Sunday, 25 January I was gently awakened at 10:30AM by the sound of Sam's voice on my phone, asking me if I wanted to join her and Jess to go to Annecy, a very old French town about an hour south of here. I have to admit, it didn't sound pleasant at first. I had only gotten to bed at 5AM, and I had been drinking until then, so cleaning up to take ( Read more... )

Since she didn't see fit to actually comment on the journal itself, I'm taking the liberty of adding her emailed comment now:

"LOL I like how I am mentioned quite frequently in your blog…haha and represented quite fairly too!! Also I would like to state for the record that if anything one could call me…enthusiastic!! haha
You make the mundane seem ( Read more... )

Dear Mom and Dad ( Read more... )

On Saturday night, I went out with Barras' friends to say goodbye to Robin, who was suddenly moving to Paris in 12 hours. Let me tell you, being in the middle of going-away parties is great, even when you don't know the person. People just want everyone to have a good time and get riotous, and it's great. Best part? The kid moving to Paris is ( Read more... )

Saturday, 24 January Originally, the plan was to see the first day of the Hot Air Balloon Festival in the Alps east of Lac Léman. However, despite the promises of this area having the "perfect microclimate for aerial balloons," the weather took a turn for the worse and it got cancelled. Not to be deterred, Jess and I decided to go to Montreux on ( Read more... )

I haven't done any stupid tourist stuff in at least two days. Last night I went out for the weekly UN Agency intern night, successfully ordered my own drinks, and managed to keep myself decently sober and made the tram home on time. Aren't you proud of me? I mean, I know it makes for boring reading, but don't worry...I have big plans for tomorrow ( Read more... )

...but Jess wanted to make sure that I was clear on this: hers is a nation of convicts, not criminals. There is a difference. Crucial cultural knowledge, since Australia Day is coming up and I want to get my facts straight before I spend the weekend celebrating it.

...but pertinent to some conversations I've been having with friends lately about the jobs people do and the way in which they are valued as a result:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4651531

The American delegate to the WHO is an asshat. At least, he sounds like one when he talks. The Executive Board of the WHO is having one of it's semi-annual meetings right now, and all WHO staff can listen in whenever they want. All I have to do is pick up the phone in my office and dial into the English translation of the proceedings, and I can ( Read more... )

Oh, cider, how much you giveth and how much you taketh away. You give laughter, levity, and new friends. You taketh away shame, willpower, and the knowledge of when it is time to leave the bar ( Read more... )