Today I woke up at 8:15 so that I could go with Cony to the magazine, which is like a big grocery store. I think it is where they go when they want to buy a lot of things at once or in bulk. At least that was my impression. Cony told me to make sure that I had my camera because on the drive to the magazine there is a hilltop where you can see so much of Switzerland and the Alps are in the background and it is so beautiful!
While we were driving, she put in a CD that was by a band from Berlin called The Baseballs. The whole CD was composed of song remakes of US bands. For instance, the first song is "Candy Shop" by 50 Cent and it sounded sooo different hahaha not rap at all. I recognized all of the songs and even knew almost all of the words to them too, but it was really funny hearing the remakes.
When Cony and I got to the top of the hill, I was in awe, but she said that today was not even a clear day and that she would bring me back next week to take more pictures when the mountains were easier to see. I thought it was still gorgeous though so I can't imagine what it looks like when it is clear.
Then we drove to the magazine, but stopped by a jewelry store first because Cony makes her own jewelry and it is so pretty. She got a few beads and some rubber bands that she makes really cool necklaces out of and we got back in the car to go to the magazine. When we were there, we each told one another how to say the different foods in English and German, or Swiss German. It was fun, but I can't remember them all. There was also a huge glass, for decoration I think, and Cony ran up to it and pretended to tip it and drink from it and we had a good laugh about that.
After the magazine, she showed me a street called "Happy Street." It is in English, but it is named after the family who lives on it because their last name means "happy" in German. I took a picture. We had lunch around noon and I recognized most of it as being what we bought from the magazine. The cauliflower was really good and reminded me of when Grandma Julia would make it when I was little.
In the afternoon, Peter showed me how to use the riding lawnmower so that I could help out on the farm a little. Peter does not understand me and I do not understand him, so if any of you would have seen the exchange between the two of us while he was trying to show me how and where to mow, you would have definitely laughed at us. It was a pretty standard mower, like ones I have used at Elyria East fields before, but I have not used them in years so I needed refreshing. There was the little picture of the rabbit and turtle though, so I understood the speeds haha Other than that though, hand motions were used. Words were said, but neither one of us understood what the other was saying. I ended up almost mowing a whole section that I did not need to because I did not know exactly where Peter wanted me to mow, but then Cony ran over and told me to just cut under the two cherry trees. We laughed about that.
After going back inside, I saw that Tiin had texted me asking if I wanted to go out to dinner with him and his girlfriend, Daniela. Of course I said yes, so they picked me up around 6:30pm. We went to an Italian restaurant and I ordered gnocchi, one of the things I recognized on the menu. Daniela speaks very good English because she lived in NYC for awhile. The food was very good and we were able to talk a lot and I had a very good time. I like being able to ask them so many questions about Swiss culture and language and the differences between Swiss and German too. They are able to help me understand everything better. Sometimes they have to figure out, speaking Swiss to each other, the best way to explain things to me, but once they do, they tell me in English and are able to explain it very well. I really appreciate how nice and welcoming everyone has been to me. After dinner we stopped at a lounge called "Peoples" and had a cocktail. I enjoyed meeting Daniela and had a good night with the two of them.
My dad and Eric were able to meet Roman, one of Nadja's older brothers, while skyping tonight. I had a little session, that involved a calendar and pointing with fingers, with Peter on how to pronounce the days of the week before he headed to bed. I like the Lehmanns more and more every day.
Talk to you soon!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
5/30/11
I woke up at Nadja's around 10:30 this morning and we had breakfast of cheese, bread, and this cereal banana combination mixture thing that was very good. Then we got ready for the day and went to Zurich!
In Zurich, it is very nice, clean, and busy like cities in America, but it is smaller and definitely looks more like European cities. It was very gorgeous and when we walked to the lake in Zurich, you could see the Alps in the distance! You can see the Alps pretty much any time that you face south actually. After we went down to the lake and I took a few pictures, we walked back through Zurich, toward the parking garage, and stopped in a lot of the shops on the way back. One of those was an Italian ice cream shop and it was so good! A lot of others reminded me of ones at home, except the mannequins were so life-like haha In one of the sporting goods stores, I was asked by two employees in a row if I was finding everything alright, I think, but it was in a different language. They could tell right away that I did not understand though and then asked me if I spoke English, which I quickly said yes to and thanked them but told them that I did not need help. It made me realize how much better I wish the language education was in America because almost everyone here speaks multiple languages, especially in the cities.
After stopping in a dessert store and getting some Luxemburgerli, Swiss macaroons that the country is famous for, Nadja and I drove back to the farm. On the drive, she explained some of the different laws about driving and most of them are similar, but in Switzerland most people do not speed because tickets are so expensive and after you get 3 of them, your license is taken away and you do not know when it will be given back.
Nadja and I went to practice at 7 and I ran the practice. I was really nervous because I did not really understand that I was supposed to run the whole thing. We did hitting drills for almost the whole practice and then some base running at the end. I think that they wanted me to do defensive drills too, but I did not realize that until afterwards so I will do that from now on. Everyone is just so polite that I don't think they want to tell me what to do, but I hope I get a better understanding of what they are used to soon so that I know when they want to practice certain things and they don't have to ask.
Nadja and I stopped by Christof's again and I got to sign his wall. There is a designated spot where new people or friends, I'm not sure which one yet but Claire signed it too, get to sign their names. It made me feel like I am beginning to fit in here and it was very nice. I also got to meet a few more of their friends.
Then Nadja drove me home and I skyped with almost my whole family because they were all at Aunt Janet's house for Memorial Day. Cony and Peter were able to meet them too and it was so much fun being able to have everyone meet each other and laugh together. I was able to talk with two of my friends afterward too, T and Christian. Today was a really good day!
Gute Nacht!
In Zurich, it is very nice, clean, and busy like cities in America, but it is smaller and definitely looks more like European cities. It was very gorgeous and when we walked to the lake in Zurich, you could see the Alps in the distance! You can see the Alps pretty much any time that you face south actually. After we went down to the lake and I took a few pictures, we walked back through Zurich, toward the parking garage, and stopped in a lot of the shops on the way back. One of those was an Italian ice cream shop and it was so good! A lot of others reminded me of ones at home, except the mannequins were so life-like haha In one of the sporting goods stores, I was asked by two employees in a row if I was finding everything alright, I think, but it was in a different language. They could tell right away that I did not understand though and then asked me if I spoke English, which I quickly said yes to and thanked them but told them that I did not need help. It made me realize how much better I wish the language education was in America because almost everyone here speaks multiple languages, especially in the cities.
After stopping in a dessert store and getting some Luxemburgerli, Swiss macaroons that the country is famous for, Nadja and I drove back to the farm. On the drive, she explained some of the different laws about driving and most of them are similar, but in Switzerland most people do not speed because tickets are so expensive and after you get 3 of them, your license is taken away and you do not know when it will be given back.
Nadja and I went to practice at 7 and I ran the practice. I was really nervous because I did not really understand that I was supposed to run the whole thing. We did hitting drills for almost the whole practice and then some base running at the end. I think that they wanted me to do defensive drills too, but I did not realize that until afterwards so I will do that from now on. Everyone is just so polite that I don't think they want to tell me what to do, but I hope I get a better understanding of what they are used to soon so that I know when they want to practice certain things and they don't have to ask.
Nadja and I stopped by Christof's again and I got to sign his wall. There is a designated spot where new people or friends, I'm not sure which one yet but Claire signed it too, get to sign their names. It made me feel like I am beginning to fit in here and it was very nice. I also got to meet a few more of their friends.
Then Nadja drove me home and I skyped with almost my whole family because they were all at Aunt Janet's house for Memorial Day. Cony and Peter were able to meet them too and it was so much fun being able to have everyone meet each other and laugh together. I was able to talk with two of my friends afterward too, T and Christian. Today was a really good day!
Gute Nacht!
5/29/11
When I got up this morning, I got ready for my first games as a Devil. Tiin picked me up at 8:20 and we went to get the van that the team drives to the games. We picked up the team at the field and then headed off to Zurich.
I had a lot of fun at the games. We won both of them! The first one we won 9-5 and the second one we won 6-5 in the 8th inning with the tie-breaker rule. In the 7th inning we tied the game when I was walked and then the catcher overthrew 2nd base on my steal, which allowed me to score. Then in the 8th, Jamie, a girl from Pennsylvania that is over here for work and asked to play for the Devils, was on 2nd for the tie-breaker rule and we hit her to 3rd and then hit her in. Once the box score gets put up I can tell you who hit her in, but I don't remember right now. We held them in the bottom of the 8th and got the third out on a fly ball to left field. They were both really good, close games.
After the games, Tiin dropped me off back at the farm and I took a much needed shower. Nadja picked me up afterwards and took me to her apartment, which is very nice. We had dinner, hamburger, bratwurst, bacon, and potatos with vegetables, cream and cheese called "Gemüsegratin," and it was my favorite meal so far.
Nadja, her boyfriend Andi, and I watched the Red Sox play the Tigers on ESPN America and then we went to bed. It was a good day!
I had a lot of fun at the games. We won both of them! The first one we won 9-5 and the second one we won 6-5 in the 8th inning with the tie-breaker rule. In the 7th inning we tied the game when I was walked and then the catcher overthrew 2nd base on my steal, which allowed me to score. Then in the 8th, Jamie, a girl from Pennsylvania that is over here for work and asked to play for the Devils, was on 2nd for the tie-breaker rule and we hit her to 3rd and then hit her in. Once the box score gets put up I can tell you who hit her in, but I don't remember right now. We held them in the bottom of the 8th and got the third out on a fly ball to left field. They were both really good, close games.
After the games, Tiin dropped me off back at the farm and I took a much needed shower. Nadja picked me up afterwards and took me to her apartment, which is very nice. We had dinner, hamburger, bratwurst, bacon, and potatos with vegetables, cream and cheese called "Gemüsegratin," and it was my favorite meal so far.
Nadja, her boyfriend Andi, and I watched the Red Sox play the Tigers on ESPN America and then we went to bed. It was a good day!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
5/28/11
I got up at 8:15 this morning, even before my alarm! When I came downstairs, Cony was making dough for the Zopf, the Swiss bread for Sundays. It looked so good and I can't wait to try it tomorrow.
I was able to Skype and Gmail video chat with some family and friends last night, and then Hiram again this morning. Hiram and Cony were able to meet each other and that made me happy. After I was done talking with Hiram, I made Nadja a lucky bracelet for the games tomorrow. Once she got to the farm, we had to attach it with some elastic so that she is able to take it off when working at the hospital. Then we left for the Devils' baseball game.
During the first game, Vanessa, another one of my teammates, showed me how the Swiss keep score in the scorebook. It is basically the same, but there are a few differences. For example, whenever the runners advance on base, you have to write how they advanced next to them. It is hard to explain, but "x" is for the action and then the number batter who did that action comes after. I got the hang of it after a few batters and some explanation.
The Devils did not win the first game, but I am not sure what happened the second game because Nadja took me to a grocery store. It was not like American ones because it was inside of a sort of little mall. There was one building with about four different stores inside, one being Coop, the grocery store. It was nice.
After the game, Nadja and I came back to the farm and made chocolate croissants! They are for tomorrow, but we were able to each have one and they were so good. She told me that we did not even make them with the Swiss chocolate, just a name brand. I can't wait to have authentic Swiss chocolate!
I helped Nadja get some things ready for the restaurant, like cutting peaches for the Bowle drink that I tried the other night. After that, I went on my second bike ride and was happy that I know which direction is which. It makes it really easy to get back to the farm. I rode through Lommis, where Tiin and his parents both live. I was even able to find Tiin's parents' house, where Claire, the girl who came to play for the Devils in '09 and '10, stayed. Tiin showed their house and his house to me the other day, but I couldn't remember which one was Tiin's. Hopefully I will next time I ride around.
After my bike ride, I took a short walk so that I could get a few more pictures and just look around the farm a little more. Then I sat down at the restaurant and learned, from two lovely customers who knew a little bit of English, how to count up to one thousand...I'm not sure if I remember all of them, but hopefully I will know them soon. I also pronounce the "ch" sound in German wrong, but they say that a lot of Americans do. Maybe I will get better at that too. After the two of them paid and left, I saw a man, Silvan, I met the other day walk up with two friends, Daniel and Catherine, to eat. The three of them speak fairly good English, not as good as Nadja but good enough to have conversations with, and they had a heck of a time trying to explain to me what the sign above the entrance to the inside part of the restaurant said. It is a play on words and one of those words contains the word for a female goat, which from what I gathered is somewhat comparable to the word for a female dog, but the meaning of it might not be as harsh as the American profane word. It is hard to explain because it was even hard to fully comprehend haha
I have learned quite a few German words and I hope to learn many more, and the correct ways to use them. Tomorrow I have a doubleheader starting at 11am, so Gute Nacht!
I helped Nadja get some things ready for the restaurant, like cutting peaches for the Bowle drink that I tried the other night. After that, I went on my second bike ride and was happy that I know which direction is which. It makes it really easy to get back to the farm. I rode through Lommis, where Tiin and his parents both live. I was even able to find Tiin's parents' house, where Claire, the girl who came to play for the Devils in '09 and '10, stayed. Tiin showed their house and his house to me the other day, but I couldn't remember which one was Tiin's. Hopefully I will next time I ride around.
After my bike ride, I took a short walk so that I could get a few more pictures and just look around the farm a little more. Then I sat down at the restaurant and learned, from two lovely customers who knew a little bit of English, how to count up to one thousand...I'm not sure if I remember all of them, but hopefully I will know them soon. I also pronounce the "ch" sound in German wrong, but they say that a lot of Americans do. Maybe I will get better at that too. After the two of them paid and left, I saw a man, Silvan, I met the other day walk up with two friends, Daniel and Catherine, to eat. The three of them speak fairly good English, not as good as Nadja but good enough to have conversations with, and they had a heck of a time trying to explain to me what the sign above the entrance to the inside part of the restaurant said. It is a play on words and one of those words contains the word for a female goat, which from what I gathered is somewhat comparable to the word for a female dog, but the meaning of it might not be as harsh as the American profane word. It is hard to explain because it was even hard to fully comprehend haha
I have learned quite a few German words and I hope to learn many more, and the correct ways to use them. Tomorrow I have a doubleheader starting at 11am, so Gute Nacht!
Friday, May 27, 2011
5/27/11
Today I was able to wake up at 10:30...much better than yesterday haha
After I showered and got ready for the day, I came downstairs, had some breakfast, and then I decided to install the Rosetta Stone that Aunt Janet gave me as a gift on my computer. I got quite a few lessons in, but I still don't know very much. At least I know more than I did before. I keep getting a little discouraged though when I think about the fact that even if I get good at German, they speak Swiss German here, so I will still probably be lost. I was able to read the sign above the Lehmann's fountain though, "not drinking water," so hopefully it will help a little!
After a few hours of that, Tiin came to pick me up for my second practice. The Devils have access to a nice batting cage that has a roof over it, so even on days like today when it rains, they are able to hit and pitch. It was an optional practice, so there were only a few of us there, but I had fun.
After pratice, Tiin drove me back to the farm and we sat in the restaurant and visited for a little while. We talked about the hiking trip we are going on in a few weeks and I am so excited! I can't wait for a really nice day to ride around on my bike (with my map) and find where everything is.
Tomorrow Nadja is picking me up in the morning and we are going to watch the Devils' Baseball team. We are also going to hit a little for individual practice because we play Sunday. I love how excited I am to do even the simplest things here! Everything is just so new and I want to learn as much as I can. Good thing I have a few months!
Talk to you soon!
After I showered and got ready for the day, I came downstairs, had some breakfast, and then I decided to install the Rosetta Stone that Aunt Janet gave me as a gift on my computer. I got quite a few lessons in, but I still don't know very much. At least I know more than I did before. I keep getting a little discouraged though when I think about the fact that even if I get good at German, they speak Swiss German here, so I will still probably be lost. I was able to read the sign above the Lehmann's fountain though, "not drinking water," so hopefully it will help a little!
After a few hours of that, Tiin came to pick me up for my second practice. The Devils have access to a nice batting cage that has a roof over it, so even on days like today when it rains, they are able to hit and pitch. It was an optional practice, so there were only a few of us there, but I had fun.
After pratice, Tiin drove me back to the farm and we sat in the restaurant and visited for a little while. We talked about the hiking trip we are going on in a few weeks and I am so excited! I can't wait for a really nice day to ride around on my bike (with my map) and find where everything is.
Tomorrow Nadja is picking me up in the morning and we are going to watch the Devils' Baseball team. We are also going to hit a little for individual practice because we play Sunday. I love how excited I am to do even the simplest things here! Everything is just so new and I want to learn as much as I can. Good thing I have a few months!
Talk to you soon!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
5/26/11
Today I was so tired I woke up at 2:30! Obviously I was more jetlagged than I thought haha
I had a great day today. Once I woke up and got my bearings, I went out to the little restaurant that the Lehmann's own (right next to the Lehmann house). Cony (pronounced Connie), Nadja's mom, greeted me and we both laughed at how late I woke up. I hope tomorrow I wake up much earlier. Peter, Nadja's dad, said "Good Morning!" to me when I saw him. Cony speaks more English than Peter, but I was happy to hear "Good Morning" anyway :)
After helping clean the tables for the restaurant (it is open Thursday-Sunday) I went back inside because it started raining. Cony showed me everything they own on a map of the area. I really like the Lehmanns. They are so welcoming!
I was able to skype with my dad and Mikey today! It made me really happy and they even got to meet Cony and Peter, Nadja's parents :-)
The Lehmann's own a gorgeous farm, a lot of pictures of it are on my facebook. After I ate dinner at the restaurant, I was able to take a bike ride of the area around where I am living. It is all so pretty! I have to get better used to riding up all of the hills though haha I was even nervous going down them because I was going so fast.
Once I got back from my ride, I sat outside with Cony, Nadja, and some of the people still visiting the restaurant. I had such a good time and learned a few more German words and a little about the grammar. I know spoon, knife, fork, and probably a couple others that I can't remember right now. I went inside to add pictures and another post after joking and trying to understand any bits of conversation I could haha I had a wonderful day and can't wait for tomorrow!
I know I am forgetting a lot, but now I have to go to sleep! Talk to you soon :-)
I had a great day today. Once I woke up and got my bearings, I went out to the little restaurant that the Lehmann's own (right next to the Lehmann house). Cony (pronounced Connie), Nadja's mom, greeted me and we both laughed at how late I woke up. I hope tomorrow I wake up much earlier. Peter, Nadja's dad, said "Good Morning!" to me when I saw him. Cony speaks more English than Peter, but I was happy to hear "Good Morning" anyway :)
After helping clean the tables for the restaurant (it is open Thursday-Sunday) I went back inside because it started raining. Cony showed me everything they own on a map of the area. I really like the Lehmanns. They are so welcoming!
I was able to skype with my dad and Mikey today! It made me really happy and they even got to meet Cony and Peter, Nadja's parents :-)
The Lehmann's own a gorgeous farm, a lot of pictures of it are on my facebook. After I ate dinner at the restaurant, I was able to take a bike ride of the area around where I am living. It is all so pretty! I have to get better used to riding up all of the hills though haha I was even nervous going down them because I was going so fast.
Once I got back from my ride, I sat outside with Cony, Nadja, and some of the people still visiting the restaurant. I had such a good time and learned a few more German words and a little about the grammar. I know spoon, knife, fork, and probably a couple others that I can't remember right now. I went inside to add pictures and another post after joking and trying to understand any bits of conversation I could haha I had a wonderful day and can't wait for tomorrow!
I know I am forgetting a lot, but now I have to go to sleep! Talk to you soon :-)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
5/25/11
So first of all, it's pretty hard trying to figure out how to translate German to English on the internet when you can't read any of the words to begin with...I just started clicking random buttons. By the way, my posts are all in Eastern time, so I am actually posting them 6 hours ahead of the time it says.
Now that I figured this out, I can tell you about my first day. The flight from Cleveland to JFK was short and sweet like I am used to. The flight from JFK to Zurich was much longer. The plane was nice and I was able to watch a movie on my way. I was just so tired and it was hard getting to sleep, so I was happy to land. After being exhausted, landing in an entirely new airport/country, and not understanding any of the conversations going on around me at baggage claim, I was so very happy to see Nadja, my team's catcher, and Tiin, my coach, waiting for me.
I went with the two of them to Nadja's parents' farm, where I am staying. It is so pretty and I am excited to post pictures later. I didn't have time to take any of the farm today, but I will have plenty of time tomorrow because I am already unpacked. This brings me to my room! When Nadja opened the door to show it to me, she said "I hope you like orange" and I was so excited! I told her that it was one of my favorite colors, my other two being red and black, the color of the Wil Devils, my softball team. Perfect!
I was able to take a short nap before lunch, and then I longer nap after lunch. I really needed them because I did not want to be falling asleep at practice. At 6:45pm, Tiin picked me up to take me to my first practice. I met a lot of the girls today and hope that by the end of Sunday's games I at least know most of their names. I have to get better used to hearing 1, 2, and 3 in German...so I can know where the imaginary runners are in practice haha!
After practice, I rode with Nadja home. We stopped by her brother Christof's house on the way, and I told them that I hoped the TV show playing in his house, "Jersey Shore" was not how they viewed all Americans. Pretty much everything I saw on his TV was dubbed in German, so I will hopefully learn some of it.
After we got back, Nadja and I were finally able to figure out the wireless for my computer! It works much better downstairs :-)
I can't wait to take a ton of pictures and see more of the area tomorrow! Hopefully I will be able to ride a bike around, and not get lost.
Now that I figured this out, I can tell you about my first day. The flight from Cleveland to JFK was short and sweet like I am used to. The flight from JFK to Zurich was much longer. The plane was nice and I was able to watch a movie on my way. I was just so tired and it was hard getting to sleep, so I was happy to land. After being exhausted, landing in an entirely new airport/country, and not understanding any of the conversations going on around me at baggage claim, I was so very happy to see Nadja, my team's catcher, and Tiin, my coach, waiting for me.
I went with the two of them to Nadja's parents' farm, where I am staying. It is so pretty and I am excited to post pictures later. I didn't have time to take any of the farm today, but I will have plenty of time tomorrow because I am already unpacked. This brings me to my room! When Nadja opened the door to show it to me, she said "I hope you like orange" and I was so excited! I told her that it was one of my favorite colors, my other two being red and black, the color of the Wil Devils, my softball team. Perfect!
I was able to take a short nap before lunch, and then I longer nap after lunch. I really needed them because I did not want to be falling asleep at practice. At 6:45pm, Tiin picked me up to take me to my first practice. I met a lot of the girls today and hope that by the end of Sunday's games I at least know most of their names. I have to get better used to hearing 1, 2, and 3 in German...so I can know where the imaginary runners are in practice haha!
After practice, I rode with Nadja home. We stopped by her brother Christof's house on the way, and I told them that I hoped the TV show playing in his house, "Jersey Shore" was not how they viewed all Americans. Pretty much everything I saw on his TV was dubbed in German, so I will hopefully learn some of it.
After we got back, Nadja and I were finally able to figure out the wireless for my computer! It works much better downstairs :-)
I can't wait to take a ton of pictures and see more of the area tomorrow! Hopefully I will be able to ride a bike around, and not get lost.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
5/24/11
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