Crisp button up shirts

Before I entered the working world, I had a dream. To be the one who wears the crisp shirts or pantsuits. The professional/trendy/stylish/cool/polished looking one.

For some reason I love the look of crisp, well-fitted, button up, collared shirts with pants and a nice pair of heels. I'd love to have a closet full of shirts, neatly pressed, of course. So yeah, that's the annoying part. I have subjected myself to a life of ironing. The things we do to look good.

This weekend I did a little shopping at Nara Camicie. Not a bad store. I bought a (gasp!) red shirt with wide cuffs, that I could use cufflinks for. Maybe I should invest in some cufflinks. How masculine of me to like wearing shirts and pants. And the cufflinks part too. The heels, well, I guess that's different.

Milan again

As I promised myself, I went to Milan this past weekend. Yet again, I had a wonderful time. It was actually the first time I took off for the weekend on my own and stayed at a hotel by myself, which was quite exciting. I actually didn't get to stay at the same place as last time because it was full (I didn't pre-book). The new place was actually nicer than the last...it was cool to have my own hotel room. (I LOVE staying in hotels.)
I wasn't by myself the whole weekend, some friends happened to be in Milan the same weekend, so I met up with them for a bit. It was nice to be on my own, but also spend time with them, especially since they lived in Milan for a year, so they took me around to some neat places.

Things of note this time around:

1. Went to a football (read: soccer for all you North Americans) game. Inter Milan vs. Chievo. Apparently, one of the worse attended games ever. Too bad. The stadium was enormous. I was quite giddy, because it was just so impressive and the fanatics were really entertaining as well. The final score was 1-1, and I was actually disappointed with the post goal celebrations of the home team/crowd. Basically, there were none! I mean, if the fanatics spent the whole game singing and chanting, why wouldn't they go crazy when a goal was actually scored? I was confused. Favs of the experience, seeing the many riot police (and secretly hoping that something crazy would go down), hearing the fanatics warming up their lungs as we were approaching the stadium and seriously thinking that it was a recording being projected over the sound system and going up the "towers" to the seats. I hope to go to another crazier game soon!

2. Milan has recently gone smoke free indoors. This seems like a pretty big deal seeing that it's Europe, and smoking is more accepted in society. I won't complain though, because it really was nice to enjoy, for example, a smoke-free meal and not having to air out my clothes later that night. Although, walking on the streets and in the stadium I was back to holding my breath.

3. Bloor St./Yorkville will never be the same again. I spent some alone time wandering the Via Montenapoleone area. It's a lot bigger than what I experienced the first time I was there, making the Toronto equivalent just not as exciting as it used to be. It was strange to see multiple D&G's, Gucci's, Prada's, LV's, Armani's, etc etc ETC within a couple blocks. And they weren't little boutiques each. They were full out stores. There was an Armani superstore. It took up the entire block and was its own department store. I'd say it's the size of Holt's on Bloor. It contains Men's, Women's, Children's, Home, Eyewear...I could continue on. It was UNREAL. I had a "I can't believe my life" moment, which I haven't had in quite awhile. (I wonder why?) I mean, I was strolling through the streets of Milan, looking at designer stores...it actually made me wonder if I do want to return to Toronto at some point. Shocking, I know, because my plan has always been: return to Toronto to carry on my "normal" life. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on that subject now. There's no point. Back to the wonders of Via Montenapoleone. I was actually too scared to go into any stores in the area. On Bloor, I feel like (this is going to sound really really weird, but...) I'm a different person, or that I'm putting on an act. It's my release. My make-believe land. My happy place. I wasn't completely able to be like that this time in Milan, so I couldn't bring myself to go into any stores. Not a bad thing (I'm not good at explaining this), but just how it was at that moment in time. I was quite satisfied with looking through windows. Next time perhaps I go in. Oh, and it was incredible to see the designers that I'd only read about or seen on TV in person. Sigh, it was fab.

3. Milan could be my bag city. I've acquired another one. It's a pink, sequined monstrosity and I love it. Cronch, remember we saw it, but I didn't want to dish out the cash for it...well, I did this time (sale!). Mom and dad, it matches my belt exactly. It was actually quite a successful shopping weekend. Two pairs of shoes, the bag, a jacket, shirt, and errr...some other stuff.

4. Shopping is basically the reason I went right?!? Well, not completely, I mean I wanted to get away and stuff like that, but it just so happened that it's sale season. Sales are fab.

5. Some restaurants have "happy hour". This means, if you buy a drink (alky or non) you can visit the little appetizer buffet at the bar for free. Tapas bar I think it's called?!? In Italy it's fine, because people don't abuse it. They just take a couple snacks and that's it, but I could see restaurants in North America going bankrupt if they started the same thing.

6. I like using the metro (read: subway) system in different cities. I think I'm pretty good at figuring them out and I just like the fact that if you go the wrong way, who cares, just get off and then try again. I know lots of people who are so nervous to go on the wrong train and stuff, but what's the point of stressing? If you're in a rush, fine, but if not, it's just another experience if you go the wrong way.

This is getting long. My attention span is fading. I think that's all I want to say right now.

I said I wish I could sing

...so here's a little ditty for you:

"I'm going to Milano, gonna spend me a lotta Euros..."

Peaches/Euros...Tomayto/Tomahto...why can't we all get along?!?

Come to think of it, I never did write about my trip to Vienna. Maybe I'll do that after I get back from Milan.

I wish

...that I could be in a musical theatre show.
I just got back from a wonderful little performance. It was basically three British, but French speaking ladies singing French and English songs. But the way they did it was so funny, and just made me smile. It was a wonderful way to end a pretty stressful week for me. There was live piano accompaniment as well.
I was just a fabulous, relaxing and uplifting 1.5 hours of my life. It really made me smile. I haven't felt that ____ feeling that I got so often near the beginning of my adventure. That's not to say that I haven't been enjoying myself lately, I just haven't had that ____ feeling in awhile.

Yeehaw!!!

We've got Canadian snow!!!

Yesterday afternoon, at around 4:30pm is started snowing. Fluffy flakes. Continuously drifting downwards from the sky. It was fabulous.
And it kept snowing on and off until now!
I woke up this morning to a white, winter wonderland. It was like I was at home! A good 5cm stayed on the ground.
On the way to the bus stop (I admit it, I was skipping) I saw people brushing the snow off of their cars, people shoveling their driveways and city workers shoveling the streets.
While on the bus to work, I saw kids having a snowball fight at a local elementary school and dealt with the "winter bus smell" that's just so distinctive of a cold and wet outdoors.

Sigh. Canadian snow is great.

Enough with the Uggs already!

One Ugg, two Ugg, black Ugg, blue Ugg.
...I forget the next line (and I've never seen a red Ugg before). Let me switch it up a bit.

Do you like Uggs here or there?
I DO NOT LIKE Uggs ANYWHERE!!!

I'm disappointed in Europeans. They have jumped on the Ugg bandwagon like there's no tomorrow. Uggs knockoffs are in full effect. There's a reason they're called Uggs. Because they're UGG-LY!!!

They just sound horrible.
Ugg.

They just sound slumpy.
Ugg.

They just sound frumpy...
UGG!

Argue all you want about comfort, but you're the same people who've embraced stilettos and pointy toes!!! Why start being comfortable now?!?

Oh, and is it even possible to walk in the things without dragging your feet?!? They make your feet look like ... oh, forget it! I refuse to spend more time writing about this matter.

Coupe Neuchateloise

This weekend was the Coupe Neuchateloise. A little invitational skating competition held in town. It was my first chance to judge since leaving Canada. Unfortunately, the year I don't think that I will "officially" be able to judge in Switzerland due to paperwork and stuff like that, but I was able to be the equivalent of a "trial judge" at the competition.
It was an interesting experience.
Quickly, on the judging front, it made me miss judging so much. I can't wait to really have my marks count. I mean, I'm glad that I got to at least trial, but it's just not the same thing. Still, I'm thankful. Oh, and Swiss judges have a different take on judging attire. In Canada we're told to dress warmly (of course), but professionally as well. I don't necessarily dress to the nines, but when on the stand, I feel I'm carrying out a job, and need to dress the part.
The Swiss dress to stay warm, from what it seems. Snowsuits are donned as are these things called "moon boots". No joke. I was in shock when it happened. Think blizzard attire. Quite a contrast from what I'm used to.
Luckily, everything else about the judging was the same, so I didn't feel too out of place.
The competition was cute. Small and drew some local skating clubs. Lots of enthusiasm in the stands and club spirit was great. Each skater was cheered for and after each program, the ice was showered with flowers and other gifts (at one point a bag of candy that was thrown onto the ice exploded and the skater had to pick up all of the individual gumballs that rolled around the rink). The awards presentation was great as well. The medallists didn't actually get medals, but little trophies. On top of that, they each got a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a certificate and a bottle of lotion?!? I guess instead of giving all participants a little thing when they sign-in for the competition, the Swiss load on the gifts at the end. They stand on the podium and the head judge for the event and the president of the host club makes the presentations. Pictures are taken and then the remaining participants are called in order of placement (oh, I forgot to say that the results aren't posted, but are announced during the presentations...so everyone in the competition is standing on the ice hoping that they will get called - hmmm...similar to OUA's?!?). All competitors as they are called with their placing stand beside the podium (in order) after shaking the hand of the top three or doing the three kisses thing. Even the little ones! How different from Canada! Great sportsmanship! Then the judge and president again present trophies, certificates and lotion (but no flowers) to all participants. SO different from home! The kicker. After the final applause, all of the participants take a victory lap around the rink!
All of this hoopla happens for every single event. From tiny tykes, to the big kids.
Makes it more encouraging to compete...you get a big deal made about you even if you come last.

I'm already looking forward to the next competition!

I'm going to the Prix!

It's official! I just got off the phone with the Prix de Lausanne folks whom I've purchased tickets for the semis and finals from. I'm SO excited!
Darn the fact that most of the seats were sold to "Friends of the Prix". So slim pickins. Sigh. Still, I guess I shouldn't complain eh?
I'm also excited that I had a good half hour conversation in French with the Prix people. Discussions not just about seats, but other things too...in French!
My French comes in waves. Some days I just ramble eloquently (well, not really), and on other days, I just can't seem to find the words. I'm still proud of myself.

Dad: I have yet to call "you know who", but I will this weekend, I promise.

One of these things is not like the other...

Downhill skiing
Tennis
Boxing
Football (err, soccer for the North American folk)
Speed skating
OR
Sumo wrestling




...





Actually, it's speed skating. The rest are part of the regular lineup on the EuroSport channel on TV. Who knew some of those sports were so popular here in Europe...ummm...especially SUMO?!?

When in Neuch and needing a Canadian fix

I've been craving chicken. Chicken wings. I've been able to indulge twice since being here. In two places you would never imagine being satisfied with chicken wings at.
1. McDonald's
2. Vienna
Yes, I know.
Thing is, chicken's not really the meat of choice here. In Canada it seemed like chicken was the staple meat. If you go to a big catered meal, chicken's going to be featured on the non-vegetarian entree. Here it's a little different. I'm all pork and beefed out.
Seafood's as common as it is in Canada (always a couple choices on menus), but to fill in the chicken void, there's a good mix of duck, rabbit and horse.
I enjoy duck. It's tasty.
Rabbit and horse I actually tried on the first day we went to the caf. I had horse stew and tried a little bit of a friend's rabbit. I haven't had either since. I'm willing to try most things, and they were both edible, but since there are other options always available to me, like I said, I haven't had either again. They just aren't as tasty.
Horse was a really tough beef-like meat. But with a different taste (no, it didn't taste like chicken).
Rabbit was sort of duck like in consistency, but with a different taste again.

Oh yeah, the Canadian connection. The horse they serve here is from Canada. Giddy up!

A thought

Will I really be doing the same thing for the next 42 years of my life?
It doesn't seem possible. I thrive on change and pushing myself to the next challenge. What is my next move?
42 years is a long time.

...

On Wednesday, January 5th, 2005 at 12 noon, Europe held 3 minutes of silence for the victims of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia.
Since the earthquake, I've tried to figure out if or how I would address this issue on my blog. I am still no closer to the answer, except that my fingers seem to be typing something at this very moment.
Do what you think best for yourself in this situation. Everyone has their own way of dealing with an event like this, and for some reason, I do not feel like listing possibilities or anything like that in this forum. I think that's for you to decide what to make of everything.
I've never been really good at realising the enormous effect/affect something like this has, especially when it doesn't directly effect me. I know of ~35 people (personally) that were in Thailand during the holidays who were luckily no in harm's danger, but did have to alter some of their plans and have heard talked to people who know of people in area who still aren't accounted for, but somehow in my genetic makeup I remain the same.
Still, I know I don't need to say it (because you'll do whatever you want), but..ummm...do whatever you want.

By request...

Taken from some quick research

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Global Good Luck Traditions for New Year's:

...here's a look at a good luck ritual from one part of the world. It is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity in the coming year.

AUSTRIA - The suckling pig is the symbol for good luck for the new year. It's served on a table decorated with tiny edible pigs. Dessert often consists of green peppermint ice cream in the shape of a four-leaf clover.

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aaah. It all makes sense.