Brothers and Sisters

I haven't really talked about any of my work, mainly because I am unsure of how much I can disclose, but here is a little taste...first, I am working on a healthcare redesign in South Africa. I am having so much fun working on this, and learning more about South Africa. :) Also working to redesign templates for a private Swiss bank chain. My proposal was presented today, and all went well! Also, a rebranding of a pharmeceutical company, and some work with our website. I guess that is as much as I will tell about my projects. But work has been great, and I have really been enjoying my conversations with Martin and Benno. Today, I said, "Benno, I know this is going to sound cheesy, but I just got this big wave of happiness, just sitting here researching. I thought, wow, I have so many things I want to do in my life. And I am even getting to do some them! Life is great." Whenever I make these kinds of comments, people just sort of smile at me, like they are happy too, but also think I am a little crazy. But I am ok with that. It's so funny... I have always said how much I wanted an older brother, and how that is impossible now, but having Roger and Daniel, Martin and Benno, that's a lot of older brothers! And it's all that I thought it would be...lots of goodness and laughter.

Tuesday night was a lot of fun, hanging out with the roommates. Roger is at the army, and Daniel is on holiday in Sweden, so it was Katie, Laura and I, the girls, drinking coffee and eating chocolate, watching Friends. Friends with friends...who are becoming more and more like sisters! We are going through season 8 right now, meaning Joey is in love with Rachel. That is just heartwrenching to see (I will always be a Seinfeld fan first, but Friends is growing on me). I ate a Lindt truffle, which Katie warned me was very liquidy filled, and I almost sprayed Laura with the chocolate inside! It was a supernatural phenomenon, I think. Who knew chocolate could be so wild?!?

Went to the Fondation Beyeler after work today, in nearby Riehen. 

It is a private art collection, with an amazing exhibit of Fernand Léger right now, who influenced a bunch of Pop Artists and has roots in cubism/tubism. The building is designed by Renzo Piano, who is pretty well-known. It is amazing, really, because the building makes its own statement but does not push its way in front of the art. And it connects to the nature surrounding it. Wow, a beautiful experience. Then went out for drinks with Courtney, who leaves to go back to the States tomorrow. Will miss you and your antics, girl!

Some things that I just like here:

—Learning and using military time!

—People that always say "in guerta" (sp?) before every meal, like bon appetit.

—Good bread, cervelas, johannesbeeren (kind of like cranberries)

—The black bird window clings on every window to detour birds from ramming into the glass

—Hearing the fountain trickle from around the corner

—The perky alarm clock ring on my Swiss phone

—Feeling the breeze go through my apartment

—Girls who ride their bike in a skirt with umbrellas, with no hands

—Guys who open doors for you and pull out your chair

—The people who suck up the street leaves, every. single. day.

good night.