25/356: Yoghurt with Granola and Strawberry included

I went all out today and tried a new yoghurt. It was yummy. I have a sub-par picture to prove it. The combination seemed interesting.

On a sidenote, I just finished watching "Europa Report" which came out on VOD two days ago. If you call yourself a sci-fi or space geek, I advice you to watch this move. It's a great hard-science movie!

24/356: Vegetable Gratin & Childrens Book Manuscript

I started on a children's picture book manuscript today. This is something I have been meaning to do for a long time. When my brothers and me were just little kids, our grandma used to tell us these awesome stories from her childhood on the farm. We loved hearing those stories. Over and over of course. To this day I have a vivid memory of those stories.

So a few years back I thought that other kids might enjoy them as well. I asked my grandma to write them down so I could turn them into a manuscript and see where it goes from there. Today, after putting it off for many years, I have finally started working on the stories. First I just wrote them down the exact way the grandma gave them to me. After that I started putting the first of six stories into a form in which I think they can be used for a picture book.

The hardest part is to decide which parts are too much or not socially accetable.. and believe me, some parts are waaaay out there. But then again, we enjoyed them when we were kids.. ah I am sure I will rewrite some passages many times.

So if anybody out there knows a german/austrian/swiss literature agent.. do let me know.

On a sidenote, I made a vegetable gratin today.. and it.was.awesome! I am stuffed at this point. I can hardly move. Will make this again for sure!

23/356: Apple Chips, Lemon Grass Iced Tea and Fancy Box Subscription

I can honestly say that my life has gotten more exciting since I started this project. Trying something new if it is only a new brand of food or drink usually doesn't do it anymore and I often don't even mention those on the blog.

A good example is today. I tried some Kids apple chips during work:

 Because I felt like that was not enough, I bought lemon grass iced tea at a specialty shop:

 

Today's true highlight was the the box subscription though. I assume you have never heard of this so let me explain.

There is a thing where you get a subscription to receive a box of goodies every month. Usually you will not know what is in the box until you receive it. That depends on the subscription service though. There are a wide variety of subscriptions out there.. actually way more than I anticipated. If you would like to know more about the topic, visit this blog: My Subscription Addiction

I started frequenting this site called Fancy. It's a site about lifestyle stuff. I really liked what they have on there so I visit every few days. That's where I first stumbled upon the box subscriptions.

So on Friday I signed up for the Ashton Kutcher Box, which according to the web page linked further up is supposed to be really good. I am way more excited about this than I should be. Can't wait to receive my first box!

By the way.. this is friday's post. I was just to lazy to post yesterday.. so there will be a second post later today.

stay cool.

22/356: Another way home

... things didn't go as planned today. I was supposed to find a shop for asian food stuff. Problem was that I didn't find it. It wasn't in the place where I thought it would be. On the brightside, that made me take an alternative route home and because of that delay I met a good friend in downtown bern. So all is good I would say.

Now where to find some Kimchi in Bern..mmmm.

21/356: Firefly

Sup?

I had a firefly today. Seems to be a fancy new soda. Well there are no bubbles so I am not sure if you can call it a soda. Let's call it lemon and lime juice with lots of suger. Still sour as hell. Since I like sour, I really enjoyed it.

Also, remember that hot sauce two days ago? Love, love, love it. I could have it on anything!

20/356: "Härdöpfel Wähe"

Today, I turned this:

into this:

So what is it? I guess you could call it the Swiss version of a pie or quiche. I made a simple one, just potatoes and some ham mixed with milk, cream and eggs and it's all done. It was a tasty meal but I already have ideas how I can improve it!

Btw, reached day number 20 today and still not one day missed. I wish I had more weekends to do more exciting stuff. Or maybe I am just too conservative to do interesting things during the week. What do you think? What are things I could try during work days?

19/356: Korean Chilli Hot Sauce

Right then, back to business as usual. Got out of work late today and still had my workout to do so no time for fooling around. I went to Globus and looked for something I have never had before. I picked a bag of Goji berries and the Korean Chilli and Garlic Sauce.

Not talking about the Goji berries because I had them before in some granola bars. The Sauce I used for some beef. It's a tasty sauce, I really like it. Hot, not so much. The next hotter sauce was a ten out of ten and because I already had a really spicy Thai lunch I thought I'd take it easy.

Enjoy your dinner and till tomorrow

18/356: Länggasse and Grosse Schanze

I went to give away some old cloths today and that took me to the fabled Länggasse quater of Bern. Since My arrival in Bern just about two years ago I have never been there but heard many things. So after I dropped my old cloths off, I had a look around... aaaaand was not too impressed. I don't know if I missed something but this place seems overhyped.

I decided to walk home and stumbled upon the Grosse Schanze. This is a nice park just about the main train station. I'd looked really nice but I doubt I will be back here often. After all I have the Rosengarten just around the corner and to be honest, the view from there trumps the view from the Grosse Schanze.

I had other plans for today but decided that it was more important to do the chores I had been putting off for a while. Maybe more excitement in the days to come...

17/356: Trans Swiss Trail Stage 11: Worb - Lützelflüh

I went for a small four hour hike today. It was awesome!

First thing is first so let me get my first out of the way. First time I rode Bern's tram nr.6. And not only that but I rode it all the way from one terminal station to the other. I really enjoyed it too. I just have this thing for public transport.

Now about that hike I did. It was from Worb to Lützelflüh and is the eleventh stage of the trans Swiss trail. The trans Swiss trail is my second project this year. A total of 488 km spread out over 32 stages.
More Info here: http://www.wanderland.ch/en/routes/route-02.html

This is the second stage I have done. The first one was from my apartment to Worb. I wish I could have done more already but the weather was not very springish in europe this year.. you might have heard about that.

I really enjoyed this stage. It was some really nice scenery. The weather was great for hiking. A little sunny and a little cloudy. Not too hot and not too cool. I did it without a break so I can proudly say that I was an hour faster than the five hours they list in the website.

It is a beautiful hike for somebody wanting to something near Bern and I will definitely recommend it to my couchsurfers. I imagine on a cloudless day you will have an awesome view of the alps.

 I most enjoy hiking in autumn but this time of year is nice as well.

 beautiful.. now picture it with less clouds and more mountains.

 A very typical scene for this part of Switzerland.

the stone says "five hours from Bern" I saw it close to the end of the hike and I was really glad not to have to walk another five hours. From what I read, the path I took was the main path from Bern to the Emmental

16/356: Candy!

I always have a backup plan just in case I don't get around to something awesome. Yesterday I decided that I wanted to go see the new superman movie at night (which was awesome) so I have to tell you about the backup.

I got some candy from the local supermarket near my work. I bought them mainly because I really like the packaging. Good thing they are yummy as well. Usually I am not one for candy but these I really like.

15/356: Boxer Beer

There we go, another day, another beer. I can keep doing this forever.. I do admit though that it is a tad boring. Again, I can't stress enough that I have big plans for the weekend. Please let the weather be good!

I enjoyed this beer and not only because it was free.

14/356: Iced Mocachino

Yeah so I had time to kill at the airport in Salzburg and what did I do with my time? Surf the internet and drink an Iced Moccachino of course. As it so happens, I have never had that drink before. I quite enjoyed it but I don't want to even start to think about the calories.

I am back in Switzerland now and will go back to my usual work schedule starting tomorrow morning. Let's see what new thing I can come up with tomorrow. Maybe it's time to cook something new eh?

I have a few ideas for the weekend that don't involve food or drinks..I won't give away anything just yet though. Hang in there!

13/356: Hiking Abtenau

First hike in Austria. Granted it was only an easy 1 1/4 hours but I would have went on if the decision was up to me. Then again we had breakfast right after, in front of a mountain hut. All in all a great experience.

The hike was close to a place called Abtenau. Where exactly we went hiking, I can't tell you cause it was a guided part of the seminar and I didn't pay attention. Might come back here for hiking, it's a really nice area.

As a bonus I added a pic of one of the best desserts in the world. Kaiser Schmarn.... Mmmmm delicioso.

12/356: Austrian Train

So I had my first ride in an austrian train today. Not very exciting but it's something. As I am here on a seminar for the next two days I probably won't have much room for grand new things but I will try for sure!

The train took me from Salzburg to Gollingen-Abtenau. Just a 25min ride. We swiss are proud of our trains but I do admit, the austrains have nice ones as well.

11/356: Salzburg day two

I had mozart's balls today, wait, let me correct that. I tasted the balls of mozart...nope that doesn't sound any better either. I had mozartkugeln today, there that's better. I am not sure if this the first time I had them, so just to be sure I did something new, I went to the museum of modern art, museum of Salzburg, had a Stigl Radler ( austrian beer) and a water made by red bull. I am pretty sure my day contained something new. 

The Mozartkugeln were quite nice but I will probably not buy them again. Also why does everybody here want to speak english with me? Pretty sure my german is not that bad .....

 The museum of Salzburg was a total wast of time and money. I relly enjoyed the museum of modern art though. They had an awesome photography exhibition.

10/356: Salzburg

I am at number ten now and it's a big one this time. 

First time in Salzburg, first time in Austria that doesn't involve snowboarding, the first time flying with Intersky, first time drinking Marley's mellow mood black tea. Got to stick with the drinks right?

I am in Austria for work starting on monday and I thought I might as well head to Salzburg two days early and see the city. monday I will head on to Abtenau for a management seminar. I have no plan for Salzburg. Actually I am not sure what the city has to offer. Today I saw some of the old town and the castle (which is quite impressiv). Let's see what I'll do tomorrow

Sorry for the subpar pics, I wanted to bring only carry on luggage and there was no more space for m DSLR. My phone camera will have to do.

Always great to start a trip with a view like this

The old part of the city with the castle in the background

View of the city from the castle

It's the biggest still intact castle in europe.. quite impressiv

9/356: Bianca La Cazzosa Classica by Abbondio

Yes, I am back to lemonade. I am really busy tonight because I have to prepare for my early morning flight tomorrow. Going to a place I have never been! Two new places actually. But I am not spilling the beans just yet. Come back tomorrow to see where I am headed for the next few days.

Today I am having a Bianca by Abbondio. I mainly bought it for the art on the bottle which I think kicks ass. What am I going to do once I can't find new drinks to try anymore? Ideas are always welcome!

8/356: It's alive!

I bought a plant for the office today. Yes, this is the first time that I have ever bought a plant for my apartment or workspace. I can't yet show what it looks like because if I take off the paper it will be awkward to transport it to work tomorrow. I do promise that I will update the post with new pictures once I get to work. Until then you are free to guess what plant I got.

I am really looking forward to have a little green on my desk.

Update: And here is a picture of my little buddy. I shall call him Fritz.Let's see how long I can keep him alive.

7/356: Holundria

Wooooo, first milestone. A whole week of a daily new experience. I do have to admit this is harder than anticipated. If I didn't have a daily routine I have to stick too (work you know..) it would be much easier. Nothing that I did different so far has really changed all that much but I do feel a bit refreshed.

Sometimes I did two firsts a day just because I wasn't sure if I was going to get around to the one I had planned and I wanted to be sure. For example I have had a local Beer and a Soda which I never had before but didn't bother to mention it separately.

So today.. as I am writing this.. quarter past four pm.. I have no idea what today's new experience will be. I will have to figure that out on my way home.... 

... well crap... I swear I don't want this to be a food/drink tasting blog. The thing I wanted to do today had to be postponed to another day because I had to get some stuff at the supermarket and my hands were full.

So instead of doing something not food or drink related, I am having a Holundria right now.

They call it a whitewine soda. Sounds weird, tastes better than expected. The Name derives from Elderberry and that's really what it tastes like. A sweet white wine with a distinct note of elderberry. It's not half bad. A bit feminine maybe...

6/356: Making Sushi!

Today was special. I was at a sushi making course. It was held in the restaurant Tanaka at Kehrsatz near Bern. This evening was a gift from a work friend for my 30th birthday which was a few months back.

It was a really enjoyable evening. Really fun to make the sushi and all in all I found it was much easier than anticipated. I am nowhere near to master it yet though. I am looking forward to do it again and to eat all the left over sushi in my fridge.
 

 The master himself

 let's roll that stuff

 yummy

yummy x2

5/356: Alternativ way home

Today I took the bus and the tram for my way home from work. This is was a change from the train that I usually take. I have to admit that I was more excited about this than I should have been. I really enjoyed seeing a different landscape outside the buses window.

4/356: Pizza

I have only one question; why did it take me so long to make my own pizza? That was beyond delicious. I might have another one tomorrow.

I do realize my "firsts" have been very one dimensional so far. I am trying to change that but it's not easy with a busy schedule. I will try to go for something else than food or drink tomorrow.

3/356: Casablanca

So, doing something new everyday is actually hard. I did something yesterday but I didn't get around to post it because I only got in at two am. I was busy all day so I had to resort to a beer.

I was at my high school class reunion. And the restaurant we went to, maison blunt in Zurich (very good food by the way) happend to have a beer called "Casablanca". So I got it and I had my new experience in the bag. It was good but nothing to write home about.

There will be a second post today, right after I finish my dinner.

sorry for the crappy pic

2/356: Katsu-karē.. sort of

My second day and for the second time it involves food.

This time though I actually prepared it myself. I made Katsu-karē (カツカレー) sort of anyhow. I cheated on the meat. It was actually beef. I still count it as a new experience because it's the first time I prepared a Japanese curry. 

I love Japanese food but due to a lack of good Japanese restaurants (at a decent price) around where I live, I decided to start making it myself. I order the ingredients online and love the "japanese food delivery" days. I have have a thing for good Ramen so that's what I usually go for but I also mix in the occasional other dish. I ordered the base for Curry a while ago but never got around to use it. Until today. 

The ingredients: 

 The finished dish:

 The plate of a happy costumer:

Never forget, the basis for a great Japanese meal is to prepare the rice the right way. makes a world of a difference.

....so what tomorrow?

1/356: Strawberry Cheescake Chocoloate

I kid you not. I started my first new experience with a rather out there chocolate variation. It's a slow start but hey I have to leave some room for improvement right?

What can I say? It's not really my thing. At least now I know. Could have been my favorite thing in the world. The wrapping is rather fitting to start of this new project though.

Already thinking about my next tomorrow. I have a list of ideas but also want to go with spontaneous decisions. We'll see....

The Decision has been made, epicness ensues

We humans are animals of habit.

We like to keep things like they always were because that's familiar and we feel comfortable if something is familiar. It's easier that way. Change is scary, so why would you want to do it?
We go through life without giving a thought to this and when we actually have to change something every now and then, the most common reaction will be annoyance and we will go back to our old ways as soon as possible.
As example; have you ever had to use a detour while on your way to work because there was construction? How did you react? Were you overjoyed because you were going to see a new route? My guess is, it annoyed you.
Change is hard. Quitting to smoke is not just hard because you are addicted but because you have to change a habit that you probably had for years. My biggest problem after stopping to smoke was what to do while waiting for my train. Or what do I do at the Bar while having a beer?

If we always do everything the same way, don't we miss out? What if change is good? What if it would give us a new perspective? What if it would widen our horizon?

I believe change is good and for this reason I will set myself a challenge. Starting today, I will try at least one new thing every day for the next 365 days (that's a year for those counting). This blog will be my log.

These are the rules:

1. It' can't be something I don't do. For example, not brushing my teeth in the morning (like I have not done that before..)
2. If I miss a day for any reason, I have to start over.
3. If somebody can prove that I have in fact done something that I thought I hadn't, I can't count it and redo that day.
4. There is no limit to how small or big the change is. It can be something as simple as trying a new soap or as exciting as skydiving. 

Today Is Day 1/365.  I have no clue yet as what my first new experience will be. I am excited!