Register now for the 2014 Zurich Writers Worskhop

The Frau would like to inform all yodelers that registration is now open for the 5^th Annual Zurich Writers Workshop, which will take place May 23-25, 2014.

For English-language writing support and inspiration
in a German-speaking world

The Frau co-founded the Zurich Writers Workshop after she learned an important lesson about living abroad: if you want something in your adopted country or city and it doesn’t exist, sometimes you have to create it yourself.

Five years later, English-language writing support in Zurich–thanks to her workshop, and also to Nuance Words–actually exists. In fact, one British writer living in Zurich told The Frau that she didn’t want to move back to London because the writing environment in Zurich was so good. The Frau considered this the best compliment she’s ever gotten.

Anyway, this year, the Zurich Writers Workshop will feature two different courses. The first, taught by Anne Korkeakivi, will focus on both short and long fiction. The second workshop, taught by Chantal Panozzo, aka The Frau, will discuss ways to make a living as an international creative person.

On May 23, Orell Füssli The Bookshop will host a reading featuring both Anne Korkeakivi and Yours Truly. This reading is free and open to the public.

If any of this sounds mildly interesting, you can find out more at zurichwritersworkshop.com

12 Interesting Keywords Yodelers Use to End Up Here, Part 2

The Frau isn’t really into analytics but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy the Google version. Especially when it tells her how people like you end up here. In this second of two installments, The Frau will explore six additional keywords yodelers are using to arrive at One Big Yodel, along with a short commentary and links to other blog posts on that oh, so popular topic.

Hairdresser wages in Switzerland

The Frau did an unscientific Swiss salary survey not too long ago. Hairdressers do not rank high on the survey and The Frau has been wondering about this ever since. After all, a regular haircut can cost about CHF 100 for a woman and CHF 50 for a man with hardly any hair...  Find out more about salaries in Switzerland here:

Salaries in Switzerland

Healthcare in Switzerland vs. United States

Yes, The Frau often compares things between the U.S. and Switzerland, so click below, fellow yodelers with inquiring minds on the topic.

Dear Frau: Compare U.S. and Swiss Health Insurance

C-permit Switzerland benefits

Oh, that ever-defining C-permit.. The Frau loves hers because a C-permit in Switzerland means you’re a permanent resident and gives you most everything you probably wanted including permission to work, change jobs, and avoid having to fill out paperwork every single year just to continue to live here. But she went through quite a lot to get hers:

Swiss C-permit reject

My application for a Swiss C-permit

Want a C-permit? Take that test.

Why do Swiss live so long

Here’s a short answer: because they have an amazing public transportation system. This means less people are driving and more are walking. The Swiss certainly do not have long lives based on their eating habits. Cheese, 23 pounds of chocolate a year, and sausage do not a long lifespan make. But walking to the bus stop does.

Live Longer, Be More Swiss This Year

Are the Swiss rude

Oh…would The Frau talk about such a thing on her blog? Apparently yes, according to Google. But here’s the thing. The Swiss aren’t really rude. They just have different ideas about politeness in comparison to English speakers. Because things English speakers consider rude, like cutting in line at the ski lift, the Swiss consider assertive.

Why are the Swiss so pushy?

Better to live in Zurich or London

Zurich gets more rain than London. But it also has nicer air to breathe. Decisions, decisions. 

Dear Frau: Should I Move to Zurich?

12 Keywords That Bring You Here, Part I

The Frau isn’t really into analytics, but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy the Google version. Especially when it tells her how people like you end up here. Over the next two weeks, The Frau will explore 12 interesting keywords that yodelers are using to arrive at One Big Yodel, along with a short commentary and links to other blog posts on these oh, so popular topics.

Life in Switzerland for foreigners

All roads lead to The Frau

Oh, here is the keyword search that sums up The Frau’s entire Swiss experience and blog. Well done, Google searchers! Here are some additional posts you might like:

Foreigner or expat in Switzerland?

9 questions about Switzerland

Six years in Switzerland

Why is Switzerland so rich

Great question, searchers. Well, for one thing, the Swiss buy Swiss. They support themselves whenever possible. It’s a nice concept. But very expensive. Click on the link below for more.

Dear Frau: Why are the Swiss so rich?

Giving birth in Switzerland

How does Google know? Yes, The Frau gave birth in Switzerland. Welcome, future mothers.  You may find a few posts below interesting. Swiss hospitals are very supportive. Just don’t order the sausage salad and you’ll have a pleasant experience.

Five reasons Switzerland is a great place to have a baby

Having a baby in Switzerland: Are you ready?

You know you’re becoming a Swiss parent when…

Reka Checks

Why yes, Google, The Frau will do anything to save money in Switzerland. And Reka Checks are perfect for saving up to 20% on things like train tickets, hotels, and ski lifts. Here are some posts for the Reka-curious:

How to use REKA checks

Your Very own Swiss Holiday Preishit

Eight ways to save money in Switzerland

Switzerland on a budget

Buy Christmas Tree Zürich

The Frau has brought a lot of things home on a bus. A Christmas tree. A carpet. Her brand new baby. But she digresses, quick answer for "Buy Christmas Tree Zürich": The Frau buys her Christmas tree at the Jumbo Hardware store because they start selling trees around Thanksgiving (end of November) and she doesn’t have the patience to wait until the week before Christmas when they sell them right below her building.

How to buy and get rid of your Swiss Christmas tree

Christmas tree transport success

Swiss blggers

Not sure why so many people spell bloggers without the “o” but thanks, Google, The Frau learns something every day. Is The Frau a Swiss blgger or an American blgger? Or is she stuck somewhere between both worlds? For more Swiss blgs, check out the links below.

Reader Appreciation Day

Yodeler Appreciation Day

Stay tuned for six more great keyword searches next week...

The Frau's Swiss German Lesson

The Frau gets a lot of Swiss German lessons these days. But they are often disguised as something else. Like a verse of the New Testament. 

Let The Frau explain.

See, for the last few months, Baby M (well, she’s more like Toddler M these days) was saying “Hosanna.” A lot. Especially after her diaper was changed.

The Frau thought “Hosanna” was either Toddler M’s way of saying “stand up” or that she was extra religious about diapers.

Finally, after about two months of “hosannaing,” The Frau decided to inquire about it. So she asked the teachers at the Krippe (Swiss daycare) if Toddler M said Hosanna a lot and if so, if they had any idea about what it meant.

“Oh,” they said, “You mean Hosen an.” 

In other words, Toddler M had been saying “pants on” in German for the last few months. Which makes much more sense than her being extra religious about having her diaper changed…much more sense…if you’re not The Frau, that is.

Oh well. Another day, another small Swiss German lesson learned. Along with a big, fat American laugh.

Have you had a good Swiss German lesson lately?

Baby M's Identity Crisis

Inside Baby M's blue American passport, it says, "Place of Birth: Switzerland." So things here never shocked her like they did her poor mother, The Frau.

Baby M never had to figure out how to love a Cervelat. Or go through things like Migros Moments. Or smile and nod during a Swiss German conversation without understanding a word—even after years of High German lessons.

In fact, Baby M seemed as Swiss as any Swiss baby. Until she turned two years old and went to celebrate the holidays in the U.S. for a couple of weeks.

From one world back to another

Upon her return, Baby M seems to have registered something. Namely, that she lives in two different worlds.

Poor Baby M. She had a rough start to the New Year. When The Frau took her to Kinderkrippe (Swiss daycare) on Monday after being away from it for almost three weeks, her face registered total shock.

Swiss German shock.

At a time when she had been talking more than ever, she didn’t say a word all day long, according to the teachers. She just sat there and stared at everyone.

The next day was better. By the evening, Baby M was saying Grüezi wohl to random strangers in the elevator and singing during dinner. But Baby M’s initial shock made The Frau realize that raising a third culture kid might have many more challenges in store.

Do you or your kids have trouble adjusting after being away from Switzerland for several weeks?

Swiss Tourism at its Best

In Switzerland, everything has its place. Tourists. Trash. And apparently, the combination of the two.

So while the tourist may not have to take their glass to the bins by the river or take their plastic to the grocery store or tie their paper with string every six weeks and leave it outside their door, if they are visiting Einsiedeln, they still have a specific place they must put their trash:

Put your trash in its place, tourists!