F r i b o u r g E x p a t W o m a n ’ s g r o u pthere’s more than just a F.E.W. of us!

Chew The Cheese vol. 3, Holiday 2009

Photo: Vincent Bifrare 2007

The presents under the Christmas tree may be a little less expensive this year, but I am certain that won’t prevent the party spirit continu-ing throughout the Fribourg Festive Season.

Yes I agree, it’s been a tough old year, however I feel that this is even more reason to celebrate the end of 2009 and the beginning of a New Year with friends and family. I am sure with the commencement of FEW Group this year that many of our readers have found a new friend to celebrate with this year.

We are thrilled with this month’s issue of “Chew the Cheese” and I am sure you will all enjoy reading it! We have some new regular features:FEW Group Member Recipe of the month, Q & A sections with our new Interior Designer, Feng Shui expert, Beauty Guru and articles about up and coming Cultural / Art events around the Fribourg Region.

We also chat with several FEW Group members about the work-shops they have just finished and catch up with all the latest Fitness and programs that are coming to us in 2010 !!

And finally, a big end-of-year Thank You, to all – our loyal FEW GROUP Ladies – for supporting us through our very first start-up year and for all your positive feedback to ensure we keep this great group and news letter flourishing. Keep watching this space for bigger and bet-ter things during 2010.

Wherever you are this Christmas, I hope you have a truly happy one.

Kerri Dann

Founder – FEW Group

Bonjour!

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Workshops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10

pottery

Art Class

carnival Make-Up

Callanetics

Boot Camp II

Sub-Clubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-13

Book Club

Movie Club

Bowling Night

Tennis Club

Coffee & Kids

“Howwasit?” . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-17 Member Interviews

Scene Holiday Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Art & Music guide. . . . . . . . . . 18-19

SpecialInterest 7 minute Cookie Killer . . . . . . . .11

Yoga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Biophase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Interior Design Q&A. . . . . . . . . 23

Feng Shui Tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Recipe of the Month . . . . . . . . 25

TheCheeseBoard . . . . . . . .26-27

Member Contributions

Contents

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In his Ependes-Fribourg workshop he creates pieces in ceramic in-tended for daily usage around the home. Peter is infamous for uni-formly collaborating with various artists, potters and designers. Peter teaches Pottery in Bern, Vesey and for the School of Design in Zurich.

INTERMEDIATE POTTERY COURSE

Date: 20th January - 10th February 2010.

Day: Every Wednesday night

Timings: 19.00 - 21.30

Costs: 210 CHF per person (10 hours of hands-on-pottery) + 10 CHF per kilo of pottery you have made. (Only charged for pieces that are not broken due to Firing)

Participants: 8 ladies

For those who have already completed the Beginners Course, we now have an Intermediate Course available for FEW Group Members. You have already mastered the basic techniques and much more. Now it’s time to progress by expanding on these Pottery techniques and cre-ate your own masterpiece utilizing the knowledge you have already gained and the new skills that you will soon learn through the Inter-mediate Pottery Course.

BEGINNERS POTTERY COURSE WITH PETER FINK

Date: 23rd Feb - 16th March 2010

Day: Every Tuesday night

Timings: 19.00 - 21.30

Costs: 210 CHF per person ( 10 hours of hands-on-pottery) + 10 CHF per kilo of pottery you have made. (Only charged for pieces that are not broken due to Firing)

Participants: 8 ladies

Join Peter in a Beginners Pottery Course. This is a comprehensive introduction to working in clay. Over the course of a month, partici-pants will learn basic hand techniques such as pinching, coiling, soft slab building, hard slab building and press moulding, just to name a few techniques.

Whattobringtothecourses:

Apron to cover your clothes.

Wear clothes that can get covered in clay - as both these workshops are very hands on.

Shoes that totally cover your feet.

Details of registration is in our Activity letters.

PotteryClass withPeterFink

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Johannes Schumacher was born in Fribourg, Switzerland in 1967. He studied at the School of Decorative Arts in Geneva , where he received formation in graphic design. At the University of Bern, he earned pedagogical certification in Fine Arts. From the University of Zurich, Johannes also earned a Master of Arts and the certifica-tion to teach French and History from the University of Fribourg. He has shown his work most recently at the Musée d’art et d’histoire in Fribourg during the exposition, “Public Collection of the State of Fribourg, 1984-2009” and in a solo exhibit in 2008 for Bayer Interna-tional.

Johannes’ work as a teacher coalesces with his work as a painter. His art reveals a fascination with the expression of forms and colors that convey an infinite number of emotions. “Each one of my paintings is the result of a personal and engaging process. With each canvas, there is a genuine search, questioning, and remise en question. “I wish to evoke emotion based on the lyricism of colors and the unique character of forms. Each painting is a kind of visual aria, resulting from the rich layering of colors.”

Johannes is married and lives in Fribourg, where he is a teacher of visual and fine arts.

For the Month of January and February 2010, in a series of 5 evening classes, Few Group ladies will learn the basics of drawing, composi-tion, and color theory and how to transform a pencil sketch into a final work of art, painting with acrylic on paper. At the end of the course, there will be a small soiree (with a glass of wine in hand, of course) for all participants and spouses to view all the paintings.

Participantsareaskedtobring:

• a small arrangement of 4-6 fresh flowers to be used in the sketch during the first two classes,

• a pencil (2B), and an eraser.

All other materials will be provided (papers, high quality acrylics, charcoal, paint brushes, etc.).

Dates: Every Tuesday night from the 19th January until and including the 10th February, 2010.

Times: 19.15pm until 21.00pm

Location: Centre Ste-Ursule Rue des Alpes 2 (at Place Georges-Python) 1700 Fribourg

2nd floor classroom (accessible with lift)

Note: Street parking is available or in the garage at Rue des Alpes.

Participants: 10 participants max.

Cost: 220 CHF

Details of registration is in our Activity Letter.

ArtClasses withJohannesSchumacher

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Let’sgetreadyforcarnivaltimeinswitzerland!

A contagious Carnival fever is about to take over Switzerland in the new year. Again the atmosphere will be bursting with festivities, bands, fun and fantasy costumes. However, Carnival is nothing with-out the faces: some smiling, some creative, some scary, some mysteri-ous ...... but all beautiful!

We all spend so much time obsessing over choosing the right cos-tume, footwear, wig or funny hat, that wouldn’t it be great if we had the skills and tools to enable ourselves to place the finishing touches by being able to apply our own professional creative make-up that lasts all day and throughout the night!

This year, Violaine Coard from “Make me up” is offering FEW Group members the opportunity to learn these professional skills in a one day intensive workshop.

Who is Violaine Coard? - Violaine Coard has been a passionate free-lance make-up artist for over 10 years. She was taught by Rachel Roggo, a renowned make-up artist in the Suisse Romande.

Violaine does stage make-up for various troupes, going from experi-mental theater to classical opera. She for example worked and toured during 8 seasons with the Opéra de Fribourg and did the make-up for the show created for Fribourg’s 850 anniversary. She had the opportunity to work with Gisèle Sallin, Yann Pugin and many other important Swiss theatrical figures. She regularly does make-up for private and company parties and works regulary for photographers and communication agencies. Her latest major jobs were for the ads of the Banque Cantonale de Fribourg and IXS’s 2009 catalog, a Swiss motorcycle equipment company.

Teaching is also a big part of her job. EduQua certified, she gives make-up courses to beauticians in companies and private lessons to woman who just feel the need to get a professional beauty coaching.

Carnival and Fantasy make-up workshop!

This one day make-up workshop will allow you to get a hold of all the professional techniques, tips and hints to do great face make-up on kids and adults. You will be able to chose 2 or 3 themes that most interest you, like witches, butterflies, mouse, rabbits, cats and tigers, clowns, princesses and pirates for birthday parties or Carnival. You will be using professional brushes and make-up that is very easy to apply, stays beautiful for hours and can be removed easily with warm water and soap. You won’t need any models, as participants will practice on each other. By the end of the workshop will have learnt the skills of which brush and how to use it correctly when creating your own Fantasy Make-up. Plus how to apply/blend the colors with a brush or a sponge and have gained greater confidence in your cre-ativity skills.

Just to get your imagination running prior to the workshop...

FairyMakeup – For your daughter, or the little girl in all of us, the new focus on fairy makeup brings back memories of enchanted child-hoods. Learn to create fairy makeup with vibrant aqua colors.

FantasyMake-Up WorkshopswithViolaneCoard

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TigerandMagicalCatmakeup - for your children or to bring out the beast and sexiness in you! These two make up designs are highly intricate and one Violaine’s most popular creations - you will all enjoy learning these new techniques.

HalloweenMakeupIdeas – Halloween looks have always been a favor-ite of many people around the world eg: wizards, witches, vampires, Frankenstein etc...

VampireMakeup – Obviously, around the world there is a renewed vampire craze with the Twilight book being such a great success and the movie about to hit our Fribourg Cinema’s. So why not take your creative edge from this craze.

And don’t forget those Crazy Colored Contact Lenses and Fake Eye lashes – Makeup artistry has inspired a whole new line of contact lenses and colored Fake Eye Lashes. Fairies, vampires, elves and more will definitely want to own a pair of those crazy lenses and false eye lashes for those special gatherings and events. Add the wow fac-tor to your makeup!

Whatyoushouldbringtothecourse:

old and comfortable cloths, a standing mirror, a small towel, a washcloth, mild soap and your day cream (lotion would be ideal)

Date: 30th January 2010 9am to 12am and 1.30pm - 4pm

Location: To Be Determined

PriceOptionA: 120.- for the course utilizing all Make Me Up’s professional makeup and brushes.

PriceOptionB: 105.- for the course + 150.- for full make-up kit to take home (2 professional paintbrushes, 1 sponge and 1 twelve color professional make-up box). Please note that this Professional make-up kit normally retails at around 170 CHF - this special discount is only offered to FEW Group ladies that pre-book Option B.

Payment: Will be required by the 23rd January to FEW Group.

Participants: max 12 persons.

Registration: Through our January Activity Letter.

Photo: Thomas Ruf �

Chew the Cheese: Hi Marianne. Thanks for joining us. Could you tell our readers a bit more about yourself

Marianne: Hello Kerri. Well, as you heard from my accent there is no doubt I was born and bred in London. However, I have been living in Switzerland for the last 20 years. I’m 45 and, a working mother of two adolescent girls and a Certified Callan-etics teacher,

Chew the Cheese: Why did you decided to train in this form of exercise and exactly what is Callanetics?

Marianne: Callanetics exercises can best be described as being one of the most thorough muscle toning routines on the fitness

scene today. Callanetics exercises returns the body to its natural alignment, awakening muscles to improve our everyday life so that it no longer includes pain, stiffness, rounded shoulders, protruding bellies and flat bottoms. I had been teaching basic gym exercises in a local gym for six years until one day, I decided to show my students some Callanetics exercises. What an impact - from that day on, they wanted nothing else but the Callanetic exercises.

Chew the Cheese: I believe many people compare Callanetics to Yoga and Pillaties, could you tell us what is the difference?

Marianne: Well Callanetics, like Yoga and Pillaties are all exercises for the body as well as for the mind. Callanetics are different in that the exercises involve constant repetitive contractions using a small range of motion- These types of movement are acceptable to a broad range of people whether young, old, fat, thin, with a high or low fitness level, pregnant or with back and knee problems or injuries.

Chew the Cheese: You recommend Callanetics as a full body workout for fat loss, core strength and overall fitness. What makes this type of training superior to others?

Marianne: First of all, these exercises are extremely safe. The exercis-es are smooth and gentle and every student works at her own pace. After the first hour of Callanetics exercises, students FEEL a differ-ence. These exercises are wonderful for people of all ages, from 8 to 86 and are especially great for women over 40 for whom weight loss often results in a drawn haggard look on the face. Students can pull in and shape the body without losing weight.

Chew the Cheese: What results can the FEW Group ladies expect from your Callanetics workout?

Marianne: They will understand what they are doing to their body, why and what the outcome will be! They will see their bodies change shape. These exercises do not make the muscles bulky. On the con-trary, they give the body a long, lean, toned look.

Chew the Cheese: Apparently, you have some clients who travel up from Geneva twice a week to partake in your classes - that’s amazing! Can we here what they have to say about your classes?

Marianne: Yes they do! They basically just like the exercises!

Callanetics WorkshopswithMarianneOverney

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Chew the Cheese: Could you tell us more about the workshop you are offering the FEW Group members

Marianne: The Callanetics exercise workshop will take place over a period of 2 months. This will give us the time to understand the concepts of Callanetics and how to put them to pratice. I will teach you the One hour Evolution Mind, Body and Soul Exercise program. It’s a program that will cover exercising the entire body.

Callanetics Classes for FEW Group.

Dates: 4th February - March 25th inclusive.

Timings: Thursday afternoon - 2.00pm - 3.00pm

Costs: 220.00 CHF per participant for 2 months lessons.

Location: Hall in the old part of Fribourg.

Participants: Minimum 10 ladies

Callanetics classes are a treat…. so spoil yourself!

Findoutmoreclickontowww.gympourtous.ch

I play squash semi-professionally and train 4 times a week. Squash is harsh on the body and the Callanetics exercises

help me to remain flexible. My muscles are so well toned with these exercises that I feel much more on form when I play. I also find these exercises quite relaxing because there is quite a lot of stretching. I have never been a fan of gym for the body as I am much more of a ‘field’ player

but Callanetics exercises astonished me. I had no idea what Callanetics was and I am not ready to give up my place for

someone else in Marianne’s Tuesday afternoon lesson!!

Why I love Callanetics... It keeps me physically toned and mentally focused, has helped my posture and made me feel better about myself generally. The lessons are clear; instructions and guidance are given in plain language, easily accessible and adaptable

whatever your physical condition, shape or size. A great confidence booster!”

Here’swhatmarianne’sclientsaresayingabouthercallaneticclasses!

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Bootcamp2009 turned out better than expected. There were no problems with the gym or the daycare center, and the ladies who participated in the 8 grueling sessions, showed up motivated and positive.

Tuesday’s session targeted strength training and toning of the core and major muscle groups, while Friday’s session was more geared towards cardio and dynamic flexibility. I’m a big believer in varying each session to maintain enthusiasm. Hence, I incorporated different workouts including Pilates, Yoga Fusion, boxing, step exercises, Vol-leyball Fitness, agility drills, running intervals, light plyometrics, and Swiss ball work. We often worked in circuits. Circuit training is fantas-tic to rev up your heart rate, effectively pass the time by focusing on the task at hand, and, just as it starts to get difficult, we move on to something else. Every session incorporated abdominal, butt, and back strengthening, with exercises adapted to each lady’s individual fitness level.

Bootcamp2010 promises new and exciting changes. We’ll still have the old two session/week exercise classes, but participants will have an opportunity to take on the full mind/body makeover for an 8-week commitment to better health.

The8-weekMakeover will include an initial health evaluation, the two group exercise sessions per week, a nutrition plan, stress-manage-ment seminars, a personalized 3rd workout session home visit each week, healthy cooking recipes and how to read food labels, cognitive-behavioral meal management modification, and mindfulness training. Individual diet plans and herbal supplements will also be included in the Makeover.

Who am I? I am sport psych counselor, personal trainer, and life coach. I have a masters in Counseling Psychology at Webster Univer-sity in Geneva, with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Santa Clara University and a minor in Health Science and Kinesiology. I have a solid background in exercise-science, exercise-fitness, nutri-tion, and mental training techniques. I’m currently a Volleyball Fit-ness instructor, a “work-self-health” life coach at Vivamea, and run a private counseling practice. I am a volunteer sport psychologist at Santa Clara University, and offer customized mental training seminars for schools and club teams in California.

Being a professional athlete, I’ve spent years trying out different combinations of diet and exercise. I believe in goal-setting and our ability to succeed in the process if our intentions are correct, the goal is reasonably attainable, and if the discipline is present. I’m also 100% aware of the fact that for most people, it is easier to achieve our health and fitness goals when there is follow-up, accountability, and a positive group atmosphere.

All details in regard to timings, registration and costings will be in January’s Activity Letter.

Just 8-weeks to jump start your way to a better you. Areyouready?

BootCamp! CaliforniaSportFitnessstyle

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Move#1: Overhead Squats (Tar-gets core, upper back, and legs) - Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart, toes turned out slightly. Grab a rolled-up towel with an overhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart, and raise it overhead so your shoulders are roughly in line with your heels (A). Squat down as far as possible without letting your knees jut out past your toes (B). Return to standing. That’s one rep. Do 10 to 15.

Tip The towel helps keep your shoulders aligned. Sans towel, raise your hands overhead--but keep your shoulders back and in line with your heels.

Move#2: Superwoman Exten-sions (Targets core, lower back, and glutes) - Lie facedown and extend your arms out at shoul-der height, keeping your elbows slightly bent (A). Press your shoulder blades together and lift your arms, torso, and legs off the floor (B). Holding that position, bring your arms in front of you, and make a slight chopping mo-tion with your hands and slight freestyle swimming kick motion with your feet (C), do this for one count, and then move them back. Lower yourself to the floor. That’s one rep. Do 10 to 15.

Move#3: Scissor Lunges (Tar-gets lower body) - Stand with your feet hip-width apart, hands clasped behind your head. Lunge forward with your left foot and lower yourself until your right knee almost touches the floor (A).Explosively push up and scissor your legs in midair, land-ing with your right leg forward (B). When you land, drop down, explode up, and scissor again. That’s one rep. Do 3 or 4.

The7MinuteCookieKiller A7minutedailyworkouttocombatholidaytreats

Move#4: Standing “T” (Targets core and lower body) - Stand with your arms at your sides, right foot raised a few inches be-hind you (A). Lean forward while you extend your right leg directly back and your left arm forward (B). Keep your right arm against your body. Your torso, left arm, and right leg should be parallel to the floor. Hold for one second, then return to start. Repeat on the other side. That’s one rep. Do 5 or 6.

Move#5: Mountain Climbers (Targets core and upper body) - Get in push-up position with your hands directly below your shoulders and your feet together (A). Bend your left knee and draw it toward your chest (B). Extend back to start. Repeat with your right leg. That’s one rep. Do 20 to 30, moving quickly.

Tip Brace your abs and keep your back flat.

Move#6: Squat Thrusts (Targets core and legs) - Stand with your feet together, arms at your sides. Bend your knees and place your palms on the floor in front of your feet and along the outsides of your knees (A). Using your

arms for support, jump both feet back and land in plank position (B). Jump both feet forward to return to the squat. Return to standing. That’s one rep. Do 12 to 15.

Move#7: Walkouts to Push-up aka “Inch Worm to Push-up” (Targets core and upper body) - Stand with your feet together, arms at your sides (A). Bend over (it’s OK for your knees to be slightly bent) and place your hands or fingertips on the floor in front of you (B). Walk your hands forward into plank position and do one pushup (C). Keeping your hands in place, walk your feet up until they’re as close to your hands as possible. That’s one rep. Continue moving forward until you’ve done 5 to 6 pushups.

Tip Keep your neck in line with your spine at all times

Follow these above tips and you will notice that your New Years Eve frock that you purchased in early November will easily slip over your Festive body.

Written by Jacqueline Heler C/- California Fitness email: jacheler@gmail.com 11

My name is Emily Haslimeier. I am from Australia and moved to Fribourg , September 2008. My husband is Swiss and we have a beautiful 11 month daughter. After speaking to Kerri we thought a book club would be a fantastic way of bringing some expat women together on a regular basis to enjoy some wine, cheese, tea, and coffee and discuss a ‘book of the month’, Where possible we will watch the as-sociated movie to give us a different perspective to discuss on the night.

Whoisitfor? Anyone who enjoys reading, don’t worry if you are not a book worm.

Whatbookswillweread? We will each select a book of the month. Because our members are from such diverse backgrounds this will be a great way of discovering books that cover a wide range of genres and cultures.

WhenandWhere? Book Club night will take place on the first Tuesday of every month from 7.30pm – 11.00pm at my house in Le Mouret. The first night will be Tuesday 2nd Febraury, 2010.

WhatdoIneedtodo? Read a book once a month, and keep the first Tuesday of every month free.

Timings: approx 7.00pm

Location: Les Marias 3, Le Mouret, 1724 Fribourg.

The first book will be “TheSecretLifeofBees” Author - Sue Monk Kidd. The idea is that we all read this between now and January so we can discuss it on the first night - Tuesdaythe2ndFebruary. (F.Y.I. Amazon UK has The Secret Life of Bees)

HowdoIjoin? Just send me an email emilyhaslimeier@yahoo.com or give me a call on 076-3449333.

WomenofWords All-NewLadiesBookClub

FEW Group has been working up a little surprise for you ladies over the past month. Basically, I’ve been talking to Margaret Braun about a new monthly Movie Group for FEW Group that would simply involve watching some particularly noteworthy films and having a chat about them later. Not so much from an academic or critical point of view, but just from a personal and en-joyment point of view, discussing what you got out of each movie and how it fits into the world of cinema at large. The idea is to make it sort of like a “book

FlickChicks All-NewLadiesMovieClub

club” but for MOVIES, where we announce what we’re going to watch ahead of time, and you can watch it and then follow along with Margaret afterwards for a nice glass of wine etc...

The Monthly movie night will be held on the 2ndTuesdayofev-erymonth, whether we meet up for drinks or dinner before hand or after wards purely depends on the timings of the movie.

The first movie will be on the 12January,2009.

You can register by emaiing on margaretbraun@hotmail.com.

Bowling JustforFun!

Bowling night - it’s way more fun than just throwing balls down a tenpin lane! Some consider it a sport, others assume it’s only for old folk, some people just go there to hang out with friends over a beer and some just play for pure fun! Why don’t you just come along and make-up your own mind about the bowling mystery!

The FEW Group Bowling gang are a relaxed bunch of “girls and guys” who are all down to earth, friendly and love having a good “laugh”. If you haven’t bowled before it’s not a problem - it’s easy to pick up and just play. Bowling is always fun, social, ac-tive and is never affected by the Fribourg weather. It definately makes a great change from standing in a pub or sitting at a restaurant drinking and chatting during the winter months that are fast approaching.

Time: 7.30pm

Location: Fribourg Bowling Centre, Rue Saint-Pierre 6, 1701 Fribourg.

Participants: Girls / Guys / Friends - anybody who wants to pick up a ball, play, and have some fun!

Date: 3rd Thursday of every Month.

Firstdatein2010: 17TH FEBRUARY 2010

Registration: Please email Irma on irmavrooyen@yahoo.com to register. This will enable Irma to book the correct number of lanes per month.

TennisAnyone? LadiesSocialTennisClub

Calling for all raquet nuts and social ladies, who love playing regular tennis and are searching for a-bit-of outdoor/indoor fun! Please join us then, for a game of tennis and bring along your girlfriends!

• Fancy a game of Tennis?

• Would you like to meet new people over a friendly fun game of tennis?

• Can’t think of anything better than a nice glass of wine or cold beer, after a chilly Wednesday evening spent indoors playing Tennis?

• Like to have a “hit” on a Wednesday night, without having to worry about booking 3 weeks in advance?

Then wait no longer, and join our FEW Group Ladies Tennis Team.

Our Tennis Group is a fairly new Sub-Group, and has women from all over the Fribourg area, who want to play regular social tennis throughout the year. This group is open to all FEW Group Members and guests who would like to enjoy other social activities including happy hours after tennis, tennis outings and many others.

Where: Agy Centre, Granges Paccot OR L’Aiglon Villars-Sur-Glane.

Time: 8pm - 9pm

Day: Every Wednesday Night.

Regsiteration: Please email our Sub group Manager, Rowena so she book the correct number of courts. rowena_mullins@yahoo.co.uk

Don’t forget to register your friends!

Coffee&Kids Weeklymorningmum’s&kid’splaydate

Did you know? EveryThursdaymorningbetween9.00amto11.00am we have a Mothers coffee morning and childrens play date at the RestaurantManora, Route De Moncor 1, Villars-sur-Glane.

Weather permitting we can be found upstairs by the playground. Otherwise we are on the main level near the indoor play area.

Simply drop by and meet some FEW Group moms for a coffee and chat. Come and make new friends for yourself and your kids! 1�

BaselMarkets - in the middle of the old town from November 26th until December 23rd is where you will find the fantastic Basel Christmas Markets. This is definitely worth a visit during the festive season!

Biel/Bienne - boasts the biggest xmas market of the region. From Friday 5th December to Thursday 24th December, the middle of Biel will come alive for xmas.

BernXmasMarkets - November 28th to December 27th - the old town of Bern will come alive with over 50 decorated wooden huts, lights, pine trees and array of wonderful food to set the taste buds alive!!

BulleXmasMarkets - same dates as the other infamous (Nov 26th - Dec 24th) Swiss markets - how-ever, much closer for the FEW Group ladies. Open every Thurs-day to Sunday.

InterlakenXmasMarkets - For the 13th year, in the Center of Interlaken they will hold the Christmas Markets from Saturday December 5th to Sunday Decem-ber 6th, 2009.

LausanneMarkets - November 27th until December 24th.

It’sthattimeofyear! GuidetotheChristmasMarkets

MontreuxMarkets - from the November 26th until Decem-ber 24th, 2009. With a beauti-ful back drop of the lake and mountains, what more could you ask from a xmas market!

MartignyXmasMarkets - from December 25th to Tuesday De-cember 8th 2009.

NeuchatelChristmasHandicraftMarkets - only on December 5th from 3.00pm - 10.00pm - Neucha-tel city central will come alive.

Lastly, don’t forget our own chris-mas market here in Fribourg and the St. Nicolas cortege both on Saturdaythe5th - more details can be found in Chloe’s article on page 26.

Andotherwinter-wonderlandactivities...• Skiing, downhill and cross country - all ski areas in Switzerland.

• Snow shoeing...no experience or training really needed just exhausting like walking in sand - most ski areas in Switzerland.

• Ice skating on frozen lakes, e.g. Schwarzsee

• Sledding down the mountain.

• Horse-drawn sleigh rides - Schwarzsee

• Thermal Baths - Charmey, Yverdon Les Bains and my favorite is Lavey les Bains.

• Chateux D’Oex Hot air balloon festival in late Jan is spectacular. http://www.ballonchateaudoex.ch/sibac.asp

• Eat Fondue and Raclette.1�

Anna

sharesherpotterswheelexperience

ChewtheCheese: Thank you for taking the time to talk with Chew the Cheese. You have a lovely accent - where are you originally from and how did you come to Fribourg?

AnnaJazwinska: I am originally Polish. However, I have worked in London (UK), Cologne and Tübin-gen (Germany), Basel (Switzer-land), Boston (USA). Two years ago I was invited to take a posi-tion at the University of Fribourg and since then I have been here.

CtC: You were one of the first to register for the pottery course. Why did you decide to take this workshop?

Anna: I immediately registered for it as I know that pottery is one of the fundamental elements of our culture. I see in the break room at work, many of my col-leagues have their own special cups. The cup tells a little story of who the owner is!

People across the world have fired clay to make pots, plates and ceramic decorations since prehistoric times, I also wanted to get the experience with pottery.

CtC: It’s apparently quite a “hands on” workshop - have you been enjoying it and what have you been doing in this workshop?

Anna: Indeed in this “hands on” workshop, you really need to use your hands as the main tool in shaping your pottery from a piece of moist clay. We have explored hand-building tech-niques such as pinching, coiling and slabbing. In addition, we have llearnt how to use simple shap-ing or rolling tools, cutting wire, and the pottery wheel. Everybody could make a bowl, a butter plate and to design diverse personal-ized items. We had full freedom to choose what we wanted to create. It’s been a fantastic work-shop.

CtC: Peter Fink is quite an infa-mous Potter in Switzerland - how-ever what is he like as a teacher?

Anna: Peter is really a wonderful teacher. He was open to our ideas and patiently helped us to reach our goals. When something went wrong with our work, he was there to show us the way.

CtC: Was there any aspect of this workshop that was quite difficult to manage, like the potters wheel, or the mixing of your own glazes?

Anna: It was my first time in a real pottery studio. I realized that it was quite difficult to use the wheel, but we had a chance to try it several times. After having practiced for a half an hour, I suc-

ceeded to make a bowl. The most important is not to give up and to try again.

CtC: I am sure everybody would like to know - have you completed a “masterpiece yet”?

Anna: Not quite yet (haha) But even if my work did not result in a real masterpiece, I am happy that I could learn what pottery is about, what kind of skills and tools are needed in this job. I tried it. It doesn’t matter how perfect your final product is. What is precious for me is the experience that I have gained during the course.

CtC: Do you have creative ad-vice, for the members who have signed up for the 2010 Pottery Workshops?

Anna: First my practical advice: Leave your rings or a watch at home. Take an apron and com-fortable shoes. My creative advice: Before you start the workshop, think about different forms you would like to create from clay. Design a decoration for your pottery. Your products will be your real personalized pottery. Good luck!

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ChewtheCheese: Hi Lawanna, Firstly thanks for taking the time to chat with Few Group. Could you tell us more about yourself?

Lawanna: I’m originally from Atlanta, Georgia in the U.S. I’ve have lived in Villar-sur-Glane for almost 3 years with my husband and 3 small children. We’re sadly leaving Fribourg next month to return to the U.S.

CtC: I believe you participated in one of our first “Boot Camp” Workshops. What made you de-cide to choose that Activity?

Lawanna: First of all, having 3 children has made me quite overweight! As I just mentioned, I can’t really exercise regularly with 3 children, and the childcare available made it possible for me to do it. So, that was a real pull for me. Second and most important, it was a ‘commitment’ for me to ensure that I exercise twice a week. Thirdly, with all the changes in my life right now, I needed some kind of de-stresser and thought this would greatly help. It really just put me in lots of pain ...kidding...it did cause some pain but it was a great break for me and I always felt better at the end of the hour. As we all now - NO PAIN, NO GAIN!!

CtC: Why was Jacqueline’s Boot Camp classes so different from other types of workouts you have tried before?

Lawanna: It was totally differ-ent... Jacqueline has some re-ally unique exercises for the Boot Camp and we never did the same workout twice. I absolutely LOVED the variety. I expected

Lawana takesonBootCamp

something like aerobics or a step class from my distant past, but it was nothing like that. One day a week we concentrated on strength training and the other day was aerobic training. We used a variety of exercise balls, balance plates, punch bags, weights, a floor ladder, steps etc.. One day she even placed a rope around our waist and made us run as hard as we could, as if we were an ox or something pulling a cart. I know it sounds crazy... but, really it was a serious great workout and never boring.

CtC: Do you think you would have received the same fitness benefits from doing another type of class instead of Jacqueline’s unique Ball Workout?

Lawanna: No, because we utilized the balls and other equipment every day, we constantly worked on our strength and core balance through out our bodies for the whole workout. For example, we often lifted weights while lying on the exercise ball and not just in a static position. I’m no expert, but I definitely think that Jacqueline’s workouts bring about a greater overall fitness.

CtC: Many trainers believe in what they call “the pack men-tality” - the benefits of training closely with others. I believe Jac-queline’s workout is also based upon working out with each other - did you enjoy this and does this help motivate clients through a workout?

Lawanna: Absolutely, having friends “suffering” with you is

absolutely motivating :-). Jac-queline accommodated all lev-els of fitness...even though we trained in a group we all received tailored made exercises for our level of fitness,

CtC: What advise do you have for other ladies who may be thinking of taking up our “Boot Camp” challenge next year?

Lawanna: Do it...at least give it a 4 week commitment. It’s a calorie burner, energy builder, friend maker... okay, there’s some pain, too. Jaqueline’s tough - but that’s exactly what you need to see changes in your body!

CtC: Thanks for taking the time to chat with FEW Group and will we be seeing you again next year in the workout room?

Lawanna: It’s been a pleasure and if I were going to be here in Fribourg next year, I would be the first one signing up for the new and improved Boot Camp. Howev-er, instead I’ll be hunting Jaque-line’s twin in Atlanta in 2010!

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ChewtheCheese: Morning Vio-laine. Thanks for joining us here. Firstly, I believe you’re one of the first Swiss ladies to join FEW Group?

Violaine: Yes, I think so! I was born in Switzerland 27 years ago. But 100% Swiss? Maybe not! My Mom is 1/2 Swiss Ger-man 1/2 Swiss French, and my Dad is 1/2 USA 1/2 Irish. That means, I don’t quite feel Swiss, nor American or Irish. I’m a bit of all of them at the time, making me feel at home here and there, but not being totally part of any culture either. A big mix, citizen of the World. I signed up about 5 months ago because, growing up in Switzerland made me want to live the English-speaking culture a bit more and share my hints and experience of the region with the expats. I work in a commu-nication agency as an executive assistant and also teach English in an art school. I discovered the FEW group when Kerri sent an email to all the English teachers in the Canton.

CtC: Which FEW Group Workshop did you partake in?

Violaine: I signed up for the 1st glass workshop with Catherine Keller. That is where I met the other FEW members for the 1st time. I enjoyed it so much, that I immediately signed up for a second glass workshop. The hand painted lamp workshop. It was loads of fun. Crafts have been my passion since I was a child. It keeps me focused and allows me to express myself in various ways.

CtC: Could you tell or readers some more about what you cre-ated with Catherine Keller?

Violane

andtheStainedGlassWorkshop

Violaine: I created a 3 layer lamp with an aluminum back. I had to prepare and paint the 3 glass sheets that I then superposed to created a 3D effect. The painting was easy and I enjoyed mixing the glass powder and water to get the paint ready before apply-ing it. The suspense was intense between each lesson. How did the firing go? Will it look nice? Will it break? But no worries, Catherine is highly professional and a very patient, helpful and motivating teacher with a great sense of humor.

CtC: I know that your actually a very creative person and so what inspired you to choose those colors for your lamp?

Violaine: After the 1st introduc-tion workshop at Catherine’s, driving back home I had a flash and had the idea to make a “pixel lamp” with a superposition of lots of little squares. I wanted some-thing graphical but warm, so that is why I chose different shades of orange and reds.

CtC: What was the most interest-ing and difficult part of making your lamp?

Violaine: The most difficult part in making the lamp was the drilling through the metal to the screw the electric part to the back of the lamp.

CtC: The lamp that you made is beautiful. Will you be placing this in your house or giving it away as a xmas present?

Violaine: I was thinking of keep-ing it. As I will be moving mid-January, I’m not quite sure yet where it will go maybe in my bedroom.

CtC: Do you have creative ad-vice, for other FEW Group mem-bers who have signed up for the STAINED GLASS WORKSHOPS?

Violaine: I would say, glass and enamels are quite surprising, so just let it go and be, have fun and let yourselves surprised my the matter.

CtC: Thanks for chatting with us today and I know FEW Group looks forward to seeing you at more of their workshops.

Violaine: I’m very happy to be part of this expat group and hope we will continue to exchange ex-periences, hints and a good laugh on regular bases!

1�

Hello, Fribourg Expat ladies. My name is Corrine Charpentier and I am French. I am married to an American Artist from Pennsylvania and we have a four year old son. I am proud to announce that I will be providing FEW Group, with all the Cultural events that are happening in and around the Fribourg Region in each issue of Chew the Cheese!

I started work in the Contemporary Arts field not because of an existing passion or because of long studies in art history from Paleolithic to present, but it simply turned out to be my job - I feel lucky it happened this way as I have an extremely interesting position, with which I discover new things, new people and new thoughts almost every day.

I keep on saying that it was the only thing I could think of doing, having given up business classes after two years and re-oriented myself to communication and language studies. After achieving my studies with a degree in Cultural Policies, I started to work in different art institutions in Luxembourg and in the North East of France. After 7 years, I was able to build my own program as the director of an art centre located in a former synagogue.

In 2007, I moved to Switzerland to be in charge of the Kunsthalle / Institute for contemporary art, Fri Art in Fribourg as a curator and director. The art centre is located in a beautiful industrial building close to the swimming-pool La Motta, in the Basse-Ville (downtown). It is a non-profit organization dedicated to interntional artists and art, its production and interpretation.

We organize 4 to 5 exhibitions a year, which are solo shows as well as thematic group shows.

If you are interested in getting our information or joining us (our annual party “Egyptian Reggae” will take place on the 30th of January with dinner, costumes and dancing), please simply e-mail meat FRI ART.

ArtScene CorrinneCharpentiershowsus whattoseeandwhere.

UpcomingEvents:Amuseumvisitwiththechil-dren.Musée de la machine a cou-dre A curiosity, as M. Wassmer, 80 years old, has been collecting tools that were in use, worldwide, before the invention of electricity. In the grand rue, Fribourg and on http://museewassmer.com/

AsundaymorningforthefamilyDecember 6 Le Guignol à rou-lettes présente: Graine de Zizanie Puppet show and brunch. The brunch is at 10 and the show at 11. Reservation advised at Fribourg tourisme 026 350 11 00, more info on http://www.nouveau-monde.ch/fr/programme/index.htm

Averyseasonalexhibition - November 21st to January 10th > Christmas at the Castle - Peruvi-an Nativity Scenes from the Hartl Collection : the Castle opens its doors to an exceptional Christ-mas exhibition: over a 150 Nativ-ity Scenes will be on display in a spectacular setting created by the collector Alfred Hartl in col-laboration with Monika Amrein. Picturesque and enchanting to the eye, surprising by its expres-sive force, the presentation pin-points the multiple facets Scenes.http://www.chateau-gruyeres.ch/e/expos/prochain/prochain.html

TheBallet - December 12,13 > For the first time in Fribourg, the Bal-let of Geneva will present three creations relating to spirituality

with the famous choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui for the last one. Not to miss. Nuithonie, Villars-sur-Glane. http://www.nui-thonie.com/saison_6_6011.html

Amythicconcert - December 6. 40 years later, Fri son invites Richie Havens to open this long night dedicated to the mythic Woodstock festival. The Young Gods will follow, and will impro-vise on the film Woodstock, which will be projected simultaneously. http://www.fri-son.ch/

Anartopening - December 4th at 6 pm. Fri Art reopens its space after major renovation with a solo show by the Genevese artist Delphine Reist. Feel free to come and discover this work around a glass of wine! www.fri-art.ch1�

When I first came to Switzerland, I was working as an adult English teacher at one of the schools in town.

Later a friend invited me to Basel to see the Carnival festivities. Now this is no ordinary Carnival, you must realise, it entailed taking a 4 a.m. train from Bern, arriving in Basel around 5 a.m.

Due to this carnival I somehow wound up joining a Guggenmusik (Carnival music) group six months later. They soon became my family and introduced me to the real ‘Switzerland’.

I stayed with this group for a wonderful 7 years and then I was introduced to JAZZ and that is where I am at now… a hopeless jazz enthusiast. Through this, I established my connection with the Conservatory of Fribourg.

Music is a wonderful way to meet new people and support the community. If you have not been in Switzerland long and feel the language is still a problem, what better way to get out? No subtitles needed!

SoundScene SharonMillerguidesusthrough thelocalmusicscene

UpcomingEvents:LesConcertsdeL’AventdeVillars-sur-Glâne 6*, 13*, 20° December, Eglise paroissiale Villars-sur-Glâne, 17:00 info: www.concerts-avent.ch/

J.-S.BachOratoriodeNoël Chœur de Chambre de l’Université de Fribourg/Chœur de la Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas 31° December, Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas, Fribourg, 21:30 (during the Mass)

HaydnNelsonmesseEnsemble vocal DeMusica / Or-chestre de chambre fribourgeois6 & 8 December, Eglise Sainte-Michel, Fribourg, 18 :00

LiederausRusslandWeisse Nächte Russischer Chor 19* December, Musée d’art et d’histoire, Rue de Morat 12, Fribourg, 17 :00

OrchestredesJeunesdeFribourg20° December, Concert de Noël, Eglise de St-Jean, Fribourg, 16:00

24° January, 3ième concert du dimanche, Aula de l’Université, Fribourg, 17:00

EglisedesCordeliersFrom 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. twelve different groups will be singing – ‘Les Rendez-vous musi-caux De la St- Nicolas’ 5 December

ClaudioRugoYAmigos Brazilian music. Vernissage du CD Mano A Mano 17* December, 20:30, Nouveau Monde, Ancien Gare, Fribourg ,

Toni’sBigBandChristmasconcert 26* December 2009, Landgasthof, Garmiswil, 20:00

‘ClassicmeetsJazz’4 December at 20:00 Conserva-toire de Fribourg, Granges-Pac-cot, 20:00 (free)

Festival–30thAnniversaryoftheJazzDepartment,Concertdesprofesseurs5 December 2009, Conservatoire de Fribourg, Granges-Paccot, 20:00 (free)

EricAlexander/StewyvonWattenwylQuartet12*, 16* January 2010, Marian’s, Bern, 19 :30/21 :30 , modern straight ahead jazz

CountryWesternandrocknrollattheBLUESCLUBINFribourgWiththeHONKYTONKYsPICKERSFROMTHEUSAWestern atmosphere – music, typical menu from the West to taste, and a demonstration of line dancing 19th December at 21:00 Blues Club in Rue St. Nicolas de Flue 18A, Fribourg 10CH in western attire 15CH for non costume F.Y.I.:

Espace2 has some great stuff! Check out their website : www.rsr.ch/espace2 Personally, I love the JazzZ program at 22:40!

PriceKey:

* means the tickets must be purchased. ° this symbol means A ‘collecte’: you decide on the amount and give it at the end of the concert. It doesn’t mean free!

if there is neither ° nor *, please contact their website for ticketing information.

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WhatisMobilityCarSharing?

If you’re not sure whether to buy a car or not and you only need a car a few times a week then maybe Mobility Car Sharing is the solution for you! You might have seen all the red cars run-ning around Switzerland with “Mobility” written on the side and wondered what it was all about? These cars are located all over Switzerland, mostly in large num-bers at train stations but also in areas of population. The benefit of using Mobility cars is you can hire them for just 1 hour. They are simple to reserve on the in-ternet and come in various sizes and prices depending on your needs. If you live in walking dis-tance to one of the Mobility car stations then it could be a good solution for you. In the canton of Fribourg there are 16 differ-ent pick up stations. The Mobility website has all the details but below will provide a summary. www.mobility.ch

Howdoesitwork?

Each driver must join. You fill in an application form and if suc-cessful you pay an annual mem-bership fee of approximately 300.00 CHF. This includes all your insurances. The annual fee will depend on which discounts you are entitled to e.g. If you have an SBB Half price card you get a discount etc.

Mobility CarSharingsysteminFribourg

Once you are a member you will receive a special access card. Now you are able to make reser-vations either by phone, SMS or directly on the internet. After making your reservation, you go to the station you have selected as the pickup point and place the membership card on the “checkpoint” panel on the car’s windscreen and it gives you entry to the car where you will find the keys and at least half a tank of petrol. Cars must be delivered back to the same location. You also need to be a “little Swiss” and ensure the car is delivered back before the reservation expires. The car doesn’t turn into a pumpkin but it will not start and you must reserve again via the onboard computer and get it back asap. It is usually better to over estimate your requirements and terminate early rather than get it back late. After several bookings you get the hang of the system. I have been a member for almost 3 years. I live in town and its very convenient. It is also fun as I get to drive all sorts of different cars.

On top of your annual member ship you will pay different charg-es such as booking charge, hourly rate and kilometer charge. All this includes petrol. Each car has its own petrol card which enables you to fill it up without using any of your own cash.

Examplesofrentalcosts:

Budget car (small car but seats 4) Hourly rate is 2.70 plus .48 c per Kilometer. For a 1 hour hire driving 20 kilometers it would cost 12.30 CHF. For 5 hours and 20 kilometers it would cost 23.10 CHF.

There are large cars, cabrios, trucks and Smart cars.

If you live close to a Mobility station then this could be an economical solution for you. The Mobility Service is not designed for long distances or weekend hire, although possible it may not be as economical as hiring a car from a normal Rental company. Mobility is economical for people using it for shorter periods and distances. For example if you are going to Geneva you would catch the train and then collect the car from the train station in Geneva. For accurate information please refer to the Mobility website.

Article written by M.Braun

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EveryoneCanDoAshtangaYoga

Ashtanga yoga is known as a vig-orous and physical form of yoga, but it is suitable for everyone, even complete beginners.

Ashtanga yoga is the basis of many of the popular forms of “power yoga” or “vinyasa yoga” that are offered today. Ashtanga yoga originates from the South Indian city of Mysore where the grandfather of ashtanga, Shri K. Pattabhi Jois, founded his Ashtanga Yoga Research Insti-tute in 1948.

WhatisAshtangaYoga?

Ashtanga has a reputation as a challenging and energetic form of yoga. The physical postures are just a part of the ashtanga practice, but they form the basis for its other aspects such as breathing exercises and medita-tion.

There are six series of postures in ashtanga yoga, each more and more challenging, and the postures are always done in the same sequence. The first series, called Primary Series, can take years to learn. The sequence of postures and the breathing system together create internal heat that is believed to purify the body, and sweating is a visible part of this dynamic practice.

WhatisMysore-styleashtanga?

The traditional method of learn-ing ashtanga yoga is self-practice or “Mysore style”, named after the way the practice is taught in Mysore, India.

AllAboutAshtanga

AshtangaYogaQ&A

In a Mysore style class stu-dents practice at their own pace and within their own limits. Students learn the postures one by one, and new postures are added to the practice only when a student can do the previous ones. A beginner can come to class and learn the very basics, and a more experi-enced student can build up on what s/he has learned before. Students must be able to do all the previous postures in the se-quence before attempting more difficult ones. Mysore style is often described as getting private instruction but with the support of a group!

HowoftenshouldIpractice?

Traditionally ashtanga is prac-ticed six days a week, usually in the morning, with rest days on Saturdays as well as on new moon and full moon. To most beginners six days a week sounds far too much, but most students will soon notice that it is better to do even a very short practice a few times a week than a very long one just once a week.

The postures can seem chal-lenging, but the key is a regular practice. The best thing about self-practice is that once you’ve learned the very beginning of the sequence, you have your own personal yoga practice you can even do at home.

“AmItoostifftostartashtanga?”

Beginners often fear they are too stiff to join an ashtanga class. In a self-practice class a beginner can learn the postures step by step without having to struggle through an entire hour’s practice or try to keep up with experi-enced students. Many beginners notice changes in their flex-ibility and stamina within a few weeks or at the latest a couple of months after starting a regular practice.

Ashtanga is suitable for complete beginners, stiff or not, but it is not recommended for children under the age of 14, and pregnant women with no previous ashtan-ga experience should not start this practice during their preg-nancy. Women should also take a break from practice during the first three days of their period.

Written by Satu, who is an autho-rized Ashtanga yoga teacher and has over 8 years of experience in Ashtanga yoga. Originally from Finland, she now lives in Bern with her Swiss boyfriend. You can contact her at ashtangayogaswit-zerland@hotmail.com

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ChewtheCheese: It’s always a pleasure talking to you, so thank you again for taking the time to chat with Chew the Cheese again! Why did you choose to start your own cosmetic line?

Catherine: I chose to create a line of cosmetics that would not only meet the needs of every women, but also enable them to take care of themselves at lower cost with-out having to go to beauty parlor every month or so.

For this reason I decided to cre-ate three facial cosmetic lines and one body range plus some specialty beauty products under the banner name of BIOPHASE.

CtC: Could you tell our readers what are your three cosmetic lines for the face? .

Catherine: Certainly, we have a wonderful selection of products for all skin types and problems for the ladies to choose from. Our first, is what I like to call our “Mixed Skin-range” it’s for ladies with basically normal skin but perhaps they may also have a slightly oily or dry T-Zone. Our products for this contain Jojoba, Chamomile, Vitamin E and Shea Butter to help even out your skin moisture and restore the balance back into your facial skin.

Our next range, is purely for those delicate, sensitive or rosa-cea skins, these all come under the banner of our “Sensitive Skin Care Range”. This range contains horse chestnut, Witch Hazel, Vita-min E, Sweet Clover, Beeswax and Shea butter. These lovely prod-ucts will restore the suppleness and softness to sensitive skin,

BeautyQ&A WithCatherineofBiophase

whilst reducing rosacea and redness to your skin. Lastly, we have the range that has been specifically designed for the very dry skin, mature skin to wrinkled skin, called our “Senescent Skin Range”. This beautiful anti-wrinkle range contains Musk Mallow, Scots Pine, Wild Pansy, St. John’s Wort, Vit E and DNA. This Anti-wrinkle range reduces the appearance of wrinkles, restores the supple-ness and brings a comfort back to tired skin, very dry and mature skin.

CtC: Your products are made in the Swiss based Arval Labora-tories. Why did you choose this Lab?

Catherine: Yes, that’s right. Arval has an amazing reputation inter-nationally as they work for many worldwide famous brands in Cos-metic and Beauty products/lines.

CtC: What are the best steps a woman can do to maintain her youthfulness?

Catherine: Basically, by following the below couple of steps it will help you maintain moisture in your skin, help slow down those wrinkles that we all want to fight, and restore the suppleness to you skin texture.

Every morning and evening use a cleansing milk and tonic, followed by a day cream plus an eye and neck balm.

Every week a gentle peeling and a mask and every change of sea-son the use of serum is recom-mended.

As for the body the use of a body peeling weekly followed every day by a body milk and if needed a firming gel treatment are rec-ommended.

Of course to have a lovely skin is also a matter of what you eat and how you indulge yourself with good night sleep and healthy life.

CtC: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us today and I know our readers will be waiting for your next Q & A Column in February’s issue.

Catherine: It’s been lovely catch-ing up again with Chew the Cheese and the FEW Group. I am really looking forward to writing a bi-monthly column for your newsletter next year and chatting to all the women about beauty products.

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Chew the Cheese would like to welcome our new in-house Interior Designer, Emma Doman.

Since graduating from design college in Canada, Emma has been working in the field of interior design for several years. She has loved every minute of her work within this profession and has discovered she has a special interest in barrier-free/uni-versal design. This is design that embraces the concept of acces-sibility. Meaning that everyone, no matter what limitations they may have due to physical ability or age, are able to easily function in their own home and access all public spaces. Emma has recently relocated to Bern with her husband and is looking forward to designing Switzerland. You can reach Emma Doman Interior Design at lookma@telus.net.

Home&Garden DesignAdvicebyEmmaDoman

Q Dear Emma, I have noticed that some people call themselves Interior Designers and others re-fer to themselves as Decorators. What is the difference between the two? Thanks Sandra - Fri-bourg.

A Hi Sandra, firstly thanks for your great question. A decorator generally refers to someone who would mainly deal with cosmetic or surface changes, such as wall and floor coverings, window treatments and furniture. Deco-rators would not normally get involved with any sort of renova-tion or construction work. Any-body with a good eye for color can call themselves a Decorator.

Interior Design is a more highly qualified profession requiring individuals to complete a num-ber of years of education as well as working experience. Interior Designers have the knowledge to work with architects in the planning stages and/or also work with builders to help see a project through to completion. Designers will carefully consider the uses of every room and produce creative floorplans. Certain rooms such as

kitchens and bathrooms require special design knowledge in order to create functional, efficient and beautiful spaces. Within the scope of what an Interior Design-er does is also to design lighting plans and specify all finishes and fixtures for your home. This means selecting the most appro-priate furnishings, flooring, win-dow and wall treatments, creat-ing color schemes and choosing plumbing and lighting fixtures.

There are hundreds of decisions to be made when embarking upon a home renovation and an Interior Designer is there to help you navigate your way through the process a smooth and timely fashion.

Kind regards

Emma Doman

Interior Designer.

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It’stimeforafengshuichange...

In the 20 years that I have left Australia there is little that I haven’t done. However, in 1997 my husband and I experienced ongoing problems that seemed never to disapear. One was finan-cial, one was contractual and the other was personal. It was my sister who suggested that I tried out this funky new trend that was going around Australia called FENG SHUI. I didn’t have much to do at the time, so I Feng Shui-ed our entire apartment from top to bottom, and it took me nearly 2 weeks to finish it. Strangely, once I completed our apartment our problems seem to vanish and our life took a more positive stance.

Since then, I’ve been hooked on Feng Shui. Firstly, I studied with Lillian Too in Malaysia and became a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner in Traditional Com-pass and Form School Feng Shui. Later I traveled to Hong Kong to study the Ancient Xuan Kong For-mulas and Water Theories with infamous Ramond Lo.

Many people ask me what’s a Feng Shui Consult like with Lotus Designs - “My consultations are incredibly hands on. I tell my cli-ents what I’m doing and why, so they get a mini Feng Shui course as I’m doing it. I’m very passion-ate about it and very thorough! I am often moving dining rooms into other rooms, sofa’s and carpets are moved. All your paintings come off the walls and are rearranged everywhere... and my clients and I chat a lot about their aspirations of life and goals - whilst having loads of fun!”

FengShui Tips&TricksbyLotusDesign

I believe that Feng Shui won’t change your life completely - but it will definitely enhance it and get those doors opening!

If you would like Kerri to answer any of your Feng Shui questions in the next is-sue of “Chew the Cheese” then drop her an email on kerri@lotus-designs.biz

Fengshuiandwindchimes.

The humble wind chime has never been so fashionable before, since the ever growing popularity of Feng Shui.

Feng Shui is the Chinese art of placement. It is a science that enables one to harness and maxi-mize the invisible flow of energy that circulates and meanders through our surroundings known as Chi. Feng Shui formulas in-volve the harnessing and balanc-ing of chi to enable the invisible energies in our environment to work with us; protecting against illness, ensuring a generally good life and the most wanted in today’s Dubai society ….. abun-dance of wealth.

In Feng Shui Formulas the mod-est wind chime plays an impera-tive role. As it’s gently caressed by the wind, it lets out a hypnotic metallic sound of delight in your garden and unbeknown to you all the time its busy dispers-ing bad chi and activating and drawing good energy into your home. Such as, if your garden is slightly lower in one particular area, then hanging a wind chime in this corner will ensure that the chi is constantly moved and does not become stagnant. Or if you have a telephone pole or large

tree that is directly opposite your front door, then hanging a 5 rod wind chime in front of your door will block the poison arrows that are being dispersed from this object.

Hanging a 6 rod metal wind chime in the northwest area of your garden assists in creating great mentor luck for all those living in the house. If you have a long straight path to your front door, then hanging a wind chime near your door will ensure good chi gently enters your house. And after you’ve had a long busy day at work, coming home and listen-ing to the soothing and entranc-ing tones of your wind chime, can help you release stress, wind down, relax and calm your mind.

So next time you hear your wind chime delicately tinkling in your garden, know that it’s hard at work enhancing your prosperity, health or harmony through Feng Shui principals.

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My name is Rachel Dasberg and I am from Tel Aviv, Israel. I arrived to Fribourg in October and I am working for Harmonic International, an American High Tech

company, as Contracts Manager Europe.

My hobbies include creative writing of short stories and I have a blog telling at the moment of my Swiss experience. I like to travel, meet new people, cinema, Yoga, and hiking.

Living in Fribourg is culturally very different than Tel Aviv, but it is quite an interesting experience. I am improving my French, enjoying the beauty of the

views around here and taking advantage of the slower rhythm of life.

Levivot-PotatoLatkes:

This is one of the most famous of Israeli foods and a specialty of the holiday of Hanukkah- Festival of lights, celebrated in December. The oil for cooking the latkes is symbolic of the oil from the Hanukkah story that kept the Second Temple of ancient Israel lit with a long-lasting flame that is celebrated as a miracle. The latkes are served as an appetizer, as a side dish, and even for tea with a sprinkling of confec-tioners’ sugar.

Ingredients:

1 kg potatoes

2 large eggs

1 onion

3 table spoons flour

1 Tea spoon Salt, little pepper

Oil for frying

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Levivot-PotatoLatkes

Peel and finely grate the potatoes. Put them straight into cold water, then drain and squeeze them as dry as you can by pressing them with your hands in a colander. This is to remove the starchy liquid, which could make the latkes soggy. Beat the eggs lightly with salt, add to the potatoes, onion and flour and stir well. Film the bottom of a fry-ing pan with oil and heat. Take serving-spoonfuls of the mixture and drop into the hot oil. Flatten a little, and lower the heat so that the fritters cook through evenly. When one side is brown, turn over and brown the other. Lift out and serve very hot.

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St.Nicholas Chloë Yates

Kind old man St. Nicholas dear,

Come to my house this year,

Here’s some straw

and here’s some hay,

To help your horse along his way,

Kind old man St. Nicholas dear,

Come to my house this year!

—Traditional German

One of my favourite things about Fribourg is the St. Nicholas pa-rade held on the first Saturday in December each year (St Nicholas Day is December 6th and he is Fribourg’s patron saint) Such fes-tivities are commonplace across Europe but Fribourg’s procession is quite possibly the biggest, at-tracting something like 30,000 people every year (which grew to approximately 50,000 in cente-nary year) I can’t explain to you exactly why it attracts such num-bers, me amongst them, because it involves none of the bells and whistles one might associate with such an event. However, com-ing from a country where Health and Safety regulations seem to be throttling the cultural spirit, it’s both heartening and (scarily) exhilarating to watch what looks likes barely organised chaos – in-volving a bizarre, not to mention rather tenuous, rope pulley sys-tem and open flames – marching up and down the centre of town with joyful abandon

Splendid stuff!

The tradition was revived at the beginning of the nineteenth century, after being outlawed in 1763 when the celebrations got a little … shall we say, out of hand? It continued to be observed privately in St-Michel College but in 1906 the students decided go beyond college walls and held a procession to the cathe-dral. Since then it has become a hugely popular affair. The pupils pick one of their number to be St Nicholas and, by way of a donkey and accompanied by his “pères fouettards” (literally “whipping fathers”; watch out kids!) who are supposed to be there to strike the fear of God into the hearts of the spectators, but actually hand out sweets to the children (and sometimes my mum) in the crowds, he makes his way from the college, through the town, to the Cathedral (if you want to get a good view, head for Place Georges Python or outside Manor on Rue de Romont – they’ve both worked well for me in the past, just don’t stand in front of me please, I will take names!) Once at the cathedral, he stands on the specially erected platform under the portico, and delivers a speech that muses and moralises, often scathingly so, over the events of the past year in the town.

The legend of St Nicholas, as relates to the tradition in Fri-bourg, tells how he resurrected three children murdered by a man who was intent on making pies or hams out of them in a

time of famine. Although clearly a protector of children, in this light he seems to have nothing to do with the razzmatazz of the populist Santa Claus (originally Sinterklaas in Dutch) – but the relationship between the two perhaps owes more to another of the many legends associated with the saint:

A poor man had three daughters but was unable to provide them each with a proper dowry. This meant that they would remain unmarried and, with any other employment unlikely, the bleak fate of prostitution was, in all likelihood, theirs. St Nicholas, hearing of the poor man’s blight – not to mention that of the girls! – decided to help him, but either did not want him to suffer the humiliation of having to accept charity or did not want to make his benevolent actions known publicly. Thus, he went to the house, under the cover of dark-ness, and threw three purses of gold, one for each daughter, through the man’s window.

It is in the variants of the tale, so typical of such stories, that we find the links to Santa Claus as we more commonly know him. In other versions, he visits them three times, each time leaving one purse for each daughter as she comes of age. The third time he visits, invariably through all traditions, the poor man tries to see who has been leaving the purses. St Nicholas of course gets wind of this and throws the

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purse down the chimney instead. Ping! A connection! Another variant says that the final daugh-ter, having washed her stockings in the evening, left them to dry over the embers, and that the bag fell into one of the stockings. You’re feeling me now, right?

Anyway, as is my wont, I’ve digressed. Things you need to know – the procession normally starts from St-Michel, this year on Saturday December 5th, at about 17h00 (around dusk) and usually finishes at about 18h30. The speech at the cathedral can be a rather crowded affair and a little chaotic, so it might be dif-ficult with small children. Wrap up warm because none of these times are definite and it can be fearsomely chilly standing in the wind tunnels of Rue de Romont et cetera.

Christmas is undoubtedly one of the hardest times to be away from home, but the warmth of Swiss traditions and the simple celebrations can help us feel more at home here. I know St Nick’s certainly does so for me. And what better backdrop to the coming Yuletide fun than the Alpine Vistas that are a bonus of living in this country?

Merry Christmas, ladies, and hope you have a splendid St Nick’s!

PeaceofMind Joanne Potts

To search the shell and not the pearl

To search the light and not the dark

To search the person and not the shadows

To search the sun and not the moon

To search the living and not the dead

To follow your heart and not your head

To find your truth and not be lost

To follow the mountains across the range

To take what may

And come right back

To look at life and know you’re there

Living it through with friends anew

To take the rough and knew its cool

To take the smooth like a long sled ride

The ringing bells of churches toll

The stories of olde and of lessons tolde

But still today we have not learnt

The lessons of the past

We look for pearls and not for shells

We look to death and not to life

We look for mountains in the sky

We forget our reasons and questions asked

We follow the whats and not the ifs

And lead with head and not with heart

We all forget to watch the ball

And re-assess and question why

To follow a patch that is truly yours

Is to follow the heart and seek the shell

And to follow the ball wherever it ends

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