We didn't think that life could get better after spending almost three years in Sweden, however, Switzerland has proved us totally wrong. With its beautiful scenery, friendly people, amazing transportation system and central location among European countries, this is an ideal place in which to spend a couple of years. We are no longer surprised to see expats who have come for a one year assignment still here several years later.
This is an experience to share with friends and family and we have been blessed with both this year. Linda brought Nadean and Scott over (and down) for Gary's 65th birthday in November. It would only have been a better week if Courtney could have joined us. Our 16 year old grandson, Jason and his buddy Kevin kept us hopping for two weeks in early summer. Later, we were able to drag the Schafers from their dogs and Sacramento summer heat and then Bill and Ginny from Denver. There are even a couple of pictures of that extreme right-wing conservative eating Liberal-yuppie things like cheese and drinking white wine!
Scott, Deb, Craig, Grant and Natalie continue to live in Norway. Deb is the ever busy mom involved with the international school all the kids attend. Grant is playing the guitar, Craig tuning up his double-ender skis, and Natalie is tuning-up those girl skills and playing her Dad. They all love being in Norway with its myriad of outdoor opportunities and family oriented life style. IBM Norway would love to keep Scott a bit longer and the whole family would like to stay. However, Craig enters high school next fall and there is some consideration to getting him back to the States to enjoy a stable four years. But alas, the assignment doesn't end for another six months and it is always 'wait and see.'
Courtney just moved into a new place in San Jose that she shares with four other girls. We spoke with her on Thanksgiving and she sounded wonderful. She is facing her challenges and seems to be winning. She bought a "new" used car this summer that caused her a bit of grief but the fellow was good enough to exchange for another. Working at the Cheese Cake Factory, Courts seems firmly on course.
John, Nadean, Jennifer, Nick and Jason--The Musics are going through their mid-life crisis. The kids are gone or going and they are facing the questions of "what do we do with each other now?".
Jen finished her college degrees and is off to New Zealand for at least a year and possibly many more. Her boy friend
Rog, a real Kiwi, and Jen are working as outdoor guides leading two-week hikes and ocean kayaking excursions. We hope to see them float through Europe next summer and to having the opportunity to meet Roger who comes with glowing family reviews.
Jason is in mid junior year in high school and looking forward to snow boarding team and the possibility of his own car. He'll soon have to be looking a colleges and may take in the University of Montana and Montana State.
Nick is taking various classes at the local Jr college and hoping to get a three month NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) semester under his belt beginning in February. He's been working at Lava Cap Winery and is developing an interest in wine making.
John is working a bit closer to home after commuting away for the work-week over the last couple of years.
Nadean continues in real estate, but may find it necessary and desirable, with changing markets and circumstances, to employ the same skills in a job that provides a more predictable income and some benefits.
While we have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Switzerland and wouldn't mind staying longer, Linda has not enjoyed this particular job as much. The assignment formally ends in February and she is looking about for another challenge. She has been pursued to lead a team responsible for a major financial resource company in Amsterdam, but that contract is slow to get off the ground. Another opportunity is to direct the global services delivered to one of the larger energy companies. Both of those assignments would allow us to stay in Zurich. But nothing yet seems close to a decision.
We've been away for awhile and there are a lot of attractions to getting home. We have a number of projects we'd like to do in Connecticut and had the master bathroom in North Carolina torn out, thinking we'd be back to finish the project.
Linda would also like to be closer to her mom. Jane is doing marvelously well at 85. She's has a new knee, a great living environment, and is being looked in on by Linda's sister, Barbara. We speak with her almost nightly and Linda has visited twice this year. But being able to pop in on a whim might also be nice.
Gary was off to the WoodBoatSchool in Maine for two weeks with his college friend, Alan Mason.
He now has a bit of a sailing bug and wants to take their two week sailing class this June followed by a cruise with Al in September. Alan is an old salt; at this point Gary can only serve as ballast. In the interim, he has taken full advantage of walking and hiking the slopes of Switzerland, has become a great fan of the Teaching Company and its many courses in science, history and philosophy and the occassional opportunity to raise Bill Edward's blood pressure with a political comment or two.
We didn't think that life could get better after spending almost three years in Sweden, however, Switzerland has proved us totally wrong. With its beautiful scenery, friendly people, amazing transportation system and central location among European countries, this is an ideal place in which to spend a couple of years. We are no longer surprised to see expats who have come for a one year assignment still here several years later.
While we have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Switzerland and wouldn't mind staying longer, Linda has not enjoyed this particular job as much. The assignment formally ends in February and she is looking about for another challenge. She has been pursued to lead a team responsible for a major financial resource company in Amsterdam, but that contract is slow to get off the ground. Another opportunity is to direct the global services delivered to one of the larger energy companies. Both of those assignments would allow us to stay in Zurich. But nothing yet seems close to a decision.
