9 Ways To Stay In Touch With Long-Distance Friends

One of my favrourite link lists is Swiss Miss' Friday link pack. Swissmiss is a design blog run by Swiss, long-term New York resident Tina Roth Eisenberg. She and her team are full of creative and out-of-the-ordinary ideas.

This video made me smile this morning, although No.9 might be taking it a little far.

To start off 2017 with a giggle...

Who knew Ireland has a vibrant animation industry? Thankfully comedy plays a big part. Grintage was launched in 2015 to develop and celebrate the best of Irish comedy. It’s a work in progress as these Irish Youtubers continue to grow and gain support from the wider comedy community and industry.

The video dates a few months back but I thought you might to like a giggle to start off the new year.

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!

The Ultimate Swiss Adventure in Ticino

World-renowned adventure photographer Chris Burkard has been discovering the Ticino and turned it into his playground to promote Switzerland abroad together with Swiss Tourism board and Swiss Airlines.

Chris picked out some of his favorite activities which many of us living in Ticino might have been enjoying with our kids. Even if you are a local the video is fun to watch. See how many places you recognize.



Be sure to share it with your friends living in the United States (this drawing is offered only in the US) so they can win the Ultimate Swiss Adventure here in Ticino: register to win a trip!

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...

Made me smile today...

Audrey's back... as a chocoholic!

The Breakfast At Tiffany’s star has been brought back to life with CGI technology for Galaxy's latest ice cream advert which is set in the 1950s on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. It's amazing to see how far we've come with computer generated photography and film.

This definitely made me smile today.

Have a great weekend, hopefully with lots of ice cream!

This is for my girls...

In March, the First Lady Michelle Obama launched Let Girls Learn to address the range of challenges preventing adolescent girls across the globe from attaining a quality education that empowers them to reach their full potential.

Let Girls Learn employs a holistic approach to change the perception of the value of girls at the individual, community and institutional levels; fostering an enabling environment for adolescent girls’ education; and engaging and equipping girls to make life decisions and important contributions to society.

But Michelle Obama did not stop there, she enlisted a major girl squad to sing the power anthem "This Is For My Girls." The song, which was inspired by the Let Girls Learn initiative and the 62 million girls around the world who do not have access to education, features Kelly Clarkson, Missy Elliott, Jangle Monáe, Kelly Rowland, Zendaya, Lea Michele, Chloe x Halle, and Jadagrace.

While the First Lady is not featured on "This Is For My Girls," it was a natural fit for her to join James Corden for a Carpool Karaoke segment to sing the song and celebrate the power of musical activism.

Now, I don't know about you, but my vote definitely goes to the current first lady!

The world is as big or as small as you make it

This is a video worth watching about a group of North Philadelphia local kids that gather at a rec centre to participate in an innovative program where they forge friendships with their peers across the world.

These students need to go through a metal detector every day at school. Despite a difficult environment they tell and listen to stories of the world that 10 years ago they wouldn't have had the opportunity to be exposed to.

This amazing bunch of kids are blessed with having an awesome mentor who wants to spread empathy and understanding by connecting teenagers. She decides to "retool" what the kids already have.

She guides them to ask real questions and learn about what separates them and what unites them. As they connect with kids from New York, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Paris and Kazakhstan, they discover that their worlds are not as different as they might think.



"The World Is As Big Or As Small As You Make It" | Sundance Institute.

Old-fashioned technology

This video is priceless if you are from a pre-computer generation like myself. You know how kids get a kick out of it when adults can’t handle technology? Well, adults, this is for you...

Ticino in the media

Meet Marko and Alex Ayling, vagabonds and brothers known online as the Vagabrothers. They are award-winning travel videographers, photographers and writers as well as globally-engaged storytellers on a mission to explore our planet by connecting with other young people and inspiring viewers to do the same.

In 2014, they launched their own YouTube show, Vagabrothers, where they release new travel videos every Tuesday. They were recently nominated as the “top 100 most influential travel bloggers worldwide” by the U.S. White House summit on global citizenship and cultural exchange.

Join the Vagabrothers while they explore the Ticino for a week of paragliding, bungee jumping, canyoning, a Film Festival and an after party. Any of it look familiar?

Fun with the Swiss

Craig Ferguson is a Scottish-born American television host, stand-up comedian, writer, actor, director, producer and voice artist. He was the host of The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, that aired on CBS from 2005 to 2014.

The format (talk show with lots of background laughing) is rather American but the sense of humour is definitely British. Not to be taken too seriously, this video is a wee bit wacky but might make you smile and allow for a humorous five minutes over the holidays.

Lily and the Snowman

It's not always easy to hang on to the Christmas spirit in between last-minute shopping and hosting holiday parties.

But "Lily and the Snowman" is here to bring you back down to Earth.

Every winter, a magical snowman puts on a show for a little girl. But over time, life pulls them apart. Will she remember to take the time for what she loved?

Lily and the Snowman is an adorable animation short film. A very cute and touching little story to celebrate the imagination, childhood and the magic of winter! It is very similar to "The Snowman," a 1982 animated film that was adapted from Raymond Briggs' book of the same name. Do you remember that book?

Gigi d'Alessio is coming to town

My hubby is Neapolitan so Gigi d'Alessio is a big feature in our household. The 48-year-old Italian singer and songwriter is presenting his tour called "Progetto Malaterra", a project of Gigi D'Alessio and #CampaniaSicura.

In this tour Gigi D’Alessio puts together a show where tradition and innovation merge creating a unique atmosphere. This event will be full of magical moments and unexpected surprises but will also spread the message of the cause that inspired the whole project.

The tracklist will include some of the worldwide renowed hits of the music from Naples. These tunes will also be included in Gigi D’Alessio’s new album, all sung in the traditional Neapolitan language, half of which are written by Gigi himself.

During the event there will be a space dedicated to the food products from Campania and to the efforts needed to fight the reality of “Terra Dei Fuochi” literally “the land of fires” that is affecting the Campania’s economy and life.

In this respect, at every European stop, Gigi D’Alessio will screen the documentary called “Malaterra” in which the artist personally promotes the treasures of Campania through a real and round reportage in his homeland.

Gigi D'Alessio looks back on a 20-year career with more than 20 million albums sold, a diamond and more than 100 platinum albums back. A concert not to be missed if you like Italian music.

Venue: Concerto Gigi d'Alessio
Where: Palazzo dei Congressi, Piazza Indipendenza 4, 6900 LUGANO
Date: Wednesday October 14th, 2015
Time: Door opens at 19:00 Concert starts at 20:30
Click here for tickets: http://www.ticketcorner.ch/gigi-dalessio-lugano

Désalpage - a Swiss tradition

Coming up on 26 September, the village of L’Etivaz (in the canton Vaud) will celebrate the herds of cattle that, after spending the summer in the mountains, will head back to the stables for the wintertime. It is called the "Désalpage".

I decided to share this fact with you since I have a very soft spot for the region of "Le pays d'Enhaut".

In a joyful clanging of bells, in the profusion of colours of their flowered headdresses, the herd will return to the plain on the fourth Saturday in September. This "Rindyà" (descent from the mountain pastures in patois) is the reflection of mountain traditions and guarantees their continuance.

YOU can join in the “Désalpe de L’Etivaz” cow procession, which combines Swiss traditions with local specialities and offers loads of fun entertainment and activities.

YOU can be among the first to taste the newest wheels of L’Etivaz AOP cheese produced in summer 2015, fresh out of the cheese cellars.

Feel free to contact +41 269 246 281 for more information, or e-mail: cooperative@etivaz-aop.ch. This "Désalpe" is an event that will stick in your memory forever!

Désalpage from 1964

(click to watch video)

50 years later, the cows make the same way down to the plain after grazing in the alpine pastures for four months. 

Extrait du film: Tout un art... maillis from etivaz on Vimeo.

What does Switzerland sound like?

This question will be answered  by Coop in association with the online newspaper 20 min. They are inviting the community to join their music project called "The Sound of Switzerland".

Four musicians - SNOOK from the Grisons, Alejandro Reyes from western Switzerland, Make Plain from Ticino and Anna Känzig from German-speaking Switzerland have been mobilized under the leadership of Roman Camenzind to sing together in all four national languages. They'll get help from all linguistic regions of Switzerland's music scene. As for the chorus, this is where the whole country comes into play: the Swiss population is to form the largest choir in Switzerland ever.

As of 25 September, the population - yes, that would include YOU - is called to sing via the new 20-minute app to chorus of the song or dance, upload the video, thus contributing to the music video of the song.

Be part of this unique project and help break the Swiss language barriers. Sounds like fun to me. Following is the link for the registration (in German) online: http://www.20min.ch/panorama
Deadline is September 27th, 2015.


So klingt die Schweiz - Aufruf from Pixel Love GmbH on Vimeo.

Ticino's most beautiful season

The most beautiful season to visit the Ticino is not necessarily summer like many tourist think, my personal favourite is autumn. It brings us days that are still sunny, ideal for strolling through the city, on the lakeshore or among the market stalls. It allows for wonderful excursions into the valleys or even some trekking in the mountains. Autumn’s colours are sweet and golden, and the seasonal scents of grapes and roasted chestnuts stir the emotions. Autumn in Ticino is a truly re-invigorating experience. What is your favourite season here?

Unusual world record set in Valle Maggia

Surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Valle Maggia, a 27-year old Brazilian who grew up in Switzerland has set a new world record this month. Laso Schaller is a man without fear. He proved this by jumping off the top of the "Cascata del Salto", a waterfall gushing to life with summer rains located in the depths of the Maggia valley where water comes cascading down over a sheer drop into a deep pool, creating a stunning natural amphitheatre.

Passionate canyoneer and high-diver he performed a breathtaking dive of 58.8m over the picturesque waterfall. A spectacular, extraordinary and unique flying stunt.

See for yourself:

What Americans think of Rivella

A few weeks back I posted a video about what Italians think of American candy. Well, right in time for August 1st my son sent me a video about what Americans think of his favourite Swiss drink Rivella. The reactions - in this video gone viral - to discovering what Rivella is actually made of will have you giggling. Let's just say it is an acquired taste as is the taste for American candy!

Happy Swiss National Day!
Posted by BuzzFeed on Saturday, 1 August 2015

Greetings from Graubünden

Graubünden Tourism is bringing together the most hectic and most peaceful places in Switzerland via an electronic live billboard at Zurich Central Station offering to transport stressed-out city dwellers to the Graubünden village of Vrin.

A very original and personalized video is testimony to an unusual approach in tourism marketing designed to publicize Vrin, a small Swiss village with just 275 inhabitants in the canton of Graubünden.

The protagonist of the advertising is a cheerful local mountain farmer, sitting on a meadow with his laptop which connects to a panel in Zürich's main train station: there he interacts with travellers proposing to come and visit him. Should they accept, he will print and offer them the train fare.

What a brilliant, simple and low cost, but high impact idea. Would you take the day off to catch some fresh mountain air?

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