Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from us, Rima & Rob. 

And we love cheese.

xoxo.

#bolugoestoswiss: Boltigen

Mkay. Last month when I went to Switzerland for Rob's birthday, I was able to explore a little bit more of the land of Cheese. I got to hit 3 more new places! Today I'm going to share you one.

For his birthday, Rob rented a chalet by the Swiss Alps, in a small little quiet town name Boltigen. The area was nice, green, peaceful and so pretty. The cows were seriously close to us. 

Peaceful, right?

Well, not so peaceful on Rob's birthday eve. We were drunk. SUPER drunk. And LOUD. First, let me show you the Chalet that we rented.

Cute right? Now, we got there late Friday night. The area was pitch dark, so Rob and I had a problem looking for the chalet. As I waited in the car, Rob was searching and actually knocked on the door of the neighbor. Once he found it, he approached me with a weird face, "Uh, we are about to get cozy. All 11 of us!" I was like, "why?" "Oh you will see!"
Now you see the chalet above, right? You see that the left half and right half have different windows/curtains. We both found out that we aren't staying in a "whole" chalet. We were staying in a half chalet. The left was our place. And the right is our neighbor. Meaning: WE SHARED A WALL. Meaning: THEY WERE FUCKIN PISSED AT US FOR OUR LOUDNESS for the whole weekend. And we all didn't know realized until the next morning. One of Rob's coworker/friend said Hello to the neighbor in the morning and she gave him the nastiest stink eye. Oops.

Our shenanigans:

See this fire stove thingy?

This chalet was built in the 1600-1700s. Meaning, no central heater. So drunk Rima spent 2 hours trying to build fire. All I did was made ashes because the woods were damp -_- So yes, 2 cold nights indeed.

 Lots of screaming

 Oh yes. Lots of more screaming and drunk screaming and table banging. Thanks to a whole bottle of Absolute Vodka, Patron and unlimited bottle of wines. Crazy.

Neighbors were piiiiisssseeeeddd...

It was not a silent night!

The half chalet was actually pretty small. I'm surprised all 11 of us were able to get cozy. Whoever owns this chalet really maximized its spaces to the tee. Mind you, only 1 bathroom, which includes a mini room for the toilet, a shower and a tub, with a curtain dividing it from the kitchen (yep) and a door to the dining room.

Rob in front of the entrance 

Hallway entrance to the chalet, leading to the kitchen

The kitchen. The stairs leads to upstairs. Behind Laurence is the curtains to the bathroom. To the left of the kitchen was my room, pictured below.

This was the biggest room in the chalet. The door on the left there leads to the dining room.

 The dining room was right NEXT to the wall that we share with the right half of the chalet. And yes, this is the table that we banged on all night. Door on the left leads to the bathroom.

Fun fact: The tub doesn't work. And all 11 of us wanted to use it together as a hot tub. Not pictured is the shower.

 This door is so ancient. It was hard to open.

Rooms on the second story.

 

 

 

To the people of Boltigen: Sorry for disrupting your quiet night.

Yet, we had so much fun #sorrynotsorry

xoxo,

Rima

#bolugoestoswiss: Zurich

Ah Zurich. Z-Town. Future New Home.

After going back twice a month apart, I can say that I am in love with this town. From roaming around the posh Bahnhofstrasse, being amazed by the 3 churches, enjoying the view from Lindenhof park, or just getting lost in translation at Coop & Migros (their supermarkets), the town is plain amazing.

View of Zurich from Lindenhoff

Zurich HB Train Station

Be prepared to be swooned by posh brands

 

The 3 Churches: (l-r) Grossmunster, Fraumunster & St. Peter

The 3 Churches in the gloom

Even Zurich has their locket bridge!

Lindenhof Park

Zurich Yacht Wine Tasting! 

The French guy on the left is Jeremy, Rob's coworker. Expert in wine!

There is such more than this to Zurich. Pictures can't justify!

Tips:
* If you're planning to be there for 1-3 days, get the Zurich 24 or 72 hours pass! It's worth it. It covers intercity trains, cable cars/trams, busses, water taxies AND museum entrances.
* Zurich is very litter-free. You will see recycle bins and trash bins everywhere. Near markets, the bins are segregated into types (i.e: wine bottles, beer bottles, plastic, batteries, etc).
* When you go shopping for groceries, it's smart to bring your own reusable bags. They do supply plastic bags, but they are the thin, cheap ones that rip easily. Also you bag your own groceries.
* Sunday is considered "resting day" and if you're stuck with no food or in need of emergent groceries, Zurich HB's ShopVille is open 7 days a week. I warn you, their Coop/Migros will be jam-packed with people!
* Go grab some to go food, a bottle of some brewskies, and head on to the Lake. Bring some extra bread and feed the swans and ducks. Entertainment for days... yet so peaceful.
* Thirsty? Carry around an empty bottle and refill them with waters from any fountain around town! They are drinkable! Oh and super fresh!

I was in Zurich last year and was really impressed with this amazing town. Who would've thought that I will reside there next year?!

More Switzerland towns coming up!

Tschüss,
Rima

December.

I can't believe it's already at December. We are at the edge of 2014. In 30 days we will say goodbye to the good ol' 14 and say HAAAAAY to 15. Honestly, I think (and I know a lot of people do) that this year went by waaaaaaaaaaay too fast. Like literally, I felt like I just celebrated New Years 2014 in Cancun in the comfort of my hotel bed while Rob was passed out sleeping fighting his hangover jetlag from Asia.

This December will be a little busy. I will be working like a maniac. Putting a lot of hours in the ER. You seriously will get a kick working in the ER during the holidays. This article in the Huffington Post really sums it up on what I'm and will be dealing with in the ER during this month. Oh what joy. 

Another joy that I'm having is that I'm making some little extra cash by baking some brioche. I had 3 orders this past weekend and now I have more lining up! Yay. Seriously, brioche is the best bread ever. 

Some sad news (well, for me) is that I won't be able to The Pillow this month. Or next month. I won't see him until February and it's slowly torturing me :( Yes, he still does send me daily selfies (as requested and it's actually a series) and we Facetime as much as we can. It's sad that I won't be spending the holidays with him. And I've been listening to sappy Christmas music (cue Blue Christmas, Baby Please Come Home and All I Want for Christmas is You), so it's not helping. Le sign.

Oh well, let's celebrate December and end 2014 with a bang. I won't be traveling this month *womp* but I'm excited for January when I visit the motherland for 10 days! Woo.

Bisous,

Rima

The Christmas Tag

So I was browsing around (according to The Pillow, browsing around is my favorite pastime), and I read answers of the Christmas Tag on Milk Bubble Tea. It's the end of November (for crying out loud!) and I'm trying to get into the Christmas spirit.

this was my church youth's Christmas Gift Exchange. Theme: Villains of Christmas.

1. What is your favorite Christmas Movie/s?

I have 2! Love Actually (I watch this annually), Bridget Jones's Diary & The Holiday. Rom-Com setting in Christmas season? Yes, please.

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Well, since my family don't really celebrate Christmas, but when I get gifts, I open it whenever, usually in front of the giver.

3. Do you have a favorite Christmas memory?

Not really. Depending on my schedule, I sometimes join my family at Grandma's and we just feast and chit chat and watch TV. Quality time with family are always precious. Also my first Christmas with The Pillow. I was working in Laguna Beach and headed to his apartment for our fun dinner (consist of rice, cucumber and rotisserie chicken. Super fab!). This was in 2010.

4. Favorite festive food?

Baked goods. Any one of them. 

5. Favorite Christmas gift ?

Rob gave me my first jewelry gift, a heart necklace. He's so sweet.

Christmas 2010

6. Favourite Christmas scent?

Cinnamon & Pine!

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?Watching Love Actually under the blanket while drinking something warm... or wine!

8. What tops your tree?None. We haven't had trees since I was a little girl. If I had one, I want bunny ears.

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?
Honestly I don't remember. I probably begged for a bike.

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?Spending time with the people who I care and love deeply. Eating great food while catching up with friends. Being thankful that Jesus was born (even though I don't believe He was born on Dec 25th) to forgive me with my sinful ways of life. Listening to Christmas songs while baking. Giving back. Cuddling.

1 more month til 2015!

- Rima

Thankful

I am thankful for... / Saya bersyukur untuk... / Ich bin dankbar für... 

• My family (Dad, Mum, Otin & Chimmy). Without them, I won't be the person I am today.
• My beloved amazing man, Robert. I won't be the person I am today, seriously. He makes me really happy.
• My job & work family. They brought out the best and worst of me. They taught me how to be true to myself and discover who I really am. A coworker of mine told me today, "Rima, when I'm sick, I want you to be my nurse." I asked why. She said, "Because you are such a nice and amazing nurse."
• My sisters. Without them, I won't have the backbones and supports I need to carry on with life. All 5 of them give me the wisdoms, guidance, and strength to just live. They are my rock.
• My baking talent. It keeps me sane. I find peacefulness when I'm focus in the kitchen. The smile and joy that I see when people consume my baked goods enlightens me.
• Distance. Even though I find it very difficult and tough, the distance that I now have with Rob really challenges our trust, loyalty and love to each other. It makes our relationship really stronger and better than ever.
• The opportunity to travel. The world is such a beautiful place. Coldplay serenades, "We live in a beautiful world. Yeah we do, yeah we do..." I agree 100%. 

• My friends. New and Old. They make my life so colorful. It is so awesome to have friends in many, many places.
• My faith. If it wasn't for my faith, any temptations and tribulations that come my way can destroy me. I may not be the best and perfect SDA out there, but I know what's wrong and what's right. I try not to judge others because that is not my job. God has blessed me with many great things, even I know I don't deserve it.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! I had to work and it was great because us at work decided to do a potluck and celebrated with our work family. 

Stay grateful.

xoxo,

Rima

Long Drive

"Drive a little slower

Not ready to go home

I rather stay with you

We can take the long way out"

Jason Mraz

When I heard this song for the first time, instant nostalgia. 

It reminded me of my early dates with Rob. You know the thrill, our early talks & giggles, flirty smirks, hands "accidentally" brushing each others, you get the gist. Literally every car ride after our dates, I secretly wished it to be longer and longer, I rather spend the time with him rather going home early. 

Then those car rides turned in to road trips, from along California to all over Europe. 

The song is on constant repeat, and I miss him dearly.

Le sigh.

- Rima

When in Holland...

Hello from Zurich! 

It is freezing here (for a SoCal standard) and I am enjoying a cup of tea with shortbread cookies (the diet went to hell today). The Pillow is busy working in the room, so I like to get fat (not sharing the cookies, okay?) and enjoy my peace and quiet near the dinning table by the kitchen (food = rima)

Just wanted to say a quick HELLO and share you a picture of Rob & I in a traditional Dutch clothing. This wasn't the final picture (it was taken on an iPhone) but nevertheless, if you are in Holland, I really recommend doing this. It's just so fun. The girl that took this picture actually did the costume in reverse with her boyfriend. It was epic to see her tatted up boyfriend wearing the dutch cap and skirt. We did ours at the first and original studio that has been doing this since the 1920s, called Fotograaf Zwarthoed. The service was quick (there was a group of 10 before us, then the "reverse" couple, and then us and Snap Snap in 20 minutes), the 2 ladies that work there dressed us up and were prompt & on it (looked like they've been doing this for years) and the photos were ready in 15 minutes. They had a lot of samples all over the studio and funny thing is that I recognized A LOT of famous Indonesians. A lot of Political faces that I remember from my childhood days. 

A little FYI: Indonesia was colonized by the Dutch for 300+ years, hence there were a lot of Indonesians around Holland. And Indonesian food (yaaaaasssss).

Anyways, I hope you have a great Veterans Day week. I salut the troops. I salut the families that are able to stand long distant relationships with the troops (I feel your pain).

Ciao Ciao,

Rima

Oh it's just Me

My fellow curly hair bff, Setarra, nominated me {oh schtank you} for a little award called "One Lovely Blog Award. Yay. I get to share to y'all 7 things about me. It will be very random.

1. A coworker of mine called me Ms. Wanderlust. I giggled. Because it's kinda true. Then he said, " Check the bottom of your feet. An old wives tale says that those with wanderlust, have a freckle somewhere on the bottom of their feet." So I did checked my feet.

Uhm... coincidence? Freakiness? SAY WHAT? I was born that way. 

2. I used to play the piano. Took classes from 2nd grade til 9th. I can't play anymore, well kinda do but super stiff, but I can still read the notes. I even accelerated the theory class, skipped a step up after passing a test made by the toughest teacher in the Piano School! #forevermusicnerd

3. The best sandwich was introduced to me by my father when I was young: Toasted bread filled with peanut butter, nutella and banana.

4. I was genuinely sad and upset when John Mayer & Katy Perry broke up for reals.

5. I can't have long nails. They drive me insane. I have eczema so I have to cut them short, or else I will have open sores from all the scratching :/

6. I suck at gambling. I have no luck. Lady Luck doesn't find me hot. So whenever I'm in Vegas, I just watch. I love people watching in Vegas. It's pretty entertaining. Well Vegas in general is entertaining.

7. I always get mistaken for a Latina or Pinay ALL.THE.TIME. But it's okay. I find it entertaining at times :)

Aha. Who knew how hard it was to come out with 7 random things about yourself!

Boom. I nominate: Melissa, Evani, NaNa :)

xoxo,

Rimie