it? Where shall I start? From the beginning, I suppose. We'll pick up from the trip after Amsterdam (it's been 7 weeks of straight trips or visitors, so...buckle your safety belts, folks!)<br /><br />The weekend after Amsterdam I met my two best buddies, Morgan and Travis, for a fun weekend in Portugal! Travis was there for a full month researching for his Ph. D. It was rainy the whole weekend, but much warmer than Switzerland, so I was happy about that! We had a nice, relaxing weekend full of yummy food, LOTS of chocolate, cheap wine and fun stories of way back when. We even watched a movie or 2 in English! I love hanging out with my old buddies!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPJjTdpKx7UEN2bpZ2MGnAizo5qBbh-QjbBUFaTJ25XdVKn4Ilxgft7wNunaj_Nu789uLcVMV5VDXVOVI616XgmQcc7XaloppOcau0pcALaWm7qXmaFJ67HTZ8sBvSZC7qRE6lOub-a-W/s1600-h/P1020183.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPJjTdpKx7UEN2bpZ2MGnAizo5qBbh-QjbBUFaTJ25XdVKn4Ilxgft7wNunaj_Nu789uLcVMV5VDXVOVI616XgmQcc7XaloppOcau0pcALaWm7qXmaFJ67HTZ8sBvSZC7qRE6lOub-a-W/s320/P1020183.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311648786949191362" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"> Trolley in Lisbon, Portugal</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrbXoIQAO_KNwaTdqMGpzBLgpXa1v7puhsZ10wDHSfv5WJU5C5jLUn2Iq-VNSFQSkXmtZcaVGr_aBTxH8G-PBzqZAOFfXKbpAKwHxyDJlIBJWge59jR3N9k94uI4hfrPn7LgKcEBzzcw4/s1600-h/Lisbon,+Portugal+with+Hayles+and+Travis,+February+2009+021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIrbXoIQAO_KNwaTdqMGpzBLgpXa1v7puhsZ10wDHSfv5WJU5C5jLUn2Iq-VNSFQSkXmtZcaVGr_aBTxH8G-PBzqZAOFfXKbpAKwHxyDJlIBJWge59jR3N9k94uI4hfrPn7LgKcEBzzcw4/s320/Lisbon,+Portugal+with+Hayles+and+Travis,+February+2009+021.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311648777709206354" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> Fun Night out with Friends!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxHd56IJ0rBYNHQZRX6bNAHmzBq-cxTDP3H2dB1lUehElt6uYbFyB5FxlPHL000h2qkuMOuIPOciuIMzOKBEyrhowfCcY1kVQjRRxs7HpYGyeUhtif6Fr0HBYCw9yC9_9Au9QMMhlQgd2/s1600-h/P1020164.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxHd56IJ0rBYNHQZRX6bNAHmzBq-cxTDP3H2dB1lUehElt6uYbFyB5FxlPHL000h2qkuMOuIPOciuIMzOKBEyrhowfCcY1kVQjRRxs7HpYGyeUhtif6Fr0HBYCw9yC9_9Au9QMMhlQgd2/s320/P1020164.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311648778562341410" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> Castle in Lisbon</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0AaBo5ZkUx-6pMfPr5Gc7A7u2GhBgte7Uaa9cV57kDzRq03rpDSg6ZTUf41by0LHC4A1IiY1c0_ahgx2y3PMjLHy8JOfkqukYzxfFGxnNwmUAcWYRRlSYF-3oQFCNi6nGj5UT4jh0pP_/s1600-h/P1020157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0AaBo5ZkUx-6pMfPr5Gc7A7u2GhBgte7Uaa9cV57kDzRq03rpDSg6ZTUf41by0LHC4A1IiY1c0_ahgx2y3PMjLHy8JOfkqukYzxfFGxnNwmUAcWYRRlSYF-3oQFCNi6nGj5UT4jh0pP_/s320/P1020157.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311648772389075282" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> View of the beautiful city!</span><br /><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, I came back to Lugano to MORE snow. But it sure was beautiful!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8z2nkdxBKy1mP-eHIxOlu7imM3P4kGy7rDyK3TKE8PQOfqO3xZAneYPNXynH3N9cjMQqkDI49gPHEt0KmuL7EoPzNhhpWFwzUNcwGLuhGzg0bwQ_EwRsnkIiQ4gw9cm-dbPY6r3bEfcP/s1600-h/P1020201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8z2nkdxBKy1mP-eHIxOlu7imM3P4kGy7rDyK3TKE8PQOfqO3xZAneYPNXynH3N9cjMQqkDI49gPHEt0KmuL7EoPzNhhpWFwzUNcwGLuhGzg0bwQ_EwRsnkIiQ4gw9cm-dbPY6r3bEfcP/s320/P1020201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311680778091422914" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The next weekend was trip to London #1. I got to spend 5 days in London with my friend from TASIS, Allyson. But this one wasn't for fun - more like stress! We were there in order to attend a job fair. Both of us had the dream of looking for a job in London. Literally we put ALL of our eggs in this one basket, as there were only 3 London schools in attendance. Within 3 minutes of the start of the fair, we had been turned away by 2 of them. Yikes. But luckily, we both secured interviews with the SAME school (in London!). I am convinced that I only got the interview because I literally FELL into the principal as I was shaking her hand. Nice. Allyson and I had a weekend full of interviews with the school (and even got to go to their campuses to visit in person!). More on that later! We did get to have some fun as it was Adam's (Eason's roommate) 30th birthday. A good time was had by all, and Allyson and I almost forgot how worried we were about the job situation. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVOdkEcYIGnUO7Yy6kY83xL5E0kIQatkaNt9RM1-GcLS5IbOVti6dFbB_ndawSIxUjeTXBXF-HExEP7kLO0-kwf8UR92WxI1OpxvIJ3dHPL6Fa_YZqy2MBQmBOJMeU-LJ5tP3Y3gL2Z9B/s1600-h/P1020231.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVOdkEcYIGnUO7Yy6kY83xL5E0kIQatkaNt9RM1-GcLS5IbOVti6dFbB_ndawSIxUjeTXBXF-HExEP7kLO0-kwf8UR92WxI1OpxvIJ3dHPL6Fa_YZqy2MBQmBOJMeU-LJ5tP3Y3gL2Z9B/s320/P1020231.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311681912946243154" /></a> Me and Allyson Out on the Town in London</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGiUFMvBz4jutEUJJS3TyjiXOK_vjtD-akmVyeEhF1zZwofu-fFv4RccWqxlZsirPAcl9df2obg3upahyphenhyphenxRF_Sgk6yDSuoHtoHJUcuviUld16EwSqatBDP3qhFYsL3O_k9VpHxm6ThIPa/s1600-h/P1020238.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvGiUFMvBz4jutEUJJS3TyjiXOK_vjtD-akmVyeEhF1zZwofu-fFv4RccWqxlZsirPAcl9df2obg3upahyphenhyphenxRF_Sgk6yDSuoHtoHJUcuviUld16EwSqatBDP3qhFYsL3O_k9VpHxm6ThIPa/s320/P1020238.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311681909565691330" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me and Eas<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZciKr6UgSfmWD5XwPd8VgqpGReYOxFmnR5xy2nsJZ7RhgGwf51J7BJojDF_3dg7Ab4YmWesyUh9oLN4f4N_zskBFjAvDD1GG0eDxNN5pw8BPFCOdPQ5k7VfJUNmsysjb3ptVS2GYM_JTz/s1600-h/P1020216.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZciKr6UgSfmWD5XwPd8VgqpGReYOxFmnR5xy2nsJZ7RhgGwf51J7BJojDF_3dg7Ab4YmWesyUh9oLN4f4N_zskBFjAvDD1GG0eDxNN5pw8BPFCOdPQ5k7VfJUNmsysjb3ptVS2GYM_JTz/s320/P1020216.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311681904798694690" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Adam and All of his Ladies on His 30th!<br /><br />The next weekend it was BACK to London. This time I got to bring all of my buddies from TASIS along as it was a 4 day weekend for us! Good times! Other than losing my purse on the flight (it's okay, I still had my passport and money/credit cards), it was a great weekend! I got to see Morgan, hang out with my TASIS friends, and spend Valentine's with my boy! He had a great surprise day planned out which included a manicure (for me), a REAL show, drinks at a nice bar, and dinner at a very special place for us - Buddha Bar. He took me to the same place in Paris on my birthday - I have to recommend it - so great! It really was a nice and relaxing weekend. PLUS we had a reason to celebrate - the day before the trip I was offered the job in London! Talk about shock! Still working on the work permit to actually be able to live/work in London but the ball is rolling on that!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZTKJ2J8dXGiLT9Cpk94_mPPT-CcZL6wM7w_UNj2wAITqUcIH4XB5lwZs1KWY5Rri3EoV3BTzbk6EqWDXVHnhHd2mJ4HB3ReCxEWH4uqRuWW0M2jrhcegTZU9Fh2V4BhhuQK41ofUKJF_/s1600-h/IMG_5862.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZTKJ2J8dXGiLT9Cpk94_mPPT-CcZL6wM7w_UNj2wAITqUcIH4XB5lwZs1KWY5Rri3EoV3BTzbk6EqWDXVHnhHd2mJ4HB3ReCxEWH4uqRuWW0M2jrhcegTZU9Fh2V4BhhuQK41ofUKJF_/s320/IMG_5862.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311683922919461314" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>La Cage on Valentine's Day! Great seats!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH773bCv8VPIOaV-eMOGx_OQQ25Yy1Kf8JyM7g-iCRhjWVsHbsp5p4VntZBvH8hJx140-1PoY6i-AjDzhHe_GxrWy7bIBSJMDjoZ-uV50VrqXfR2qMona7tMd5Q28S9T5oWAf_WuvFzglU/s1600-h/IMG_5860.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH773bCv8VPIOaV-eMOGx_OQQ25Yy1Kf8JyM7g-iCRhjWVsHbsp5p4VntZBvH8hJx140-1PoY6i-AjDzhHe_GxrWy7bIBSJMDjoZ-uV50VrqXfR2qMona7tMd5Q28S9T5oWAf_WuvFzglU/s320/IMG_5860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311683918635776242" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Going out for a Date<br /><br />The next weekend was a weekend that I had been waiting for...KRISTIN'S TRIP TO EUROPE! I was so, so excited about this! My sweet friend, Kristin, had never been to Europe and she took time to come explore it with me! I was so very honored! I met up with her in Paris (after she explored all by herself all day!) and we hit the town running. We saw all the sights, had lots of good food, and shared some fun Euro-moments that will go down in the history of the mermaids. :) Here are just a few pics from Paris:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oAd9dv7UlC4GNEYUFFBxOJ_JOBJPeiKlY8FPUwhuRfUR83Ji8Q6CI_NVQHHKGLNuvcdMEhdrr5wkg3ZKLV0cxZ1WBqX5pb1VsLa_T5t1uS0Kz_wKSObitxp6POtcy_B9cQOjC5sg_OBm/s1600-h/IMG_5907.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oAd9dv7UlC4GNEYUFFBxOJ_JOBJPeiKlY8FPUwhuRfUR83Ji8Q6CI_NVQHHKGLNuvcdMEhdrr5wkg3ZKLV0cxZ1WBqX5pb1VsLa_T5t1uS0Kz_wKSObitxp6POtcy_B9cQOjC5sg_OBm/s320/IMG_5907.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311688120384699234" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me and Kristin at the Louvre<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpfFcIUIYyjAOe8LoQsVpnP4GBQ9JA8gMExvcsLkMKL-8SyuEZoXygUt3UHSbM8kL3GFhaQyG3CcRK5wz2Da2eRo6H-UlDWg2s9YT80C-IFW4pgCkgLRTlD_YvD1uurhsLJxPWn0lVBbR/s1600-h/IMG_5890.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpfFcIUIYyjAOe8LoQsVpnP4GBQ9JA8gMExvcsLkMKL-8SyuEZoXygUt3UHSbM8kL3GFhaQyG3CcRK5wz2Da2eRo6H-UlDWg2s9YT80C-IFW4pgCkgLRTlD_YvD1uurhsLJxPWn0lVBbR/s320/IMG_5890.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311688113509005762" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Just climbing the Eiffel Tower...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa5DH_TIYPdanB8TdKaq4cphNygxpThlbX1i81GbbPES9sFc9aygUJvq3th5GmOm4qUuON4CgSPZu8Ked02rFy8yXECi6RwMn7GKb3Yg4b9S5Ula30vUmrZf52XXYvudylCX8pNtJyxYc/s1600-h/IMG_1806.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa5DH_TIYPdanB8TdKaq4cphNygxpThlbX1i81GbbPES9sFc9aygUJvq3th5GmOm4qUuON4CgSPZu8Ked02rFy8yXECi6RwMn7GKb3Yg4b9S5Ula30vUmrZf52XXYvudylCX8pNtJyxYc/s320/IMG_1806.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311688114104762690" /></a> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>"You Gotta Get IN the Map!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqQUUFJX6y2bS65AD3cXt1-7vLeaYnvtPWZ8ibGqBhiaIQS50EMgvCjUyQ-nfJpH9IY-F9VMHZtWF5bzaYBzo7z_8bB3MdoMkxJMOSso6r-syG7b0subMTg3uAnjXaI0sHtp1fHClYpCH/s1600-h/IMG_1826.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqQUUFJX6y2bS65AD3cXt1-7vLeaYnvtPWZ8ibGqBhiaIQS50EMgvCjUyQ-nfJpH9IY-F9VMHZtWF5bzaYBzo7z_8bB3MdoMkxJMOSso6r-syG7b0subMTg3uAnjXaI0sHtp1fHClYpCH/s320/IMG_1826.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311688109677406210" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Me and Merms in front of the Eiffel Tower<br /><br />That week Kristin went all around Switzerland and Italy on the trains. I was so super impressed!! She has some funny stories to tell about the Milan train station ("Here, Italy is my boot...you are here, Naples is here...Lugano is way up here!"). It was just so nice to have her there when I came home from work (just like old times!). It didn't hurt that the weather was BEAUTIFUL for her! She really got to see Lugano at it's best! Check out this great pic from a lovely Lugano day:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI64M4IHzeZ2eQLGKJSDz5lZLw5tc1THucdfQNsm1sW2a-47eFq55IDovdcT8U6FydlWe3_HJnyoXslh2ekS8tloA5G7FeHgeYfY9rY3pmQeiDcp3AcNrTVyPybjcFSgTw0rR2piezx5SA/s1600-h/IMG_2037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI64M4IHzeZ2eQLGKJSDz5lZLw5tc1THucdfQNsm1sW2a-47eFq55IDovdcT8U6FydlWe3_HJnyoXslh2ekS8tloA5G7FeHgeYfY9rY3pmQeiDcp3AcNrTVyPybjcFSgTw0rR2piezx5SA/s320/IMG_2037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311689519725146850" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Beautiful Lugano!<br /><br /><br />More coming soon! I had more visitors this past weekend (the boys!) and my Mom and Marty are coming this weekend! I can't tell you how excited I am to see them! I feel so blessed that everyone has come so far to see me. For those of you who can't come, know that I miss you tremendously and can't wait to see you over the summer (that's only 3 short months from now!).<br /><br />Until next time,<br />HayleySwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-4673926921705772622009-02-24T10:49:00.007+01:002009-02-24T23:04:53.586+01:00Carnivale!So in Europe, Carnivale (Mardi Gras) is bigger than Halloween! Here are some pics of my cute kiddos who got to dress up today (more to come)!<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB8Jq4Dn8tgHlD7NX774-ha0D-YFgqqukCAeDEUyiXdZIw5LWQscfxvs52fcXdeqK884lIKGID_gF2NNpeC8La9Up-I-dyP3EUkAA1GvtBbcqUaukJbQe-vnbYcvtXctodV2IG13v9NiJ/s1600-h/IMG_5995.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB8Jq4Dn8tgHlD7NX774-ha0D-YFgqqukCAeDEUyiXdZIw5LWQscfxvs52fcXdeqK884lIKGID_gF2NNpeC8La9Up-I-dyP3EUkAA1GvtBbcqUaukJbQe-vnbYcvtXctodV2IG13v9NiJ/s320/IMG_5995.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306301176026704402" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Robbie the Joker<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1MYFMmyuaTOrsvHhgkqUJ2n20SEL1HlgphMhHUO0A-yiA0ce0dK5hfIc1xtfkf59zsGpKv1bvKGcIP7KXyYYiL6cOaCZ3keAzZ0Fr53vIX5Zaqzheg1GE30gfTa9IaFfyr-IQWNTDKpk/s1600-h/IMG_5994.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1MYFMmyuaTOrsvHhgkqUJ2n20SEL1HlgphMhHUO0A-yiA0ce0dK5hfIc1xtfkf59zsGpKv1bvKGcIP7KXyYYiL6cOaCZ3keAzZ0Fr53vIX5Zaqzheg1GE30gfTa9IaFfyr-IQWNTDKpk/s320/IMG_5994.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306301172266116578" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The Sheriff is in town!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Yq5Uk4Kf1mG8rW_HPakFL22RlIla0nz3jfTTXSEBXR5H027pdTsPxE8yFSK6weeNQDsqxno94p6pJZVym-NHN1vhoHH1Yt8-Gv1W27fv7r_O1-FWeMeta_Z2JKXRS0dd7sRiDHi8Be7V/s1600-h/IMG_5993.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Yq5Uk4Kf1mG8rW_HPakFL22RlIla0nz3jfTTXSEBXR5H027pdTsPxE8yFSK6weeNQDsqxno94p6pJZVym-NHN1vhoHH1Yt8-Gv1W27fv7r_O1-FWeMeta_Z2JKXRS0dd7sRiDHi8Be7V/s320/IMG_5993.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306301167855658834" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>He is a Ferari. :) That is a wheel he is holding - he has 4 of them that he wears on <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>his ankles and wrists!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZTwUC4WUddjInH6NPnKRLkuGCNoKEBIWUMSiyAjYz45xZup4LRYGJE7aky1IZKMt_Kzi6-Z4s2ZZ0O3I4ZeptHhABaq8l_GxsqEB2L7ihZ7EQTcoAtT2tOh-JiHdjUMFiJwd70QTbjwm/s1600-h/IMG_5989.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZTwUC4WUddjInH6NPnKRLkuGCNoKEBIWUMSiyAjYz45xZup4LRYGJE7aky1IZKMt_Kzi6-Z4s2ZZ0O3I4ZeptHhABaq8l_GxsqEB2L7ihZ7EQTcoAtT2tOh-JiHdjUMFiJwd70QTbjwm/s320/IMG_5989.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306301167500525474" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>One of my favorite little ones - the Hayley look-a-like. She's a bear, haha!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWswdzgK13qNTVzFC4SscKmR7LKBTqYEyWPMiSiL2Z4lOQtPsgwJwG7ZgzITn2qDNd2JkR1CFxOM8P916UNit7QmjtWsVJU8zAlMzBDMI3rDNYNlJ-FpPnCFef4Mx64q9jsM74bPf2MYR/s1600-h/IMG_5984.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWswdzgK13qNTVzFC4SscKmR7LKBTqYEyWPMiSiL2Z4lOQtPsgwJwG7ZgzITn2qDNd2JkR1CFxOM8P916UNit7QmjtWsVJU8zAlMzBDMI3rDNYNlJ-FpPnCFef4Mx64q9jsM74bPf2MYR/s320/IMG_5984.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306301165309234978" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Diba the phone. Modern Day Carnivale!</div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5slNbvA4UxINOybl1R1XoM_y2ZJC-cYdYWy4IL3RlWv-EK4XqUzoctuYXS44WhFLnD_EWfi_RQaKxpiXDc3s6OvjQTcUsrUk-yx34R6oWL3QpwEjkSfPpXzyvXYlBR4AlCuP9BCP0DA8/s1600-h/IMG_5981.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5slNbvA4UxINOybl1R1XoM_y2ZJC-cYdYWy4IL3RlWv-EK4XqUzoctuYXS44WhFLnD_EWfi_RQaKxpiXDc3s6OvjQTcUsrUk-yx34R6oWL3QpwEjkSfPpXzyvXYlBR4AlCuP9BCP0DA8/s320/IMG_5981.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306300213665256306" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Cowboys and turtles? Or is that a ram??<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxigvJ54K5tcew8qucpoHYYqQMKiSEZUQ16fzPprdZ70yJKxwkCmE-XImCCHJ9lr4HCP6hKbLzR5Rg9s2k6E2l98JRVhRvYMaOZtokgFs8YNEt0HFgSmDbHSYhI8EeN2aR2Hh6-yAiMAC/s1600-h/IMG_5978.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxigvJ54K5tcew8qucpoHYYqQMKiSEZUQ16fzPprdZ70yJKxwkCmE-XImCCHJ9lr4HCP6hKbLzR5Rg9s2k6E2l98JRVhRvYMaOZtokgFs8YNEt0HFgSmDbHSYhI8EeN2aR2Hh6-yAiMAC/s320/IMG_5978.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306300209559717106" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Igor is obsessed with policemen in the U.S. So he came as a the fuzz!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_vER6XPrjDwlixK3VPhOQ5CQyxa5Eh94se5-pGc4ccLhf7Ab-fXEerI3PM821hkODsC1t-IkYU_WgXqqbCvPjITvE9HDPTRUe5HS6WEphk_N7z2W8JuZEMjArPm1JfApikV7PTSSOCuz/s1600-h/IMG_5975.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_vER6XPrjDwlixK3VPhOQ5CQyxa5Eh94se5-pGc4ccLhf7Ab-fXEerI3PM821hkODsC1t-IkYU_WgXqqbCvPjITvE9HDPTRUe5HS6WEphk_N7z2W8JuZEMjArPm1JfApikV7PTSSOCuz/s320/IMG_5975.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306300206735606770" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Princess Beatrice</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfNz9AByc7eD0IAhaQEXEPLRabGPHjFESRZZPeBxhIu477EQ3ViZXf8oz8ittN_3JDAcvLqXIN3XeWQ5t5Haa5eGa1dyt3gnirqM6HIJX1_5KtJ52FDxasCKBvJQAzHZ_JZwsthiCkELW/s1600-h/IMG_5974.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfNz9AByc7eD0IAhaQEXEPLRabGPHjFESRZZPeBxhIu477EQ3ViZXf8oz8ittN_3JDAcvLqXIN3XeWQ5t5Haa5eGa1dyt3gnirqM6HIJX1_5KtJ52FDxasCKBvJQAzHZ_JZwsthiCkELW/s320/IMG_5974.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306300208280785490" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh_8C9YEE9UaIrBBbTl7R7TNDAFddbepwlHg_PS2EF6a89F_Omz9QO9xjxfzxUT_h7DOZ5x5ecztK0-7Wm_TnYskMUwAwtFnIka5w-k9nK5oOB3Lut5VedO0EQxpKUP6KNbvSBRAJY2Tg/s1600-h/IMG_5973.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRh_8C9YEE9UaIrBBbTl7R7TNDAFddbepwlHg_PS2EF6a89F_Omz9QO9xjxfzxUT_h7DOZ5x5ecztK0-7Wm_TnYskMUwAwtFnIka5w-k9nK5oOB3Lut5VedO0EQxpKUP6KNbvSBRAJY2Tg/s320/IMG_5973.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306300201816506802" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Princess, Nemo and Sheriff<br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. Sorry I haven't blogged lately -- super bogged down with traveling and visitors, but I will catch up this weekend! Stay tuned!</div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div>SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-77960507404987242282009-01-27T17:21:00.010+01:002009-01-27T21:33:46.839+01:00Weekend in Amsterdam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfZjbtq4cGvn9koum8njBzlv6bN40rL3cLIkJ9AHn7ZhRaGBfmgyhPjXmMpCWyqRkEcn6CwPKWY-0NoLt8GOzD6qDABS_LsbGakZe1fxKM9E8LJ7FtYwTed9Xds-wxNfzM9A5wiAr2SXL/s1600-h/P1020057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfZjbtq4cGvn9koum8njBzlv6bN40rL3cLIkJ9AHn7ZhRaGBfmgyhPjXmMpCWyqRkEcn6CwPKWY-0NoLt8GOzD6qDABS_LsbGakZe1fxKM9E8LJ7FtYwTed9Xds-wxNfzM9A5wiAr2SXL/s320/P1020057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296056639297219170" /></a><br /><br />It had been over a month since I got some quality time with my long-distance beau of mine, so imagine my excitement when the Amsterdam weekend finally came! In addition to seeing him for the first time in the '09, I was also thrilled about seeing the historic sights and finally, FINALLY fulfilling my life-long dream of going to the Anne Frank House. The weekend was fantastic and I have decided that the 'dam is definitely up there on the list of "My Favorite European Cities!" :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ_AZLKPdcjnSuNNous3GZnH0oSlF6jpaQPihiaKGOed3cXCsGUu2BsdcdHe3i4lmTP_m2rJ7AduRpfBKGtPJcXebDIAel_s7jjTz7OSSVSieDbmXOEm8uHquaxd5hJ6o6LG2SMyWUchW/s1600-h/P1020058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ_AZLKPdcjnSuNNous3GZnH0oSlF6jpaQPihiaKGOed3cXCsGUu2BsdcdHe3i4lmTP_m2rJ7AduRpfBKGtPJcXebDIAel_s7jjTz7OSSVSieDbmXOEm8uHquaxd5hJ6o6LG2SMyWUchW/s320/P1020058.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296056638601847218" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"> They park so close to the edge! Eeek!!</span><br /><br />On Friday, Eason and I met at the Amsterdam airport and hopped a train into the city. The first thing I noticed was American accents -- everywhere I looked! I think there are more Americans there than are in London! Definitely more than where I currently live. I guess it's a popular tourist destination, and I think I know why...it's amazing! We headed straight to a great little tapas restaurant that Eason had researched, and despite the misleading (summer only) margarita disappointment, I cannot complain. It was some good eating! Then we celebrated "New Year's" together, seeing as how we didn't spend the real New Year's Eve together this year. Eas even brought champagne -- it was great!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEao4i5bBuRTC1dILgBdL2iCiMLPbyAMY-qQYr8e_VJ6Q3H2hI910azwZDkaJZ2On3eoHcPwuzEIlasaoGCJKRbcAlNpWJULpb3wAm_x3rvj2WrU4mANCk9toMGNdg5Pohl2sLSFxjdA-G/s1600-h/P1020064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEao4i5bBuRTC1dILgBdL2iCiMLPbyAMY-qQYr8e_VJ6Q3H2hI910azwZDkaJZ2On3eoHcPwuzEIlasaoGCJKRbcAlNpWJULpb3wAm_x3rvj2WrU4mANCk9toMGNdg5Pohl2sLSFxjdA-G/s320/P1020064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296056643490076850" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> In front of the Anne Frank House</span><br /><br />Saturday morning, early, the real fun began! We hit the Anne Frank House first, as I was chomping at the bit! Having taught the Holocaust and read the diary with my students for years, it really was a dream for me to actually get to visit the house. It was amazing how real it all seemed once I was walking through the bookcase door, up those steep steps, through their rooms and into their lives. What a special girl -- I'm so glad I got to finally experience seeing the secret annex.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVroaqaDq0Lh4EkTDti_1hXdDlGTRwEqggZMxNU54n3i8uB8tu2R4xRGLko7oYzB1XW6I61urvEbOrwU7u7p0cs8-6-mY-O_s3nl6KSQrIOXc4c4CAM77gljLZbxdzK6MSCoq7Es_JBytI/s1600-h/P1020116.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVroaqaDq0Lh4EkTDti_1hXdDlGTRwEqggZMxNU54n3i8uB8tu2R4xRGLko7oYzB1XW6I61urvEbOrwU7u7p0cs8-6-mY-O_s3nl6KSQrIOXc4c4CAM77gljLZbxdzK6MSCoq7Es_JBytI/s320/P1020116.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296058447387964946" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Me and Eason on the boat</span><br /><br />Then we walked around the canals a bit more, me getting lost, but him apparently having a plan. It's nice to have a tour guide when visiting all of these places! :) The weather was overcast but at least it didn't rain. We found a cute little restaurant/bar near the museums and "I Amsterdam" sign. My mom kept asking me if it was true that she needed change to go to the restrooms in Switzerland (that is what she had heard), and after laughing at her silliness, wouldn't you know...I had to pay to pee in the 'dam! :) This first place was worth it though. You walk in, put your money in a slot, the doors open automatically and in you go. Voila! Once in the bathroom I thought, well...this is odd. These stalls have glass doors. Are you telling me I just paid money to go to the bathroom in front of all of Amsterdam?! But, the $.50 was worth it, because when you lock the stall door, the see-through glass suddenly becomes opaque! It was magically awesome! I'd pay $1.00 for that (but don't tell Europe)! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LYFPlpyqKu4ouUd58DQJP3nGcqN0QRBhf_2QGWoHU37Q37qEUzeyaxu83MjWCbh0-1MatJofskb26RLRJt6Ux9rWUwhZ8ghB8R2-yglkm8DWWVV-nv9hw6a-2kQuVh_T4YKPiosd4G2y/s1600-h/P1020070.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LYFPlpyqKu4ouUd58DQJP3nGcqN0QRBhf_2QGWoHU37Q37qEUzeyaxu83MjWCbh0-1MatJofskb26RLRJt6Ux9rWUwhZ8ghB8R2-yglkm8DWWVV-nv9hw6a-2kQuVh_T4YKPiosd4G2y/s320/P1020070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296056688480627394" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I Amsterdam sign</span><br /><br />After taking our "I Amsterdam shots," (attempting to get some shots w/out ppl, but that was impossible)...off we went to the Van Gogh Museum. Talk about a great museum full of good art. It wasn't too big, but definitely showed a great representation of Van Gogh's life. My favorite was a piece called "Almond Branches in Bloom" which he did for his nephew who was named after him. Very lovely. After that we enjoyed a leisurely walk around the center of town, looking in the famous diamond shops. All I got to say about that is the diamonds in Texas are bigger! :) I have decided the real diamond museums should be located in Highland Park! After that we popped into a nice Thai restaurant and had some yummy lunch. That night we decided to brave the streets and walk down to the Red Light district. Wow. That's all I will say about that. Definitely an experience, but all of the sudden I had this feeling to never let my future hypothetical children come to Amsterdam at night. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiFVZzDtJgd4yyPAkUyP-o3phxgaInS4Lz_eZkcoNLV331jhgM2kTRrRYUxhWVT-31Ma3LMsZyCO1pb0h-QswlY3OEd2na-3L8F1yiVu6cfuBKsoz5sZAxg-4jUZrae8ZOV6CJhgLdqV4/s1600-h/P1020094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiFVZzDtJgd4yyPAkUyP-o3phxgaInS4Lz_eZkcoNLV331jhgM2kTRrRYUxhWVT-31Ma3LMsZyCO1pb0h-QswlY3OEd2na-3L8F1yiVu6cfuBKsoz5sZAxg-4jUZrae8ZOV6CJhgLdqV4/s320/P1020094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296056697486756386" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"> <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Bike Lot full of bikes!</span><br /><br />On Sunday we decided to spend some time just eating bagels, drinking coffee and talking politics. My kind of American Sunday! I was itching to read American magazines, so Eason brought one of the latest Newsweeks about the inauguration. My friend Lauren suggested Bagels and Beans as a great place to go, and she did not disappoint! Thanks, Lauren! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0rELcIaai95WpXK_u-qzREfLPrI_mYkLLBL5dHH6mYvDM-BbzheZDVentZeKNpZDlTnv3MjssdpDdsra9eLCerrpxennulpq36B1Ewmoaok_UFCl9wRI7UaQzSydO-IdcEOx4JHdNGWV/s1600-h/P1020092.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0rELcIaai95WpXK_u-qzREfLPrI_mYkLLBL5dHH6mYvDM-BbzheZDVentZeKNpZDlTnv3MjssdpDdsra9eLCerrpxennulpq36B1Ewmoaok_UFCl9wRI7UaQzSydO-IdcEOx4JHdNGWV/s320/P1020092.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296058460005385650" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> Yum...Bagels and Beans!</span><br /><br />After that we decided to take advantage of a nice sunny day in the 'dam and hop on a canal boat tour. It was really neat to hear all about the history of the city while exploring the city via the canals. After that we hopped into the first pub we saw to have our last Heineken of the trip only to realize we were basically at Amsterdam's version of Hooters, haha. I knew Eason didn't mind staying, and I wouldn't have minded...if those girls could dance! I was really close to showing them how keep a beat and count to eight, but instead I paid my .50 to use the bathroom, had a drink and left at the first sight of a bachelor party entrance. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZCtjc6iifBv-n3RiSGzfs_n58SKOX-8-MdS0JgkglGPfrLxaOVP7fUjmtknJ4E2O3tSWvJXMWdImK1Ikfdg_ZuKAouTfVP2oGzU_zvqqL9YsbH57tv8zXrkIdJl1lz7ipqsdjCrn2gsH/s1600-h/P1020115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZCtjc6iifBv-n3RiSGzfs_n58SKOX-8-MdS0JgkglGPfrLxaOVP7fUjmtknJ4E2O3tSWvJXMWdImK1Ikfdg_ZuKAouTfVP2oGzU_zvqqL9YsbH57tv8zXrkIdJl1lz7ipqsdjCrn2gsH/s320/P1020115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296058469351468482" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Boat in the Harbor</span><br /><br />Dinner was at an Argentinean place (are you seeing a theme here? lots of eating!) which was really yummy! Amsterdam has a lot of different international food choices, which is a change from all of the Italian I get here! I saw a Tex-Mex spot, but I couldn't bring myself to try it. OH how I miss queso! Luckily we had late flights out, so we got to spend the whole day Sunday together without feeling stressed for time. I was sad to leave, but seeing as how I have 4 more weekends (in a row) of traveling, I decided I couldn't feel sorry for myself anymore!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sHJWwiVLYOHTiWKg2w1zeilFMHQDRpyy04jmRDsiuKO4FudZfN5zVYKKgExcDgiQqYil7G1UKaYVu9YysajeWY4h8IoB65n3UY-lbXVY_sL8vjAug_SkIQheNW-7iaouyyaPTkm2H67w/s1600-h/P1020086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sHJWwiVLYOHTiWKg2w1zeilFMHQDRpyy04jmRDsiuKO4FudZfN5zVYKKgExcDgiQqYil7G1UKaYVu9YysajeWY4h8IoB65n3UY-lbXVY_sL8vjAug_SkIQheNW-7iaouyyaPTkm2H67w/s320/P1020086.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296058452008121474" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>View from Hotel</span><br /><br />Overall, I loved the 'dam and would definitely recommend it! Can't wait to go back! Ciao for now. :)SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-19712397556099668782009-01-13T09:27:00.005+01:002009-01-13T09:43:22.824+01:00Happy Birthday, Christy!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCaFmQyLqp_g7GpQO74odQOfDwtpdu8azXlWxpFNT9a7_93jz4Pikbynqfl2e5cll70xZeJdsudVyDmcrCsjnupgNSG8x1QFtgmz_Yn-hixblIH9zqX_AMAt7Vrgc6jXiLzXGdahZsF9M/s1600-h/P1020049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCaFmQyLqp_g7GpQO74odQOfDwtpdu8azXlWxpFNT9a7_93jz4Pikbynqfl2e5cll70xZeJdsudVyDmcrCsjnupgNSG8x1QFtgmz_Yn-hixblIH9zqX_AMAt7Vrgc6jXiLzXGdahZsF9M/s320/P1020049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290695546085953378" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Sweet Christy:<br /></span><br />Dedicated mother, devoted and loving wife.<br />Always makes time to appreciate life.<br />She's there when you need her, no matter the hour.<br />She puts others first, believes in God's power.<br /><br />She's happy, she's goofy, she's patient and kind,<br />She's strong, she's humble, a best friend a girl could find! <br />Dear Christy you are an inspiration to us all,<br />I look up to you (even if you're not very tall)! ;)<br /><br />I love you, sweet friend! Happy Birthday!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JfS7JaC96bP9LqI721JFoCSrvlEQyZxHIO-_lx1SWJ_Mz7xccgxROHJCWES_ZOZ2W36hXJ5tfv9q8dBC0f5LuYAlHjYBNVvro7m92HNnEcfhBsyAqn_dy5IVGKEvTEOV0YixWow0S-YU/s1600-h/Fall+2006+008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JfS7JaC96bP9LqI721JFoCSrvlEQyZxHIO-_lx1SWJ_Mz7xccgxROHJCWES_ZOZ2W36hXJ5tfv9q8dBC0f5LuYAlHjYBNVvro7m92HNnEcfhBsyAqn_dy5IVGKEvTEOV0YixWow0S-YU/s320/Fall+2006+008.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290695543014032690" /></a>SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-1476060992278608972009-01-08T16:03:00.013+01:002009-01-12T21:06:01.860+01:00Christmas PostBuon Anno (Happy New Year)!<br /><br />Being home for the holidays was fast and furious, but it was SO great to be back for a while. All I did was eat Mexican food, watch movies, read books, and hang out with family/friends. I could make a living living like that!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCDGECzFJVZv35KN08Q0R0-JrLUTeZ_s7IZ1l6AAuZP17K_eFeAJXcPQ48IP7ENoz6xnny6VUTuHJ0cSnqoID42wi7mnnTVv4VrZ4Dbw-oTtfKR91f2uk1CC1rUJSh1dBAQxmPCpM3n2k/s1600-h/P1010966.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuCDGECzFJVZv35KN08Q0R0-JrLUTeZ_s7IZ1l6AAuZP17K_eFeAJXcPQ48IP7ENoz6xnny6VUTuHJ0cSnqoID42wi7mnnTVv4VrZ4Dbw-oTtfKR91f2uk1CC1rUJSh1dBAQxmPCpM3n2k/s320/P1010966.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290055594027714114" /></a><br /><br />After spending a few days in London with Eason, we boarded a flight bound for Houston the Friday before Christmas in order to spend the weekend at Noni's house. Eas survived the family Christmas (he might even have had fun) - but who can blame him...there was good food on the table and football on TV. He was in heaven! We had a wonderful time in Beaumont with the fam. From there we headed to good ol' Lufkin for a few days. It was very relaxing! He even got to go to the Deuce, which he was so excited about (ha!). I drove him to the airport on Tuesday, but not before getting ONE more Mexican food meal in. Lupe Tortillas es muy bueno! Eason had a terrible time getting to Cali because of weather, but once he got there he had a great time with his family as well.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaxtGifhyI1IOgJsh4iChqBiDpeSc9MYE_h7AClHStK1PBNSWXgm2CLTFZ1UK1IMr25JWVLU96lOcwVR01ZRXEn02twlRrv8W94iK07_BIj8PCTgds6VGVmQDYpyn39KbUfyHgCpurxs8/s1600-h/P1020010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLaxtGifhyI1IOgJsh4iChqBiDpeSc9MYE_h7AClHStK1PBNSWXgm2CLTFZ1UK1IMr25JWVLU96lOcwVR01ZRXEn02twlRrv8W94iK07_BIj8PCTgds6VGVmQDYpyn39KbUfyHgCpurxs8/s320/P1020010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290055609751772658" /></a><br /><br />Despite having to put our family dog, Kennedy, to sleep, it was a delightful next 2 weeks. I got together with old friends and caught up on life so far in Texas and New Mexico. I spent some quality time with Hilary and Stephen, Hunter, Leeanne and their pups, and of course Mom, Marty, Dad and Lisa. We had 5 Christmases (a small number for us!), and it was really good to get to see Jenni and Darin (first time since their wedding) and Jacque and Kevin. Mom and Marty are coming in March, and Dad, Lisa, Hil and Stephen are coming in April. I can't wait!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1HIbeQnEF-C0VKGzTKXlq-QIWNpR1zNgpfr0CahVOCrGr9jnF2GYVSJmapyzsZU8WF65qUhse57kNn-LeWc01Ztod4m51RuZsOyPg67HA_IrHWE7W_bcPemasMDavS9pw-Lj0t8r0uZK/s1600-h/P1020030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1HIbeQnEF-C0VKGzTKXlq-QIWNpR1zNgpfr0CahVOCrGr9jnF2GYVSJmapyzsZU8WF65qUhse57kNn-LeWc01Ztod4m51RuZsOyPg67HA_IrHWE7W_bcPemasMDavS9pw-Lj0t8r0uZK/s320/P1020030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290055616924580818" /></a><br /><br />New Years Eve was so fun! I got to spend it with my brother, sister, and their spouses. I can't remember the last time we all spent NYE together -- it was a blast!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9sL7tpH9voknnt8zsf_GRppNgOT7HKa1uMQr5GJD8GbYwKxCjGWQLgm3D9WQd7AMJP5ITzrgiFcVquoUoP7NQeodnOiBtsSHEdKrjfYvvV4vB08pV9E7E0tY5_WTC2FkeCnxw8sfi05I/s1600-h/P1020013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9sL7tpH9voknnt8zsf_GRppNgOT7HKa1uMQr5GJD8GbYwKxCjGWQLgm3D9WQd7AMJP5ITzrgiFcVquoUoP7NQeodnOiBtsSHEdKrjfYvvV4vB08pV9E7E0tY5_WTC2FkeCnxw8sfi05I/s320/P1020013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290057587281927346" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoFhBYQQZb8RykkjwV4Wtbh275esXRO-4nKG0jaZ-sTgjJy09F92OR0nmrXDLY_wAl6KUo4sOtVtWFK8cgj84YmVctyDnEeRhS12KuZumeaVukj3AIPMZH07Tlr7rbhRVn-DfqX2N7J3l/s1600-h/P1020016.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoFhBYQQZb8RykkjwV4Wtbh275esXRO-4nKG0jaZ-sTgjJy09F92OR0nmrXDLY_wAl6KUo4sOtVtWFK8cgj84YmVctyDnEeRhS12KuZumeaVukj3AIPMZH07Tlr7rbhRVn-DfqX2N7J3l/s320/P1020016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290055613342591810" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />In Dallas, I got to see so many friends! It was so good to catch up with you all!! I love and miss you so much!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeH0ghWFNwf25O2mlFWQaviF4_WP1UTlmFJWGrU6BOlBBPHLRz_5tZedU4CH5VZJpq46KLNo0CkOek5CMXhJtvunOK_VKGpMRwxHHbneH5KVRXOkDYDMeiBZry8o_elwYwjAW9jccMFeZ/s1600-h/P1020055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeH0ghWFNwf25O2mlFWQaviF4_WP1UTlmFJWGrU6BOlBBPHLRz_5tZedU4CH5VZJpq46KLNo0CkOek5CMXhJtvunOK_VKGpMRwxHHbneH5KVRXOkDYDMeiBZry8o_elwYwjAW9jccMFeZ/s320/P1020055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290057617280630322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBcBGEbRXY5L8ctxd5TjMaNGXlKhFNWEbQOj07lhXgQiCNEvcPBWtYwqzdIjp6oLS-OPJUyX4fKlUCFFKoEId_inmnyOmG9Kap8BkRy31MGk5OOjxKJlz4KtFF7NBD0ItVInVCXMuk2J3/s1600-h/P1020041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBcBGEbRXY5L8ctxd5TjMaNGXlKhFNWEbQOj07lhXgQiCNEvcPBWtYwqzdIjp6oLS-OPJUyX4fKlUCFFKoEId_inmnyOmG9Kap8BkRy31MGk5OOjxKJlz4KtFF7NBD0ItVInVCXMuk2J3/s320/P1020041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290057612902585826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_Jkjsh3JsrnhC7J47F7pAB70Bmg5GeZrVHRIyAcgZAJGfFqzDcVBb55-Hbj_41CZ9N8tChOg-LpizPJteq716kSQgGU07EQz_ux34zW7u3YgPjHIDN6ZWvGSP0id8UqfYIUS6DfUgqlg/s1600-h/P1020040_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_Jkjsh3JsrnhC7J47F7pAB70Bmg5GeZrVHRIyAcgZAJGfFqzDcVBb55-Hbj_41CZ9N8tChOg-LpizPJteq716kSQgGU07EQz_ux34zW7u3YgPjHIDN6ZWvGSP0id8UqfYIUS6DfUgqlg/s320/P1020040_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290057601659497122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSsAT0JU48vBbJJUJR3sYunWSi_kU-NxvrR2K9U8SvLySIyrt9y8kTV1HNwLbkDdhjJN4uQsn5j0kEue-mxbOVJ7SIo7xbMx6Goua6lL_dPFNSLy9NGIXtPSRSrcuARkbQzfUOzYnoHII/s1600-h/IMG_1332.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSsAT0JU48vBbJJUJR3sYunWSi_kU-NxvrR2K9U8SvLySIyrt9y8kTV1HNwLbkDdhjJN4uQsn5j0kEue-mxbOVJ7SIo7xbMx6Goua6lL_dPFNSLy9NGIXtPSRSrcuARkbQzfUOzYnoHII/s320/IMG_1332.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290500015598062034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCieRG2dZpELcrkN7uuRxD1rnT5EFIOrlDOOEyhIpiMKPRFGaEdXXKYLLg9pmsAk4a2EgMwYzSVQ4oNC_BYG9OaFdVDYHQN9b8tt6tk67QNECeyA0uwjjvqiscVJF8AbfLNAWc-NhAtDw/s1600-h/P1020046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCieRG2dZpELcrkN7uuRxD1rnT5EFIOrlDOOEyhIpiMKPRFGaEdXXKYLLg9pmsAk4a2EgMwYzSVQ4oNC_BYG9OaFdVDYHQN9b8tt6tk67QNECeyA0uwjjvqiscVJF8AbfLNAWc-NhAtDw/s320/P1020046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290181075311999074" /></a><br /><br />The flight back was not so fun, as I had to change airports in London AND my connecting flight was nearly cancelled. We've had some major snow here lately, so a lot of us had a hard time getting back to Lugano. I was delayed, but luckily I made it (after 24 full hours of traveling)! I had to go to work the next day, so needless to say, I was TIRED! It's been about 4 days now, and I'm finally feeling back to normal. That jet-lag really got me this time!<br /><br />The weather is so lovely here, so that makes it easy to get off my lazy bum and go for some exercise! Yesterday Martha and I walked downtown to enjoy the weather and pick up a few groceries (an easy walk down, but a tough walk back up!). Tonight I'm hosting people over to my place to have some cheese dip and watch some NFL play-off games. I love my Sling Box!<br /><br />Stay tuned these next few weeks, as I have 5 weekends of traveling coming up! Here's a teaser: I'm going to Ann Frank's House, a city formerly known as Alis Ubbo (the delightful shore), the home of handsome princes (twice!) and finally, the City of Lights! That last one is with Kristin and I think it'll be her home away from S.A.! :)<br /><br />Happy New Year!SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-84623768943921574162008-12-15T20:54:00.004+01:002008-12-15T21:02:58.978+01:00Christmas Markets in BaselEnjoy these pictures from my latest travels in Switzerland. This time we went north to the German part (near the border of France) to check out the famous Christmas markets in Basel!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_thEQKnQhIzr1_zHczaLUElPdsPETAyx3i9oEscuHaGb-w3xZCPzchMN7wwme3ESKzRSRqzuqfzWUk-GQyL4BNvo98x68iMOiwJNBnL38FvWiSjIQAqpdFSf9c1PooXkgPsLZmNr_TlTe/s1600-h/P1010953.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_thEQKnQhIzr1_zHczaLUElPdsPETAyx3i9oEscuHaGb-w3xZCPzchMN7wwme3ESKzRSRqzuqfzWUk-GQyL4BNvo98x68iMOiwJNBnL38FvWiSjIQAqpdFSf9c1PooXkgPsLZmNr_TlTe/s320/P1010953.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280109410707074834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBPJH6ikpEuNhRIl1gCBiqe1hJXrOP3Y1pJ_BhEVaz89v4QHUE1vDSkmA9X3F8TaXGLDhQT0Szy48plOLj-xYlyRM9hJ660kDWCg6Y24xqvKflL52jlccMRiDpoSFLC9Mlhqb_73ebecM/s1600-h/IMG_2485.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNBPJH6ikpEuNhRIl1gCBiqe1hJXrOP3Y1pJ_BhEVaz89v4QHUE1vDSkmA9X3F8TaXGLDhQT0Szy48plOLj-xYlyRM9hJ660kDWCg6Y24xqvKflL52jlccMRiDpoSFLC9Mlhqb_73ebecM/s320/IMG_2485.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280109401243818674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi061fiuZnACQ9RCW8hAVTUhvkyaMw_MlQBWZ9O3z8iRpEGdslwuN7j7niAXwlzMyoUe5i-6a4ukfUKgizyN8UjJjcMn9afDTAiB6uAuX0RX89pBENa3SGTyLsci2aukmvazwnnrk0SA5mR/s1600-h/IMG_2491.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi061fiuZnACQ9RCW8hAVTUhvkyaMw_MlQBWZ9O3z8iRpEGdslwuN7j7niAXwlzMyoUe5i-6a4ukfUKgizyN8UjJjcMn9afDTAiB6uAuX0RX89pBENa3SGTyLsci2aukmvazwnnrk0SA5mR/s320/IMG_2491.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280109397834331442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YiHcC_XP799hZ3TiwnLhl5Exw8CsOz0qZkLSJs7XbagRnlsR_ouL403G8CP_IwbVA2o6nxDVvEjKiDbF1Uch_UU0O5ut20a_l8Zub9AcX921hDlhxiVpY1ky-hDE5M5MSZZ03QZT1Ixj/s1600-h/P1010950.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YiHcC_XP799hZ3TiwnLhl5Exw8CsOz0qZkLSJs7XbagRnlsR_ouL403G8CP_IwbVA2o6nxDVvEjKiDbF1Uch_UU0O5ut20a_l8Zub9AcX921hDlhxiVpY1ky-hDE5M5MSZZ03QZT1Ixj/s320/P1010950.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280109392088132130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVAa-_J1W3bpAkbH_PcheLNTgHmtvEuyqS8F0y56sryCX0sYDM9FI70rBADWB7Tgl3LXsW8LMlYW01O5rGeMLSWu6Fv5okZtSv8bFSvClbJ6UeQcRBQxE-ZNJnBCQ3qHD-BPZxwJocRaZ/s1600-h/P1010949.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyVAa-_J1W3bpAkbH_PcheLNTgHmtvEuyqS8F0y56sryCX0sYDM9FI70rBADWB7Tgl3LXsW8LMlYW01O5rGeMLSWu6Fv5okZtSv8bFSvClbJ6UeQcRBQxE-ZNJnBCQ3qHD-BPZxwJocRaZ/s320/P1010949.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280109381499613842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFgsp1oWdxpAfofGVxtXz9f6IsXrHLM_N6_mGpC92_3NFN2cwNNZvx8gF3DNUy005-Hv3qquCfpAGCEp8AXH6O8mlJzFiPWpXyX41Nrj6VQ_lb5VZ4UKXtJM6k5VTC5_gXDWMEpeFKFuC/s1600-h/IMG_1034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFgsp1oWdxpAfofGVxtXz9f6IsXrHLM_N6_mGpC92_3NFN2cwNNZvx8gF3DNUy005-Hv3qquCfpAGCEp8AXH6O8mlJzFiPWpXyX41Nrj6VQ_lb5VZ4UKXtJM6k5VTC5_gXDWMEpeFKFuC/s320/IMG_1034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280108746188822642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFZUl1wcS6HdftWLUuEb1Bpz-QoCyv-ohxvlZl_4hMBk2R8jSN9RXQ1JDauH2Cx5tMvQwlmeeIHGDNdofjPvR3ru7ukNW9OK7QE8TtbrhtUliORNvV94hUZrDJ0cBcCXSqeJBINSPYVQj/s1600-h/P1010957.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFZUl1wcS6HdftWLUuEb1Bpz-QoCyv-ohxvlZl_4hMBk2R8jSN9RXQ1JDauH2Cx5tMvQwlmeeIHGDNdofjPvR3ru7ukNW9OK7QE8TtbrhtUliORNvV94hUZrDJ0cBcCXSqeJBINSPYVQj/s320/P1010957.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280108737704293442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxpQHrYi2-z1Vl0yHjIV_WhZ_PVt8nl9YcAmb50vHet4S6UNloaYMHnXHTT-1_JZ5Y3ltXSL5wueIhWwsF1RTBmPfnsbI5oXFoYiZpCVyhGoL4-erB6iYTWHTXvNmi191g_9tq_M7rHh4/s1600-h/P1010934.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLxpQHrYi2-z1Vl0yHjIV_WhZ_PVt8nl9YcAmb50vHet4S6UNloaYMHnXHTT-1_JZ5Y3ltXSL5wueIhWwsF1RTBmPfnsbI5oXFoYiZpCVyhGoL4-erB6iYTWHTXvNmi191g_9tq_M7rHh4/s320/P1010934.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280108732655827730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vKKfQoQsmrhUcS-10a8L0xXoW7ej6_oy4Jnm55V8agVXzBvO6jBj959K7cq3fEsg1jxdLyVTowRR6teFTD6t_bkM-BGJXV06jTODkvmRx62qphdCXa2_5q_kJLNOgc3LmGbGLP96_jvI/s1600-h/P1010922.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vKKfQoQsmrhUcS-10a8L0xXoW7ej6_oy4Jnm55V8agVXzBvO6jBj959K7cq3fEsg1jxdLyVTowRR6teFTD6t_bkM-BGJXV06jTODkvmRx62qphdCXa2_5q_kJLNOgc3LmGbGLP96_jvI/s320/P1010922.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280108727443347554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BiRcWKxV01RDPhgRIbfkTxIxLW3N4F1tHoyAnRmotmuwWG9UgZr5JJ_xo7ggEOru8UivYk8v9yNzZazbhsPlzz7GU60NCqyUOHxHiCTnHAZliXJf7yveMsLswcGK3snhCYL4sVsrcKYT/s1600-h/P1010925.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BiRcWKxV01RDPhgRIbfkTxIxLW3N4F1tHoyAnRmotmuwWG9UgZr5JJ_xo7ggEOru8UivYk8v9yNzZazbhsPlzz7GU60NCqyUOHxHiCTnHAZliXJf7yveMsLswcGK3snhCYL4sVsrcKYT/s320/P1010925.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280108719609077826" /></a>SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-80191035248513411902008-12-10T17:09:00.006+01:002008-12-10T17:52:40.598+01:00Snow, Snow, Snow...Everywhere is Snow!"Put your coats on, put your coats on...and let's go play in the snow." -- the Pre-K song that plays over and over as the kids get ready to go out for a play in the snow. So cute! It is constantly in my head.<br /><br />Not much to say other than we are a week away from the start of the trek home! I simply cannot wait to see everyone and be home for a bit. <br /><br />Today it snowed. I mean REALLY snowed. Like I have never seen it! There is probably a foot out there now -- cars were sliding everywhere, snowmen all around. Sounds like the perfect snow day, huh? Alas, apparently the Swiss are used to it because we had school today. Only 1/2 the kids showed up, but we were there none-the-less. We'll see how tomorrow goes (it's supposed to keep this up)!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Video of today's snow. Brrr!</span><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxhApCzWYzgpn0JdxPVCv-xhEOvr03372tNFXyWsmFd5TBAONqIiHtO9rW_52nDgQSK_GzHSSOnYra-VwyDqQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Next are pictures of snow, beautiful snow, from today. Enjoy!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPvVlzz3HSkgmxm-z_4XFZBfCf0cPJcxiKpz1Q6hcAhz3fclPqKPlgDulmZCoi8kyKno8cEv15r59al04yVoc0zXoeMWNE4x88TtnZukNhN7qarlgUQfPOKeUg-U5jSf6DENeIyyHsIz1/s1600-h/P1010898.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPvVlzz3HSkgmxm-z_4XFZBfCf0cPJcxiKpz1Q6hcAhz3fclPqKPlgDulmZCoi8kyKno8cEv15r59al04yVoc0zXoeMWNE4x88TtnZukNhN7qarlgUQfPOKeUg-U5jSf6DENeIyyHsIz1/s320/P1010898.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278204007185140802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWkP3jpF4t6rgqEXxUXWP9XH8tFx-y-TJ1hOMxHHBtKOdxkoh1T-X-nIQ8amIB4O8XunQaV4G7NIkAjnWT0dusbo150nWGeN5Yu4Mps4a427I9KulerIgZey1L2zIyrfIUToeRM8BjQam/s1600-h/P1010899.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWkP3jpF4t6rgqEXxUXWP9XH8tFx-y-TJ1hOMxHHBtKOdxkoh1T-X-nIQ8amIB4O8XunQaV4G7NIkAjnWT0dusbo150nWGeN5Yu4Mps4a427I9KulerIgZey1L2zIyrfIUToeRM8BjQam/s320/P1010899.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278204000586276434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnYmIpVKZRLZUW9TmNbd20PdcvK5YBOcOvHnE2y9-SsNMrTPz3LevBKPruKcEALG_O39Ygyts1f3T7JVA6wqSHPUIOxe5H-vM_XeJx_-40g1HaID7ht1fEDBRyEjkdWRwDxpaD7mRjyQQ/s1600-h/P1010888.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnYmIpVKZRLZUW9TmNbd20PdcvK5YBOcOvHnE2y9-SsNMrTPz3LevBKPruKcEALG_O39Ygyts1f3T7JVA6wqSHPUIOxe5H-vM_XeJx_-40g1HaID7ht1fEDBRyEjkdWRwDxpaD7mRjyQQ/s320/P1010888.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278203994892886066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YATBgNawX6T3rjhB7cbdKKW_hoecHsHkchYHeXkQJXTydQtenh3zF46C2sacsoiAV7joT-jeaNa8_lG4YlSsMvP9xO7olwPaWKD8bjG0QZqU0pH47yWuh2G-LaTAz05cqdAWEhBrV1r-/s1600-h/P1010900.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YATBgNawX6T3rjhB7cbdKKW_hoecHsHkchYHeXkQJXTydQtenh3zF46C2sacsoiAV7joT-jeaNa8_lG4YlSsMvP9xO7olwPaWKD8bjG0QZqU0pH47yWuh2G-LaTAz05cqdAWEhBrV1r-/s320/P1010900.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278203986618689490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-j5_XiT7Dbanx-tTyl_8etSaurUwEK0MZw8NAcqCFP__9XogZP_HulCMdfUw3k_vwM9YYn8tBW-ortmnYs93joZRSLXBlCQ596aXmQ15YcT9a79iEaBRrtDwJ346RYeIZ0Gh0O2gNwdx/s1600-h/P1010902.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-j5_XiT7Dbanx-tTyl_8etSaurUwEK0MZw8NAcqCFP__9XogZP_HulCMdfUw3k_vwM9YYn8tBW-ortmnYs93joZRSLXBlCQ596aXmQ15YcT9a79iEaBRrtDwJ346RYeIZ0Gh0O2gNwdx/s320/P1010902.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278203977641318642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-wmvPrZT3rol_8k21xvJrkpo3cfn4rH-O4by5XWV5FKwYdESjqYwTbO9nCMCx59BnEnIXvqPBSj55u3J4EPr8GaSHo8hdwBSxVTCO8pyT8kQFRRI2LihR9NlwqO5LB7sv3nHk9HDPAR8/s1600-h/P1010903.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-wmvPrZT3rol_8k21xvJrkpo3cfn4rH-O4by5XWV5FKwYdESjqYwTbO9nCMCx59BnEnIXvqPBSj55u3J4EPr8GaSHo8hdwBSxVTCO8pyT8kQFRRI2LihR9NlwqO5LB7sv3nHk9HDPAR8/s320/P1010903.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278205024737453842" /></a><br />Snow on Palm Trees - I just can't get over how funny that is!!SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-13375835197166925522008-12-02T16:25:00.000+01:002008-12-02T19:19:40.559+01:00Thanksgiving in London and Snow in Lugano!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxZu9jOGgGTp2uKQJT6Q5pcaMffyeBFXLychmcgyd9W1ThMRbMXtSw2LBO2X-2AbL-0_Qy-16dHrvAQog4iXA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Sunday night I got home to a bit of snow on the ground, and you would have thought I won the lottery, I was so excited! It's not every day a girl from Texas sees snow actually ON the ground! Little did I know it would REALLY snow all day on Monday! It was beautiful. I'm not sure if I was more excited or the kids! Just take a look!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqpbPzlRln31lkfyGENb2CvqaWmI_M7tNNJFiqsr9gNqmh6sVcnpCoKJjbzKdDY8X22SAORe8GdYszceFQIrmzkZvrSqIZYRVo7mJT4Cg2_HLNdN4wV_oNc6q57hy88KQOvPExpOalVdx/s1600-h/P1010745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqpbPzlRln31lkfyGENb2CvqaWmI_M7tNNJFiqsr9gNqmh6sVcnpCoKJjbzKdDY8X22SAORe8GdYszceFQIrmzkZvrSqIZYRVo7mJT4Cg2_HLNdN4wV_oNc6q57hy88KQOvPExpOalVdx/s320/P1010745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275218735123599090"></a><br />Outside TASIS Elementary School (it snowed about 3 more inches after this)!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVY5LgSn8fx5SqJIzzdFlLC1gUninNKsnk71P5LDARJ6QwN1tf6gAppx1LpKaV0H4iMJwuaGiW1t7sAf5y2RsRQLg2yl38M8TZ9xRzuuShnYEKC6C1_YX6uAckXltDCB-JcqqRHMlnoxL/s1600-h/P1010738.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVY5LgSn8fx5SqJIzzdFlLC1gUninNKsnk71P5LDARJ6QwN1tf6gAppx1LpKaV0H4iMJwuaGiW1t7sAf5y2RsRQLg2yl38M8TZ9xRzuuShnYEKC6C1_YX6uAckXltDCB-JcqqRHMlnoxL/s320/P1010738.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275218732799151602"></a><br />Palm Trees with Snow - How often do you see that!?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPydj16zloAJB2S4tSRo4wjjfy4Yh2NiqdCR5K3G-dO_sn3k6Gfw3IzS7-pqaZzr_a9pTJpYtqeCptgNGALdEEJ4VXVtkCBS-8W8hfbkt1lX8MRQZDSMt3iX7VoWLGGzDNlHWo2o8gasH/s1600-h/IMG_0979.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPydj16zloAJB2S4tSRo4wjjfy4Yh2NiqdCR5K3G-dO_sn3k6Gfw3IzS7-pqaZzr_a9pTJpYtqeCptgNGALdEEJ4VXVtkCBS-8W8hfbkt1lX8MRQZDSMt3iX7VoWLGGzDNlHWo2o8gasH/s320/IMG_0979.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275218728109137282"></a><br />TASIS in the Snow<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FWzCE5PyVwbA0FF40h2oeuMcuHq2E-Y0FDCv3M2GqJxCjhb1BoCu12h019GBA-l7yygushKZ1uFW2QjgRcOZ_AqJ2W1QI7ovXj4kws36Z-ZnFuC2mDN95wf9FpIRieS6ehJMSmK1AI5b/s1600-h/P1010740.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FWzCE5PyVwbA0FF40h2oeuMcuHq2E-Y0FDCv3M2GqJxCjhb1BoCu12h019GBA-l7yygushKZ1uFW2QjgRcOZ_AqJ2W1QI7ovXj4kws36Z-ZnFuC2mDN95wf9FpIRieS6ehJMSmK1AI5b/s320/P1010740.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275218717688473458"></a><br />St. Abbondio Church<br /><br />However, I have decided I much more enjoy the snow from the warmth of my own house. Not 10 steps out of my door on my walk up the hill, I got splashed by a car driving by. Turns out, snow is actually wet, cold and dirty. Who knew! But once I thawed out and dried off, the smile on my face came right back!<br /><br />This weekend was the 2nd annual Thanksgiving at the Davises in London. Eas had to work late, so I began the one hour trek alone (a tube, a bus ride, and a cold walk) to their flat. He finally got there just in time for the grub! It was SO good to see the Davis and Coleman families, and the food was fantastic! It was a LONG night waiting for the UT/aTm game to come on, but at 1:00 a.m., the Davises, Colemans, Selma, one Hag and another Davis tuned in. I told myself that if we had scored 3 TD's by halftime we could go home and go to bed. And alas...I got my wish granted! Hook 'em Horns!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZky-6xBsa1BPadAyNLf4EOhepqtUqEA7vRE9k4YrwEUlpwupJCwrDP-llvvCZx2fnNx9Yfhxp1pT0GLgZrswCxfOzaKqUjGrn2ng4VD-YtZev1sVak6QYlQkcgX0VMtG9BpTwapa5Coj/s1600-h/P1010708.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZky-6xBsa1BPadAyNLf4EOhepqtUqEA7vRE9k4YrwEUlpwupJCwrDP-llvvCZx2fnNx9Yfhxp1pT0GLgZrswCxfOzaKqUjGrn2ng4VD-YtZev1sVak6QYlQkcgX0VMtG9BpTwapa5Coj/s320/P1010708.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275223588852330162" /></a><br />Me and Morgs with Mr. Turkey<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_UazpejlBUNhmxHmlKBYfEka6J6HnJJz_3dYP1_cpjKsni-uhezI8sI5Z-pVWCMiX1FbhdV3qgJ5ch9MG7qOsOed_9grI4Nps_Ks0Sx8zpLJDRTo_pX9P4KBrcmL0SyQ-dO0KFvnAhCn/s1600-h/P1010730.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_UazpejlBUNhmxHmlKBYfEka6J6HnJJz_3dYP1_cpjKsni-uhezI8sI5Z-pVWCMiX1FbhdV3qgJ5ch9MG7qOsOed_9grI4Nps_Ks0Sx8zpLJDRTo_pX9P4KBrcmL0SyQ-dO0KFvnAhCn/s320/P1010730.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275223583230402594" /></a><br />A Happy Horn!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixy_WeVZZTCTnWyDerEgcjVA22hZh9hylnIe5jNgPi64za5H1VDSfjJijCnNFu3o2SJYFB-wDqmsKaswMegclsIDGjsWMHAdKbz1JkYSnVbMhk3uahIf3fO5UPPrcIBOiKoNpVea8RjJMZ/s1600-h/P1010728.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixy_WeVZZTCTnWyDerEgcjVA22hZh9hylnIe5jNgPi64za5H1VDSfjJijCnNFu3o2SJYFB-wDqmsKaswMegclsIDGjsWMHAdKbz1JkYSnVbMhk3uahIf3fO5UPPrcIBOiKoNpVea8RjJMZ/s320/P1010728.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275223581320854050" /></a><br />The Spread!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRW6pl0gbu_7DXEKtAKpWtfukqWDqnrNq_4cuQux0StEB9Lqe2y7l_do3Sc1NTiSVmrbWEJ5dVWIB4fh1Ik0U3tbIgr8ckkkqB7LR_wo4Jbi8-newKi9mus0JaFrJsbxtbFzY0mQsMEy6r/s1600-h/P1010727.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRW6pl0gbu_7DXEKtAKpWtfukqWDqnrNq_4cuQux0StEB9Lqe2y7l_do3Sc1NTiSVmrbWEJ5dVWIB4fh1Ik0U3tbIgr8ckkkqB7LR_wo4Jbi8-newKi9mus0JaFrJsbxtbFzY0mQsMEy6r/s320/P1010727.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275223572437628466" /></a><br />What's that Mr. Turkey? The Horns are gonna win? That's no secret! :)<br /><br />The rest of the weekend in London was SO very relaxing. Lots of naps, brunches with friends, Christmas shopping and book store people watching. My kind of weekend! Saturday night Eas and I went to the house of a friend of his for a wine, cheese and chocolate party, and I think my Swiss chocolate was a hit! Later that night we headed to the American sports bar to watch some football with his buddy Geoff. Good times! My sweet boyfriend even gave me a 1 year anniversary gift: beautiful blue topaz earrings! They were a huge surprise to me and I just love them! Thanks, Eas! :)<br /> <br />I am already busy packing and planning for my trip home for Christmas -- I can't wait to see everyone! I am also booking trips for the Spring. So far it looks like Amsterdam in January, Lisbon to see Travis in February, a big group of us are going to London in February as well, and Eas and I are thinking Eqypt and Rome in April! That doesn't count all of my family and my Mermaid coming as well. It should be a fast, furious and fun Spring! <br /><br />I am now listening to Christmas music as some kiddos are decorating outside my office (don't worry, it's after school!), and there is snow outside! Christmas is definitely here!!SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-89358236928173517562008-11-27T15:21:00.000+01:002008-11-27T15:49:41.447+01:00Visitors Come to Lugano!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH3YQWLpdnOBQWSEWaBlawKP3ML3b23zuNo-hM_7ypvVT_ghHWmZ1ldBZxKV5wi9MYB4R3lmvnf5cMhxjtBLdJQol7ufTuDiZFXvghO1plqFVisglmIqACHO4n5UCpbJM7PGG1o1oozhS/s1600-h/101_0129.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH3YQWLpdnOBQWSEWaBlawKP3ML3b23zuNo-hM_7ypvVT_ghHWmZ1ldBZxKV5wi9MYB4R3lmvnf5cMhxjtBLdJQol7ufTuDiZFXvghO1plqFVisglmIqACHO4n5UCpbJM7PGG1o1oozhS/s320/101_0129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273347253283303842" /></a><br />My visitors with me at the Irish Pub<br /><br />As you can see from my lack of posts, it’s been a busy week. Wait…don’t I always say that? This time, it’s different. It was busy because I was planning for, prepping for, and hosting not one, but TWO groups of friends here in Lugano! We’ll start from the beginning.<br /><br />Now, I wouldn’t say that I was good at driving a standard car before moving over here (just ask my dad who tried to teach me 10 times and Eas whom I nearly killed multiple times while practicing this summer)! But living here and needing to shop has forced me to do the unthinkable – learn how to drive a stick! It started off with trips up and down the hill between the two campuses. Then one day I made it to the gas station and back, then to the train station and back, then to IKEA and back (only stalling once or twice, I assure you – haha). Finally the time came where I decided it was time to push myself a little further. Like…to Milan, Italy. So last Friday night I offered to take Blair to the airport in Milan (so I could learn the way and experience going 0-120 in 10 secs - that’s kilometers, don’t worry). But of course I didn’t want to make the trip back alone, so I talked Allyson and Lizzie into a little road trip! Fun times! We only got lost once, in Varese, where I decided going around and around in the round-about while they looked for signs was a good a plan as any! Too bad we were laughing to hard to be able to tell which way we should go! Finally, we guessed right, and found our way home. We celebrated the successful trip with a night at the IP (where else!?).<br /><br />Saturday came around and it was time to pick up the Austin Middle School girls! Jessica, Theresa and Robina were all sweet enough to spend their week of Thanksgiving break with me here in Europe! I left at 11:00 to drive (by myself this time!) and was just in time to welcome the passengers coming from Paris (their connection). Only, I welcomed everyone else BUT them! After and hour past landing time and still no sign, I began to worry. Finally they were able to get a hold of me after many hours and many unsuccessful attempts. Their original flight was delayed which caused them to miss their 2nd flight. What a mess! No worries, I found a book AND a magazine in English (that never happens here!) and 6.5 hours went by pretty fast. ☺ We had yummy pizza at Argentino’s in downtown Lugano, and celebrated their arrival that night at the IP (where else!?).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FlDX9XhrXosU51bJO7Heqq3T5sMeBzhM9JvloqgJAAgG5qaRva0rpzOv5g89bbxnNejkStbyAc-Obl0XH4a0h49Q8h1mTMy5F8ZUKjcV_hAL2lF-gXJ2A6ahTdGAg48b-njmn_Zqof8V/s1600-h/IMG_1587.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FlDX9XhrXosU51bJO7Heqq3T5sMeBzhM9JvloqgJAAgG5qaRva0rpzOv5g89bbxnNejkStbyAc-Obl0XH4a0h49Q8h1mTMy5F8ZUKjcV_hAL2lF-gXJ2A6ahTdGAg48b-njmn_Zqof8V/s320/IMG_1587.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273347241444198242" /></a><br />Me and Bina at IP<br /><br />On Sunday I tried to let the girls sleep in, but Jess was having none of it! She got us up and got us moving, and we decided to head to Lake Como to look for George Clooney! First we stopped at the train to get their tickets to Venice (and some Swiss Fraaaanks, as Bina likes to say!). Once in Como we spent the afternoon eating more yummy Italian food by the lake and partook in a little Italian shopping. We ate gelato, of course, and even got to walk in on a real live mass in the Como Duomo that night! Como is very hopping at night and shops close late (unlike sleepy Lugano). Since it’s only 20 minutes away and I can now drive, I think I’ll be spending more time with Clooney than I thought! ☺ I wanted to take the girls to see his house in Bellagio (a 45 minute boat ride) but it was so late that the boat would only take us TO Bellagio, and not back. So we opted for the 1 hour Lake Como boat tour at dusk - it was lovely, and we did get to see Versace’s house! After that ,we headed back home to Lugano, and celebrated the end of a fun day in that night at the IP (are you seeing a trend here?)!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6tQ__FPS0CQ5hVML4BYnB69dRo59JdBOaLuIi6Mb6dlbUjNel_M4PKvyEzYm3IwBUa8zlNMDAQGcceoO1X1zOQfjkTkU17sPuA_DTIBfTCao4-cZO8H65_a28cjRI_MtYNPf2TGdlzlQ/s1600-h/PB230019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6tQ__FPS0CQ5hVML4BYnB69dRo59JdBOaLuIi6Mb6dlbUjNel_M4PKvyEzYm3IwBUa8zlNMDAQGcceoO1X1zOQfjkTkU17sPuA_DTIBfTCao4-cZO8H65_a28cjRI_MtYNPf2TGdlzlQ/s320/PB230019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273343683083275698" /></a><br />Me and Jess in Como<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjfhJoxVsxoCu2OuDy1iObauBreifawyeRW6pv5JZ6gCqYFQhWueXB89EZDPqYXoZz-Rsa8Q03bwLg-TQVk3098GyyeSTMKXaCmppZQn3I31bV7n6iDJAg6IJtNl6WIwPFX6pVf0oyHNH/s1600-h/P1010659.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjfhJoxVsxoCu2OuDy1iObauBreifawyeRW6pv5JZ6gCqYFQhWueXB89EZDPqYXoZz-Rsa8Q03bwLg-TQVk3098GyyeSTMKXaCmppZQn3I31bV7n6iDJAg6IJtNl6WIwPFX6pVf0oyHNH/s320/P1010659.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273343656705073954" /></a><br />Girls in front of the Como Duomo<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bNhN46KQmDK0deNhP4Ojtu2Zm4dBTN_Nkli59zogYWmSrFAuSH6jW1CAGLVmSiyRC2Lc76ZXkm8CH2iB70PkESALttWxGcIUNKHKrJOeMfWIPk17f2oLB20kYMsbPXTI7itIyD0Efr9a/s1600-h/P1010663.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bNhN46KQmDK0deNhP4Ojtu2Zm4dBTN_Nkli59zogYWmSrFAuSH6jW1CAGLVmSiyRC2Lc76ZXkm8CH2iB70PkESALttWxGcIUNKHKrJOeMfWIPk17f2oLB20kYMsbPXTI7itIyD0Efr9a/s320/P1010663.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273343665679095010" /></a><br />Jess and Bina try the Italian gelato!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxZUjeALoXcvQUsiMy6Dy3QBx_36Uty7O3EYfyevGfK4eCcmQ-IWVGhE9geXDQt4Eb0LZo2__yPCD_oN_GSmGfySIgYFMt3lA5_iyTkz1ASCqreCaHZH5oHu8qhhidSMU9cEM6LAPBelS/s1600-h/101_0105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxZUjeALoXcvQUsiMy6Dy3QBx_36Uty7O3EYfyevGfK4eCcmQ-IWVGhE9geXDQt4Eb0LZo2__yPCD_oN_GSmGfySIgYFMt3lA5_iyTkz1ASCqreCaHZH5oHu8qhhidSMU9cEM6LAPBelS/s320/101_0105.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273347244265778882" /></a><br />Boat ride on Lake Como<br /><br />That night we stayed up until nearly 3 a.m. just talking, catching up, eating cheese dip (they brought me Velveeta and Rotel and I was a HAPPY girl!) and, of course, some Swiss chocolate. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that it was SNOWING at 3 a.m., which made it very hard to go to sleep! Staying up that late was possibly a bad idea, as the girls had a 7:10 a.m. train to catch to Venice on Monday. At 7:09 we still weren’t at the station, so I said, “okay girls, hop out, go down those stairs, follow the signs to the trains, and…RUN!” Somehow they made their train, but barely. Off they went to Venice and off I went to work (very tired!).<br /><br />Around 2:00 p.m. I received my 2nd round of visitors…my favorite travelin’ sisters, Candace and Christen. They are spending the week in Italy (Rome, Florence, etc) so they decided to come spend a night with me in Lugano! It was so great to see them. Candace even had interviews lined up with people at TASIS to possibly teach here next year (wouldn’t that be fun!). That night I decided to drive to Como again for dinner (they had never been). We just walked around the lake, went to the Duomo and ate a very nice and yummy meal. It was pretty quiet that night in Como (only 3 other table of people in our little quaint restaurant), but the four Italian men who were celebrating a birthday were nice enough to share their cake with the 3 girls from Texas! It was very sweet of them. Turns out one of them lived in Houston for a while (the world really is small).<br />Tuesday I headed off to work (with Candace in tow to have more interviews) and that was one crazy day! I have decided it would be more fun to have friends in town visiting when you didn’t have to work! More pics from their trip when Candace sends them to me. :)<br /><br />Candace and her sis left around 2:00 that day, and Group 1 of the friends make it back from Venice around 8:30 that night (after many delays!). I spent the time in between the groups cleaning up and packing for the next day’s adventure. After I got them at the station, it was up to the Bellavista for some yummy pizza and Ticino Merlot. We celebrated them being back into town with a night at the IP! By this time we had become close friends with everyone at the Irish Pub (especially David, our bartender) and I have now been asked to bring back cowboy hats for everyone there, in remembrance of the Texas girls who made the IP their 2nd home!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiy9CmQN2cw3lorS_0H2rCOmqSO5sMHsFokCLWvR8qp_q5nkN-phVkRSqeRCKnd1W0cS_JN0PPMw59IYR815HhFxlwbZt2AY2AcG9fey_jg7qGrMEpKr6TcEBOhWClHnLyeuPBN8oifdc/s1600-h/PB250075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiy9CmQN2cw3lorS_0H2rCOmqSO5sMHsFokCLWvR8qp_q5nkN-phVkRSqeRCKnd1W0cS_JN0PPMw59IYR815HhFxlwbZt2AY2AcG9fey_jg7qGrMEpKr6TcEBOhWClHnLyeuPBN8oifdc/s320/PB250075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273347235490757986" /></a><br />Last night at the IP<br /><br />Wednesday morning I took the girls to the station to catch their 8:00 a.m. shuttle to the airport (yeah we didn’t sleep EVER!), and off they went to Paris! No worries, I had plans to meet back up with my girls in Paris (for the night) after work. That day could not have gone faster – I couldn’t wait to spend a night in Paris with my girls! I arrived to the hotel around 10:30 p.m. and we hopped the tube to go have a look at the Eiffel Tower at night. Bellisima! After that, we headed to another part of town to check out a bar that Eason recommended, Bar Latino. We found it, but were too hungry to even think about going in…so we went on a little food excursion. After being turned down by 10 restaurants, we FINALLY found a place with cheeseburgers and French fries. Yes, please! Too bad Bar Latino closed (in my face!) right as we got back down there to do some Salsa dancing. ☹ Oh well, it was a fun night none-the-less, and since the girls had another early morning (to catch the flight back home) it was probably better this way! Too bad we didn’t find an Irish Pub in Paris!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn_cOR6xxjH-jbkrIwPy4h115HObAvXF7zEoEXIUYmA4Ed03uceLeuNNzC1i2-W-Bn14FyTXq5-7J-_RF8CcIE0-xaim-y7LxIlS7In21mG0p2eJl0mbyfZcnHs11_MNA3qrkC40cwPO2/s1600-h/P1010696.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRn_cOR6xxjH-jbkrIwPy4h115HObAvXF7zEoEXIUYmA4Ed03uceLeuNNzC1i2-W-Bn14FyTXq5-7J-_RF8CcIE0-xaim-y7LxIlS7In21mG0p2eJl0mbyfZcnHs11_MNA3qrkC40cwPO2/s320/P1010696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273343670117768034" /></a><br />Eiffel Tower at night<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWknjaCvAb1YFliv8-Xm6UGpYthAFOfKSp1Fq4hTkMUdpav9nvrR_esnIsb6jWtHYF3M3i2aQnwAbmXKmcGRjKhwBPDYQ6TBU5E6E_-1oXd8rbY_VzNM2titApVh15Ox9zekqs_cEZoUS/s1600-h/P1010702.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWknjaCvAb1YFliv8-Xm6UGpYthAFOfKSp1Fq4hTkMUdpav9nvrR_esnIsb6jWtHYF3M3i2aQnwAbmXKmcGRjKhwBPDYQ6TBU5E6E_-1oXd8rbY_VzNM2titApVh15Ox9zekqs_cEZoUS/s320/P1010702.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273343667414317202" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI8tg-uhQlkAnbnUKrhtlwVEg_5dWxyxur1j-BVUGFITBypPNYSCCy7ritmRVLvode3Sg6iz5nJJ5g3EbA52XZUdqFF0IHkMkiK1AeuHsYKNn48XAEGttIbABAvwWZmkNqW_Hl6iK7-s3/s1600-h/101_0282.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI8tg-uhQlkAnbnUKrhtlwVEg_5dWxyxur1j-BVUGFITBypPNYSCCy7ritmRVLvode3Sg6iz5nJJ5g3EbA52XZUdqFF0IHkMkiK1AeuHsYKNn48XAEGttIbABAvwWZmkNqW_Hl6iK7-s3/s320/101_0282.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273347263677140274" /></a><br />Figuring out the Paris Underground<br /><br />So my 14 hours in Paris was great! Not just because Paris is great, but also because it was with great company. I laugh so much with those girls! It was so great to get to see them on my side of the world for a while. We just kept saying, “We’re in Italy!” or “We’re in Switzerland!” or “We’re in Paris!” It was oh-so-much-fun! Thank you, girls, for coming to visit!! You have NO idea what it means to me. I can’t wait to read the book of comments when I’m home at Christmas!<br /><br />I am now on the Eurostar from Paris to London (great catching up on sleeping time!) and we have just come out of the tunnel that goes through the English Channel. Tonight is the 2nd Annual Davis Thanksgiving in London dinner and I couldn’t be more excited (to see my friend and to eat some real American food!). It’s also special because her parents are there (which means if the turkey showed up with feet this time, I won’t have to be the one to help pluck!). It’s so nice that I have been fortunate enough to spend my last 2 Thanksgivings with people who are like family since I can’t be with my own. Tonight is special, also, because it’s the same dinner that Eason and I met at last year! Who can believe it…a whole year!? ☺ I’m excited about spending time with him this weekend (Christmas shopping and just watching movies and football). We also have a wine, cheese and chocolate party to go to with his friends, and I’m the Swiss Chocolate provider!<br /><br />To my family: I miss you all so terribly and am counting down the days when I get to see you! I wish I was home this Thanksgiving with you all. Please freeze some yummy dressing for me, Mom! Happy Thanksgiving to all. Oh yeah, and HOOK ‘EM HORNS!SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-8708284667607892632008-11-18T20:50:00.001+01:002008-11-18T22:19:38.748+01:00A Birthday to Remember!Wow! What a birthday! Before I moved I thought it would be hard to spend my bday far from home, but as it turns out -- it doesn't matter how far away from home you are, as long as you have a good family and friends! I got so many cards, text messages, emails packages, and baked goods -- it was just like being at home! Blair decorated our office and made yummy AMERICAN muffins, and the kids sang to me all day long (in about 3 different languages)! Later that night, Blair had the TASIS girls over and people brought yummy homemade goodies and wine. It was so great -- I even had a cake! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zusGNR7CIOsqyZhpfVCdXTZ7zQqvpxYydt58IND0hpsPAJxo_paf0lYKa6bBcAFENlvFAwn9YA9Iqsd_UknV6sUEllUS-w6zx86ekZFwpVoapnZX99QqKNIfMCfRhQmUqxqaKEXBh37F/s1600-h/P1010441.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zusGNR7CIOsqyZhpfVCdXTZ7zQqvpxYydt58IND0hpsPAJxo_paf0lYKa6bBcAFENlvFAwn9YA9Iqsd_UknV6sUEllUS-w6zx86ekZFwpVoapnZX99QqKNIfMCfRhQmUqxqaKEXBh37F/s320/P1010441.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270091694869611554"></a><br /><br />Quite possibly the BEST gift I got was this sweet, sweet video from the Overstreets! It made my name to hear sweet Kate say "Happy Birthday, Hay-yee!" My heart melted! I can't wait to see those lovely ladies at Christmas!<br /><br />My dad and Lisa also sent me a great gift -- a BOX full of UT gear! My friends here just died laughing as I pulled out item after item of burnt orange goodness!! A backpack, a mesh bag, 2 notepads, a FLAG, a calendar -- you name it! All UT! I loved it! :) <br /><br />Friday morning I hopped a plane to Paris to meet Eas -- what a fun weekend he had planned! It helps that he lived there for a <br />while and speaks French. :) He had a "Hag Bag" of gifts (as if PARIS wasn't a gift in itself!) and we went out for a nice French dinner! The whole weekend was great - we saw every sight there was to see! My favorite was the view from Sacre-Coeur, although the weather didn't really provide great picture taking!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTIboH8jPwANq2FBVmjvxMzfdI1F_AtkEK0DiIqgNcWmdvGCyVjEl-KANQfDwxpr6ylpBpN_lJQhcxdsxJZR8KwGoEVVwzIQ33T-xvXwl8bF0siaQgXikQySvEq-4WsSO4NNhlQUhL7Zj/s1600-h/P1010469.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTTIboH8jPwANq2FBVmjvxMzfdI1F_AtkEK0DiIqgNcWmdvGCyVjEl-KANQfDwxpr6ylpBpN_lJQhcxdsxJZR8KwGoEVVwzIQ33T-xvXwl8bF0siaQgXikQySvEq-4WsSO4NNhlQUhL7Zj/s320/P1010469.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270099729375514690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rA0nhzSZYw8KvTm6OL5jDDbx4f-sdnEyFDQ0e_zrRIofVbpYttASUSUTIg8Sej15k5DL2cpyPKQxCU50mIrlFZllPhfqjofpkfE-GO37aIjGz1gHWAqT20JadmDSh01uSnbjClcGKTxX/s1600-h/P1010492.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rA0nhzSZYw8KvTm6OL5jDDbx4f-sdnEyFDQ0e_zrRIofVbpYttASUSUTIg8Sej15k5DL2cpyPKQxCU50mIrlFZllPhfqjofpkfE-GO37aIjGz1gHWAqT20JadmDSh01uSnbjClcGKTxX/s320/P1010492.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270099722405412354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15136kwDYfO5TOEtLRhfuRYSWHPMPai3QVtMzEfZnChZuFM63j11ZEE1RqDvNhyphenhyphen6jmqpCQl5gSkdMfOS4E6maN3RnLugAO8DQV4mJrqiw1FUjcIDJeDKUSPpHXQUbfswaIDFNGh50x4R_/s1600-h/n520847792_1529445_2563.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15136kwDYfO5TOEtLRhfuRYSWHPMPai3QVtMzEfZnChZuFM63j11ZEE1RqDvNhyphenhyphen6jmqpCQl5gSkdMfOS4E6maN3RnLugAO8DQV4mJrqiw1FUjcIDJeDKUSPpHXQUbfswaIDFNGh50x4R_/s320/n520847792_1529445_2563.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270099712385719170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZRCYaBqI3e-wsFpR7F1afeyaWIE0iNggtngDy7BlFiIhQhdmVzDNfScN5Yah-gBbvAzL2JSdQNvOnbQwDvXRsoHrsgPYMVeoDzRLlrlPnD8ydCRd0De429BUT6v9aEHFv4Y1dxQdJ3j5/s1600-h/P1010479.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisZRCYaBqI3e-wsFpR7F1afeyaWIE0iNggtngDy7BlFiIhQhdmVzDNfScN5Yah-gBbvAzL2JSdQNvOnbQwDvXRsoHrsgPYMVeoDzRLlrlPnD8ydCRd0De429BUT6v9aEHFv4Y1dxQdJ3j5/s320/P1010479.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270099710943058610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOg4v9vAlVshw7s9BDt4lp4FCNfKxS9y0Cl1bybKqdpCmXbjQXxVOchR9nHxVQSo4WixMqaeUF1_I8we41bPpLvP1SjAvzUTYpElQZP2O0oTxx0raltxbVmm5034jViQpJWOWY02lXXZr/s1600-h/n520847792_1529333_4739.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbOg4v9vAlVshw7s9BDt4lp4FCNfKxS9y0Cl1bybKqdpCmXbjQXxVOchR9nHxVQSo4WixMqaeUF1_I8we41bPpLvP1SjAvzUTYpElQZP2O0oTxx0raltxbVmm5034jViQpJWOWY02lXXZr/s320/n520847792_1529333_4739.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270099698623054994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCElScnP2ukzXbgu8JGvBmkZ02A4YpN5Ctfa8jujSHs3Pl2ZgG8ndqw5KE8mxlhx_O-VImh82fW6zWmxcKYEGOPUEKMbMHISBWgM6FjTpnxYCMt_rM6tEF7hD5szSUaKioTLf_sV8z4sqy/s1600-h/P1010475.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCElScnP2ukzXbgu8JGvBmkZ02A4YpN5Ctfa8jujSHs3Pl2ZgG8ndqw5KE8mxlhx_O-VImh82fW6zWmxcKYEGOPUEKMbMHISBWgM6FjTpnxYCMt_rM6tEF7hD5szSUaKioTLf_sV8z4sqy/s320/P1010475.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270100369784974994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhmDDVWb9WquTISEQMGCslkIc6BJU038xVQHlL8XauFjm5agEaxe2wNOeVHuMbX5lpe7OSxIP3dVPVLAegsChLyLzTvojnildh8gQnc4bDD8mvLhaJ86p0TWBzZaSf92L7RF_kWq7ecna/s1600-h/P1010449.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzhmDDVWb9WquTISEQMGCslkIc6BJU038xVQHlL8XauFjm5agEaxe2wNOeVHuMbX5lpe7OSxIP3dVPVLAegsChLyLzTvojnildh8gQnc4bDD8mvLhaJ86p0TWBzZaSf92L7RF_kWq7ecna/s320/P1010449.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270100362879986274" /></a><br />This is a shot of the Alps from the plane ride to Paris! How beautiful!<br /><br />All is well in Swiss-land but I'm really looking forward to Christmas in ONE MONTH! Jessica, Terri, Robina, Candace and Christen are ALL coming to visit this week and I couldn't be more excited! It'll be an action packed week (Como, Lugano, Paris, London) -- but I can't wait to see my friends! It's about time I had visitors!!SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-54390183669882094742008-11-09T21:55:00.000+01:002008-11-09T22:22:03.108+01:00Prouder than Ever...to be an American! No matter what your political views are, we should all be proud of what happened this week. This country came together to elect an African American to the highest office of the nation. My children will never know that there was any other way. I can now tell my students of all races, "you can be anything you want to be" and mean it. I know that the country was divided this election, but I am thankful for so many people having an opinion and taking part in the democratic election process (isn't that what America is all about?). No matter who we wanted to win, we wall must come together now to support President-elect Obama. He has a tough road ahead of him. But remember...change is good. :) Everyone here was SO into the election. I woke up at 5 a.m. JUST in time to turn on CNN and hear them announce their projection that Obama had won the election. It was exhilarating! I thought McCain speech was really great and very honorable. I will forever remember Obama's speech. It was one of those moments that I really, really wanted to be at home. But luckily my sister finally found out how to use Skype, and we got to talk in person! That made it all the better! <br /><br />Here are the pics I promised from last weekend's visitors. Don't the castles look fun!?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBDMV4tf6yOUfdDuVJePCzMOPWzfQ20xctgwIiT76z2rJvOE4FeWIZFD5qU8M6REsbsX2cn6-FQZuVJEhCVgn1cuLGlf2U_bpXbcctnGu7X80pxaAWputq1LjxVN5x429DzxVeS_FjIBM/s1600-h/n520847792_1487109_2132.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjBDMV4tf6yOUfdDuVJePCzMOPWzfQ20xctgwIiT76z2rJvOE4FeWIZFD5qU8M6REsbsX2cn6-FQZuVJEhCVgn1cuLGlf2U_bpXbcctnGu7X80pxaAWputq1LjxVN5x429DzxVeS_FjIBM/s320/n520847792_1487109_2132.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266769020082187186" /></a><br />Blair, Me and Allyson in Montagnola (where I live) with the view of Lake Lugano behind us. Beautiful!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8SMEt33-5HfsxPvc4hJVRjc_G74uVzbooaDm0r06FqUKvYidjT-OqjrpnZSm6bhs7xNPe2uuSgwrhb7wrVPKFmghCfvJMp5xfZm5QQTHP22vrBj75JR_jwmp85GKI2UWf9zWbssBZW0g/s1600-h/n520847792_1487092_7198.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8SMEt33-5HfsxPvc4hJVRjc_G74uVzbooaDm0r06FqUKvYidjT-OqjrpnZSm6bhs7xNPe2uuSgwrhb7wrVPKFmghCfvJMp5xfZm5QQTHP22vrBj75JR_jwmp85GKI2UWf9zWbssBZW0g/s320/n520847792_1487092_7198.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266769014140088818" /></a><br />Blair, me and Lizzie in a castle in Belinzona<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL-rnWhkgLj62MIZfzEnt4kLdtCQ159RSYbY7nfzBhUK3NAd_kGqZ7C6STRzJUXllJSPl_Fe0u3uX8tYZlZSLa_l8Iw_BpNyFlWBu6g6pvVcsAiKHRtBEI8y68uvvNUTwEN07mAjGXCjC/s1600-h/n520847792_1487083_4634.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL-rnWhkgLj62MIZfzEnt4kLdtCQ159RSYbY7nfzBhUK3NAd_kGqZ7C6STRzJUXllJSPl_Fe0u3uX8tYZlZSLa_l8Iw_BpNyFlWBu6g6pvVcsAiKHRtBEI8y68uvvNUTwEN07mAjGXCjC/s320/n520847792_1487083_4634.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266769005960158034" /></a><br />Me and Eas<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM7wPR2xT5c9h1ClMJMHV7kv0nOpSRAM5YOxrey3TQy_JIkkI-s-C6CAi66OwXedoHEfmQgnxHizyCODAcfHg6O6I3vvSHZdDYouxJi4F7MKRyL2LvoK4EG3RrLoSEnukNIxy1HxJ4RBK/s1600-h/n520847792_1487079_3561.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM7wPR2xT5c9h1ClMJMHV7kv0nOpSRAM5YOxrey3TQy_JIkkI-s-C6CAi66OwXedoHEfmQgnxHizyCODAcfHg6O6I3vvSHZdDYouxJi4F7MKRyL2LvoK4EG3RrLoSEnukNIxy1HxJ4RBK/s320/n520847792_1487079_3561.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266768999649553810" /></a><br />The crew - claiming our castle!<br /><br />Last night my friends took me out to celebrate my birthday (a week early since I'll be in Paris on my birthday next weekend with Eas!). We had such a great time! After shopping on Saturday in Lugano with Blair, we played some volleyball (yes, I played volleyball!) and then get all dolled up to head to Milan. Blair drove the 14 passenger van full of girls to the big city! Oh you should have seen the reaction we got driving that monster through the tiny, crowded streets of Milan. We actually had guys BEGGING for us to stop! I don't think they'd ever seen 9 cute girls in one van before! :) We had a great Italian meal (deep-dish pizza, for once) and headed to "The Club" for some dancing! It was a typical European club with TONS of people and loud music. Very fun times! It was a late, late night, but at least I didn't have anything planned on Sunday. I rested, cooked dinner, went for a run and cleaned! We don't have a dryer, so my apartment smells of fresh laundry (hanging from every chair and table I have)! I'm so glad I have such fun, sweet friends here at TASIS! The 9 of us had a great time! More pics to come.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBVOuBg6mzzI588O4qpH9sD5WVEWMsviwl4lPZl82I8CY3RJ9XO9LdcYecHmyD0W7BKmaOvUEUzL80MoCrl5S0UgsinXz1SlewtbwpLeWr2ZsdatCuCsnMclP2SmwJ7w4mOgI7Jz0QGNA/s1600-h/IMG_0873.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBVOuBg6mzzI588O4qpH9sD5WVEWMsviwl4lPZl82I8CY3RJ9XO9LdcYecHmyD0W7BKmaOvUEUzL80MoCrl5S0UgsinXz1SlewtbwpLeWr2ZsdatCuCsnMclP2SmwJ7w4mOgI7Jz0QGNA/s320/IMG_0873.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5266771015642618354" /></a><br />The girls out at dinner!<br /><br />Next weekend is Paris and I'm so excited! Eas sent me the itinerary, and it is action packed! I am really looking forward to seeing Paris with him. He knows the city pretty well, so I'm just letting him decide where to go! Pics to come soon from that trip! Don't worry -- part of the itinerary is watching some college football on Saturday night. He's a man after my own heart. :) Milan, Paris, friends, and football. Sounds like a perfect birthday to me!SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-87095244212269047432008-11-02T23:28:00.000+01:002008-11-03T14:26:12.770+01:00Long Overdue!Hello all! Many apologies for the lack of updates lately, but I have been very busy! I finally have moved into my new (and very own) apartment -- WITH INTERNET! That should make blogging much easier, so I shouldn't have too many excuses from now on. :) Where to begin...<br /><br />I'll start with the Swiss version of a lawn mower. See picture below! Imagine my surprise when I came home one day to this in my front yard! Two days (and two very full horses) later, the grass was perfectly short!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTRVNO8RiP9QbIXUGLKZQkY8USWlsgSbkGnh4ALzQvqXCdKYs0YSiFFd1YiYZMdGQaZfePNOC0UGmV-bT6NUu6GkrceUCXYb505p6XqAYVwI0p3iC5PRlMI-bhpoSLXUxWtfiw3qR3NMx/s1600-h/P1010359.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTRVNO8RiP9QbIXUGLKZQkY8USWlsgSbkGnh4ALzQvqXCdKYs0YSiFFd1YiYZMdGQaZfePNOC0UGmV-bT6NUu6GkrceUCXYb505p6XqAYVwI0p3iC5PRlMI-bhpoSLXUxWtfiw3qR3NMx/s320/P1010359.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264191355430985042" /></a><br /><br />I have been on 2 field trips this week and both were a great time! We took the 5/6 graders to a Safari Park in Italy with real live African animals, falcon shows, and amusement park rides! It was great fun (we even got to see the rare leone bianco -- white lions -- which apparently there are less than 100 of in the whole world)! The kids were so excited to see real life safari animals (not caged up)! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJV8Tez_W7NvOKsfhmpnggVoxiDNPdr9DbSEExPuNhv_5piAAdUg_s2p4ew8pXjvZJ5qUbugbQ6ekIzJ9BpCSMkOzQJnCgz6laQBQlc3UVRol1IN2aAfgc2jvdev8VE8LpKATdzMESrlg/s1600-h/P1010183.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJV8Tez_W7NvOKsfhmpnggVoxiDNPdr9DbSEExPuNhv_5piAAdUg_s2p4ew8pXjvZJ5qUbugbQ6ekIzJ9BpCSMkOzQJnCgz6laQBQlc3UVRol1IN2aAfgc2jvdev8VE8LpKATdzMESrlg/s320/P1010183.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264192816186593826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0YFiA1C_ycS-7wPHDmbA9ZWdFVfXOOodaP4m_aUAhAZMOT64uQCET1yRnxZZD_qItuxapaK2nBxBplt70ey0lA4LHgciEn1YbxSAUAm81OVf2UDVm8XYIsVWVjagtIghY7dLTF-F58ZD/s1600-h/P1010180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0YFiA1C_ycS-7wPHDmbA9ZWdFVfXOOodaP4m_aUAhAZMOT64uQCET1yRnxZZD_qItuxapaK2nBxBplt70ey0lA4LHgciEn1YbxSAUAm81OVf2UDVm8XYIsVWVjagtIghY7dLTF-F58ZD/s320/P1010180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264192809529373314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3-3g1woprtzUTrb54_Thw24PffKPAddmL6HKOge0pIMAL4m-t7VKGgLMT5tjxhgZrgWV8LrMlGivYvtrnzbAln7R4njTpXkaavsc7AYjXi3Locy6acZbPD3itfTBKPEmN-GHGZkW1cGi/s1600-h/P1010218.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3-3g1woprtzUTrb54_Thw24PffKPAddmL6HKOge0pIMAL4m-t7VKGgLMT5tjxhgZrgWV8LrMlGivYvtrnzbAln7R4njTpXkaavsc7AYjXi3Locy6acZbPD3itfTBKPEmN-GHGZkW1cGi/s320/P1010218.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264192800796421330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbEkRiFiaQoqd7r_Lt6KATQtn0E1JtlbxdcZXIuxH_eHfZ_JTRqL9FRtWNwC_ki2V7yATO3pZ2EUvXVLqkHNaUwQBQELotMG2YQ_UEO6RnLxvJSHcwOMTrKnMxnEGTuy47jAES7eDKzRb/s1600-h/P1010221.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbEkRiFiaQoqd7r_Lt6KATQtn0E1JtlbxdcZXIuxH_eHfZ_JTRqL9FRtWNwC_ki2V7yATO3pZ2EUvXVLqkHNaUwQBQELotMG2YQ_UEO6RnLxvJSHcwOMTrKnMxnEGTuy47jAES7eDKzRb/s320/P1010221.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264192797794842082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxbfJVXOzGg14IkmVAOhY9z9qhO_oYMI5RhspQ8tFMutMMXc4kKPq7UU5vEDX5LoFF5xVAia1E1xyhDoSfDR1o2eRPPYKhVpoWxgBZnHX19LsD8LQl7UeJQF59fH00vZdeHZOl4Jm2mDD/s1600-h/P1010273.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxbfJVXOzGg14IkmVAOhY9z9qhO_oYMI5RhspQ8tFMutMMXc4kKPq7UU5vEDX5LoFF5xVAia1E1xyhDoSfDR1o2eRPPYKhVpoWxgBZnHX19LsD8LQl7UeJQF59fH00vZdeHZOl4Jm2mDD/s320/P1010273.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264192786005391810" /></a><br /><br />The Pre-K/Kindergarten kids took a much shorter trip to a local town where there was a great little "nature walk." Of course it had rained the night before, so it was a quite muddy nature walk, but that made it even more fun for them. They were so cute in their little rain boots, trying to find brown leaves and spider webs! I love that I get to call this work. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fcaXrW-_M0e7C64asDiOWh27J1dWVtVKs7Bp7qfvBaDTbTcHZgAIeX2R1F0UeKcMa6F6EnIqBL1ZY_cSyeeDWHkaqttVY0CV7MoOiGqSzEX0pA9rBV73z4jflPFxUjW6kFCXMXmv0TPK/s1600-h/P1010392.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fcaXrW-_M0e7C64asDiOWh27J1dWVtVKs7Bp7qfvBaDTbTcHZgAIeX2R1F0UeKcMa6F6EnIqBL1ZY_cSyeeDWHkaqttVY0CV7MoOiGqSzEX0pA9rBV73z4jflPFxUjW6kFCXMXmv0TPK/s320/P1010392.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264193741431734658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgnJdk5DjzbyEV5_0u34Ma-JieONLNHzZBJeTm4dhY8Fl729em6adleVD-6cxayD3v8WnyVzNAuk9eE4z4fcqtWZE2ezLd-V_Qt9483K92NCTuA4aRqCJvYytNOOvvvBBSAQnUBC-zDg4/s1600-h/P1010389.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgnJdk5DjzbyEV5_0u34Ma-JieONLNHzZBJeTm4dhY8Fl729em6adleVD-6cxayD3v8WnyVzNAuk9eE4z4fcqtWZE2ezLd-V_Qt9483K92NCTuA4aRqCJvYytNOOvvvBBSAQnUBC-zDg4/s320/P1010389.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264193735266495938" /></a><br /><br /><br />After all of that field trip fun, we finally got a few days off. I jumped a plane to Madrid, Spain, to meet Morgan for a girl's weekend! It was such a blast and the hotel was super nice. All we did was eat, drink, and watch UT football via Slingbox in our hotel room (while eating chips/salsa of course)! We probably should have done a better job of seeing the city and touring the museums, but both of us were much more into living the Spanish life (siestas, margaritas and yummy food)! The weather was great and we even saw a parade of sheep, haha! We also spent time in a really nice spa getting massages. This was after we walked the ENTIRE city looking for food during siesta time, and happened upon a restaurant that said "queso fundino" and it was open! You better believe we stopped in there for some queso and margarita fun! :) I had a great time with my friend!! Pics coming soon!<br /><br />I finally got all moved in this week, and thanks to the help of Blair and Allyson, I literally got the place looking "lived in" in less than 24 hours! I had planned a housewarming party for the weekend, so it was a race against the clock getting all moved in, unpacked and getting pictures hung on the wall. I don't know what I would have done without them (especially Blair who was my choffeur, decorating guru and picture hanger). I feel so blessed to already have such great friends here! Here are a few pics of the new place!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5b8GbkI6fCfsFVz7siphXtGAXLClqH93MM6CcC0yCt_F8yPDRJrFLpiUZCPeI5uHwYBeI6_aqLAm8GkllDr970gCq_cVxdN4uXS2GCCahsmqTuNs16CDw-o1PYfQn5iwlzh604U13CPa/s1600-h/P1010437.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5b8GbkI6fCfsFVz7siphXtGAXLClqH93MM6CcC0yCt_F8yPDRJrFLpiUZCPeI5uHwYBeI6_aqLAm8GkllDr970gCq_cVxdN4uXS2GCCahsmqTuNs16CDw-o1PYfQn5iwlzh604U13CPa/s320/P1010437.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264194545902607378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWXxt0_DEWGg68Hs0Pvxix6DxFtLWwYvyg3oZ8KIctOTwNuHM2UI1SVnQ0pPXjCaUBLL__R_gSbzJL-AY1l8a4vS_tsZUzswGJeUMLSW7HIh0Zsxjkh33c88p-LfUNtvPQdYofJxbIoWW/s1600-h/P1010432.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWXxt0_DEWGg68Hs0Pvxix6DxFtLWwYvyg3oZ8KIctOTwNuHM2UI1SVnQ0pPXjCaUBLL__R_gSbzJL-AY1l8a4vS_tsZUzswGJeUMLSW7HIh0Zsxjkh33c88p-LfUNtvPQdYofJxbIoWW/s320/P1010432.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264194541631196994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSv0-mBZ9Nl7uJMDG0znKm3OpxvZdqfdZkegOQ0krTZxNtmE11vL7X_oEHig26-FxNH4TjoTag4Z_zfzX0NhfFa6k4owfRDxxVXd6YXHzWkCL58aTkBI962wchXl0JsADE2zY_lksWYlak/s1600-h/P1010425.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSv0-mBZ9Nl7uJMDG0znKm3OpxvZdqfdZkegOQ0krTZxNtmE11vL7X_oEHig26-FxNH4TjoTag4Z_zfzX0NhfFa6k4owfRDxxVXd6YXHzWkCL58aTkBI962wchXl0JsADE2zY_lksWYlak/s320/P1010425.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264194533833264418" /></a><br /><br />The weather has been really yucky lately, so I was totally bummed that Eason and his two buddies, Eric and Adam, were going to leave rainy London for rainy Lugano. :( But, even though it rained the first night, the rain lifted by Saturday morning and stayed relatively sunny and warm through out the whole weekend! For the first time in 2 weeks I could see the mountains and the lake (way too foggy lately for all of that!). There is so much snow on the mountains, it's crazy! So the boys got to see Lugano at its finest and that made me happy!! Friday night Blair and I drove to Milan to pick up the boys and then enjoyed a chill night in the apartment with a few friends over. Then Saturday we got up, took a tour of campus and saw the beautiful mountain and lake views of my 'hood. After that the boys, Blair, Lizzie and myself hopped in a van and headed up to Belinzona to go to the famous castles! We scaled the walls, took some great photos, and the boys plotted out how they would most strategically shoot their canons if this was their castle. :) After that we headed a little further north to a quaint little town called Soazza. We had never heard of it, but Eas and Eric work with a guy who's family was from there and he recommended we check it out. What a great idea because it was beautiful! There is a great church up there and awesome views of the snow-capped Alps. Pics to come soon from that trip!<br /><br />Then we went down to downtown Lugano and walked around the lake. It was beautiful at dusk -- I'm so excited to have people here to show off this lovely place! After another yummy Italian dinner (that's all we ate all weekend!) we came back home to prepare for the Halloween/House Warming party. Little did we know it would turn into College Football Headquarters and Karaoke Center! We hooked up a projector and projected football games all night on the blank wall (I call it my flat screen tv)! The boys around here loved it! Eason's team, Cal, won...and we won't talk about my Horns. Definitely not happy to stay up until 4:00 a.m. watching that hot mess. But in between the games Eas had the great idea of playing songs from my Itunes and googling the lyrics. We had a proper karaoke night -- it was hilarious!! My personal favorite was "Sweet Caroline" and Adam's rendition of "She's Lost that Lovin' Feelin,'" with dance moves and everything - classic!<br /><br />Today was another lovely day in Lugano, so we took a hike up the mountain to our favorite restaurant in all of Montagnola - Bellevista. The boys loved the view (it's a hike to get there, but definitely worth it) and the food was yummy as usual. This afternoon I took them back downtown for some MORE pizza and a gelato hunt! We found both and we were all happy! Tonight I'm relaxing and catching up with family/blogs. If I can stay awake I think I'll watch more tv on my "flat screen." Living in Switzerland is great - I can see my family over Skype, my friends who come visit in person, American TV (thanks to slingbox) and outside is a view you couldn't pay money for! Life is good! More soon!SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-65625241154169981652008-10-21T07:55:00.000+02:002008-10-21T19:21:46.381+02:00Beautiful Venice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGjc9g69ibfC_iBJDWafFopnYGCxfCtXTjlBYh4Jtr9kN2dp3TILSd2tQbtYxy8P6vcUxn2aLQcrGopqanSufnLt0Dbij1AkD4ImEbQybCxV-IPGMKBC4JmDal2QfAt6Kn510YvT_uQrR/s1600-h/P1010016.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGjc9g69ibfC_iBJDWafFopnYGCxfCtXTjlBYh4Jtr9kN2dp3TILSd2tQbtYxy8P6vcUxn2aLQcrGopqanSufnLt0Dbij1AkD4ImEbQybCxV-IPGMKBC4JmDal2QfAt6Kn510YvT_uQrR/s320/P1010016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259484384564790466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx4C7jxEWiXeHxpz7zq0H8sQxIxPtbIKKYI4NQihy8l-Mlw5NXvOXzYbfH4K_ngvN5yLE8hZBvdwiMknkAs2PyqOlYGtpeGc7Kdask7XwB0R5thLCJiijsV7Bf-_s5flLYKy9xX7hZiMa/s1600-h/P1010111.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVx4C7jxEWiXeHxpz7zq0H8sQxIxPtbIKKYI4NQihy8l-Mlw5NXvOXzYbfH4K_ngvN5yLE8hZBvdwiMknkAs2PyqOlYGtpeGc7Kdask7XwB0R5thLCJiijsV7Bf-_s5flLYKy9xX7hZiMa/s320/P1010111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259484390855599874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD84c5CuZlf-CUwKstv0cW9CpUcWrckRmgwC3DxtDe6EcHPJX2UKFfeWkmEu_jGZU4xd3rFD7fbcL6TSUHd1bnvU4fqiXI319ZIZhQklxPLW0mbfPjhnBFTrnTC7sHETxss24LmODjL6k/s1600-h/P1010113.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilD84c5CuZlf-CUwKstv0cW9CpUcWrckRmgwC3DxtDe6EcHPJX2UKFfeWkmEu_jGZU4xd3rFD7fbcL6TSUHd1bnvU4fqiXI319ZIZhQklxPLW0mbfPjhnBFTrnTC7sHETxss24LmODjL6k/s320/P1010113.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259484401512069314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLid9IS7gbsDXLk-2N0n4lIH1e1lbJHFBdwkuSm5F-JtXPV8uuHx1zFt0HOWP6r5XM4cqTMYed66wHtLDwevT4p7i38ZDbgDoZgkbZJiHP3313b3fMkXKdhqJi8SxXqRWqxgQCpKpCkAc/s1600-h/P1000983.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLid9IS7gbsDXLk-2N0n4lIH1e1lbJHFBdwkuSm5F-JtXPV8uuHx1zFt0HOWP6r5XM4cqTMYed66wHtLDwevT4p7i38ZDbgDoZgkbZJiHP3313b3fMkXKdhqJi8SxXqRWqxgQCpKpCkAc/s320/P1000983.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259484413263335058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI8ZhHnDUg4Z_nlod3tD5jJNCwl8KbD13_0gCnqXH2DdgYrJTGlqbk0luco6V7JcCAlPrI3hccOtadxQIoS_F0ExtVfiClSp68rML9s-tOFvKc_DtwWQ3vZWrjvKbueNQMYjcvYf9qCnM/s1600-h/P1000955.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtI8ZhHnDUg4Z_nlod3tD5jJNCwl8KbD13_0gCnqXH2DdgYrJTGlqbk0luco6V7JcCAlPrI3hccOtadxQIoS_F0ExtVfiClSp68rML9s-tOFvKc_DtwWQ3vZWrjvKbueNQMYjcvYf9qCnM/s320/P1000955.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259484420385947394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkn9qJdvfhN66RV3kfnrvxBE5mdcLXLeW4sU8xngGVn5xgx1wNArz-XJxLxZZtjtx1lf-s_PgKXY7WVM8TctDBaP7S2OguglC__AbrqCSQLSyBmdWILJd2qB22ztlSX_V9P_BI0VWwjRQ/s1600-h/n685743626_1509108_8091.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkn9qJdvfhN66RV3kfnrvxBE5mdcLXLeW4sU8xngGVn5xgx1wNArz-XJxLxZZtjtx1lf-s_PgKXY7WVM8TctDBaP7S2OguglC__AbrqCSQLSyBmdWILJd2qB22ztlSX_V9P_BI0VWwjRQ/s320/n685743626_1509108_8091.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259483242132691122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSVC9Xr9sNQPf6nRRSEpI45R-qu4hSH4BGoKNMdaoFmiQ2pR1KkPnxorBrLx49GTM-xVA-EI8fokjjjzOAvzgWIMp61_qZsIK3ARL4KCO8vXh907BSQkZyVvRxhI0wq8ZoOQNn7icK6KB/s1600-h/n685743626_1509127_4563.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSVC9Xr9sNQPf6nRRSEpI45R-qu4hSH4BGoKNMdaoFmiQ2pR1KkPnxorBrLx49GTM-xVA-EI8fokjjjzOAvzgWIMp61_qZsIK3ARL4KCO8vXh907BSQkZyVvRxhI0wq8ZoOQNn7icK6KB/s320/n685743626_1509127_4563.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259483245386788050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw68ho5-Nz1y0AqT9uy0Sy-cBdYkutjrIb9gGkdExIgZtwXqINro7g1suk3N7LjdLB-0yQpIwGxjQ8fFQ2cWmQXQkgW8b8L-FqlqSB1rnEBjJOsdbQVmXTGLBZ2IBhpNlXOHDghwck23mX/s1600-h/P1010003.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw68ho5-Nz1y0AqT9uy0Sy-cBdYkutjrIb9gGkdExIgZtwXqINro7g1suk3N7LjdLB-0yQpIwGxjQ8fFQ2cWmQXQkgW8b8L-FqlqSB1rnEBjJOsdbQVmXTGLBZ2IBhpNlXOHDghwck23mX/s320/P1010003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259483250971826466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoyI6b93VsM6lVrRrWwcty0zNv7jo_CGmnqEzrSMyzIuZjujdUeSSKHQ_TSfe_RBVFxbn76SM2GyD766B2Dear0b_xj-oLPxjgw8GrvhjwY2aVQ_1Rwi4CUuv-auN_poPMmqQTRm8f-Kt/s1600-h/P1000981.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoyI6b93VsM6lVrRrWwcty0zNv7jo_CGmnqEzrSMyzIuZjujdUeSSKHQ_TSfe_RBVFxbn76SM2GyD766B2Dear0b_xj-oLPxjgw8GrvhjwY2aVQ_1Rwi4CUuv-auN_poPMmqQTRm8f-Kt/s320/P1000981.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259483260444526674" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNckSw09ytARKHkM2couCgN4E6ucT7fLiNpnJvm5X2F8IQLvCyyxOQ8Ux73NH4Q4rDUulfjOl3dw66WJU2imbikH7qeJmITFQKIqtUI74LNqJ-ozebDGWrCQ4Wf1aDP6m53g7EDWYBygG/s1600-h/P1000965.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNckSw09ytARKHkM2couCgN4E6ucT7fLiNpnJvm5X2F8IQLvCyyxOQ8Ux73NH4Q4rDUulfjOl3dw66WJU2imbikH7qeJmITFQKIqtUI74LNqJ-ozebDGWrCQ4Wf1aDP6m53g7EDWYBygG/s320/P1000965.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259483272236153346" /></a><div><br /><br /><br />Is it possible to be in love with a country? If it is, I love Italy with all my heart and sole! This past weekend a group of 14 of us hopped a train to Venice for a few days of fun in The Sinking City. What a great weekend it was – everything from the weather to the sights to the gelato. It was an overall fun-filled time!<br /><br />The beginning of the trip was a little rocky since the train broke down somewhere in Italy. But have no fear, Blair had her cards and some creepy “Roll the Piggy” game and I brought out the party favorite “I’m going on a picnic, anyone want to come?” Ever played that game? SO fun! 6 hour trips aren’t so bad when you’re not driving and you’re with 13 of your fun friends! Once we finally arrived, the sight coming out of the train station took me aback. There it was – a beautiful city surrounded by water. There are literally NO cars, NO busses, NO 18 wheelers…only boats and good ol’ walkin shoes! We checked into our hotel (that’s a whole ‘nother story) and headed off for our first drink in Venice! Saturday morning we got up early and hit the streets. Cappuccinos and chocolate croissants galore! We walked all around the city, stopping only to window shop or to buy a slice of pizza or gelato. My kind of day! Wait, did I say window shop or Monopoly money shopping? Yes, Monopoly money...Euros and Swiss Francs are so colorful and fake looking – sometimes I forget it’s real money! I did a bit of both (although the second did much more damage!). I made the biggest purchase of my European adventure (other than flights/hotels)...I treated myself to a pair of Gucci sunglasses! Ciao Bella!<br /><br />My favorite part of the Venice trip was hopping a boat and heading to the Venetian Islands of Murano and Burano. Murano, the first stop, is famous for their beautiful blown glass. I bought all kind of gifts and even a few rings for myself. ☺ We had a great conversation with a lovely shop owner who gave us the lowdown on how he made his pieces. From there we went to what ended up being my favorite island of them all – Burano. Burano is famous for it’s lace and it’s brightly colored houses. I seriously think they leave their laundry out on the lines to make for good photos (and I love it!). It’s impossible to capture the brilliance of this town, nor the vivid colors that adorn the walls. It was an absolute joy being in this quiet, quaint, yet vibrant area of Italy!<br /><br />Despite a hotel mishap (one of our very own had 250 Swiss Francs stolen out of his bag that day), Saturday night was a great dinner at a fancy Venetian restaurant. We again took a boat to get there, and nearly missed the last one back. With 14 people it would be hard for this dinner to not be fun, and it lived up to our expectations! The highlight of the night was most definitely the portion where people began playing with their food (which coincidentally came straight out of the lagoon). I’m pretty sure there is a video of me doing my best “Italian shrimp” impression, but I intend for that to never be leaked out to the press!<br /><br />Sunday was lazy and fun – more shopping and walking around the main island. We saw the Bridge of Sighs (where according to legend prisoners would be led across on their way to be executed, take one last look at the beautiful city and sigh), and the famous Rialto Bridge. I really loved taking pictures of the boats, gandalas, masks, and just everyday Venetian people hanging their laundry out to dry or selling their fruit or handmade scarves on the street. There is such a great mixture of working to live and living to work in Italy. I have a deep appreciation for a culture that works just as hard as they play. They don’t seem to take life for granted and I think we could all slow down long enough to learn from them on that front.<br /><br />Sunday night I got to Skype with my Noni and John Vallie – I’m so impressed with them getting a camera and Skyping with me! I was definitely going through a hard time not getting to see them in person, so my weekly chats with grandparents, parents, siblings and friends helps me get through the week. I also had a fabulous time in “Jess’ kitchen” with the Austin girls. They all were sweet enough to come over to Jessica’s house in order to have a group Skype European planning session! It’s only a month away now before I get to see the Austin girls, and my original Italy buddies, Candace and Christen. I can’t wait, ladies!! Italy isn’t the same without you! I rounded the weekend off with a great (healthy) dinner at good ol’ Mickey D’s with Allyson and Blair Sunday night. I love Italy, but sometimes…you just need some American junk food and boy over-analyzing time with good friends!<br /><br /></div>SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-78518239022169886632008-10-16T09:00:00.000+02:002008-10-16T09:42:22.958+02:00Hook 'em Horns!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZKJFLigFYKIftzVpZn39ZPnPhoOPtLW1GFmeX8t24hnZQLB_FTRasvnZ7we4BHNiYygtCqIwtj5cRpL7vgrKSx2o7TWalQAGNUV9g6ZZNdTL3E2YwQ1lZuV7b0hycgLxGFx2aqVTJ-38/s1600-h/P1000898.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZKJFLigFYKIftzVpZn39ZPnPhoOPtLW1GFmeX8t24hnZQLB_FTRasvnZ7we4BHNiYygtCqIwtj5cRpL7vgrKSx2o7TWalQAGNUV9g6ZZNdTL3E2YwQ1lZuV7b0hycgLxGFx2aqVTJ-38/s320/P1000898.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257652799436704482" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7mmtgSWxJAXQP57L18HBeBfX1CtOW7NhX-NJzoKhnXOONzgGzMc51zaHkaHFknvoqlv7tL3Ns2N-mxbjTWS1urTIFmug20IHADiGBTVzvAYZjBLJEkWEi5C_8yRBD29t45r2sT7uqpB0/s1600-h/n520847792_1386300_3762.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7mmtgSWxJAXQP57L18HBeBfX1CtOW7NhX-NJzoKhnXOONzgGzMc51zaHkaHFknvoqlv7tL3Ns2N-mxbjTWS1urTIFmug20IHADiGBTVzvAYZjBLJEkWEi5C_8yRBD29t45r2sT7uqpB0/s320/n520847792_1386300_3762.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257652810894177666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPYWBpcAFsszIFTZv-HLWMrcwt1IJPQ75ABhtz43OQ_ry-IvpPL6-10iik14h7UaXScauHJHGawYp9mfsIn8aY-WBSN_MwfMiiat-ZhDwRqWfRSxYGm9BAghTQctTMNiIm12U5qfzvrfI/s1600-h/IMG_5608.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPYWBpcAFsszIFTZv-HLWMrcwt1IJPQ75ABhtz43OQ_ry-IvpPL6-10iik14h7UaXScauHJHGawYp9mfsIn8aY-WBSN_MwfMiiat-ZhDwRqWfRSxYGm9BAghTQctTMNiIm12U5qfzvrfI/s320/IMG_5608.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257652816161761890" /></a><br /><br /><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqzMkIfPNFlSYUVcJOklFYfGMtoO7qxTaxzkFckUa-owagqWM1LawD-87B6hr3-Jtsl_TqA4cadSWi1vIYcEmwJM-428jO7QR4ekGP0nHEKSX8nwSVzZsI25VCbpewnYMDpl2t4V_wf7fE/s320/P1000890.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257652803428543746" /><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zIvCBXtjYCqls8pP5UU2up1Acu6eGJDPpv2Xn50VG91GEXN7pgJ-96mZUuRdRXFvoctlr2VNLGZw14AYTghBy8FT7dp_xTqXQcM6Lw59pkVf8u7FhIY3Fp8x10iVpc-WX-qmxB_ltDy0/s320/n520847792_1386302_4194.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257652799170169314" /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What a GREAT game that was! Other than the National Championship game, I have never been more proud to be a Longhorn! I am so impressed by Colt, Jordan, and all of the other guys...not to mention Chris Ogbonnaya who was my friend last May that showed me and my kiddos around the UT campus (see pic!). It was a great day to be a Longhorn! I watched the game on my Slingbox from Eason's kitchen in London. I had the full intention of changing into my cute party outfit for his big housewarming shin-dig, but once half-time came and went and we were doing so well, I couldn't bring myself to change out of my burnt orange! I think some non-Americans who were there were slightly confused (or concerned, not sure which) but I didn't care! I even got Eas to throw up the horns for me. I think he's coming on along!! His team, Cal, had a bye, so he happily cheered for my Horns. Thanks, babe! :)<div><br /></div><div>The weekend in London was tons of fun. It took a lot less time to get there this time (I think I'm just learning the secrets to Euro-traveling). Unlike in the states, you don't want to get to the airport TOO early because they won't even give you your gate assignment until 30 minutes before the plane leaves. That's a lot of sitting around time! You have to be a focused traveler (always get to the front of the line, run, don't walk, to the customs counter, and buy the train ticket from the airport into London before hand! I've learned to keep my 3 currencies separate (Swiss Francs in one pouch, Euros in other, and the Queen's money in yet another) so that you don't look like a "stupid American" and pay with the wrong one (which I've so tried to do)! Speaking of, I read an article last night that my dad sent me about how Americans are perceived around the world. Apparently most countries were originally solely discontented with Bush, but not the American people. After we elected him again in 2004, however, they started having discontent for American's as well! Ha! Can't say I blame them. That's all I'm gonna say on the political front. It's weird being this far from home during this important election, but I'm trying to keep up (I do get that one channel in English which happens to be CNN)! I don't feel like people get annoyed with me being American all that much, but I try to blend in (I was paid the biggest compliment this weekend when 2 separate people in London asked me for directions on Oxford Street, where all the shopping magic happens)! I must look like a professional shopper (imagine that!). </div><div><br /></div><div>Back to the weekend in London. When I got there sweet Eas had dinner cooked and wine on the table...and, it gets better...the Sex and City the Movie! What a sweet boyfriend!! Saturday we spent the day shopping for party supplies, food, and Hag clothes (as Eason puts it). I bought a few essentials (cute shoes and an ADORABLE purple jacket!) and we did some Christmas window shopping. Then it was game time! Tons of people came to the party and it was lots of fun. It's nice to know more of Eason's friends now...I don't feel like I really even saw him much the whole night b/c I was too busy socializing! He has some great friends in London and I'm lucky to call them friends now as well. Some of those single friends are actually going to come to Lugano to visit for Halloween (my single teacher friends are so excited)! It should be a fun weekend and hopefully I'll be in my new apt by then!</div><div><br /></div><div>The new apartment is coming along -- I check in on it daily. My apartment will be rather large, so anyone who wants to visit is welcome! I feel so lucky to have nice housing here! My neighbors will be 3 other teachers from here and we're a fun and fantastic group. We plan on having Grey's Anatomy parties there as soon as possible! Random sidenote: I miss "The Office." Can someone fill me in on it?! Italian classes are going well. I find myself speaking to myself in Italian (although all I can say to myself is "Hi, what is your name? How do you spell it?" and "My name is Hayley, H-A-Y-L-E-Y!"). :) Today I feel a breakthrough coming in class though. I'll just have to remember to switch back to Spanish in a few weeks when I got to Spain! The kids here are teaching me, though. One kid, in Pre-K, thinks I speak Italian because I was practicing the aforementioned phrases with him one day (it's much easier to freely speak Italian without psyching yourself out when the kid is 4!). Now he only speaks to me in Italian and I'm in a heap of trouble then! Another little Pre-K enjoys playing Make-Believe Tennis and Make-Believe Soccer with me (in high heels, no less!) during recess. He always wins! I love my job. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I've had the chance to catch up some with my friends from home which is always really nice. I miss my Mermaid, Kristin, but I'm loving hearing about her new life in S.A. I'm so proud of the new/fun life she is making there!! Last night we SO watched the same episode of "Full House" together -- it was just like old times. :) This weekend is Venice for Blair and Angie's bday weekend. We're all taking the train (big group of 13) tomorrow after school. I've never been and I'm really excited!! Then the next weekend is Madrid with Morgs (I have MISSED my friend!), followed by the weekend that the London visitors descend! Should be a fun few weeks!!! Pics of Venice when I return! Love you all!</div></div>SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-43009973788983500192008-10-06T09:39:00.000+02:002008-10-07T08:03:42.816+02:00Lugano Fall Harvest Festival<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZj_oeTEwNEh4kX-MCpd92qLZepl-Ij7IcTYDwtXI1J1t6B4VvFBot2doq6n4rLjEaEwoBG-CFwTQY0F9Enxn0HGA973kUNKG-EpetXWLWKS8fD_QWUnbe3SZhDM6-VdQxI9Wu5lo0HWO/s1600-h/P1000843.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZj_oeTEwNEh4kX-MCpd92qLZepl-Ij7IcTYDwtXI1J1t6B4VvFBot2doq6n4rLjEaEwoBG-CFwTQY0F9Enxn0HGA973kUNKG-EpetXWLWKS8fD_QWUnbe3SZhDM6-VdQxI9Wu5lo0HWO/s320/P1000843.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253954831311483026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2oSHhhRL0MdCu5-y8mvLV8AySJRKvNh7DSpYmgixz0yc_j5yM58r_oyw0mqoKScqNgolWvUuaDzIuei92mg9JSt_JztgzX3P1UCHDptx4yYQvcFuSQp0PbKty0YDglkscxwUrcC3EPy9/s1600-h/P1000842.JPG"><img style="float:right; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-N5M1uStCmJOQ1TJKPRANvkkGqng9kfGbhi7w0E1i5f_4H1on53a-fKxKLoARM3UAuf0YcYLGLhwHA3dCfBioG0qCVZr2l3IR3tPiDYQDbpzghFyrmU0si_3kzP4vHTdF_Nqsdpy5Vl4x/s320/P1000839.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253952915814780402" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh what a fun/lazy weekend I had here in Lugano. Friday night we went to the train station to buy our Venice train tickets for Blair and Angie's bday celebration in a few weeks. I can't WAIT for that trip! I've never been to Venice!! Then Allyson, Lizzie and I went to our favorite hot-spot in Montagnola called Bellavista for some yummy pizza. Friday night was a "chill night" indeed -- with a night cap of Seinfeld and Friends on DVD. I'm so glad I moved overseas after the DVD was invented. :)<br /></div><div><br />Saturday morning I got up and went for a long run -- my goodness it is beautiful here! It's starting to get a little chilly, but that didn't deter me from "laying out" on my porch (very little wind) to try to soak up some rays. It's been really lovely weather lately. Finally, I decided to head downtown to the Lugano Fall Harvest Festival (after taking some pictures of St. Abbondio - the church/cemetery here in Montagnola). What a gorgeous day! I did a little shopping (bought a hair straightener, warm non-itchy blanket for the upcoming winter, and towels for my future guests)! Allyson and Lizzie met me downtown and we began the vino/gelato portion of the day. Very fun! There were drummers and live bands galore! The highlight of the day, for sure, was meeting The Flag -- a blues band that sings in English! Mind you, not many of them speak English, but they can sure sing it well! We met the band members after their sound check and they invited us back later to watch the real show, so after a yummy dinner at Pizzaria Mary's, we headed back to the stage in the piazza. The band is so good! See attached video of the amazing harmonica player! We even got a shout out at one point ("<span style="font-style:italic;">something in Italian</span>....Hayley...teacher at Scuola Americana...Austin, TX...Stevie Ray Vaughn!"). Freddie (bass player) was so excited about Stevie Ray Vaughn - that's all he and I talked about! We enjoyed hearing blues music once again -- you forget how much you miss live music in English. I can't wait to head back to Austin now! We are now their official groupies, so we will be catching more shows soon!<br /><br />I'm so proud of my kiddos here -- we raised $603.97 (in 6 different currencies!) to help the hurricane victims back in Texas! Combined with mom's totals at her school, that's over $1,200! Now all I have to do is find a bank that will take all of these currencies and try to get it back home. :)<br /><br />Stay tuned -- next weekend I'm off to London again to see Eas and go to his housewarming party at the new Compayne house! Oh yeah, and we'll be watching the Horns. Don't you worry. I'm nervous about the game, but full of confidence that my Horns can pull out a win against OU. HOOK 'EM HORNS!<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyd06ZMWzDxUCyCQbAE9o3XxSXDGq58qOSCmb51DqBDYkVV1dNhPj_sw5c7L6qVFxeKhyYNxXlJU-EAleSfgA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-25222803591763428952008-09-30T07:52:00.000+02:002008-09-30T08:09:49.339+02:00Swiss Cows, Surprises, and Fun Euro Trips<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFSDoSAmwQWOc525pRxulhMC6U3_UvL6414FeOU_lqx-O98vAFlKvwCVSRgrNfrDHe3OPX7rsMzk-enAVTTkzWJBQHaplozi59l1trVA37gPgVqoIL6-WbFYG57kLjHB0L5OiXaOm-FYh/s1600-h/n520847792_1339049_6016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjH3B6GgCty3GFc-RUXdMGKqiZrm0_MD62wOvzFBHAtunFnmTXQe6LiUjNRPIC4hpu27C7xY6zRNypBpE8Z1jng6eoX1c8-wulidEVm4Xg9z3GHwOaa50sVGIYDMm1V0CDzrNgVdgYa3lT/s320/n520847792_1339062_75.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251690783900881074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WS76ftSS-_jx2_cYrQNlYPZ6qYWRGkHrs437VohpzcRZJB-izpLX7qpsMBLNVRQDzszs4iTt4OCJq9pt-JzKtOC468D5fTxmF5jpBk8GdIMAl_T6L8iDb47W4XhX0chl3T5wdSrjFfzG/s1600-h/n520847792_1339072_3735.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WS76ftSS-_jx2_cYrQNlYPZ6qYWRGkHrs437VohpzcRZJB-izpLX7qpsMBLNVRQDzszs4iTt4OCJq9pt-JzKtOC468D5fTxmF5jpBk8GdIMAl_T6L8iDb47W4XhX0chl3T5wdSrjFfzG/s320/n520847792_1339072_3735.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251690783035623538" /></a><br /><br />So I can’t quite figure out what makes Swiss cheese so yummy and what makes milk from a Swiss cow last so long. I think Swiss cows must be part of God’s inner circle. Seriously, the cheese won’t mold (a teacher has been trying to do an experiment for weeks now on cheese and bread in a ziplock bag – and nothin’! You could eat that as a snack tomorrow!). And the milk here isn’t even refrigerated and lasts for over a month. It’s really wild. Speaking of refrigerators, Europe doesn’t believe in making anything artificially cold (other than their yummy gelato of course – more props to the Swiss cow for that beautiful and perfect invention). They might serve you a coke, but it won’t be cold and it MIGHT (if you’re lucky) have a tiny sliver of ice in it. Water is always room temperature. And forget about air conditioning! Blair and I have created our own “fridge” by using our window seal outside our office. It’s our a/c and our cold beverage center – we’re pretty popular around school!<br /><br />The kids here are really precious. They are working so hard to raise money for the hurricane victims back in Texas. I began counting the money we have collected so far on Friday, and am pleased to report that we have raised over $200 (and counting). That counting took about 2.5 hours, because literally, there were 6 different currencies represented (the Swiss Franc, US coins, British Pounds, Euros, 2 Canadian pennies, and 1 random Slovanian coin that I don’t think is even used anymore). After counting them, converting them based on the current conversion rate (I know, too much math already – is your head spinning or is that just me?), I found that this drive probably would have been more successful if the US dollar wasn’t doing so well. Although the 2 Canadian pennies did equal almost $.0002 US cents – not bad! ☺ <br /><br />A few cute kid stories: 1) Speaking of Francs, I had a 5th grade student come down to donate money today. We struck up a conversation about how many different currencies there were in Europe and how different they all were. During our very intelligent conversation (I didn’t even know there was any other form of money than US dollars at that age!) he says to me, “you know, when we first moved here from the states, my parents said the dollar wasn’t very popular. I didn’t really know what that meant at the time, but now that I’m here in Switzerland, I totally get it! The Swiss Franc has a TON of coins – even for 2 dollars or 5! Of course the Swiss Franc is more popular – it has way cooler coins!” I had to agree. 2) There is a little girl in Pre-K who is Russian and speaks no English and no Italian. That makes it hard to communicate. But here’s the kicker – I feel as if I’m looking in a mirror when I look at this child. She looks just like me when I was that age! I had to take some pictures of her to email back home, which was actually a really great move because she is finally smiling at me (I think she’s happy that someone is acknowledging her). She’s precious! 3) At recess today a group of girls were playing truth or dare. Back at home with my 8th graders, I would have been very nervous about this particular game. Recipe for disaster with them (love you guys, but it’s true. What did I always say? I was born at night, but not last night! I’m not as dumb as I look!). But I was quickly reminded that this is a) an elementary school, and b) Europe. When it was this one girl’s turn to be dared, the other girl said (in my best British accent), “I daaaare you to sing a lullaby in your most gentlest of voices.” Followed by cute British and Italian giggles. How sweet. I love it here! <br /><br />On a personal note, things are going well. I am getting to do a lot of traveling and a lot of reading for fun, which are #1 and #2, respectively, on why I wanted to do this crazy thing in the first place. Last weekend I flew up to Dusseldorf, Germany to meet up with Eason and a buddy of his who lives there. We actually stayed in Haan (outside of Dusseldorf), and spent most of our time in Cologne (or Koln as they spell it in Germany). It was great fun and lovely weather (see pics)! I was most impressed by the Cologne Duomo. I’m still amazed at all of the truly amazing churches and structures that people built hundreds of years ago in random towns (some of which you’ve never heard of) in Europe. It reminds you of how much there really is to see in the world (and it kind of stresses me out that I won’t get to them all)! We ate lots of sausage and had good German beer – a great weekend, indeed.<br /><br />This past weekend I actually went on a top secret, surprise mission to London to visit Eas. He thought I was going hiking in the mountains, but in real life I was making the trek to good ol’ Londontown. That’s easier said than done, by the way! I took the 4:30 bus to central Lugano, the funicular up to the train station, the shuttle to the Milan airport where my flight was in the farthest terminal and through 2 security gates. Once there the flight was delayed, of course, and in Europe they make you board and deplane the aircraft on the tarmac and take a bus to the terminal, which is just odd to me! Once in London I spent 30 minutes in the customs line, 20 minutes waiting for my bag, a quick stop to get British Pounds (why won’t they all use the same currency – that’s 3 different currencies I used that day?!), 10 minutes waiting for the train to leave, and once it did I thought I was golden. The 30-minute train ride turned into 1 hour because of fire evacuations in Victoria Station earlier that day. Geez! Then the taxi queue, a taxi to the bar, and finally, I get to see my boy! It was 1:00 a.m. London time (2 a.m. on my clock), and here I was in a bar in London with luggage! That’s a nearly 10 hour trip (I could have flown home to Texas in that time!). But it was all worth it to see the look on his face. He was totally shocked. ☺ His friends were all in on it, so that made it very special! We spent the weekend doing whatever he had already planned (laundry, coffee with friends, birthday party, watching college football) – it was great! Luckily the weather was beautiful, sunny and warm (a rarity in London!), so we spent the afternoon walking around and headed up to the Hampstead Heath to some green grass, some sun, and a great view of the city. It was quite romantic! I was really happy I went! <br /> <br />This weekend is low key – local wine/food festival in Lugano that I think I’ll take part in, and maybe a hike. A friend from high school just moved to France, about 3 hours away, so we may meet up this weekend. Fun times! They want to see the mountains before it gets too cold (smart Texans), and once it gets cold, I’ll be heading to her place on the coast of France – fair trade off, I say!SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-34820018100488380402008-09-22T07:32:00.000+02:002008-09-22T19:24:56.984+02:00Lucerne<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwq5vx3hHHUDLwYDMw0JfereWvgmxfM-B89KEpapueX0BcCw8XDFAq1R48RrXIklKgmjzjy2JpvK2UXYf5Ryk0iFAFgO1-zHWRYBqSozT8h5Fp7tnl-fgfqYZUDUuQDPSmtjZ3sS_iwREv/s1600-h/P1000711.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwq5vx3hHHUDLwYDMw0JfereWvgmxfM-B89KEpapueX0BcCw8XDFAq1R48RrXIklKgmjzjy2JpvK2UXYf5Ryk0iFAFgO1-zHWRYBqSozT8h5Fp7tnl-fgfqYZUDUuQDPSmtjZ3sS_iwREv/s320/P1000711.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248715212993818770"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2u0Ve22okm2BmfL3RdX1FREtE1Zm9UpWhC124o5DzGtS-Ho-ZztX9Ikrf2397nr7O2N4cQcgEGUY4dv1KXZuzy79y0CpmaA_n46ayyZ3KdFdluuJj1yW7Qn28LyDMrjXubYC-JAmSqeU/s1600-h/P1000705.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH2u0Ve22okm2BmfL3RdX1FREtE1Zm9UpWhC124o5DzGtS-Ho-ZztX9Ikrf2397nr7O2N4cQcgEGUY4dv1KXZuzy79y0CpmaA_n46ayyZ3KdFdluuJj1yW7Qn28LyDMrjXubYC-JAmSqeU/s320/P1000705.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248715216174877762"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YUeS8DhE8mDYS1oJv8NpPe8I_B8knKCpsmyUMWq5XvqsMd-4beN9tmprlb2ngDLPdXLBaPFzNl1ZN1oL9XQeS0i-LbZiMukXQVyCpxP-CN_xQ8Gr9TmPoWG4zNB3xHGY0NZQYEa-wA9m/s1600-h/P1000706.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YUeS8DhE8mDYS1oJv8NpPe8I_B8knKCpsmyUMWq5XvqsMd-4beN9tmprlb2ngDLPdXLBaPFzNl1ZN1oL9XQeS0i-LbZiMukXQVyCpxP-CN_xQ8Gr9TmPoWG4zNB3xHGY0NZQYEa-wA9m/s320/P1000706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248715223561167234"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXsIdUB7sLVmcQ9pu_vJF0PY6TkOQkS9SMwmZD8YxrwmUJlGuaq9oH6WUYEn5HKmTdqgWo0cvJ4g3bQlx8SNQPw_W-vOboqXrE0O857nj0H6Gfgwcxc23McmfWjqDMuD230xc4bolWmMO/s1600-h/P1000708.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXsIdUB7sLVmcQ9pu_vJF0PY6TkOQkS9SMwmZD8YxrwmUJlGuaq9oH6WUYEn5HKmTdqgWo0cvJ4g3bQlx8SNQPw_W-vOboqXrE0O857nj0H6Gfgwcxc23McmfWjqDMuD230xc4bolWmMO/s320/P1000708.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248715225685333378"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPi8Im6jTTwmrlrWvaLSS6ls1D2c3Y-VX6tTaOMFmI-wvtgp0wulBZpIz22viN9WbDdmEFJq30JQ4clK_GWmGGlAwWXSTxKrY4YCa0i68NpNUY-B6ApwTU_RkLXj-rSYTsBBPppjioUMs/s1600-h/P1000709.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPi8Im6jTTwmrlrWvaLSS6ls1D2c3Y-VX6tTaOMFmI-wvtgp0wulBZpIz22viN9WbDdmEFJq30JQ4clK_GWmGGlAwWXSTxKrY4YCa0i68NpNUY-B6ApwTU_RkLXj-rSYTsBBPppjioUMs/s320/P1000709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248715230726960578"></a><br />Well I have finally pulled myself out of the depression of losing the beach houses. We got confirmation that they are both gone (google-images of our streets and some fly-overs of the peninsula was our source). Initially it was too hard to believe, but it's kind of sunk in now and we all are beginning to accept it. I am running a penny drive (Franc drive?) at school to help the victims back home. Mom's school is going to join in with us - how cool!<br /><br />Back "home" in Switzerland all is well. The weekend of the hurricane I was driving myself crazy watching the news and worrying, so I got out of town with Angie, Allie and Carla. We went to Lucerne via train (my first very punctual Swiss train!) and had a really great time. Basically Lucerne isn't that different from Lugano, except that it's a Swiss German town instead of a Swiss Italian town and there is TONS more to do there. Basically we paid $200 for the train ride and hotel stay, just so we could go to a proper pub and watch a movie in English. :) The train ride was nice though -- already snow on the Alps and beautiful waterfalls along the way! <br /><br />I am currently at the Cologne airport in Germany waiting for my flight back to Milan. Eas and I were here visiting his friend in Dusseldorf and we had a great time! I now know how to say thank you in at least 5 languages! I will say one thing I've learned about traveling in Europe, though. Unless you're in Switzerland, time doesn't matter! Yesterday we waited 1.5 for a train in Germany, and both flights have managed to be delayed. More on the Germany trip soon!<br /><br />P.S. These first pic is of the view from my bathroom! Tough life. ☺ The rest are from Lucerne!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy9wMawoasivl94Q6kOOUZ6Q7QQXIu2wAO8fscWjhAOwIn-s-WEUsCQUaYFqbD7ybZG_oHO5kq97H6ERR3JKQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-37952168597338965732008-09-14T16:29:00.000+02:002008-09-14T17:09:03.436+02:00A Hard Blog to Write<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiLfEfL0FTCJhmEE0S4ltLbxvXAH-trVmMEfMjyDn-0n6is8kz2t9nm_e-YTPrcDGEaV-VMPxrkTv955Yam3zMv1ZsTOebBnUYbPBdhqDsj6pz25KHZ3SwSkSq71IZIEiGa9NLGRBsmoy/s1600-h/IMG_5435.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJoVYn902Vul_tD-g00nKi1SksdEJuLLZJFaMrvYWQcq6QwpfQkWfxdjUke1kHzXd52dU7l2bdjWIrMphCR9fqF37kzbRYTDMnuh2IhNfVRQH4AcNedt4pa_R3sVjktDABVf8vOrPzJRt/s320/IMG_5412.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245891780972427490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87IXj5tjiMi6zGjSTeeZ_iuUYrxjX19q29YsGVIRCylHbiHZq10zX6uyiQ_6hQNxC70iicvykTk-Mx3-hiG-8QF4VedYoR0P70g9cqew3qsKdG_-FT8yHQiwNSWZ0KHQNwprT1JfJBlTF/s1600-h/IMG_5447.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87IXj5tjiMi6zGjSTeeZ_iuUYrxjX19q29YsGVIRCylHbiHZq10zX6uyiQ_6hQNxC70iicvykTk-Mx3-hiG-8QF4VedYoR0P70g9cqew3qsKdG_-FT8yHQiwNSWZ0KHQNwprT1JfJBlTF/s320/IMG_5447.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245891785186476786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqVegzP7J0CjqqMcQ5okjnvuZ-4z2maJ2fkuevXYvcTdmlIUSjIV9wNOzI5odbPY0F2W-jao_ArH2K88JQXD9MSq59F-f0G1PCjmkHueF3EZEobGkPGnYm5b3431qIws8n9fSoi_S2_Ep/s1600-h/IMG_5421.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqVegzP7J0CjqqMcQ5okjnvuZ-4z2maJ2fkuevXYvcTdmlIUSjIV9wNOzI5odbPY0F2W-jao_ArH2K88JQXD9MSq59F-f0G1PCjmkHueF3EZEobGkPGnYm5b3431qIws8n9fSoi_S2_Ep/s320/IMG_5421.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245891788950022930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24fPVFGG7x4g0zAIC9jBmhaUJz3HGT6xfd_extVX-yioKovj9M0zMYmar1eAWZjM8zeCmp8l8LT5H92j-GFk8SUDtv7gY58CG9ZmFvxb4X8YLGKkM_ekuiE9Rj5VFVbgDceZVVw6PZFF6/s1600-h/IMG_5376.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24fPVFGG7x4g0zAIC9jBmhaUJz3HGT6xfd_extVX-yioKovj9M0zMYmar1eAWZjM8zeCmp8l8LT5H92j-GFk8SUDtv7gY58CG9ZmFvxb4X8YLGKkM_ekuiE9Rj5VFVbgDceZVVw6PZFF6/s320/IMG_5376.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245891791395117106" /></a><br />My beach, Crystal Beach, is gone. We have no way of knowing yet what the fate of our houses there is, but from all accounts I've heard, it doesn't look good. People who lived in both Driftwood (Dad's house) and on Gulf Shores (Mom's house) were helicoptered out and are reporting that not much in either neighborhood is left. I have so many memories there -- from growing up into adulthood. I spent a week there with mom/marty and dad/lisa this summer, trying to soak in the beach as much as I could. I was sentimental then, because I knew it would be a year before I saw my beloved beach again. Little did I know, I will never see Crystal Beach, as I knew it, ever again.<br /><br />http://www.khou.com/video/topstories-index.html?nvid=282603<br />http://www.swedesrealestate.com/News/tabid/86/ctl/ArticleView/mid/832/articleId/770/Default.aspx<br /><br />It's very strange to be so far away from the ones you love who are going through this. My mom is housing hundreds of evacuees at her school, and these people will not be able to return home for at least a month, they are saying. Our houses in Lufkin are fine, but Dad reports that it looks like a "war zone" - trees in houses and on top of power lines. Hilary and Stephen weathered the storm in Houston, but she says things are pretty bad there. The worst part is the heat, and no electricity. They aren't sure how long they can take staying there in those conditions.<br /><br />It's very odd to talk to everyone back home and to know more about how things look than they do. Here I am, a half a world away, and I'm having to report to them that Crystal Beach is no more. It's a pretty lonely feeling and I wish more than anything I was there to hug my family.<br /><br />Sorry for the Debbie Downer post. :( Please keep the people on the coast of Texas in your prayers. There is so much damage. To many people that lost homes in the region, their house there was their only house. Our houses were just our vacation homes, and that really keeps things in perspective for me. Still, I am heartbroken and completely shocked.<br /><br />Here are a few pics of my mom's house at Hil's 30th bday in May, and a few shots from Dad's house a couple of summers ago. I will keep everyone updated on what we find out -- hopefully in a few days they can get in to assess what's left. Thanks to all of you who have sent emails. I'm thankful to report that everyone home is fine and thankful for each and every one of you for checking in. More soon!SwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2117158815883426133.post-21162133685571197372008-09-07T11:36:00.000+02:002008-09-07T11:49:09.582+02:00Funny Italian Kid StoriesAfter talking to friends/family back home, I have been given special requests to post some funny school stories from the first week. As I have said, I'm working with much smaller ones than I'm used to. On the 2nd day of school, a little kindergartner had an accident (it happens), so I walked with him to wait for his mom to pick him up. During this interaction, I got a small glimpse into what school must be like for a little one who doesn't speak English in a school that is run only in English. SCARY! This little one speaks only Italian, and he really likes to speak Italian! He doesn't care that you don't! :) So he's just chatting away, asking me questions in that little whiney Italian voice. I had NO idea what to say, so I said "really? yeah!" And he just looked at me as if I had 3 heads.<br /><br />The next day we were serving the little ones lunch, and this one kids started asking if he could have some "mice?' "Mice?" I said. "Why would you want to eat MICE!?" Then 3 or 4 more kids piped up -- "yes, mice -- I would like mice, too!" I must have looked thoroughly confused because one of the kids who speaks both languages yelled, "that's corn!" Hilarious.<br /><br />Off to lunch -- more later!! Love to all!<br />HayleySwissMisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02954809490003164496noreply@blogger.com7