Strolling in Lausanne

Originally, I had planned to go to Annecy on a fine Saturday for a shoping trip. But because I had a tennis game in the early evening, and a dinner later on, I decided against it and opted for Lausanne instead.

Morning flew by as I cleaned the apartment and unpacked some of my summer clothes (very optimistic), encouraging the summer and myself to the warm temperature. It was only about 20C but it felt really comfortable.

Eventually, after a nice chat in the train, we got to destination and started climbing the hilly streets of Lausanne. The buildings are much prettier than in Geneva, and the shops are more varied and cater to all incomes. After a nice hike we stumbled on the cathedral. We followed the right of the building and ended up in really quiet streets with beautiful street details.

And we could get a nice view of the city from the 'place du chateau' next to what remains of the castle. There are many old buildings around that square, and university buildings were converted in offices.

They would not let me drive my car near it though!
But we found our way back to the shop I was looking for (almost the sole purpose of the trip): Nature et decouvertes

N. and I met with S. int he shop, and I got out with only a ladybug breeding kit and a vase. We settled on a late lunch at the Manor restaurant nearby, and rolled down the hill to the lakefront, passing by the town hall, grabbing ice cream and chatting on a bench like longtime friends.  Unfortunately the view of the mountains were blurred by the haze and we missed the last boat for Geneva.

Around 16:00 we saw the runners for the 20km Lausanne run, and could not take the bus to go up the hill to the station, so we took the metro. But before that, the boys convinced me to get the massage cushion and a hammock from the shop...I was not hard to convince, and they were more than happy to go play in the shop again.

So after all, I visited one shop, walked a lot, got drunk on 2 mojitos while watching runners go down the hill and managed to take pictures of the 4 leading runners and the first women.

I didn't get home before 21:00. In fact I decided to stay longer in Lausanne because my tennis partner found someone else to play with, and the dinner got canceled. So I could enjoy a full whole sunny day outside, getting to know 2 really geeky colleagues.

Springtime in Geneva

After a much stressed out week, it was nice to wake up quietly and walk 30min to play tennis. We booked 2 courts for 2hours and played in the sun and slightly chilly breeze. But it was very enjoyable to sweat a bit and see so much sun. Going back home we settled on my terrace and had lunch while sunbathing. It wasn't too hot but warm enough to be wearing short sleeves and drinking cold soda and beer.

I can't wait for next week to try out the small golf place close from work. It is in France but barely 5min from work. We visited the place on Friday and they have a practice area, a putting area and even a cute 9 hole circuit. No need to have a whole golf equipment: they lend you the golf stick (hmmm, maybe club?)  for free!!! So next week if the weather holds sunny, we will hit some balls at lunchtime...

This is the life...

Curtains at last

Walking and crossing river Arve on the way to tennis

At work on a bank holiday

We worked on Holy Friday and Easter Monday. It was quiet so someone brought their Wii and weplayed all sorts of games while staying close to our desks: super mario, just dance, ping pong, brain quizz, etc...
They look like a TV panel, but they are actually playing Super Mario..hihihihi

Happy Easter

Brussels

It was supposed to rain all weekend, but I forgot my umbrella. All in all, we had 3 drops of rain in 2 days. The Saturday trip was stressful as it was raining cats and dogs in Geneva and I was stuck in the streets waiting for a cab at 05:30am, for a plane leaving at 06:50am. Luckily I got another taxi company on the phone to rush me to the airport.

I also discovered the pride of the country: chocolate and beer. I was aware of the beer culture, with its fruit beer and monastery beer. It makes me smile how many abbeys are also breweries. I suppose they had to get high one way or another, those monks.

This time though, I nonchalantly asked where to get some good Belgian chocolates: my friends al offered different answers, but also pointed me to the right place to go shopping: place des Sablons.  Imagine the Place Vendôme in paris, where the big names of jewelries have their flagship stores. Well, the chocolatiers have their own territory around this little square on top pf a hill and between 2 beautiful churches: Godiva, Pierre Marcolini, Whittamer, Leonidas, Neuhaus were conffronting each other on that square. 

Of course, next to the old grand Place, there are a lot more chocolatier and touristy places to buy chocolates. But this was the place to get the grand cru of chocolate and to admire the easter season windows settings.

After much sampling and walking around, I also explored much of line 3, 2, 6 of the metro, crisscrossing the old town and doing antique on Rue Haute (Hoog straat). Getting lost int he old town and stumbling on pita street (a whole street of pita restaurants), seafood street (another one with only seafood restaurant, including Leon de Bruxelles), and italian street (yes, only italian restaurants) was fun, and although the country is very flat, the old town has some nice paved hills that made me earn those chocolate bites.

Down with the flu

Mafy zareo ny manjo
Rehefa voan'ny sery
Mila ho vaky ny loha
Ny aina mihenahena
Mafy dia mafy amin'izany
Ka mila hampitomany
Ny lelo ahisina lava
Fa raha tsy izany
Dia tonga ao ambava...

Yup, this childhood song from Bebe comes to mind in the middle of my delirious fever. And the medicine is not really helping, merely attenuating the painful symptoms apparently. I have a very drowsiness inducing pill to take every night and a nasal spray that smells of pee and mint at the same time. It has been 4 days and I miss my energetic self.

Springtime snowboarding

Indeed, to celebrate spring, the weather decided to go bad and be cloudy and rainy. It was the day my first snowboarding lesson was scheduled on. Despite the headaches, the coughing and the sneezing, we managed to drive up to Flaine resort, after running out of petrol halfway and returning back down the mountain to fill up the car. Undefeated, we adorned our helmets, jackets and apparels, hoping the rain would stop soon. The instructor grumpily told me it was the snow was in a perfect consistence for beginners, as it was softened by the rain and warmth. He also admitted though that the resort would be opened for another 5 weeks...considering there was hardly any snow left, i am still wondering if that would be true.

In any case, my struggle with the board and with my balance went on for 2 hours, as I kept falling backwards into the slope, and failed to avoid the huge freezing water puddles on the beginners' slopes. But after 2 hours with the instructor (not even handsome, more like a grumpy old sailor), I managed to do the backside turn and passably get off the chair lift without embarrassing myself. As to the frontside, I realize I still need lots of practice and concentration, and looked very tense in execution.

Next winter, I will definitely snowboard again, and hopefully would not be too sore after wards and walk like a crab...For now though, my cold has caught up with me and forcing me to go to bed while it is still day outside. But first, a hot bath to soak my thighs...

Strolling in Zurich

I had this great idea of going to Zurich for a barbecue on Saturday, and ended up waking u at 7:00am to catch a 8:14 train. I managed to pay 150% of the ticket price instead of 50%, and got into the empty train just in time. I was hoping for a nice quiet time for 3hours, napping and resting. But at Morges, 15minutes later, a whole regiment of teenage boys hopped on and filled every single carriage with babbling and noisy chatters. Of course they were going home after their military service, which is mandatory in Switzerland. I tried to block the noise with my headphones and loud music and catnapped here and there until Zurich. I was already in a  foul mood (not a single handsome man in the whole carriage, despite the uniforms),  but the city of Zurich promised some relief.

Firstly, I bought sore throat tablets form the pharmacy, as my throat was acting up. Then I walked down Banhoffstrasse to Bellevue to admire the magnificent view of the lake and the background snowy mountains. Along the way, the many little streets of the old city showcased the cute architecture, so much different than in Geneva.

 Eventually, it was time to go to the barbecue so I took the long red train-tram to Forch where my ex-colleague was actually having a housewarming as well. It was 30min away from Zurich and it was the first barbecue of the year!!! Instead of alcohol though I had to settle with cold medicine (yiikes) as it was getting obvious that I would not escape the cold.

After much torture making conversation to complete strangers in couples and with babies, I managed to drag away from the party and slept happily in the train, drying my hair from the pouring spring rain and digesting the smoky meat....

Landmarks

Friday night we ventured into some pop culture and culinary landmarks of Geneva. First, we had a drink at Central Perks, where tattooed muscular black leather wearing gents are mingling with miss goody shoes, in an atmosphere of wholesome cafe: the menu offers anything from pistachio milkshakes to cuban milkshakes (vanilla, rhum milkshake, yum), as well as overpriced burgers.

Then we tumbled across the road, and had food at the popular and speedy Feuille de Banane. The menu is extensive and the service super fast. And the food really hit the spot and absorbed the rhum...It is a rare venue to eat plenty of good food for under CHF 18 a main dish.

The art of conversation?

On the way back yesterday, we got dragged into taking the small roads instead of the highway,so it took us ages to get back home. On the way, Jaysee was skilfully entertaining us with her conversation. I was glad she was there because I get quite awkward when alone with H. He's a nice guy but I don't really know what to say or what he is up to. It started up very innocently:
-'so what's your sign?'
I wish sometimes I knew loads about horoscopes. And so she said Libra and Aquarius really get along. And I had this very childish reaction and said:
-'but I hate H'
That was not even funny because I think everyone understood the opposite..LOL. in any case today was awkward again, even if he came and asked me something for work. I couldn't even kiss him good night last night because it was too awkward. SIGH. And now out of nowhere I get jealous he's going to drive to Belgium next weekend instead of coming to snowboard again.

I feel silly being so easy to manipulate, and also quite in awe with that Jaysee because she really can talk lead a conversation. I was just feeling sleepy and cozy in the backseat and let her make me feel so gooey and sentimental.

Funny thing is all I dreamed about that night was my hunky boss...go figure!

Really impressed with that demonstration of conversation. I need to learn some of that skill. I feel very inexperienced in that art...

Hangover skiing

Today I was brave and went skiing. Waking up with a headache from drinking 3 glasses of wine and a mojito the night before, and coming back home at 02:30am sure didn't help start the day. I was cooking breakfast wen my ride buzzed in, so I had to jump into the ski outfits, grab a snack or two on the way and hopped in the car ( a really nice car, I cannot describe it because I have no idea what car it is, just a big spacious car).

After picking up the others, an aspirin later, we were driving to Flaine, paying tolls on the highway and admiring the landscape and the very very blue sky.

I was planning on starting snowboarding but decided against it because I wanted to tag along with the guys and sky a long blue piste. By noon we found toilets, skis to rent and a ski lift that took us up to 2300m. The view is just breathtaking up there, and the slopes as well. i had a heart attack at the top of the blue piste, as the slope was very steep and I was still trying to find the ski manual in the back of my brain and into my sore legs. After the first drop, I got cramps in my thighs and only managed to turn about thanks to the cold wind numbing the pain. But after a 40min skiing, waiting sometimes for the snowboarders in the group, I got back safely to the station, grabbed a chair and just tanned in the sun, waiting for the others to come down from the same piste...That chair was comfortable, and the sun so bright and warm, it was bliss.
Later on I stayed on easy green and blue pistes with another girl who was still not confident enough to do the big serpentine piste. We had scares and fun, and only got down to the station when the boys called for a food break.

I booked my snowboarding lesson with the ski school and will return next sunday hopefully. For now my muscles need their rest and probably a bit of detox...aie aie

Sunset. A well deserved weekend

Where is spring?

To think that last week it was 12C, and this week we have between 2C and -6C, I wonder when spring will show its true self.

I am sick of waking up frozen at 2am, or waiting for the bus in blowing wind that transforms everything in popsicles.

New bed

Finally the bed has arrived and I can now sleep upstairs, away from the crawling bugs..

Now I have a decent place where people can stay cozily.

From couch to run

花火 (HANA-BI) by 久石讓 (Joe hisaishi)

Recruiting ?!

Recently there were a few 50-60year old somethings visiting the office for interviews. We are shortstaffed and recruiting. Apparently th emanagers settled on an ex-employee.

Today, another crowd came for role plays and interviews. And they were in their early 20s...LOL. The guys on my technical team lustily eyed the new recruit wannabes, as they waltzed in and out of the office in their shiny black suits. To think the only candidates that visited our department were closer to retirement than anything, even I find it unfair!!!

It makes me feel old, and insinuates that no talented young graduate would not want to do our job...But to be positive, I have a job I can handle and allows me to travel around at ease. I would rather be among the elves making things work rather than to be in the limelight selling a Dorian Gray style image.

Year of the Tiger

It was pretty cool that the new Chinese year coincided with Valentine's day this year. Also it was a new moon evening.

It has been a while since I checked the horoscope. So here is a taste of things to come..GRRRRR

"
If you are a typical Snake, you can be quite at home with tending your own wounds and being your own best friend. That ability could be very useful during a year containing ten unfavorable months. Neither the pace nor style of 2010 is likely to be conducive to your peace of mind. Fortunately Snake's natural element, Fire, has the ability to control Metal, this year's ruling element. This should allow you to receive your fair share of that famous Tiger luck. The key is to be very Snake-like. Lay low; wait for opportunites; and strike quickly. Do not measure the year in the number of your successes. Rather, focus on one or two big wins. Pick your battles carefully and exit the scene at the first sign of trouble.


Overview Forecast of 2010 Metal Tiger Year in General

Hot passion meets cold steel with the arrival of the year of the Metal Tiger. This combined sign signifies both the energy to begin activity and the determination to follow it through to the end. Forget about last year's slow plodding. Events set in motion now will pick up speed and continue until either the objective is attained or the whole endeavor crashes and burns.

Bold, cold Metal rules in contrast to last year's pragmatic, calculating Earth. This difference will be all the more dramatic as 2010 is a dynamic, Yang year. Metal's Yang aspect is extremely aggressive and does not tolerate opposition.

Unfortunately Metal has a destructive relationship with the Tiger's fixed element, Wood. In fact this is the fifth in a run of six years governed by an unlucky conflict of elements. This should come as no surprise given the recent history of US and world financial markets, massive numbers of foreclosures in the housing sector, and the terrible tragedy that is Iraq today.

The combination of Metal and Tiger is not, however, a totally negative one. Together they represent the kind of force necessary to accomplish the most difficult tasks. The impossible just might be possible during this exciting time.

Things that have needed to get done but were not due to some blockage will be done or at least see significant progress being made. On the other hand, some that probably should never even have been attempted will also go to completion. This is because the Metal Tiger is associated with a lemming mentality. The Norwegian story goes that, once a group of them starts moving across the fields, they will charge ahead and unthinkingly run straight off a cliff to their doom.

The point is now is the time to attack the most difficult issues you face. You have one of your best chances of achieving a breakthrough. On the other hand, if you still run into stiff opposition, you would do well to consider postponing your attempt to another time. You see, the same force that propels you forward is also with those opposing your efforts. Thinkers can prosper, but lemmings could experience serious setbacks.

Since this is a Metal year, those people born in an Earth one will generally fare better than others of their animal sign, while those born in a Wood one are likely to do worse. It's also slightly negative for those born in a Fire year and mildly positive for Water sign people. Finally, those born in a Metal year will be in their element and do well if their animal sign is compatible with the Tiger but could run into lots of confrontations if not.

The only thing we can say for sure is the year 2010 will be a tumultuous one. This is true for individuals, societies and the human race in general. It's perhaps a better time for knocking down walls than building them. People who thirst for adventure and can reign in their emotions could experience a thrilling and rewarding year. Those who seek peace and harmony might find themselves running for cover more than a few times. "

Really, if that made sense to anyone, explain...