Showing posts with label Swiss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Swiss. Show all posts

Friday, October 31, 2014

Week 10

Monday (10/13/14)
Two months gone. so. fast.

Friday (10/17/14)
On Thursday Tamara's best friend Laura and her son came over in the afternoon and Laura mentioned possibly going ice skating all together on Friday (today). So we did! I've been ice skating many times, but on my bucket list I have that I want to try figure skating. Well today, I unexpectedly got the opportunity to cross that sucker off! There's an old coach that hangs around the rink and goes up and teaches anyone and everyone, regardless of whether they wanted any help or not. I LOVED IT! It was so cool to actually learn some proper technique and exercises to do, especially from a professional. You could tell he was just absolutely in love with his art. When we were leaving I thanked him and asked him his name. "Samuel." He wouldn't give me his last name, he said it wasn't important. 
Bodensee Arena
HAHAHA! Perfect timing!
Me, Laura, Svenja
Just another day in paradise.
Later for dinner, Peter's brother and his daughter came over for Swiss fondue! They made one pot with a little wine, and one without. It honestly threw me completely off when they asked if I would prefer it without, because I know if you cook a steak with wine or something, the alcohol cooks off. But in a pot of melted cheese? I had no clue. And I wasn't sure how the rule applied in this case so, I just went without to be safe... I kind of felt like an idiot though. Regardless, not gonna lie it was not very delicious. For movie snacks later, I made guacamole (avocado, tomato, garlic, onion, lemon juice, fresh lime, salt and pepper - combine all to taste). YUM. 
Swiss Fondue 

Saturday (10/18/14)
I went to a wedding reception today at the church. Mostly because Corinne said her friend had given her an old phone for me to use and she could bring it for me if I was going. But also, I had nothing else planned so, why not? My mom is gonna kill me... I went in jeans. IN MY DEFENSE, I got dressed up for that seminary fireside thing forever ago and I was the ONLY one in nice Sunday dress. I didn't want that to happen again and it was just a little reception so I didn't think it was a big deal. Wasn't a reception people. It was a WEDDING AND a reception. *facepalm* just let me die. I was mortified. I sat in the back row of the chapel and tried to make myself invisible. Thankfully I wasn't the only chick in pants, including Tania (the RS President). And what lesson have we learned? I'd rather be nicely overdressed than feel tackily underdressed. Sorry Mom. 

Elder Roberts and Elder Sanft showed up in the middle of the ceremony (where there's food, there's missionaries haha). As per usual I hung around them during the reception and later Daisy joined us. During the course of our conversations Daisy all of a sudden and completely nonchalantly says "¿Rebecca, quieres venir a Peru conmigo a visitar mi familia?" ...uh, say what!? She asked me again. Do you want to come with me to Peru to visit my family? ...wait, for serious? When? (Next year.) Um, YES! The answer is definitely YES. I was so caught off guard! She was so casual about it, like "Rebecca, do you want a cookie?" "Rebecca, wanna come to Peru with me?" SO EXCITED! Hopefully it will all work out between her plans, Peter and Tamara's arrangements, and my plans (cause I have SO many plans... haha)

Sunday (10/19/14)
Today in church Oliver - Sandra's husband - was one of the speakers and he also provided a musical number on an Alphorn (with organ accompaniment). Um, HOW COOL IS THAT!? Gonna go ahead and check that off mah list. 

xoxo,
     Rebecca

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Drumroll please...

After months of preparation and waiting, completing mountains of paperwork (ok, not really but just roll with it haha), many scans sent back and forth, and stalking my house for FedEx workers daily...

...my visa has finally arrived!!! HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

I would just like to say that 
1. faith and prayer work 
and 
2. God is in the details of our lives. 

FIVE DAYS! :D
xoxo,
     Rebecca

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Aren't you nervous?!

People keep asking me if I'm nervous about moving to a different country. I am WAY too excited to be nervous! haha There are so many things I'm looking forward to! This is going to be life-changing. The only things that have given me some slight trepidation are some random bizarro nightmares and... food. 
Anyone who knows me, knows that I am one of the least adventurous eaters on the planet. I'm the girl who has one or two dishes/meals at various restaurants that I ALWAYS order and I rarely deviate from those items (it seems that whenever I do try to have something new, it's always such a  disappointment). I know what I like, and I'm extremely hesitant to try anything outside of that box, ESPECIALLY when it comes to textures. My best friend and her family constantly tease me about "weird ethnic food" but they have managed to open my palate and my mind to some new foods that have actually become personal favorites now, because surprisingly, Utah has a pretty eclectic variety. 
I haven't been TOO worried because, as far as Europe is concerned, I feel that Switzerland is one of the more mild places to be exposed to new kinds of delicious cuisine. And because of its close proximity to so many other countries, there is a cross-over of German, French, and Italian dishes, depending on which area of Switzerland you happen to be in. 
I've just decided that I'm going to try everything at least once. It's not gonna kill me, right? :) Besides, from what I can gather in a five minute Google search haha, the Swiss are big on fondue/cheese, potatoes, sausage, and of course CHOCOLATE ...I think I'm gonna be ok :) 
Here is a link of recommended foods to sample:
BBC Good Food: Top 10 foods to try in Switzerland
xoxo,
     Rebecca

Thursday, June 26, 2014

"Ah Music..."

Oh. mah. gosh. I am already IN LOVE with the music from Switzerland's Top 20 list. I'm sure this isn't even the tip of the iceberg, but I can't wait to be exposed to new artists and styles!


Ok, this video sucks, BUT the song is pretty dang catchy. And holy cow, good rap in english already blows my mind, but in another language... *slow clapping while standing* 
(P.S. drugs are BAD, and hookah is stupid.)


ohmahgosh. what is this dancing!? I LOVE IT. It's like Michael Jackson meets Grease! #soretro Also, her voice is awesome.


Just, yes. The Eagles meets Spanish classical guitarist/vocalist, anyone? Mmm.


Also on the Top 20 is Xavier Naidoo, who I am already familiar with (I knew a German exchange student once upon a time); I even own one of his albums, which I love. And apparently the Swiss are big fans of Ed Sheeran and Coldplay as well. Nice! Good taste these people :) Shocking, I know, for a country famous for its brilliant music festivals ;)
xoxo,
     Rebecca

Do you have any recommendations? Leave them in the comments section below! 

Monday, June 16, 2014

A Brief Overview

Ok, so I thought it was probably a good idea to do a little research about where I'll be living, before I get there haha. Here is just a brief (oh so brief) summary:

  1. Switzerland a.k.a the Swiss Confederation
    "Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno" 
    ~ One for all, all for one ~

    Government: Federal Republic, Directorial system 
    Official Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh
    Currency: Swiss franc
    Predominant Religion: Christianity
    Time Zone: Central European 
    "The establishment of the Swiss Confederation is traditionally dated to 1 August 1291, which is celebrated annually as Swiss National Day. It has a long history of armed neutrality—it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815—and did not join the United Nations until 2002. It pursues, however, an active foreign policy and is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world. Switzerland is also the birthplace of the Red Cross and home to a large number of international organizations, including the second largest UN office. On the European level, it is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association and is part of the Schengen Area – although it is notably not a member of the European Union, nor the European Economic Area. Switzerland comprises four main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, Italian and the Romansh-speaking valleys. Therefore the Swiss, although predominantly German-speaking, do not form a nation in the sense of a common ethnic or linguistic identity; rather, the strong sense of identity and community is founded on a common historical background, shared values such as federalism and direct democracyand Alpine symbolism." (Wikipedia.com)

    I will be living near Lake Constance, known in German as the Untersee ("Lower Lake").
     

    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
  2. Total Church Membership: 8,741
    Congregations: 36
    Temples: 1 ---> Bern Switzerland Temple 
    Family History Centers: 14
    xoxo,
         Rebecca