I've been wanting to put this up for a while, and now seems like an appropriate time. We went to see a friend from school play music on the streets around Christmastime. I asked if he knew When the Saints Go Marching In, and he did! It got everyone dancing and clapping... I thought it had to be a good sign.
Our plan is to nap at some point this afternoon, so we can stay up and watch the big game. We both have to be at school/work at 8:30, so we'll see how well that plan actually works. I can't believe they're actually playing in the Super Bowl... wish I was in New Orleans. But, having an experience where Swiss Santas play Saints music isn't such a bad alternative.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Snow Day
The weather has been great lately - cold and sunny. But this morning, out of nowhere, we woke up to white. I say out of nowhere... we're still not comfortable enough with our Italian to watch the news, so every day is a surprise. And today it was snow. Today is also my first official day with nothing to do (exams are over), so I set out to run some errands, get books for next semester, buy groceries, and meet Ryan for lunch. All the while, adding more bags to by arms and catching more buses. It feels good to be home... wet, but home. Here's the view from our balcony. You can't even see the lake, and the snowflakes are so big you can hear them hit the ground.
We've had a great week, despite exams. We went to a Jazz concert last night in Chiasso, I got to drive my neighbors new BMW to the Italian grocery store, and we have friends coming this weekend from Zurich! They're coming to escape the weather, and we have palm trees! Covered in snow...
We've had a great week, despite exams. We went to a Jazz concert last night in Chiasso, I got to drive my neighbors new BMW to the Italian grocery store, and we have friends coming this weekend from Zurich! They're coming to escape the weather, and we have palm trees! Covered in snow...
Monday, February 1, 2010
If I Had A Million Dollars
I have this reccurring dream... it's about how I'm going to move back to New Orleans and open an animal shelter. My sister has thought of ways Sacred Heart could raise money, I tell relatives I'm going to hit them up one day, and I've even picked a spot. Katrina left pockets of areas devastated - it could be a win win. Sometimes before I go to bed I think of ways to do it, and what it would look like. Everybody (Oprah) says that you should pay attention to those kinds of voices, but so far I've opted not to. What can you really do? If you're me, you can get a real job, surf non-profit websites, and give what money you can. And that's enough for now. But I do wonder... how many people really want to do something that would actually help, but choose not to? I'm sure Danny Thomas dreamed of St. Jude before he laid the foundation. And can you imagine if he didn't?
I'm no Danny Thomas, though. And yet, I'm married to someone who thinks I can do it. Isn't that crazy? I've bought books about starting non profits. I've looked for classes on grant writing. I even shadowed a vet for a day to see if I could go that route. I can't. I want to pick dogs up off the street, not take their stool sample. It's just a dream, really. I've had others too. When I started making frames, I dreamed they were so popular that I became the next Kate Spade. But even in that dream the millions I made went to a shelter. And a new wardrobe.
That's why I can't take this seriously... chances are it won't happen. Chances are whatever you think of doing won't happen either. We'll have kids and get bigger houses and those things will become less important. But just in case, I'm throwing it out there. Did you know that if your goal is written down, you're 80% more likely to achieve it? So that's all this is. I'm just writing it down. I know I'm going to grow up and get a real job. I actually like working. I like dressing up and making money. I'm sure everybody has their "thing" and this is just mine. But it does make me wonder. Am I alone in this? How many of you are dreaming impossible things? What would people really be capable of if they didn't have to compromise? The Saints are in the Super Bowl for pete's sake. Maybe anything's possible.
PS - Just in case your thing is animals, take a look and donate. There are people with more guts than me doing amazing things. Here are the two that I love to give to - www.strayrescue.org and www.aspca.org. All they need is money.
I'm no Danny Thomas, though. And yet, I'm married to someone who thinks I can do it. Isn't that crazy? I've bought books about starting non profits. I've looked for classes on grant writing. I even shadowed a vet for a day to see if I could go that route. I can't. I want to pick dogs up off the street, not take their stool sample. It's just a dream, really. I've had others too. When I started making frames, I dreamed they were so popular that I became the next Kate Spade. But even in that dream the millions I made went to a shelter. And a new wardrobe.
That's why I can't take this seriously... chances are it won't happen. Chances are whatever you think of doing won't happen either. We'll have kids and get bigger houses and those things will become less important. But just in case, I'm throwing it out there. Did you know that if your goal is written down, you're 80% more likely to achieve it? So that's all this is. I'm just writing it down. I know I'm going to grow up and get a real job. I actually like working. I like dressing up and making money. I'm sure everybody has their "thing" and this is just mine. But it does make me wonder. Am I alone in this? How many of you are dreaming impossible things? What would people really be capable of if they didn't have to compromise? The Saints are in the Super Bowl for pete's sake. Maybe anything's possible.
PS - Just in case your thing is animals, take a look and donate. There are people with more guts than me doing amazing things. Here are the two that I love to give to - www.strayrescue.org and www.aspca.org. All they need is money.
Quote of the Day
"Cease to be a drudge, seek to be an artist."--Mary McLeod Bethune, American educator and civil rights leader
Monday, January 25, 2010
Black and White (and Gold - Go Saints!)
Aside from the big Saints win, this past week has not been very exciting. Exams have started and I got the flu. Not much to write about there. So, once again I'm relying on something Ryan sent me that inspired a post. Here goes.
It was a piece from the NY Times that talked about boring books. This is the excerpt that hit home:
“Pay close attention to the most tedious thing you can find (Tax Returns, Televised Golf) and, in waves, a boredom like you’ve never known will wash over you and just about kill you. Ride these out, and it’s like stepping from black and white into color. Like water after days in the desert. Instant bliss in every atom.”
The black and white he's referring to is like my Industrial Organization text book, or the Public Management slides I have to memorize. I haven't been as good about studying as I should be because I can't really take it anymore. I have read more about minutiae than I care to, so today I stepped out into the color, and went grocery shopping.
The cheese men at the fancy store are always so friendly, and today did not disappoint. I was choosing a Gruyere (which is my new favorite) when one of them tried to start a conversation. I replied with my standard, non parlo molto Italiano. To which he replied, something in Italian. But it ended in buono so I assumed it was... but you spoke that so well! I thanked him and he gave me cheese.
Because I had a pretty, furnished apartment to go home to, I decided to take advantage of the one cheap thing here in Switzerland - flowers. I got almost a dozen tulips for $8, and they're gorgeous. I'm hoping they bring a little color into the next few days.
Here's another funny line from the Times article - “Bliss — a second-by-second joy and gratitude at the gift of being alive, conscious — lies on the other side of crushing, crushing boredom.” You know what's on the other side of my boredom? My family is coming to Lugano over the Mardi Gras holiday! This cannot come fast enough...
Oddly enough, the Times piece was not referring to studying, but rather a book about accounting. Here's a little antic dote from my accountant. Ryan "ran home" on Saturday after going out with some guys in the building. It was 3 in the morning, he was cold, and wanted to shorten the 30 minute walk home. Running seemed like a good idea. Problem - he was in dress shoes and a blazer, the only one on the street not in a car, and again, it was three in the morning. So, here's the plan he concocted... run, but when you see a car, start walking, so as to not look like a crazy person. Brilliant! Guaranteed those cars saw him running and stopping for their benefit. No crazies here, right? We had a good laugh about that when I got woken up by said crazy person, coming into the apartment out of breath.
It was a piece from the NY Times that talked about boring books. This is the excerpt that hit home:
“Pay close attention to the most tedious thing you can find (Tax Returns, Televised Golf) and, in waves, a boredom like you’ve never known will wash over you and just about kill you. Ride these out, and it’s like stepping from black and white into color. Like water after days in the desert. Instant bliss in every atom.”
The black and white he's referring to is like my Industrial Organization text book, or the Public Management slides I have to memorize. I haven't been as good about studying as I should be because I can't really take it anymore. I have read more about minutiae than I care to, so today I stepped out into the color, and went grocery shopping.
The cheese men at the fancy store are always so friendly, and today did not disappoint. I was choosing a Gruyere (which is my new favorite) when one of them tried to start a conversation. I replied with my standard, non parlo molto Italiano. To which he replied, something in Italian. But it ended in buono so I assumed it was... but you spoke that so well! I thanked him and he gave me cheese.
Because I had a pretty, furnished apartment to go home to, I decided to take advantage of the one cheap thing here in Switzerland - flowers. I got almost a dozen tulips for $8, and they're gorgeous. I'm hoping they bring a little color into the next few days.
Here's another funny line from the Times article - “Bliss — a second-by-second joy and gratitude at the gift of being alive, conscious — lies on the other side of crushing, crushing boredom.” You know what's on the other side of my boredom? My family is coming to Lugano over the Mardi Gras holiday! This cannot come fast enough...
Oddly enough, the Times piece was not referring to studying, but rather a book about accounting. Here's a little antic dote from my accountant. Ryan "ran home" on Saturday after going out with some guys in the building. It was 3 in the morning, he was cold, and wanted to shorten the 30 minute walk home. Running seemed like a good idea. Problem - he was in dress shoes and a blazer, the only one on the street not in a car, and again, it was three in the morning. So, here's the plan he concocted... run, but when you see a car, start walking, so as to not look like a crazy person. Brilliant! Guaranteed those cars saw him running and stopping for their benefit. No crazies here, right? We had a good laugh about that when I got woken up by said crazy person, coming into the apartment out of breath.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
BIG Saturday
I just have time for a quick post, but I thought you'd like to know that WE HAVE PLANS! Typical Saturdays include sleeping in, Ryan's music, facebook, coffee, then venturing out to walk around the city or pick up some groceries. Not this time... take a look at our packed schedule and tell me you're not jealous.
11:00 - 1:00 - Ryan goes bike riding with a neighbor. The neighbor is an ex-professional athlete, but recently hurt his knee skiing, so Ryan is confident he will keep up this time with no problems.
1:30 - 4:30 - grocery shopping in Italy with other neighbors. Elsa is French but speaks very good English and her husband is actually American! I've been hanging out with her and her baby (Leoni) the last couple of days. She is very Parisian... carefree, beautiful, and ultra-cool. She introduced me to a face cream that costs $545 (for the smallest amount possible) and showed me the most amazing purse she received as a Christmas present. I feel as if I'm always on the verge of looking square, polite, and basically not-cool around her. But, she seems to like me (either that or she's incredibly bored in the apartment by herself during the day). Her and her husband have a car, and offered to take us to an Italian grocery store they go to every Saturday. A lot of people do that here... it's cheaper, has everything, and you can stock up for the week (as opposed to going daily, like we do).
7:00 on - dinner with a guy from Ryan's office and his girlfriend. This never happens - usually people from Ryan's office don't socialize after hours, and most of them go to homes outside of Lugano for weekend fun. So, this is extra special. I'm hoping we impress this guy, enough that he'll ask us out again.
Here's a picture of Ryan before he left. Can you tell we're excited? I whipped out the camera and he made no protest about the picture (just that I shouldn't get the light behind him because he would appear too dark).
11:00 - 1:00 - Ryan goes bike riding with a neighbor. The neighbor is an ex-professional athlete, but recently hurt his knee skiing, so Ryan is confident he will keep up this time with no problems.
1:30 - 4:30 - grocery shopping in Italy with other neighbors. Elsa is French but speaks very good English and her husband is actually American! I've been hanging out with her and her baby (Leoni) the last couple of days. She is very Parisian... carefree, beautiful, and ultra-cool. She introduced me to a face cream that costs $545 (for the smallest amount possible) and showed me the most amazing purse she received as a Christmas present. I feel as if I'm always on the verge of looking square, polite, and basically not-cool around her. But, she seems to like me (either that or she's incredibly bored in the apartment by herself during the day). Her and her husband have a car, and offered to take us to an Italian grocery store they go to every Saturday. A lot of people do that here... it's cheaper, has everything, and you can stock up for the week (as opposed to going daily, like we do).
7:00 on - dinner with a guy from Ryan's office and his girlfriend. This never happens - usually people from Ryan's office don't socialize after hours, and most of them go to homes outside of Lugano for weekend fun. So, this is extra special. I'm hoping we impress this guy, enough that he'll ask us out again.
Here's a picture of Ryan before he left. Can you tell we're excited? I whipped out the camera and he made no protest about the picture (just that I shouldn't get the light behind him because he would appear too dark).
Friday, January 15, 2010
Fairly Interesting
I'm studying for exams, starting with a class I don't like so much... Organizational Behavior. It's the test structure that stinks, not the content of the class. Anyway, I came across something in my reading that I thought might be worth sharing. The subject matter is self-esteem in the workplace, and how it can be used by managers to predict (and improve) employee behavior. So far, I haven't learned anything beyond common sense, UNTIL, I came across this.
There was a 30 year study done in Britain that interviewed parents of all babies born in the first week of April 1970. These children were then questioned at ages 5, 10, 16, 26, and 30. The focus of the study - self-esteem. The result - a very close correlation between childhood self-esteem and adult success. Here's a direct quote from the findings.
"There is now clear evidence that children with higher self-esteem at age 10 get as much of a kick to their adult earning power as those with equivalent higher maths or reading ability. Childhood self-esteem can overwhelm academic disadvantage or social deprivation in determining future earnings power"
Not earth shattering, but interesting. It reminds me of watching Cissy whisper to Maddie when she was WEEKS old, that she was the most beautiful, the smartest, and the best girl. When Maddie was a little older, Cissy would make up cheers about how great she was. I thought it was just the picture of a Mom loving her kid. Bill probably thought it was crazy. Everyone else probably thought it was just Cissy being Cissy. But who knew she was ensuring her child's earning potential???
So Mat, when you're rich and famous, remember your fairy godmother, will you? I don't think I was the most confident at 10, so you might have to carry me a little.
There was a 30 year study done in Britain that interviewed parents of all babies born in the first week of April 1970. These children were then questioned at ages 5, 10, 16, 26, and 30. The focus of the study - self-esteem. The result - a very close correlation between childhood self-esteem and adult success. Here's a direct quote from the findings.
"There is now clear evidence that children with higher self-esteem at age 10 get as much of a kick to their adult earning power as those with equivalent higher maths or reading ability. Childhood self-esteem can overwhelm academic disadvantage or social deprivation in determining future earnings power"
Not earth shattering, but interesting. It reminds me of watching Cissy whisper to Maddie when she was WEEKS old, that she was the most beautiful, the smartest, and the best girl. When Maddie was a little older, Cissy would make up cheers about how great she was. I thought it was just the picture of a Mom loving her kid. Bill probably thought it was crazy. Everyone else probably thought it was just Cissy being Cissy. But who knew she was ensuring her child's earning potential???
So Mat, when you're rich and famous, remember your fairy godmother, will you? I don't think I was the most confident at 10, so you might have to carry me a little.
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