Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

“Oh, yeah, Mmm Still don’t know what I was waitin’ for
And my time was runnin’ wild
A million dead end streets and
Every time I thought I’d got it made
It seemed the taste was not so sweet
So I turned myself to face me
But I’ve never caught a glimpse
How the others must see the faker
I’m much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Don’t want to be a richer man
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
There’s gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can’t trace time

Mmm, yeahI watch the ripples change their size
But never leave the stream
Of warm impermanence
And so the days float through my eyes
But still the days seem the same
And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They’re quite aware of what they’re goin’ through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Don’t tell them to grow up and out of it
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Where’s your shame?
You’ve left us up to our necks in it
Time may change me
But you can’t trace time

Strange fascinations fascinate me
Ah, changes are taking
The pace I’m goin’ through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Ooh, look out, you rock ‘n’ rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
Pretty soon now you’re gonna get older
Time may change me
But I can’t trace time
I said that time may change me
But I can’t trace time– David Bowie

For anyone, following did you see what I did there, with my dorky sense of humor, I couldn’t help but to think of the best way to describe my life over the past few months (Changes) and using the CH CH CH CH (aka Switzerland) is if you don’t know, a little reference to the transition of Switzerland to Upstate New York, USA. In fact, this is embedded in my head as every Switzerland car had a CH sticker on it- including our own. Later, we learned this was because if we crossed internationally to other countries, people would know that we were from Switzerland. This didn’t make much sense to me, as the license plate has the Swiss flag and furthermore what canton you are from… interesting indeed (evidence below)

I digress.. So In April, we began one big life change, moving back to the USA, to a place where Chris had never even been. Upstate NY, Adirondacks, Catskills, sweet town, lots of lakes. Our sights were set on Saratoga Springs as our final destination. I was nervous about the flight, and Tela’s flight. It was the first time we had flown since the pandemic, and we were trying to ensure all items were wrapped up before leaving the country- foreshadowing- unsuccessful in this area, LOL.

All went well COVID wise traveling back, and Tela’s arrival and trip was so much better than when we moved to Switzerland. She was on a direct flight from Zurich to JFK, and then driving to Saratoga Springs. We were on a flight the following day, due to shortages of flights running from Zurich to Newark, then planned on driving to Saratoga to check into our temporary living apartment. We arrived, as typically tired from the International flight navigated our way to our rental car, managed to get turned around but finally were headed upstate!

It was weird at first to be back on that drive as we were technically in quarantine, so just trying to get there as quickly as possible was the goal. It was a late flight, and we managed to get in post midnight almost 1am. A guy met us at the apartment, to give us the keys and the lay of the land of the apartment and building. We didn’t really learn too much, so I’m not sure why a key drop wouldn’t have been easier, but, in this life you pick your conversations, especially on little sleep. We got settled in (aka brush teeth) and then and crashed into sleep.

Quarantine life in the US, well, just life overall is so much more convenient than Switzerland. Maybe this is because of culture, language, or 43 vs. 3 years of experience, but let me say, “America”! We were amazed at all the food we had missed out on. I did the ‘worst’ sort of American thing by Doordash’ing a piece of NY style cheesecake, because I wanted it. No shame, nope, not at all. It was delicious and I have 0 regrets.

I was able to celebrate my birthday in the joy of delicious oysters, a mistake on the kitchen’s part and thus a seafood tower, steak and my favorite California Russian River Pinot Noir. Pandemic or not, this night felt very good.

So we got reunited with Tela, and made it through quarantine with ease and set off on a whirlwind checklist. First we needed a New York State DL so that CK could get vaccinated for COVID-19, as the week we moved back, NY state opened access to all adults 35 years and older.

So we gathered all the documentation and headed to the DMV, which again, was just opening for in person visits, so a bit awkward for all I think. The pandemic will have a toll on re-calibration and the decision to re-introduce something you have stopped or changes you have made to make it through a particularly trying time for humanity. I expect we will see these impacts through different social cycles for generations to come.

The DMV required additional documentation to prove NY State residency (lease for temporary housing was insufficient) so off we went. Thank God I had a very attentive relocation team and they were able to generate a document that was acceptable to them, so check box, and then we were able to get CK an appointment for his first COVID vaccine the Friday after re-entering the US. Next up was taking advantage of Subaru’s 0% Financing Offer. As we both needed new cars, and we are a Subaru family, we both ended up with Outbacks. The story, I chose to try to erase from my memory as it was unnecessary challenges. Hopefully moving forward, the Subaru dealership here in Saratoga will improve their customer service, and we will drive these babies into the ground.

Of course one of the biggest food cravings I have desperately missed while living in Switzerland, is Mexican.

But let’s face it it is not just Mexican food I was missing, it was was few other food items as well. So I have to give a special shout out to the best grilled cheese I ever ate, the Lobster Grilled Cheese. Don’t miss this if in Saratoga Springs area! Eddie F’s · ftw! And we discovered a BBQ place that serves NC vinegar based BBQ but also a variety of all the popular BBQs- (St. Louis, KS City, Texas). It’s quality, even my dad couldn’t argue too much, minus he made better; which is true.

Before I started my new job, I was completely thrilled to reunite with a friend who I have missed greatly. It is such a blessing to pick up where your friendship left off 20 years later and although things are different, your friendship is still as awesome as it once was.

I did something that was a huge leap of faith for me, my first big exposure, getting a haircut. Although I felt fabulous afterwards, it was my first entry into the world where people were freely not masking appropriately, and did not care. I would not return to this salon (but admittedly haven’t thought of it again yet).

The next change for me was starting a new job, and rejoining a company I worked for early in my career. Finally, US Healthcare, so infusions, and a much needed visit to the eye dr resulting in reading glasses! Ugh, aging.

I loved our temporary housing location as it was so easy to roam around old town Saratoga Springs and admire all the porches and amazing homes and architecture.

The next big life change- Housing. Oh right, housing, you know that roof over your head thing. We selected temporary housing based on location, and right away it reminded us that we are too old for apartment living. So in conjunction with our realtor, we navigated the most challenging market I had experienced as a buyer. The Saratoga Real State Market for buyers can be summed up as the following:

You needed to see the property the day it hit the market or was available for showing to have a chance. You could also not delay or spend time researching your decision. If you were seeing a house you needed to be prepared to make an offer the day of viewing.
Just because you as the buyer offer above asking price will not ensure you have presented a more attractive deal. We had our first 2 offers declined.
We had to go back again and fight for the 3rd house we put an offer in on. I can’t say how grateful I am we got the house we selected. It feels like home, and there is still so much blank canvas to work with to create dream spaces. Super exciting. More to come on that later…
People in the USA are fleeing bigger cities, like NYC due to the pandemic, so many working arrangements have offered greater flexibility, it is nice to see, except when you are a fellow homebuyer who can’t afford all the luxuries of buying in all cash, waiving inspections, or making offers sight-unseen. This was where this market was. Complete insanity, and it was not only here the US was experiencing it.

Conveniently located to the highway, the Lake, SPAC, downtown Saratoga Springs, in a quiet peaceful neighborhood. Thumbs up! With SPAC being so close, CK and I rode our bikes to the Trey Solo Show, and enjoyed ourselves completely. It was great to see some friends and be distanced in that intimate environment.

Fast forward a bit, CK and I were thrilled as the previous owners put so much of their own touch into the house, and we hope to continue to do the same. We have both enjoyed different areas of our new abode, and better yet, we have been able to already share our home to visitors!

The first overnight guest was my friend Becky, who I hope is my hiking partner in crime for the ADK 46ers. We knocked two of them out, and this is one of my goals- complete all 46 within the next 5 years, so I’ve got some work to do. We also hosted CK’s cycling friend, wife and two children for a few days before the next two groups of visitors.

It had been since Father’s Day 2019, since I had physically seen my parents or niece, and it was so wonderful to host them in our new home. The visit was quite special, as it was my parents 36th wedding anniversary, and I was able to drive them to see Niagara Falls as a gift. We enjoyed our time although still too limited very much. We planted hibiscus, lilacs, a raspberry bush and a magnolia tree to set our roots here as a family.

The next visitor, we had not seen physically since 2018, which WAS WAY overdue, CK’s daughter, my beautiful step-daughter, Miss Elsa. She is now 5’9, just turned 13, and is just as wonderful as one could hope for. We have missed her so very much, and it’s hopefully the time when we can see her more often. The visit was her and CK’s first to NYC, we had a very short time there. Due to the delta variant coming back, things are also still picking up, yet hard to imagine how it was not as crowded as I can recall pre-Covid times. We stayed near Central Park, went to Coney Island, of course rode the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel, as well as a few other rides. The time was over too quickly, and we are looking forward to more visits.

An amazing time to see loved ones, but unfortunately risks were too high to proceed with some scheduled plans. We watch the data, make risk based decisions, with consultation as needed, and look forward to a booster shot for me, and hopefully more live music and hosting friends and family!

Be safe, be kind, and be well, love, laugh, dance, and sing often