Maintenant, il ne faut plus se trumper!

Every once in a while I get carried away... the Sister March in Paris to the Women’s March on Washington D.C was definitely one of those moments. I am not a political person but this movement struck a cord in me, somewhere between the human rights and women's lib I found a cause I identified with. It was nothing to do with Donald Trump... this was bigger, it was about personal conviction and fundamental beliefs.

I invited Expat Girl to join me in the March which was to lead us from the Trocadero Esplanade of human rights to the Wall for Peace Monument on the Champ de Mars. Rather sheepishly she declined because she didn't feel safe to walk with such a big crowd of people. I respect that. The terrorist attacks had had an impact on her young life and there were things she was not prepared to do.

As I walk towards the terrace where the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948 I was surprised to hear only murmurs and relaxed conviviality. Usually during demonstrations you can hear shouts and chants a block away from the Trocadero.

Sure enough, as I came around the Musée de l'Homme - ten minutes before the March was suppose to begin - I saw a little crowd, women of all ages holding various signs and flags. Were the Parisiennes suitably late or was this just not on the city's agenda I thought a wee bit disappointed?

True to French style, however, people were late, and half an hour later thousands had turned up and it was impossible for the tourists to even attempt to get a picture of the Eiffel Tower from the Trocadero Esplanade.

With grace, dignity and conviviality women AND men from France, the USA, Mexico, Spain, New Zealand and many other places walked the walk side by side, each with their own belief and their own cause at heart. There was no aggressiveness, no arguments, no shouting or screaming. People were talking with their neighbours, smiling at one another, kids were asking each other where they were from in English, journalists were taking snapshots to capture the serene and peaceful mood of the colourful crowd blessed with sunshine and a wonderful and rare blue winter sky.

A unique and unforgettable afternoon in the French capital born of a solidarity movement with the Women’s March in the USA which will go down in history and in my memory as a very special moment of this complex, modern world.

As one of the signs said: "Maintenant, il ne faut plus se trumper!

Some say we were 7000 at Trocadero today!

A sign that sums it all up

Il faut du tout pour faire un monde

Best script board

The beauty of this march is that everybody can have their own agenda!

Recognise this Spanish sign?

Every person has their own personal reasons to participate

The French are part of the party as well!

An impressive view

Ready to march the March 

The beauty of this sign is that it was carried by a man!

Arriving at the Wall of Peace with police escort

Greeting our sisters in Washington DC

A peaceful Saturday afternoon march comes to an end

The Wall of Peace, a favourite site of rendezvous for militants of human rights

Picture of the day: "Je suis une femme"

Happy Thanksgiving 2016

It's Thanksgiving week and it's a time to be thankful. The majority of dishes in the traditional American version of Thanksgiving dinner are made from foods native to the New World, as according to tradition, the Pilgrims received from the Native Americans. What is known as "The First Thanksgiving," the 1621 feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag at Plymouth Colony (an English colonial venture in North America from 1620 to 1691) contained waterfowl, venison, fish, lobster, clams, berries, fruit, pumpkin, and squash.

A few Irish people decided to test taste today's American Thanksgiving dishes and here are their conclusions.

To all of you across the globe celebrating this day... HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2016 U.S. Presidential Elections - The Results

The Franklin University Switzerland (FUS) is pleased to host an event open to the public to reflect upon communication strategies, the political side and the economic implications of the 2016 U.S. election campaign.

This event, in English, is held in the aftermath of the election of the new U.S. President at 7pm on Tuesday, November 15th at the Franklin Nielsen Auditorium in Sorengo. The speakers will delve into the new scenarios that the President-elected will face in such a delicate international, economic and political scenario. Moderator is Mr. Gerardo Morina, a columnist on international politics and former head of foreign news for the Corriere del Ticino.

A reception will follow. Could be quite an interesting evening!

Venue: 2016 U.S. Presidential Elections - The Results
Where: Franklin University, Via Ponte Tresa 29, 6900 Sorengo
Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

This event will be streamed live on https://www.youtube.com/user/USIUniversity

A very long night ahead...

Are you among the 35,000 to 40,000 Americans living in Switzerland, or are you one of the 80,000-strong Swiss community in the US? Maybe you are a global citizen, with interests that connect you to the two countries.

Nearly half a million Swiss have emigrated to the US since the 18th century. Part of the legacy of many of the Swiss emigres are the 5,000 American towns that now bear Swiss names, as well as their influence on American culture: electric guitar pioneer Adolph Rickenbacker and car company founder Louis Chevrolet, to name just two.

A new Democratic- or Republican-led administration in Washington will take decisions that could affect your taxes, business or other binational affairs – or simply people’s perceptions of Americans living in Switzerland.

The New York Times is inviting readers to take advantage of its reporting, analysis and commentary from the lead-up through the aftermath of the 2016 election. Readers will have unlimited access to NYTimes.com for 72 hours from 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, November 7 until 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 9.

I have been glued to CNN Tv since lunch time. It's gonna be a looooong night!

Trump and Hillary made me smile today

We all know the American presidential election campaign is in full swing - whether you are following it or not - the media is having a field day. It is difficult to ignore all the coverage worldwide.

Here is a video that made me smile and I just had to share with you. I hope it makes you smile as well...

Get out and vote!

I am good to go.

I have never voted in the United States before but the time has come to change that!

The process has been surprisingly easy even for someone like me who had never registered to vote before. It took filling out a form online, two e-mails to the Board of Elections in my county due to some doubts about my last address of residency - you don't want know how many decades ago - a phone call to a very kind clerk on the other end of the pond and a week later my ballot arrived in the post this morning.

So, wherever you may live in the world: are you ready to vote?

My personal absentee ballot received this morning.

To New York with love from Paris, France

Happy 4th of July

What is the Declaration of Independence you might wonder?

American Independence Day is celebrated on the Fourth of July every year. July 4th, 1776, was a day that represented the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation.

But July 4, 1776 wasn't the day that the Continental Congress decided to declare independence (they did that on July 2, 1776).

It wasn’t the day the American Revolution started either (that had happened back in April 1775).

And it wasn't the day Thomas Jefferson wrote the first draft of the Declaration of Independence (that was in June 1776). Or the date on which the Declaration was delivered to Great Britain (that didn't happen until November 1776). Or the date it was signed (that was August 2, 1776).

So what did happen on July 4, 1776?

The Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. They'd been working on it for a couple of days after the draft was submitted on July 2nd and finally agreed on all of the edits and changes.

July 4, 1776, became the date that was included on the Declaration of Independence, and the fancy handwritten copy that was signed in August (the copy now displayed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.) It’s also the date that was printed on the Dunlap Broadsides, the original printed copies of the Declaration that were circulated throughout the new nation. So when people thought of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 was the date they remembered.

In contrast, Constitution Day is celebrated on September 17th of each year, as the anniversary of the date the Constitution was signed, not the anniversary of the date it was approved.

Meet Swiss Miss

Swiss Miss is my absolute favourite Swiss blogger despite the fact that she lives and works in New York.

Tina Roth Eisenberg, a Swiss born and raised graphic designer, runs four side-projects-gone- businesses out of DUMBO, Brooklyn; a collaborative co-working space called Studiomates, a global, monthly lecture series called CreativeMornings, TeuxDeux the simple to-do app and Tattly, a design-y temporary tattoo shop.

She is one busy and creative women. Come meet Tina and read her story how she turned several side projects into full time labors of love: Click here

Tina is often referred to as Swissmiss after her popular design blog which is also the name of her Twitter handle. Check out her Friday Link packs, they are full of eclectic tips and creative information.

America Day at Franklin University

Listen up Americans in and around Lugano: you might be interested in the upcoming AMERICA DAY held at Franklin University on May 25th. Starting at 17:30, the U. S. Embassy invites you to a Q & A meeting session where the Honorable Suzan G. LeVine, US. Ambassador to Switzerland, will answer questions, followed by Voter Registration and Consular services from 19:00-20:00. A unique opportunity!

You can have documents notarized, passports renewed, birth applications processed etc. No appointments necessary and visitors will be seen on a first come-first served basis. Fees for consular services will be payable in cash only.

Venue: America Day
Where: Franklin University Switzerland, Via Ponte Tresa 29, 6930 Sorengo
Date: Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Time: 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Spaghetti and Meatball muffins recipe

How about turning an Italian dish into an American treat that your kids will love? My Neapolitan husband claims the idea of spaghetti and meatballs in itself is an American invention therefore... at this point... anything goes. YEHAY!

Follow this simple recipe for super-cool Spaghetti & Meatball muffins:

Ingredients:
170g spaghetti
1½ tablespoon olive oil
1½ cups parmesan cheese, grated
1½ cups tomato based pasta sauce
12 cooked meatballs
½ cup basil, roughly chopped
cooking spray

Preparations:
Preheat oven to 190C.
1.) Cook spaghetti NOT following packet directions, drain when very AL DENTE and allow to cool.
2.) Spray 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
3.) Pour 1 cup cheese into spaghetti pan and toss.
3b) You might wish to add an egg for the nests to better stick together.
4.) Divide spaghetti between the 12 muffin cups, arranging spaghetti to make a nest.
5.) Top each nest with 1 tablespoon of pasta sauce, a meatball, another tablespoon pasta sauce.
6.) Sprinkle each with parmesan cheese.
7.) Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes or until cheese has melted.
8.) Cool slightly before eating, garnish with a chopped basil.

Kids talking politics

Jimmy Kimmel is an American television host, producer, writer, comedian, voice actor, musician and radio personality. He is the host of a late-night talk show.

In this video introduction he states our best hope for more equality is our next generation, and children are our future, whether we like it or not. Jimmy wondered if they might have a more even-handed take on gender discrimination, so he assembled a small group of youngsters to sit down for a chat about gender and politics featuring a special appearance. Here is how it went...

Happy Thanksgiving

Candy Corn Parfait recipe

I love Candy Corn and after having shared the Candy Corn Macaroon recipe, I have now come across a fast and easy dessert recipe that will impress your dinner guests... IF they are familiar with Candy Corn! ;)

Ingredients:
1 large orange
1 to 2 tablespoons orange liqueur
3 tablespoons lemon curd or custard
1/4 cup whipped cream
1 tablespoon crushed shortbread cookies (optional)

Preparation:
1.) Peel and segment the orange with a paring knife, removing the membranes and white pith.
2.) Chop the segments and toss with the orange liqueur in a bowl; set aside for about 10 minutes.
3.) Spoon the lemon curd/custard into a small liqueur glass or brandy snifter in an even layer.
4.) Top with a thin layer of whipped cream, then pile on the oranges and dollop with the remaining whipped cream.
5.) Sprinkle with crushed shortbread cookies, if desired

P.S. You can order Candy Corn at AFoodAve: http://afoodave.ch/collections/halloween

US Consular Outreach in Lugano

Guess who is coming to town? The American Consular Officer to Switzerland J. Barrett Travis and his consular assistant from the U.S. Embassy in Bern. They will be here to offer a wide range of consular services to the American community. This is a unique opportunity to have documents notarized, passport applications signed, and applications processed for “Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.” Fees for consular services are payable in cash only (currency: Swiss francs).

After the main consular event, there will be time allocated for Questions and Answers. Do take the chance to engage in an active Q&A session and have all those pending questions addressed in person!

Venue: US Consular Outreach in Lugano
Where: THE PALMER CENTER, TASIS, Via Collina d’ Oro, 6926 Montagnola
Date: Friday, September 25, 2015
Time: 16:30 – 19:30
16:30 – 17:00 Welcome and introductory speech by Consul J. Barrett Travis
17:00 – 19:00 Consular services – no appointments are necessary, visitors will be handled
19:00 Q&A

Happy Independence Day

Happy 4th of July to all my American readers.

These bright and delicious fruit skewers were inspired by the American flag and are super easy to make. Try the simple recipe below to make a patriotic treat perfect for Independence Day.

Ingredients:
12 wooden bamboo skewers
1 pound strawberries
6 ounces blueberries
3 bananas
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice (or orange juice)

Preparation:
1.) Rinse and dry berries. Chop the stems off strawberries, then cut into halves from stem to point. Cut the point off strawberries and set aside.
2.) Slice bananas and set aside.
3.) In a bowl, mix water and lemon juice, then place banana slices in lemon water and coat both sides to prevent browning.
4.) Starting with the blueberries, skewer about six on top and alternate between two banana slices and one strawberry slice until you reach the end.
5.) Place on a platter and keep refrigerated until serving.

What do Italians think of PopTarts?

This video is too funny for words. If you live between two worlds such as I (in this case America and Italy) you will enjoy these Italians tasting American candy and voicing their opinion. Admittedly it is junk food but just take it with a pitch of salt.

Italians Try American Sweets For The First Time
Posted by BuzzFeed Video on Wednesday, 24 June 2015

Wondering about Tax Obligations of American Citizens?

Tax laws and banking regulations are constantly changing for Americans living abroad. Come hear about Foreign Tax Credits, FBAR, FATCA, deadlines, expatriation and more. The presentation will cover topics related to all persons filing taxes in the USA. There will be ample time for questions. Presented by Jimmy Sexton, LL.M. of Esquire Group, LLC, an international tax advisory firm he co-founded in 2005. Hosted by AWOT and Franklin University Switzerland, the presentation will be free and open to the public.

Venue: Tax Obligations of American Citizens and Permanent Residents Abroad
Where: Franklin University Switzerland Auditorium, Via Ponte Teresa 29, 6924 Sorengo
Location: Nielsen Auditorium
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2015
Time: 20:00 - 22:00
Cost: Free
Contact: Leslie Guggiari via e-mail at: lguggiari@fus.edu

American Thanksgiving in Lugano

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Have you invited your American friends over or even your Swiss neighbours? This is the perfect opportunity to host a lunch or dinner party and cook whatever tickles your fancy. Italian, Swiss or American.

Still missing some ingredients? Order the turkey at your local butchers or ask the capo of the meat department at Manor or Coop to reserve one for next Thursday. By now, there are enough foreigners living in the Ticino that most butchers have realised there is some kind of feast end of November and turkeys are in demand.

Missing some American ingredients, check out either www.myamericanmarket.com or www.afoodave.ch and order fast. There is still time.

If you are searching for company the American Women of Ticino (AWOT) are organising a Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday Nov. 27, 2014. For more details, please contact them directly at awotcomingup@gmail.com.

Taste of America at your service

Look what I found in my inbox this morning just in time for Thanksgiving?!

We are happy to announce you that tasteofamerica.ch is back in business. Take a look at the redesigned online shop with new payment possibilities and an easy product search function for your preferred AMERICAN groceries.

Register now and … Enjoy the taste of AMERICA!

Jell-o as of CHF 1.50! Kraft's Macaroni & Cheese only CHF 3.20. Arm&Hammer Baking Soda 1lb for CHF 4.-. These are only a few offers they have in store for you!

Cruise over to their site and take a look at their breakfast assortment, your kids will love you for it! ;)

Italian Hand Gestures RAP

Take a look at this video and tell me what the American Consulate in Milano was thinking. This crash course on Italian Gestures will teach you how to talk with your hands like a real Italian. I am wondering if the Ambassador is in the loop?

Here are the 16 gestures:

I am hungry
You are crazy
This is perfect
Time to go

There is nothing
I don't care
Full of people
Are you scared?

Have some water
Drink some wine
Get a coffee
Take your time

This and that
So and so
What do you want?
You must go!