Grateful for the summer

We've had such rainy and cold months during the period that people usually call spring and summer. With a few exceptions it felt mostly like an endless rainy November. And now suddenly we've been rewarded with the most incredible end of summer weather. We've had a row of uninterrupted sunny days. I've never been so often to the beach here. Actually I don't remember ever being to the beach here before. Honestly, I can't help but feeling grateful every morning when I wake up and see the sun coming up.

Present for a friend

I love wrapping presents. In the past I was even thinking of opening a shop for packaging presents. But somehow I was not thrilled of the prospect of turning this into my profession. Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing anything too fancy or complicated. But somehow this is my zen moment - focusing on the process and thinking of nothing else :) It is a bit like with baking. I almost feel embarrassed to say I like baking - and by that I mean really just normal everyday baking, and not the fancy sugar-paste cakes you see everywhere on social media.

And lately I like experimenting with washi tape. It is simple, fast and I can do it even with Daniel. He loved helping me wrapping the present for his father's birthday.

And this one is for a dear friend who is leaving her job. It is a book that was recommended by someone (don't even remember by whom). But should obviously be a read to remember. David Whyte's Crossing the Unknown Sea.

Coming back

If I say I'd been missing this place all the time, I'd be lying. Life's been too busy. But I did miss it often. And lately I do miss it a lot. So, here I am back online. More than two years later.
Two busy years... I got married, we moved, had a baby - in the meantime two-year old toddler... I'm changing jobs...
I can't help but see the way my life has changed. I have no idea which movies are now on but I know that Peppa Pig is on Netflix... I sometimes read books on topics other than parenting... I buy mostly cooking books and children books... We go out with friends with kids, especially those with kids who can play with our kid. We plan the day around afternoon naps... I am working less in the office and more at home... I try to speak correctly and with no accent as my toddler is ruthlessly repeating every word I say the wrong way. I've had sleepless nights, happy tears, moments of guilt, pride... f*ck it moments...
And then at one point life started going back to normal. I can have a shower and comb my hair every day again... It's getting possible to carve out time for what I like doing... I enjoy talking to people about topics other than babies...
And I'll try to be more often around. Hi, I'm back :)

Yesterday morning was that beautiful!

Past explorations

I logged in with the intention to write about a completely different topic and then I read my last post. And I recognized I haven't shared any of the further city explorations we've made.
So, let's start with biking!

There is a biking route around the airport, which is incredibly entertaining. I loved it so much that I was always tempted to do that one again instead of trying out new routes. Well, actually I always went for the new ones but I haven't given up on the idea to make another round around the airport.

So, what is so special about it?
















First the obvious - you get to admire the view of airplanes taking off and landing.
Part of the route includes a military tank road - nicely broad and welcoming.
And then big part of the road runs amidst a natural park where you get to hear and see all kinds of amazing birds!

reading & walking

I am making some progress on the city exploration plans. Still more theoretical as the rainy weather is not the best for biking or hiking. However, I started noticing places.
This is the monument of Pestalozzi, very central in Zurich. I never really took notice of it before. Probably because this is also the place where there is always someone collecting money for charity.

Pestalozzi was an interesting person, they still call him "The father of modern education". He was very much influenced by Jean Jaques Rousseau and even called his son Jean Jaques. Pestalozzi's methods however completely failed on his son: little Jaqueli did not show any great talents in learning. And in general it appeared that Pestalozzi was much more successful in building the theory behind education than in teaching himself.
No doubt a great man.

Spring plans

I am starting to explore the city through its famous people and its biking routes.