Thomas and I went to a wedding this last weekend. His good friends Thomas and Karin were married! I spent the day freezing and also noticing all the little differences between weddings in Switzerland and the US.
We have been to one other wedding before but we weren't invited to the reception, difference number one. Everyone is invited to the ceremony at the church and the following "appero." Directly after the ceremony, everyone goes to another building where appetizers and drinks are waiting. It is also common to play a game of some sort with the guests.
After a few hours, a lot of the people leave and the remaining go to another location to have dinner, those who were invited to this part. I'll get back to the reception later.
So, the actual ceremony is a little different as well, just little things. For example, the Bride and the Groom walk down the aisle together, followed by the Best Man and Maid of Honor. That's all. The couple sits down at the front of the church near the pastor and the ceremony continues. (The rest of it I couldn't understand.) The Flower Girl and Ring Bearer sit with their parents until the rings are exchanged, then they take the rings to the couple! Here it is also common the bride and groom have the same rings, no big diamonds here! (That I wouldn't like . . . ) :-)
I did like that all the guests gathered around and then photographer took a big group picture. That would be neat to have, but with 275 people it could be tricky.
So, back to the reception. The dinner was long and very good. We had a salad bar, then we ate. After 30 minutes or so we had soup. Then another 30 minutes or so we had the main course, then we waited some more and had a desert bar. All of the food was very, very good. I think we got there around 7:00 and dinner was over by 11:30 or so. It's hard eating that late for me. In between courses there was entertainment. Two comedians came and put on a show, then later 15 guys came and walked throughout the room with large Swiss Cow Bells, very loud. (If you are on Facebook, check out my video!)
Then there was another entertainer, these two were actual guests. They pretended to be French artists, they called guests up to "show art work." This was interesting for many reasons, one was I couldn't understand anything and second the "French Artist" called me out numerous times. I was his love interest throughout the whole show. I couldn't play along with him because I didn't understand what he was saying!!! I had to go to the front of the room and sit on a chair. Then he called two men up to hold a towel over my head. "Frau unter tuch" Lady under the towel (I don't know). I was so scared he was going to ask me something or to do something but that was it. He did many "art pieces" like that. He kept coming back to me to though and making "Ooh La La" sounds. It was the ongoing joke of his show. Afterwards the grooms mom walked by me and said something. I just shook my head and smiled. Those around me told me she said, "He was hard to resist" or something like that. It was funny. Later on I said to him, "Ich spreche English" and he thought it was very funny that he singled me out in a room full of German speakers.
Before the desert, the bride and groom did a taste test thing. They were blindfolded and had to guess what they were eating.
After the dinner, we all went outside and lit candles under paper "balloons". It was sweet. It was dark and we watched the balloons float away. That was very nice. I want to bring a few of those back in December and light them when we celebrate Christmas. New tradition????
So, that was the wedding. There was only one dance and the bride danced with one of the bell ringers. It was very different, but I can only expect that now.
Thomas and I made it through our first year of marriage and what a year it has been. I think we have had to conquer many things that other newlyweds aren't normally faced with. Not only did we have to learn what it means to be married and how to live with each other, we had to learn how to be in the same country, see each other on a daily basis (not bi-monthly), and he had to put up with me adjusting to an entirely new country, culture and language.
I was faced with many, many more challenges as well. I quit my job and started a new one, left my home for a new one, packed all my belongings and sent them over the ocean, tried learning a new language, taught myself to drive in a foreign country, learned how to grocery shop in a foreign country and moved away from family and friends. Looking back on this year . . . what a ride.
Before I moved I tried to mentally prepare for all of the changes. I did an ok job, but I actually went in with my eyes closed shut. I told myself that I could be unhappy for two years, it would be alright. I told myself that if I was still unhappy after two years, I may have to step back and re-evaluate things. Happily, I think it only took me six months to get into the swing of things. Yes, I am still faced with things almost weekly that make me step back and mumble to myself, "I hate this country," but there are many many more things that make me very happy to be here. Too many to name them all.
I can say that I have been very lucky to have all the opportunities to go home as often as I can. Very lucky to have friends that still want to communicate with me, even though it is difficult, friends who really will come and visit and friends who take time out to find a way to see me when I am home. I am also very lucky to have a family that calls and writes, and Ryan's family who will give up a Sunday afternoon to Skype with me, or put off opening presents so I can get home and get on the computer, parents who are going to visit me often (I hope once a year) and Craig who is planning on coming every two years (I hope!)
What a life.
It was my High School 10 Year Reunion this last weekend. It's amazing to think that 10 years ago, I was packing up and moving to Lincoln. I was so homesick for the first two weeks that I begged my mom to let me go back home. She put her foot down and told me no. I eventually got over it, but I always liked visiting. Nine years later, I moved to Switzerland. Once again, both my parents gave me support and told me to follow my heart and here I am. What an amazing opportunity. Thanks for your love and support.
I have learned a lot about myself and I am grateful that I had the opportunity. I may not feel happy about all this change all the time, some days are still terribly hard for me, but at least once a day I am able to be grateful for what I have and where I am.
There you go.
I guess we have been back in Switzerland for about three weeks now. We have done a lot of fun things. My favorite thing so far was going to the Busker's Festival. This is a yearly event that Bern hosts each summer. Downtown Bern turns into 20 small music stages and performers from all over the world come and perform live music, rain or shine. It's really a lot of fun. Thomas and I went with our new friends, Katie and Jeremy on a Friday night. (Katie and Jeremy are Americans working at the US Embassy in Bern.) We went out and enjoyed some drinks and live music. Not a bad Friday night. This night is virtually free as well, which isn't usually the case here. You can donate money to buy a wrist-band and that money goes to give the performers a free hotel room while they are here. At the end of each performance, they send baskets around to collect money for themselves. Very fun. It is on my list of things to do next year!
I also went on another hike with Katie. This one was a doozey. We hiked up to a small village called Wengen. This was an up-hill walk the whole way. I think it took us about an hour and a half to get to this village and we stopped every 15 minutes to catch our breath. Did I mention it was a hard hike? This was half way up. Look at that breath taking view.
Then when we made it to the village, we took a cable ride up to the Männlichen mountain. Incredible view up there! Once at the top, we bought a tasty beer and had a little picnic of bread and cheese. Incredible. Our hike wasn't done yet. We wanted to go up higher so we went to the peak. Wow! My heart was pumping! I counted 40 beats in 10 seconds, too high but don't worry, my heart didn't jump out of my chest.
We also went to a soccer game! Herzog has some pretty good seats at these games, right up front. I really do enjoy going to those games! YB won, that's the Bern team. Yippee!
This last Friday, Thomas and I went to an Open Air Movie Theater. It reminded me of a drive in movie theater. It was a great night. There was a grandstand for the seats and when it was dark out the screen made it's way up. We watched "It's Complicated" and that was a very funny movie. (Also on my list for next summer.)
Oh yeah, the movie was in English but with German subtitles. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Comedies are hard movies to watch here. There have been a few times that the actors say something funny, but I can't hear what because everyone else read the sub-titles and are laughing right when the actor says the punch line! I miss the punch line!
Thomas and I spent our Saturday at the river again. We had another picnic there and spent the day relaxing and enjoying the sun. I've been told not to expect any more days like that this summer. Sunday, I went to another river and laid out with Katie! It was a great weekend.
We also had a birthday party for Lucie! Happy Birthday Lucie! It was a nice evening with Thomas' family. I guess you could say it was my first dinner party with more than four people. I think it was a success!!
Work is going ok. It's going to be so much different than last year because we have a lot of new kids. On Fridays there is only one other student who speaks English so I feel a little left out and at a loss of what to do. Guess I should feel that way when I live in country other than America! Last year, we made a video for the Feusi web-site. It's finally on-line so I thought I would post the link. It's really sweet. This is what I do during the day!
http://www.feusi.ch/angebot/english-preschool/
Thomas and I have been back in Switzerland for about three weeks now. We had an incredible time in Nebraska! I was there for the whole month of July and Thomas came a week later and stayed for three weeks. We packed so many things in, I hope I can remember what we all did!
I brought Arwen back with me and I was kind of nervous taking her through customs. As I was getting out her Swiss passport to show the customs agent, I looked up and saw about six other agents standing around us. Before I could get to nervous, they all started asking questions about Arwen, I soon realized that they were just curious about her as a dog, the questions had nothing about her getting into the states. Shew.
The week before Thomas came, my wonderful friend Stephanie came to Nebraska. We didn't do too much, but had a lot of fun. Sorry I can't say more about what we did Steph, I had a lot of fun though!!!
The weekend Thomas came, I went camping with Lindsey and family. Again, we had a lot of fun. The last night there, a terribly large storm blew through. I thought I was going to die. My rain flap came off my tent right before the rain started, luckily. Once I went out to get that tied down, the rain came along with the wind. It went on for a long, long time. I was very happy when I woke up the next morning safe and dry. Later that evening, I went to Omaha to pick up Thomas!
During the next three weeks, we did too much shopping, hung out on the lake a lot, went golfing a few times, went to the shooting range where I got a bulls eye, moved a dock, celebrated our first anniversary, removed the wood flooring and put down new wood floor in the living room, taught Arwen to swim, hung out with some really great friends at my parent's house (Lindsey, Robyn AND Sheryl all on different days) and many many more things. I wish I could remember them all. Since my posts always seem to be too long, I thought I would just post some pictures that would sum up our trip better!
Now, we are back to working and living. School started last week for me so that has been keeping me busy, well kind of. I am only working three days a week. I work Wednesday through Friday. I had an interview at an English school, adults learning English as well as other languages. I was offered the job, but I didn't take it. I don't really know how I would good I would be at teaching adults, they kind of scare me! Truth be told, I am interested with working at the International School of Bern as a substitute. I just sent in all my paperwork and I am hoping I can work there two days a week. That would be a great way to get my foot in the door for the future.
Check back soon!
I don't even know where to begin about the last two weeks. Craig, Jamie, Conner and Abby came to Switzerland. It was their first time to Europe and I think they had a pretty good time! At least Thomas and I did. We did so many things, I will try to name them all.
They arrived on Sunday and the fun began, after they all took a nap of course. Monday, we went to downtown Bern to do a little shopping and some sightseeing. We went to see the Bern bears, went to the oldest church in Bern, the kids had some ice cream and the adults had a beer, saw the House of Parliament and many other things.
Then the next day we went to a village called Truammalbach Falle. It wasn't my first time to go to this waterfall, but it was my first time driving for about an hour without Thomas! We made it without any problems. It was a great day.
On the way home, we stopped at Lake Thun to just look around and relax.
I had to work on Wednesday so the Vokohtz's went to Montreux to see the Chillion Castle. Hopefully they will update their blog so you can read about that day!
The next day was Thursday and we started our adventure to Rome, what an amazing place. Everywhere you look is old ancient ruins. Incredible. One of the parents at my Preschool is an Italian so she had a lot of advice for us. She helped us find a very reasonably priced apartment with a kitchen and two bathrooms for the five of us (Sadly, Thomas couldn't come because he had school).
The first day we arrived, we had some time to just walk around and look around. Low and behold, the coliseum was about a five minute walk from our apartment. Nice. Before we went to see that amazing site, we needed some lunch. We found a pizzeria and enjoyed the first of our many pizza's. I could get used to eating pizza every day again. :-)
So, the first day there we went to the coliseum. Someone asked if wanted a guided tour, which meant no line waiting. This package included the Coliseum and Palatine Hill. We agreed and it was a great decision. We learned a lot, a lot, a lot. If you ever go to Rome, I suggest taking the tours.
The next day we went to the Vatican and had another amazing day. We attempted to do everything without the tour guide, but quickly changed our minds since we felt a little lost inside. Again, the tour was the best part. We saw many things and learned even more. The way to the Sistine Chapel was amazing as well as the chapel itself. I think that was the best part of the trip. I had a vision in my mind what it would look like and I didn't give it enough credit. It was beautifully amazing.
Another favorite part of the Vatican was in the Tapestry rooms. These rugs were made to protect the art work, but after 150 years or so, people realized that the rugs were artworks themselves. This one in particular was incredible. Jesus' eyes follow you as you walk by, but somehow his whole body turns as you walk. It's really neat, something we wouldn't have noticed if we didn't have the guide.
We also learned a little about the Swiss guards.
Switzerland sends their military to the Vatican to protect it. They wear very funny uniforms. Anyhoo, the guide said the guys have to speak five languages fluently, are allowed out of their dorms to work and they can leave the premises only five nights in a month. Demanding job, but I hear the pay is extremely well once they are done since they are representing Switzerland.
While there, we also went to the Trevi fountain and we all made a wish (Jamie and I wished for the same thing, but I'm not at liberty to tell)
It was Jamie's birthday while we were there so we all went out to eat at a restaurant my friend recommended, she knows the owner. He treated us very well. It was fun!
We did so much more and had so much fun, but it's hard to write it all down. We had a lot of good food (Thanks Craig), the adults drank plenty of wine (yum!) and we laughed a lot. They are a great family to vacation with! AND thanks again for letting me tag along Craig and Jamie!!
So, that is all for this post. Once again, stay tuned for the remaining time of their trip. Even though it was their vacation and I had to work, I feel that I was on vacation also. It was fun! fun!! fun!!!
Oh, I must say these pictures were taken by Craig or Conner. Since I knew I was photographers, I left my camera at home. Thanks for letting me steal these!!!
(click on any picture to see more)
Last weekend, Thomas and I joined our newest American friends, Katie and Jeremy, on a fun hike! We drove for about an hour and then the hike began. It was a pretty tough hike, both ways. It was about seven miles in all and took us about an hour and a half to get to the lake. This lake was beautiful and well worth the hike up. The lake was surrounded by mountains, some which were covered with snow and glaciers and others that were lush with green grass and flowers. I should also mention all the waterfalls! There were at least five all around us and behind us.
There was also a restaurant and hotel. You can hike up the path or you can take a covered lift up. We chose the walk and it was well worth it! Once we got to the lake, we walked away from the hotel and had a little picnic on the lake, by ourselves.
Arwen joined us and did great! She loved it and once we got to the lake, she spend the whole time splashing around in the water. She is a good hiking dog.
Enjoy the pictures!
Click on a picture to see more!
One more thing, Craig and Jamie will be here on Sunday! We have a lot planned so stay tuned!
"Come here and see the work of God, it's so wonderful! "
What a great weekend . . .
We had a three day weekend and we utilized the free time very well. Saturday afternoon, Thomas and I drove to Interlaken, this is a very touristy village about 45 minutes from here. We walked along the river, walked around the town, went to Hooters and took a rail car up a mountain. All in all, a pretty good day. I have been looking for a Chicken Sandwich in this country since the day I moved here. Well, I finally found one. Hooters even has a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, my favorite! It's funny, I have never been to a Hooters in the US, but I sure liked it here!
Now, I thought that would be the best part of the day, but we did something which was better. We took a rail car up the side of a mountain to a restaurant. This restaurant was built more that 100 years. We didn't eat up there, but we enjoyed the view and had a beer. Not bad.
On Monday, the weather was so beautiful, we decided to go on a picnic at the river! We packed some sandwich stuff in the picnic basket, packed Arwen in the car and headed to the river. We had a great day playing with Arwen and finally enjoying the sun.
So, there are a few things that Thomas and I are looking forward to! Here begins the time of busy/fun living. Craig, Jamie, Conner and Abby are coming to Switzerland in June! They will be here for two weeks and we have a lot planned. I will have to work most of the time they are here, but I was able to take a few days off. During those days, we are going to ROME for five days!!! I am so excited! Too bad for Thomas though, he can't come the entire time because of work and school. We are hoping that he can come for two or three days, not sure though.
A week after Craig and Jamie leave, I am off to Nebraska!! I will be there for the Fourth of July and I will be leaving July 31st. Arwen is coming with us too!! Thomas will be following a week later. We are going to Nebraska separately but will be coming back to Switzerland together.
THEN, three months after that, my parents are coming back to Switzerland to see me and their favorite son-in-law.
Many things to look forward to!
Thomas and I are so lucky to have wonderful mothers! We are very appreciative for what you both have done for us. We love you!!!
Last night I went to the US Embassy in Switzerland. They were having a Cinco de Mayo party! It was complete with yummy nachos made from Velveeta cheese, tacos, the best chicken enchilada's I have ever tasted and a Mariachi Band. I think American's were still the minority, but it was a lot, a lot of fun. I went with my co-workers, ran into many of the American children I work with (and their parents) and met my other Swiss/American couple, Annie and Andrew, there, along with Katie, an American who is here for two more years. It was just a fun evening!
I forgot to mention that there were some tasty margaritas.
That's it!
