Sunday 29 July 2012

Episode No 1


In the desert of Arizona
Good morning,

It’s only been one week that I am in the States but I had the chance to experience tons of beautiful things during the last couple of days.

Let’s start chronologically: Well, the flight was long. It took about 20 hours as we had plenty of spare time in Montreal and were more than lucky to leave the Canadian ground due to a storm. In the end we arrived safely and picked up our spacious car.

Arrived in Los Angeles, we were welcomed by friends who showed us LA: Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Venice Beach, Malibu Beach, Getty Museum, Santa Monica and Walk of Fame. Personally, I liked Beverly Hills the most – it has a town character with its famous Rodeo Drive. Unfortunately I didn’t cross any real celebrity, I only saw Heidi Montag from „The Hills“ and „Laguna Beach“ while driving on Sunset Boulevard. Apparently Justin Bieber, the Kardashians and Cameron Diaz live in our hosts‘ neighbourhood but we didn’t meet any of them at Starbucks.
Hollywood Sign
Venice Beach
After a short visit at the Fender Music of Arts (primarily for my brother), we went on the road and crossed the Californian desert to finally reach Lake Havasu City. It is located next tot he Colorado River and it’s temperature is always above 30 degrees Celsius, even at night. Therefore the lake is not a refreshment at all and we were lucky to have stayed there only one night.
On the road
The last two days we spent at the Grand Canyon National Park. IT. IS. PHENOMENAL. Of course, the entire site is very touristic, but the view on the colourful miracle reminds you of what nature is able to create. Yesterday we got up at 5 AM to catch the different colour shades before going on a hike to descend the canyon.  
5.30 AM - sunrise at the Grand Canyon
During the first week, I took about 200 photos, but I only show you a small selection here (It has already taken me 2 hours to upload them). So far our hotels met all our expectations, hopefully it will continue. Moreover I am tired of burgers and fries, I cannot wait to eat a fresh salad tonight in the house we rented. The more we left the coast, the fatter people became: there is only little healthy alternative.
Today, we are on our way to Moab, next to the Arches National Park crossing the Monument Valley. I see you next week with new impressions and photos. 

Sunday 22 July 2012

24 hours till departure

Sunset at the lake
The Kooks
Hiking through a canyon in the environment
Little later than usually I welcome you to my post. On one hand I needed to catch up some sleep, on the other my preparation for tomorrow's flight took all my attention.
Short resume of last week: three dinners in town with friends, one open air cinema watching the mute film "The Artist", two hikes in the environment, one festival seeing The Kooks and The Kills and finally my last week of internship. Everyone's positive feedback completed four nice weeks of work experience in which not only I learnt a lot but also taught experts how to be more effective.

As promised last week, I want to show you some tips and tricks how to pack suitcases. There have been few times that I lived out of my suitcase during some of my travels and the next three weeks will be the same - therefore you can call me an experienced person.


  1. My first step is always a packing list. This seems to be exaggerated but I so get the best overview about what I want to take and what I need to wash before. This time I also scribbled a shopping list because I plan to buy some pieces in outlets. 
  2. To see what the list gives when having the pieces for real, I put everything on my bed. 
  3. Afterwards I start putting everything into the suitcase, following a few rules:
    1. Put socks into shoes
    2. To protect tissues like silk, put them either in tissue paper or at least into some extra bag. 
    3. Rolling pieces prevents them from creasing
    4. Blouses and jackets should be put on the top
    5. While packing I think of what I will wear on the flight: I wear pieces that are either space-taking or which tend to crease easily.
Last week I also said that I want to cook. Indeed, I stood in the kitchen but baking an Apple Crumble Pie. Check out the following recipe, even my boss complimented me for it.

Apple Crumble Pie
300 g flour
100 g sugar
200 g butter
3 eggs
1,5 kg apples
2 tsp baking powder
4 tsp vanilla sugar
For crumbling: 100 g sugar, 250 g flour and 125 g butter

For the pastry mix flour,sugar, butter, eggs, baking powder and vanilla sugar in a bowl until you have a flat mass. Peel the apples and cut them into small cubes. Fill then the pastry into a buttered baking tray and top it with the apples cubes. Preheat the oven on 200°C while preparing the crumble. Therefore mix flour, sugar and butter in a bowl and knead it. Sprinkle it afterwards on the apples and bake the cake for approx. 35 minutes.

Now I will have to arrange a few things before leaving. As I don't know exactly how internet access will be the next weeks, I can't promise you to be on time. But of course, I try to keep you informed about what I do, even if it's only a short statement. So far, I wish you all the best and want to thank for some tips you gave me.

Sunday 15 July 2012

Always desire to do something useful (Sophocles)

Good morning,

Summer doesn't fulfill all its duties this year. Temperature fell to 13 degrees Celsius this morning and therefore everyone is complaining. To swim against the tide, I prefer fall and winter anyway which is way I am not that much touched by the conditions. Eventually I leave to the West Coast tomorrow in one week, where the weather will be more than hot. I can only hope to survive Death Valley. Having said this, I begin to pack my suitcase this week and I will document it to show you next week. Are there any indispensibles you take with you when you go on vacation?

Besides the usual work, I went out Thursday and Friday night with my colleagues. Yesterday I only came home at 5.30 am - of course I still suffer my tiredness today. We went to a club I have never been before (SIP), but I actually prefer other clubs here. However it was a night fun out, especially because we had a delicious barbecue before.

After only 3 hours of sleep yesterday, I figured out that there was s soap box derby in my little village. I only know such events from films, so I found it rather interesting to go and watch. Some soap boxes were really professional, some others really funny. Unfortunately one crashed just in front on my eyes  - that was the moment I left. Afterwards I went to the Tomatoe Festival in nearby Carouge. This district is one of my favourites here, lovely little houses and a well-tended area, perfect to have some cupcakes and a coffee.

Barbecue
Pregaming
Colourful bottles (Tomatoe Festival)
Carouge
Cupcake cafe

It's been quite a while that I have decided to learn a new language. In my university it was difficult because my schedule didn't accord with the language classes and now it is impossible because I will move every 6 months. I need something consistent. In order to do so, I had a look in the internet to find some tutorials to learn Russian. Yes, that was my plan. Altough Russian is important in business world, it is a huge challenge due to the new alphabat and grammar and will therefore take a lot of time. Instead of Russian, I found a perfect page for my objectives to learn a different language: Swedish. As I can easily imagine to live there later and will now start to learn the language which resembles English and German that I already speak. I am a fan of challenges - here is the next one.

With this revelation I see you next week. Enjoy it!

P.S. I didn't cook recently, but if I do so (and this is my plan for next week) I will publish a new recipe.

Sunday 8 July 2012

A week full of happiness

Swiss market
Vespa
Swiss house
Birthday cupcake + prosecco
Canon + H&M scarf (sale)
Poster wall
Graffiti
Dinner at the lake
Appearances aren't deceptive: I am now a proud owner of a Canon EOS 550D. It wouldn't be exagerated to say that I am in love with it.

Remember my list that I compiled in spring? The camera is the first accomplishment that I can tick on it. Beyond the camera, you could also find that I wanted to celebrate my birthday in a parc with lovely selfmade cupcakes, friends, family and champagne. Instead of realizing this idea, I yesterday went to Switzerland's capital to see a friend and to establish a replacing program: a small tin of prosecco, cupcakes from the cupcake store and a picknick in a parc. My original plan couldn't be fulfilled as none of my friends were here and my parents had invited me to have dinner at the lake.

I also want to make use the opportunity to thank you for all the wishes that I have recieved during the past days. All the acknowledgements made this week to a really special one, hence I figure out now who my friends are. Thank you a lot.
Still, I need to get used to the "2" in front of my age. It feels like a huge step, kind of being now are real adult.

I hope you all enjoy summer the best way as it is possible. See you next week!

Sunday 1 July 2012

US MOOD

Happy Sunday!

Today I want to sweeten the girls' morning with a little video I found the other day. We all know the hype around Abercrombie & Fitch and their boys, so check it out!

 

The video gets myself in mood for my US trip in a few weeks. My entire family gets more and more excited the more our departure approaches. We discuss about where we want to go, what we want to do, who we want to see. Do you know any particular places, restaurants, bars, theatres, museums, hikes, activities in Los Angeles, Lake Havasu, Grand Canyon, Moab, Cedar City, Las Vegas, Yosemite or San Francisco that you could recommend? I would be delighted to get some insider tips from your side. 

During lunch break last Tuesday, I went to the Elizbeth Arden private sell with my collegues from work. It requires a special invitation and was at a hidden (not very welcoming) spot in the industrial zone. But it was worth to go because you got Elizabeth Arden and Shiseido make up for a quarter of the normal prize. I only bought a new blush that has a creamy texture for a few bucks instead of spending a whole fortune on this brand make up. It doesn't provoke spots and sticks the whole day, absolutely recommendable.


These pictures are the best proof for my my horrible camera. But it is my birthday next Tuesday, so hopefully I can then finally take pictures with a new Canon or Nikon.

After each hard day in the office, I went to rehearsals in my former school because my brother asked me to participate in a small concert. Yes, I sang. Alone. On the stage, only accompanied by my brother playing his guitar. Knowing that I am not the best singer, I did my best and I didn't embarrass myself entirely. However, I prefer singing under the shower at home.

Being in the city in these days is kind of hard for me because there is sold everywhere. But I don't want to buy anything now as my trip to the US is just ahead. I absolutely need new pants, shirts, ... ah you guess it: I need a whole new closet.

See you next week!