Vacation is here...beach party tonight!

Today a big group of us are headed to a swim party! One of our classmates invited us to his parents home which is near Lake Geneva. They have a pool and have offered to BBQ and share their Rose wine. Fantastic!

Yesterday a group of us girls went downtown to do a little shopping, pick up supplies for today and have some lunch. Downtown Lausanne is super sweet and very hilly! We enjoyed paninis at a little cafe and then went to a few clothing stores. I found a couple of tops for school and bought a lime green beach towel for the pool party today.

A great day yesterday and an exciting day to look forward to today. Yeah for an awesome weekend of relaxing because I needed it :)

Party People!

So I made it through my first week of school and it was pretty great. I've met lots of new people and drank a lot of wine! Last night after class everyone met at the bar for a drink and I got to mingle with some of the old MHA students who I hadn't met before. It is so helpful to get insight into what the year may hold for us. After the drink I headed back to my room to get ready for the night ahead. It makes me feel like a freshman again running to everyone's room and picking out what to wear. It is super adorable. After we were all ready to heading over to the kitchen/patio room and drank wine while we waited for everyone to gather. It was a mix of the old MHA students and the new. There was good conversation and one of my classmates made snacks! When it was time to head to the bus it was super hilarious. There were 40 people with wine and drinks talking on the bus and train all the way into downtown Lausanne.

We made it downtown and got lost for a bit but finally made it to the restaurant. My old server instincts made me feel really bad for our waiter but in the end I relaxed and enjoyed myself. I drank some more wine, surprise!, and got to visit with several of my classmates. It was really great. After dinner we headed over to the club! Of course my favorite part of the night. I was surprised to see there were very few people dancing when I got there. Leave it to me to be the idiot who spins around in the dance floor and gets the party started ;) At some point everyone in our party got up and danced. Myself more than most ;) If you know me at all you know how I feel about fog machines. I was running around on the dance floor like a crazy person. It was so much fun.

Once we all left the club we had to figure out where the PYJAMA bus was. Lausanne is really great because they have special buses to take all the drunks home at 2am and 4am even though all the regular buses are closed for the night. By the end of the night I was a little tired so I was thankful the the driver dropped us off right in front of the school! Overall a fantastic first outing for our group. We have an awesome class and I am excited that we can work and play together. Party People Whohoo!

If you believe

"Believe in yourself right from the start, believe in the magic right there in your heart"

Today we got assigned our first group project. I am having a mix of emotion between excitement for being back in school and stress for being back in school. I just keep reminded myself that I came here for a reason. I believe in myself and I am doing everything I can to move my life in the direction of my choosing. This deep believe in myself began when I was very young because my Mom always reminded me that I can be or do anything as long as I believe. As Lena Horne sings in the movie The Wiz "If you believe, then you'll there" Well here I am :)

-Thanks Mom!

Visa Visa Mastercard

Yesterday was our second day of class which was more of the same graduate learning exercises. It is really interesting to see how people participate in the class and how different everyone's ideas are on the same topic. I think I am going to learn a lot from my classmates this year. In the afternoon we finally completed the last of our Visa paperwork. I am so glad to get that done. We had to go downtown to turn in some forms so a big group of us headed out. We had a really good time shopping (I finally got a hairdryer) and we stopped at the really cool bar underneath the bridge and had a drink. After our downtown excursion we headed back to campus and made dinner. Dana, Susan and I made 3 dinners out of one shopping trip. I am pretty proud of us. Overall, nothing too exciting but overall a good day. I'll check in tomorrow. Chow!

First day of school

Can I just say, moving to Switzerland....best decision ever! I am having such an amazing time here. My classmates come from all over the world and they each have such wonderful backgrounds and stories to tell about their lives. I feel very blessed to have this experience and I can't wait to see what this year brings. Today was our first day of school. A big group of us went for breakfast this morning before class which really nice. By the way, EHL has the best coffee ever. If you want to come visit, come for the delicious coffee alone. Our first class is about graduate learning. This week is really an introduction, next week we start our Finance and Business Metrics classes. However, we had a diagnostic test today and it felt so good to think that hard again ;). After class we toured the campus and then myself, Susan and Dana went to buy groceries. Bad news, food is expensive, good news wine is cheap. We made pesto chicken, rosemary potatoes, salad and bread with goat cheese... delicious! Neeraj helped me finish my bottle of cheap wine. Okay, I really had 3/4 of it but wh'os counting. After that I came back to my floor to find the girls Feng shui-ing their rooms. Good times! I am really looking forward to seeing where this year takes me. In summary, in my own California way, TOTALLY AWESOME!

Sunday Funday!

So amazing to sleep in! I am still really exhausted but I had to go back to Geneva today to get my electric toothbrush. I left it in the hotel I stayed at the day before school but that stuff is expensive so I had to go back. Oral hygiene is very important, just ask Jan from Grease. One bad thing about Switzerland, everything is closed on Sundays. Luckily, there was a small grocery store at the train station so I bought a few things. However, it is weird to have to think about what you are buying and look at prices when you are used to going into the store and buying the same 10 or 20 things. Now I have to attempt to read labels and it is making my brain hurt. The other day me and Susan were trying to figure out which one was the fat free milk and it was actually kind of funny.

Anyhow, I did learn one thing on my journey to Geneva and back. I can actually figure out how to use the train station, Good News! After getting back the school was super quiet. I did some laundry and then one of my classmates stopped by for awhile. We caught up with a few other people and between us we had 2 bottles of wine some sauce and pasta. Why not? Everyone was in the kitchen cooking various dinners. Some of the french students were eating this interesting dish with lentils and smoked salmon. Hopefully I will pick up some great cooking tips throughout the year. So far I am really enjoying myself. My plan to become an International Woman of Mystery is underway. Yeah!

To the I to the K to the E to the A!

My happy place....IKEA. After brunch, hosted by the previous year's class that included delicious Nutella, Susan and I made a trip to Ikea. Oh, so great. Of course we had the meatballs, which were fantastic. However, at Eruopean IKEA's you can drink wine and they have these awesome espresso machines. Luckily, the universal truth about Ikea is that everything is pretty cheap since Switzerland tends to be on the expensive side. After restraining ourselves from spending the entire day there , btw totally possible, we stopped by the grocery store and got some pizza and salad to make for dinner. We had a lot of heavy bags but managed to make it back to campus in one piece. Now I have some stuff for more room including a hot pink and lime green color scheme. Shocking I know, I guess I will never really grow up, I just love bright colors. So overall, great day!

I'm gonna make it after all!

So I finally made it. I got to campus after dragging my suitcases from Geneva to Lausanne but I'm here. Everyone is so welcoming so far. I have moved into my room. The only bummer is we are moving into our permanent building in about 3 weeks so I can't get totally settled in. I had lunch with my classmate from Japan and one of our coaches who is teaching our first week of class. After having few hours to settle in we had a cocktails at Le Ferme, which is an old farm house that has been converted into a restaurant. Amazing cheese tray, endless wine, good company, great night. We have one classmate from France by way of New York who is hilarious. He has already offered to throw our Super Bowl party. Also, his wife has amazing taste in jewelry. I got to drool over her beautiful Hermes bracelet. After, cocktails we went to the common kitchen area we get to use and the party continued. Everyone is so great. Dana, Susan and I (the American girls) got to visit and Dana has already said she would go the Britney concert with me in Zurich...score! So far no complaints. I am excited to see what comes next!

Berlin, with love

What an amazing week! Eileen, Ronan and Paula are the best. I felt so welcome and experienced so much in such a short amount of time. I participated in a demonstration, got a tattoo, was an extra in a music video, met a handsome Brit and so much more that isn't fit for print ;) what can I say! Eileen and I have been talking about how we are ever going to top this trip. Every time I come to Berlin now we are going to use this week as a basis for our current level of fun ;) I am feeling a little sad to leave Berlin because it feels like my home away from home now. I was already looking on Easy Jet to see how cheap flights are from Switzerland. It was set a great start to this new chapter in my life. Step 1 in plan to become International Woman of Mystery complete!

I'm so tatted out!

It only took me 15 years but I finally got a tattoo! My cousin Eileen took me earlier in the week to make an appointment to get my owl finally put on my body. So you might think, why the wait? Well, even when I was younger I knew that I was always going to do something in business so I didn't want it anywhere you could see it. Thankfully, I successfully bucked the tramp stamp trend and they mid-90's tribal tattoo. So after much thought and debate I settled on this owl which is my sorority totem and a symbol and knowledge and strength. I like it. I think it makes me deep ;)

So on the actual day of getting a tattoo I went to the shop and my artist Ewa was just preparing everything. She was great about explaining each step and taking her time. Everyone was telling me to be prepared for the pain but I didn't think it was that bad. It wasn't my favorite feeling in the world but overall I don't think it really hurt. I'm proud of myself for being so tough.

Later Eileen and I went shopping and picked up stuff to make tacos. It was awesome having a homemade meal in the middle of Berlin. We didn't do much else the rest of the day but I think a tattoo and a taco bar equals an awesome day :)

We Drink, We Dance, We Protest!

My cousin Eileen and I had another amazing day in Berlin yesterday. We started the day but visiting the farmers market with her boyfriend Ronan. It took me back to my days roaming the Portland Farmers Market. It was pretty cool. Then we went to the store and had a delicious ham sandwich. Think honey baked ham, but 10 times better, on a delicious roll. So good. After that Ronan headed to work and Eileen and I got on our bikes to explore Berlin. We stopped to have a margarita and a little snack and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they have tobasco in Europe. Yeah!

A few minutes into the second part of our bike ride we discovered a protest about to start. This is classic Berlin. They were protesting the gentrification of the local river front called the Spree. The Germans really know how to demonstrate. Basically there are several trucks that play various types of music and they drive across the city while protesters walk behind, dance and drink. Pretty awesome. I can't see of a better way to get their point across. Every few minutes we would stop for a beer and toward the end we found a place that had 2 for 1 margaritas. Score!

After getting a bit drunk and taking in the culture we stopped at The Angry Chicken, a Korean restaurant, and enjoyed some delicious chicken wings and sweet potato fries. We also got another beer, of course, and I tripped on myself some but I'm pretty sure it was funny. At least that is what Eileen is telling me. After that we got some chicken wings to go and biked over to Alexander Platz to take Ronan dinner at work. We got to meet all of his co-workers who are mostly from English speaking countries like America, Ireland and Australia.

After having a few more beers, shocking I know, we heading to a large park in the city to meet some of their friends for more beers! Mind you, it's like 11pm at night already. Apparently the parks never close in Berlin and people can just hang out and BBQ. We were in the middle of a large grassy crater area and all of his friend were super nice. After we chatted some we went to a bar in the basement of a hotel to do more drinking and dancing. All day I had such an amazing time. I met some really cool people. Everyone in Berlin has been so welcoming and there is so much to experience. I highly recommend it!

Here are me and Eileen at the Demonstration!

No I'm just a worm

"It's full of openings, you just ain't seeing 'em" This is another great scene from the movie the Labyrinth. Just when you think things are hopeless and you are never going to make it a little worm might pop into your life and surprise you. Never take anything for granted ;)

In da club!

So, when I found out I was leaving for Europe 2 days before Harry Potter was being released I was really sad. Well good news, I went to see it tonight with my cousin in Berlin. Even better news, they sell beer in the theater. Interesting news, they actually have a red curtain they draw in front of the movie screen and everyone has assigned seats like in a real theater. Also, before the movie starts ushers come by and sell ice cream. On a bad note, right when the movie was getting good the screen cut out and my cousin informed me it was intermission...what? I wanted to know what happens to Harry! Oh well, another beer i guess ;). After the movie we stopped by a little club to see a DJ friend of hers. I forgot how much fun it was to go dancing in Berlin. Everyone is so free. There was this awesome guy in metallic doc martins workin' it. On top of that it was behind a Korean restaurant called the Angry Chicken. I just thought that was funny After we danced and ingested some interested Korean liquor we left the club, and guess what!, we got another beer...mmmm...german beer :) On the way home this guy from Bologna started walking with us and told us how he had just flown down from Italy to surprise his Russian girlfriend but she wasn't home so he had been walking around for the past 6 hours. It is now 4am here and he is hoping that when he goes back to his girlfriend's house she is not with another man. He was an interesting guy :). What an interesting and crazy first night in Berlin! Well it is almost 6am here so I should probably get some sleep....Chow!

Isn't it grand!

It is my first day in Berlin and I am having a great time. I'm watching "The Simpsons" in German with my little cousin Paula and I made an appointment for Monday to get my first tattoo. I had a delicious "girly beer" as my cousin Leena calls it. It was a grapefruit beer and it was super delicious and refreshing. Now I am waiting for my Schnitzel dinner to be made and then I am heading off to see the new Harry Potter Movie! Great first day in Europe... definitely winning ;)

I'm leaving....on a jet plane

So if you are reading this after 8am in the morning I am already on a plane to Berlin! It has been a long journey for me to get to this moment. Working doubles, saving every penny, asking for big favors, panic attacks, happy moments. I can't believe the time has finally come. I am actually living my dream. Who does that? Thank you to everyone who helped me get here, you know who you are! But, wait, maybe you don't? If we ever shared a beer, cried about a boy, went to a movie, laughed together, meowed together (Leah), or you stole a ramekin of lobster bisque with me, you are one of the many people who gave me the courage to get on the plane this morning. Remember that every daydream you have, offer you receive and person you meet is an opportunity to say YES! I am saying a big fat YES this morning, thanks for making it possible and I hope you say YES to something today too!

Down the rabbit hole

"There is no use trying; one can't believe impossible things." (Alice)

"I dare say you haven't had much practice. When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” -Queen

Who knew a children's book could impart such wise words. When I was young I thought I could do anything and then....I grew up. I've decided to take a lesson from the Queen and learn to believe again. To imagine what is possible and make it true. I'm going down the proverbial rabbit hole and I'm excited for the fall ;)

One day I'll fly away

"Why live life from dream to dream, and dread the day when dreaming ends"

I love Moulin Rouge! A young man dares to follow his heart and his passion and move away from everything he knows to risk it all. Also, Ewan McGregor is super hot ;) My favorite part is when Nicole Kidman's character stares wistfully across to Ewan McGregor and sings about flying away to another life. She sees something in him that she wishes for herself and that is the catalyst for their great love story. He believes in her and she learns to believe in herself. One day, soon, I will fly away. Hopefully, there is a hot artsy guy across the hall. I think I can pull of that wistful and wanton look ;)

This is gonna be a good life!

Adventure....one word I thought would define my life until I woke up from my computer screen 9 months ago looked at my life and said...."Oh Hell No". So I looked deep down and tried to recall the happiest time in my life. I have spent my time since then working toward recreating that happiness and I have. The future is wide open and like the song says "the hope is we have so much to feel good about". Adventure...it doesn't define my life....it is my life ;)

I'm not a girl, not yet a woman

I think the greatest thing about the human condition is we are always growing and changing. I know I am a work in progress. I am definitely a woman but I think I am also the dreamer I was when as a little girl. I lost that person for a little while. Going through this journey has helped me reconnect with my inner spirit and realize that it isn't always about being strong. Sometimes admitting that you need to change is the greatest gift you can give to yourself. Living in the space between my inner child and an independent woman is a challenge but I think I am reaping the rewards now

For my mommy

I love my mom, she knows that, she knows what this song means.

"Don't Forget"

For my daddy

It is like this song was written for me and my dad. I remember our "daddy/daughter" weekends. Camping and fishing with my pink fishing pole. Eating junk food and talking about what ever I thought was important at the time. Probably my cat, girl scouts or my latest dance routine. I remember when I caught my very first fish. Her name was Kiki because I named her after my cat as she was a catfish, naturally. There are no words to describe how amazing my Dad is but "Don't Forget".

So Small

"Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand"

A couple of years ago I was on a run listening to this song. I had heard it many times but the lyrics really spoke to me that day. Everyday life seems to have it's problems but I think the greatest problem I have had to overcome is my own unhappiness. If you aren't pursuing your dreams and just going through the motions of life everything appears to be a problem. What I realized that day was that I was the problem. I knew I had the power within me to change all along but I never wanted to until that day. Everything else is so small. What matters is love and passion for life.

"When you've been out there searching forever, it's in your hand"

Sing it for the world

This song is an amazing anthem for using your voice and living out loud. Sometimes I feel like certain people think I am a little crazy for flipping my life upside down and making this move. It's okay if they don't understand. I am going out in the world and I'm going to "sing it 'til I'm nuts". Try it some time, you might like how it feels ;)

And that's pretty cool!

I got guests, and a show....and I'm ready to go...and I guess that's pretty cool...it's pretty cool ;)

Something More?

Everyday we wake up, we go to work, we pay our bills, we fill our gas tanks, we make dinner. But someone somewhere said long ago that we should every day like it was our last? I don't know about you but I probably wouldn't do laundry or go to the gym if it was my last day on earth. Even still, through the mundane tasks of everyday life I think it is our duty as a member of the human experience to find a little bit of divine in our daily existence. I know there has got to be more than this. I'm taking a chance on myself and looking forward to a life that I choose. I know the reality of life will face me everyday but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy my daily cup of coffee on a terrace in Paris or go for a run through the streets of Madrid. Why not?

Landslide

This song is for my Mom and Dad. Stevie Nicks needs no commentary.

God Bless the Child

The lady in white. Nothing is more eternal then the haunting voice of Billie Holiday. I remember when my mom would sing this song to me when I was young. I didn't truly understand the song's meaning but it always made me think that I needed to go out in the world and make it for myself. Fostered by my parents, the spirit of perseverance has always lived within me. No one will hand you anything in this life so when you have got it.... God bless you child.