So I created this bit of art about a year ago with my (at the time) new pen tablet and just found it on my computer yesterday. Oh you like it, too? Well, I will sell you a copy of this Picasso if you want. Just leave a comment. :)

I really like it because I remember doing it in a hurry and just throwing it aside, but for some reason it caught my attention and spoke to me... it said - inspiration is everywhere - forster your creativity and release positivity and create a list of things you love about Switzerland. Go ahead. Do it.

So I did. My Swiss Love List:

1. I love speaking German. It used to be a pain in the butt in the beginning. I struggled. I did not cry but I probably wanted to at times. It is hard when you struggle to be understood, knowing you could easily rattle it off in English and probably be understood, but you persist because you want to learn the language. And I did. And it has paid off. I am constantly amazed at how it just flows now. I have to stop myself from time to time to make sure that what I am saying makes sense - because to be so seemingly fluent is still so shocking to me. I went to the doctor's yesterday and even she, having seen me a few times now, said my German rocked and it really made my day. Ahh to be able to speak another language. It is a gift - as Jace says. And I am really glad I got the opportunity to hone the skill here in Switzerland. Swiss German, you ask? Just don't ask... this is a love list after all.
   
   
2. I love organization. Ok - for those of you who know me - tidiness and organization are not the same, so no judging now. But I love the feeling of going to the Doctor and having the appointment always start on time. I love that the train drops me off just in time for the bus to pick me up. So make that organization and efficiency. I love them both equally.
   
   
3. I love being in the center of Europe. Check out the category on travel to see how much I relish this feature. We get out. We see. We conquer. It is good. I have made approximately 7 Blurb adventure books now. I love travel.
   
   
4. I love eating fresh produce grown locally - sometimes from my own garden! I won't bore you all with garden updates here... but can you say fresh cherry tomatoes and sweet corn. Oh yeah. But I actually appreciate now that produce that is not in season is not on sale. This is how it should be.
   
   
5. I love mountains and hiking and Wanderwegs. We should get out and do it more often. If only I weren't so lazy...
   
   
6. I love snow. Bring on winter I say. This sweaty weather is starting to tire me. Then again, anything that is not rain is lovely in Switzerland.
   
   
7. I love blogging... and photography. Both of which I can do and enjoy here and meet new people. Thanks, guys. Sniff, sniff.
   
   
8. I love chocolate. Have you tried the seasonal white blueberry (from Frey Lindt I think)? Oh my it is devine. (Note to self... buy more of this tonight!) And the Rittersports. My how I love you. I think I could have named at least 10 pounds after you when I lived in Germany during my exchange 10 years ago now... I have found the Rittersport dark chocolate and peppermint now and it tastes better than a york peppermint patty. YUM! I also tried the Sprungli Mint Chocolate Luxemburgli last week (I know that is not chocolate, but...) and it is also DIVINE! Thank you Switzerland for enabling me to gain a few extra pounds and then (hopefully) walk it off.
   
   
9. I love markets. I wish they had them every day. If only I could wake up early enough on Thursday mornings to go to the one in Urdorf. Heck - tomorrow is better than never. I will do it!
   
   
10. I love visitors. I never had so many visitors as I will/do have in Switzerland. There is a draw. Perhaps everyone else loves Switzerland, too!
    

Blogs can sometimes be such a negative sounding board for expats... but really... what do you love? There must be something, or else we would all go home. :)

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I figure if Pioneer Woman can do it - so can I - so what if I am lacking creativity - some of the best ideas are copies, think Warhol. I get enough fan mail (hi Kristi!). I make hundreds of dollars from my blog ads... (ok, so I made a dollar last month)... I can do a bit of Dear Abby, Dear Swisstory... you name it. Let's go!

Send me an email already, I will give you an anonymous identity if you would like (yes, please let me!) and let's get this show on the road - I will post them as I see fit - no rules. Let's start with this one:

Dear Swisstory,

My hubby and I are moving to Switzerland and I was wondering if you had any recommendations regarding shipping personal property to Switzerland. We've looked into getting boat containers and even with paying on a per cubic meter, it is still expensive. Perhaps you have found a better alternative or other businesses you could refer me too?

Best regards,
Shipping Susie

Dear Susie,

You are right. It is darn expensive (get used to saying that though if you are moving to Switzerland) to ship your stuff back and forth across the world in tiny boxes with meters of bubble wrap. We used a company called Crown Relocations when we moved to Zurich, mostly because it was paid for and recommended by Jace's company (thanks again!), but I will tell you: they were super professional and all of our junk, er, personal items, made it in one piece, on-time, and I never felt confused or misled - like you will hear if you read some of the forums on this topic.

They were not cheap, but I will say that when it comes to moving you do get what you pay for and there are hidded costs with the ones that look uber cheap so do your homework (eg. what is the charge if you go over your estimate (oftentimes the extra square feet/meter are charged at extra high rates), what is the delivery fee, do they charge for storage before delivery, etc.

If you absolutely cannot afford to do it professionally, you can post in the forums and see if someone is moving from the same area and perhaps share a crate or shipping container. If you want to ship it partially yourself, you can also - I believe - still ship books at a cheaper rate via sea post. Ask the post office.

All in all - do ship some things across if you cannot afford it all. You will be glad you did because the replacement cost in Switzerland is probably more than you are anticipating. Go ahead and add up those dishes, linens, cds, and more - it all comes out to a lot more than you think and will cost a lot more to replace. So good luck finding the right company at the right price, and when in doubt go with the essentials and rough it until you can get to IKEA. ;)

Good luck with the move.

Best regards,
Jessica

I look forward to comments here from readers that have alternative experience.

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