Throwing it Away

After possibly the most stressful week I have had for I am not sure how long, I thought I would relax at the Weirs poker night. Big mistake for Miss. Competitive, after being way up, I bloody threw it all away. Not helping stress levels ;)

And I lost all my chips and therefore all my money!

Jan 26th, Not Bad

Well I failed, was planning on sitting on the sofa till Feb 1st, but to be fair Jan 26th is close. And well worth it...



Good friends...



Great fun... Bring on February!

Just Call me Coach

Tonight was my first away game as Head coach (promoted from assistant from last year ;)) of the Junior girls basketball team and I am not sure who was more nervous me or them. We are now on our way back from Zug and as we know it is the playing that counts and not the result, so what really matters is they had a lot of fun!

Spoiled Brat

Well I think it is safe to say that for the last week I have behaved like a total spoiled brat.  Oh poor me, after having an amazing beach and family vacation I then had to go skiing for free and have a great time, and now have had to return to a little snow and cold.  And boy have I let it be known how much I do not like the cold, mopping around, sulking, and claiming I am staying in till March.  But I have snapped out of it, not going to be a baby anymore!  And I largely have Claire's boyfriend, Ahmed to thank.  He has recently arrived from Qatar having never seen snow before.  Last night they came over for dinner and he made me remember how magical the snow can be, he was so excited and looking out the window and it kind of made me realise how lucky and stupid I have been.  So although I am not claiming to love or even like cold and snow, I am going to stop sulking and enjoy myself.

Susanna lent Ahmed her snow board, he was so excited!

Where's Lola

Lola is not a big fan of the snow and cold either, but she has devised her own little game based on the Where's Wally (Waldo) books to get by. It was kinda cute the first time but now getting a bit old...

She hides herself in the snow and guesses it is up to me to find her. On this particular day it took me almost 30 minutes to find her, can you?!! (well no because this picture deleted!)

Getting Through

As discussed earlier I am all about sunshine, gloomy dark cold days are not my thing. In fact, I really could hibernate in our flat till March, easily. But luckily I have friends that not only won't accept this but also make this weather seem not so bad.

We Are Back

After a hard month of sun, sea, surf, mountains, and skiing I have entered back into the working world and my life in Basel. So what better way to start off my first proper weekend here than the way I intend to continue with sushi, prosecco, and the girls.

Little Miss. Sunshine

The great thing about life is you are forever learning. For instance, I think I am known by many for saying 'I would never...' and then end up doing exactly that thing (will probably end up living in Northern Russia with 22 kids), anyways I am going to try and stop saying this saying. What I have learnt about myself this week is that it is not actually snow and cold I really hate (contrary to what I have been preaching for decades), but gloomy, gray, yucky days and what I really truly love is the sunshine (hot, warm or cold). As long as the sun is shining I am a happy girl, and therefore have had another fantabulous day on the slopes...

My team (branded Team Garwood, by me)

 

Sea to Snow

Like last year I have left the sea and gone straight to the snow with ski camp. If someone had told me last week that we could have better weather here than we did last year, I would never have believed them, but amazingly we do. My tan is going from strength to strength with a high of 15 degrees on the mountain and bright blue skies. I love ski camp :)

Here I go, NENDAZ!

Back in Basel...

...albeit for a day or two before heading to the mountains. It has been nice to be back, fewer tears than expected, and warmer weather than expected (helping tears I suspect). It has been great to see people and enjoyed a fantastic Indian last night prepared by Claire, which was a great way to end my holiday indulgence.

Fabulous Family

Shortly the tears will begin, they almost started last night when Natalie insisted on a toast at a big family dinner, but I managed to hold it back. This year I have tried not to post over emotional things about my fabulous family, but I must say I feel extremely lucky to be a part of it.

My Ten

Even though I had a fairly busy New Years Day, I am definitely more human today than yesterday and therefore more capable of writing down my ten things to accomplish. Here they are:
1. Go to three new countries
2. Buy a flat
3. Read a book on Barbadian history
4. Visit my Goddaughter
5. Join a gym
6. Go cross country skiing
7. Arrange a charity event in Basel
8. Go on a surfing trip
9. Do second level salsa course
10. Read a children's novel in German.
I hope everyone had a great start to the New Year, I know I did with my Godmother flying in, a lovely lunch and extra yummy family dinner.

Happy 2013

Every year I write a list of ten things I want to accomplish in that year, last year I did very well with my list, missing an engagement (which to be fair was listed under pressure) but accomplishing all others. Today my plan was to write my new list but having gotten home from our last bar at sunrise I think it is safer to make my list tomorrow. In the meantime, thank you to all down the south coast road of Barbados for a fantastic night and wishing all the best in 2013.

From Blakeys, to Tiki bar, to Mojos, finishing with breakfast at Lucky Horse Shoe with family and friends what a fantastic night!