Hello all
It's Sunday afternoon and I am quite tired.. My whole host family has sore throats and coughs, including me.
In school last week nothing too special happened, as usual. My class teacher found for me a French grammar book and French vocabulary exercices. She requested them from another teacher at school who teaches French for new students who don't know the language. Before I was working out of a verb workbook or reading kids' books in French in my freetime at school but the new materials are better. On Tuesday we had our last day of swimming in gym, so I am happy about that.
Thursday was Thanksgiving in the US, but the only recognition of it here was a piece in the journal that made fun of the Sarah Palin interview with the turkeys being slaughtered in the background (Switzerland is completely pro-Obama and pro-democrat, and they love making fun of Bush & Co. nearly as much as we do!) Luckily I didn't feel too homesick but I'm not too sure why because I thought I would be. Sometimes it's easy to not be homesick because I'm so busy and wrapped-up in my life here.. But then other times I will have a few days when I can't stop thinking about home. It just depends, I guess.
The last class on Friday I had an interesting biology lab where I dissected a mussel.. It was pretty tame compared to the perch, frog, and two sheeps' eyes dissections I've already done, even though not all of the mussels were dead. ('If your mussel closes up and you can't stick the scalpel in, put it in hot water' was basically what my teacher said, but in French.) I think later in the year we are going to do more dissections, and this was just a sort of introduction. After school Béatrice came to pick us up and we went to Bulle where Andréanne had a dentist appointment and Béatrice and I went grocery shopping in the meantime.
On Saturday, Andréanne, Béatrice, and I got up early to go the Christmas market in Bâle (more commonly known by its German name, Basel- I didn't realize they were the same place until Saturday.) Towards 8 we met up with Andréanne's aunt, grown cousin, and other aunt (I think..) at the parking lot of the Migros in Romont where we boarded this tour bus. I was kind of strange. We were unfortunately the first stop for the bus so we had to make a round of Bulle, Fribourg, and another town, which took a good hour or two. After the bus was full of people we started the trip to Bâle, which lasted until around noon, with a break where the bus-driver stopped to serve everyone coffee and cookies. Bâle is to the north and a bit east of here, right up next to the border of Germany.. and the area is German-speaking.
The market was quite nice, with lots of stands set up selling various things, like scarves, gloves, carved angels, cookies, figures for a manger scene, cheese, christmas ornaments, etc. We looked at all the stalls and then went shopping at the stores nearby, with a dinner and 3 coffee breaks in-between, of course. They really drink quite a lot of coffee here. At 6 we got back on the bus to come home.. In the front of the bus there was this Swiss-German singing group that started singing various songs including some English ones (Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Let it Shine, which was funny with their accents.) We got home not too late, and then I watched TV with Andréanne and Nicolas until I went to bed.
Today I woke up with a sore throat.. for lunch we had cheese fondue and it was good. And now we're just hanging out.
You know, I've been finding since coming here that time seems inconsistent. I feel like time drags until I view things in retrospect- I've already been here more than three months, and looking back, I feel it passed quickly. The fact that I have only three more weeks of school until Christmas vacation seems impossible too. When I look at how long I have to go of exchange it seems like forever but I think it will be the same as the time that's already past, that it will feel long in the process but after it will feel way shorter.
Next weekend is a 3 day weekend and also the Fête de la St-Nicolas where I think there is a parade of kids in the village at nighttime. I'm not exactly sure what it is but I will fill everyone in afterward. The day is very important here, like an extra Christmas sort of. And then after, 2 weeks of school, and then vacation!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Fotos
Hello all
I don't really have the time to write a detailed blog post today about my last week (homework, ugh.) In school it was pretty standard. But I can describe my weekend a bit, and also I am putting up a few photos.
Friday night it snowed a bit, which was nice. It snows here a few times in the winter, but never much like in Minneapolis. Yesterday was Saturday.. I took the bus and train to Fribourg to see Sakshi. It is much more convenient to take the bus from my new village than my old village because they run almost every hour, even on Saturdays. On the train I saw my friend Berenice from school with her mom, and then we ended up taking the same train back too. In Fribourg I bought a few clothes and then Sakshi and I ates crêpes and talked. I returned to the house and ate dinner.. Afterward I skyped with mom and dad. I am definitely forgetting English...
Saturday around 10 Andréanne and I went to a fête in the village. It was called 'The Beach Party' and there were lots of people.. the drinking age here is technically 16 but there were some kids as young as 13 who were drinking (however the majority of people there were probably 16-20.) The floor was covered with sand and there was loud music and a bunch of people were drunk. I probably inhaled more smoke yesterday night than in the rest of my life together. Andréanne and I didn't drink but we danced. It was.. interesting. It is weird that people here drink and smoke so much younger, and it's not usually discouraged. I mean, in general parents let their kids go party like that on Saturday nights, no problem. At the fête I saw tons of people in my class, which was fun. We went home early.. at one.. because Andréanne had to get up this morning and work at the village nursing home. I am glad I went (because I was considering not going) but I'm not sure if I would go again. But in all it was a nice cultural experience.
This morning I slept in until 11, and then ate lunch with my host family, and then worked on my painting for art class. After this I have to go do homework for tomorrow. Next weekend we are going to a Christmas market in Bâle and I am excited for that. Only 4 more weeks until Christmas vacation!
I don't really have the time to write a detailed blog post today about my last week (homework, ugh.) In school it was pretty standard. But I can describe my weekend a bit, and also I am putting up a few photos.
Friday night it snowed a bit, which was nice. It snows here a few times in the winter, but never much like in Minneapolis. Yesterday was Saturday.. I took the bus and train to Fribourg to see Sakshi. It is much more convenient to take the bus from my new village than my old village because they run almost every hour, even on Saturdays. On the train I saw my friend Berenice from school with her mom, and then we ended up taking the same train back too. In Fribourg I bought a few clothes and then Sakshi and I ates crêpes and talked. I returned to the house and ate dinner.. Afterward I skyped with mom and dad. I am definitely forgetting English...
Saturday around 10 Andréanne and I went to a fête in the village. It was called 'The Beach Party' and there were lots of people.. the drinking age here is technically 16 but there were some kids as young as 13 who were drinking (however the majority of people there were probably 16-20.) The floor was covered with sand and there was loud music and a bunch of people were drunk. I probably inhaled more smoke yesterday night than in the rest of my life together. Andréanne and I didn't drink but we danced. It was.. interesting. It is weird that people here drink and smoke so much younger, and it's not usually discouraged. I mean, in general parents let their kids go party like that on Saturday nights, no problem. At the fête I saw tons of people in my class, which was fun. We went home early.. at one.. because Andréanne had to get up this morning and work at the village nursing home. I am glad I went (because I was considering not going) but I'm not sure if I would go again. But in all it was a nice cultural experience.
This morning I slept in until 11, and then ate lunch with my host family, and then worked on my painting for art class. After this I have to go do homework for tomorrow. Next weekend we are going to a Christmas market in Bâle and I am excited for that. Only 4 more weeks until Christmas vacation!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Nothing Too Drastic
The last week was pretty standard...
Last Sunday I went with Bernard and Béatrice to this little village in the mountains where there was a gallery opening. It was animal themed, with paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, and even some nice fuzzy works of taxidermy. Five artists were displayed and while they were all talented, I only liked two- the others were too precise, like photographs. After that we went to this cafe that was also a Swiss antique store, and got coffee and looked around.
Monday I had school, and can’t remember anything special happening. Tuesday night I went with Andréanne to the Salle de Gym where we met up with two of her good friends and did group aerobics.. It was exercise, and thus a bit of a drag for me, but I will probably continue going with her on Tuesdays because I know it’s good for my body. And I felt good after I was done, haha..
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were average days of school. Luckily the week didn’t drag by like the week before. I got to see my grades.. right now I only have grades in three classes because the other teachers don’t give me notes. The grading system is a bit odd here and I don’t exactly know what the equivalents are in the US. The worst is 1 and the best is 6.. I have 3.5 in géographie, 4.5 in math, and 5.5 in gym. In biologie I got a test back and did better than the boy that sits by me (he got 2.2) which is funny because it was a test on everything from the year up until vacations, and I was gone for the first half...
Saturday afternoon Andréanne and I took the bus to Romont to rent a DVD.. I bought some school supplies (stabilos markers and a compass) and then we rented two films, Zodiac and another, I think called Keeping Secrets, with Rowan Atkinson, Maggie Smith, and Kristin Scott Thomas. Andréanne made cookies in the late afternoon. In the evening Béatrice and Bernard went out.. Nicolas, Andréanne, and I ended up watching both movies.
Today I am working on some homework for school, and typing this, and relaxing before the start of another busy week. I am going to take some photos soon of my house and host family and then put them up. There are only 5 weeks left until winter vacations.. it is crazy for me that we only have 7 weeks of school between two vacations, each of two weeks. In February there is le semaine thematique (themed week) where we can choose what you want to do for a week (options like jewelry-making, sports, massage, drawing, cooking, etc.) at school or you can go to a skiing camp. I think I am going to sign up for ‘cuisine comme un chef’ (cook like a chef) but I’m not sure.
And now I have to go finish some homework for tomorrow... à la prochaine
Last Sunday I went with Bernard and Béatrice to this little village in the mountains where there was a gallery opening. It was animal themed, with paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, and even some nice fuzzy works of taxidermy. Five artists were displayed and while they were all talented, I only liked two- the others were too precise, like photographs. After that we went to this cafe that was also a Swiss antique store, and got coffee and looked around.
Monday I had school, and can’t remember anything special happening. Tuesday night I went with Andréanne to the Salle de Gym where we met up with two of her good friends and did group aerobics.. It was exercise, and thus a bit of a drag for me, but I will probably continue going with her on Tuesdays because I know it’s good for my body. And I felt good after I was done, haha..
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were average days of school. Luckily the week didn’t drag by like the week before. I got to see my grades.. right now I only have grades in three classes because the other teachers don’t give me notes. The grading system is a bit odd here and I don’t exactly know what the equivalents are in the US. The worst is 1 and the best is 6.. I have 3.5 in géographie, 4.5 in math, and 5.5 in gym. In biologie I got a test back and did better than the boy that sits by me (he got 2.2) which is funny because it was a test on everything from the year up until vacations, and I was gone for the first half...
Saturday afternoon Andréanne and I took the bus to Romont to rent a DVD.. I bought some school supplies (stabilos markers and a compass) and then we rented two films, Zodiac and another, I think called Keeping Secrets, with Rowan Atkinson, Maggie Smith, and Kristin Scott Thomas. Andréanne made cookies in the late afternoon. In the evening Béatrice and Bernard went out.. Nicolas, Andréanne, and I ended up watching both movies.
Today I am working on some homework for school, and typing this, and relaxing before the start of another busy week. I am going to take some photos soon of my house and host family and then put them up. There are only 5 weeks left until winter vacations.. it is crazy for me that we only have 7 weeks of school between two vacations, each of two weeks. In February there is le semaine thematique (themed week) where we can choose what you want to do for a week (options like jewelry-making, sports, massage, drawing, cooking, etc.) at school or you can go to a skiing camp. I think I am going to sign up for ‘cuisine comme un chef’ (cook like a chef) but I’m not sure.
And now I have to go finish some homework for tomorrow... à la prochaine
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Settling In..
Hello everyone. Comme d'habitude, here's what's been happening since the last time I wrote...
Last weekend I was stuck staying with PA and Jess. Saturday there was a celebration for Jess's birthday, which had been the weekend before. During the early afternoon I helped them set up tables and get everything ready at this cabin up in the hills. I guess it's common here in Switzerland to have cabins in the woods with a big room and a kitchen to use for parties. It seemed kind of strange to me (who owns it, anyway? and who paid to build it?) but I guess it's practical because there is not enough space at most people's houses to have big gatherings, but they still want to have them.
Around four people started arriving.. it was mostly family and close friends, at a ton of kids (around 35 people in total.) We ate raclette, which was pretty hilarious. To make enough for 35 people they bought two whole wheels of cheese, which were then cut in half.. after, one half was placed in this sort of appliance that has a grip below and a heating element above to melt a layer of cheese. It is hard to explain, and you probably can't buy an appliance like that in many other country in the world, but the raclette was good. For dessert, among other things, there was mille feuille, which is a really good cake (not lakeweed!) Around ten I went home with Jess's dad and his wife who live upstairs because the party was still going and I was very tired.
Sunday, nothing of importance happened. I did my homework for the next day which was the first day back from vacations.
Monday I went to school of course.. It was pretty hard to go back after two weeks off, but that's normal. I talked to Andréanne to see if I could make the family change the next night. After lunch when I saw her again at school she told me that AFS had called her mom that morning and all was approved, so we agreed that I would change Tuesday at 6:30 in the evening.
Tuesday was the longest, most horrid day of school. I had slept terribly the two previous nights so I was dead tired. In French I had to read something (in French!) that I had written in front of the class and that was daunting.. but probably good for me.. The next two hours were chemistry and math, yuck, and then a biology test that I failed miserably. Then it was swimming 800m in gym class, and though it was easier the second time because I already knew I could do it just fine, I still dreaded it. Then informatique, where we took a typing test, and économie, where the middle-aged professeur talks to me sometimes in English to show off to the class (I'm not kidding, everyone talks about it) and asks me questions about sports and corporation in the US that I don't know the answer to. Blargh.
Luckily the horridness of my Tuesday in school was made up for by the facts that: 1. It was finally election day in the US, and 2. I would be changing host families that evening. After returning from school I finished packing the bags I'd started filling on Monday. Jess and PA came home from work for maybe 45 minutes during which we covered the formalities (I returned their house and bike keys, they made a list of places I needed to inform of my address change, etc.) and said goodbye, then they went to a dinner they'd already committed to. After, Beatrice and Andréanne came to get me around 6:30 and I finally, offically, changed host families. I unpacked everything that night as well as went over an AFS 'first night questions' paper with Beatrice just to make sure everything was covered (chores, bathroom schedules, family rules regarding alcohol, and other pratical subjects to ease the transition into a new family.)
Wednesday I woke up in the morning and when I walked into the kitchen Beatrice said, 'Well, you are going to have a new president! Obama!' and that was awesome. Here it was around 7 in the morning, or around midnight in Minneapolis, so probably just after it was called (?) When I got to school everyone was talking about it and asked me if I was happy with the results, it was cool.
Aside from the election, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were the same as always, except that I had sinus headaches, fatigue, a runny nose, and sore throat (though not bad enough to stay home from school.) The biggest change was starting to adjust to my new host family. At lunchtime Andréanne and I return to the house everyday and eat dîner with Bernard and Beatrice. Nicolas goes to school in Fribourg so he can't come home for lunch. It is really different for me that here we have a whole hour in the house for lunch and there is usually a full meal, what I would consider supper in the US: salad, meat, vegetables, bread, potatoes/pasta/rice, etc. It is really a nice thing that the family can be together for 2 or 3 meals every day. I appreciate this but it also means that school goes an hour later. It's a trade-off.. I like the style here and in the US both for different reasons.
With my new host family I feel very at ease and welcomed, not afraid to ask questions, etc. Since I got here Tuesday I haven't been alone in the house once, which just goes to show how much they are around. I am no longer alone all the time but if I want to be alone that's not a problem because I can read/write/do homework in my room. I feel so much happier here already, and though I still miss home it's a lot better so far. I love how Beatrice, Bernard, Andréanne, and to some extent Nico (though he is pretty quiet and really busy, so not as much) ask me questions and talk to me a lot. It's very comfortable.. and just a family, and that is what makes it so much better.
Yesterday, in the morning I went shopping with Beatrice, Nico, and Andréanne to look for a winter jacket for Nicolas and also to buy groceries. In the afternoon I made cookies (and they turned out perfectly authentic, woot) and they've already been consumed. Then in the evening I went with Andréanne to the village Salle de Gym where there was some sort of society meeting for 80 people and we helped with the dishes. It wasn't too bad and I got to meet two of Andréanne's good friends as well as eat meringue with double crème at the end.. it was good. Tuesday evening I will go again to the Salle de Gym for fitness or sports or something.. I'm not really sure what it is but Andréanne goes every week and I am going to go see if I like it.
Today I woke up and the family ate a light breakfast together. Then for lunch we had mini crepes that you make at the table and put ham, cheese, onions, etc on. For dessert there were crêpes sucrée (sweet) with maple syrup or caramel or sugar with lemon. In ten minutes I am going with Beatrice and Bernard to some art exhibition so I have to go get ready.. and then after that more school school school.
But things are better. Lots better.
Last weekend I was stuck staying with PA and Jess. Saturday there was a celebration for Jess's birthday, which had been the weekend before. During the early afternoon I helped them set up tables and get everything ready at this cabin up in the hills. I guess it's common here in Switzerland to have cabins in the woods with a big room and a kitchen to use for parties. It seemed kind of strange to me (who owns it, anyway? and who paid to build it?) but I guess it's practical because there is not enough space at most people's houses to have big gatherings, but they still want to have them.
Around four people started arriving.. it was mostly family and close friends, at a ton of kids (around 35 people in total.) We ate raclette, which was pretty hilarious. To make enough for 35 people they bought two whole wheels of cheese, which were then cut in half.. after, one half was placed in this sort of appliance that has a grip below and a heating element above to melt a layer of cheese. It is hard to explain, and you probably can't buy an appliance like that in many other country in the world, but the raclette was good. For dessert, among other things, there was mille feuille, which is a really good cake (not lakeweed!) Around ten I went home with Jess's dad and his wife who live upstairs because the party was still going and I was very tired.
Sunday, nothing of importance happened. I did my homework for the next day which was the first day back from vacations.
Monday I went to school of course.. It was pretty hard to go back after two weeks off, but that's normal. I talked to Andréanne to see if I could make the family change the next night. After lunch when I saw her again at school she told me that AFS had called her mom that morning and all was approved, so we agreed that I would change Tuesday at 6:30 in the evening.
Tuesday was the longest, most horrid day of school. I had slept terribly the two previous nights so I was dead tired. In French I had to read something (in French!) that I had written in front of the class and that was daunting.. but probably good for me.. The next two hours were chemistry and math, yuck, and then a biology test that I failed miserably. Then it was swimming 800m in gym class, and though it was easier the second time because I already knew I could do it just fine, I still dreaded it. Then informatique, where we took a typing test, and économie, where the middle-aged professeur talks to me sometimes in English to show off to the class (I'm not kidding, everyone talks about it) and asks me questions about sports and corporation in the US that I don't know the answer to. Blargh.
Luckily the horridness of my Tuesday in school was made up for by the facts that: 1. It was finally election day in the US, and 2. I would be changing host families that evening. After returning from school I finished packing the bags I'd started filling on Monday. Jess and PA came home from work for maybe 45 minutes during which we covered the formalities (I returned their house and bike keys, they made a list of places I needed to inform of my address change, etc.) and said goodbye, then they went to a dinner they'd already committed to. After, Beatrice and Andréanne came to get me around 6:30 and I finally, offically, changed host families. I unpacked everything that night as well as went over an AFS 'first night questions' paper with Beatrice just to make sure everything was covered (chores, bathroom schedules, family rules regarding alcohol, and other pratical subjects to ease the transition into a new family.)
Wednesday I woke up in the morning and when I walked into the kitchen Beatrice said, 'Well, you are going to have a new president! Obama!' and that was awesome. Here it was around 7 in the morning, or around midnight in Minneapolis, so probably just after it was called (?) When I got to school everyone was talking about it and asked me if I was happy with the results, it was cool.
Aside from the election, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were the same as always, except that I had sinus headaches, fatigue, a runny nose, and sore throat (though not bad enough to stay home from school.) The biggest change was starting to adjust to my new host family. At lunchtime Andréanne and I return to the house everyday and eat dîner with Bernard and Beatrice. Nicolas goes to school in Fribourg so he can't come home for lunch. It is really different for me that here we have a whole hour in the house for lunch and there is usually a full meal, what I would consider supper in the US: salad, meat, vegetables, bread, potatoes/pasta/rice, etc. It is really a nice thing that the family can be together for 2 or 3 meals every day. I appreciate this but it also means that school goes an hour later. It's a trade-off.. I like the style here and in the US both for different reasons.
With my new host family I feel very at ease and welcomed, not afraid to ask questions, etc. Since I got here Tuesday I haven't been alone in the house once, which just goes to show how much they are around. I am no longer alone all the time but if I want to be alone that's not a problem because I can read/write/do homework in my room. I feel so much happier here already, and though I still miss home it's a lot better so far. I love how Beatrice, Bernard, Andréanne, and to some extent Nico (though he is pretty quiet and really busy, so not as much) ask me questions and talk to me a lot. It's very comfortable.. and just a family, and that is what makes it so much better.
Yesterday, in the morning I went shopping with Beatrice, Nico, and Andréanne to look for a winter jacket for Nicolas and also to buy groceries. In the afternoon I made cookies (and they turned out perfectly authentic, woot) and they've already been consumed. Then in the evening I went with Andréanne to the village Salle de Gym where there was some sort of society meeting for 80 people and we helped with the dishes. It wasn't too bad and I got to meet two of Andréanne's good friends as well as eat meringue with double crème at the end.. it was good. Tuesday evening I will go again to the Salle de Gym for fitness or sports or something.. I'm not really sure what it is but Andréanne goes every week and I am going to go see if I like it.
Today I woke up and the family ate a light breakfast together. Then for lunch we had mini crepes that you make at the table and put ham, cheese, onions, etc on. For dessert there were crêpes sucrée (sweet) with maple syrup or caramel or sugar with lemon. In ten minutes I am going with Beatrice and Bernard to some art exhibition so I have to go get ready.. and then after that more school school school.
But things are better. Lots better.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Changing Host Families, In 10 Minutes
Well, I just thought I would quick write that tonight is the last night of my life with my first family, and the beginning of my stay with my new family. Please email me if you need my new address, my email address is r.styles@yahoo.com for those who don't know it.
Today has been a crazy day.. I hardly slept last night, then had to read something in front of the class in French, then had a terrible math test that I failed, then had to swim 800m, and then pack all of my stuff and clean my room, and it's also the election in the US (Go Obama!)
I don't have time to write more now, but I thought you would all be glad to hear that I am finally changing families.
Today has been a crazy day.. I hardly slept last night, then had to read something in front of the class in French, then had a terrible math test that I failed, then had to swim 800m, and then pack all of my stuff and clean my room, and it's also the election in the US (Go Obama!)
I don't have time to write more now, but I thought you would all be glad to hear that I am finally changing families.
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