Two-fer

Oh hi.  Remember me?  Sorry for the slow posting, but I'm sure you guys have figured out that I suck at blogging right now.  My bad.  Anyway.. let's catch up a bit.  Basically my life right now consists of working during the week and skiing on the weekend.  Not bad!

Remember when I went hiking in Wengen at the end of the summer?  Earlier this month, I returned to that same area to do some skiing with Emily!  We stayed in Grindelwald, which is a different town than Wengen, but it's in the same general Jungfrau region.  I actually ended up in Wengen for après ski on Saturday night!  It was fun to see the mountains from a completely different view point this time.  And of course, always good to spend time with friends :)

Other than that, the past week at work was pretty busy, as is typical for January.  But luckily, we all had something to look forward to!  A team weekend of skiing in Verbier!  This was my first time in Verbier, but it has definitely been on my list of places to visit since everyone raves about it.

All in all, it was a great weekend.  The skiing in Verbier is tough, but it was really nice as well.  We were really lucky with the weather, and I can definitely see why so many people love Verbier.

This week is another big week at work, but unfortunately, I am sick :(  I may have blogged about this before, but I definitely think that I get sick way more often living in Geneva than I ever have before.  I'm loading up on liquids, vitamins, and meds now, so hopefully I am back to normal soon!

Hope all of you who got snow are staying warm and safe.  Have a good week everyone!

In the kitchen

Hi friends!  As previously mentioned, this year I'd like to spend more time in the kitchen cooking.  It's kind of a two-birds-one-stone deal.. not only does cooking for yourself save you money, it can also help ensure that you are eating healthy meals!  Plus, I enjoy cooking, so it's a good way to unwind, particularly when life outside the kitchen gets stressful.

In an effort to get the new year started off right, I spent a  lot of time in the kitchen last weekend!  Since I am pretty busy at work during the first few months of the year, I don't normally have tons of time to do anything elaborate during the week (if I manage to get groceries, I am happy), so I was happy to have a couple of days to relax and spend time by the stove.  Here is what I made!

Herby Barley Salad with Butter-Basted Mushrooms - anyone who has been to my apartment knows that I have a special love for grains.  Barley is no exception, and of course, mushrooms are absolutely my jam.  This simple salad was super delicious and came together in no time, so I will definitely be making it again!

Marcella Hazan's Rice and Smothered Cabbage Soup - this simple and delicious soup was the perfect thing to eat on a dreary Sunday afternoon.  The smothered cabbage takes a while to make, but it's totally worth it.

I also made a Kale Caesar salad with a Greek yogurt based dressing that I saw on Instagram.  The recipe was a bit heavy on the garlic, but otherwise super yummy and easy.

Do you guys care about what I eat?

Looking ahead

More New Year's stuff, even though it is well into January already!

Of course, I made some resolutions this year, and while I won't share each and every one publicly for all the internet to see, I did want to document some of the general themes that I want to focus on in 2016.  Hopefully writing them down here in a public space will help me actually stick to them a bit better this year!

Exercise more - pretty self explanatory.  I have a few metrics in mind, and I'd also like to get back on the running train, and maybe do a spring or fall race?

Eat healthfully - generally, I am a pretty healthy eater, but this year I would also like to spend more time cooking for myself.  Cooking at home is definitely the easiest way to ensure healthy eating, since you control all the ingredients, and besides - I love to cook!  I'm hoping to also start trying out more recipes this year, since I have the tendency to fall into some ruts.

Travel - as you may recall, I was feeling a bit weary after my summer travel blitz.  In 2016, of course I want to continue to explore, but I want to do it in a more manageable way, so that I don't wear myself out.  I'd also like to make sure I'm spending more time exploring Switzerland itself!

Financial - it seems like every year, one of my goals is to be more financially disciplined.  Blah.

Learn - I've turned into a fairly voracious reader.  (People often ask me when I find the time to read - the answer: on planes!)  Between book club and my own personal leisure, I definitely read my share of easy fiction, so in 2016, I want to make sure that I read at least ten non-fiction books.

Relationships - of course, I can't forget about my loved ones.  Every year I hope that I can grow and nurture important relationships with friends, both old and new.  Even though I live far away from many of the people in my life, it's easier than ever to stay in touch with FaceTime, What's App, even regular old email!

Hope all of you are starting 2016 happy and healthy.  Best wishes in the new year!

Happy new year!

Per usual, I am writing my New Years post a full week and a half into the new year.  Sigh.  Better late than never right?  For the holidays, I spent two full weeks in the US, and it was bliss.  Like last year, I spent a week in Tampa before heading out to Colorado to hang out at the Frozen Tundra Chalet!  Fun times with family, friends, and delicious food.

Of course, no trip to Tampa is complete without the Yummy House's salt and pepper tofu.  This is the only thing I am sure to eat every single time I'm home, so if you don't know - now you know!

Christmas Eve at the Yummy House also featured a Dim Sum cart!

Per usual, Nancy Lin and I went to FBCTT for the Christmas Eve service.  This year's theme was "A Charlie Brown Christmas".  This is obviously not-so-traditional, and while I've kind of ended up hating the service the past couple of years, I simply can't bear to go to Christmas Eve service anywhere else.  There's just something about home (church), you know?  Though I will say that I literally recognize nearly zero faces anymore :(

Entrance to the fellowship hall.  Obviously.

We had a hot pot feast at home for Christmas dinner!  Though it was just the two of us, it was actually a great Christmas.  Hot pot is a meal that I always love most with my mom, and we hadn't had it together in years, so it was a nice little celebration meal.

The remaining days I was in Tampa after Christmas were a whirlwind of shopping, eating, and drinking.  Catching up with friends in all corners of the city, requisite re-stocking of Tide Pods etc, and returning all the online shopping rejects basically dominated my days.  Always fun to see friends (and their growing kids!) and catch up :)

Datz!!!

Of course, you must get the Bloody Mary

We take the best pictures

Temple Terrace forever

Love these girls!

Then it was off to Denver to spend a week skiing Winter Park!  After the trip, I think I have officially graduated past novice skier - woohoo!  There was plenty of snow (unlike in Europe), and the crew was so fun to hang out with, of course.  Me, Brian, and Greg drove back to Denver a night early and caught the end of the Seahawks win at a sports bar before a quick trip to REI.  The best of America!

I miss atmosphere like this

REI!

Going home is always such a nice treat.  US (doesn't it seem like longer?), the visits home are always so nice.  Christmas time is also a fun time to be in Tampa because any out-of-towners are usually home too, so it's a good chance to see everyone all at once.  I've said it before, but I am really so very thankful for the community that I grew up in.  I feel so lucky that I have so many friends that I have known since childhood.  Miss you all.  Til next time!