Lac Léman

Lac Léman. Lake Geneva.
This day, oh, it was a glorious day.
The lake is more beautiful than I had imagined. It's hard to believe that I live here.

By the way, it is not so fun to bring the wrong camera charger. So, you will either be subjected to the photo quality above, or of the cellular variety. sigh.

Adventures in German Airports

1. It took me 40 minutes to get from my arrival gate to my departure gate. I wish I was joking. The path even takes you through arrival and baggage claim; Germany was just outside those sliding doors. Alas, I did not venture outside, nor did I stop to eat, instead staying true to the task at hand. I made it just in time for boarding, only to find out the flight was delayed.

2. I ended up buying a chicken sandwich with the hardest, chewiest bread known to man.

3. I'm always curious to find out what the differences are between airports. This airport, for example: has indoor smoking booths with air filtration, has sleeping cots that remind me of a sick bay, and has their employees move around using cruiser bikes. I found this one parked behind a vending machine, as the employee went to fix a temporary power outage.

I ain't Hemingway, but...

"I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train."
- Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

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I always enjoy chats with my good friend, Denise. We like to talk about anything, and everything, and nothing at all. As a bon voyage present, she gifted me with a Peanut's 60th Anniversary moleskine. I've actually been eyeing this gem for awhile, unbeknownst to her, since my bright orange Pantone number met an untimely demise courtesy of Mr. Coffee.

I'm excited to fill its pages with notes, doodles, train stubs, stickers, and little stories. Fleeting glimpses and singular moments. Plus, we all know my memory could use the help.

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Dallas Clayton recently put forth the idea of writing one song on your birthday for ten years, until you have enough songs to fill an album. Wouldn't it be nice to have a few songs finished by the time I return?

On your birthday this year you should take a few minutes to write a song with lyrics all about yourself and everything that’s going on in your life at that exact moment. Your girlfriend, your parents, your apartment, your thoughts on the government, everything you ever hoped you’d have done by now but for some reason or another haven’t - get it all out. It can be as long or as short as you’d like, you’re the songwriter. It doesn’t have to rhyme, or have original tunes behind it, or drums or guitar or even sound good. Don’t be scared. Just sing, like you would when you were a kid, by yourself, before you knew what all the rules were. 

Pack your bags, Charlie! We're going abroad.

In a fortnight

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Packing: The Obesity of Winter Clothes

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Winter clothes could lose a few pounds.

There, I said it.

My ski jacket and pants take up half my luggage space.
Then, there are my beloved Hunter boots.
Also, toques, the winter classic.
Plus, wool socks and warm mittens. Under Armour thermal gear.
Parkas, or trench coats, or rain jackets.

I suppose I could wear all of it on the plane.
I don't mind looking a little crazy, so that I can keep my cashmere sweaters.
Too bad I land in the midst of summer.
I guess I could buy my winter gear when I get there.
But I would like to keep my money, so that I can eat.

Cursed winter clothes.

First World Problems

I'm a low maintenance person. I don't like shopping much.

I live in jeans and t-shirts. Sometimes dresses.

But packing has a knack for exposing someone's true colours. I'm a high maintenance gal. 

Who knew?
I'm contemplating on bringing five pairs of shoes.
I cringe to think how many jackets I can get away with. I thought that would be my only vice.

Mountains

I'm being tricky. The last photo isn't from the same season. Or from the same mountain.
I shall miss this city. Where I can ski and sail, all in the same day. Where I can hike in the summer but still see snow when I reach the top. Where I can revel in shared hockey celebration.