On Tuesday I woke up early to go to the airport with Roman and Tiin. We drove there and then were able to sit for a few minutes and have some coffee and water. After we finished, the three of us gave hugs and said see you later and then I left them to head toward my gate.
I was stopped before leaving because I had been in Switzerland for longer than the permitted 90 days and had to fill out some paperwork. The officer was nice to me though and made sure that I was through in plenty of time, so as not to miss my flight. I was to my gate in plenty of time and takeoff was pretty close to on time.
On the flight, I sat next to a nice lady who shared her chocolate and stories with me. I was able to read some of my book and then watch two movies and a couple of TV shows. I landed around 12:30pm in JFK and then had to go through customs there and collect my bags to take them across the airport to a different terminal. They were really heavy and it was very hard to roll three bags, but I had some help along the way and got to my next gate in plenty of time. I boarded there and headed to Cleveland.
My mom was waiting for me at the airport around 4:45pm and we were so excited to see each other. I got my bags, which luckily the one did not rip open any more than it had that morning, and she brought me home. Jessica and Eric ran outside to see me when we pulled into our driveway, shortly followed by my dad and Grandma Carol. They brought me inside and made me walk alone into my new room. I love it! They painted it, put in new flooring, gave me a nice new rug, set up my bed, dresser, and bookshelf, and even painted a red accent wall! I was sooo happy :-)
Greevy stopped by a little afterwards and I gave everyone their presents and shared the Swiss chocolate with them. My whole family might end up addicted to the chocolate haha
We talked the whole evening, had dinner, and by ten I was completely exhausted. I headed to bed and could not believe how fast the last four months had flown by.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
9/26/11
Monday morning I went to school again. I wanted to give the kids something as a "thank you" for letting me join their class for a few weeks, so after I rode my bike there, Roman dropped off croissants and chocolate. They were very happy.
I came back for lunch and headed to Wil with Roman for a Swiss Army knife because I had to get one from Switzerland, of course. Roman had me drop him off at work and then I drove home from there. I packed a little and then headed back to school for the afternoon classes. It was hard to say goodbye to the kids and Jose, but I was so happy to have met them all. They are really good students, which is nice because Jose is a great teacher.
After I rode back to the farm, I went and picked Roman up from work, after missing the street, and stopped by Uschi's to say goodbye. She said a lot of nice things to me in German, which I understood :-) and I did the best I could to respond.
When we got back to the Lehmanns', I helped Nadja prepare the raclette for dinner and then everyone showed up. It was Tiin, Daniela, Cony, Peter, Nadja, Andi, Roman, and me. Everything was delicious and I really hated all of the goodbyes, but so did everyone else, so we made them into "see you later"s instead.
I have to pack the last of my stuff because I leave bright and early tomorrow morning for home.
Guet Nacht
I came back for lunch and headed to Wil with Roman for a Swiss Army knife because I had to get one from Switzerland, of course. Roman had me drop him off at work and then I drove home from there. I packed a little and then headed back to school for the afternoon classes. It was hard to say goodbye to the kids and Jose, but I was so happy to have met them all. They are really good students, which is nice because Jose is a great teacher.
After I rode back to the farm, I went and picked Roman up from work, after missing the street, and stopped by Uschi's to say goodbye. She said a lot of nice things to me in German, which I understood :-) and I did the best I could to respond.
When we got back to the Lehmanns', I helped Nadja prepare the raclette for dinner and then everyone showed up. It was Tiin, Daniela, Cony, Peter, Nadja, Andi, Roman, and me. Everything was delicious and I really hated all of the goodbyes, but so did everyone else, so we made them into "see you later"s instead.
I have to pack the last of my stuff because I leave bright and early tomorrow morning for home.
Guet Nacht
Sunday, September 25, 2011
9/25/11
Sunday morning I woke up early again and Tiin picked Roman and me up so that we could hike the Säntis. We met Chanti, Jrene, Jayme, and Daniela at different parking lots and headed to Appenzell. The seven of us parked at the bottom of the mountain and started our hike around 9:15am. We were lucky because it was a really nice day for hiking. We stopped a few times on the way and sat down for a drink at one of the restaurants on the mountain. After the pit stop, the last part of the hike was my favorite. It was pretty rocky and gorgeous all around and about the last 300 feet of the hike is basically climbing up the side of the rock wall with cables for support on both sides that you can hold on to. We made it to the top by 1pm and I would definitely do it again.
At the top, we took a few pictures, had a snack, and then took the cable car back down to the bottom. We drove back and all had to shower and get ready quickly because the Devils were meeting in only an hour for a going away dinner for me. Luckily, we all made it in time and headed to The Pirates, which is about a 35 minute drive. At dinner, there were twelve of us: ten girls from the team, including me, and Tiin and Roman. To our surprise, Jacky even ended up making it all the way from Mexico! We were all a little confused, but then she explained that she was home for a week, I think because she was presented an award, and happened to be going to The Pirates the same night at the same time. How lucky!
The team gave me a ball they all signed, a Swiss flag, and a Devils sweatshirt. I am going to miss them all so much. Saying goodbye after dinner was pretty sad, but I am so happy that I got the chance to meet every one of them :-)
Tiin drove Roman, Nadja, Chanti, and me back to our cars and then Roman and I headed back to the farm. Now it is time for me to get some sleep because tomorrow is a busy day for me. Goodnight!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
9/24/11
Saturday morning I woke up early and Tiin picked me up to meet Jrene and Moni on our way to the championship softball game. The Lucerne Eagles played the Therwil Flyers and won. Tiin umpired while Jrene, Moni, and I watched.
After the game, we made the hour and a half drive back home. Tiin dropped me off at the farm and I edited some pictures before going with Roman to buy Swiss chocolate for my family. My sister might be more happy about the chocolate than about me returning haha
When Roman and I got back, we went with Nadja to watch Tobel play soccer down the road. We were only able to see the second half and, to be honest, I do not even know what the score was because I was too busy eating.
Nadja dropped us back at the farm on her way home and we watched TV in the restaurant. Tiin stopped by and he and Roman helped me translate a lot of German. I will miss hearing everyone speak it in a few days.
I have to sleep now because we are hiking the Säntis tomorrow!
9/23/11
Happy Birthday Taylor, Ali, Wallace, and cousin Wes!!
Friday morning I went to school again. I like it, in case you could not already tell. I was there for English and German in the morning and learned a little about German grammar that does not even exist in English...it was hard.
After the morning classes ended, I rode my bike back to the farm to have lunch. I decided that I wanted to go back for the afternoon classes as well, so I rode back around 1:30. I was there for geometry and art. When the school day was finished, I talked with Jose for a little while and then headed back home.
When Roman got back from work, he and I went to a restaurant nearby to meet two of the guys from his shooting club because they were taking me shooting. The four of us headed to a shooting range about fifteen minutes away. When we got there, I was asked if I had any experience shooting. Other than pellet guns, I had not. There I was able to shoot with a Beretta, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, Desert Eagle, and a Swiss Army rifle. Roman kept laughing at me because he could tell that a was having a lot of fun. He said I did well and according to the targets, I believe him. Before we left, I was asked if I was sure that I had never shot a gun before haha
The four of us met Uschi and some friends at a bar afterwards, where we had a little bit to eat and played cards. By then I was super tired and we headed home so that I could sleep.
Friday morning I went to school again. I like it, in case you could not already tell. I was there for English and German in the morning and learned a little about German grammar that does not even exist in English...it was hard.
After the morning classes ended, I rode my bike back to the farm to have lunch. I decided that I wanted to go back for the afternoon classes as well, so I rode back around 1:30. I was there for geometry and art. When the school day was finished, I talked with Jose for a little while and then headed back home.
When Roman got back from work, he and I went to a restaurant nearby to meet two of the guys from his shooting club because they were taking me shooting. The four of us headed to a shooting range about fifteen minutes away. When we got there, I was asked if I had any experience shooting. Other than pellet guns, I had not. There I was able to shoot with a Beretta, .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, Desert Eagle, and a Swiss Army rifle. Roman kept laughing at me because he could tell that a was having a lot of fun. He said I did well and according to the targets, I believe him. Before we left, I was asked if I was sure that I had never shot a gun before haha
The four of us met Uschi and some friends at a bar afterwards, where we had a little bit to eat and played cards. By then I was super tired and we headed home so that I could sleep.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
9/22/11
On Thursday morning I woke up and got ready for school again. I really appreciate that Jose lets me come to his class whenever I am able. The kids are all so nice to me too. They were learning more math today and I listened intently, trying to pick up any words that I could. After the lesson, I talked with Jose for awhile about German grammar until he needed to leave for a drum lesson.
I rode my bike back and then waited for Tiin to pick me up for lunch at his parents' house. It was a wonderful lunch as usual and then they even gave me a present! His mom told me that it was because she wanted me to remember them, which I thought was so nice but unnecessary because I of course will never forget them!
After lunch, Tiin dropped me back off at the farm and I talked with Christof, Cony, and their cousin, Manu in the kitchen for a little bit before I went out to clean the tables in the restaurant. Around 6:30pm, Andi got to the restaurant. He was the last person I needed for the group picture I have been trying to get all summer now. Everyone was able to go in the backyard and I finally got my pictures, which made me so happy!
After the family pictures, Roman and I met Daniela for dinner. We talked about a lot of things and then she had to leave to get to bed because she is going to Barcelona with her work tomorrow. I am excited for her, but happy that she will be back by Sunday night so that I have time to say goodbye to her.
Roman and I headed back to the farm after dinner and helped clean everything before heading inside to get some sleep.
I rode my bike back and then waited for Tiin to pick me up for lunch at his parents' house. It was a wonderful lunch as usual and then they even gave me a present! His mom told me that it was because she wanted me to remember them, which I thought was so nice but unnecessary because I of course will never forget them!
After lunch, Tiin dropped me back off at the farm and I talked with Christof, Cony, and their cousin, Manu in the kitchen for a little bit before I went out to clean the tables in the restaurant. Around 6:30pm, Andi got to the restaurant. He was the last person I needed for the group picture I have been trying to get all summer now. Everyone was able to go in the backyard and I finally got my pictures, which made me so happy!
After the family pictures, Roman and I met Daniela for dinner. We talked about a lot of things and then she had to leave to get to bed because she is going to Barcelona with her work tomorrow. I am excited for her, but happy that she will be back by Sunday night so that I have time to say goodbye to her.
Roman and I headed back to the farm after dinner and helped clean everything before heading inside to get some sleep.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
9/21/11
Wednesday morning I woke up in Munich and had breakfast with T and Mascha. I especially enjoyed Mascha's homemade tea and coffee. I am very happy that T has stayed with such wonderful people.
After I showered, T went to the train station with me. We rode to the central station and then we said goodbye, until the alumni weekend at NU in two and a half weeks. I took the train back to Wil and was able to do some reading during the ride.
Once I arrived in Wil, Roman picked me up and brought me back to the farm. After he was finished with work, we brought the dirndl and lederhosen back to the costume store that we rented them from. The dirndl was the dress that I wore and lederhosen means "leather pants," which is what the men wear.
It was time for practice when we returned and Tiin picked me up. There were only four of us girls there today, so we played games the whole time. It was a fun practice and then Tiin brought me back. I had some dinner, puts pictures on facebook, and then headed to bed.
After I showered, T went to the train station with me. We rode to the central station and then we said goodbye, until the alumni weekend at NU in two and a half weeks. I took the train back to Wil and was able to do some reading during the ride.
Once I arrived in Wil, Roman picked me up and brought me back to the farm. After he was finished with work, we brought the dirndl and lederhosen back to the costume store that we rented them from. The dirndl was the dress that I wore and lederhosen means "leather pants," which is what the men wear.
It was time for practice when we returned and Tiin picked me up. There were only four of us girls there today, so we played games the whole time. It was a fun practice and then Tiin brought me back. I had some dinner, puts pictures on facebook, and then headed to bed.
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