Sun, wind, rain in Nyon

A visit from sunny south of France...being a good godmother is very tiring. But it was Mother's day so lil M. was blessed with flea market in Nyon...

Between showers, we got to see the flowery flanks of the chateau de Nyon.

 

It was sunny enough the day 

before to play with the reflections on his sunglasses.

Cool Mint crew dancing on shamisen music

Those are kids??? Amazing..

A year ago...

I landed in Tokyo.

Hopefully another trip is in the make and would prompt me to review some of the grammar. I have been lazy lately and not studying seriously. Maybe I should start blogging in Japanese sometimes just to practice writing and constructing correct sentences.
This year will be busy as well: trips to plan, exams to pass (a hard one, CCNA and a boring but necessary one, ITIL), a job searching (because I am bored of the current one), and money to save (the REAL challenge).

For now, I am revisiting my trip by re-reading my own blog, my personal pensieve...

Oi Oi, priviledged one!!

Yes, I should feel very privileged as I am among the few in my team to have a significant raise. My manager informed me in the form of a hushed conversation and a sealed letter that despite the negative inflation in Switzerland, I am among the very few to have an actual unit on my increase.
Well, I am glad it is a raise, not a salary contraction.

Imagine my surprise when I read the letter and saw that I will have a 1.50% salary increase this year!!!! Well, my feet remained grounded as I was looking for other digits that may have been invisible to the naked eye. But no, that was it. Cute boss was saying he was feeling anxious explaining to some that they have 0.7%  or 0.03% increase. So he looked very happy giving me my letter..LOL

So next month will be my biggest paycheck in my life, (actually, the second biggest*), as my bonus and my 'raise' will show up...
sigh...money makes the world go round?

*my biggest paychech was in September, when I received 200% of my monthly salary, as it included my  relocation bonus.

Open doors

This is where I meet old schoolmates (not sure that's really true), 15 years later. Maybe townmates or citymates is a more appropriated term. In any case amazing how time can change memories, perception and more. I witnessed a kind of happiness only palpable because they were doing what they loved to do or enjoyed to do. If you are in the area, be sure to check out their business: Tuscan wine and olive oil.

I spent a rainy afternoon in the painter's atelier turned kitchen/dining area, warmed up by fragrant pasta sauce and green tea, while wine connoisseurs were visiting and making orders for boxes of bottled Tuscan wine. It felt like a flashback voyage, but with a hint of awkwardness. It has been 15 years...Yet it was still comfortable and heartwarming.
Their warm welcome made you want to try the wine they offer, and their increasing business proves they have a fine collection of the liquor. I have only sipped a white wine, but due to my ignorance I am sure I failed to appreciate its quality. However the variety offered made me want to know more about wine.

Be sure to check out Vini Toscani website and their open doors every 2 months.