Snow-filled Fields

On Friday morning I woke up for the first time in Switzerland to see a thin layer of snow covering the fields and frosting the trees of Freienwil.  Yes, I have seen snow every year of my life.  No, the feeling of seeing the first snowfall never gets old.  I did a little dance in the kitchen, and realized that it’s really feeling like Christmas.  Enjoy my last blog until after Christmas!

A Visit to my Old Town

Last Tuesday I went back to Untersiggenthal to go running with Brigitte and her best friend.  We ran all of my familiar routes and the cold night air felt so good.  I forgot how much I loved to run, because I can’t really do it up here in Freienwil at this time of year.  There are no street lights and so it is completely dark when I get home from school.  The new snow also makes things more difficult.  At the end of my run, I showed up sweaty and red-faced to surprise Daria and Andreas at home.  My room is now the wool-spinning room, and it’s looking way cleaning than I have ever seen it.  Other than that, not much has changed. We spent a few minutes laughing catching up, and collecting everything I had forgotten on my first round of moving.  Can’t wait to spend a little bit of Christmas time in Untersiggenthal next weekend!

Canadian Class

On Wednesday I showed up to school after lunch and got totally soaked in the rain on the way to the bus.  Freienwil loves to let the sun shine while I am safely inside, than pee down on me the minute I step out the door.  My boots have an enormous hole in the toe, so my feet are constantly wet.  (I have money to buy new ones, but this money got transferred to my snowboard funds).  It’s safe to say my mood was on edge as I walked into German.  In this class, I learned that we would be going skating next class (I had looked forward to putting on dry gym clothes and running shoes).  We then missed our bus, and had to walk a half hour to the area.  I was not at all pleased, and childishly grumpy.  However, as soon as I tied up the skate laces my mood started to lift.  There is something about putting on the most uncomfortable pair of skates and slipping into my oversized Canada mitts that makes me feel so rejuvenated- so much at home.  The rink was a little sloppy due to the rain, but it was enjoyable all the same.  Get a girl's gym class together to play hockey (not one being able to stop, and half wearing figure skates) is a perfect combination for some serious laughter.  On my way home, I was once again completely annihilated by a storm, but just laughed at my luck and smiled because my day had been a good one. 

Miscommunication

As much as I like to think I have learned a considerable amount of German, it becomes clear to me often just how much I don’t understand.  I show up for skating with shorts and running shoes, a math test without realizing we were writing one, a knot tying lesson without a rope, a secret Santa party without a gift, a bus station without my ticket, and a modern dance show thinking I was seeing Shakespeare.  It’s frustrating, but at the same time I just have to laugh.  The strangest was certainly the modern dance show I saw on Saturday night.  I 100% thought it was Shakespeare I had signed up to see with my class, but in the theater there was no stage.  Just a large sandbox at the bottom of the rows of seat.  The entire hour and a half a group of people fought, wrestled, sang, danced, and raced around in the sand.  They spit in it, kicked it, threw it at the audience, rolled in it, dug in it, and even ate it.  It was the strangest thing I have ever seen in my life.  The only word I said after to describe it was “special”.  Not boring- not normal.  I have searched far and wide for a video clip to show you, but I think this production was somehow too obscure to even be on the internet.   Definitely a new experience!

Parlo L’Italiano

I am pretty sure what I wrote above means “I speak Italian”- or it’s supposed to anyways.  I wouldn’t have a clue because I don’t speak a word.  This was very clear when I travelled down to Tessin with some friends on Saturday.  I was out of my house by eight o clock and ready for a big day with some of my favourite people.  The weather in Switzerland never ceases to amaze me.  I woke up to a wet snow covered field, hopped on the train in the rain, and travelled through a massive snowstorm with men shovelling a few feet of the train tracks, and popped out of a tunnel into Bellinzona at 7°C and sun.  Without having a clue of what there was to do in this city, we ended up having a really amazingamazing day.  We saw two castles, a Christmas market, and ate in a little pizzeria.  The vibe in this city is totally different than the one in the German speaking area of Switzerland.  It doesn’t feel like Switzerland at all! Felt like I was right back in Italy and it was so much fun.  The only problem arrived in the restaurant when trying to order our meals.  My friends Hayley speaks a bit of Italian, so when I didn’t even know how to say “I want pizza,” she could help me out. She wasn't, however, able to catch my mistake when I translated "acciughe" for "artichokes".  I love artichokes.  Unfortunately, "acciughe" means "anchovies".  An enormous pizza was placed in front of me with little fishies lying dead in the melted mozzarella.  Another girl had trusted my translations and had ordered the pizza as well.  When we both realized my mistake, we just couldn’t help but bust into a crazy laugher.  It definately was not the best pizza I’ve had, anchovies really are as bad as people describe them, but we sure did laugh a lot at my mistake. I also realized here how much i am lacking in the knowledge of Swiss history.  In both castles I just wanted to know why they were there? Who lived there? What was this room for? Why was it built this way? Since I didn’t know the answers i just began to make up things like, “this tower here was for the dragon,” and “the princes slept here,” or “this was where they poured boiling cauldrons of hot stuff on people they didn’t like trying to get in the castle”.  Maybe i should do some research and get some real facts...I did get some great pictures though. 

Swiss-German Christmas

On Sunday morning i had my first christmas celebration with Willi’s family.  Sixteen of us sat around the extended kitchen table and i tried to keep up with some rapid Swiss German.  I surprised myslef by understanding, but i was totally and completely exhausted by the end of the day. 

After a wonderful brunch, we did the coolest thing.  Couches, duvets, pillows, bean bag chairs, and comfy chairs were dragged into the kitchen and the lights were turned out. Sheets hung in all the windows (there are a lot of them) and a projector was set up on the kitchen table.  The large, flat, white walls in the kitchen happen to be perfect for setting up a movie theare.  We watched a comedy “Johnny English” in german together.  Everyone laughed, and although i didn’t understand alot, i enjoyed myself too. 

We finihsed our day with rich chocolates desserts and christmas cookies. The snow shone in the sunlight across the farms, the newly decorated tree stood in the kitchen, and everyone just enjoyed to be in each other’s company.  I love christmas-time. 

At night we lit the tree- real candles and sparklers! And listened to traditional Christmas music.  Oh wait no, that's not right.  We got didgeridoo lessons from Willi and played by the light of the tree.  Willi was really good at it- I managed to make a really lovely farting noise that sounded nothing like music.  You have to learn how to breath out and suck in at the same time.  You can practice this with a glass and try to keep your bubbles even.  It was hard to concentrate with so much laughing, but it was a blast. 



A Merry Christmas to my English friends and family, and eine fröhliche Weihnachten für meine Schweizer Freunden und Familien.

All my love

Stephie

A Week in the Brand New Fam

I have to sadly and embarrassingly admit that I have not yet seen my town of Freienwil, other than the two minute sprint to the bus stop (I haven’t been on time enough to walk to it this week).  Every single day has been rainy, windy, or completely dark by the time I get home.  Nevertheless I am feeling very well adjusted in my new place and, as always, am loving life. 

Polysport Tournament

On Thursday I participated in by far the best school activity I have yet to experience here.  It was called the Polysport Tournament.  A team of nine people in my class was formed to play in a variety of sport matches against our rival school (Baden) and other Kanton schools in the area.  Basketball, volleyball, ping pong, ball hockey, and soccer were our five disciplines.  Each sport was played for fifteen minutes before changing to the next.  We played for almost four hours, and it was the most entertaining and fabulous afternoon.  The best thing about it was that I was able to get a taste of what I miss most about school back home; school spirit.  We wore our jerseys proudly, and cheered our school name for all to hear. 

My Kanti Wettinge Girlies!

It was competitive in a sense, but more so just a great opportunity to contribute our talents and laugh hysterically at our mistakes.  I took the ball quite a few times from some very frustrated boys in ball hockey, and I got a goal in soccer.  I made a few good plays in volleyball, and a few that made the whole court suppress laughter.  I managed to serve and hit my own teammate in the head, and forget where the line was and serve from in the middle of the court.  In basketball I really didn’t accomplish much, other than making the other team really angry with all of my improper plays.  In ping pong, I did what I thought would best benefit my team and played bench warmer/water girl.  

Meli, Rapha, Stephie, Liri, Steph
Sevi, Miri, Ishbel, Juri

At the end of the day, we were all tired, happy, and proud of our team.  We came in 6^th out of ten teams, but we could have come in last and it wouldn’t have mattered.  Our participation gift from the coordinators was possibly the funniest part of the day (for me anyways).  In Canada you’d get tee-shirts, or a trophy, or a banner, or ribbons, or something of the sort.  Here, in the land of carbs, we received a massive loaf of bread shaped as a man.  We named him Bobby, and then proceeded to devour the entire thing.  Oh how I love Swiss customs. 

Bobby (Approx. 2ft Tall)

A Scholar Student

My school career last week started taking a few new turns.  The most important one being the fact that I passed my first test! The Swiss school marks are on a point scale from 1-6, with a 4 being a pass.  I, happened to pass my first test (in Math) with flying colours at a solid 4.0.  The whole class clapped and I did a little happy dance I the middle of the classroom.  It’s a mark I would have cried about in Canada and I couldn’t be happier with it here.  In my advanced math class (not where I wrote the test) things are also changing.  It was suddenly and out of the blue decided that our lessons will now be in English.  Therefore, I no longer have the “I don’t understand” excuse and have to do some homework.  Yes Barbara, I am actually doing homework (I don’t think I opened a book in my while I lived with her).  I have also written my first in-class essay in German class.  The teacher explained it was a little advanced and I didn’t’ have to do it, but I wanted to try anyways. I have no idea how it turned out, or if any of it could be understood, but it was a pretty cool feeling to look down after two hours and see two full pages of German in my handwriting.  When I think back to not even being able to write I simple e-mail I see how far I’ve come.  We’ll see about my mark later this week!

Just to prove i'm not lying...

Hardly Home

As much as I love my new house, I must say that in the past few days I haven’t been there much.  On Friday night I had a girl’s night with the girls in my class.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get there until almost twelve after two hours of a particularly difficult soccer practice.  They played games which included a lot of fast talking and I was totally lost.  Later we watched some movies, ate too much chocolate, and laughed a lot.  Despite my exhaustion I had a really great time, as I always do with my friends here.  We woke up to this sunrise too- how much better could it get?

On Saturday I was at a birthday party for a boy in my class which was also great- it’s so nice to be included.  I have been so busy with the people from my class; I haven’t spent any time with my exchange student friends.  Speaking very little English now, I have found that I am really starting to understand Swiss German at last.  Not always, but a whole lot more than before.  It the best thing when I feel like I’m in the conversation instead of just sitting beside it and wondering what in the world is going on!

Early Sunday morning I went to my Host-Grandmother’s with Ina to make the traditional Christmas chocolates she has been making for over 40 years now.  Ina and I were so covered in chocolate it looked like we were wearing brown gloves.  As messy as the process was, we ended up with amazing-looking results.  If you see these mouth-watering beautifully handmade chocolates below and wonder about a recipe- I’ll let you in on the secret- Swiss chocolate.  Kilos of it.  Plus butter, and sugar of course.  You can only eat a few- but it’s like heaven when you do!

Sunday night Brigitte and I went a few towns away to see Willi play in a Gospel concert.  The church
was packed with over three hundred people and the energy was upbeat and joyful.  The singers bounced around the whole time they sang and always seemed to have smiles on their faces.  Every day its beginning to feel a little more like Christmas!

My Drumming Dad!

Ina and I getting our daily advent gifts!

Adjusting

My Addiction

As one would expect, there are many changes that occur with living with a new family.  My habits have changed a lot since I’ve lived in Switzerland, and I can see them changing again in a new family.  In Canada I drank a liter of milk a day with dinner alone, and here I am addicted to only green teas.  With Barbara’s family I was always the last one up on the weekend, even if I got up before nine.  Yesterday breakfast was at noon.  I was pretty much accustomed to not eating meat during meals, and yesterday I tried something very different at breakfast.  Horse sandwich meat.  I was pretty scared at first to try it, but I decided to go ahead anyways.  To make me feel a little more comfortable, my host dad made neh-ing sounds every time I brought the meat close to my mouth…not helpful!  It turned out to be really delicious; I just try not to think about it too much while I’m eating. At night I still bring my cell phone to the bathroom for a light because I’m not used to the hallways in the dark, and I still don’t always remember which bus I need to take. When asked directions to my house all I can say is “look for the cows” but I’ll get there.  Before moving I was nervous to adjust to all these new things; these little things that make you really feel like you’re at home, and make you totally comfortable.  Now, however, I realize it’s fun!  I am enjoying readjusting and trying something totally new all over again.  If we don’t change, we don’t grow.  If we don’t grow, we aren’t truly living.  Well, I can tell you one thing for sure- I am living the life. 

Much love and season’s greeting to all- thank you for reading!

Stephie xo

Last Week in Untersiggenthal

This blog was written a few days ago, and I have been waiting to post it so that I can have pictures to go along. However- the rain is refusing to stop falling AND I am never home with sunlight.  So, here is my blog- I hope you enjoy.  Pictures will be added next week!

My last week with my first host family was a wonderful one.  Apart from being home sick and sleeping through the first half of the week- I really had a great time and wouldn’t have wanted it to be any different!

Exchange Relationships

The relationships made through exchange programs never cease to amaze me.  I never realized how much I could truly love a host family, and how hard it is to leave them after four months.  I never realized that the bonds made in another country, in another language can in fact be as strong as ones made at home.  My exchange sister Julie (from France) who stayed with my family last year is still a very important part of my family and has helped me through the first third of my year.  I am currently in the process of planning a border hop to France to see her during my February holidays.  I now have connections with people like this all over the world- and I can’t get over just how cool it is. The people you meet through exchange programs are just automatically similar to you in many ways, and it is so easy to connect. 

Christmas in the Air

The “air” is in fact not Christmassy at all here- it is rainy, and relatively warm.  However, the weather did decide to slush (no, not snow- slush) on me today on my way home from school.  It’s getting close to snow! Christmas spirit is definitely still here in Switzerland- though not as wild and over the top as at home.  This weekend I made a few Christmas cookies with my family, a few being approximately 6-8 trays full. As always, I ate way too much cookie dough and wasn’t even able to try the final product until the next day.  When I got here in my second family, a chocolate advent calendar was on my bed, and my new host sister and I have a little gift every day from stocking labeled up until the 25^th.  The Christmas lights Barbara and I set up in the dark the other night are twinkling beautifully and I sang some Christmas carols with Andreas before I left.  I’m not sure how I feel about spending Christmas in another country.  It’s both exciting and difficult, because I am a big, over-the-top, Christmas celebrater, and it is a totally different feeling when you’re not with your family.  I am however so excited to see the customs here and have a new Christmas experience with a wonderful host family.  I mean really- how many people get to celebrate Christmas in Switzerland then go snowboarding in the Alps the next day? (If we get snow).  Overall I’m feeling pretty good about it- just staying positive and loving every minute of one of my favourite times of year.  One difference I have learnt about already is “Samichlaus” who comes on the 6^th of December.  He is somewhat a version of St. Nicholas, dressed as a bishop, but is not Santa Claus.  Samichlaus comes and leaves gifts like nuts, mandarin oranges, and chocolate for good children.  He tells the children what they are doing well, and what they can improve on.  “Weinachtsmann” (Christmas man directly translated) comes on the 24^th of December with gifts, and is more similar to Santa Claus.  Christmas traditions vary between every family, and I can’t wait to tell you all about mine!

My Last Untersiggenthal Days

My last days in Untersiggenthal were really awesome. The majority of my time was spent with Barbara and Daria, baking, talking, cooking, and enjoying each other’s company.  On Saturday night we watched Grease- in German.  I don’t know if they liked it very much, but I made up for it if they didn’t.  We all definitely enjoyed the music.  I was singing to every song and dancing with a passion.  It turns out Grease could probably make me happy in any language- it’s just that good.  On Sunday morning before moving I had breakfast with Barbara, Daria, Andreas, Wimi, Natalia, Lidya and Luca which was the best possible way to say goodbye.  We ate pancakes with maple syrup, laughed, and cried only a little.  I played with the kids and laughed so hard I did the famous Stephanie “cackle” which is loud, obnoxious, and a clear sign about how happy I truly am.  Andreas made me a CD which I can’t wait to listen to, and Natalia and Wimi gave me a very generous gift certificate to her hair salon.  You know what that means- no more angry hair monster living on top of Stephanie’s head! It’s so ridiculous now that it pretty much lives in a ball somewhere just above my forehead and flops around into my face when I need to run to catch the bus.  I was considering naming this Hair Monster; however its best I not get too attached and chop it off ASAP.  I wrote cards to each of the families which is wayyy harder in German.  I am a whiz at thank you card in English- I wrote about 50 after my goodbye party- but these two were so difficult because I can never translate properly exactly what I want to say.  I hope I made everything clear though, and didn’t say anything offensive or totally off topic (it’s happened before- often).  I packed my millions of heavy suitcases into Willi’s drum-van when they came to pick me up, and said “See you later” (not goodbye) to Untersiggenthal and my beloved first host family.  Looking forward to spending vacation with them and a visit here and there!

You know you’re in Freienwil When:

As you all know, I have changed families from Untersiggenthal and now live in Freienwil- population 920.

Here are a few things to help you understand my new hometown.  I call this list, “You know you’re in Freienwil when”

1.       You can lay in bed and listen to the cows in your front yard mooing

2.       Your neighbour has a life sized plastic cow as a lawn decoration

3.       You have only one bus every hour, and one bus stop in the whole town

4.       It’s raining at school, and as you ride the bus up to your town it changes to snow

5.       It smells like cow poop

6.       Everyone greets people by name

7.       Your kitchen was once a barn

8.       You think you hear your bus coming but…nope.  That’s just another tractor. 

9.       The view from your kitchen window looks like a postcard

10.   The clouds in the sunset are so colourful, and close that it looks like you can touch them

11.   You’ve been there for less than three days and you just know it’s a great place to live

I’ll tell you a little more about my house and family so you can try to get to know my new life a bit better! I have a host mom, Brigitte, host dad, Willi, and a host sister, Ina.  Brigitte works as a kindergarten teacher as well as with children with hearing deficits.  Willi is a drummer who has a few different bands, teaches lessons at home, and also makes his own drums.  Ina is thirteen and has given up her homework and computer room for the next for months to make room for me.  The family is extremely nice and have made me feel so comfortable here.  Our house is very modern, as it is a recently renovated farmhouse completely renewed and redecorated.  Medium toned hardwood floors throughout the house, white walls, black furniture.  They have a piano, but I haven’t gotten the courage to play quite yet.  We have a black cat named Nero who won’t come in the house if he sees me inside, but I’m sure he’ll get used to a stranger in his house.  The kitchen is stunning with all stainless steel appliances, black counters, white cabinets, and enormous windows that frame the rolling hills and farms as far as you can see.  The appliances are also all new- which is cool, but sometimes I need to search around to find the source of An angry beeping sound which notifies me that another appliance is mad at me for doing something wrong or “un-eco-friendly.  My room has a ton of storage space, which I thought was totally unnecessary until I started to unpack.  It is amazing how much stuff I have accumulated! It’s unbelievable really.  My host sisters will be receiving many gifts before I return home. 

My second time home from school today, something amazing happened- I seemed to have developed a temporary sense of direction.  I took a bus to a different town (so I wouldn’t have to wait 35 minutes for my bus) and walked up the last bit of the hill to Freienwil without making ONE false turn! Well, this was after almost getting on the wrong bus at school, then beginning to walk in the wrong direction for a few minutes. Oh yeah…and it’s a completely straight road with signs saying “Freienwil- this way”- but still! I feel like I should be proud and praise myself because it is more than likely this wonderful new-found quality of mine will be short-lived. 

I will soon have another blog to come, and lots of pictures to add.  Hope you’ve enjoyed!