Summer is about sunkissed skin, endless laughter and wonderful friendship. Of course, summer is not complete without bottomless glasses, boats, hikes and barbecue. Life is great and I’m beyond thankful.

This summer, I found myself in the mountains of Switzerland and skyscrapers of Malaysia. As promised, 2019 is about the future. This summer is also about building the future and less about play.

Headed to Switzerland for ITU’s final submission in Geneva and spent some time catching up with friends and making new ones in Zurich/Zug. Malaysia is for a conference and grateful to be making new friends too.

Bid goodbye to P and headed to the airport for my flight. I flew with Qatar (because I love them) and had a layover in Qatar. For some reason, both flights were empty and I had the whole row to myself! I had one of the most comfortable sleep on both flights. Woke up to sunrise, and sat down with my legs stretched to read my book. What a great start!

Zurich, Switzerland

First weekend, I headed to Uetliberg in Zurich for a nice hike. Packed a nice sandwich and dark chocolate for my little hike. I only planned for a 3h hike, but ended up getting lost and hiked for the whole day. Here’s the start to sunkissed skin 2019.

I love lavenders, and found this farm with some amazing lavenders. Obviously I took a stalk and put them in my hair.

Got lost from the hike because I wanted to make a round instead of turning around. Ahead from the farm was an empty patch of grass. So I took my towel out and lay on the grass patch, under the most wonderful summer sun in Switzerland. Life, it is as great as you want it to be!

Geneva, Switzerland

Finally met Suzana in person, instead of 12h difference! Went for dinner on the first night together and loving our fun chats.

Had an amazing conversation on the way from Zurich to Geneva. Continued with my (sporadic) running routine. This evening, I met with the most beautiful sunset that cast an sky of colours across the French alps. Mont Blanc, what a beautiful site.

When life is exactly what you imagine it to be. Grabbed by FT in the morning, made my favourite Earl Grey and headed to the UN building in Geneva.

I really wanted a barbecue and organised one with the team. We had so much fun drinking, chatting and getting to know each other. It was absolutely a blast and I’m so happy to know these wonderful people.

Made a little presentation on the economics of token engineering and they loved my slides and presentation. Plus, everyone was asking for the slides, so that made me rather happy.

26 months and lots of editing later, what a great team!

Last night was also Switzerland’s national day. Had (awful) dinner with great conversations and then found this amazing summer party! Loving everything about Switzerland’s summer.

Parisian vibes in Geneva

Sometimes life happens in the most unexpected and beautiful way. I still can’t believe that this is my life.

Tandem biked around Geneva and then biked to the airport. 100% super cool (& exhausting)

Work hard (see the badge) & play hard (see the smile)

Managed to sail a little despite the lack of wind and swam in the lake too (I really love swimming in the lakes)

Swiss Alps

Second weekend found me in the Swiss alps for some quality hikes

There is something about the greatness of mountains and Mother Nature. I’m humbled by the presence of the mountains and how she thrives despite the sun or snow. What an inspiration.

The goodest boy! Picked up wild flowers and put them in my hair. The plan was to hike a different route, but end up making friends with Carolla and went hiking as a team of 4 with the goodest puppy boy.

It’s not summer without barbecue. Obsessed with bbq and we bought some meat for the bbq. A 3h hike became a 6h one because we were resting, taking pictures and generally having a great time. What a good company. Spoke some french and it was fun too, always

The happiest when I’m in nature. Deep down, I’m a 700 year old old lady, but when in the mountains, I’m a 5 year old child, skipping around the meadows.

So grateful for Ning and Xiaofeng! Had no plans for the weekend but to go on a hike. Ning had the weekend available too, and convinced him to join me. Xiaofeng was interested too, and postponed his flight to hike with us. Spent the weekend with these two and it was amazing. We had so many chats about everything and it was just real fun. 10/10 team

Happy faces in the meadow of wild flowers

Flower in my hair and smiling like I don’t care!

Headed to Zurich then Zug after the weekend in the mountains. Bid the team farewell and I headed on to my next destination. Meetings and making new friends, followed by my run and swimming in the lake (again).

I don’t remember the last time I was in a meeting room and the other lady in the room isn’t a receptionist.

Qatar

Honestly, all I have been doing since Zurich was drinking and eating. Bubbles in Zurich and bubbles again on the plane. Oh QSuite, you’re spoiling me.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Was debating if I should return to Singapore or KL since I had a week before the conference. I decided to be in KL since it was easier. Turns out to be a long weekend and I had another amazing weekend! (Everything always works out fine in the end.)

Visited this oldest cinema-turned creative art space in KL. It’s going to be really fun here.

Learnt to make tacos and tortillas and I can’t wait to make them when I’m back! Made new friends on Sunday and decided to make tacos and they loved it. (best guinea pigs ever)

Favourite Pictures