New blog

The times they are a'changing...so thought a new year should have a new blog. This blog will remain, but I won't be writing anything more here. Please visit my new blog under the cunning name of:

http://zurilife.blogspot.com/

New Years Eve

Off shortly to celebrate New Years Eve with friends. I really love my friends. It's nice to know somebody cares, especially when you feel low. Which I don't today but New Years Eve is a day of reflection. How was my year (not too bad, but not too good either). Do I think it'll be better in 2007 (yes, definitely).

What do I want to change in my life? Well, not much such as it is but I want to continue making an effort to stay in touch with my friends and relatives. I hope for good surprises 2007. I hope life will be good for those I care about.

I'd like to keep on living thank you very much. Considering the alternative.

So let's hope 2007 will be full of joy, happiness and new things to learn. Before I get too profound I'm going to sign off. Next year you will find me on a new blog address...one where you can email me too!

http://zurilife.blogspot.com/

Away

So when I was away on my little trip to Texas, flatmate was instructed to do two things. One was to water my plants. The other one was to empty the fridge and bin everything old. Plants are fine, and I guess one out of two isn't bad :)

But flatmate is a really sweet guy. Today I got an aroma candle. Smelling of man. I like that smell.

Just have one question. Why on earth would a 28-year-old guy need so many bottles...and this is only from the bathroom...there is more in his room...anybody?

Toilet

Another Christmas present. Only funny for people who understand German...

Happy New Year!

Thanks to all my readers during this year. Let's hope 2007 will be even better!

Teeth

One of the reasons I didn't take the dancing guy up on his kind offer was that he kept on repeating how nice teeth I have. I guess the red wine and nicotine stains escaped him.

Nevertheless, he was a fantastic dancer and sometimes that's all a girl needs. The fact that he thought I was 25 did help :)...and yes, he wasn't exactly sober!

I think I will never tire of going out dancing/drinking/meeting people as long as I live...at least I hope not!

Back to normal

After having spent a couple of days sleeping in daytime, wide awake at three or six in the morning (check the blog and you will see) I am now more or less back to normal. Whatever normal is.

Had a very interesting evening. First I met with a new friend from the last class I attended. He turned out to be difficult. One of these who said "I'd like to keep in touch with you" and then made no effort whatsoever to do so. Little did he know. So I kinda forced him to through emailing saying when are we meeting? Eventually he caved in (yes, I can be very persuasive when I want to). A bit like my ex-boss said when we met in Dallas...everything was fine as long as I agreed with you...YES! Smart man, he learned...that's probably why we worked so well together :)

So I met up with this guy from the course. And I knew that we would get along fine. I have a great sense for people. Even though he was driving (ok, we have to work on that) he managed to stay in town until 1.30 in the morning. Not bad for a first-timer :)...being out with me (the pro).

Finally I decided it was time to send him on his way (after all, I didn't want to wear him out the first time) I decided I would pop into my usual place for a "one-for-the-road". And met this guy, who was a fantastic dancer. And a fantastic singer. Had lotsa fun, and stayed out later than planned...yeah ok, I hear you, not the first time. But why go home when you have fun? The only "problem" being that the guys who work there protect me...sometimes too much. Anybody try to do something not allowed, they are there like watch dogs. Even though I would allow it :)...what's so bad with touching my ass :) ??

PS. I do appreciate the guarding, and you guys certainly stop me from doing something I would regret. Thanks...ish :)

Big, bold and loud - and friendly

Big: everything's big in Texas. This includes my friends (ok, so not all of them but still), the appliances in the kitchen (incl the glasses and mugs...a pint of coffee in the morning type). The shower was set so high I had to stand on my toes to reach it. The cars, most of them 4-wheel drive's. The highways. The meals! A normal meal in a restaurant can feed at least two people. The space! Texas is large. When flying in to land it took at least half an hour flying over city lights before we reached the airport! I think you can fit a small European country into just the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

My friends house is a perfectly normal-sized house (approx 140 m2), and she claims it's small. I rest my case.

Bold: as an example I saw a road-sign "Drink - Drive - Go to Jail". No subtle messages there.

Loud: ok, the exception to the rule are my friends. They are whisperers. Very big and very quiet. But the rest is loud. Heartily loud though. There is nothing bad meant.

I felt almost at home in Texas I must say. People were friendly and helpful. In gas stations, in shops, in restaurants and the neighbours. Even though they did not expect tips. And I so enjoyed my visit there. Have already checked out flights for the next time :)....yiiii-haaaa!

Presents

I had agreed with my friends in Dallas not to exchange any Christmas presents. Or so I thought. My thinking was that seeing each other is present enough, and carrying things back and forth to Europe was not making a whole lotta sense.

Did they listen? Of course not. So I really felt a bit stupid, since I didn't bring anything (except for the chocolate, which is a must anyway when you come from Switzerland). Got the coolest-looking necklace and bracelet...fitting a cowgirl. See for yourself!


My other friend gave me a lottery ticket, where you could win 14M $. I immediately said we'll share that. It was only until he told me that you have to be a citizen in Texas in order to cash the winnings in, I realized he was pulling my leg. HAHAHA!

Calendar

Before going on with the Dallas story, I'd just like to say thank you to my friendgirl who sent me a calendar for 2007 today. I never had a personalized calendar before with pictures of me and my friends (mostly partying :). All year it will remind me of the great parties of 2006, and hopefully many new ones in 2007!

Thank you, it is great!

Texas men II

Next one up was a "real" cowboy, or so I thought. He passed and I asked if I could take a pic. Yes.


He claimed to be a real cowboy, but said he now worked as a fisherman in Alaska. Had I perhaps seen him on a tv show there? No. He started to flirt heavily with me, claiming "I'm not trying to hit on you" to which I responded you could have fooled me. Don't think he was used to witty women. He proceeded to tell a joke and mid-thru my friend and I said simultaneously "I've heard that one before". Poor thing, I almost felt sorry for him. He was trying so hard :). But I danced with him. And he wasn't a quitter. He went on asking are you married? Does it matter I said. How old are you? How old would you like me to be? But bless him, he thought I was 29 :)

Finally he realized I was taking him for a ride (pun intended)...and took a hike. Which was good since bodyguard and friend showed up. All in all, we had a fun evening.

Texas men

After the spectacle with bull-riding, which lasted all of 15 min (!) it was time to check out the meat-market (so to speak :). For this purpose my friends had taken me shopping earlier in the day, so am now the owner of a cowgirl shirt and new jeans. Btw when shopping I learned that I am short!! I tried on about 200 pair of jean (well it felt like it), and all of them except for the ones I bought were LONG. I guess mainly because you're supposed to have the jeans curl up on top of your cowgirl boots. But since I didn't have those boots I wanted "normal" jeans. Anyway...

When having a drink I was approached by a man coming up to me saying "are you drunk as a skunk?". Which I thought was an unusual first-liner, and thought about replying no, I just joined AA, but in end just said not yet. He then said "would you take my number off me?". Huh? Like I said, sometimes the lingo is weird. But when he turned his back to me, I realized that he had a number pinned to the back of his shirt, so he was one of the bull-riders.

Then he said something and left. My friend told me later that he asked if he could buy me a beer, and I said no. I wish I had understood what he said, since turning down a beer is not really me :)

Bull-riding

No visit to Texas is complete without seeing bull-riding. So next day we did.

http://www.billybobstexas.com/

The largest honky-tonk-place in the world! Normally there would be around 6,000 people, but since we chose to go on the 23rd of Dec, it was much less. Which I very much appreciated, don't think I could've taken on 6,000 Texans :)

Unfortunately this date also meant that it wasn't the top bull-riders performing. In fact, out of the six we saw none of them lasted more than 4 seconds! 8 seconds is considered acceptable. I tried to get pictures but they hardly hit the arena before they fell off. Wimps!


PS. Of course I tried it myself, so am now the proud owner of a pic of me on a bull, with an audience cheering in the background :)

Lunch

The next day it was time to meet another friend. Well, actually somebody who used to be my boss. But that didn't seem to have affected him too badly. He looked great.

He came and collected me, and we took a drive around Dallas.


And I learned that in Dallas you drive. Walking is not an option. Public transportation hardly exists. It's basically a city where people work, not live, even though they are trying to change this fact. Fort Worth on the other hand has a cute little city area, which is far more European and lively.

We went for lunch (this is where I got ID'd :) and again I had a great time. Especially after the two frozen drinks :)...no really, very good lunch and a nice catching up afternoon.

Again I got a ride home, and it turned out that this friend loved dogs. He was really impressed with the Great Dane, who was very friendly as long as his "Mum" introduced the guest. If not, you could expect really loud barks...fortunately we got along fine (the dog and I).

Date

Where was I in my story...ah yeah. After the drama day with Lucky, I had a date in the evening. Not a date-date, which my friends teased me for, but a date with guy I hadn't seen in 10 years but still managed to stay in touch with.

We had agreed to meet up in Cool River Cafe in Las Colinas (http://www.coolrivercafe.com/) and one of my friends gave me a ride there. It felt kinda cool walking in there with my own bodyguard (6ft4 - 195 cm) :)...and there he was. Waiting for me.

He looked about the same, perhaps a bit more distinguished but it felt the same talking to him. He was always good to talk to.

He asked me if I wanted to dine in the fancy restaurant or in the bar area. Considering it was smoking in the bar, guess what I chose? Food was so-so, but it didn't matter. It was great seeing him again.

After dinner I was supposed to call my "bodyguard" for a lift home, but date offered to drive me home. Good thing he did, since bodyguard didn't pick up phone. It later turned out that I had mixed up some digits in his phone number.

Journey back was quite an adventure since he didn't know where we were going, and I certainly didn't. Ended up with us having to stop at a gas station, buying a map, and with the kind help of some real Texan guy managed to locate the tiny street where my friend lives (only three houses on street).

So in the end all well, and I had a really nice evening out!

Villain of the year

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/28/america/NA_GEN_US_Villains_and_Heroes_AP_Poll.php

Voted by the Americans themselves!

ID

Had lunch with a friend over there, and since I was on holiday I thought I'd have a drink first. Hmmm, Margarita sounded nice. There were all sorts of flavours (sorry flavors :) to choose from...one of the perks of visiting the land of plenty :).

So ordered one with banana-strawberry, and guess what...I got ID'd!! They asked me for my ID! At first I was quite puzzled as to why, since I'm not exactly a teenager anymore. And the age for being allowed a drink in Texas is 21. But hey, I was flattered. Immensely :)

Until I was told they are required to ID anybody who looks younger than 40!!

As to why is anybody's guess...surely no 40-year-old looks 21?? I thought it was only in Hollywood they do the facelift thing. But never mind. Now I can say I got ID'd in America :)

Drive-thru and tip

Drive-thru's are big in Texas. You can pretty much drive thru anything. You hungry? Drive thru hamburger places, "the best ribs in town", Asian food, pizza, take your pick. You thirsty? Drive thru Starbucks or at Christmas time, the "home-made eggnog" place. You need money? Drive-thru an ATM.

And everywhere you tip. Get a coffee from Starbucks (even the drive-thru variant) tip 1$. For food, tip more. Not sure, but think that possibly you're excused from tipping at the ATM machine :)...

You even tip the people sitting in the little booth on the highway collecting the charge for driving there.

15% is the usual amount of tip. Apparently the people are so poorly paid, so most of them live on the tip. I've heard horror stories where waiters have gone quite mad, not having received tip because of bad service. So 15% is normal, anything above that is for extraordinarily good service, and less is obviously for bad service.

Even for drinks in a bar you tip. They have a glass on the counter which is big and kinda in your face, so that you won't forget.


PS. When I tip the home delivery pizza people here at home 2 CHF they are very grateful. And that includes them coming to my place, not driving thru theirs!

Food

Went to do some food shopping with my friends over there. And it's like in any new country. You don't recognize a thing. Well, apart from the obvious fruit and veg and stuff. The packaging is different, the brands are new, the lingo is not always understandable. American English is quite different from British English, much more than I realized. I guess the Americans I worked with and met over the years adjust their language to exclude slang when talking to Europeans.

And all the food is "sodium-free", "100% natural", "great flavour" (sorry flavor :), "pure", "premium", "original recipe", "great taste", "quality", "low in carbs" and/or "fat-free". Latter one not entirely visible amongst the population though :)

Luckily my friends are great cooks, so I only got to taste home-cooked meals. And they were great.

Appliances

They have different kitchen appliances in the US. Examples being a bagel-toaster (like a toaster but bigger...like everything in Texas :), a trash-"compresser" (don't really know what it's called but it's a machine that compresses the trash so that you can fit a lot in there...only when it's finally time to take it out it weighs a ton!) and an ice-machine attached to the freezer (see pic).

I kinda like the ice-machine idea. Just press a button and out it comes!

Since my friend has lotsa animals with fur it's almost a daily chore to hoover. Now, there was a shock when they turned the vacuum cleaner on. The noise was worse than the leaf-sucking device here at home. I was told by my friend that "Americans don't think it sucks if it doesn't make a noise". Hmmm, I guess nobody ever accused them of being clever either :)

Lucky

Woke up early the next morning. Body clock a bit out of whack. But was nice, since my friend was off to work, we got to have a couple of early morning hours with lotsa coffee (I had to teach them how to make proper coffee...what Americans refer to as coffee is basically brown water).

So off to work she went, and I had a great morning with a bath in the whirlpool, unpacking, cuddling the animals and settling in in general. About noon I felt nap-time coming on.

When I woke up a couple of hours later a friend called me to agree a time to meet. When on the phone I noticed the little cat (the one you saw on the pic) coming out from behind a plant dragging his leg. Thought he was playing around. I then saw it looked serious, so got off the phone and went to check on him. Oh dear. Bite marks, leg in totally wrong angle. Panic!

Called my friend, told her to get home immediately. Unfortunately she was an hour away, so I had to spend the waiting time trying to comfort the little one. He was miaowing pitifully, but still purred when I petted him. It was horrible to see.

This kitten had only been with the family a couple of months, taken in after having been thrown out of a car!!! (Who would do such a thing?). They named him Lucky.

While waiting the neighbour rang the door, and told me that she saw the kitten being attacked by two dogs. After having spent the afternoon at the vet's we were informed that Lucky had a broken leg (I saw the x-ray, and I'm telling you, it was broken in a 45° angle...these dogs were vicious!), two bite marks on the side, and a big rip on his behind.

My friends decided to give him a chance, and when I left he was still recovering at the vet's. He was such a sweet and playful creature, and I'm sorry I didn't get to see more of him. Fell in love with him at first sight, and I guess he liked me too since he fell asleep on my bed.

I wish Lucky a good recovery and a long life. He should at least have 7 left!

Tacky

Texans don't really do tasteful. Everything's big, bold and loud. More about that later. For now two pictures. The big tree is from outside the neighbours house, and the little red one from my friends house. But have to say though, I find the red one tastefully tacky. And different :)

Arrival

So finally arrived to my friends house. What a relief. Finally there. And I was treated like a princess. Here's your room. Here's the shower. Here's the whirlpool. Here's a glass of wine. Are you hungry?

It was great. The only thing was I could only muster to stay up a few hours. Good thing was that I was arriving in the evening, so it helped with the jetlag. So we had a few hours to catch up, have a glass of wine and feel the joy of seeing each other again.

I was also introduced to the menagerie in the house. When I said everything's big in Texas I meant it. Check this Great Dane out! And the little one trying to pick a fight :)

Duty-free

Before moving on with the story, I just wanted to mention that buying duty-free in Zürich was a bit of a no-go. The only thing allowed was ciggies (phew!), but no beverages (at least I don't think so, didn't try) and get this...no mascara! Was trying to buy one, and was told no.

Again why? I can understand if they want the goods to be sealed, and kept in a closed bag but not buying it at all? People, we're talking mascara. What was I gonna do with it? Especially if in a sealed bag? Poking somebody's eye? I already had a pen, remember?

Somehow I just don't think that all these so called security measures will prevent terrorists from doing whatever they want. But I guess the Americans think otherwise...

Pick-up

Fortunately my friends live fairly close to the airport, only half an hour drive which I learned is nothing in these parts of the world. I guess living about half an hour from the next country (Germany) spoils you a bit.

And they had a huge pick-up truck. Which I learned is very common. Why the Texans would need a 4-wheel drive is beyond me though. It never snows. But as I was about to learn everything's big in Texas. And that nobody has only one car...

Dallas

Finally it was touch-down time in Dallas/Fort Worth, my final destination. I was told that it was a really large airport, but gotta say I saw nothing of it. Only had to walk about 20 meters from the exit of the plane to luggage pick-up. And joy, the exit door was next to luggage belt. Smoking time.

Only, wait a minute. Where are my friends? Yes ok, I did have the address but had no idea where I was in general (which is not that unusual with me having no sense of direction whatsoever - was born without that particular gene). So got my luggage and slowly wandered outside, lit up and looked around. No giants. Hmmm.

Wasn't really worried though, these are good friends. And I was half an hour early. So when they turned up 10 min later, all flustered and full of excuses (your flight was scheduled to be late, the terminal wasn't displayed) I was totally cool and collected. Possibly because I just had two ciggies :)

And gosh, was it good to see them! That's the only disadvantage of having friends all over the world. You don't get to see them as often as you would like. On the other hand, there is always a place to stay when you travel :)

IAD-DFW

After a few hours of smoking, walking around for a bit, locating the terminal and getting there I got on the next flight.

Funny that, that flying domestic in America provided more space and leg-room than international. Probably thanks to the fat American people. Of which I had one next to me. Again I was in a window seat (not very customer-friendly on United Airlines). She was young, and really overweight. And started the flight by opening her food-bag stuffed with fattening fast-food...

Since I thought they would feed us on the flight I hadn't stocked up on food in the airport. How wrong I was. They didn't even sell anything to eat. I was starving! And looked with envy on my neighbours food. Finally I asked the flight attendant if they served something, at which time fat girl offered me some chips. Thanks.

Thankfully it was only a 3,5 hour flight, and I was starting to feel excited about meeting my giant friends, who were waiting for me at the airport!

Washington

So finally after 8 hours I got off the plane at Washington Dulles airport. Just off I noticed the smoking lounge (well, not really a "lounge" as they call it, more like a gas chamber, taking 28 people according to the sign...imagine more than that continuously smoking all the time...it's almost like you don't have to lit up yourself, just inhale). Unfortunately I was on the wrong side of the glass wall. Think of that, only 5 cm from a smoking room after more than 8 hours without a ciggie! FRUSTRATION!!!

Had to walk the corridors to the passport control and VISA check. Two (!!) fingerprints, both index fingers AND a retina scan. These guys are not the trusting types I tell you. I asked him if he needed my boarding card too. He didn't understand. So repeated. He still didn't get it. When I explained, he said oh, you mean boarding PASS (pronounced päääs). So ok, forgot I was in the States. It's not like I speak American English on a daily basis.

Then I had to go and find my bag off the luggage belt, drag it 20 meters to a drop-off (why? I guess it's because they don't trust themselves of having tagged all the bags properly) and proceed to another security check. Off with shoes again, transparent bag separately, and you know what? They confiscated my lighters! All three of them! Why? It sure beats me. I mean if I had something in it that would cause a fire or a blast, couldn't they just ask me to light it? Ah ok, I could of course be a suicide bomber. Yeah, right! Seriously, the Americans are a bit weird.

Finally, FINALLY I was off the hook. Smoking "lounge", here I come. Of course I had to ask a fellow traveller for a light...

ZRH-IAD

Isn't it weird that an airport is the only place where it feels absolutely natural to have a hamburger at 9.15 in the morning? And good thing I did. United didn't really think that feeding people was part of the ticket price. Ok, we got a small lunch (well, I actually sweet-talked the staff into giving me two) and a small sandwich before landing.

The thing is that eating is about the only thing you can do on a plane, besides drinking (5$ with anything with alcohol in it!), reading and watching movies. Sleeping is really not my thing on a plane. Too uncomfortable. Especially with a German woman next to me, having a thing with looking out the window often. Invading my space. Ouch.

So did the VISA waiver program forms. The ones where you have to answer lotsa questions like "do you do drugs?" (does alcohol and nicotine count?), "have you ever been convicted of a crime?" (not recently :), "have you ever been refused entry to the US before?" and that type of thing. After all the privacy-invading questions (yes I know, for my own security - but didn't stop the guys from flying into the twin towers did it?) on the bottom line it says: Welcome to the US. Gee, thanks.

PS. Ever heard of the theories of why the windows on the plane must be open at the time of taxi, take-off and landing? And why you are to lean forward in the case of emergency? Some say it is if something happens and the plane crashes they need to be able to count the heads through the windows. And the leaning forward is to protect your teeth, so that you break your neck nice and clean and keep your dental records in order for identification later. Just FYI :)

Check-in

So last Wednesday after 4 hours of sleep I got up, showered, had a coffee and packed. Flatmate was nice enough to help me carry bag down the stairs. Took my big luggage bag since I had so much chocolate, but it wasn't exactly heavy, just bulky.

Got to the airport to do the check-in, which was rather painful. I haven't been in the US after 9/11 and couldn't believe all the questions that were asked.

I can live with the usual ones like "did you pack your bag yourself?", but this time they really went far. To the question "have you packed any electronical devices?" I felt like answering no, I left my dildo at home but one look at the serious (and indeed very Swiss) guy I opted for only mobile phone and camera. Then he asked "when did you buy them?"...??? What did he expect me to answer? Oh, I bought them from a guy in a hurry just outside the terminal?

He also asked if I brought any gifts? To which I quite honestly answered yes, chocolate. But he meant if I had any gifts in my luggage that I didn't know what they were. No. "Do you carry anything that can be used as a weapon?". Yes, I have a hairbrush and a pen, which I was planning on sticking in somebody's eye. Really.

Then of course I had to go through security. Off with shoes and jacket. Lipstick and handcreme had to go in a separate transparent bag. Why? Beats me.

When boarding the plane they checked passport again and asked me if I left the hand luggage out of my sight during my time in the airport. Again, felt like answering yes, I left it with a suspicious-looking guy when I was in the bathroom, but somehow felt that they wouldn't appreciate the joke so said no.

Finally on the plane I was lucky to get two seats to myself. They put me in a window seat which I hate (I really tried to have them changed it, but to no avail) and hurray, "boarding completed" without having somebody next to me. Only to see the flight attendant reseating a passenger next to me. She didn't bother to ask me how I felt. So got this overweight German woman next to me. For 8 hours! Yay, the glamour of travel...



My lipsticks and handcreme.

Jetlag

OK, so impossible to go back to sleep. It is indeed weird to wake up at three in the morning feeling hungry. Then eat, read a bit and try to go back to sleep and then, six in the morning, feel like a glass of wine would be nice.

So came home yesterday morning at around 8. Finally! It was a very long flight home. Yes I know, the same distance as going there, but it felt like an endless trip. My bum was flat from all the sitting, my legs were restless, I couldn't sleep properly (well who can in economy class? - am seriously thinking of investing in business next time I must fly), they didn't feed me enough. Couldn't even get drunk since drinks cost 5$ each. 5$ for a beer? I don't think so. And the wine they offered was crap (Cab Sauv or Chardonnay).

I have never really been a good traveller. I'd like to get from A to B instantly (beam me up Scotty). Perhaps that's why I like Europe so much? Just a hop away from the next country, very convenient indeed.

Anyway, my intention was to take you through my holiday in chronological order, but knowing me, it won't happen. But will give it a whirl.

PS. Am drinking coffee in case you wondered :)

Back in the...

ah ok, Switzerland. Still jetlagged and a bit confused as to what time it is. Hmmm, almost 4 in the morning. But I was hungry, and why not eat when you are?

So here I am, letting you know that blogging will be resumed shortly. With lotsa memories from the US of A. Watch out!

Sexy Santa

Merry Christmas...

Should would could

I really should go to bed.

I would go to bed, if I didn't have to...

I could go to bed. Anytime now actually.

Archimedes

I am indeed a cheapo. Normally when I go on local transportation I use a daycard or buy a monthly card, but today when I was going shopping (chocolate, remember?) I had an Eureka moment. So bought a ticket for the airport zone valid 24 hours. Which I used for going shopping, going to friend for dinner, going into town and will use tomorrow for the airport. And all of this for only 6 CHF. Is Switzerland great or what?

PS. Wasn't it Archimedes who had the Eureka moment in the bathtub? You know when he discovered that the same mass of water "disappeared" as the size of body in the tub? Ok, I'm sure a more scientific person will explain this to me with better words. Aussie? U there?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes

Just like I said

Home now. Had dinner with a friend this evening. It wasn't supposed to be late but when you get going, you know how it is. Good food, good talk, good wine and so on.

It was funny because I brought a small Christmas gift. Nothing fancy, but something I knew he could use. In what was the worst wrapping you could've done. Or rather, I did. I simply took wrapping paper left from some other gift. In fact, it looked a bit like the Christmas tree :) But as I was trying to tell myself, it's the thought that counts. So I hope he appreciated it...at least he was laughing :)

And then I had to go into town of course. Met with a friendgirl. Some music, some more wine, some interesting conversation, even met some new people.

Which all made me think about why I'm leaving all this. I know, it's only for a week but still. And I know why. Because I really really want to see my friends again (who I haven't seen for 1,5 years...coming to think of it I'm meeting more friends, one I haven't seen in what? 5 years? and another one I definitely haven't seen in 10 years!), and I know I will love the feeling of coming back to Z.

I'm just over the feeling of travelling for travelling sake. That's not me anymore. The only thing that can get me out of Zürich these days are my friends. And hurray for them! Guys in D, tomorrow we'll meet!

More Schoggi

So went to buy more chocolate for my friends...you think this'll be enough?

Contradiction

Since I am a woman I reserve the right to say one thing and do another. I tend to do this when it comes to packing luggage. Am supposed to do it today, but know myself enough so it won't happen. At least not today. And I'm supposed to go to bed early tonight and not party.

This is what will happen: I will go out tonight. I will have a few drinks. I will be wide awake when coming home, and go blogging. Then tomorrow (f...ing early!) I will get up. Swear at myself for not packing today. Then pack (and since I've done this a few thousand times before I will do it in 5-10 min), have a shower, a few coffees, feel like shit and go to the airport.

It's a good thing I know myself :)

PS. Learn from previous mistakes? Naaahhh.