Sweet pickup lines

Feeling a bit frivolous today and having been inspired by a friend's Facebook status I decided to share some sweet pickup lines. It's Valentine's Day in a week, so get ready to be swept off your feet. Which line would you fall for? Or do you have a better pickup line?

In this changing and uncertain times we are living today, I think we need to rearrange the alphabet. How about putting U & I together?

Guess what I’m wearing? The smile you gave me!

If I were an octopus, all my 3 hearts would beat for you.

Roses are red violets are blue I didn’t know what perfect was until I met you.

Your smile lit up the room, so I just had to come over.

There isn’t a word in the dictionary to describe how beautiful you are.

Is there an airport nearby or is that just my heart taking off?

Because of you, I laugh a little harder, cry a little less, and smile a lot more.

Me without you is like a nerd without braces, a shoe without laces, aSentenceWithoutSpaces.

This time next year let’s be laughing together.

Ode to Life

Tonight I received one of the most touching farewell messages I have ever received from a fellow Expat. It was not a personal note but nevertheless went straight to my heart. What a beautiful way describe one's emotions that are so difficult to explain when asked why do you keep on moving homes if it makes you cry every time?

Here is the answer:

Slowly dies he who becomes a slave to habit, 
repeating the same journey every day, 
he who doesn't change his march,
he who doesn't risk to change the colour of his clothes,
he who doesn't speak to he whom he doesn't know. 

Slowly dies he who shuns passion, 
he who prefers black on white and dots on i's rather than a bundle of emotions,
the kind that make your eyes glimmer,
that turn a yawn into a smile, 
that make the heart pound in the face of mistakes and feelings.

Slowly dies he who doesn't overturn the table, 
he who is unhappy in his work, 
he who doesn't risk certainty for uncertainty, 
to thus follow a dream, 
those who do not forego sound advice at least once in their lives.

Slowly dies he who doesn't travel, he who doesn't read, 
he who doesn't listen to music, 
he who doesn't find grace in himself,   
He who slowly destroys his own self-esteem, 
who does not allow himself to be helped, 
who spends days on end complaining about his own bad luck, about the rain that never stops.

Slowly dies he who abandons a project before even starting it,
who fails to ask questions on subjects he doesn't know, 
he who doesn't answer when he is asked something that he knows. 

Let's avoid death by small doses, 
remembering always that being alive requires an effort far greater than the simple fact of breathing.

Only a burning patience will lead to the attainment of a splendid happiness...

By Pablo Neruda

Happy Halloween

The origins of St.Patrick's Day

"May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you."
Irish Blessing

This day is not only about leprechauns, shamrocks and green beer. This is a day also to honor St. Patrick. He was an influential saint who, 1,500 years ago, brought Christianity to the little country of Ireland. He was born about 385 in the British Isles, was carried off while still very young during a raid on Roman Britain by the Irish and sold as a slave. At the end of six years he contrived to escape to Europe, became a monk and was ordained; he then returned to Ireland to preach the Gospel. During the thirty years that his missionary labors continued he covered the Island with churches and monasteries; in 444 he founded the metropolitan see of Armagh. St. Patrick died in 461. After fifteen centuries he remains for all Irishmen the great bishop whom they venerate as their father in the Faith.

Originally, the colour associated with Saint Patrick was blue. Over the years the colour green and its association with Saint Patrick's day grew. Green ribbons and shamrocks were worn in celebration of St Patrick's Day as early as the 17th century. He is said to have used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish, and the wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a ubiquitous feature of the day. In the 1798 rebellion, in hopes of making a political statement, Irish soldiers wore full green uniforms on 17 March in hopes of catching public attention. The phrase "the wearing of the green", meaning to wear a shamrock on one's clothing, derives from a song of the same name.

Inspiration for Int'l. Women's Day

To celebrate International Women's Day I wanted to share a few quotes to remember the strong women that came before us and made their own they. They shattered glass and broke ceilings, and inspired us through their actions and words to move mountains.

Let their words inspire you to help you feel motivated to reach your goals.

“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.”
Melinda Gates

“If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.”
Margaret Thatcher

“The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s going to stop me.”
Ayn Rand

“It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with you. Always.”
Oprah Winfrey

“One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”
Simone de Beauvoir

“Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use.”
Ruth Gordon

“The best protection any woman can have … is courage.”
Elizabeth Cady Stanton

“Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren’t.”
Margaret Thatcher

“I just love bossy women. I could be around them all day. To me, bossy is not a pejorative term at all. It means somebody’s passionate and engaged and ambitious and doesn’t mind leading.”
Amy Poehler

Happy Women's Day

It's Halloween

It's Halloween! It's Halloween!

The moon is full and bright

And we shall see what can't be seen

On any other night.

Skeletons and ghosts and ghouls,

Grinning goblins fighting duels,

Werewolves rising from their tombs,

Witches on their magic brooms.

In masks and gowns we haunt the street

And knock on doors for trick or treat.

Tonight we are the king and queen,

For tonight it's Halloween!

Happy Thanksgiving

"Thanksgiving is a time

For reviewing what we treasure,

The people we hold dear,

Who give us so much pleasure.

Without you as my friend,

Life would be a bore;

Having you in my life

Is what I'm thankful for"

A Halloween Wish

I'd like to go fishing 

for a star

and send it to you

wherever you are...

...to wrap you once more

in the spells of the night

and fill all your senses

with awe and delight.

To make you a pirate

or perhaps a queen;

to experience the magic

of Halloween.

To capture again

the mystery and surprise

as can only be seen

through a small child's eyes.

by Nancy Hughes

Happy Thanksgiving!

▪ T

for time to be together,

turkey, talk, and tangy weather.

▪ H 

for harvest stored away,

home, and hearth, and holiday.

▪ A

for autumn's frosty art,

and abundance in the heart.

▪ N

for neighbors, and November,

nice things, new things to remember.

▪ K

for kitchen, kettles' croon,

kith and kin expected soon.

▪ S

for sizzles, sights, and sounds,

and something special that abounds.

that spells THANKS--for joy in living

and a jolly good Thanksgiving.

- Aileen Fisher

A mother's letter to the world

Dear World:

My son starts school today. It's going to be strange

and new to him for a while.

And I wish you would sort of treat him gently.

You see, up to now, he's been king of the roost.

He's been boss of the backyard.

I have always been around to repair his wounds, 

and to soothe his feelings.

But now-things are going to be different.

This morning, he's going to walk down the front steps,

wave his hand and start on his great adventure

that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow.

To live his life in the world he has to live in will require

faith and love and courage.

So, World, I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand

and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him-but gently, if you can.

Teach him that for every scoundrel there is a hero;

that for every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader;

that for every enemy there is a friend.

Teach him the wonders of books.

Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, 

bees in the sun, and flowers on the green hill.

Teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas,

even if everyone else tells him they are wrong.

Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder,

but never to put a price on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob...

and to stand and fight if he thinks he's right.

Teach him gently, World, but don't coddle him,

because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

This is a big order, World, but see what you can do.

He's such a nice little fellow.

...Author Unknown

A lesson in friendship and love

MA PIAS AL ROSA

CREDI CHE GHIGNAA

L’È LA MIGLIUR ROBA

PER BRÜSAA CALURÌ

CREDI NAL BASAÀ, BASAÀ TANTO

CREDI NAL VESS FORT

QUAND TÜTT PAR NA STORT

CREDI CHE I TUSAN CUNTENT

IE I TUSAN PÜSEE BEI

CREDI CHE DUMAN SRAÀ UN ALTRU DÌ

E CREDI NAI MIRACUI

AUDREY HEPBURN

Be my Valentine!

Timeless Valentine

As time goes by from year to year,

One thing is surely true, my dear;

Though decades come and decades go,

Just seeing you sets me aglow.

Time shifts my body; I start to sag,

When I pass a mirror, it can make me gag.

My joints all ache; I can hardly move;

Still a smile from you, and I’m in the groove.

Getting older can be a pain,

But with you along, I can’t complain.

Despite the things that we go through,

I know I’ll never stop loving you.

Your loving heart turns life to play,

As we laugh at time from day to day.

So I write this poem, and I’ll hang my sign,

Saying, "Always Be My Valentine."

By Karl and Joanna Fuchs

Happy New Year!

May 2011 be like a plane.

God as your pilot. Prayers as your wings.

Hope as fuel.

Love as the engine and happiness your passenger.

Happy New Year!

New Year's resolutions

"A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other." Anonymous

This quote basically sums up my attitude towards New Year's resolutions. When I was a teenager I used to write my list every 31st of December, not that I ever took a second glance at it later in the year. Today my outlook on life is better described by a "Enjoy it while it lasts" motto. However, I thought I'd share some fast facts about New Year's resolutions that I found on the web:

People make more resolutions to start a new habit than to break an old one.
It takes doing something 21 times in order to make it a habit.

63% of people say they are keeping their resolutions after two months
67% of people make three or more resolutions

Top four resolutions:
Increase exercise
Develop better eating habits
Stop smoking, drinking, or using drugs (including caffeine)
Be more conscientious about work or school

If I HAD to decide on one resolution it would be to be more patient. As for my excercise and eating habits, they are not brilliant but good enough in my consideration. Who can say no to Swiss chocolate?!? As far as drinking goes, a good glass of wine with a Mediterranean meal is an absolute must. I don't smoke or do drugs and I do NOT consider delicious Italian coffee a drug!!! Consciencious???? What ever happend to spontaneity????

Wishing you a Happy New Year and may all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions!

Happy Thanksgiving

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

10 Typical Italian proverbs

Today I heard a typical Italian expression which gave me the idea of sharing some frequently used Italian proverbs which you could try yourself if you feel like it?

Tempo da lupi - It’s raining cats and dogs

In boca al lupo - Good luck

Tra il dire e il fare, c'è di mezzo il mare - Easier said than done

Batti il ferro finché è caldo - Strike while the iron is hot

Chi dorme non piglia pesci - The early bird catches the worm

Mogli e buoi dei paesi tuoi - Better wed over the mixen than over the moor

Nelle botti piccine ci sta il vino buono - Good things (or people) come in small packages

L'abito non fa il monaco - Clothes do not make the man

Quando il gatto non c'è, i topi ballano - When the cat's away, the mice will play

Meglio tardi che mai - Better late than never

All Souls' Day (Dia de los Muertos)

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal,

love leaves a memory no one can steal. 

From a headstone in Ireland

Meet the author

“Before the beginning of great brilliance, there must be chaos. Before a brilliant person begins something great, they must look foolish in the crowd.” - I Ching

Born an expat to an American father and a very British mother I was raised in Zurich, Switzerland. Having completed my Swiss degree, I fled to the United States to university and came running back “home” to Europe 2 years later to finish my studies in Italy.
I found myself a job in the International city of Geneva where my career blossomed for nearly 10 years when I fell in love with a gorgeous Italian man.
I turned my whole life around, abandoned my career and with THE ring on my finger said goodbye to friends and family and was swooped off to our first expat destination, my dream port of call: Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Our son was born a porteno and proud of it. 2 years later we moved to Paris only to move again after 6 months, this time to Milano where our daughter was born. A real Milanese.
Enjoying a 3 year stint in Madrid - a city all 4 of us fell hopelessly in love with - we are now based in the Metropolitan city of Lugano, Switzerland.
Without planning I have returned back to my roots so to say and my husband and kids are getting a healthy dose of Swiss discipline and education.
Personally I am lacking the hustle and bustle of a big city and therefore decided to undertake some territory discovery of my own via a blog.

Welcome to my world....expat with kids!