The Shadow and the Shimmer

So, I've been in Switzerland for just over 2 months. I'm pregnant, too, by the way! 15 weeks!  We'll save that for next post, because what I REALLY want to do is make a listicle of some of the oddities/cool stuff and weird stuff I've noticed since arriving here. If I was in a sour mood, this could have become a Debbie Downer style list of all the things I am having a hard time adjusting to, but I am having a pretty darn good day, so let's look at the bright side, too, shall we?! So, without further ado, let's look at the good, the bad and the fugly of this odd little place. 1. Bananas are super affordable (PRO) This is a weird observation, I know. In Canada, a large banana can cost you as much as $0.75! No joke, today, at the grocery store, I saw a bag of 15 BANANAS for less than 2 francs (that's about $2.45 Canadian). They are super cheap, and I am happy about this. 2. People generally seem miserable; neutral at best (CON) I don't want t...

For as long as I can remember, I have been writing. When I was young, I kept a journal. This was my safe place to escape from the world and get deep into the art of self-analysis. I wrote about everything. At the beginning it was trivialities; which boy was cutest, what I wore to school. In my teenage years, I wrote about family fights, nights out drinking in the park and other general hooliganisms. Or many worlds? The bottom line for me, is that writing is my main source of therapy. Every major obstacle I have overcome in my life has been written about from every imaginable angle. In a way, it's like a puzzle. I write out different feelings, different perspectives, until something fits and I see the big picture. Perspectives and feelings change, too, which is part of the beauty of writing. It is fluid. I can go back and reread my past work (sometimes, with a horrified smirk) and see how my evolution has spiralled into a new direction. The thought...

Hello! It feels so good to type. I missed it. The past month has been a whirlwind of travelling, marriage preparations and execution, parties and visits with friends and families. It feels like the first time in a loooooong time that I have been able to sit (on my new comfortable Swiss couch, no less) and relax and let myself get back into the story-telling. So, in a nutshell, everything went better than I could have possibly imagined. Here's the listicle of what's been going on, in chronological order: 1. Thomas arrived in Montreal on July 23 The reunion was wonderful- as expected. We hadn't seen each other since he went back to Switzerland at the end of March. We only had a few days in Montreal before we departed for Barbados . Reunited for good....with more hair than ever before My beautiful engagement/wedding/love ring! So perfect. 2. I had my last day of work on July 28th This was a huge moment for me. I had spent far too many years sh...

What a crazy last few months it's been!!! I kept meaning to update my blog: I really can't even believe that I haven't written anything since APRIL! I'm in such writing withdrawal. I couldn't remember my password or the font I usually use. Time to get back into this. The  good news: I am officially finished work in 10 business days. I will then embark on a super fun wedding/honeymoon vacation with my darling and THEN move to Switzerland! Blog-worthy! So this past weekend, my friends threw me a beautiful bridal shower. Here are some of the fun highlights: My hairdresser made my hair look very bridal and fancy My friends' made a signature rum punch in my favorite colour I enjoyed drinking my mermaid juice throughout the evening My bridal party! I have a best man, a maid of honour and bridesmaids...spoiled! My talented friend Lando did this portrait of us!!! Adorable A+T Bracelet with an aquamarine stone Today, an ...

I'm moving to Switzerland in July. This long-distance love will finally have a stable home. The last two years were filled with a lot of travelling and a lot of lonely time. Every single personal sacrifice was worth it. "There is a solution to every problem" has been the relationship mantra. I'm really proud of what we've accomplished; the relationship stability we've managed to create, despite being 6000km and an ocean apart. We are both willing to go that extra mile, literally, to be together. Now, I'm going to outline a very, very adventurous detour that I've concocted for my upcoming move. I seriously think that this could be the inspiration for my first full-length-autobiography (yes, I plan on writing a collection of memoirs...) The steps are... 1 . Take bus from Montreal to NYC 2.Take Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossing to either Southampton or Hamburg 3.Depending on port of entry, either visit family in England, then cross Engli...

Goooooooooooood Morning! It really is a good morning, for quite a few reasons. In true listicle fashion, let's review: 1. I quit my job !  My last day of work will be on Friday, July 8th...and then, I'm OFF TO EUROPE! We came to this conclusion in February after weeks of immigration frustration with the Quebec government. Given our situation, we will have more opportunities in Europe. We are looking at England or Switzerland as final destinations. Boyfriend has both passports, so it really depends on how my job search goes. Very exciting to think of starting a brand-new life. It feels sooooo good to let go of responsibility and the stress of having a demanding position. I can now really focus on transitioning into a new dream position- possibly something more artistic/creative. Doggie will be coming with, naturally. This is us 5 years ago!! We look so young!! 2. I've been consistently sticking with a soberista lifestyle for quite awhile...

Hello! Today is such a typical Case-of-the-Monday's- Monday. I'm not even that moody or down, I just feel like I should be. It's rainy and gray outside, I ate way too much chocolate yesterday and I'm hormonal. Recipe for some blues, right there! Yeeeeeep. So it's the first day back to work after a long weekend. This was the first weekend without my boyfriend, and despite everything, it went pretty well! I jumped right back into my "self-care" routines to keep myself uplifted and healthy/happy. Lots of long bubble baths, Netflix marathons, chores (I love cleaning, best therapy ever). I am not the only one who engaged in a little "rest and relaxation" this weekend Friday, I went to the gym for an embarrassing 20 minutes, and then saw the new Tina Fey movie with my pal Ash. Saturday, I went for a tattoo session and Sunday was my family's Easter brunch/lunch. The entire weekend was spent booze-free..yeah! This helps trem...