Today, I officially landed in my new “home” for the next two years. It was a long journey, but one well worth it. My family (dad, mom, sister, minus brother, self, five pieces of luggage and two carry-ons) all headed to the airport early Thursday morning to send me off. The world was working with me because there was absolutely no traffic or problems getting to the airport. Plus I was especially calm about everything. I am normally pretty uptight at the airport and typically don’t have the patience to deal with inexperienced flyers. But this trip was somehow different, like I was completely at peace with this move already taking on the European lifestyle.

To add to the experience, I was upgraded to Business Class for the international portion of the flight. Yes, I flew from SF, to Chicago to Munich and finally to Zurich, all so I could earn more points with United. The flight began with a glass of champagne, filet mignon for dinner, a fully reclining seat for a good night’s sleep. Once in Zurich I was lucky enough to have all 5 pieces of checked luggage make the journey with me. And to top things off I had a BMW town car waiting for me upon arrival.

My temporary apartment is located on Sihlfeld Strasse and is pretty large for my standards. Although anything with more than 4 walls is my idea of large. I am not sure about the neighborhood (think lower nob hill) but it will definitely work for the next month. I meet with my relocation agent next week to look at apartments so hopefully I will be able to find something. I am told though that the housing market is incredibly tight and not to expect too much.

Anyways, unfortunately not much to report on since I just got here. I am currently waiting on the repair guy to get here, since it appears my phone isn’t working. Tomorrow I plan on taking a walk through the city and then am meeting up with some co-workers for drinks.

Lisapalooza

One of the hardest parts of leaving the San Francisco for Zurich will be leaving behind all of my friends and family. I still think I am completely crazy leaving this all behind because not too many people have so many special and close friends all within the city’s limits. And for that I am truly blessed. So in order to celebrate those friendships (and to get enough blackmail to make the friends come visit), the ultimate party was thrown…Lisapolooza.

What can one say about Lisapoloooza? Lisapolooza, to summarize, was my week long going away party which in fact ran a little longer than a week, but who is really counting. Activities included a traditional Swiss dinner with the old roomies, two Tuesday Night Happy Hours at City Tavern, Girl’s Night In, Tainted Love, fancy dinners, favorite restaurants, large bar tabs, even larger hang overs and the best friends a girl could ask for. There is no way I could possibly capture all of the fun memories I have from that week, nor will I even try as it could take weeks to document it all.

Here though are a few of my favorite moments:

• All of my groups of friends joining up for the festivities. I mean how often can a girl get old college roommates, college friends, old SF roommates, kickball friends, co-workers, and new friends met along the way to all meet up at one bar on a week night?
• Pre-Party for Tainted Love at Nova’s house
• Watching my favorite cover band Tainted Love
• Joanna and Jeni* getting into the fight of the year with some claustrophobic chic instigated by Nova. (Jo those bruises still haunt me) and of course the follow up 50 emails the following day describing the event
• Brunch with the girls and the mayor at Balboa Café (well, almost, he was only one table away)

A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to wish me well, or just ensure that I was in fact leaving.

Some of the photos from the week of activities (unfortunately I only included those where I didn't look too hammered, which eliminated over half of the selection).

The Decision to Move

During another hellish busy season and finding my self in a serious rut, I decided I needed to change something in my life, but through February I didn’t know what that “something” was. I considered different options and even toyed with the idea of quitting. One specific Wednesday in February I had an unusually difficult day resulting in the need to take drastic measures. Thankfully I didn’t have to look too hard to make a change. Two days later, I was asked to meet one of the partners with my firm.

For those who know me and about my Thursday night activities will realize that this simple request wasn’t taken as a good thing at first. I immediately assumed the worst and my mind started racing: oh shit, this is it, I am finally going to get busted for my late night activities, I probably still reek of alcohol. I am screwed.

To my relief the news was all positive. The Credit Suisse team in Zurich was looking for someone in my position, with my experience and the partner thought I would be a good fit. Was I interested? Given the two year commitment, I said I needed to think about it, preferably with a clear head. It didn’t take long for me to decide. I had made up my mind later that night, I was moving to Switzerland. Done

Granted I had to go through two months of interviews with various partners and managers, go through the idea of leaving my friends and family behind, leaving the only home I really know, learn a new language, a new client and new culture, but I got the job and stuck with my decision.

And this blog and new chapter of my life started.