short notes
Quick quotidien update:
1. Our ceiling is still leaking, on and off. I can't believe it. We've emailed the regie (real estate agency that manages the property on behalf of the landlord) countless times, attaching photos of the growing damage each time. At least we're leaving an electronic trail to see when the problem began (September 22) and how nothing has been solved since then. The plaster is crumbling from the ceiling and last week the dripping was bad enough to fill half of a large bucket in a day. Even worse, there is now water damage in our dining room as well - a huge wet patch on the wall - and we had to remove the framed art piece hanging there. The next day, two people from the regie and our concierge came to look at the damage and to take photos. They claim the delay is because they are waiting for the insurance company to get repair quotes, and that they need to fix the roof first before they can deal with our apartment. I told them this had better be fixed before Christmas, which is a BIG DEAL here in Switzerland. They nodded earnestly, but I'm not hopeful. Whoever came up with the term 'Swiss efficiency' obviously never crossed the so-called Röstigraben ('rosti ditch') between the German and French parts of Switzerland.
2. Speaking of Christmas, I was in Ikea today looking at their Christmas decorations. We may get a tree this year, and hopefully Bao won't destroy it too much. My parents aren't Christian, but they did set up a plastic tree for Christmas when I was a little kid, and I remember it fondly - putting up the tinsel and decorations, and knocking on the gift boxes beneath, anticipating Christmas Day. I think it will be a nice thing to have this year, especially now that it's getting dark so early. The real downer is my awful, crumbly living room. Looking at it makes me depressed, ugh.
3. Tonight I cooked a chicken stew with loads of sweet chestnuts thrown in. It was fabulous, even though the children were not terribly enthusiastic about the chestnuts. I also baked a banana cake just before dinner, while simultaneously helping The Bun with his homemade goniograph (geek geologist kid in the making), working on The Bun's spelling, keeping Bao's itchy fingers out of all the pots and pans, and cooking dinner. Eventually I turned on the TV and worked in peace. The cake turned out pretty good. I must admit that for someone whose mother and grandmother are seasoned bakers, I am not very good with cakes and the like. My last attempt at a banana cake was several years ago and the result scarred me. However, after watching The Great British Bake-Off I became quite inspired to try again and to expand my repertoire of baked goods a little. There are always bake sales going on at school and we take it in turns to bring a snack in for playgroup each week so it will be nice to inflict my experiments bring something homemade instead of copping out and bringing store-bought stuff.
4. Thirty-nine days till my London trip! When I announced this trip to The Bun, he was very unhappy about being left behind. In normal circumstances I probably would have felt a bit guilty, but truthfully, I know he will be fine and that it will be good for the entire family if I can get this much-needed time to myself. Plus I'll probably come home laden with treats and presents, so all will be forgiven when that happens. Thirty-nine days! I've got a posh high-tea planned, tickets to the Book of Mormon, and a list of restaurants that I need to decide on. And I want a haircut too! I really need to work out how to best spend my time.
1. Our ceiling is still leaking, on and off. I can't believe it. We've emailed the regie (real estate agency that manages the property on behalf of the landlord) countless times, attaching photos of the growing damage each time. At least we're leaving an electronic trail to see when the problem began (September 22) and how nothing has been solved since then. The plaster is crumbling from the ceiling and last week the dripping was bad enough to fill half of a large bucket in a day. Even worse, there is now water damage in our dining room as well - a huge wet patch on the wall - and we had to remove the framed art piece hanging there. The next day, two people from the regie and our concierge came to look at the damage and to take photos. They claim the delay is because they are waiting for the insurance company to get repair quotes, and that they need to fix the roof first before they can deal with our apartment. I told them this had better be fixed before Christmas, which is a BIG DEAL here in Switzerland. They nodded earnestly, but I'm not hopeful. Whoever came up with the term 'Swiss efficiency' obviously never crossed the so-called Röstigraben ('rosti ditch') between the German and French parts of Switzerland.
2. Speaking of Christmas, I was in Ikea today looking at their Christmas decorations. We may get a tree this year, and hopefully Bao won't destroy it too much. My parents aren't Christian, but they did set up a plastic tree for Christmas when I was a little kid, and I remember it fondly - putting up the tinsel and decorations, and knocking on the gift boxes beneath, anticipating Christmas Day. I think it will be a nice thing to have this year, especially now that it's getting dark so early. The real downer is my awful, crumbly living room. Looking at it makes me depressed, ugh.
3. Tonight I cooked a chicken stew with loads of sweet chestnuts thrown in. It was fabulous, even though the children were not terribly enthusiastic about the chestnuts. I also baked a banana cake just before dinner, while simultaneously helping The Bun with his homemade goniograph (geek geologist kid in the making), working on The Bun's spelling, keeping Bao's itchy fingers out of all the pots and pans, and cooking dinner. Eventually I turned on the TV and worked in peace. The cake turned out pretty good. I must admit that for someone whose mother and grandmother are seasoned bakers, I am not very good with cakes and the like. My last attempt at a banana cake was several years ago and the result scarred me. However, after watching The Great British Bake-Off I became quite inspired to try again and to expand my repertoire of baked goods a little. There are always bake sales going on at school and we take it in turns to bring a snack in for playgroup each week so it will be nice to inflict my experiments bring something homemade instead of copping out and bringing store-bought stuff.
4. Thirty-nine days till my London trip! When I announced this trip to The Bun, he was very unhappy about being left behind. In normal circumstances I probably would have felt a bit guilty, but truthfully, I know he will be fine and that it will be good for the entire family if I can get this much-needed time to myself. Plus I'll probably come home laden with treats and presents, so all will be forgiven when that happens. Thirty-nine days! I've got a posh high-tea planned, tickets to the Book of Mormon, and a list of restaurants that I need to decide on. And I want a haircut too! I really need to work out how to best spend my time.