Feeling Lucky

Bon soir, my friends. My father told me today that I need to update this more, so alas, here I am.
The reason that I have not posted anything in two weeks is because my life has really not been that fascinating! Well, okay. Comparatively.
This is a summary of what I do every day:
7:20am: Wake up, eat whatever breakfast is put out for me. Which doesn't include Nutella, because my host mom announced this week she hid it from me because she's worried about my waistline.
8:30am: Walk to the train station
8:50am: Board the train
9:06am: Arrive in Geneva, walk to class
9:30am-12:30pm: Class
12:30pm-2pm: Lunch, usually a 6 CHF panini or 7 CHF falafel. And a Coke Zero.
M,T,TH 2pm-5pm: French class with Jean, where we still have learned close to absolutely nothing in the French language.
W,F: Afternoons off! Sometimes. Sometimes we have to go international security conferences and they take all day. But, I mean, that's pretty cool, I guess. (In case you can't catch my sarcasm, I complain about not having my afternoons free when that happens but then my nerd senses tingle and I get really excited about being around so many intellectual experts.)
5:14pm: Train home
5:30pm: Arrive in Nyon
5:50pm: Arrive home
5:50-7:30pm: I pretend that I'm doing important things on my computer but really I sit in my bed and watch really crappy pirated links of U.S. television and talk to people on Facebook.
7:30-8:30pm: Dinner
8:30-10pm: I do more pretending about academics, but really spend most of my time trying to do everything but homework
10:30pm: Sleep!
Exhilarating.
In reality, we are learning some pretty cool stuff. I totally nerd out every single day after class and think about all the neat things I want to do with my life, and right now I'm really into the idea of studying International Humanitarian Law. To spare you a political-natured post, I will just say that the future of conflict in the world is not going to be combat based, but the military is going to still be extremely important. What does that mean? The military is going to need to change its focus and rules of engagement are going to become increasingly important. And I would like to be a part of that! New Age peace keeping, as I have come to call it. I wrote my first paper (about the Schengen Agreement free movement of people across Europe and its correlation to human trafficking, ironic later) this semester, due yesterday, so that has consumed a lot of my time this past week or so.
My homestay situation is interesting. Ahmed, my host dad, is awesome. No complaints. My host mom is a little nuts. As I mentioned before, she hid the Nutella from me. Literally nowhere to be found. And when I asked her about it, she said she hid it because she's been putting me on a diet this week, as she's concerned about my waistline. I don't even know what to say to that. No Nutella for me, I guess. My host sister also has been interesting this week. She's very nice to me, but I've been waking up at 6am every day, only to see her creeping around my room with a flashlight, looking for things in storage. I don't understand. It's stressful. It's bad enough that this family wakes up at 5am and is ready to live, and is so excited about it, it sounds like the apocalypse. BUT, I talked to them about it, so hopefully things will get better. Minus my Nutella-free diet.
So, lastly, last night I was roofied! I know that it's minorly strange that I'm so lighthearted about it but I just am so happy that I am okay. Got creeped on by a guy, watched him buy me a beer, took one drink of it to get him off my case, he grabbed me and stuck his tongue down my throat, and I immediately proceeded to sprint out of the bar with my friend, Jasmine. I ended up not being able to see anything, barely making it back to my apartment and my bed, with paralyzed limbs and poor speaking ability. I was on the phone with Tyler, I blacked out, and woke up on my floor 4 hours later. I don't know how it happened, because I was cautious and close to sober at the time, but it did! It was scary and not an experience I wish to repeat, but I am alive, not a sex slave, and not chained up in a basement anywhere. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.
Today Sam, Jasmine, and I went to the Old City in Geneva to get some fresh air and enjoy the incredibly beautiful day. Below are some pictures!
Tomorrow I leave for our week long study trip in Brussels (the EU) and Paris, and then will spend a weekend in Paris with some of my best friends from school! I cannot wait. I'm an incredibly lucky person!

Just some finger puppets that I wanted to buy.

The World's Largest Bench! Literally. 

Geneva! So beautiful. 

Anyway, I can't complain about my quality of life. Yesterday's experience was a bump in the road, but it happened because I am in another country, spending my semester doing things that are changing my life. I have a life filled with luck, love, and happiness, and especially today, I don't know what else I could ask for!

...really?

Greetings, friends. I am currently writing this from a train station cafe in Milan. Why am I in Milan, you ask? Because Italy does not know how to function in snow. Wait, Geneva is not in Italy... you're right!
This week was a little rough. I was tired (although I FINALLY didn't fall asleep in class), stressed because like I've previously stated, I chose the Nazi Germany of study abroad programs, and annoyed that I chose to be a responsible adult instead of go and have wild European adventures like my friends, who I missed terribly.
So, thanks to my loving parents, I bought train tickets to Florence to see some of my friends! Logical.
On Friday I board my train to Milan, ready to go, and halfway there, I discover that my train ride was going to be 6 hours... instead of 4... and I wasn't going to make my connection. Oh, okay, well I'll get a new one, not a big deal. Wait... I don't speak Italian and I left the country without my friends' phone numbers... why am I so smart? So, frantically, I text Tyler back in Chicago to see if he can get a hold of Fran, and I text the most responsible person in our entire study abroad group, Chris. Thank god for Chris, because even when I got Fran's number, it wouldn't work. So, I finally get to Milan, and someone tells me there are no trains to Florence for the rest of the night. What?  So I found an English speaking couple, and they tell me that the best idea is to get in a rental car with them to go to Bologna. Also not Florence, but on the way, apparently. So I'm going to do that then all of a sudden, in a split second decision, I see an Italian man mentioning me over to him, and I don't know why I listened, because upon further evaluation that definitely was not my smartest move, but he actually helped me find a ticket to Florence and an hour later, I was on my way. Well, after I had to pee but couldn't go because I didn't have any Euros and there were no ATMS, and apparently it's PC to charge for basic access to toilets, and after I ate a cold loaf of bread for dinner. Meanwhile, Chris was posted up on Facebook, messaging Fran, updating her on my new ETA and plans. Finally, I get there, and my phone works! Reunited with my friends, at last. Worth it!
The weekend was amazing. Cold, but amazing. I feel like "predator" would be the best way to describe Italian men, because I was told, "UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT," and I probably was extremely offensive to a lot of people when I couldn't help but stare at acts close to sexual intercourse going on in the bars/clubs.
Yesterday, we walked around Florence (or waddled, cause we were so bundled up), ate a delicious lunch, I bought jeans for 9 Euros, and then we stopped by to see an Italian man that has the hots for Lindsey in a cafe. Although we had already drank half a bottle of wine and really just wanted to say hi... this man and his server friends insisted we sit down and drink MORE wine, and take some shots as well. If that's not love, I don't know what is... oh wait, he has a girlfriend. That he doesn't know we know about. But, they were hilarious and it was free, so you know, who am I to stop him? Later, we went to eat Mexican food for dinner, and drank margaritas. I never thought I would be so excited to eat nachos.
Then, convinced it was all going to be okay, I went to the station this morning at 9:30 to make my train at 9:55... OH! It's cancelled! Of course it is. So I waited for an hour in a half in 25 degree weather to go to Milan, which is where I am now. I arrived at 1 and the train doesn't leave until 5:25, so here I am, posted up! I honestly don't know what people did before WiFi. I still have 2 hours left and I think the people in the cafe are starting to get mad that I only bought a sandwich for 4 Euros... so I might have to get down on a crossaint with Nutella here in a few minutes. Problems, I tell you.

Anyway, it was a great weekend, and was even better to see my long lost friends. I can't say I'll voluntarily travel to Italy any time soon... but luckily, I have many other choices!

Getting the Hang of Things

Bonjour! That's still one of about 6 French words that I can speak now. I also know how to ask for tap water, because as I mentioned in my previous post, normal water costs money. So, in case you're interested, "Tap water, please," is "l'eau de robinet, s'il vous plaît."
So fascinating. Anyway, not many things have changed since my last post. I completed my first week of school and have become quite proficient in all forms of public transportation, including being able to read military time. I'm never going to make fun of people for being exhausted after a day of work, because after my 9-5 days of school, I can't wait to go to bed at 10 o'clock.
Last week we went to the UN, if you saw my Facebook picture, and got our "official passes," which is fancy way of saying we can use the library, attend various conferences, and eat in the cafeteria. But, it's pretty neat, I have to admit. I still don't think I can fully grasp that I'm in a place of such international importance, but I'm very excited for our guest lectures from a few of the UN diplomats and to get more involved with the organization. It's also the cheapest place to eat lunch... international grounds means no tax :)
In case you didn't see my picture, here is a small group of us in front of the UN:

Just a couple of nerds on a lunch break! Actually, we had to do a research project at the ICRC across the street, which is the Red Cross World Headquarters. Not a joke, the security to get into that library is way more intense than all security into the UN.
After just completing our first weekend on our own, I would have to say it was successful! In Nyon, the last bus leaves to come to my apartment at 11:58 from the transit center, so if we stay in town, that is as late as my nights will ever go. Not trying to walk by myself down any dark alleys on the way home. Anyway, we went out on Friday for a little bit in Nyon, and although I couldn't socialize myself as I cannot communicate with anyone, my friend Azline speaks fluent French and very much enjoys the locals. I am just her wingman (woman)!
Yesterday was a fantastic day. My host family had recommended that we travel to Gruyère, a place in the Alps with a picturesque castle, and known for its fondue and mineral baths. I don't know why anyone would turn that down, so at 11:10am, a few of us embarked on the two hour journey through the countryside to see what Gruyère had to offer. We were not disappointed. It was snowing, and much like Colorado, was absolutely beautiful. Our first stop was the mineral baths. My camera is not waterproof so I am adding this photo courtesy of Google:

Yeah, I'm not complaining. Imagine that with snow all around, and the baths were steaming. It was wonderful. In addition to the heated mineral baths were saunas and turkish baths. I don't know that my skin or my body have ever felt better! Then, after a stressful series of events (everywhere closes at 4 and most restaurants open at 6:30, and we were trying to eat at 5) we found a restaurant that was open and served fondue. I'm not the biggest fan of cheese, but this was phenomenal. I'm probably going to come back (definitely going to come back) a huge cheese snob. After a delicious dinner of fondue and a dessert of tiramisu ice cream and wine, we returned home, and called it a night.
Today I am actually having to do homework and apply for a few internships, and have decided I am going to need to buy a parka because I have never been this cold in my life.
That's about it!
Until next time, friends!

Things I've Learned So Far

It still hasn't actually hit me yet that I am in SWITZERLAND. I'm in another country! Halfway across the world, 7-8 hours ahead of everyone else I know. Where everyone speaks another language. But everyone is so civilized, and clean, and it's extremely diverse, much like the American cities. I feel almost as if I'm in a French speaking Chicago. It's very confusing, because literally the most stressful part of my day is when I don't have anybody at home to talk to until about 2pm my time, and trying to figure out what awesome place I'm going to go on the weekend, not really a hard life. However, many things are different here, obviously, because this is actually different country. This is what I've noticed so far:
1. Everything is clean. I'm probably going to cry the first time I have to use a public restroom in the US again, because literally everything here is spotless. The trains are clean, the busses are clean, and even the trash cans are clean. I've seen at least 10 dogs poop on the sidewalk, yet I've only seen one poop without a dog. It mysteriously disappears. I've only counted 3 pieces of garbage not in the trash can, AND I've seen someone sweeping the streets. SO CLEAN.
2. Everything has a place. At least in my homestay family, every item has a specific place that it is meant to go, and each person sits in the same chair at every meal. With the same napkin. In the bathroom, we have rags to wipe the sink and shower down after use (clean) and the rag has a specific rod to be placed on afterward. Shoes have mats, and everything has a basket or a shelf or a container.
3. Chocolate and desserts are not jokes. Instead of mints after dinner, mints are handed out instead. Each cup of coffee comes with a chocolate candy, and I swear that every other shop on the street is a pastry shop. I don't know how how these people consume as much sugar as they do, and still remain the skinniest collective group of people I've ever seen!
4. In Geneva, the cars DO NOT STOP! Jaywalking does not happen. After a few near death experiences, I now am incapable of walking across a street without a green "walk" sign... even if I can't see any cars. They'll come from somewhere, I just know it. The trains also just run through the middle of the street at high speeds, so probably just look both ways so you don't die.
5. But, in Nyon, cars come to a screeching halt to stop to let you cross the road. It's the strangest thing. Apparently, if you get caught not stopping for a pedestrian, you can get fined up to CHF 100. And today I watched a bus run over someone's foot.
6. At restaurants, asking for water does not mean that it's free, like poor people like me expect. Even though the water from the tap is wonderful and very tasty, if you ask for water at dinner, they will give you a bottle that costs at least CHF 5. No thanks, monsieur.
7. It's offensive to not eat a lot. Seriously, I don't know how they do it. My host mom is 5'1" and probably 100 lbs, and can pack away so much food, I don't understand. Her mother was in town this weekend, and even though she didn't speak English, every time I would not want seconds (or thirds or fourths...) she would get angry and say that "I ate like a little bird." I am a little bird! I am not a big bird! A person of my size can only eat so many crepes! However, the food IS delicious. If I come back morbidly obese................it was a cultural custom guys, I had to abide.
8. Apparently, there is a huge underground drug trade going on that's not so underground anymore. My host sister, who is 13, can point out everyone on the street that is a drug dealer and whether or not the police know about them. I guess that many refugees come to Geneva and surrounding areas without identification, and when the police confront them, cannot do anything about it, so the problem persists. I have not investigated the topic much further, but I do find it interesting.
9. To be on time is to be late. Aside from the buses, I have not had one person or train be late. It's very nice for consistency purposes, but on an off day when I just can't seem to make it on time... I can pretty much be certain that I will miss my train. I also can expect a phone call if I return home more than 5 minutes past the time I estimated I would be arriving.
10. Ugg boots and rain boots are not business casual.

Au revoir & grands baisers,
-Dana

Bonjour?

Hello, everyone! I apologize for not being able to update this earlier, I have received some angry Facebook messages. However, as you may have assumed, I am safe and sound in Switzerland! I also forgot my camera on the day we toured Geneva, so I snapped a few quick photos today to have something to post. 

So, I arrived without difficulty early Wednesday morning. Although I thought I was going to be embarrassed by the amount of stuff I had, I actually I have close to the smallest amount. Which, for those of you who have seen my body bag of a suitcase, is completely ridiculous. It became extremely problematic when we arrived at the Youth Hostel in Geneva, where we stayed for 3 nights, and I was sharing a room with 5 other girls and minimal, minimal floor space. Except after we moved our stuff in, there was no floor space. Nothing like tight living quarters to forge fast friendships! 

Most of the past few days have been spent in orientation sessions, discovering that all of us chose the Nazi Germany of study abroad programs. Our program is proving to be as intense as they promised! We only have 8 weeks of classes, so we have to learn a lot of things in a short amount of time. All of us have our morning class together at the SIT office (up six flights of stairs, watch out for my stellar glutes when I come back), have an hour and a half break for lunch, then will go to French class from 2-5 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. We have Wednesday and Friday afternoons off. Although it will be hard and I’m not looking forward to doing an independent study project on my own for the last 4 weeks of the semester in a country where I don’t speak the language, we spend many days at the UN actually participating in international organization activities. Neat! 

Which brings me to my next point. The program description failed to mention that EVERYONE in Geneva speaks French. And many people don’t speak English. So... it’s been a little rough, as French is close to impossible to understand. AND everyone here talks extremely quietly. It’s not a joke that Americans are notoriously loud, because we’ve been traveling around in a herd of 30 for the past 3 days and have been hated by all parties on all the public transportation we have taken. But, I’m not alone. There are about six others who have had zero French background themselves, so at least I’ll have other people to learn colors and animals with. 

It’s a pretty mixed bag of people on the program, but I enjoy it! I’ve already found very good friends, I would say, Sam (picture)  especially. 

I moved in with my homestay family today! They too speak French, but English as well. The family consists of a Swiss-French mother, a 13-year old who speaks the fastest French I’ve ever heard, but also speaks English, German and Italian, and a step-father from Egypt who also speaks French and English. I’ve only been here since noon, and this post is already extremely long, so I’m going to just end now. 

I forgot my camera on the day we took the walking tour of the city, but this morning I snapped a few from the hostel window! 

your new fascination

Well, I've been told that I should start blogging and I don't think I'll ever have a better opportunity to start than with my semester abroad. I'll be living in Nyon, Switzerland and attending classes in Geneva, as well as traveling around Europe from the 17th of January to the 1st of May. If you're at all interested in what I'm doing, I'll try to make these posts as entertaining and informative as possible... so bookmark it and get ready for a great semester!