Island Tour

One of my favourite things to do here is an island tour, usually a convoy of vehicles going to all the beautiful spots on the island, of course, accompanied by fully-stocked coolers. So yesterday I was very happy to get a phone call after me and Susanna's early morning history of the gun lesson (thank you Hottie, but still anti-guns ;)) to join Kerri and Fabian on one. And just like the old days, the island tour landed us into one of my old haunts, Harbour Lights.

A great morning, day and night although possibly not the best thing to do the day before New Year!

She is Here!

In case not totally obvious by the photo below to who has arrived on the island. My fabulous, oh so organised and tidy flatmate, Suzanna.

Watch out BIM!

Boxing Day 2012

As I was here last Christmas I have been trying not to have the same posts and pictures as I did then. I am trying to look at things in a new light as to be fair I am doing a lot of the same things as last year. But there is one event that I am happy is the exact same every year, and has been for the last twenty years (except bigger and bigger). It is a bit like going back in time, seeing people you have not seen in years or at least in the last year, it is by far my favourite party of the year, it never disappoints, it is the Boxing Day party.

This is apparently the last one like this, so sad!  But had a great send off :)

A Cozier Christmas

What a day, plenty of pressies, food galore, drinks flowing, the dancing Aunties, a few celebrities, as usual, a Christmas to remember.

Great day and night, and now I somehow have to get the energy for Boxing Day.

What it is All About

Somehow I have managed to make it to 6:30am without being dragged downstairs by the kids, I imagine I only have a couple minutes left so I thought I would take this time to write a Christmas message. I think Christmas time is such a fabulous time for family, friends, and love. And for this reason, it can also be somewhat difficult for many people, and sadly we have been reminded of this recently here.

Last night I was feeling a bit down, selfishly thinking about what I do not have and not what I do and really did not want to go to church. But I did (apparently a Godmother duty ;)) and it made all the difference. Whether you are a believer or not, it is such a special place, watching everyone dressed up, so happy, and singing just made me remember what it is all about. So with that (and the fact that Jodi is now actually dragging me), Happy Christmas to all!
Dad and Nicola, I miss you particularly, love you lots xxx

Surfing BIM

Today was the big test, could I remember anything from my surfing holiday in the summer. These waves are totally different to those in Spain and UK, bit out of practice but managed not to break my neck. Based on my performance, I think some refresh lessons maybe necessary, so all signed up for good friend Christian to take me out.

Beautiful day

End of the World

Well I guess it is not a good idea to count your chickens before they hatch, but I have checked in on Australia and they seem to have made it to December 22nd and everything on the island appears normal. So I am thinking possibly the Mayans (or Mayan interpreters) got it wrong. Either way, I am pretty happy to be able to complete my holiday and a few other things I wanted to do this lifetime.

Break from Barbados

Although I try not to be political too often on this, I guess my beliefs actually are a big part of me and sometimes I find it hard to keep my mouth shut. I have sat on the Connecticut school shootings for almost a week but being in Barbados I have been watching a lot of American news (Satellite) and it is driving me crazy. You know what is now a huge seller in the States, bullet proof backpacks, for school children, like this is the answer. I am not going to voice my views, but I think this article in The Sunday Times, says it all... Oh yeah, David Frum is a Republican... American Fantasies that lead to Massacre

Ziggy

It has been a busy couple of days spent at the beach, in town Christmas shopping (actually this was fairly painful) and a lovely evening tonight in the garden. Lola, however, would not be happy to hear what is going on. I have spent the last two days falling head over heels in love, and something tells me Lola would not approve...

I love you Lola, but if I have my way I may be bringing home a little sister for you, her name is Ziggy.

Twitch is Gone

A good dose of sunshine, heat and most of all family seems to be the cure to the eye twitch I have  developed in recent weeks.  So happy to be here again for the holidays, had a close call leaving my luggage on the train at airport, a broken plane, but here, time for the beach.

They just get more beautiful :)

One More Sleep

I imagine most people going on a long haul flight to the Caribbean, spend the night before taking it easy in preparation, especially if they leave at 04:45. But of course I would never do the sensible thing and instead decided to host a Christmas dinner. A great way to spend my last night of the holiday season in Basel, but a fairly painful way to kick off my Christmas in Barbados ;)
It was totally worth it, and hey I have three hours to sleep on the train to the airport.

Girlie Christmas Sushi

Last night, me and a couple Romanians, a Portuguese, a German and a Brit went out for that oh so traditional Christmas meal, sushi.  There were presents, bubbles, food, laughter and extra special announcements made.  It was the last time we will be together this year (or possibly forever if the Mayans knew what they were talking about), as in the next week we are all off to celebrate Christmas all over the world.

 

 

 

Swissed

Yesterday in the staff room I heard one of the staff members saying him and his wife had been 'Swissed' again.  I of course asked what he meant by this and he gave me a rushed explanation.  However, as it turned out I did not need a detailed explanation, as I was just about to find out  exactly what it meant.  One thing I have learnt here in Switzerland is that the Swiss play by the rules, it is that simple, why on earth would anyone want to break the rules?  Now I am not complaining, as there is little crime, I always feel safe and things run like clock work.  But I must admit, up until last night I may have broken some rules from time to time.  Never again, as last night a parking ticket (not an overdue one, a brand new one), 'invited' me to the police station where I received a 400 Swiss Franc (pretty much equivalent to Cdn and US dollar) Christmas present fine.  And now I know what it means to be 'Swissed'.

Mitten Madness

I have said it before and I am sure I will say it again, I have the best flat mate ever.  This winter season I have gone through three pairs of mittens, always managing to lose one of them.  On Saturday we went shopping, and I found the warmest comfiest ones ever, bought them and promptly lost one not even an hour later.  We went back to the shop as I was going to buy a second pair and they had all sold out.  Then late last night when I went to walk Lola, I found these in my jacket (picture below), smartly connected with a ribbon (like what you may do for a child, or an irresponsible adult).  The exact same ones, I love Suzanna.

(my socks are not matching as years a go, a friends son told me it was bad luck)

Tiss the Season

It is certainly Christmas here in Basel, the Christmas lights are on, the Christmas market is in full swing, the shops are over flowing with people, there is even some snow on the ground (unusual here), but it is a little more than that, something a bit more special.  On the weekend Suzanna and I made a trip into town, to battle the million shoppers, and at every corner we just kept running into Christmas but not just for the usual obvious reasons.

Just outside our flat we ran into father Christmas with a Shepard, and a couple of donkeys walking around giving kids bags of candies and cookies

 

A huge group of singing Santas, just appeared in the train station singing and dancing to Christmas carols

Next we then ran into the Three Kings.

And of course, loads of the usual Christmas spirit was all around as well, it made what is usually a very painful shopping day a little bit nicer.

Thirty Plus One

Last night was a bit of a deja vu, back at Maria's a year on wards having bubbles, nibbles, chit chat, to celebrate her birthday (only this year she is not just thirty, she is now in her thirties).   There were a few new faces, definitely a lot more Romanians, an extra wrinkle or two, but generally not much has changed.  We are still laughing, working hard, playing harder, fueling the Italian economy by our consumption of prosecco, and enjoying each other and Basel.  

Happy 31st Maria, and thanks again for a fabulous birthday party.

Ugly enough?

I must say last night was a first, I very rarely go out thinking what I am wearing is just not ugly enough. In the shop I thought the one franc jumper was possibly the ugliest ever but when I got it home I started thinking maybe I had bought the wrong one and that the other one I was looking at was slightly uglier. But it did the job (I think the shag carpet on the front was key), and I certainly fit into Jen and Hayes ugly sweater party.
Thanks for a great night Jen and Hayes :)

Christmas Bubbles

Last night I hosted the Basel Ladies Wine Club Christmas party, and I know I say every month how brilliant it was and how fabulous everyone is, and it all gets a bit blah, blah, blah but they really are and it really was.  Therefore, I will not say much about it as I have said it all before and just post the pics instead.

My turn to host, and I make it a Christmas pot luck and a pour your own drinks night (think the key to being hostess is delegating tasks:)).

 

My personal shopper is visiting, watch out shops (I hate shopping unless I ma with this girl)

 

The Romanian beauties

 

I think it is so funny when I am going around taking pictures, people do not miss a beat, they stop talking long enough to huddle and smile and then go right back to chatting :)

Awesome Asa and fairly new member Sian

North American beauties

 

Maria, you won the competition and forgot your prize (do not worry, all the dishes are still there waiting for you!)

 

Opening Night

Last night I attended the first night of the ISB student production of Fiddler on the roof and it was absolutely fantastic.   The talent on show was just brilliant, the acting, singing, dancing, orchestra, just everything.  It was really great to see my students do something a bit different than Maths, especially as almost all of the lead parts I either teach or taught (possibly they took some pointers from their stark raving mad drama queen Maths teacher).  And with the opening night of Fiddler also opened the (well my) Christmas season, and from here on out things get a bit busy...

Not only did the students have a great performance but a group of male teachers put on an amazing Russian dance (not quite as good as my father's who has been perfecting his for decades).