Double Rainbows in Geneva

Bruce and I are back in Geneva, Switzerland working with U of M Flint's Global Program. We were lucky enough to go through the first program. Now the second cohort is graduating and we are back to help with graduation (video/photography and general planning.)

It has been a lot of fun - because we met the new cohort last year - and this year we got to see the result of all of their hard work with their projects. It's interesting how the same program can result in such diversity among projects from the first group to the second and even among groups.

Today we introduced the group to the double rainbow video and song on youtube. If you haven't seen it - I embedded both below. And then tonight in Geneva a down pour came through just around dusk and you would never believe it - a double rainbow. Coincidence, I think not.





Tomorrow, Bruce and I will run 10 miles in Geneva for marathon training. We might also go to the farmers market across the border into France (if it isn't pouring rain.) However, I am not complaining about the rain - when we got here it was in the high 80's - today was a high of low 70's. Much more comfortable - especially when staying in a place without air conditioning.

On Sunday we leave Geneva for a week of travels. Our duties here have been split - so we are able to enjoy some traveling before getting back to work. On Sunday, we fly to Budapest, Hungry. I am very excited, because it is some place completely new for both of us. Many of our travels have been places one of us has been before and we want to share it with the other person. Hungry is totally new.

It's been a great summer of travel. I am still enjoying the memories of Prince Edward Island and my new love for Poutine. Now we are having totally different experiences on the other side of the pond.

Alpine Horns, Cheese & 100's of Japanese Tourists

So we headed back to Hotel Edelweiss this year to dine at the Restaurant Edelweiss. It is a basically a tourist trap - it is a pretend German-Swiss Alpine Fondue restaurant with real life Umpapa band. This band plays not only the the accordion, the soprano saxophone, the cowbell, the saw, the bowl (yes the bowl,) the flugelhorn and of course the Alpine horn.

We arrived about 45 minutes early, if the website says open 7/7 days a week it means open 7 days a week at 7. We arrived very hungry at 6:15 pm. We quickly made 7 pm reservations for 8 and then proceeded to try to waste 45 minutes - in the adjacent neighborhood - 15-20 of those minutes where spent eating our appetizers of ice cream/gelato. Then we were ready approximately 10 minutes before they opened.

As we patiently waited the first bus load of Japanese tourists arrived. Then we watched them walk right past us into the restaurant. Luckily we had a reservation (which clearly their tour group did too.) As we walked down into the restaurant we saw three very long tables. The first was filling with the first bus, then the second bus arrived as we were sitting down. As we ordered our drinks the third busload arrived.

Clearly they had pre-ordered too because as they sat down the wait staff (who looked as if they might hate their lives - I swear as the third bus arrived I heard one lady walk by and say oh shit) started bringing them their food. We on the other hand were deciding which delicious buckets of cheese we would order - now most of you would think - Jennie - those buckets of cheese are called Fondue - but we on the other hand know that it's FUN-do.

We went to FUN-do with our new UM-Flint global Cohort. Kira (3/4 Danish 1/4 Norwegian 100% South Dakotian friend,) Emily (of Maryland,) Sarah (who's moving to Chicago,) Marissa (the UT Lawsuit student,) Paul (from Walpole Island) and Meghan (of 7:11 fame) and of course Bruce.)

Kira & PaulMarissa & Sarah

Bruce, Jennie, Emily & Meghan (pictured above)

Then as we waited for our cheese the band started rockin' out. First the cowbells - then the Alpine horn. I am proud to admit that my husband rocks the Alpine horn!! Yes, they invite everyone to try the Alpine horn - Bruce was being shy - but after his perfomance last year, I couldn't let him pass it up (oh yeah - we went there last year.) So he bugrudginly agreed to play if I myself would play. So we got in the line with those from the tourist bus group. And Bruce went last and totally rocked it again - he plays the off to the races song (or at least that is what I call it.) He got applause from the entire restaurant. I love going to these places - maybe this is why I love Frankenmuth.

Last night we ate dinner at Festivus (the Swiss call it the Swiss Day Festival - we embrace the Seinfeld name.) Today, we picked up my mom early from airport! It's our last day in our Geneva - tomorrow we head Venice.

Greetings From Barcelona

This is our last day in Barcelona. We have eaten a lot of great Tapas and enjoyed a lot of long walks. We seem to find our way to every hill in the city. I am hoping that will mean that all the eating won´t go directly to my hips.

The Last of My 20's

This weekend, I have already began the birthday celebration! Friday, Bruce and Olive threw me a rockin' birthday party. I had a great time. It was at Small Plates in Royal Oak. A lot of people came a long way to wish my 20's goodbye. Robert and Heather traveled all the way from Ohio. (Thanks Guys!!!) Chris, Ann and Jeff came down from St. Clair County. While my Mom and Dad drove out from Manchester. Karyn made it a long way down from New Lothrop (which is just about an hour south of the Mackinac Bridge (and or in Saginaw County.) And of course my birthday regulars - Angie and Olive - who for the last couple years have always managed to find time to help me celebrate - thank you ladies. And we even had a surprise appearance by Jaime Kaye Walters (who is leaving soon for Europe and thought she wouldn't be able to make the event.) And of course a staple of every birthday for the last six years - the reappearance of the Cat Bag. I had a wonderful time. I really appreciate everyone who made it such a fun and special evening.

Here are some pictures from the big night:

Karyn, Heather & Robert.

Bruce and my very delicious cake.

Can you tell that I get a little excited about birthdays?

Oh yeah and no one thought it was a good idea for me to cut the cake when they saw the size of that knife.

Year six (and the 12th exchange) of the cat bag...

Jeff, Ann and I.

My birthday regulars - Olive and Angie. :)

I guess you could call these to the original birthday regulars.
My Dad, Mom and I.

Chris & I

Bruce, Chris and I

Yes on tomorrow, I will exit the 20's and turn 30. We all know that Sex and the City made the 30's the new 20's so really I am not going far. But I think a change like this makes you look back at the last ten years. I am not sure I did this at 20 because really when you are that age and in college it's all about 21. However, now that I am older (and I am gonna to say wiser, but that is always debatable) I am going to take a look back at the my 20's - because they hold a lot of firsts for me.

21: Graduation from College
21: Go to Europe (Austria, Slovenia & Germany)
21: Moved to the Big City.... (Kansas City)
21: First real job (with paycheck that could be used for things like rent.)
21: Leave "First Real Job" for better job
22: First marathon
22: Produce First Shows with Major News Story
23: Move back to Michigan
23: Job Three: Producer at WDIV
23: Met Bruce for the first time (and consequently started dating)
24: Go to Europe with Bruce (Germany & Italy)
25: Bought my "First House" in Berkley
25: Got engaged
25: Retired from Television
25: Started in PR at The Henry Ford
25: Became an Aunt
26: Got Married
26: Started Teaching
27: Bruce & I move to Attica
27: Became an Aunt Again
28: Apply for Graduate School & Got in
28: Started Graduate School
28: Win G. Love's Biggest Fan Contest!!!
28: Head to Europe For School & Meet the 7:11 Crew
29: Head back to Europe in the Spring (Czech Republic, Bratislava & Austria)
29: Attend Sex in the City Premiere and after party in NYC with Mary.
29: Head back to Europe to finish Grad Program (Germany, France, Switzerland & England)
29: Graduate from Grad School

So looking back it's been a very eventful decade. I feel like I am in a really good place right now. Despite requesting that I get botox for my birthday and as of right now there is no signs that anyone has purchased a gift certificate for me. So I will head into my thirties with my wrinkles that are only bound to grow.

But here is a really cool thing my dad did for my birthday besides getting me a card that plays the perfect song for me to dance the robot and a Tim Horton's gift card. He scanned in all of the pictures he had from my birthdays growing up. It maybe the best present I have received. Thanks Dad!!!

6 say Fondue - 1 says Fondon't*

Last night the 7:11 club headed downtown Geneva for Fondue. We went to the Edelweis hotel (which is a total tourist trap) for dinner. When we went in the first thing we heard was the rockin' Alpine Band. The band had two members and many many instruments - of course there was the accordion, the alpine horn, the cow bells and a bowl with a marble. So you know that they were rockin'.When we arrived, we asked for a table of seven. But right before we were seated - Robear (who though has a French-Swiss name, but doesn't like cheese or chocolate) let us know he was going to go somewhere else to eat. Which makes sense if you don't like fondue, but we all think he is just trying to break ties slowly - that way when Geneva is over it will be easier for us all.

During dinner - Meghan, Karyn, Joe, Tony and Bruce took their turns at the Alpine Horn. However Bruce stole the show when he played the Kentucky Derby song - it turns off playing tuba in the high school band helps you become an excellent Alpine horn player. If teaching doesn't turn out well he might just have a future in the Edelweis Band.
Then Robear returned and we all headed down to the Festival. It's the national celebration of Swiss day (which was August 1) and it goes on all week. We went down - enjoyed a crepe and the atmosphere. I think Bruce is the only one who enjoyed a crepe because we were all too full to eat one. However soon after we got to the Festival - Robear headed home. Again, slowly letting us down.


The rest of us headed to the very dangerous bumper cars. I know what you are thinking - bumper cars - that is clearly not dangerous, but oh how wrong you are. At the European carnival - there are no safety regulations. And they could care less if you are wearing a seatbelt. During the ride - one guy got out of his car to complain that his car wasn't working - apparently he was unaware of the pedal on the floor that you need to push. He then jumped back on while everyone else was going and got back in his car - that now worked. However by the picture below you can't tell who is the most competitive person in the group (Meghan.)

Then we headed home, we all reminisced about how we missed the last bus last year - which resulted in us walking all the way home, which is a long walk at midnight just ask Karyn. However this year we made sure that we were on the bus!!! However, Joe decided half-way through our trip that we should recreate that memorable night. So at a bus stop not to close to the John Knox Center - he jumped off. I said, "don't go." I think we all thought that he was going to jump back on at the next set of doors - ha ha real funny. But he didn't and the bus kept going and we stayed on.
Now looking back we probably should have gotten off at the next stop and waited for him - but frankly I don't think anyone wanted to walk more than we already had to. We knew he knew were he was and was very capable of taking care of himself (through Lori's many years of schooling) and making the long walk home. And thankfully he made it back late last night. I am sure if he hadn't arrived by morning we would have sent out a search party. When asked what he was thinking and why he didn't jump back on the bus - his answer was clearly he hadn't put much thought into the decision. In the end it makes for another funny story.

*contribution from Joachim LaValley - please friend him on Facebook - he needs more friends than Meghan. Or you can read his wife's wonderful blog - Tails from the Bird Coach.

It's nearly midnight central time (that's nearly 1 am my time) so I will keep this short. We had a fabulous time at the George Michael concert. The concert was at the United Center - we were on the first balcony in the second row- which meant we had a great view. The concert was a lot of fun. And for those of you George Michael fans - I couldn't tell you the whole set list, but he played Father Figure, Faith, Careless Whisper, Amazing, Freedom just to name a few. If you get a chance to see his concert this tour you won't be disappointed.

I started out my trip to Chicago - with a trip to Starbucks with the Sahakadethians. Max was hilarious (per usual) I told him that his coffee (aka chocolate milk) was a mocha. So the whole time he was there he kept calling it a mocha. It's funny when you hear a 3 year-old say - hey where's my mocha!

Then I headed over to the new site of Revolution Brewing with Josh (the pictures are below.) I apologize because I only took them with my camera phone.

Then Krista and I did some gift shopping for my European Host family and conveniently for her- considering yesterday was her birthday and I came to Chicago empty handed. We went to a cool store called Stitch. It was perfect for the unique gift and of course cool purses.

After that we met the girls (Olive, Jamie, Karen & Meera) at the Handle Bar for dinner and drinks. It was fun just chatting and enjoying the wonderful beer garden. Then it was off to the concert. Now I am back at my sister's house and the best was all made for me - and I am tired so I will enjoy it until I have to wake up and head back to Michigan tomorrow. Hopefully I will have time when I get back home to post more photos. For now the camera phone photos will have to do.

The Rest of the Trip

On Tuesday when we arrived, we made our annual trip to Shute's (pronounced up there Club Shoo-tay's) for karaoke. We had such fun last year that we didn't want to miss out. However to Krista's surprise we made sure to go on Karaoke night - she didn't enjoy the beautiful singing as much as we did. I hear that I got up and sang a song (however that is rumor) and I cannot confirm or deny that.)

We also celebrated Krista's birthday at the Shaft again this year. As a July birthday, we always end up celebrating it this week - with cake and ice cream. I think her children may have enjoyed it a little more than she did. Because we had left over cake and of course that meant for breakfast the next day we all had to have a piece of cake in order to make sure it didn't go bad.

On the fourth of July we headed to the annual Ahmeek picnic. It was a great time of family bonding. Babe was a riot per usual. We also went tore up the dance floor with the band. My 79 Aunt Shirley had some of the tightest moves of all of us. But my mom and dad are excellent dancers too - there is a girl that may or may not be me in the video but again, my memory is a little fogging - so I cannot say for sure that is me. I am uploading the video as I write this. Hopefully, it will upload before dawn - for some reason it is slow.

Well we never made it to Copper Harbor for the fireworks - it just wasn't in the cards this year. We were leaving early this morning (on top of the fact that Bruce and I needed to run 10 miles before we left) and the fireworks in Copper Harbor don't usually start until after 11 pm - because it takes so long for it to get dark up there. Copper Harbor is not far from Calumet but there is no major express way to get there so it's about a 40 minute trip. So the thought of getting back near 1 am and leaving the next day - made us all chicken out. However Sophie was very very very disappointed - but don't worry Uncle Bruce to the rescue (and about $20 of gas station fireworks.) We had a small display in front of the Shaft which Sophie loved and well let's just say half way through Max asked to go inside and didn't care that he would have to sit by himself on the coach (yes this 3 year-old is not a big fan of fireworks.)

This morning Bruce and I woke up at 5:30 am for our 10 mile run to Lake Superior. We planned it perfectly - Calumet is on a hill which mean if we ran to the lake there would be a very large up hill on the way back (2.5 miles of an up hill) and well we can handle hills but that's just ridiculous. So we ran downhill for a long time (there were a couple inclines, but nothing major.) Then my dad generously picked us up - therefore avoiding the 2.5 mile steep incline.

Great News! Especially after enjoying Sonic two times while in Kansas City - we come back to find that they are putting one on Miller Road in Flint - just 25 short miles from my house. This is excellent because I am a huge fan of the Sonic Cherry Limeaide. Michigan did get it's first Sonic not too long ago - however it was in Southgate which meant it wasn't too convenient - well now it will be more convenient. Ok - back to laundry.

Panera Bread Leaves Me Longing for More...

Ok, I must admit that when I like something, well I love it. And this is especially true for food, and well my favorite pair of jeans. This is why I was so disappointed yesterday, when I finally convinced Bruce to take me out to Panera bread for a Fuji Apple salad and French Onion Soup, only to discover that there was no more Fuji Apple Salad. Oh yes, it was still on the menu, however, they ran out of the ingredients and it is now going to be a "seasonal item." Or at least so Nick, the assistant trainer and guy taking our order says. Needless to say, I was disappointed. I got the "fandango" salad, but let me tell you right now that it is no Fuji Apple salad. That's right my friends, I ate it but I wasn't happy. Bruce thinks I might be over doing it, but what I say, is how can't I get an email about this. Yes, I get emails from all these companies telling me just about everything under the sun, but I can't get an email notifying me of the cancellation of my favorite item on the menu. Well I intend to write a letter - because I need to know when the season of Fuji Apple salads begin, so I can once again be reunited with my delicious treat.

New Addiction

So I have fallen in love with the clementine. Yes, it's the small orange/tangerine like fruit that is easy to peel and fabulous to eat. I make special trips to the store for them. I always end up eating a few of them on the way home - in fact tonight I ate three. They are small and delicious - so I can't just eat one. But it's fruit so it has to be good for you - ok maybe eating five isn't great for you - but I just said good. I don't remember this fruit as a child - is it a hybrid like the grapple? Whatever it is, I will continue to buy and eat them at mass quantities.

A Second Generation Childhood Tradition

This weekend my sister, niece and nephew were in town. I headed down to Manchester on Thursday night because I had Friday off from school. We had a very busy agenda Friday.

9 AM - Trip to the Donut Store for chocolate covered donuts
10AM - Trip to the Park
11AM - Visit the Cousins
12PM - Lunch Back at the Sahakian Homestead
1 PM - Swimming at the Sahakian Pool (baby pool)
3PM - Golfing in the Front Yard
4PM - 6PM - Cartoons/Rest for the Weary (the adults)
6PM - Leave for Jackson
7PM - Arrive at the Parlour (The Jackson All-Star Dairy to us) for a delicious dinner of ice cream 8:30PM - Arrive at the Jackson Cascades.
9PM - Get in the car and head home

If you have never been to the Jackson Cascades it's a great adventure. It's a huge cement water fall that is full of lights. As evening goes on and it gets darker the lights get brighter. You can walk up and down the falls. Which for my niece and nephew it means running up and down the falls. My nephew Max likes to skip the steps and just run up the hills. I don't know how my sister keeps up with the two of them as soon as one of them slow down the next one starts going. Once it gets dark enough that is when the show starts and we sit back with the popcorn and watch the colors of the falls dance to the music. The Jackson All Star Dairy and the Jackson Cascades was a childhood tradition for my sister, brother and I, so it was tons of fun to see my niece and nephew enjoy it too. They loved the music, the lights and running around like crazy people.

I know they always say that kids say the darn-dest things, I think it was a tv show. Well the kids were full of them this weekend, but my favorite was when my dad was driving to Jackson. We come to a stop sign and my dad stops kind of fast and my nephew says: "Wow, that was a close one!" We all busted out with laughter. You know if we would have said that John Sahakian would not have been pleased.

It was a great weekend like always. I love hanging out with them. I just wish that Chicago was a little closer so I could hang out with all them more.

Mother's Day in Chicago

This weekend was a girl's weekend in Chicago. I went to Manchester on Friday night and my mom and I packed the minivan and headed to my sister's in Chicago. We arrived with some time for some bonding with the niece in nephew. We headed to the newly remodeled park at the end of the street. It was really cool, it had this sweet squishy surface under the equipment, apparently the concrete and wood chips they had for us as kids isn't considered safe anymore.

Then we got ready for a dinner at Charlie Trotter's. The restaurant is ranked 30th in the world. Who ranks these restaurants I am not sure, but it sounds impressive. We arrived by taxi, however, our taxi driver was somewhat crazy. I think taxi mad man might be more appropriate, he nearly took out a couple crossing the street, he also started driving the wrong way when we got in the car, thankfully we were with Krista who knew Chicago, because my mom and I would have ended up God knows where and never made our reservation. When we arrived at Charlie Trotters it was very elegant, we were greeted on the street and immediately inside the restaurant. We sat down, in a small cozy dinning room. It had low lighting and was smaller than I expected. Also it was very quiet, it almost felt like a library. The service staff almost whispered when they spoke with you. I was a little uncomfortable because well frankly I am somewhat loud, just ask Bruce and my family.

We did have a chance to use the services of a sommelier when deciding our wine choice, we didn't know what to get my mom likes sweet white wines, my sister likes dry red wines and I can do either. So the wine connoisseur picked out a nice subtly, oaky, slightly, fruity, dry, white wine. When it came time to pick our menu, you had a choice vegetarian or grand, I went with the grand. My mom and sister were scared off by the salmon ice cream, yes salmon ice cream, so they stuck to the vegetarian menu, but I figured why not try a little salmon ice cream and as it turns out it is delicious.

Here’s a look at the menu:

Scottish Langoustine with Mussels & Horseradish

Tasmanian Ocean Salmon with Orange Rind, Fennel Pollen & Cured Salmon Ice Cream

Casco Bay Cod with Picholine Olives, Artichokes & Stinging Nettles

Arkansas Rabbit Loin & Leg with Turnips, Fingerling Potatoes & Mustard Greens

Summer Farm Lamb Shoulder with Garlic, Aged Manchego & Parsley

Sweet Tofu with Meyer Lemon & Shiso

Organic Buttermilk with White Pepper, Toasted Mile Ice Cream & Nutmeg

Chocolate, Tea, Caramel

I am not certain that I had the dessert listed above, I thought they called my dessert ginger something, which was a ginger foam that surrounded my ice cream, it was actually my least favorite course, the ginger was too intense for me. Everything else I ate up, yes even the salmon ice cream it was delicious.

After dinner we went were invited into the kitchen for a tour, it was really cool, much smaller than I expected and everyone despite the fact they were working hard was very nice to us. It was definitely an experience I don’t think I will soon forget. So THANKS MOM!

After dinner we headed to the bar that my sister and brother-in-law own. The Handle Bar in Chicago’s Wicker Park. It was packed, we had fun chatting with the staff. I got a free t-shirt which is cool. It was fun hanging out with my sister, we sent a tired mom home in the cab a little earlier.

The next day we went a conservatory in at the Garfield Park Conservatory which is hosting a climbable sculpture display called Niki in the Garden. It was really cool and great for taking pictures of my niece and nephew.

Then we headed to the Handle Bar for lunch, which was delicious. Then we headed back to Michigan. Despite hitting bad traffic and road construction on the way back, it was a great trip.

True Fine Dining

This weekend for Mother's Day, ironically my Mom is taking my sister and I out to dinner. We are going for REAL fine dining in Chicago. Why do I call it real well it is has been ranked as one of the best restaurants in the world. It's a five star restaurant, I think it will be the only five star restaurant I have ever been to. It's called Charlie Trotters and is located in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. We made reservations a couple of months ago. I am trying to plan what to wear. I am really excited, why well because not only will it be excellent food, but a good girl's night out.

On another note, it was "Teacher Appreciation Week," this week. I was surprised by one of my morning students who brought donuts in for the class. How did they know it was teacher appreciation week, well I must admit I did tell them, but by no means did I suggest I needed presents. It was much appreciated, which means I will have to have a student appreciation day before the end of the year.

Waiting For Food

Tonight we went out to dinner at the Traffic Jam & Snug with Olive. The main reason we went was because of the dessert that I love and hope that is there every time, but it's only a special. Tonight we went and well let's say there wasn't a Traffic Jam to get in. However, it took us about 10 minutes of standing by the wait to be seated sign to be seen. Being seated was a different story. Here is a picture above of Bruce who managed to get in a whole game a chess playing both sides before we were seated. Then the server was nice but fast is not an adjective I would use to describe her. But the great news is the chocolate strawberry shortcake was on the menu. Yum! It was fabulous, slow but fabulous.

Swedish Fish to Sour Patch Ratio: Disappointing

Ok, it's Friday night, Bruce is at the DIV and I am at home feeling crappy with a cold. So what do you do: feed a cold right. So I plopped in front of TiVo, which has a cold too because I had to restart him. Thank God Grey's Anatomy is playing again tonight. Anyhow, I plopped down on the couch with my secret stash of leftover Halloween candy. I know what you are thinking Halloween was months ago, however, I have a ginormous bag of some of the best sugary candies out there: sour patch kids, sweettarts, smarties, lemonheads and the dreaded swedish Fish. Yes, I am feeding my cold sugar.

Anyway back this wonderful bag of delicious treats. I mainly bought the bag for the sour patch kids. I love the sour taste, however, it seems that in the last couple months I have managed to eat them all. So the bag that I would sneak too for the delicious treat has failed me tonight. Every time I go into the bag, I find Swedish Fish. Yes you might think this gummy sweet is like a sour patch kid, but no, it is just a bland gummy, no salty, sweet sugary coating.

The worst part is they are packaged the same as sour patch, so when i dig into the ginormous bag, I think for a moment that I may just have found another one: I pull out another SWEDISH FISH. YUCK! How am I suppose to feed this cold if all I have is Swedish Fish.

The only thing that keeps me going tonight's Grey's: WOW is it action pact. There's so much McDreamy, McSteamy. However, I am watching like a real person tonight, I am sitting through the commercials. So I could guess you say its a crummy night: a cold, swedish fish and watching TV time shifting.