Dear Mom,

Since I decided to make Switzerland my home nearly two decades ago, you and I have unfortunately not been able to spend a whole lot of quality time together.

We are victims of geography, so to speak.

So this week, when you told me that you will be coming all the way from California to spend a couple of weeks with me this summer, you can bet that I was pretty happy to hear the news.

(more…)

You know the whole Easter chocolate bunny thing has gotten out of control when you’re considering buying one for your six-month-old baby who doesn’t even eat solids yet.

“We need to get Baby M an Easter basket,” said my husband a couple of days ago. (more…)

Naturally, as an expat in Switzerland, I have given serious thought to the state of my apartment should someone with Swiss nationality stop by.

Like what if the authorities finally decide I’m worthy of a C-permit? Or my neighbour determines my gutter needs to be shined again? Or the Billag guy wants to see the clock radio that wakes me every morning with its static? What will I do then? (more…)

A few weeks ago, I received a call from a fellow from some logistics company I had never heard of.

He wanted the code to my front door to deposit a package in the mailbox. The block of flats I live in has had a few burglaries in recent months, and this sounded like one of those old-as-the-hills tricks. (more…)

One of the more surprising aspects of Geneva for the newcomer or the resident of other Swiss cities, is the sheer, un-Helvetic messiness of the place.

Piles of black-bagged garbage often appear stranded on the sidewalk, at times malodorous. And when the dustmen pick them up, not infrequently the remains from a torn bag will languish on the pavement until rain or an zealous burgher clean it up. (more…)

We had our first running tour cancellation due to rain this week.

While Switzerland has had a wonderful summer, what with the golden leaves and sudden drop in temperature we can safely say autumn is here. (more…)