If I told you that I have something to worry about, something stressful, or something difficult in my life right now- it would be the biggest lie I have ever told. I sleep like a baby, laugh every day, love every minute, and look forward to everything that’s coming. I am starting to train for my half-marathon, playing lots of soccer, and seeing new places all the time. I don’t know how many times I’ve said this…but man, am I lucky.
The Best Kind of School Day
As much as school has improved for me, let’s be honest. The best school days are when I don’t have to go at all. Last Thursday I went with the girls from my class skiing in Flumserberg. One of the girls was leaving for Canada on an exchange year, and it was nice to be able to spend some time with her her before she left. I taught her all of the most important Canadian words, like “pardon”, “eh”, and “sorry”. We had a little lesson on how to annunciate her province name, I warned her about how the landscape may me a “tad” different, and wished her all the best in Saskatchewan.
To get to Flumserberg I was in the 6.00am bus from my house, and not even partially awake. I slept like a rock in one bus, three trains, and one gondola before we were at the top, and I finally had enough energy to for a big day of snowboarding. The sun was shining, there were very little people on the slopes, and it was just above zero degrees. The snow was hard, fast, and groomed as perfectly as corduroy from top to bottom. Every time I took a break I would look at my surroundings and have to remind myself that it wasn’t a dream. This is my life; and what a beautiful life it is. The day took a turn for the worse when a friend of mine fell and sliced her cheek open with her ski edge. She was completely in shock at the time, and didn’t even realize that her cheek had a gash that went almost all the way through. I managed to stay calm and give her some instructions on the hill while the others went to go get help. She was brought to the nearest doctor, who gave her eight stitches (inside and outside of her cheek). She didn’t shed a tear the entire time- I would have made quite a large scene I’m sure.
Hellogoodbye
On Saturday, a friend of mine, Jill went back home to Australia after her year-long exchange. Her host family, along with about twenty exchange students were at the airport, all ready to reluctantly say goodbye. Being in an airport was a very weird thing. It brought back memories of the feelings I had the last time I was in one, and initiated some new ones by reminding me that in less than six months from now I’ll be in her position. I am not even close to being ready to go home, too much to see, too much to do, too many people I haven’t met, and too many experiences are yet to come. Something about this day was an important wake-up call, that at some point I will have to mentally prepare to leave my life here in Switzerland. Key words: at some point. But not quite yet!
In the afternoon, I hung out with some of the other Canadians, and a New Yorker. We did the typical exchange student activity, and simply hopped on the next train to a city we’d never seen. We stopped in Winterthur (where I will run my marathon), then headed up to Schaffhausen to climb the tower there and enjoy the beautiful day in the old city. Great people, great places. There is nothing more I need!
Schwartzwald
On Sunday my family took me on yet another cool excursion- to the Black Forrest, and Schluchsee in Germany. They actually had a bit of snow there, which made it so beautiful in the sunshine.
We hiked around half of the lake and stopped for lunch. I had a traditional winter meal- which I can’t remember the name of. For a lack of a better, German word, I shall name it “A Weiner in Soup”. It was the perfect thing to warm up and fill up for the second half of our hike.
While the first half of our day was a leisurely stroll (picture taking, watching Willi doing Ina’s hip-hop moves, skipping in unison instead of walking) the second half was rather strenuous. Brigitte realized we were running a little late to catch our train. We speed walked like we were training for the Olympics, and even ran the last kilometer or two. We looked like quite the sporty bunch, flying by the other families at top speed in single file. We made our train, and decided that our efforts should be rewarded with apple strudel in a restaurant that overlooked the lake. Definitely worth it.
At night we went to see a Historical theatre about Baden in the Baden museum. Out of the four presentations, I understood two well, and two not-so-much. But it was still cool to see a little history about the city I live in (or close to).
Perfectly Impractical
This little story is for my mom, who would be shaking her head and laughing at my ever-present disability to “shop smart”.
A few weeks ago I went boot shopping to replace my black leather boots with the big hole in the toe. There should be a rule about shoe shopping, like the one about grocery shopping (never go grocery shopping when you’re starving). “Never go boot shopping when your feet are cold and wet.” I came home equipped for the arctic with a pair of water-proof, fur lined, enormous pair of winter monster shoes, with the highly convenient option of retractable ice spikes. I live in a town that doesn’t even get lasting snow in the winter. I haven’t needed to wear the shoes in a month.
Realizing that I needed something for our normal mild days (that aren’t like ovens for my feet), I decided to simply replace my black boots. Calf height, plain black, no heal, go-with-anything, kind of deal. Just a replacement. I accidently came home with a pair of high heeled greyish-brown ankle boots that don’t particularly go with anything. They hurt like hell, they make running to the bus stop impossible, and walking on cobblestone an extreme sport. They are totally impractical, unnecessary, and unsafe. They are beautiful, and I love them.
Thanks for reading everyone,
And until next time! Kuß Kuß
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