Last weekend

We had one of my old friends, Kendra, in town from college :) Saturday, in the high heat, we decided to hike through the vineyards- supposedly the most beautiful hike in Switzerland (you decide.) And it is Right. Next. Door! Despite the intense heat, we all made it!

postcard-esque

hot, hot sun

grapes

not interested in being photographed

After the hike, we headed to the lake for a picnic :) 

great bbq

the chefs

Sunday, we took the boat to Montreux and swam in the lake next to Chateau du Chillon, one of my favorite places to swim! 

enjoying the sun! 

kids jumping in to catch the "waves" of the boat

ken.nicko swimming

train home :) 

Geneva Fireworks

A couple of weeks ago, we went to Geneva for their firework show. Nicholas raved about it and claimed that it was going to be the most spectacular show we had ever seen. It was going to be an hour, 360* show with music over the lake. I was convinced :)



I may have mentioned in the past Nicholas tends to be right and this time he couldn't have been more dead on. The show was insane and I have film to prove it! It was like the 4th of July grand finale for an hour. Enjoy the clips!

Bern day trip

A week ago, Nicholas and I decided to take our version of a Sunday drive and hopped a train to Bern. We had each been before, but for meetings and not to really spend time enjoying the capitol. We had a great day exploring before the rain came :)

Our day in photos

Starting the day at the train station

City center

Nicholas in front of the river, if you look close, you can see a bear :) 

View of the river, pool and town

Bern is said to be named after the first animal hunted there, a bear. 

Since the early 1400's, Bern has kept live bears in the city. 

Bern is also known for it's fountains,

 there are over 100 in the small town

The garden

The baby bears- aren't they soo cute!  

First Day

On my first day at the WHO my boss gave me a beautiful rose plant for my office. It was a really nice gesture until she gave me a fateful warning: "Don't kill it, ok?"

Eeek!!! I cringed inside but gave her a confident smile and said: "Never!"

Like I need more pressure on my first day. I want to do a good job and now I have to try and keep a plant alive! I am notorious for my ability to kill greenery and for not having a green thumb. Oh boy...

Fast forward to Day Two...

Dying plant... 

My boss walks in and says: "Oh no! You killed it!"

To which I quickly reply, "No, no... I think it just needs water and grooming... I am right on top of it!"

Of course I had not watered it in the past day. Or thought about it. At all. Ugh.

She then tells me that it is fine, it is dead and to just keep the vase since it is nice.

Luckily, my boss and I have a great relationship and I know I will learn a lot from her. Otherwise, I would have considered the gift a cruel trick to play on the new guy.

Hi ho hi ho, off to work I go!

Today is my first day of a two-month project with the WHO. I will be working full-time as a volunteer on their upcoming global conference in their communications department. It has been over a year in a half since I got dressed and headed to an office. Needless to say, I am really looking forward to contributing!

Pics from my walk to the office on the first day

UN fountain and chair

UN Flags

the front of the WHO

Banner for the Global conference