tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90432968246213010522024-03-12T19:47:18.873-07:00Adventures Abroad!A Blog following my life as I experience life as an American AFS exchange student in Ormalingen, Switzerland.Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-62039681591601888272011-08-30T12:31:00.000-07:002011-08-30T12:31:35.762-07:00Back...Wow. After loosing connection with this blog for so long i can honestly say it feels wierd to be back. Both here and in america. After arriving about a month and a half ago in my "homeland" as other afs'ers sometimes refered to it, it easily described as diffent, strange, wierd, boring?. Nothing Like switzerland, but im pretty sure even a non exchange student could figure that one out. I am finding the things that have been bugging my most are the routines of my daily life. Well I miss my host family and friends like crazy, its the little things, like always saying "agueta mitanan" before each meal. Meeting friends on the train and getting a coffe, or sitting near the Rhein. Dressing up whenever you left the house. Walking everywhere. My bike. All the things that made my daily life, well, my life. Those are what I am finding I am missing the most. I feel like Ive come home, but Ive lost all the things that made home home.<br />
<br />
Dont get me wrong. I have had a fabulous summer catching back up and traveling with my family. Its just the times when you find yourself having nothing to do where it hits you. On the upside, because of the hurricane my school is still in summer vacation which means that I have not really been able to have a daily schedual back home. Everyone has said it can start to get easier once you have the back. Right now Im not back to the stage I was with my friends before I left because I havent seen most of them yet. I dont have those people I can just go and hang out with therefore which makes it harder to adjust to being back home. Hopefully once school starts up Ill be able to reconnect or connect with new people, and start being the person I have become through out my year. Its easy to see ive changed already, but im hoping once I get back in a daily life where I really have things to compare myself to who i was, I will be proud with how ive changed and be even more thankful then I already am, for my time abroad.<br />
<br />
Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-18456346789078864742011-05-17T00:35:00.000-07:002011-05-17T11:24:34.531-07:00Something newOnce again i have lacked the time to post a new blog about all the amazing things i have gotten to do the past few weeks. While I can find a minute or two, i can never find the time to just sit down and share everything. Thats when a friend of mine gave me a great idea. Twitter. To be honest its something i always hated the idea of, but i thought i would try it out and see how it goes. So below is my twitter name. For the many of you who i am guessing have no idea what twitter is, its simply a website much like my blog, wher i can post quick notes such as "off to zürich for the day with my host family" or "saw a dunkin doughnuts today in germany! first once since the states!" I will ofcourse continue to post on my blog about how the experience is, and longer stories including photos, but I feeel like the quick notes will give everyone a better idea of what my daily life here is like, with less then 2 months to go in my exchange. =) Hopefully it works out.<br />
<br />
So here is the link to my twitter site. Please take a look and follow me. Hopefully you'll enjoy =)<br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/saroger94">http://twitter.com/saroger94</a><br />
<br />
PS<br />
New post coming soon with pictures from my class trip in St. Stephan! Amazing week!Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-16875886237627405252011-04-01T09:01:00.000-07:002011-04-01T09:01:16.948-07:00As the sun keeps shining...Last week can be what I consider a perfect week of my life here in Switzerland, or atleast a week that truely makes it feel like home. As mentioned by almost every exchange student, time flys by after your 6 month mark, and it is sadly because this is the time when everything is good. you speak the language, have friends, a new family, understand the culture, and feel at home. (Ofcourse just when all is good, it is time to head home, but thats another story).<br />
The past week for the first time in a while, the sun shone bright and long. A good 7 days long to be exact. The weather hit the low 70s, and although it was the first week back in school after vacation, I can honestly say it wasnt so bad. Spending lunnch time out on the lawn, getting ice cream in the breaks, windows left open in class hours, and overall just soaking up as much sun as possible, the atmosphere in school was that of a welcomed spring =)<br />
<br />
Then the weekend hit, and started off by me heading over to a friends house with 3 other girls from my class, and hanging out baking cookies, and overall just talking. It felt so much like what I used to do back in the USA with my friends on the weekend and made me realize how good of friends I am becoming with them =) At about midnight everyone else headed off, and I stayed for a sleep over with the girl whose house it was. She was in America last year on exchange in south carolina and its really funny hearing how different just my life, and that in the south can be. After watching a movie and staying up talking we finally headed to bed about 3. The next day we were up nice and early at a sharp 8am. After showering and an unbelievably fast breakfast we headed to basel and met up with two girls form the night before for a Farmers Market. We ended up spending almost the entire day there simply looking around, buying what caught our eye, and then doing a little touring...oh and ofcourse eating. I found a really cool bracelet and earings, as well as...well I will post it later as its a gift for a friend back home... We also bought an amazing old fashioned poleroid camera, some cool sunglasses, and other random things. I swear they had everything there! Then that night I went to a birthday party from a friend I met through AFS at a really cool camping area place (which also took about 20 minutes of walking randomly around to find) where they had set up a fire and such. Unfortunatly it was raining and as I didnt know that many people we didnt stay that long.<br />
<br />
The next day I headed down to Cully with my host family, which is in the french speaking part of switzerland. It is a small whine town set on the Genf Sea, near Lausanne, and is absolutely amazing. So beautiful! All the houses were what you picture in France or Italy! It was really cool getting to hear my host family speak french as other then one of my host sisters I never really had before (also good as my french is limited to yes, no, and my name is) After the long train ride we walked through the whine fields for about half an hour before getting to our restauraunt that looked over the sea and fields. It was stunning. After lunch we headed back to the main town to see the <i>Cully World Jazz Festiva</i>l. We saw an amazing band called <i>Portico Quartet </i>from England. It was really cool, but as I was so tiered from the past few days and school, I was ready to head home when it ended.<br />
<br />
Today the is perfect, with temperatures in the mid 60s, and sunny skys. This weekend is even going to be about 77!! I also just learned my parents are going to be coming to visit around the end of may and I am so excited! It will be great to be able to show them my life here!!<br />
<br />
For pictures from my weekend and past few months, please see the side bar! =))<br />
Tschüss!!<br />
SarahSarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-33989466111463782112011-03-22T11:42:00.000-07:002011-03-22T11:42:19.289-07:00February and March, Where did they go???People always told me that after you reach the half way point on your exchange year the time begins to fly by, but I never thought it would be quite like this. It truely feels like just last week I was coming home from my christmas in Engelberg, and now already its been 7 months, I have the date and time for my flight home, and I am left wondering how I will fit everything in the short 3 months I have left.<br />
<br />
The last two months have been absolutely incredible, from many more skiing trips, to random visits with other exchange students, saying goodbye to swissfriends leaving for exchange, aswell as making new friends, shopping trips, school tests, sport turnaments, exploring, and simply enjoying the everyday life Ive come to love here in Switzerland. I can even now amazingly understand most swiss german, which is great as the weather has reached a lovely point of sunny and warm (the first time in my life the weather has been that of spring when the calender says it is officially spring) and my class and I have been trying to enjoy it.<br />
<br />
Unfortunatly I am off to learn for a biology test and can not write anymore at the moment, but until I get another chance, I have been uploading photos from the past two months in the mean time!<br />
=)) EnjoySarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-9971997398668978142011-02-01T08:55:00.000-08:002011-02-01T08:55:35.974-08:00Halbzeit...halftime....halfway.Last friday officially marked my half way point in Switzerland. 161 days here, 161 days to go. 23 weeks both ways. I can't believe how fast the time has gone! I feel like just last week I was sitting on the train for the first time coming home with my host family! Its now been over 5 months and its hard to explain how wierd that feels. I now truly feel like I have a new family, friends, and a home here. In one way I am so excited to have made it this far, and crazy happy to think I will soon see my friends and family back home who ofcourse I miss insanly. But on the other hand I cant really imagine going back. Here is home now. Its normal, and I know as soon as I get home I would want to be right back here. Anyway havcing it be half way makes me think about all the incredible things I have already gotten to do this year. This is truely a once in a life time experience!! The idea that just last week I took a quick trip sight seeing to Luzern after school with my host aunt or go to Germany for the day and doing it all only speaking german, is something that I never would have imagined I could do last year. From a vacation in spain, sledding in the swiss alps, taking and passing classes completely in german, its crazy to think about all that Ive already accomplished, as well as how much more<em> </em>I want to do, and see before I head home.<br />
<br />
Anyway it worked out quite nicely as to celebrate my half way point I went skiing for the first time ever with a girl in my class who has a house in the mountains. I must say for anyone who wants to learn to ski, you truly cant find a better place to do it then the swiss alps! Blue skys, "neble meer" (dont know how to say that in english), hot chocolate, perfect slopes, and beautiful views in every dirrection! Its quite perfect! =) It was just me and Flavia (friend from my class) for the whole weekend, and as she is swiss and learned to ski at age 2, and was skiing down the black marked slopes at age 4, she was my teacher. Saturday we headed out at 9, and skied until about 2 before heading into the town in the valley. Saturday night we spent watching movies, eating brownies, ice cream, etc. and just laughing a lot. Sunday we spent the whole day skiing, before heading back at about 430 to pack up, clean the house, and head home with the 7pm train. We were home by 930, and I was exhausted! By the end of the weekend, while it wasnt the most graceful or fastest skiing, I could succesfully make it down the ski runs without falling by myself. (without her as a guide of where to turn etc.). And as it was my first time anywhere near alpine skis and ski resorts I was pretty proud, although today every musle in my body hurts =) Below are many pictures from the amazing adventure. It was such a great weekend, and it was cool getting to spend so much time just hanging out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgfn81xJmI/AAAAAAAAAJs/r8nDDQQPil4/s200/January+019.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch spot</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgmafAP5hI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/y6dNBE1zGMM/s1600/January+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgmafAP5hI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/y6dNBE1zGMM/s200/January+039.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very little snow!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgfn81xJmI/AAAAAAAAAJs/r8nDDQQPil4/s1600/January+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgoJpjanTI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/WhGN77tmVko/s200/January+054.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our house!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUghAoxiv_I/AAAAAAAAAJw/vq4nRpVdh30/s1600/January+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUghAoxiv_I/AAAAAAAAAJw/vq4nRpVdh30/s200/January+029.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgif8ukHqI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/4xqTDx47pYg/s1600/January+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgif8ukHqI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/4xqTDx47pYg/s200/January+032.JPG" width="150" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgr8xqMiNI/AAAAAAAAAKE/D_n_pljR4NI/s1600/January+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgr8xqMiNI/AAAAAAAAAKE/D_n_pljR4NI/s200/January+072.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgpRRIiuJI/AAAAAAAAAKA/LqqzIdgG4Yw/s1600/January+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgpRRIiuJI/AAAAAAAAAKA/LqqzIdgG4Yw/s200/January+069.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUguDyGYSkI/AAAAAAAAAKI/2CNqRAmHR58/s1600/January+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUguDyGYSkI/AAAAAAAAAKI/2CNqRAmHR58/s200/January+075.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgv1jKyISI/AAAAAAAAAKM/pm7a4p4pv5k/s1600/January+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TUgv1jKyISI/AAAAAAAAAKM/pm7a4p4pv5k/s200/January+081.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-79374306667300008052011-02-01T06:51:00.000-08:002011-02-01T06:51:42.831-08:00Achtung Treppe!Of all the ways to end myself in an Ambulance on the way to the Emergancy room in Switzerland, I do it by falling *up* the stairs. Now before you start laughing, I would like to point out that many of you have probably done this yourself once or twice! Simply step wrong, or over think it, and whooops. Anyway, heres what happend.<br />
<br />
Two weeks ago I went out with a girl from my class, and one of her friends. We headed to Basel, and after picking up some food, headed to see Burlesque (With Cher and Christina Aguilera) in German. I was so excited when I found I could actually understand most of the storyline! Granted not every word or sentence, but I knew in general what was happening! It ended up being a great film, and as we walked back to the trainstation at about 23:00 all was good. We were less then 10 minutes from the Trainstation when we were walking up some stairs on the side of the street. I guess I simply stepped wrong or something and fell face first onto the concrete steps. I had my hands in my pockets so nothing to really stop the fall. I thought at first it was just a nasty fall that would give me a bad head ache for a few days, but then my friend said "Oh blood". When I looked down at my hand it was already completely covered red. We eneded up walking to the closest pub, and there got a bag of ice, and found a women who literally took control. I was so lucky in that i never really had to think. I overheard what they were saying but I wasnt really thinking strait so when I heard taxi I asummed we'd be getting one to go to the Hospital in. As I was sitting on a bench waiting for the "Taxi" to come, my friend called my host dad. I then all of a sudden heard sirens, and freaked out when I realized they had called the Ambulance. I was so embarrassed! I mean I could walk fine, and was still talking normally! In the end I spent 2 1/2 hours in the Emergancy room, got four stitches, xrays, etc. I was surprised to find that the ER system is very similar to that in America, and was lucky in that many of the people I worked with spoke english...(I can understand german fine, but medical terms, allergies, etc. is a completely differnt thing). By sunday morning I had a beautiful black eye that lasted well until wednesday when itcheanged to green followed by a bright yellow, and bruses that coveded my legs (in the perfect spacing of stairs).<br />
<br />
In the end I was amazed at how quickly people, who are almost compelte strangers to you, step up in the time of a crisis. The girls I was with waited for me in the ER until 2 in the morning, and even checked on me over the course of the weekend. Sunday was spent washing the blood out of all my clothes, and contacting both my parents and AFS as to let them know what happend, and ofcourse calming down parents (both host and biological). While it was a great night of firsts, many of them I find were not that fun. Even without the pain even just walking, the uncomfortableness of the overly swollen eye, and the difficulty showering (as the stitches can not get wet), just answering the 5000 questions that alway follow once people see your face is enough to keep me always holding onto the hand rail now whenever I'm on stairs. Its definetly not fun. I finally got the stitches out yesterday afternoon, and now just have a inch or so long line on my cheek, but according to the doctor it should heal nicely. So other then a slight scar and crazy memories form a night out in Basel, I now get to always hear, "Achtung, Treppe!!" every time I walk near some stairs, in english, "Watch out! Stairs!".Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-614632383504953742011-01-21T03:31:00.000-08:002011-02-02T09:38:34.153-08:00Time to think...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>So much has happened in the last week or so so I think I am going to break it up into a few blog posts, which might take a while, so in the mean time I thought I would let you guys expand your minds. The "6 monthers" as I like to refer to them, or old AFS'ers, also known as the kids who were here in Switzerland on exchange for 2010 (came in January 2010) just left this week to head home, and its got the rest of us thinking a lot about our time here, and how we've changed, what weve done, what we still want to do, and ofcourse, how good is our german?? I promise to post a little on this later, but in all the thinking, we got in to quotes, and so I thought I would put up some of my favorites that ive aquiered, found explain my life, or finally understand after the past few months. As you might suspect many of them are about finding yourself, as if nothing else, an Exchange year is one of the best ways to go out and figure out the real you...even if it takes a while...enjoy. =)</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">And H</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">ansel said to Gretel, “Let us drop these breadcrumbs so that together we find our way home because losing our way would be the most cruel of things.” </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">....And losing your way on a journey is unfortunate, but losing your reason for the journey is a fate more cruel.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">....But when the destination was reached, it wasn’t me who arrived. It wasn’t me at all.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">.... And once you lose yourself, you have two choices: find the person you used to be or lose that person completely.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">.... Because sometimes you have to step outside the person you’ve been and remember the person you were meant to be. The person you wanted to be. The person you are.</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. Its about learning to dance in the rain.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i></i></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Who knows where life can take you, the road is long, but in the end, the journey is the destination. </i></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>-Sometimes the greatest rewards in life ; come from doing the things that scare you the most.</i></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Nathanial</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="yshortcuts cs4-visible" id="lw_1295607997_6" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(54, 99, 136); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 2px; cursor: pointer;">Hawthorne</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">- "No man for any considerable period can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true."</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I just wanna live a life I'm gonna remember even if I don't write it down......</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Life begins at the end of your Comfort zone.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>There are over six billion people in the world. Six billion souls. But sometimes all you need is one</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">E.E. Cummings- ‘Be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best night and day to make you everybody else. It means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight and never stop fighting.’</span></i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Khaleel Jubran - “Your reason and your passion are the rudder and sails of your seafaring soul. If either be broken, you can but toss and drift or else be held at a standstill in mid-seas.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Wayne Gretzky - "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" so take your best shots.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Never let the fear of striking out, keep you from playing the game.</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ida Scott Taylor - "Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone. And do not be troubled about the future, for it has yet to come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering."</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><i>Abraham Lincoln - </i>"And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s <span class="IL_AD" id="IL_AD4" style="background-attachment: scroll !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: transparent !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(51, 0, 255) !important; border-bottom-style: dotted !important; border-bottom-width: 1px !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; position: static;">the life </span>in your years."</i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Does your brain hurt yet??? =)) Until later....</span></span></i></span>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-83633253978658371292011-01-12T08:23:00.000-08:002011-01-12T08:23:00.334-08:00Schule Stundenplan AKA School Schedule<span xmlns=""></span><br />
<div>The next semester, and last semester of school here in Switzerland is just weeks away, so I thought I would post my school schedule. It is amazing how fast this semester has gone by! I feel like I just had my first day in Gymnasium last week!! Overall it is a great schedule....amazing actually because....<u style="font-weight: bold;">NO Saturday School!!!</u> While of course this is normal for most of Switzerland and the USA, at Gymnasium Liestal there are not enough class rooms to fit everyone in during the week so almost everyone has school on Saturday morning. I am so excited to be able to sleep in on Saturdays!<br />
<br />
<table border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><colgroup><col style="width: 53px;"></col><col style="width: 70px;"></col><col style="width: 40px;"></col><col style="width: 110px;"></col><col style="width: 134px;"></col><col style="width: 75px;"></col><col style="width: 61px;"></col><col style="width: 95px;"></col></colgroup><tbody valign="top">
<tr style="background: #4f81bd; height: 43px;"><td style="border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="bottom"><span style="color: white; font-size: 18pt;">Uhr</span></td><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="bottom"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 18pt;">Monday</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="bottom"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 18pt;">Tuesday</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="bottom"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 18pt;">Wednesday</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="bottom"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 18pt;">Thursday</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom: solid white 3.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="bottom"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 18pt;">Friday</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background: #4f81bd; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><span style="color: white;"><strong>07:45 – 08:30</strong></span></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Buisness and Law</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Sport</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">History</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Buisness and Law</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">History</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background: #4f81bd; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">08:35 – 09:20</span></strong></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Music</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">English</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Physik</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Math</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background: #4f81bd; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">09:30 – 10:15</span></strong></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Math</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Geograpy</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Math</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background: #4f81bd; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">10:30 – 11:15</span></strong></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">German</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Art History</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">German</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Computer</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Biology<br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Lab</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Art</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background: #4f81bd; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">11:25 – 12:10</span></strong></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">German</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Art History</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">German</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Computer</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Biology<br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Lab</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Art</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background: #4f81bd; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">12:15 – 01:00</span></strong></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background: #4f81bd; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">01:05 – 01:50</span></strong></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">German Course</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">English</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background: #4f81bd; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">01:55 – 02:40</span></strong></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Geograpy</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Music</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">German Course</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">English</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background: #4f81bd; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">02:50 – 03:35</span></strong></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Physik Lab</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Biology</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">German Course</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Biology</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background: #4f81bd; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">03:40 – 04:25</span></strong></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Physik Lab</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Sport</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 0.75pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #d3dfee; border-bottom: solid white 0.75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Class Hour</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 43px;"><td style="background: #4f81bd; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: solid white 1.0pt; border-right: solid white 3.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">04:35 – 05:20</span></strong></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">Sport</span></div></td><td colspan="2" style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td><td style="background: #a7bfde; border-bottom: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px;" valign="middle"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0c343d;">-</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div>With always having class the first hour, I catch the 7:22 train from Gelterkinden. However on Tuesday (when I have sport first) I must go with the 7:00, because school starts a little bit earlier when you have sport first. On Monday and Thursday when there are two classes, it is because it switches every other week. One week on Thursday I will have Computer, and then the next week Biology lab. This means that on Mondays I am finished at 2:40 every other week =). Every Thursday afternoon I have German class in another town, with all the other exchange students, just as I have this semester. It is always a lot of fun, but also a little annoying being on Thursday afternoons, as my class is finished in school at noon, and without it, I would have the afternoon off. All in all though, its a good schedule. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Until Later... </div><div>~Sarah</div>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-70394710311823569652011-01-04T13:11:00.000-08:002011-01-04T13:11:46.092-08:00A Winter Wonderland Christmas... PhotosHere are the photos from my amazing Christmas in Switzerland! (Click for larger view)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNfXU6YQrI/AAAAAAAAAIM/_PZo-2hCWk4/s1600/Dezember+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNfXU6YQrI/AAAAAAAAAIM/_PZo-2hCWk4/s200/Dezember+040.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spaghetti with Avacado and Tunafish</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNdFUvGp9I/AAAAAAAAAIE/kviD9dq4lQQ/s200/Dezember+034.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damenrige with Advent Windows </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNeR7PAhcI/AAAAAAAAAII/aGWyId9e1eg/s1600/Dezember+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNeR7PAhcI/AAAAAAAAAII/aGWyId9e1eg/s200/Dezember+039.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Far too much sugar!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNdFUvGp9I/AAAAAAAAAIE/kviD9dq4lQQ/s1600/Dezember+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNeR7PAhcI/AAAAAAAAAII/aGWyId9e1eg/s1600/Dezember+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNdFUvGp9I/AAAAAAAAAIE/kviD9dq4lQQ/s1600/Dezember+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNeR7PAhcI/AAAAAAAAAII/aGWyId9e1eg/s1600/Dezember+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNhf4brzFI/AAAAAAAAAIU/rJtL1u4GHLI/s1600/Dezember+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNhf4brzFI/AAAAAAAAAIU/rJtL1u4GHLI/s200/Dezember+066.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas tree...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNifNA3g4I/AAAAAAAAAIY/duQK0DceMqY/s1600/Dezember+075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNifNA3g4I/AAAAAAAAAIY/duQK0DceMqY/s200/Dezember+075.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas tree lit <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNjachnXmI/AAAAAAAAAIc/45g7rqWvAuc/s200/Dezember+086.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Host family on 24th</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNkhXS9itI/AAAAAAAAAIg/rCSlmbkRweE/s1600/Dezember+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNkhXS9itI/AAAAAAAAAIg/rCSlmbkRweE/s200/Dezember+091.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meat and Water fondue =))</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNzzcetOsI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Xn1eEpQmyUc/s1600/Dezember+101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSNzzcetOsI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Xn1eEpQmyUc/s200/Dezember+101.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engelberg town</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN2D7azb_I/AAAAAAAAAIs/Devhj4khm78/s1600/Dezember+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN2D7azb_I/AAAAAAAAAIs/Devhj4khm78/s200/Dezember+105.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from hotel window (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN3O4ZxWQI/AAAAAAAAAIw/a9pUuVDae9E/s1600/Dezember+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN3O4ZxWQI/AAAAAAAAAIw/a9pUuVDae9E/s200/Dezember+111.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Montasory</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN07H044DI/AAAAAAAAAIo/WMA9UaOCijA/s1600/Dezember+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN07H044DI/AAAAAAAAAIo/WMA9UaOCijA/s200/Dezember+104.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from hotel window (left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN4UQ6rspI/AAAAAAAAAI0/3Yp-j6PuW1o/s1600/Dezember+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN4UQ6rspI/AAAAAAAAAI0/3Yp-j6PuW1o/s200/Dezember+115.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">House <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOJjcc6n4I/AAAAAAAAAJo/ZTdwrGyv_7I/s1600/Dezember+191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOJjcc6n4I/AAAAAAAAAJo/ZTdwrGyv_7I/s200/Dezember+191.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN4UQ6rspI/AAAAAAAAAI0/3Yp-j6PuW1o/s1600/Dezember+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN4UQ6rspI/AAAAAAAAAI0/3Yp-j6PuW1o/s1600/Dezember+115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN_vnJdW3I/AAAAAAAAAJE/qsvqpNrHiYY/s1600/Dezember+139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN_vnJdW3I/AAAAAAAAAJE/qsvqpNrHiYY/s200/Dezember+139.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN8WuigZhI/AAAAAAAAAJA/sagR5LONJ1I/s1600/Dezember+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN8WuigZhI/AAAAAAAAAJA/sagR5LONJ1I/s200/Dezember+128.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOCQtEAXQI/AAAAAAAAAJM/CP37skquFkw/s1600/Dezember+160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOCQtEAXQI/AAAAAAAAAJM/CP37skquFkw/s200/Dezember+160.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOEfFPNokI/AAAAAAAAAJU/CVzDpZNR9s4/s1600/Dezember+164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOEfFPNokI/AAAAAAAAAJU/CVzDpZNR9s4/s200/Dezember+164.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engelberg below</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSODbGe7rSI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/gMs8spBwbEw/s1600/Dezember+161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSODbGe7rSI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/gMs8spBwbEw/s200/Dezember+161.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Favorite tree <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOBDcF7s0I/AAAAAAAAAJI/-pg4JFH2EcM/s1600/Dezember+145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOBDcF7s0I/AAAAAAAAAJI/-pg4JFH2EcM/s200/Dezember+145.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN7GOz14AI/AAAAAAAAAI8/pJ7lLtQITvg/s1600/Dezember+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN7GOz14AI/AAAAAAAAAI8/pJ7lLtQITvg/s200/Dezember+124.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN5mvaOlTI/AAAAAAAAAI4/_WkCsl5rFEU/s1600/Dezember+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSN5mvaOlTI/AAAAAAAAAI4/_WkCsl5rFEU/s200/Dezember+119.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sled used for sledding!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOFm837mYI/AAAAAAAAAJY/gMOSqfOjdkc/s1600/Dezember+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOFm837mYI/AAAAAAAAAJY/gMOSqfOjdkc/s200/Dezember+168.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOGsMQ1RqI/AAAAAAAAAJc/2jvzK0Z8dIo/s1600/Dezember+174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOGsMQ1RqI/AAAAAAAAAJc/2jvzK0Z8dIo/s200/Dezember+174.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOIXldljNI/AAAAAAAAAJk/SkZoqIw2jMw/s1600/Dezember+189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOIXldljNI/AAAAAAAAAJk/SkZoqIw2jMw/s200/Dezember+189.JPG" width="150" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOHNHk-GUI/AAAAAAAAAJg/MNDucWNUDVE/s1600/Dezember+177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TSOHNHk-GUI/AAAAAAAAAJg/MNDucWNUDVE/s200/Dezember+177.JPG" width="200" /></a>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-1212968293011054742011-01-04T09:41:00.000-08:002011-01-04T13:13:30.179-08:00A Winter Wonderland ChristmasMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone, no matter where in the world you are!!! One thing I learned this year is it doesnt really matter where you are for the holidays, but more about being with people you love, enjoying their company, and connecting with those far away. And spending my holidays here in Switzerland made me realize how great a life I have. It was truly a a Wonderful experience that i know i'll never forget. *As this post is so long, I'll put all the pictures along in a seperate post =) *<br />
<br />
We had school all the way up until the 23rd of december, but as currenly only have CA on wednesday every other week I had the 22nd free, and on thursdays I only have German class, but our teacher had us throw a christmas party <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">of sorts. On the 22nd, i met up with my Liason Caroline for our last hang out before Christmas. We did some last minute Christmas shopping, got some coffee, and just had a great afternoon. I then went home to bake Christmas sugar cookies as for German class, everyone brought in a traditional meal from their land for the Christmas season. It was the last day of German class for the exchange students going back in January, so it was a great way to spend the time! Of all the sugary sweets, one of my favorites was actually a Christmas meal from Chili that one of my friends brough it. Its cold spaghetti with avacato and tunafish mixed together. Sounds strange but it was amazing! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Christmas eve, or "Heiligabend", was an overall relaxed day. (at least the morning and afternoon). There had been no snow for the past week and everyone though we would have a green christmas, but when we woke up that morning the ground was covered with snow! (which didnt stop falling until about 7 that night!) It was such an amazing thing to see! I finished christmas present wrapping, got ready, and then headed down to Herberts house to get ready for the combined Christmas with the two familys (normally they have christmas with one on the 24th and one on the 25th, but this year they decided to combind them). In Switzerland, it is costum to celebrate Christmas on the 24th evening. Or 25th evening. Rahel and I got to work on decorating the tree, and getting the room all set up. By the end it was beautiful, with the real candels (an amazing thing about Christmas trees here!) chocolate, and ornaments. I then went to skype my family back home for about an hour or so, where I got to see my Grandparents for the first time since I left. It was great to have my family back home talking with my family here too (including the cat!), as i often forget they dont really know each other. By the time I finished the Grandparents had arrived, and shortly after Carla and everyone else came down. We started with appatizers, and whine, before moving on to a delicious salad. We then went into the room where the tree was after my host mom announced that "The Christkind has come!". There we lit the Candles and Sparklers that now decorated the tree, and although I was sure it was going to start a tree fire, it was amazingly beautiful!! After opening about half the presents we headed back into the dining room for the main course, which was meat fondue. If you picture the normal fondue of bread and cheese and replace this with meat and water you get the idea. At first i had no idea how the meat was suppose to cook in the short time we placed it in the water....but somehow it turned the nice dark brown of cooked meat, and tasted amazing. We had over nine different homemade sauses for the different kinds of meat, and i was completely full very quickly! We then procedded to finish opening the rest of the gifts, which for me was alot as i had gifts both form my family here, and from back in the states! It meant so much to get gifts from people back home, as well as those here as i know i'll keep them forever! Some of the gifts from my host family included the German version of Cinderella, a swiss desserts cook book, a frame full of photos from my year here so far, and more. We then had dessert which was ofcourse amazing and then stayed until midnight talking before heading home.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">On the morning of the 25th I packed my bags and headed off with my host family for the weekend to Engelberg! It is the last town you can get to in the alps, and is literally surrounded on all sides by the mountains. It is sooo beautiful!! The trip took about 2 hours, and after checking into our hotel we headed up to the family's house higher up the mountain. (Used to be owned by the whole family and shared for vacations, but now is owned by my host moms brother). There we met up with the rest of the family and hung out for a while before heading back down with Rahel, Carla, and three of their cousins (Severin who is Rahels age, Valentin who is Lukas age, and Sebastian who is 23) to walk around the town, get a hot chocolate, and then get ready for the Christmas party that night. The town is definetaly a ski resort town, and our hotel was very different from the giant chain hotels in america, and even more amazing! Old fasioned styled with a tiny elevator that fits only about 2 people with their luggage, the whole place had more the feel of a cabin in the mountains then a hotel. The christmas party was with the whole family, (proba</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">bly about 25 people) and involved dinner, and present exchange (secret santa style). I had one of my hostcousins who i had met maybe two times before, but honestly had no idea what to get! I ended up giving a box of the traditional Vermont things, including maple candy, champlain chocolate (which felt funny giving to someone in switzerland) and maple syrup. Luckily he seemed to like the gift and I was relieved! One of the aunts had me, and I ended up getting a small swiss army knife, very traditional armband warmer things made out of silk that are surprisingly very warm, and a traditional bandana. I thought it was such a perfect gift, and was so thankful! Plus I love being able to say I have a swiss army knife now! We headed back to the hotel at about midnight, but as everyone else was sleeping at the house or a hotel just down the street, Rahel, Carla, Lukas, and their three cousins and I walked/sledded back down. It was so beautiful with the town lit up below.</span><br />
<br />
The next day we woke up about 10 and headed back up to the house for breakfast. Looking out the window that morning i almost screamed! It was bright blue sky, and you could see the mountains for the first time since we arrived! I couldnt believe I was really here! Severin and Sebastian had woke up early to go skiing, along with many other people from the house who had gone sledding or so, so it was pretty quiet when we arrived. After breakfast (about noon) we decided to go on a walk/hike, which ended up being the most beautiful hike I've ever been on! We walked on the street up the mountain, before heading off on a path that eventually led into the woods. Every dirrection you looked was snow covered white that was glinting in the bright sun. There were trails covering the mountains from skiers and snowboarders, and random bildings set into the snow for the cows come summertime. It was truely a winter wonderland! By the end of the 2 hour walk though I was nicely frozen, and was glad to spend the rest of the afternoon just chillin in the house playing games, talking, and relaxing. About half of the family left on this day, so dinner was smaller, but still lots of fun. At our kids table (made up of 14, 15 and 16 year olds) we continued a game we had played the night before with the whole family (where you write a name and stick it on someones forhead, and then they have to ask yes, or no questions to figure out who they are). It helped me to realize how much german I actually know, as I tried to figure out who Iwas (mickey mouse), and had lots of fun. Rahel, Sebastian, Severin and I then returned to the hotel about 10:30 by sled (the others had gone home during the day).<br />
<br />
The 27th, our last day in Engelberg, Rahel, Severin, and I woke up early to go sledding!! We had breakfast at the hotel with Sebastian, before packing up our things from the room, leaving them in the lounge (only in switzerland would they be perfectly safe there) and heading out to the Gondala lift with our sleds in tow. It was my first time in a skiing resort with lifts and such (a little sad being from Vermont and all) so it was a good thing I was not alone. We headed up, and then took a chair lift even farther up from there! By the time we were at the top we had a 2.5 kilometer sledding trail through the alps ahead of us. It was so beautiful and completely amazing! Something I will never forget! The sun was shining so bright that I actually got a tan, and sometimes had to close my eyes! After three times down we decided to take a break and got a hot chocolate and Gipfeli at the restaurant at the top of the mountain! We then sledded down again before heading home. An amazing thing about Switzerland is to do this we simply took the sleds! After going down as far as we could on the sledding path, we went onto steeper parts of the mountain (where skiers had already made great paths) in which I ended up going faster then the sled and landing in front of it! After a little bit we hit the normal street, which was covered with snow. we then were able to ride this the rest of the way (about 20 minutes) down to the house. It was so much fun, and amazing being able to just sled home from the mountain! After a short rest and snack, we gathered up everything, took a quick stop to look at the Monistary (Older then the USA!) and cheese store, and made our way home. For dinner that night we had fondue, which was so good, and such a perfect end to my swiss Christmas weekend!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Its crazy to think it is already the star<span id="goog_365065365"></span><span id="goog_365065366"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">t of a new year. When I think back to all the amazing things I have done this year, and the people I have done them with I can honestly say that 2010 has been one of, if not the best year of my life! It went by so fast as for me it felt more like two seperate half years (my time in America, and my time in Switzerland) but both were so full of friends, family, laughs, fun, adventures, new experiences, and overall happiness that together made my year amazing. I can't belive it was a year ago that i was working on my application to start this crazy adventure, and in the blink of an eye I have already been here for 4 1/2 months! Thank you to everyone who has been there with me the past year through applications, fundraising, and the rollarcoaster of living in a new country. Both near and far, I have been so lucky with the people who make up my life. Thank you so much! Thinking of you all! So where ever you are in the world, heres too an amazing year! May it be eve better then the last, and be full of new adventures, new friends, and moments you will never forget. Happy New Year!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">~Sarah</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-25612971969999218172010-12-13T12:32:00.000-08:002010-12-13T12:32:13.936-08:00"Samichlaus / Santichlaus" =)<span xmlns=""></span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TQZurjlSnGI/AAAAAAAAAHY/jdgTZR5-EQ4/s1600/Dezember+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TQZurjlSnGI/AAAAAAAAAHY/jdgTZR5-EQ4/s200/Dezember+015.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TQZr2tV0yMI/AAAAAAAAAHM/OYX_-KZOXPA/s1600/Dezember+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TQZr2tV0yMI/AAAAAAAAAHM/OYX_-KZOXPA/s200/Dezember+002.JPG" width="150" /></a><span xmlns=""> An amazing thing about an exchange year is learning about the many different traditions that take place around Christmas time. There are so many I have learned about so far, but here is one…Unlike in the US, Santa Clause is not the man who brings presents to Children on Christmas Eve. He is a man that comes on the evening of the 6<sup>th</sup> of December, and talks to the children about whether they have been good or bad. When a child has been good, they receive Chocolate, an Orange, and a Grittib<span style="font-size: 12pt;">änz (a man made out of sweet bread, and covered with sugar or chocolate. The tradition is similar to our Gingerbread men). However, when the children have been bad, Santichlaus has the brush part of a broom which he uses to smack them with before taking them with him back to the Black Forest where he lives (in Germany) in his sack. The children also recite a poem/song for the Santichlaus.<br />
</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TQZuDhnFnAI/AAAAAAAAAHU/hVlH45JypQc/s1600/Dezember+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TQZuDhnFnAI/AAAAAAAAAHU/hVlH45JypQc/s200/Dezember+007.JPG" width="150" /></a><span xmlns="">Last Monday night, along with Maggie (another exchange student from the USA) and our host families, I met "Santichlaus". Normally this tradition ends as the kids are older, but as we had never participated, our host families thought it would be great for us. I couldn't agree more. However this meant that I too had to learn and memorize a traditional song/poem to recite for Santichlaus when he came. It was hilarious how nervous I was. I only had the weekend to learn, and to make it harder, all the poems I could choose from were in Swiss-German (of course). But everyone from my class, and sports club were very helpful in making sure I learned every word, and found it hilarious as I tried to recite it. For your enjoyment I have attached the poem below along with a rough translation…<br />
</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br />
</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong><u>Im Schwarzwald</u> <u>Black Forest</u></strong></span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><strong></strong></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Im Schwarzwald stoht es Hüsly, In the black forest there is a house,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Im Schwarzwald stond viel Bäum. In the black forest there are many trees.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Uf eimol lütet s' Glöggli, Suddenly rings a little bell,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Dr Santichlaus chunnt hei. Santaclaus is coming home. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Er chunnt vo vilne Chinder, He comes for many Children</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">er chunnt vo mängem Huus. He comes from many houses.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Sie Sack isch leer vom schänke, His sack is empty of presents,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">und Öpfeli si druus. and nothing is left.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Im Tannewald isch finschter, The fir forest is dark, </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">im Tannewald hets Schnee. the fir forest has snow.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">am Himmel lüchte Sternli, the sky is lighted by stars,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Sisch Wihnachtszit Juhee! Its Christmas time, Hurray! </span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TQZs7xn-aMI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/sICXfl7QIcc/s1600/Dezember+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TQZs7xn-aMI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/sICXfl7QIcc/s200/Dezember+004.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TQZvu39wvDI/AAAAAAAAAHc/Q8MRfRH5d-0/s1600/Dezember+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TQZvu39wvDI/AAAAAAAAAHc/Q8MRfRH5d-0/s200/Dezember+018.JPG" width="150" /></a><span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We started with a dinner of various cheeses, meats, nuts, clementines, and chocolate (Traditional things for the holiday). There were eleven of us, and the whole thing was amazing. Lots of talking and laughing. We were about half way through dinner when the doorbell rang. Maggie and I were forced to answer alone, and found Samichlaus waiting for us with his bell, sack, etc. He came to the table to join us at the table, and after much small talk, opened his book and started reading from his list of the good things, and the bad things we have done. I found it quite hilarious listening to my family and friends all 15 and older, talking to Santa, "Why hello Samichlaus", "please sit here Samichlaus", "yeah you met me last year, have you already forgotten me?" etc. It was lots of fun! After reciting the poem and saying goodbye to Samichlaus we spent the rest of the night talking, and I found myself completely content. It was such a great night and I am so thankful that are host families put it together for us even though that is not normal past the age of 8. It is definitely a great tradition =)<br />
</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just two more weeks until Christmas! Happy holidays!</span></span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br />
</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><br />
</span><br />
<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 8pt;"><br />
</span> </span>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-78108279403874234052010-12-07T11:19:00.000-08:002010-12-07T11:19:59.797-08:00Thanksgiving Weekend=)<span xmlns=""></span><br />
Last weekend was Thanksgiving in the USA, and instead of watching the Macy's day parade, eating a Turkey feast, and spending the weekend with my family in Massachusetts as usual for the holiday, I found myself in school, learning German, with other exchange students here in Switzerland…while it was definitely not a normal Thanksgiving, it was still a weekend to remember.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5s5LLsXDI/AAAAAAAAAGk/CB_cdqBtkIk/s1600/148851_459567154004_782469004_5755813_749797_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5s5LLsXDI/AAAAAAAAAGk/CB_cdqBtkIk/s200/148851_459567154004_782469004_5755813_749797_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Skating <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Starting Wednesday I went over to Maggie (a fellow USA exchange students house) for a few hours afterschool. We basically just hung out, ate much food, and talked about our lifes. I had language school with her and we live only minutes apart, but as she is not in my class in the school I hardly ever see her. Then around 5 we left for basel to meet up with other exchange students to go ice skating!! It was my first time this yeah, so I knew I was going to be horrible, but I actually surprised myself and only fell once! It helped that I was skating with mostly kids from latin america and asia (who had never been on ice before). We skated at a museam in the city, and it was surrounded, but open to the sky. It had just snowed two days before, and it was absolutely gorgeous! I had a great time just goofing around, and making up silly games with the other kids. There was about 20 of us, and we took up most of the place. =) Afterwards I skyped my family, who was down in Massachusets for thanksgiving. It was great to see everyone, and I got a chance to share my german skills, by speaking with my cousin who has been learning it for years in school. It was funny to watch my parents faces as they understood none of what we were saying. While its always hard to finish the call (you never want to hang up!!) It was great to talk to everyone and see them.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5mo7-QgxI/AAAAAAAAAGI/o9qm4xNOc10/s1600/November+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5mo7-QgxI/AAAAAAAAAGI/o9qm4xNOc10/s200/November+002.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see France!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5nsc0SgjI/AAAAAAAAAGM/Ujg0FJxyehQ/s1600/November+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5nsc0SgjI/AAAAAAAAAGM/Ujg0FJxyehQ/s200/November+009.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="150" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Thanksgiving Dinner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On thursday, Thanksgiving day, I had German class which was cool because the only people you could really say "Happy Thanksgiving!" too, were other americans, so we had a great time screaming it at each other. Afterwards I headed to meet my Liason, and then we went to Germany!!! My first time in Germany!! We took the tram from basel, and then walked about 7 minutes to the border (A strange thing being able to walk to germany!) It was amazing, because as Basel is on the corner of Switzerland, there is a point before you cross out of switzerland, where to your left is France, and your right it Germany! We only went about 5 minutes in, but even there there was suttle differences, that even I could see. The bildings were different styles, and the road and street signs and colors were all different. We ended up in a mall like place, and after doing a little shopping (because even just inside, everything in Germany is much cheeper! I am going there next time I go shopping!!), we headed for dinner (food court style...but with better food then a normal foodcourt!). I tried Lemon Coke, which was reallly good, and had a Donnerkabab for my thanksgiving dinner. For dessert a McDonalds Mcflurry with Caramel sause. Not your usual tukey and pumpkin pie, but it was great. We spent over an hour just talking and sharing stories of the past few weeks/thanksgiving in the USA.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-bottom: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5qv-OrzTI/AAAAAAAAAGY/3aNJBaTfaRA/s1600/November+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5qv-OrzTI/AAAAAAAAAGY/3aNJBaTfaRA/s200/November+031.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Front Gate</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5otd_t6jI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/Uii7AZE-2mQ/s1600/November+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5otd_t6jI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/Uii7AZE-2mQ/s200/November+021.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">View from Herbert's House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Friday is one of my long school days (until 4:30) which stunk knowing that while I was in school, my family and friends were back home taking part in the crazy black friday shopping (My cousins even brought around a photo of me with them so that I could be there!) but it went by pretty quick. I went home and had delicious fondue (Very Very traditional swiss winter meal...although they do eat it sometimes in the summer. This was only my second time having it) for dinner with my host parents, before heading out to what is known as Turnerabend in Gelterkinden (the town next to mine), which is where a sports-hall puts on a night to showcase all the talents in their club. Every group preforms (sort of like a dance recital only with sports). I went with the girls from my sports club, and while the show wasnt that good (although some acts were amazing with what they could do, and the little kids under 5 were adorable!), I had a great time talking and laughing with them. I saw a lot of people I knew there, and it still amazed me all the people I knew in the area. After the show (which ended at about 11) we headed to a local bar and spent two hours just laughing, talking, and dancing the night away. It was a great night, and so different from nights in the USA where everything is closed past 8. I got home at about 1, and headed straight to bed as I still have school on Saturday mornings.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP6IHpc2okI/AAAAAAAAAGs/VC_WOgWGB2E/s1600/154557_1707173928088_1500268122_3699481_6661352_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP6IHpc2okI/AAAAAAAAAGs/VC_WOgWGB2E/s200/154557_1707173928088_1500268122_3699481_6661352_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP6II24AoII/AAAAAAAAAGw/g9lh4pryeLk/s1600/155717_1707175408125_1500268122_3699492_2753234_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP6II24AoII/AAAAAAAAAGw/g9lh4pryeLk/s200/155717_1707175408125_1500268122_3699492_2753234_n.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP6IKNKcYeI/AAAAAAAAAG0/h_Yr6pNwUQg/s1600/155717_1707175448126_1500268122_3699493_4948047_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP6IKNKcYeI/AAAAAAAAAG0/h_Yr6pNwUQg/s200/155717_1707175448126_1500268122_3699493_4948047_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Saturday, after waking up way to early, and making it through school (only until 11:30), which honestly wasnt that bad, I headed to my host siblings dad's house (where I sleep everyother weekend). It was a relaxing afternoon of just hanging out by the fire. The snow had been coming down non-stop for the past few days, so it was beautiful! Around 4 I went sledding for the first time here with Rahel (host sister) and her best friend Patricia. We put on all the gear, and made our way through the downpour of snow to the field behind her house (which you can see from my house as the town sits in the valley, and the houses slop upwards onto the surrounding hill). Unlike in the USA, once the kids are past 10 or so, they start using the old fashioned styled traditional sleds. The kind made out of wood, and are used more for decorations in the USA. At first I was very confused, and worried they wouldnt hold, or we would break them, but as we started sledding down I realized how great they actually are (plus they look really cool!). The hill was pretty steep so we got going really fast which was great until you get to the bottom, where a nice cold river is flowing and you have to bail! We then took a break to take pictures with the falling snow, and drink some tea which they had brought with us. It was about dusk, and the lights from the town were reflected in the snow. It was absolutely beautiful! We then headed back to Patricia's house to warm up and drink some hot chocolate before heading home. As she lives also in Ormalingen, it was about a 5 minute walk. We then quickly changed before heading to a neighbors house for a neighbors dinner. I was at first very nervous, (lots of people I dont know, all speaking swiss german, etc..) But it turned out to be a lot of fun! Everyone was really nice, and the food was amazing. Lots of fresh cookies and such. Rahel and I stayed for about an hour and in that I found myself laughing a lot, and really enjoying myself! We then headed back to her moms house where we met up with Patricia again to watch a film. By now however its was about 9:30, and with school we were all very tired. We made it through about half of Pirate of the Carribien (at worlds end) before finally giving up on fighting sleep and heading back to her dads for the night.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5ptWWpL6I/AAAAAAAAAGU/knNHYTTKej0/s1600/November+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5ptWWpL6I/AAAAAAAAAGU/knNHYTTKej0/s200/November+026.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adventz Calender</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5ya9Z7UzI/AAAAAAAAAGo/Dri40CkWy1A/s1600/November+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TP5ya9Z7UzI/AAAAAAAAAGo/Dri40CkWy1A/s200/November+039.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Gritima! (left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sunday was great as I got to sleep in late =). The snow was coming down, and it was the first sunday of Adventz. As usual we had Zopf for breakfast, and overall just relaxed for the morning/ early afternoon. A big difference here is on weekends (or sunday as we have school on saturday) we dont eat lunch. As everyone sleeps in breakfast is eaten together at about 11 or so, so no one is really hungry for lunch. At about 1:30 we got picked up by my host mom (Rahel and me) and headed to liestal for an AFS baking event. Grittibänz or Gratima (depending on the dialect) are traditional men made out of a very sweet bread made around december. They are normally covered in sugar or chocolate, and are very very good. (very similar to the USA tradition of Gingerbread men). So with our host parents left downstairs to talk, we headed to the kitchen to make our version of the Grittibänz...which basically involved very colorful decorations, strange shapes, and as much sugar as possible! As seen in the pictures, mine was pretty amazing. Even had chocolate boots! However after baking he...well was not as handsom. While the bread baked we played cards, talked, and just joked around. It is always an amazing time when the AFS kids get together!!! Hard to explain in words how fun it is. Once all was finished we headed back downstairs to enjoy the delicious meal and talk. With in about 20 minutes all the bread was gone, and our stomachs were stuffed. A great surprise of the day was my liason Caroline, who's family here in switzerland celebrates Thanksgiving every year after her returning from the USA (only on friday night as they all have school here) brought me a piece of her Pumpkin Pie from the celebration. It ment so much, and made my day! I ended up sharing it with my host siblings Father, and although he found it to be a little too sweet, he also said it was great.<br />
<br />
In the end it was an amazing weekend here in Switzerland. I had had a very bad week before after hearing my Grandfather back in the states was in the hospital from a heart attack, however by Thanksgiving weekend he was doing much better. It was truely a miracle, and made the week that much more amazing. Turns out Thanksgiving in the USA was my 100th day here. Coincidence? I think not. Spending it with new friends, fellow exchange students and my host family was so perfect. While it in no way resembled my normal Thanksgiving in the USA, I had a fantastic time, and know it is a weekend I will never forget. Is truely one of those weeks you count your blessings, and for me this year that list was very long. Hope all your holidays go just as well whereever you are in the world, and Happy late Thanksgiving!Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-10394166800999020232010-11-09T08:57:00.000-08:002010-11-16T10:41:14.491-08:00Vacation...Part 2Spain!!! For the second week of Vacation my host family and I headed to Rosas, Spain!!! I couldnt believe it when I first found out! We drove with the car, through France, and it was so beautiful the whole way. Crazy to say I have now been in Spain, France, and Switzerland, when two months ago, I had not even been to Europe! Even though it shouldn't have, the differences between Spain and Switzerland still came as a surprise! Funny to think how in just over 7 weeks, the swiss way of life became so normal to me!<br />
<br />
We stayed in a small appartment just minutes from the ocean, with a beautiful view! The appartment has a huge deck/patio area where we spent a lot of time. The mornings consited of sleeping in, eating delicious pastrys for breakfast, and then reading/learning/talking/and more on the deck until mid afternoon. We would then either head to the beach to swim/play volleyball/ soccer/relax, or to a nearby city for sight seeing. The evenings were spent going out for dessert, shopping, or staying in and playing the most typical Swiss card game "Jassen" (pronounced yah-sen). It is very complicated, but also a lot of fun to play once you understand! It was an amazing week, and a great way to spend vacation with my host family. Spain was so beautiful, and its hard to explain what it was really like so here are a bunch of pictures...enjoy =))<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4KWnuNBI/AAAAAAAAAFM/GWCWCep5Q_M/s1600/44942_1521254724706_1634721192_1230690_1160005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4KWnuNBI/AAAAAAAAAFM/GWCWCep5Q_M/s1600/44942_1521254724706_1634721192_1230690_1160005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4aueBf5I/AAAAAAAAAFY/Z0PGbtPIhYs/s1600/66362_1521251124616_1634721192_1230674_7965113_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4bspcfsI/AAAAAAAAAFc/1s5g78vbRts/s200/66588_1521230724106_1634721192_1230583_1057915_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountains surrounding Rosas<br />
(seen below)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4aueBf5I/AAAAAAAAAFY/Z0PGbtPIhYs/s1600/66362_1521251124616_1634721192_1230674_7965113_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4aueBf5I/AAAAAAAAAFY/Z0PGbtPIhYs/s200/66362_1521251124616_1634721192_1230674_7965113_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Beautiful city we visited </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4O9YPFSI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/D3u2CaFUlNM/s1600/40900_1521225163967_1634721192_1230556_2533494_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4O9YPFSI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/D3u2CaFUlNM/s200/40900_1521225163967_1634721192_1230556_2533494_n.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our Appartment <br />
of the Mediteranian =)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4bspcfsI/AAAAAAAAAFc/1s5g78vbRts/s1600/66588_1521230724106_1634721192_1230583_1057915_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4wXB808I/AAAAAAAAAFs/6qznXLlnk94/s1600/71742_1521225483975_1634721192_1230558_6345223_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4wXB808I/AAAAAAAAAFs/6qznXLlnk94/s200/71742_1521225483975_1634721192_1230558_6345223_n.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Appartment view...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4kT-qiuI/AAAAAAAAAFk/SI3eJlfyG-c/s1600/68132_1521228044039_1634721192_1230572_6281784_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4kT-qiuI/AAAAAAAAAFk/SI3eJlfyG-c/s200/68132_1521228044039_1634721192_1230572_6281784_n.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from the appartment...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4x7uD19I/AAAAAAAAAFw/0dnoJbKcbSY/s1600/71819_1521256764757_1634721192_1230701_6761552_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4x7uD19I/AAAAAAAAAFw/0dnoJbKcbSY/s200/71819_1521256764757_1634721192_1230701_6761552_n.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City streets of Spain <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4ifh7FCI/AAAAAAAAAFg/LXKr04n4Y-E/s1600/66957_1521240444349_1634721192_1230630_359030_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4ifh7FCI/AAAAAAAAAFg/LXKr04n4Y-E/s200/66957_1521240444349_1634721192_1230630_359030_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4QGNDUlI/AAAAAAAAAFU/sX5JnpeMIZo/s1600/44905_1521238484300_1634721192_1230619_5029062_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4QGNDUlI/AAAAAAAAAFU/sX5JnpeMIZo/s200/44905_1521238484300_1634721192_1230619_5029062_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4mNxOcYI/AAAAAAAAAFo/zV_KRizJvf4/s1600/68365_1521237924286_1634721192_1230616_1592970_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4mNxOcYI/AAAAAAAAAFo/zV_KRizJvf4/s200/68365_1521237924286_1634721192_1230616_1592970_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Host family...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl5ANCp2NI/AAAAAAAAAF4/176bjuMJbW4/s1600/68742_1521231844134_1634721192_1230589_4403062_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl5ANCp2NI/AAAAAAAAAF4/176bjuMJbW4/s200/68742_1521231844134_1634721192_1230589_4403062_n.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4zGJHvhI/AAAAAAAAAF0/bT6aYVOVkyA/s1600/71849_1521239684330_1634721192_1230626_906686_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl4zGJHvhI/AAAAAAAAAF0/bT6aYVOVkyA/s200/71849_1521239684330_1634721192_1230626_906686_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl5H2PDfbI/AAAAAAAAAGE/ME3vXfXg2MQ/s1600/69826_1521235964237_1634721192_1230607_4458398_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl5H2PDfbI/AAAAAAAAAGE/ME3vXfXg2MQ/s200/69826_1521235964237_1634721192_1230607_4458398_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearby city to Rosas</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl5FDQZInI/AAAAAAAAAGA/xvsrScVksyk/s1600/69824_1521232964162_1634721192_1230594_285197_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl5FDQZInI/AAAAAAAAAGA/xvsrScVksyk/s200/69824_1521232964162_1634721192_1230594_285197_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl5CFowyHI/AAAAAAAAAF8/o-oTlNA7S7s/s1600/68904_1521254044689_1634721192_1230687_7030381_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl5CFowyHI/AAAAAAAAAF8/o-oTlNA7S7s/s200/68904_1521254044689_1634721192_1230687_7030381_n.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">One big thing about the exchange experience that finally hit me is homesickness. It is strange because although I was doing all these amazing once in a life time things over vacation, I was also hit with the worst homesickness I have experienced here. Partly because I want so badly to share all my experiences with my family and friends back home but am unable. Part of the definition of being an exchange student is separating yourself from your old life for a year, and live a new one. But still, homesickness is not one of those things that you can hide from, and I found that things that are normally just a part of my everyday life now remind me of home. I guess when the homesickness hits, it makes you much more susceptible to everything/anything that could bring back a memory of home. Luckily now being in school, and starting to make friends has helped alot, and the homesickness was just a phase. While I still have days when I miss home friends and family, I am also finding that here is now becoming home also. I have a life here, which is so much a part of who I am now, as the states are. Its definitely a big change, but an exchange year in switzerland is proving to be a once in a lifetime experience I know I will never forget. Everyday I am getting to do things I never thought possible, and am finding myself speaking a language every day I knew only two words from when I first arrived. </span>I saw a quote the other day that I think is perfect to describe how an exchange year works....<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; line-height: 16px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; line-height: 16px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Until later, I am off....Tschüss!</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; line-height: 16px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #333333; line-height: 16px;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></i></b></span></div></div>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-20813443600161976902010-11-09T08:25:00.000-08:002010-11-09T08:25:26.927-08:00Vacation...part 1<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So again this post is very last, but I think its important to tell you all about Vacation!!! One amazing thing about schools here in Switzerland = 2 week Fall vacation!</span></div><div><div><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Vacation started with a week of English speaking, because my host sisters friend from Alaska came to visit! It was very strange to have another american in the house!! I realized how much German I actually could understand (things that for some reason I just figured everyone knew). It was also cool to see her reactions to things I found completely normal now, as it reminded me of the differences, and what my first reactions were of things here.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHbFRhI4EI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/lN0-Ygbbqw0/s1600/Swiss+Tour+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHbFRhI4EI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/lN0-Ygbbqw0/s200/Swiss+Tour+172.JPG" width="150" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Sunday we went on a hike to see the Castle/Fort ruins of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;">Farnsburg, which are about an hours hike behind our house! It was crazy to think that the same road I was walking on was the one the knights used as they rode their horses home! The view was beautiful, and it was amazing to think how old the ruins were! There is nothing that old back in the states.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHZuoF2obI/AAAAAAAAAEE/mCX4O0OVjvI/s1600/Swiss+Tour+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHZuoF2obI/AAAAAAAAAEE/mCX4O0OVjvI/s200/Swiss+Tour+213.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHZuoF2obI/AAAAAAAAAEE/mCX4O0OVjvI/s1600/Swiss+Tour+213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></span></a><br />
<div style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHZN0MHy3I/AAAAAAAAAEA/DUR_EYEAtNs/s1600/Swiss+Tour+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHZN0MHy3I/AAAAAAAAAEA/DUR_EYEAtNs/s1600/Swiss+Tour+151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHZN0MHy3I/AAAAAAAAAEA/DUR_EYEAtNs/s200/Swiss+Tour+151.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">On Monday we went into Basel to see this really cool Art exibit there, show off the City, and do a little shopping! Its nice having such a beautiful and great city just a 30 minute train ride away! Tuesday morning all ther girls in the family left bright and early for a 2 day tour of eastern Switzerland!!! We started by taking a bunch of different trains, including the <span class="Apple-style-span">typical mountain train through the alps, down to St. Moriz, a famous skiing resort! It was beautiful, and I got to see snow for the first time here in Switzerland!! Was definitely an expensive place though, with Ralph Lauren and Prauda shops next to Rolex, and a store selling $10,000 shoes!!! We then continued our Journey to this little village high up on a mountain. It was so cute, and is where a famous swiss children's story is from....I saw the little boy from the story's actual house!!! :). They also had this delicious honey walnut cake, which is special to that area...Its only place you can buy it. We then went north to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1287586705_4">Scuol</span>, where our youth hostel was. It was brand new and right in the heart of the alps!! We went to a water park spa which was really relaxing after the long day of traveling!! :)....</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The next day we left for St. Gallen, and rode right past Lichtenstein!!! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Just looked like switzerland haha so the only way i knew was because my host mom said "over there is lichenstein" </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In St. Gallen, we walked around, drank a <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1287586705_5">hot chocolate</span> at a cafe, and went to this really old library made for the monks, that is famous from there. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">We walked around the city for a while before finally getting on a train and coming home. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">t was an amazing, exciting, and really fun trip!! </span></div></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNlzKbjN0JI/AAAAAAAAAEw/sS44cZZ7YEo/s1600/Swiss+Tour+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNlzKbjN0JI/AAAAAAAAAEw/sS44cZZ7YEo/s200/Swiss+Tour+074.JPG" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Church in St. Gallen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNlzptpmTJI/AAAAAAAAAE0/Y3rek4yyhX0/s1600/Swiss+Tour+366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNlzptpmTJI/AAAAAAAAAE0/Y3rek4yyhX0/s200/Swiss+Tour+366.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Rahel, Carla, and Esther <3</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNlz2IfBMAI/AAAAAAAAAE4/83a-sPTUQuY/s1600/Swiss+Tour+384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNlz2IfBMAI/AAAAAAAAAE4/83a-sPTUQuY/s200/Swiss+Tour+384.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A random Playground</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl0Ubv32pI/AAAAAAAAAE8/otnlMPXk1K4/s1600/Swiss+Tour+388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl0Ubv32pI/AAAAAAAAAE8/otnlMPXk1K4/s200/Swiss+Tour+388.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl0z2mspyI/AAAAAAAAAFA/rAsum3qXTrM/s1600/Swiss+Tour+413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TNl0z2mspyI/AAAAAAAAAFA/rAsum3qXTrM/s200/Swiss+Tour+413.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small Village in the Alps</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHakz1bnNI/AAAAAAAAAEM/EIRHyBklmvw/s1600/Swiss+Tour+328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHakz1bnNI/AAAAAAAAAEM/EIRHyBklmvw/s200/Swiss+Tour+328.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Moritz</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHbkwFvRXI/AAAAAAAAAEU/fwDB1lRhkqg/s1600/Swiss+Tour+343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHbkwFvRXI/AAAAAAAAAEU/fwDB1lRhkqg/s200/Swiss+Tour+343.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sisters in St. Moritz</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHaEv7pwLI/AAAAAAAAAEI/NFrVdV1LRzA/s1600/Swiss+Tour+227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHaEv7pwLI/AAAAAAAAAEI/NFrVdV1LRzA/s200/Swiss+Tour+227.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeping on the Train</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHakz1bnNI/AAAAAAAAAEM/EIRHyBklmvw/s1600/Swiss+Tour+328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHaEv7pwLI/AAAAAAAAAEI/NFrVdV1LRzA/s1600/Swiss+Tour+227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Thursday,I went to this mountain thing with my host sister and her firend......we were going to go on the ropes course there but it was too full, so we rode these scooter things down the mountain!! It was beautiful with the leaves just starting to change color! I am amazed at how much later fall seems to hit switzerland here. The leaves were just starting to change in late October. Back in Vermont they start changing in early september! However I am enjoyign the fresh apples so late in the season here!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another big thing about being an exchange student, is handling/dealing with your own money! Switzerland (as I am sure you know) is one of the most expensive places to live. (I went to Mcdonalds one day and a "Happy Meal" costs about $7.50!). Unfortunately for me, one USA dollar is now only 0.961 Swissfrancs!! :(......I am losing so much money! Hopefully the dollar will go up soon, but right now it just seems to be staying the same.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">End of week one.... =)</div></div><div><br />
</div></div>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-89214660589806214422010-10-10T09:06:00.000-07:002010-10-10T09:06:54.330-07:00Ich liebe...So I realize now I have not mentioned my favorite things about Switzerland! While being an exchange student can be really tough sometimes, there are also some amazing benefits, and it is easy to think of many things that I love, and will miss when my year is over....<br />
<ul><li>Cow bells (there everywhere! All the time!)</li>
<li>Church bells (every hour!)</li>
<li>Foamy hot chocolate (hard to explain)</li>
<li>Trains/ Buses/ Trams!!</li>
<li>My GA (train ticket...allows me to go anywhere, anytime for free!)</li>
<li>Things open past 8pm </li>
<li>Random castles/ ruins behind my house</li>
<li>Bread every morning for breakfast</li>
<li>Zopf (Sunday bread)</li>
<li>chocolate!!!</li>
<li>windows that open both sideways and at an angle </li>
<li>Cool shoes</li>
<li>European clothes</li>
<li>Biking everywhere</li>
<li>Kissing Greetings</li>
<li>Being able to bike up hills</li>
<li>Biking highways</li>
<li>German!</li>
<li>walking paths</li>
<li>Amazing views everywhere you look</li>
<li>The food :)</li>
<li>Milk in a bag</li>
<li>Recycling everything.....(and I mean everything!)</li>
<li>The sweets/pastry's/baked goods!!!</li>
<li>No school on Wednesday/Thursday mornings</li>
<li>The toilet wall flushers</li>
<li>Bed comforters with sheets (like a pillow case)</li>
<li>Rivella</li>
<li>Hours off from school (when no class)</li>
<li>Cooking! Everyone can cook (real cooking) (adults, teenagers, children, boys, girls, etc) </li>
<li>Fellow AFS students</li>
<li>The sunset over Ormalingen</li>
</ul><div>Thats a very short list, but to name a few. :) </div><div><br />
</div><div>Things I don't like so much:</div><div><ul><li>Expensive!! Living where the money is is not always a good thing.</li>
<li>School on Saturdays</li>
<li>School until 5pm</li>
<li>Biking everywhere (its cold in the mornings!)</li>
<li>German!</li>
<li>Homesickness</li>
</ul><div>As you can see the "don't like" list, is much shorter then the "like" list :) </div></div><div>Best Wishes to everyone near & far!</div><div>Ciao</div><div><br />
</div>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-12245119171455925492010-10-10T07:35:00.000-07:002010-10-10T08:53:58.021-07:00Quick updates....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So yet another 3 weeks has passed (without posting....), and I can not believe that I have officially been in Switzerland for almost two months now!! Every day I am doing something new, learning a new language, and meeting new people, but it feels normal now. Like this is my daily life/routine. It is no longer strange to me to not understand the dinner conversation, or to take a train everyday to school. Its hard to explain, but I am forgetting the little details that made up my daily life back in the states. Or more forgetting the differences, in the details, between the USA and Switzerland. When people ask me "What is different here?", its hard to think of them, because everything here that is different, seems normal to me now. The USA seems so far away from my life here, but I also feel like I just left.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So quick updates on things that happened before I went on Fall Vacation....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHel8sBMhI/AAAAAAAAAEY/Nus9ea4LKsA/s1600/Switzerland+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHel8sBMhI/AAAAAAAAAEY/Nus9ea4LKsA/s320/Switzerland+051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & Fellow AFS'ers in Lucerne</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">As mentioned I had one week of school at gymnasium before fall vacation....before this week I had my last week of language class. That week I spent a lot of time with other AFS'ers in Basel, at our chapter welcome party, at a birthday party, and even in Zurich visiting another girl from the USA. All the AFS'ers are so nice and fun to be around that I can never stop laughing when we are together. Its hard to explain to people the connection you instantly have with other exchange students, but its really strong. Even though my entire life back home (friends, family, school, interests) are different from theres, its easy to become best friends. I feel like I have known many of them for years, not weeks, and I often forget that really we know nothing about each other. Sharing this exchange year is such a big connection that you don't even realize the differences. Its amazing :)</span></div><div><br />
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHerRg90WI/AAAAAAAAAEk/MzhxqHGoYdE/s1600/Switzerland+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHerRg90WI/AAAAAAAAAEk/MzhxqHGoYdE/s200/Switzerland+086.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful View from the boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHeta7nHxI/AAAAAAAAAEo/jjShvdyhWOs/s1600/Switzerland+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TLHeta7nHxI/AAAAAAAAAEo/jjShvdyhWOs/s200/Switzerland+099.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous Bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">On the last day of Language School, my class decided to go to Luzern and see the city. We went on the famous boat, crossed the bridge, and basically just had a fun final last day all together. Lucerne is </span><b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">beautiful</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, and if you've never been there, then you must go!!</span></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">While I am at Gymnasium, I will also have language classes, but only once a week. It is in a town near basel at the Gymnasium there, which is the same school on of my AFS friends goes to. The class is a mix of old (already been here for 6 months or so) and new AFS'ers, mixing kids who know nothing, with those who are almost fluent, so really we dont learn anything....hahaha. But it is a lot of fun. There are so many new exchange students that I have not met yet, so its interesting. I have to prepare a presentation on the USA this week so hopefully it will go well.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">On Saturday </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I had a floor hockey tournament with my sports club in Sissach, which is a nearby village.The club is a gro</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">up that meets once a week, </span><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1285514165_4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">on Wednesday nights</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">, and plays a bunch of different sports each time. The tournament was a lot of fun even though we lost :) haha. The girls in the club are all really nice, and that night a bunch of the girls and I went out together. It was fun, and really great to finally have some swiss friends here. The club has different tournaments with different sports throughout the year, and in February we have a ski weekend in the mountains. :D</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1285514165_9"> </span><br />
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1285514165_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Tschüss!</span></span></div>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-59192575789551859902010-09-26T08:07:00.000-07:002010-09-26T08:32:45.713-07:00School...School...SchoolFirst day of School!!! :D<br />
<br />
On Monday I finally started at Gymnasium Liestal, the school where both my host sisters go. For the past four weeks people have told me about the school, and after getting my placement in a class two weeks ago I could not wait to start. Unfortunately for me, no one I had met so far knew anything about my class, or any of the kids in it. I was really nervous that it was going to be a bad class. (In Gymnasium, you have one class of about 15-20 kids who you are with in every class) It is very similar to college in the USA, where students pick a major and then have most, if not all, classes with them. Also, you only have to be at the school when you have class, and classes run from 7:45am till 6:30pm, depending on your schedule, Monday through Saturday (however on Saturday school ends at 12)). On Wednesdays and Thursdays for example, I only have school in the after noon, so I am able to sleep in :D. Luckily on Sunday, the day before I started, I met a girl who is in my class. She lives less than 5 minutes away (walking), and is really nice. She told me that it was a really cool class, but still when I woke up Monday morning, my heart was racing....<br />
<br />
My first class was sport, which is gym class. We played basketball, and it was fun just getting to know some of the people in my class. Then we had an hour off where I actually started talking to people in my class, and they even bought me a hot chocolate :). I saw a bunch of my host sister's friends in the school, as well as other exchange students, and I was surprised at how many people I actually knew here in Switzerland! It was comforting to have that many people looking out for me, and asking how my day was going. After the break, I had a business and law class, (which I did not understand anything of), followed by biology, where we took notes and I actually recognized some of the names,<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> such as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><em style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">endoplasmic reticulum,</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> haha. Then wet had lunch for two hours, and we hung out in the sun, got an ice cream, and talked. Everyone explained everything to me, but I still didn't understand anything going on in the classes. After lunch I went to French (</span>which I will not have from now on) simply so that I did not lose my class, before going to art. Overall it was a good day, and it felt really good to finally know my class, but I was very tiered by the time I got home.<br />
<br />
While I am having a lot of fun at the school, and am enjoying it, it is very frustrating! It is hard to explain, but being in a class I have already had, where I know what to do, but not being able to understand what the teacher is saying/teaching/asking, or what the worksheet is asking, or even how to answer the questions when I do understand. Tests and homework are not something I have to deal with simply because it would be almost impossible, but it also makes me feel even farther behind and lost in class. Best word for it.....<b><u>frustrating</u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">.</span></b><br />
<br />
It is funny how different school here is from back in Randolph for me. Even in how I get to school each day has changed. Now, I take the bus/bike to the train station, the train to Liestal, and then walk up the big hill to the school. Very different from simply taking the car everyday, but also a lot of fun. I also have 11 classes here, which is very different!! Biology, Chemistry, Math, English, German, Computer Apps, Business and Law, Music, Geography, Art, Gym, as well as Language school every Thursday for 3 hours. Lots of work, but definitely worth it.<br />
<br />
Well I am off to learn!<br />
Ciao!Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-62044654246912092072010-09-11T06:09:00.000-07:002010-09-12T01:34:11.522-07:00Daily Living...3 weeks. 21 days. 504 Hours. 30240 minutes. Also known as the time I have been in Switzerland. Its strange because one minute I am anxiously waiting, planning, and packing, and now all of a sudden I have been here for more than 1814400 seconds, and have a daily life. :) I have not posted in forever, and for that I am sorry! I have just been really busy and as many of you know, I am an expert procrastinator. But I am now planning to write a post every Saturday where I will talk about my week. For now, I will try to sum up my past 3 weeks...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div>Below, is a (week)day in the life of Sarah- Swiss style... ;)<br />
<b>7:45</b> - wake up<br />
<b>8:30</b> - Breakfast<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TItfxtQHvkI/AAAAAAAAADY/zNogP5dhatM/s1600/58983_1572210675038_1528672224_31487118_4206582_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TItfxtQHvkI/AAAAAAAAADY/zNogP5dhatM/s320/58983_1572210675038_1528672224_31487118_4206582_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Language School friends :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>9:05</b> - leave the house & walk to bus stop<br />
<b>9:11</b> - get on bus headed to the train station<br />
<b>9:18</b> - Arrive at train station.....chill<br />
<b>9:29</b> - get on train headed for Olten w/ Maggie and Sofia<br />
<b>9:45</b> - Arrive in Olten....walk to school<br />
<b>10:00</b> - Language School<br />
<b>12:00</b> - Lunch Break<br />
<b>1:00</b> - Class resumed<br />
<b>3:00</b> - FREE!!!! Headed home<br />
<b>4:00</b> - Home :)<br />
<b>4:01</b> - chilling/homework/hanging with host family/Basel/something<br />
<b>7:00</b>- Dinner<br />
<b>8:30</b> - chilling resumed haha<br />
<b>11:00</b> - Bed<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TIt4CHS5PJI/AAAAAAAAADg/2TK0v68tjPk/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TIt4CHS5PJI/AAAAAAAAADg/2TK0v68tjPk/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The first weekend I went to my host uncles house on the lake in Luzern!!! It was amazingly beautiful, surrounded by the alps, and I couldnt take enough pictures! We hung out in the lake, and I saw for the first time the traditional swiss sport...a strange lumberjack style form of wrestling. Something that started on the farms. Very entertaining to watch and my host uncle got really into it which was fun! The winner of the entire tournament won a $30,000 (the dollar is almost exactly = to the swiss-franc now :( ) cow....hahhahahahaha. A serious prize, but it still makes me laugh :D<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TIt4SITN-ZI/AAAAAAAAADo/oKU5tFVDyRU/s1600/Switzerland+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TIt4SITN-ZI/AAAAAAAAADo/oKU5tFVDyRU/s320/Switzerland+028.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rhein in Basel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have been to Basel about 5 times now, and it is a beautiful city! Reminds me a lot of Burlington back home, only much much bigger in size. The first time I did the touristy stuff, and simply hung out on the Rhein with a few of Carla's friends, and since then I have been shopping, gone to the movies (step-up 3D in English w/ German subtitles....amazing theater), been out to a few restaurants, etc. I also carried around my first whine bottle...i didn't buy it, but even carrying it around on the streets was strange! I felt like someone was going to come and arrest me! Its an amazing city though, and I feel so lucky that its so close! Apparently there are some huge festivals there in February that last a week or so.....I am excited!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TItYBNSFVAI/AAAAAAAAADA/pIbsq8Bfc0Q/s1600/Switzerland+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TItYBNSFVAI/AAAAAAAAADA/pIbsq8Bfc0Q/s320/Switzerland+093.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a pretty amazing Poster :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In language school, (which is going really well.....its starting to feel a lot like regular school now....boring and I dont want to go in the mornings... , but I know it is helping a lot as I am understanding so much more at home. It really amazing how much German I am learning in just 3 weeks!!) we all had to do a presentation on our country's, in German. I was surprised at how much German I knew when I went to write the speech!. I presented with Maggie, as we are both from the USA (mika, the other girl from the USA who was in our language class knew so much German after 5 years of it back in the states, that she started at the local school after the first week). It was cool to learn about the other peoples country's, as even though i have known them for three weeks, we don't talk much about the details of our country's (more just our lives back home).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TItQw8v5N6I/AAAAAAAAACg/-4oA14eN5A8/s1600/Switzerland+009+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TItQw8v5N6I/AAAAAAAAACg/-4oA14eN5A8/s320/Switzerland+009+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Rebekka, and Carla</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I have already made chocolate chip cookies over here twice, but I must say, baking something as simple as a chocolate chip cookie is still an adventure. First I had to search Migros (Migros and Coop are the two huge grocery stores over here. There everywhere!) for baking soda, and then had to figure out the recipe conversions, and try to explain the things I needed to my host family. The Vanilla is very different, as it is not really a liquid, and the brown sugar is very different so the cookies end up tasting different. However there still amazingly delicious and the many people I have introduced to them all approve greatly :D haha.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TItWCIsNr_I/AAAAAAAAACo/_682L521aIA/s1600/Switzerland+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TItWCIsNr_I/AAAAAAAAACo/_682L521aIA/s320/Switzerland+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house we stayed in...It was so old!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last weekend we had our AFS weekend with kids from Olten Language class, as well as Basel Language class. (about 25). I have to admit, at first I was not excited to go, and thought it would be really boring...just old people talking to us about the rules, and asking "what do you hope to gain from this experience?" but this is not what happened....at all. The camp leaders were four kids who had also been on exchanges, aging from 18-25. They were all really funny, and the camp started with them making us hold hands and walk two by two not talking....I felt like I was in kindergarten...haha. But after the initial traditional haseing and picture taking of our hands, the fun began. It felt more like a weekend hanging out with 20 new amazing friends, chilling around the camp fire, staying up till 4am talking, playing drinking games with overly sweetened ice tea (60% powder, 40% water....so gross) (I still cant think about ice tea without gagging now) and other strange games like trying to open wrapped chocolate with a fork and knife while dressed for winter skiing, or "Honey I love you....but I just can't smile". I was honestly sad to leave, but luckily many of the kids I met are in my local chapter so I will see them often.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TItdrJVq-RI/AAAAAAAAADQ/T-FgUcAGEGo/s1600/46735_1587724696760_1345082007_1959026_7728412_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TItdrJVq-RI/AAAAAAAAADQ/T-FgUcAGEGo/s320/46735_1587724696760_1345082007_1959026_7728412_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFS'ers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>On Thursday I went to the Gymnasium in Liestal which is where I will be attending school for the year (same school my host siblings go to) and will be in the FMS class, first year. Schools here are more like colleges in that you chose a major, and have mostly all your classes with the same kids (in your major). You only have to be at school when you have class, and there is school Mondays-Fridays anytime from 7:45 - 6-ish. and On Saturdays until noon. Along with my regular schedule, I will have language class on Thursday afternoons in a town above Basel, to help with the German. My schedule seems pretty cool. While I have no afternoons off, I have no school Wednesday and Thursday mornings, and am always out by 4 at the latest. I will post a more detailed schedule once I start at gymnasium.....but you can say I am very excited!<br />
<br />
Last night I went to Basel and met my AFS Liaison. Her name is Caroline, and she was in Rochester NY on exchange two years ago. She is actually the host sister of a girl I met at AFS weekend last week :). We went to this really cool Italian restaurant, and just talked and hung out for 3 hours. It was a lot of fun!<br />
<br />
Traveling here is also something that still amazes me. My host sister went to Berlin for a weekend with her friends, and my host brother...well okay... Three days after i got here he left for Greece for a week, then was home for a week, Now is in France for a week, then home for a week, then a camp thing, and then home for a week, and then we are all in Spain for a week. Its something so surreal for me, but when I think about it its like me traveling to NYC, Boston, Washington DC,....I still think I would chose traveling to Spain or France over Washington DC or something any day though ;)<br />
<br />
Today is September 11th, and its crazy to think its been 9 years since the attack on the USA. My first day on the train ride home from the airport i was looking at a magazine and saw a USA Soldier holding a sign reading "baby I'm coming home". Thats when my host sister said..."oh yeah the wars over, did you hear about that?" It took me about 10 minutes to process the news! Such a strange concept!! I was seven when the war began, and its hard to imagine the USA without it. But I must say it was a great start to my exchange, to know that such a big movement for peace was already happening. :)<br />
<br />
Its really starting to feel like fall here, and that makes me miss home. Fall was always my favorite season, with the local Tumbridge fair, school starting, football season starting, apple picking, pumpkin carving, and leaves changing. I am already starting to see some pokes of yellow in the trees here. But while it sucks to be missing everything back home, I know I am so lucky to be here. There are so many things I am going to get to experience, and so many people I will get to meet from all over the world! So i think its good to have that reminder of home here....Shot out to Randolph!!<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I have a welcome party with the local chapter. I must say the chapter is really cool. Its all young kids who have gone on exchanges running it, and we're doing a ton of fun activities together throughout the year like going to see a Basel soccer game (FYI they just made it into the Euro Championship league!!) I can't wait. Plus the other exchangers are all really fun, and entertaining to be around. Well I guess thats all for now! I promise to start posting more often! :)<br />
Bis Bald! (until soon)<br />
~SarahSarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-38648670676212787412010-08-23T10:37:00.000-07:002010-08-23T10:37:08.835-07:00SWITZERLAND!!!!After months and months of waiting for the day, it is crazy to believe I am now sitting in my room in Ormalingen, Switzerland!! It feels like I have not posted in years, but that is probably because so much has happened to me the past few days!! It is hard to express in words how amazing this country is and how much fun I am having, even though I can not understand anything. ;) I guess the best way would be to start from the beginning....however there is so much that has happened I think I will just start with my first day....<br />
<br />
Orientation was good..... compared to here it was nothing, but it was good. They split us up into country groups (there was kids heading to Norway, Finland, Iceland, Belgium, etc.... as well as the swiss-kids) and from there we started bonding. There was 12 of us in the group...two boys and ten girls, and everyone was so nice. We all got close very quickly, and I now feel like I've known them for weeks, not days. The hotel was amazing...I originally thought they would squeeze four of us or more into a room, but everyone was with just one other person. I was with a girl named Mika from New Mexico who is also here in Switzerland now (actually in my language class, but I will get to that later...to much for one post). We both got our own bed, and she was very nice. We did a lot of orientation stuff, and during free time all the Swiss-girls went to Maggie's (another girl going to Switzerland....she actually lives in Gelterkinden, the town next to me, with a girl who she hosted here in the states this past year who is good friends with Carla....she is also in my language class) room to watch a movie but all ended up just talking. However, everything seemed to take forever because we all just wanted to get on the plane and go already!!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKa4Qykw2I/AAAAAAAAABQ/ybYuLFrnFUI/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKa4Qykw2I/AAAAAAAAABQ/ybYuLFrnFUI/s320/017.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house from the road. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKa8cf9axI/AAAAAAAAABY/f0pe1-DvfHY/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKa8cf9axI/AAAAAAAAABY/f0pe1-DvfHY/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bikes, and parking area.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKa_z-xueI/AAAAAAAAABg/QEP1HJ7XI_Q/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKa_z-xueI/AAAAAAAAABg/QEP1HJ7XI_Q/s320/013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my bedroom (to the right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKbBZYMavI/AAAAAAAAABo/W9D8mdmAk6k/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKbBZYMavI/AAAAAAAAABo/W9D8mdmAk6k/s320/014.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my bedroom (to the left)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKbNJpVyTI/AAAAAAAAAB4/9_V_a1aP07A/s1600/Switzerland+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKbNJpVyTI/AAAAAAAAAB4/9_V_a1aP07A/s320/Switzerland+020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The living room</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKbVfJKH0I/AAAAAAAAACA/HlgIP9pW2BM/s1600/Switzerland+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/THKbVfJKH0I/AAAAAAAAACA/HlgIP9pW2BM/s320/Switzerland+047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen with Esther, Martin, and Carla making dinner.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Finally we left for the airport, and after sitting around for a few hours, we boarded, and said goodbye to America until July. The flight went well, we were all sitting together, so that helped. Unfortunately I never fell asleep other than 30 minutes at most, but we arrived an hour early (at 06:30) so it went by fast. Before I knew it I was off the plane smelling the swiss air, going through customs, and then meeting my host family!!! Their train was late, so I went to a little cafe while we waited with Maggie's host family for about 5 minutes. It was such a strange feeling realizing I was there, this was my family, and I was in Switzerland!! My whole host family speaks very good English, and so communicating is very very easy. (I forget how much they know, until I am with their friends who often have much more trouble).<br />
<br />
We took the train back from Zurich to Gelterkinden (the closest train station which is like a 5 minute ride from my house in Ormalingen) and I was amazed at how clean the trains were compared to those int he USA. Everything I saw amazed me, from the beautiful views, to my first ticket check on the train, to how to open the doors, to even finding out I would be going to Spain during school vacation!! It was all so exciting, and new, and interesting!! There are no words to describe what I was feeling. Mixed with the exhaustion, I spent most of the day sitting back, observing, and soaking everything in.<br />
<br />
All of a sudden we were at the house, and I must say it is the coolest house I have ever seen!! It is so modern, and cozy at the same time....already now it is starting to feel like home. Everything is so beautiful...(see pictures)<br />
<br />
<br />
After having breakfast, and showering, I went with Lukas on a bike tour of Ormalingen/Gelterkinden (Carla and Rahel had to return to school). I didn't realize how close everything was, and I started being able to recognize where I was! I met their father and saw the house where Lukas now lives (since I kicked him out of his bedroom), and where all the kids grew up. The house is hundreds of years old, but everything in side it looks brand new! It is beautiful! We then went to the pool/park/sporting area, and met up with two of his friends. We played soccer, and went swimming, and just hung out for a few hours...I even forgot I had not slept in 30 hours!! :) When we returned home we had Lamb for dinner as well as many other things, and it was all delicious!! All the food is amazing!! Rahel left for a volleyball weekend, and then we had cake (bread and a delicious creme center), and watched part of a movie, before I finally collapsed and made my way to bed. It was an amazing first day, and my bed is so comfy so I slept like a baby!<br />
<br />
Its crazy to think I will be here for a year. Everywhere I look things are different, from how to flush the toilet, to the chocolate draw, to the door locks/handles, but in many ways, things are the same. As you can see there are many things I am leaving out, but I promise to post again soon with stories form Basel, the lake house, and Language school!! I'm off for dinner! As they say in Switzerland,<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 1px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 1px;">Tschüss!</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-15332273143609614812010-08-17T13:45:00.000-07:002010-08-17T13:45:59.120-07:00Final Days - USA<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TGrx8daNBpI/AAAAAAAAABA/FsXRResc-cc/s1600/Family+Weekend+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TGrx8daNBpI/AAAAAAAAABA/FsXRResc-cc/s200/Family+Weekend+039.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volleyball...Roger Style! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>All of a sudden, what I started planning for last September, is just hours away!!! I leave tomorrow at 11:30, and I can not believe how fast it has come! Last weekend I had my family's annual "Family Weekend" at my house. This involves 30 people or more from my close-nit family spending the weekend at my house doing anything from volleyball, to launching fruit from my brother's school project catapult 200 feet!!! While I had a blast, it also made me realize how much I was going to miss these people. Since then I have turned 16, said goodbye to over 50 other people, and had a going away party. Its like I have almost become numb to what these goodbyes actually mean so I have been able to get through with only crying once, when I said goodbye to my best friend Laura. She was suppose to come to the airport with me, but a week ago realized she would be gone on family vacation all this week. While we managed to hang out until the very last minute, the final goodbye was definitely not fun.<br />
<br />
<br />
Packing...The scariest thing about an exchange ;). For the past week I have been laying my clothes, toiletries, miscellaneous items and more, out on my bed, figuring out what I wanted to bring. I must say it is a daunting task, looking at a tiny suitcase, and backpack, and trying to stuff everything you want/need for a year!!! What on earth do you bring?!?! In the end I think I have finally narrowed it down, and am left with just a few simple things left to shove in the already over flowing suitcase....Here are a few picks from the process to give you an idea of my confusion ;)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TGrwHjXbjiI/AAAAAAAAAA4/4G9HMwgqscU/s1600/packing+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TGrwHjXbjiI/AAAAAAAAAA4/4G9HMwgqscU/s320/packing+002.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The carry-on supplies </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TGrwGT3ivJI/AAAAAAAAAAw/fJ-ywLRPJoE/s1600/packing+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pwctu5fp_yU/TGrwGT3ivJI/AAAAAAAAAAw/fJ-ywLRPJoE/s320/packing+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The suitcase...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Months ago, I planned a final campfire to spend time with my four closest friends, and my family. Simply a last time to relax and enjoy a nice night in Vermont before I go. I am so happy I decided to do this, and I must say the weather today is perfect! Until I realize that afterwards I have to say goodbye to them all....maybe some things are better put off until the last second.....</div><div><br />
</div><div>For my birthday my father gave me a sign which reads, "Shes not where she has been, She's not where she is going, but she is on her way." It was scary how accurate this describes my life right now, and how good it made me feel about what I am doing, knowing I have my parents full support behind me. :) With that I board a plane tomorrow, and start the greatest adventure of my life!! It is hard to believe in just three days I will have been in Switzerland for over 12 hours!! Who know what the future will bring, but for now armed with my two favorite quotes, I am ready. </div><div><br />
</div><div>"Its not good, it's not bad, its just Different."</div><div>"If life was easy, where would all the adventures be?"</div>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-78548524577509512412010-07-27T11:25:00.000-07:002010-07-27T11:25:50.835-07:00Poems of Home...As an AFS exchange student, there are a ton of little orientation/preparation materials I have to read/go through before departing in August. (as mentioned before). Yesterday I was reading though my Culture Trek material, and there was an activity that I had to complete which I really enjoyed. It was to complete poems for your home town with a word corresponding to each letter (a word that described the town). I thought it was a really cool way to describe somewhat of what my life is like here at home, and therefore I decided to post the poems here in my blog.<br />
<br />
R-ural<br />
A-nimals<br />
N-eighborly<br />
D-evine<br />
O-ptions<br />
L-ively<br />
P-eople<br />
H-ome<br />
<br />
<b></b>V-arious<br />
E-nergy<br />
R-ural<br />
M-ountains<br />
O-pen<br />
N-eighborly<br />
T-ime<br />
<br />
A-moung<br />
M-yself<br />
E-xciting<br />
R-ural<br />
I-deas<br />
C-itys<br />
A-mazing<br />
<br />
I then decided to make one for Switzerland, and what it was like to me now before I leave. Maybe I can make another one while I'm there, and when I come home and see how their different?? (If you havent noticed I've been doing a lot of these preparation activities lately :)<br />
<br />
S-chool<br />
W-ide<br />
I-nteresting<br />
T-rains<br />
Z-anie<br />
E-scape<br />
R-eal<br />
L-anguages<br />
A-dventure<br />
N-ew<br />
D-ifferent<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks :)Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-54457399881930931922010-07-22T11:15:00.000-07:002010-07-22T11:15:52.519-07:00Time<div style="height: 0px;">x</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> I just returned from vacation with my family on Cape Cod, and I must say that is going to be one of the things I miss the most next year is seeing my grandparent who live down there. Its hard when I think about all the things I will miss next year, like the Tumbridge fair in September, or my cousins new baby due in December. However I expected these, and understood I would miss them when I applied. The strange thing is all the little moments I never though about. Such as earlier this week when I went to the movies with a friend. During the previews we both found a movie we wanted to go see and were talking about it a lot until the preview ended and we realized the movie didn't come out until October. At first this didn't mean anything, but then all of a sudden we realized I wouldn't be there to go see it with them here in America. While normally my friends and I will have a quick laugh about </i><i>it, it's these things I am finding are the hardest when I sit down and think about the things I am going to miss next year. </i><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> With </i><i>less then a month until I embark on one of the biggest adventures of my life I've noticed my life here at home has become more hectic than ever. Its like the past ten months of consideration, applications, fundraising, and waiting has all added up to this last month which is now just flying by. Its strange because while I can't wait to leave and start my life abroad, I also wish there was a little more time for me to spend here with friends and family enjoying the summer. Unfortunately, unlike many of friends believe, my last month in little old Randolph is not just a time for going to work at the flats, hangout with friends, getting my license, and enjoying summer like many of my peers. (okay well maybe some of it is :) ). However, in less than four weeks I have to finish a check list of things so long it beats any Christmas list I ever had. From thousands of appointments to get the final check, to learning as much German as I can, I never realized how much goes into the preparation part of being an exchange student. Ever day I get more and more information in the mail from AFS. From simple things like where to go when I get off the plane, to application info for my Visa there is so many little forms and details that go in to simply entering the country in august. I have piles and piles of information to read, and learn about what its like to be an exchange student, safety, rules, expectations, etc. etc. etc. However, while all of this work can sometimes feel out of control, in the end I can see how much it is helping me to prepare, and just gets me more excited to go!! </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br />
</i></div><i> So much has happened in just the past month since school got out that its hard to remember what I have, and have not told others. Therefore I thought I would simply put all I know about my exchange here. While I may seem pretty calm about all this information I must tell you that when I first found out even the most basic information such as when my plane would leave NYC, I was jumping up and down with a huge smile on my face for days!! (which is nothing compared to how I was when I learned about my host family!!)</i><br />
<br />
<i> It was the last day of classes at school when I learned I had a host family. I was walking to the car with a friend, and my mom told me she had some news....right away I screamed "I got a host family!?!?!?!" and ran and hugged my mom. Unfortunately, this is all I knew as the actual information about my family was sent to my e-mail at home. The ten minute car ride home lasted hours and I couldn't wait to know who I would be living with. Would I have siblings? Would they be my age? Where in Switzerland would I live? In the city? The questions flowed endlessly through my mind. When I finally did get home and checked my e-mail I couldn't believe it. I had two new e-mails that caught my eye....one from AFS with a subject declaring I had a host family, and one from someone I did not know with a subject simply reading "Hello!!". In the end I read the e-mail from my host mother before I read the e-mail with information on my family, however that e-mail was plenty. I have a host mom named Ester, a host father named Martin (who is my host siblings step-father), two host sisters (Rahel-15, and Carla-17, who just returned from an AFS exchange year in Homer, Alaska), and a host brother (Lukas-19 who is currently serving his military service.) I will live in Ormalingen, Switzerland, which is a small town (only 1900 people!) however only a 20 minute train ride from Basel (a city on the France, Germany, Switzerland border). I will attend school a few towns over at the Gymnasium Liestal which is a large school (1500 kids!!) much bigger than my own (only 350). Since learning all this information I have talked with my host family many times, and have realized that I couldn't have asked for a better family. In AFS exchanges, the host families pick their host students, and I am so thankful that they chose me. My parents couldn't be happier and have talked with my host parents a number of times. Knowing I have such a good family to stay with in Switzerland has been a huge relief. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> In my journey abroad I am only allowed to bring one suitcase, and one carry-on (How will I ever figure out what to pack?!?!?) I will leave the Burlington, Vermont airport around 11:15am on Wednesday August 18th, and fly to JFK where I will land at about 12:40pm. There I will join other AFS'ers from the USA headed to Switzerland for a pre-departure orientation. On the 19th at 5:30pm I (along with all the other USA-AFS exchange kids headed to Switzerland) will leave the USA, before landing in Zurich Switzerland at 7:30am. Our host families will then pick us up at the airport and take us home. The following Monday I will start Language camp, which will last for my first four weeks in Switzerland, before I start regular school in Liestal September 20th. Two weeks after arriving in Switzerland I will attend another orientation with about 25 other AFS kids from around the world. I then have about 2 other orientations throughout the year before a final one just before I return to the USA. It is strange to think that I will need an orientation to prepare me for the USA, that I will get Culture shock when I return home, however I guess when you think about it, it makes sense. :) </i><i> </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i> There is so much to do before I leave, and while I am very nervous about the idea of leaving my family, friends, and life behind, I also wish August 18th would come faster. I can't wait to meet my host family, and many of my fellow AFS friends). I can't wait to see Switzerland, and have been counting down the days. :) That's all for now, but I promise to write again as I go through the famous horrors of figuring out what to pack!! :) I'm off to work!!</i>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9043296824621301052.post-50366664102280187442010-06-26T14:54:00.000-07:002010-06-26T14:54:52.201-07:00Here or There??<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Hello!!</i></span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>I'm Sarah, and I am currently 15 years old. I live in the tiny tiny town of Randolph Vermont, and am a sophomore at Randolph Union High School. I am a typical small town girl: one brother and two parents, manager of the varsity baseball team, a member of our school's drama program, and Interact club, job at a seasonal restaurant, etc. However in seventh grade, I was lucky enough to travel to Japan for two weeks on an exchange with my school's sister school, in Shizukuishi, Japan (She-zoo-kwee-she). It was an experience I will never forget as it taught me so much about the world around me, along with myself. This two week experience is what made me want to become an exchange student as I entered High School. I wanted to once again feel the nerves and excitement as I am surrounded by a culture which is not my own. Be immersed in a country where I don't know the language, yet find myself feeling at home, and comfortable among new friends anyways. In Japan I stretched my boundaries and experienced strange foods, new religions, confusing toilets, and a whole culture I had never known or understood before. Coming back, I knew there was no better way to experience a culture than to live with in it. I knew instantly as the plane landed I wanted to travel abroad again, and with my parents support, the process began at the beginning of my sophomore year.</i></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="color: #666666;" /></span><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last September I began talking with my school counselor about the many options which I could chose from in order to become an exchange student. After much consideration and discussion I settled on AFS (American Field Services), a program my mom traveled through as a Junior in High School, and one my entire family felt very comfortable working with. After applying in December, I was accepted into the program within days. However I then waited anxiously for months to learn which country I would be accepted into. Knowing I wanted to go somewhere in Europe did not help me much in the process of choosing a country. France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Denmark, all sounded amazing to me. With the help of my parents however, I finally narrowed down the search, and chose countries I found I knew very little about with Switzerland, and the Netherlands, at the top of my list. Finally, on March 19th, the night of my schools Drama performance, I learned I was accepted to Switzerland!! What an amazing feeling I must tell you. I don't think I have ever been that excited/happy/full of joy before in my life. Like Christmas morning times 10000. Knowing your going to be an exchange student, yet not knowing which culture you will be experience is definitely not fun, as you have nothing to do but wait. However as I waited, I spent most of my time daydreaming, and telling people about my exciting plans.</span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Right away, as people learned I wanted to travel abroad I got the question "Why?". Why would you want to leave everything behind, and spend a year in a place where you don't know anyone let alone the language? To this I simply laughed and answered "Why wouldn't I??" </span></i><i style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> However then I would simply answer with the reasons I had had when I first applied, which have now turned into my goals. As an exchange student next year, I hope to gain a better knowledge of both myself, and the world around me. I hope to expand my views on what day-to-day life is, and how people live. I hope to take in both the differences between my own culture and that of the Swiss, as well as the similarities. I hope to become more independent, outgoing, and confident in myself, and who I am as a person. Last but not least, I hope to make new life long friends, and learn a new language. Along with these goals, when I return, I hope to share my experiences with my community through presentations, word of mouth, my blog, etc. I hope to encourage others to learn about the world through exchange, and get people interested in learning about other cultures. Finally, I hope to continue working with AFS and volunteering my time to help students like myself understand what they are about to undergo as an Exchange student, like the many volunteers I have already met are doing for me. </span></i><i style="background-color: white;"><span>However, after the initial shock of learning I was going to be leaving Randolph for 11 months (WOW!!) I found that everyone seemed very excited for me, and wanted to know all about where I was going to be living, what life would be like, when I leave, etc. etc. etc. :)</span></i></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="color: #666666;" /></span><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">While my adventure as an exchange student is about to begin, getting here was not an easy snap of the fingers. Other than the challenging, stressful task of the application and paper work, my biggest obstacle with which to over come, was the high tuition costs of the program. I managed to knock off a huge chunk of this tuition through the Global Leaders Merit Scholarship, along with a donation from my Local AFS chapter, a discount for my mother being a former AFS participant, and savings I had stored up while working last summer. However, even with all this, I still needed to fund raise $6,000. After considering a number of different fund raisers, I decided to send out letters explaining who I was, why I chose to travel abroad, and explaining the difficult situation I was in, in hope of receiving donations from my friends and family, along with local businesses around my town. Along with these letters I planned to continue my job at Onion Flats, (amazing restaurant!!), and put all money earned into my tuition. After spending hours drafting, and redrafting the letters, I started hearing back within a week of mailing. What made these donations, were the letters that flowed in with them saying how proud everyone was of me, and how nicely written my letter had been. It felt great to know that all my hard work had not gone to waist, and that I was being supported by everyone. Many people talked about how they were not surprised I was doing this as I have always loved traveling, and others wanted to know if I would take them along! I even started receiving donations from people I barely knew, who supported exchange in my community, and wanted to help me in any way they could. I know many of these people also plan to follow my exchange journey through this blog, which helps me to share my experiences and things I learn, with my community back home. (One of the reasons I wanted to become an exchange student through AFS!!!). With all of this support and interest in what I was doing, the money I received to pay off the tuition was like icing on the cake to make me feel great about my decision to travel abroad.</span></i></span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">With less then two months to go before I leave for my journey abroad there is still so much to do in my little town of Randolph. While I am so excited to leave, and start my new life in Switzerland, I can't hide the huge nerves forming in my stomach. Even so, I don't think it has really hit me yet that I've done it, I <b>am</b> an exchange students, and I <b>will </b>be spending next year Switzerland....<b>WOW</b>!!! If you have any questions for me concerning anything about my exchange year/preparation, please feel free to ask (I myself have asked thousands the past few months!).</span></i></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br style="color: #666666;" /></span><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #666666;">That's all for now! :)</span></span></span></span></i>Sarah A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06351405436492417072noreply@blogger.com0