I never really traveled abroad when I was younger. I did go on one high school trip to Paris, but I (of course) did not appreciate it. I had fun, but mostly thought about going home to see my boyfriend at the time. I was silly and 17. I did make some fun memories with my friend from high school that went with me; like grocery shopping and not really knowing what we were buying. Or yelling “un homme verte!” when the light switched to the walk signal when we were crossing streets.
I had a great time watching two week’s worth of the Bachelorette after my vacation was over. There is so much drama! I did not think men could be this petty. The first of the two episodes I watched, was a DeAnna Tells All episode which was another new thing ABC did where they checked in on DeAnna after showing her tapes of the episodes up until where they are now in the season. It was funny to hear her comment on the men and how she did not know certain things about them. Then they did a close look at the six remaining men and you got to hear personal stuff about their lives, family and friends.
Finally! I am back home in Los Angeles and am loving it. Cali was really excited to see me and was bouncing off the walls when I finally walked through the door at 10:30pm on Sunday night. I was supposed to roll in around 8:30pm, but due to mechanical delays on the airplane, I got stuck in Philadelphia for a few hours longer than the original three hour layover.
Right now, Ryan and Carolyn are off to Italy enjoying their second week of vacation and I am at work all day and roaming around the house at night with Cali at my heels. I have to admit, I am enjoying myself.
Cheese! It was the hi-light of our day today. The road to Emental (where Ementaler cheese is made) was quite risky and at more than one point in the 90 minute drive, we all contemplated turning around. The road quickly lost the paint markings and the road signs became few and far between. We were approached by two horse drawn carriages coming in the opposite direction and we slowly crept by them as they trotted past us. But where there was cheese, there was also a restaurant, gift shop and a visitor’s section where you can view the cheese-making-process.
I am intrigued by seeing castles that have torture chambers. I know, sick, huh? Well, I did get to see some jail cells while in Thun this afternoon at Schloss Thun. We had to walk up about 300 stairs to get to the base of the castle, and then even more stairs on a spiral staircase. But once to the top, we could walk up old, rickety ladders into the towers and look out at the city below. There were small rooms in the towers and it is there that I got some cool pictures of some shackles, swords and jail cell doors that had the biggest locks and hinges on them to keep the prisoners inside. So I feel satisfied.
Yesterday, Carolyn, Ryan and I did some leisurely shopping in Lucerne, which was full of tourist boutiques as well as watch discount stores. We found some great deals and managed to avoid the rain every few hours. Although today was overcast, the humidity was still heavy in the air and the rain was minimal. For lunch, we got some authentic fondue and spent about an hour dipping pieces of bread, boiled potatoes and steamed vegatables in the cheesy mixture. It was to die for!
After spending about 20 hours either on a plane or in an airport, Carolyn, Ryan and I arrived in Zurich at 9am Sunday. Our hotel is in Sigriswil and is on the side of one of the many mountains here, over looking Lake Thun. Similar to Banff, Canada the sun does not set until about 9pm every night so we are able to get the most out of every day here.
Ryan and I left for Switzerland on Saturday and are by now (hopefully) caught up on sleep. Switzerland is 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles. Yikes!! I hope to find an internet cafe while we are here, but if I do not, I have a few poems prepared to post this week to keep you all entertained while I am away.
I was able to watch all of the Bachelorette last night and forgot how much I love this show! Things are really heating up for the guys and I think that it is going really well for DeAnna. She seems to be making the right choices and is determined to fall in love with the one guy that is right for her. On one of her one-on-one dates, she chose not to give the rose to Richard, meaning he had to leave that very night and she was visibly upset about it. What ABC is doing with this show this season is allowing the Bachelorette to explain her choices so that the viewers are not caught off guard. This allows everyone else watching at home to be in tune with what is going on in DeAnna’s mind.
I read this book written by John Grogan and totally loved it. I could relate to everything the author talked about: from puppy trials and tribulations to how strong your feelings grow as you and the dog grow old together. The movie is coming out at the end of this year with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Anniston. Can’t wait!
There is a happy ending to my sad story about my finger getting slammed in a car door and that is what I really wanted to tell you all about. But I had to preface the happiness by going into great detail about the pain I went through four months ago so you will understand why I am so thrilled about the final outcome.
Some of you may be aware of my recent injury to my right hand’s ring finger. For those of you who do not know, please read on. For those of you who are faint at heart, skip this one.
