curi·ous {Old French curios} Drawn to investigate, prick up the ears, ponder for the sake of pondering. Enticed by mysteriously labeled bottles.
vo·luptu·ary {Late Latin volupturius} A lass devoted to the pursuit of pleasure. An unabashed epicurean, hedonist, libertine, sensualist, lotus-eater.
While it’s true I am currently inclined more than usual to read signs from the universe, I’d have to contend that there have been plenty thrown our way in the last few days. There was the hermaphrodite/egg dream portending the news of immediate relocation, and then there was a hail storm of brief but biblical [...]
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View from the prison tower, the oldest building in Neuchâtel, with foundations from the 10th century.
In 1688 Swiss doctor Johannes Hofer introduced the term nostalgia for the condition also known as mal du Suisse (Swiss illness) or Schweizerheimweh (Swiss homesickness), because of its frequent occurrence in Swiss [...]
sign of spring #1: this pie-faced man with pretzels for ears and sandwich feet.
Utterly remiss. I mean it’s April and I’ve yet to write Spain posts from New Years Eve. Criminy. My excuse is, well, my website was hacked, for one. I designed and built the first version of it myself and can code [...]
When I was a kid my mom, Karen, made cupcakes to bring to my class on my birthday. She also sewed many gifts, requiring she stay up until into the wee hours to complete them after the work day at her theater. Easter baskets and Christmas stockings often had dolls tucked inside–a hand-painted Punch (of [...]
Only Alfonso’s godmother Sylvia could successfully implore him to pose with the local butcher’s pig. She was in town to fete him, for his second birthday en Suisse. We took a boat ride–only our second time on the lake we call ours in the sixty-three weeks we’ve lived here. I ’spose it’s no different than [...]
A year ago today we stepped on to European soil with the intention of hanging around awhile.
In that time I have traveled more than I ever hoped or expected to, seeing bits and in some cases much of Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Suisse. I have learned about life in [...]
Nope, not the home of the Hindu goddess of death and destruction, just the new digs of Kim and Ali.
You asked, we listened, so here are some pictures.
After nine months in a single room studio, a two bedroom flat feels positively rambly. It’s a big two-bedroom by my standards and it’s heaven. It’s also [...]
Genius is an African who dreams up snow.
~Vladimir Nabokov
I woke yesterday morning before the sun. My sleeping habits have been quite wonky since returning, so I can say only better to wake at five than be up until five, both of which have transpired this week.
Perhaps it was the eerie silence of the first [...]
Here are a few views from the Early Gothic Collégiale Church, that is both the focal point of town and the primary view from our apartment. It’s bells create the rhythm of time here–y favorite is the fifteen minutes they ring at 6pm (aka 18:00) Saturday, which to me marks the weeks true end. Shops [...]
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I’m not sure how to live now, without an accordion soundtrack.
~ Michelle Plochere, treasured friend, de facto maid of honor, dual coast wedding guest
In our first week back in Neuchâtel I am struck by two things: I’m glad to be back, and I’m glad to be married. In the [...]