I am passionate about…
God
Family
Friendship
Kids
Teaching
Mentoring
Coaching
Giving
Relationships
Nature
Solitude
Music
Laughter
Food
Communication
Reading
Writing
Prayer
Connecting
Exploring
Sharing
Listening
Creating
Acceptance
Affection
Independence
Love
Sunday, March 18, 2012
“Who am I, but the dust of the Most High” – Trevor Hall
Most of us are cruising right along on our never-ending journey of discovery. A discovery of the world that we live in, the people who surround us, the natural background we flourish in, and the essence of ourselves as individuals. The discoveries we make, are at times, the outcome of deliberate action and at other times, the result of happenstance.
I believe those of us who thoughtfully explore these dimensions live life with more purpose, passion, and peace. We make decisions every day that affect the course of the rest of our lives. Some of these decisions are perceived to be inconsequential or trivial. Though some choices appear to have a bigger impact on our life initially, I believe it is all of the “small, innumerable” decisions that create the depth of our existence.
I want to be so in touch with who I am and who God desires me to be, that my decisions reflect my soul.
After 10 minutes of silence, prayer, and a long hard look in the “mirror”, I feel as if I can barely continue writing after that statement. Making decisions that reflect my soul, and my soul alone? Yikes. Am I even capable of doing that? I have a lot of work to do. I have a long way to go. I have a humbling road ahead of me. I’m afraid of failing. I don’t want to let God down. What if baring my soul completely turns others away? What if I don’t like the reflection I’m producing? What if the rest of my life is altered by the radical road I’m choosing to walk down?
What am I worried about? The decisions I’ve made thus far ARE a reflection of my soul, but they are also a vulnerable display of my humanity. I want to embrace my humanity, while serving God in a radical, life altering manner. I want nothing more than to be the “dust of the Most High”.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
I’ve spent the last 5 weeks in Europe…in the south of France…in St. Tropez. This has, by far, been the most memorable summer of my life. I was blessed with an incredible job opportunity that allowed me to explore part of the world, experience life in a brand new way, meet people who added dimension to my existence, and to become a better version of myself.
10 days. I have 10 days left to soak up every last minute of my joliday. I consistently make myself aware of this fact so I can go out with a bang. It’s easy to float, to go through the motions, to allow life to happen to you. Easy isn’t an adjective I want to use to describe my life. Moments of ease and extreme highs are welcome, but coasting and complacency are not. I thrive off of challenges. I need change. I appreciate variety. I like it best when life is spicy!
So, as I’m wrapping up my dream summer I’m also preparing for my new, yet comfy, adventure in AZ. Teaching. 5th grade. Sunset Elementary School. That’s my comfy new adventure! I had no idea that this is what I was going to be pouring my heart into this year, but I’m grateful it is. Teaching, kids, learning…these parts of my life can’t be denied. I’ve tried to seek other jobs, explore other opportunities, but have done so to no avail. I suppose it’s time to stop fighting my destiny and fully embrace my calling.
I’m home. Home doesn’t feel as cozy and comfortable as it did before “the summer”. Teaching is more beautiful, more joyful, more fulfilling, more exciting, more rewarding than ever. I’ve made rich new friendships. I moved into my own space. I decorated this space with dashes of my personality and a European flair. I’ve encouraged my creativity to shake it up a bit, take things up a notch, run like the wind. I traded in my night owl for an early bird. I’m playing the sport I love at least twice a week. I have an unusual amount of free time. I’ve been cruising through each day with a smile on my face and music in my ears. I’ve taken time to pay attention to details…the tiny details that add flavor to my daily experiences. I sincerely believe in myself, my potential, and my accomplishments. I feel more grateful for my life. I feel more and less significant all at the same time. My initial commentary was a half-truth. Home does feel cozy. It doesn’t feel comfortable. I don’t want to be comfortable. I like the challenges I’ve chosen. I’m digging the new shape my life’s taking on. I welcome the twists and turns that encourage me to make deliberate, decisive decisions while maintaining my free spirit. Life, as I know it, is stunningly surprising.
Bittersweet’s a word I’ve been using more, at this point in my life, than ever before. I’ve had my fair share of roller coaster moments prior to this summer, but lately I feel like I’ve been on a whirlwind ride that never ends. I’ll be climbing to the top, struggling to see what’s ahead, when all of a sudden…the “eeeeeeeeee” feeling of the drop kicks in and I feel giddy. That giddiness is followed by a “remain thankful for this experience” reminder. Wednesday, July 6th decided to remove a few tracks from my rollercoaster of the day…just to see if I could handle the revised ride.
Turns out I could handle it, but it was very difficult, quite painful, and abundantly healing.
Around 11:00pm, I decided to check in with my friends and family via Skype and MSN Messenger. I noticed that my brother was signed in, so I sent a quick “Love you, brother” SMS his way. To my surprise, a “Chris Jones is calling” message popped up on my screen instead of an SMS response. I was confused as to why he was calling me at work, but I was just glad he was. I answered the video call and realized my brother was joined by my dad, Kimm, and a few other members of the Nelson family. Once again, I was surprised, but very grateful to see them. My dad briefly asked how I was doing before saying, “Sweetie, I have some bad news.” I knew. I knew that our family had lost my dear grandpa Greg. Sobs. Open sobs poured forth and I felt a hole; a physical, open wound forming in my stomach. I tried to grab hold of my emotions and dry my eyes, but it just wasn’t happening. I was devastated. Why did this have to happen when I was thousands of miles away from home?
Everyone selflessly encouraged me to stay put…to honor grandpa Greg in my own way, right where I was. That was sweet and completely understandable. I considered doing just that. I took the next day to process, grieve, write, etc. Final decision: go home. I booked a flight, packed a bag, slept for 45 minutes, hopped in a cab, took that to a bus, took that to a train, took that to the airport in Nice, flew from there to London, and after sleeping through my final flight from London to Phoenix I was home…right where I was supposed to be. I was greeted by my gate by my beautiful mamasita. Her sweet smile stretched across her face and her hug brought forth a wave of comfort. I’m home.
Upon landing I was famished, so my mom took me to Red Robin to get a Whisky River BBQ Burger, fries, and a Dr. Pepper. If you’re currently thinking of ways to “woo” me, that meal just might seal the deal. Though the meal was delicious and quite satisfying, the time spent with my mom took things to the next level and satisfied my soul. She is such a blessing in my life. After dinner I stopped by my sister-friend’s house, gave her a big hug, kissed her little boy on the head, and drove to my dad’s. More soul sustenance. I spent some time catching up with everyone, discussing songs for the family slideshow, and just enjoying being with my family in my dad’s home.
The next day, July 9th, was my grams’ b-day! We celebrated by going to lunch and doing a little shopping together. Being able to be with her on her 72nd birthday was such a gift! I loved every minute of it. After our time together, I met up with my family at my grandma Judy’s for dinner. What a sweet, memorable time we shared together. We enjoyed a meal made by a few of grandma Judy’s generous neighbors, shared heartfelt memories of grandpa Greg, watched the family slideshow, and supported each other while we grieved. This is why I came home. This is exactly what a family should be doing when one of their loved ones has passed.
Sunday was another wonderful day! I attended church with my grams and gramps, Jess and Anthony, and Bob and Cheryl. The service was moving and the message poignant. Service was followed by a lovely brunch at The Cheesecake Factory. I was surrounded by a group of people I love and admire. Another reason I came home. After lunch, I met up with Stephanie and had a fun afternoon filled with pedicures, shopping, and catching up. Love this girl. Love her so very much! My day ended with another dinner at the Nelsons. It was incredible the way the evening unfolded. Everyone honored grandpa. Everyone celebrated grandpa. Everyone reminisced about grandpa. Yes, there were tears. Yes, there was deep heartache. But, the love and admiration for grandpa Greg filled the room so full that despair was pushed out. I knew I had to come home, but I didn’t know the experience was going to be this incredible.
Monday. The service. The day we’ve been preparing for. The reason we’re all together. It was intense and difficult, but beautifully healing. I will not share the intimate details of the day here. I believe those details need to remain tucked inside my soul right now. I will tell you that Monday, July 11th, 2011 is a day I will never forget. It is a day that I will cherish, and remember lovingly for the rest my life.
My brief trip home changed the course of my life. It enhanced my relationships with my family. It opened my heart and my eyes to allow me to see my loved ones and myself in a brand new light.
I vacillated. I hesitated. I wanted to make the right decision. I did make the right decision. I will not skip a beat the next time I’m faced with a similar decision. I choose my family.
Friday, June 24th
I moved into home number two out of three this week! I’m now a pseudo princess living in a sublime castle. Sublime beat out its very competitive synonyms…by a mere morsel. The chalet I’m incredibly fortunate enough to reside in is full of beauty, productivity, diversity, and joy. The joy that abounds is what I’m digging on the most. I’m surrounded by an adoring family and a staff who goes out of their way to generously diminish each other’s workloads and to share our precious lives with one another along the way.
This week started with an endearing tour of Sally’s room. She showed me trophies, pictures, collections, an interactive journal, her sweet keyboard skills, and an introduction to her grandmother’s accordion. Following my tour, Sally and I discussed her academic strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, etc. After our school chat, we talked about personal interests and hobbies. She mentioned that she loves horseback riding, but doesn’t let any of her friends/family come watch her. I asked why and she said she feels embarrassed and other people might spook the horses if they talk too loud. My response: “I understand that completely, but if you ever change your mind I’d love to watch you ride.” Guess who got an invite to the stables that afternoon? My heart was full.
SMP had one last dinner together on Monday night! Raclette was the chosen meal, and let me assure you that the fancy name is solely for the fancy experience, not the fancy food. What is Raclette, you ask? Oh, it’s a grandeur assortment of…wait for it, wait for it…cheese and potatoes. Yep, we paid a pretty penny to eat melted cheese atop boiled potatoes. Let’s just get this straight…though it sounds quite plain and maybe even unappetizing, for this cheese freak right here it was delish! I loooooove cheese and I’ve never met a person who didn’t like potatoes, so can we really complain about the combination? I think not. Speaking of potatoes, there was a potato thief in our midst! I won’t name names, but I will tell you that the crime was left unpunished!
I’m finally teaching! Goodness me…it hasn’t even been a month and I’m craving teaching like it’s nobody’s business. The kids and I have been spending our mornings playing sneaky learning games, completing a short quiz on the previous day’s lesson, playing mental math basketball, improving our oral reading skills by reading with a variety of voices, and engaging in Khan Academy math lessons. Warning…tangents ahead! Khan Academy is il capo. That’s Italian for the boss. By the way, I’m learning Italian and it’s rad. Anyway, if you haven’t heard about this dynamic online learning opportunity, I strongly urge you to quite reading my blog and check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTFEUsudhfs . You’re welcome. So, these lessons have not only been blowing my mind, but they’ve caused “my kids” to completely own multiplication, division, and converting fractions, decimals, and percents. I’m amazed!
Kung Fu Panda + 2 awesome kids + their grateful tutor = the start of a post dinner tradition that has wrapped every day this week with a beautiful, vibrant bow. Actually, let me tell you about the lead up to our movie marathons. We were sitting at the dinner table talking about Sally and Abel’s acting skills. Both of their report cards reflected a huge interest and a strong set of skills in drama. I brought this up to praise them, show how impressed I am, and to suggest using drama in our lessons. Score! They ate up the idea, and asked me if I wanted to see their performance in a school play that took place a couple of years ago. Of course I did! We watched the video, laughed hysterically, and popped in Kung Fu Panda when we all became bored by their lack of participation in the rest of the play. These are some of the precious moments that have contributed to the sweet bond we’re creating every day.
My, oh My…look at those Mountains! Ya know…those stunning Swiss Apls I get to bat my eyelashes at every day?? I can’t stop staring at them! Remember the first picture I posted of Brenda’s backyard? The trees were in a row pressing up against the base of the mountain and the clouds were hiding the mountain’s peak? Well, my perspective of that mountain and my thoughts surrounding it changed when I moved into the Fosatti home. I was sitting at a picnic table in the backyard around 9:00 on Wednesday morning with books and a notepad in front of me and a camera beside me. I looked at Brenda’s, Patrizia’s, and now, my view of this gorgeous mountain and I began thinking about it as an analogy. When you wake up in the morning, you notice that this mountain is completely covered by clouds. When you take a peek at this mountain through a chalet window after lunch, the mountain is partially hidden. Finally, when your reveling in the last few moments of your day, this mountain has completed revealed itself to you. I think that mirrors each and every day of our life. When we wake up in the morning we may have an idea of what our day will hold, but its totality is initially hidden from our view. As our day progresses, we discover lessons and experiences. Were we aware that these little gems and bits of coal would be there when we first woke up? Certainly not. Then, our gift is completely unwrapped, revealing its contents…uncovering our mountain’s peak. This idea is plain exciting to me! It’s plain, because we all know that every day we’re given is full of new opportunities and new experiences. What makes it exciting is knowing that we have the power and the strength within us to take full advantage of each and every opportunity and experience that comes our way, AND live our life to its full potential. This is what I’m doing right now! That, right there, is plain old exciting.!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Snazzy Skyping + Teaching Treasures = Unbelievably Terrific Sessions
Shhhhhhhhhhh. My alarm reminded me of my upcoming Skype sessions with my sister-friend and my grams and gramps. YAY! I absolutely loved catching up with them! Keeping in close contact with my family and friends has added so much depth and an irreplaceable level of comfort to my experience. I feel connected to my roots, yet open to embracing my current endeavors. Balance. That’s a key element I’m striving to find and maintain while I’m abroad.
The afternoon brought meetings with Sally’s teachers and a “tutoring session” with Abel. I put that in quotation marks because I briefly helped Abel with spelling before playing soccer, basketball, and computer games. Really? This kid is awesome. My job rocks. I’m pumped to get to know him and his adorable sister this summer.
My day ended with a girls’ dinner and a simultaneous computer session with our loved ones. Techy teachers unite!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Little Work, More Play
Just in case you’re wondering…if I were a teacher in Switzerland my students would refer to me as Miss Mandi instead of Miss Jones. Hmm. Well, I ventured back to the JFK school in the early afternoon and met with Mr. J, Abel’s teacher. He was a kind British man who warmly welcomed me into his classroom and offered ideas that will certainly aid my development of Abel’s summer curriculum. This springboard meeting led to an observation of a tutoring session between one of Brenda’s colleagues and Sally. This opportunity allowed me to gauge Sally’s ability level and perceived interest in math while mentally noting her processing patterns and attention span. This little lady is bright, hilarious, quite animated, and just an absolute gem!
My successful afternoon was the perfect appetizer for the delightful dinner the girls and I enjoyed. It’s not as if you haven’t already noticed, but I’m here to tell you that we spend quite a bit of our time in the kitchen. We’re either drinking coffee or wine and eating ridiculous amounts of cheese, bread, or chocolate. Mama Mia! Time to exercise! “Hey, how about a post dinner walk?” asked Brenda. Brilliant idea, Madame…just let me grab my water…I mean, wine. At this rate we’re laying the foundation for running a Coyote Ugly type bar or at least being a few of their faithful regulars. We wrapped up our evening by playing a round of Rummikub and listening to some jams.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Bern baby, burn!
I traded in breakfast for a jog this morning. Oh, running…I despise you, yet I adore you. I love you a little bit more when we take turns showing each other around the majestic Swiss Alps and kicking each other’s butts along the way.
Susana and I took our time (partially intentionally) traveling to Bern today. Not being in a rush was one of our day’s goals, so we stopped and enjoyed a coffee and a croissant at a nearby bed and breakfast. You thought I said I traded in breakfast for a jog, right? I did. I lied. Whoever thought to put chocolate inside a croissant didn’t realize it could, quite possibly, be my demise. Well, our pit stop led to us accidentally taking the scenic route the entire way to Bern. A drive that should only take about two hours via the highway took us close to three. No problemo! The scenery and the musical mix prepared by DJ Mandizzle more than made up for the extra driving time.
Voila! Lunch is served. We devoured heart-shaped pasta filled with ricotta and lime and smothered in a paprika cream sauce and a caprese salad. After lunch, we shopped, snapped photos, added our fingerprints to a community art project(insert link), AND spent 70 CHF on parking. Seventy Swiss Francs?! Ouch! Lesson learned.
Brenda, Susana, and I spent another evening making dinner together and playing games. Tonight’s competition: Banagrams. Tonight’s winner…Miss Brenda.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Ooooh la la!
Goodness gracious! The internet’s been down since Monday evening. Yes, I realize I’m in Switzerland and maybe I should have already traded in technology for tourism, but this is not the case. I want to keep in contact with my friends and family, check in on what everyone’s been up to, and share my writing. The temperamental internet connection told me to “suck it up”. So, like a resistant toddler who eventually realizes she’s not going to get her way, I sucked it up and snuggled up with a book. Absentmindedness led to the airport purchase of “Committed” by Elizabeth Gilbert. Gilbert finishes the captivating story she eloquently began in “Eat, Pray, Love” with this historically supported, open-minded discovery of marriage. I was deeply affected by the illustration of the walls and windows that Gilbert believes are vital in a marriage. These metaphoric structures must be revered in a relationship or intimacy will be compromised and the strength to withstand tests and tribulations will be diminished. It is my perception that the windows are made up of the common, public knowledge your loved ones have of your relationship. These are the things outsiders don’t have work too hard to understand. Walls, on the other hand, are considered impenetrable. These walls are made up of intimacies that should remain between you and your partner. I believe people in healthy, mutually respecting relationships consciously or subconsciously know how to keep their walls and windows in check. This is definitely something I will be mindful of and strive to maintain in my future relationship(s).
Thun was today’s chosen destination. Susana and I thankfully found inexpensive parking near a ravishing Italian restaurant where we enjoyed Beef Carpaccio, a prosciutto and mushroom pizza, and an intermittent showering of flower blossoms. Apparently the tree above our table enjoyed our company so much it decided to cover us in its ashes. Thank you, kind tree.
Detestable. Ridiculous. Absurd. I know! I spent 30 minutes of my day in Mcdonald’s. Don’t judge me. I was desperate for the internet and they had free Wifi! You’ll be happy to know that I didn’t dare order a morsel of food. You know what I did order? Ice cream at a nearby M… stand. Mmm…mmm…good! Susana and I enjoyed our chocolate and citrus treats as we followed a path that we thought would take us to the shore of the lake. No such luck. Interlakken it is! We braved the raging storm and traveled to a nearby village. This beautiful village resides between two lakes…hence the name Interlakken. Wow. Maybe you know what it feels like to be star struck? Try being lake struck. It is by far the better struck of the two.
Our exquisite day ended with a nightcap of heart-heart conversations, Bananagrams part deux, and a plethora of pictures with flat Stephanie. Pure awesomeness.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Short and sweet
Sleep, a glorious amount of sleep, evaded my day and prepared me for a quick meeting with Patti. The two of us engaged in a fruitful discussion about the development of the summer curriculum and Sally’s and Abel’s previous term. We attentively listened to one another’s ideas and shared enthusiasm about the journey that we were getting ready to embark on. At the end of our chat Patti showed me “my room” and inquired about my desire/willingness to entertain the idea of staying in Switzerland beyond my current summer commitment. Hmm.
It’s aliiiiiiiiiiiive! Our internet connection decided to awaken from the dead this evening! I chose to celebrate by making my mom’s guacamole for my Swiss Miss Posse. We call ourselves SMP. Not really, but we could.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Frolicking in France
There’s nothing like waking up and deciding you’re going to book a hotel, pack a bag, and drive to France. SMP decided a sleepover in the medieval wonderland of Annecy was in order. We jumped in the car, drove to Montreux where we picked up a feisty little South African, and arrived in Annecy just in time to pop a bottle of champers and indulge in yet another incredible meal. Our dinner table was covered in scallops, shrimp, steak, fish, the best french fries I’ve ever had, champagne with Chambord, wine, and Irish Coffees. Un-be-lie-va-ble. Goodnight moon.
Sunday, June 19th, 2011
This afternoon: drove to the center of town, took a million pictures, became enamored by the sidewalk marketplace, engaged in some serious people watching, and listened to the multi-language-filled melody. Try eavesdropping in a place like this. No can do.
This evening: upon arrival at Chalet a la Brenda(had to throw some Spanish in there for you, Susana) I chatted with my dad, my bro, and my mamasita. Not only did I get to hear their familiar voices, but I got to see their sweet faces too! Skype is pretty amazing. Being thousands of miles away from home, but feeling so connected to everyone is incredibly comforting.
I’m in the midst of one of my dreams.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
I’m feeling a little “Memento”ish. I was away from a computer all weekend, so I’m gonna go ahead and start with what’s fresh in my mind, then work my way back to Friday’s shenanigans. Deal? Deal. Thankfully, my Sunday began at 11:00AM. It appears that this whole “jet lag” thing is actually a reality…it does affect you…for DAYS. I suppose the confidence I have in my ability to bounce back and make the most of my days bit me right in le derrière. So, I slept in and woke up to fresh bread, homemade strawberry jam, a bowl of raspberries and currants, and a cup of café au lait. Mind you, I’m in the middle of France, on a gorgeous patio, surrounded by fruit trees and lush gardens…all of which supplemented this meal and the meal to come. Not your typical breakfast experience. After a while, Francois, Susana’s dear friend, asked if we’d like to take a walk. Yes, please! I mean… Oui, s’il vous plaî. We proceeded to walk down a picturesque path that led us to a quaint chalet where people were enjoying each other’s company…and a bite to eat. Unfortunately, we were told the chalet was closed at the moment and that it was impossible for us to grab a drink. So, we ventured back to the Gottardini home and enjoyed a swanky alfresco luncheon. You’re wondering what we had, aren’t you? You should be. Even though I have pictures (hard evidence) of this French feast, I’m still questioning the reality of the event. And let me tell you…it was an event. We enjoyed melon with champagne, mussels drenched in a delectable white wine sauce, an assortment of cheeses served with fresh bread, figs AND a 2005 Pauillac, homemade blueberry pie complimented by pistachio, marscapone, carmel, and strawberry ice cream, AND a divine cup of Espresso con Panna. No joke.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
I’m on a train! Brenda and I caught a train that left Rougemont at 6:51AM. We traveled, drinking café au lait and eating Pain au Chocolat, to Zurich. “Oh, Susana!”…Brenda’s sweet friend met up with us in the Zurich airport, and joined us on our journey to Basel. “You were just in Germany, Mandi…3 countries in one day…lucky YOU!” So, I was in Germany for all of thirty seconds until our U-turn was complete and we were back on track, headed to Alex and Fred’s. This humble, wonderful couple invited us into their home, served us a delightful lunch, and engaged in a conversation that made everyone feel like instant friends. Blessed. I feel so blessed to have met these kind people, and even more blessed to have been welcomed into their home to enjoy a such a delectable feast. After lunch, we wished them well and continued our journey to Barembach. WOW. Upon arrival in this precious little village, we were greeted by Susana’s dear friend, Francois, along with his mother and father, Annie and Jean Claude. What a genuine and indescribably generous family! After exchanging two welcoming kisses on each cheek, we entered their beautiful home, shared introductions, and conversed in their formal dining room. Notice how I couldn’t just say chatted…I had to church it up a bit. I’m aware. This is when I stepped into the background and spent the majority of the evening listening and observing. Many lessons unveiled themselves. Lessons that I believe have altered the course of my life. Though I was uncomfortable and frustrated at times, in the end, I think it was a wonderful evening spent enjoying old and new friends, a delicious dinner, and a cultural experience I am grateful to have witnessed and been a small part of.
Friday, June 10, 2011
“Ooooooooooooooh…hahahaha…ooooooooooooooh!” sang the choir of children I passed on the way to the train station. The educator in me sprang for joy as I watched a teacher grab the tiny hand of a little Suisse child and escort him to the front of their processional. Apparently this little cherub was acting up! I smiled at the students and their teacher as I passed, and couldn’t help but fall in love with each little kid I walked by.
Soooo, I made it onto the train and took it to Gstaad to meet Brenda, her colleague, and all 4 of her students. As I was waiting for Brenda I decided to park it on a nearby bench. I noticed an agitated man pull up in the road in front of me. He was backing up, going forward, backing up, waiting, going forward again, etc. He looked at me and waved me over. As I tried to figure out what he needed he pointed to the obstacle in front of him. There was a post in the middle of the road that appeared to ascend and descend, but how and why was a mystery to me. The man was trying to help me understand the solution by motioning with his hands. The gesture he was making led me to believe that I needed to push this post down with my hands. Yep, that’s exactly what I attempted to do. Laughter from him, laughter from a nearby hobo who invited me out for a drink, and laughter from myself made me realize I am no Sherlock Holmes.
Fondue. Saying “I love fondue” sounds trite and can’t even begin to describe my relationship with this magnificent meal. I spent Friday evening at the home of the family I get to share my summer with. We enjoyed veal, lamb, and beef accompanied by a delicious assortment of sauces, papas frites, and fruit salad. I was in love. Being served by a sweet man made me feel like a princess; an auspicious princess in a faraway land. Though the experience was lavish and I felt spoiled right from the start, I think an initial closeness was created with this family that I foresee leading to a very memorable and successful summer.
Ahhhhhhhh! On the way to the airport on Tuesday, Stephanie told me about a little exchange that took place that morning between her and her sister. “So, I was cutting tomatoes with a really sharp knife, and all of a sudden…I decided that if I “accidentally” cut one of my fingers off I’d be rushed to the hospital, call you, and you’d have to stay here. Perfect. Problem solved. You’re not leaving the country.” Laughter ensued. “Plan b,” she said, “was to slash my tires so I couldn’t take you to the airport. Of course that was dumb, because you were driving your car to my house and we’d just end up taking that. Damn.” More laughter. I have an awesomely hilarious sister-friend.
Her feelings surrounding my departure mirror what I was experiencing throughout the two weeks that led up to my trip. I was sick with sadness over thoughts of leaving everyone I love, everything that’s familiar, and everything that I’ve been a part of creating in my life so far. I know I’m a bit of a sap, but I didn’t expect to shed as many tears as I did. These unexpected tears allowed me to cherish my relationships even more and brought me to a place where I could be overjoyed by the thoughts my upcoming, seemingly surreal experience of a lifetime.
My trip began with a ten-hour flight to London. I enjoyed the flight very much, because it gave me time to ponder, peruse, and plan. When I arrived in London, I decided to complete a currency exchange and grab a bite to eat. Oh, there’s Strongbow on tap? And you say Murphy’s is comparable to Guinness? Yes, please. A book, a beverage, and a BLT…life is grand!
I was a sleepy passenger on the flight from London to Geneva…until the landing process began. I took full advantage of my window seat. I may have made the mountains blush with my somewhat intrusive gawking. I was in awe. I knew it was going to be green and gorgeous, but I didn’t know it was going to be THIS green and gorgeous. A huge smile stretched across my face and a settling feeling of peace invaded my body. Peace remained, but excitement overshadowed it for a bit as I saw my dear friend, Brenda. The familiarity and the joy in her face overwhelmed me for a moment while tears streamed down my cheeks. I was relieved.
Brenda and I boarded a train that took us to Montreux. At the train station in Montreux, we were approached by a very nice man who told us we needed to take the bus to the GoldenPass. Merci! After a quick bus ride we were on the final leg of our travel race. We sat on the train for a bit, getting settled in and chatting about upcoming plans. Our friendly guide came back! He kindly asked us if we’d like a cup of coffee. Brenda looked at me, I shook my head, and she replied with, “No thank you, but we’d love a beer!” All three of us started laughing, and Brenda and I thanked the man for his sweet offer before he exited the train. Ask and you shall receive! 5 minutes later came one more visit from our new friend, and this time, he had a bottle of the local beer in his hand and two plastic cups. Bien, merci! Seriously?? This is going to be an amazing trip.
My day came to a close with phone calls to my family, a warm shower, a midnight snack, and a bit of reading. Everything still felt a bit surreal.
It wasn’t a dream! This morning I woke up in a Swiss chalet(no comments, Mike) to birds filling the crisp mountain air with their sweet songs. I got up, opened the wooden shutters, gasped, and pinched myself. Can you believe this view??
Bon Voyage Party!
