oh yeah! skiing in the alps is way way cool. most excellent and reviving... although my poor aching body is screaming for a little massage (tap, tap, tap [inside joke]).
I've added a few photos from the day at "4 Vallees" above the village of Verbier. i'll let them speak for themselves... i'm seriously hoping for at least 1 more good dump of snow before the end of March.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Ken's here... where's Wonda?
It would be funnier if wasn't taking so loooong. My visa was approved 11 Jan. Wonda is stiiiill waiting. The root of the problem is our non-married status... apparently the Swiss authorities have no concept of "common law marriage" and the fact that Wonda and I have been together for 13 (13!!!) years doesn't convince them that we're "together." We really, really should have had that wedding in SL on the back of an elephant!
So, extra time and extra paperwork necessary: such as a form that assures the Swiss that I will cover all financial obligations for Wonda. I asked my Swiss colleague to make calls to the cantonal (provincial) authorities who are holding up the process and also asked the Swiss consulate in Canada to make calls. The best the authorities can say is "we're working on it." With any luck, Wonda will have the visa on Wed, 20th and 1-2 weeks later she'll be on a plane here. with any luck...
I've been working medium hard since arriving on 6 Feb. Most of my work effort has been diverted by practical matters such as registering at the cantonal office, shopping for health insurance, setting up bank accounts and (most stressful) looking for an apartment. Also just getting on a friendly basis with the students, admin and faculty here is important.
Ok - it's gorgeous here and it isn't even summer yet. there's a strong feeling of spring and I even noticed a few magnolia trees with flower buds about to burst open. In SL I had to pay attention when I walked for fear of falling in a sewer or getting whacked by a rogue trishaw... here, the risk comes from letting my attention wander across the lake to the morning sun kissing the peaks of the French Alps, or onto the shimmering waters of Lake Geneva, or a wonder of architecture, or a beautiful, classy lady... that's about the time i'll walk in front of a bus.
enjoy a few photos of the area as well... a bientot
So, extra time and extra paperwork necessary: such as a form that assures the Swiss that I will cover all financial obligations for Wonda. I asked my Swiss colleague to make calls to the cantonal (provincial) authorities who are holding up the process and also asked the Swiss consulate in Canada to make calls. The best the authorities can say is "we're working on it." With any luck, Wonda will have the visa on Wed, 20th and 1-2 weeks later she'll be on a plane here. with any luck...
I've been working medium hard since arriving on 6 Feb. Most of my work effort has been diverted by practical matters such as registering at the cantonal office, shopping for health insurance, setting up bank accounts and (most stressful) looking for an apartment. Also just getting on a friendly basis with the students, admin and faculty here is important.
Ok - it's gorgeous here and it isn't even summer yet. there's a strong feeling of spring and I even noticed a few magnolia trees with flower buds about to burst open. In SL I had to pay attention when I walked for fear of falling in a sewer or getting whacked by a rogue trishaw... here, the risk comes from letting my attention wander across the lake to the morning sun kissing the peaks of the French Alps, or onto the shimmering waters of Lake Geneva, or a wonder of architecture, or a beautiful, classy lady... that's about the time i'll walk in front of a bus.
enjoy a few photos of the area as well... a bientot
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