Back in the USS...A

It's unreal that it's been over a month since I've last updated, but it's just been too damn busy! Work has been insane, but in a good way. I had a fantastic mid-year review (everyone has to go through regardless of how long you've been with the company). My boss (who is French) said that I make her laugh (can't be a bad thing as long as she's laughing with me, rather than at me, right?), which makes me feel good. As the resident American on a team of almost 80 people from several different departments, I tend to provide the comic relief, although not all nationalities "get me". Come to think of it, not all Americans "get me" either. Ah well. No one else I can be, but ME.

In the last month I moved into my apartment (fell down my stairs the first morning, but other than having a bruised tail bone (and ego) all is ok). I'm still getting used to things like the total lack of customer service. I went for lunch with a former colleague yesterday and he summed up Switzerland quite appropriately and frankly words that I have been looking for since I arrived. Switzerland is precise, but inefficient. The minute he said it, I was like "yes that's it!" Transportation is on time and people adhere to the letter of the law, but nothing runs efficiently. Customer service is non-existent. Did I say that already? :) I have had an ongoing saga with my cable / cable box, but I won't drone on about that. The good news is that there is an underground handyman network filled with UK expats that are fantastic and pretty reasonable. I've had lots of Ikea furniture put together and lighting installed (yes people even strip the lights out when they move). I'm still trying to learn German, but the language itself is not easy, tossing in that the lessons are during the day twice a week (and I usually have to cancel as least one due to work load) and the fact that I'm tired at night and would rather be seeing friends etc than studying. Plus in the end, it's just an ugly language! But I'm trying...

BUT I'm in NYC on vacation. Arrived on Friday, August 17, so I've been here a week already and can't believe it's gone by so quickly (I guess the fun parts of life always do). And for any of you wondering, no I haven't called, e-mailed, or text messaged him (so no worries because I'm done). I've gotten questions like are you going to museums, plays, etc etc. I've seen a few plays and I can highly recommend www.myfirstimetheplay.com for those of you in the NYC area or planning to visit here. It's hilarious and they actually read an excerpt from what I submitted, although they keep it anonymous. My friend Susan and I laughed hysterically. If you don't know what the play is about visit www.myfirstime.com for more information. It's been around since 1996 and it's awesome!

I did some online shopping before I came home and had everything delivered to my parent's place and I've done more since I've been here. Been staring at this HUGE pile of stuff trying to figure out how I'm going to fit it all into my second (empty) suitcase. I think I might be leaving a couple of things behind for my trip in November. Although I might be coming home in October for business which will allow me to spend a few days on the side.

So I'm sitting here typing with my large, decaf, iced coffee from Fourbucks. In Basel you're paying over 10 Sfr for a non-fat muffin and the same drink. I've been on a bit of a food jaunt, since as everyone has heard a million times, good food in Basel comes few and far between!! Nothing has any flavor and everything is drowned in sauce, oh and don't forget the mystery meat! Plus, I'm in heaven because I can get the "make your own salad" on almost every street corner here. I can't get enough of the fresh salad!

I've seen 2 Days in Paris (with Adam Goldberg & Julie Delpy), Bourne Ultimatum (Matt Damon), and The Nanny Diaries (Scarlett Johanssen & Laura Linney - very good but a bit disturbing that people actually have kids as accessories). Went to a fundraiser at Chuck Scarborough's house (a regular broadcaster in NYC on NBC for years) and we all thought the same thing...this guy makes a gazillion dollars a year and just reads off an idiot prompter??? He's not even a journalist!? Ah well in any case, they raised a lot of money for a very good cause. I will post a photo of my silent auction purchase in the near future. Went to a friend of the family's daughter's engagement party. Have seen friends, family, etc.

Tomorrow I go for a day of pampering and seeing more friends. And then Sunday I see Avenue Q since I've never seen it and then Monday night I go back to Basel for several weeks of craziness preparing for upcoming meetings.

Oh everyone in the City is talking about how Sex and the City starts taping here next month. Rumor has it they will be filming Carrie and John's (aka Big) wedding at St. Patrick's Cathedral. It's supposed to open next summer, so I will see it at home in NYC for sure!

I didn't realize how much I missed home until I was here for a few days. NYC is similar to my favorite pillow and my bed. I feel so comfortable here. Some people need a beach and to do nothing for a week to relax, for me it's the intensity of the City that does it. I feel centered and "right" again.