Lucerne and baking (Im not very creative with titles) ;)

Last weekend we switched things up a little.  Friday ETH was having some sort of conference thingy all day and into the night.  So around dinner I made my way over to hang out with everyone.  I wish I had been in a better mood though.  Im starting to rollercoaster down into being depressed about my whole job search again.  As much as it sounds like I could just stop it and 'just be happy', I dont think I can.  I have to let out my frustration somehow and if crying helps... I'll do it.  Depression is my daily struggle... I loved my job.

On Sat, instead of heading north for the bike sale we decided to go south and tour Lucerne.  We want to take more short day trips around Switzerland especially since summer is right around the corner.  Hopefully, (by some miracle) I can land a job to make it happen.  We woke up early, hopped on the train, and made it there by 10:30.  We toured the city- which is not as big as we expected, walked the historic bridges, saw the famous lion, ate lunch out, toured the huge wall, and sat by the lake.  If money hadnt been an obstacle we would have seen a couple museums and probably would have stayed later than 5.  But we had a good time despite the fact that it was foggy and you couldn't see the gorgeous view of the mountains that there normally is.  Here are a few (ok. a lot.) pics:

Breakfast drink at the train station and breakfast on the train.  I got a pastry with chocolatey-nutella stuff inside (I call it a Schnoogi) and brought a banana. YUM  :)

Riding the train and in Lucerne with the tower and 1300-1400's wooden bridges

Controlling the dam, view from the bridge, and the bridge with pics of Lucerne's history overhead

Paul got some Alpkase, lion monument, wall that used to divide cities (I think)

Bouquet that Paul picked for me and Lucerne from up high

The rest of the weekend we relaxed and Mon night we went to one of the post-doc's places for a housewarming party/first real Twins game in the new outdoor stadium.  We stayed til midnight (the game was halfway over) and had a fun time with the group and their doggies.  Most of us live in the same area which is really nice.  Yesterday I baked a test chocolate bread.

I decided since there is sooooo much fresh bread around that I would give chocolate bread a shot... didn't turn out the greatest.  It's definitely chocolate bread but the very middle is still too doughy and it's just weird.  I was testing it to see if I could give it to Ursula as a thank you gift but definitely nixed that idea.  Now Im on to something more candy-y.  The only issue is that vanilla extract is not sold here (and it takes 2 months to make it) and vanilla sugar is an iffy substitute not to mention there is no corn syrup or brown sugar either.  Luckily I can make brown sugar but the sub for corn syrup never has the same consistency.  So we'll just have to see what I come up with!  Today I gave my blood to help an iron experiment going on at ETH.  I'll eat 6 meals in 3 days sometime soon and they'll take my blood again.  I get Fr. 150 in the end.  This is what I've now been reduced to... joking (kinda).  :)  I know it helps science, I have nothing else to do, free meals (with iron supplements), and they tell me my iron status and stuff at the end which Im curious about.  They already told me my weight and height which I am very happy about!  Im back to my more stable healthy weight and Im taller than I thought!  :)