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!
What a crazy two weeks! Thomas and I left Switzerland two weeks ago to visit my amazing country and family! During those two weeks we were in Omaha shopping, Norfolk visiting my grandma, in Lincoln to see the VoKohtz's and friends, Kearney to see the Kohtz's, New York City, Georgia, North Carolina and Amsterdam. Shew. It was BUSY!!!
We spent the first week in Columbus with my parents. We went shopping with my mom, tried to golf with my dad and we did shoot blue rocks. The best part of the Blue Rocks is when my dad got out the pistol. I had a lot of fun shooting that! (I was also the first one to hit the target, I'm just saying.)
We also did a little fishing. Thomas needed to learn so he can go with the boys this summer on a little fishing trip. He picked it up right away, not much to fishing. He even caught a fish, his very first fish!! I think my dad caught three and I caught four or five? (Again, just thought I would get that out there.)
Thomas also went to the airport with my dad for a day. I think my dad worked him pretty hard, and Thomas loved every minute of it. Dad, Thomas wants to help again in July . . .
We went to Lincoln to do a little shopping, see some friends and hang out with Craiger and family. Craig made me the best chicken sandwich! Yum! While we were in Lincoln, I met my new God-Son, East Matthew Brian Sample. He's a little sweetheart!!
Some of my friends who are still around Lincoln met up with at Brewskys for dinner and then we went out downtown. I think it's safe to say we all had a lot of fun!
We all LOVE Thomas!!
As usual, we headed to Kearney to see the family there. Lauren asked me in February if Thomas could be her show and tell. Her teacher liked this idea and asked if he would teach the kids some words in German. So, Thomas and I read the The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the kids (I read in English, he read in German) and then we taught them the color words in German. We finished by playing Color Bingo and the kids got some Swiss Chocolate when they won. It was a pretty fun morning, I liked being in the classroom again. :-) We also stayed and had lunch with Lauren, we sat at the special table, and then we went out to recess with her class. I had fun and I think some little girls fell in love with Thomas. They were following him around and holding his hands. It was pretty sweet.
Since it is Brayden's birthday very soon, we gave him his present while we were there. Thomas wanted to buy him Legos (I think just so Thomas could help him put it together). I think Brayden loved his present, and the two boys spent a good hour putting it all together.
Here is a picture of Lauren doing her impression of Thomas "dancing." It's pretty hilarious when Lauren dances like this. (Sorry dad, we all think it's funny, Thomas included . . . )
So, our vacation didn't end there, but this blog does. I will update again soon. . .
To be continued!
I haven't written anything for a while, but things have changed. I don't know when or how but I think I am starting to feel at home in Switzerland. I went home to Nebraska for a week and after that one week I was actually ready to get back to Thomas, my life, and my house. That's a good feeling. I didn't cry at the airport this time, I didn't feel that I was abandoning anyone, I was ready.
On the other hand, Nebraska was fun! I was worried about one week and it not being long enough. It was actually the perfect amount of time. I did some shopping with my mom, hung out with some friends in Lincoln, visited my grandma, annoyed my dad and spent two whole days with Lauren and Brayden. It was perfect!! I did A LOT of shopping while I was home. I am getting very good at packing and knowing when the suitcase is more than 50 pounds. Haven't gone over yet!
I was able to bring back 11 curtains from Pottery Barn! We wanted curtains for the first floor and we looked into getting some here but it would have cost 4,000 Francs, which is the same as $4,000. OUCH!!! I found some nice and MUCH cheaper ones at Pottery Barn and ordered them. I hung them up today and I LOVE them! Once they are ironed, I will post some pictures. I think the house looks great and I am very proud of our first home! Too bad only a handful of people will ever get here to see it. (Not making anyone feel guilty am I?)
The trip to Nebraska and back were amazingly fine. I missed the bad weather both ways. Going to Nebraska, I went through the Georgia airport, the snow followed a few days later. Coming back, I went through Ohio, missing the blizzards that hit Georgia and missing the blizzards that hit Nebraska by one day. Very lucky. Because I went through Ohio, I had to stop in Paris for a connection. There, I did have some trouble. That is a big and confusing airport. Our plane landed around 9:00 in the morning. After a long taxi (20 minutes), we had to take a bus to the terminal. THEN, when we got to the terminal, I looked at the screen and it said the Zurich flight left from terminal 1. So, I waited to take a bus to that terminal. I finally asked if it was right and the guy told me Terminal 2G, which was right up the stairs. I RAN and ran. it was about 9:30 by now. The plane was boarding. I went through passport control, the lady let me go through the business line where no one was, and ran some more. I saw signs that said 2G but they just disappeared. I finally asked someone who only spoke French and he pointed me to outside to wait for yet another bus. By the time I got to the terminal it 9:57. My plane took off at 9:50. Grrrr. I was able to get on the next flight which was at 1:05. It was good, frustrating and annoying, but good. Thomas met me at the airport with roses so it was getting better.
Guess that's all! A not too detailed update, but it's all I got.
Take care!
I am starting to pack! I'm coming home to the "Good Life" and I couldn't be more excited! I am packing almost nothing too. I am planning on coming home and getting LOTS of stuff. I am going shopping with my mom in Omaha and we will get a good lunch together. I'm also going shopping with my friend, Lindsey in Lincoln and getting a great lunch with her and an even better supper with some other friends! I hope we can make it to Norfolk to visit my grandma one day and get some Big Apple Bagels. It sounds like I am more excited for the food! (Not going to lie, I plan on eating a lot.)
The best part of this trip happens on Sunday. Lauren and Brayden are coming to Columbus and I am going to surprise them! They do not know I am coming!! Ryan and Jackie are going skiing the week I am home and Grandma and Grandpa are watching them on Thursday and Friday. Surprisingly, I will also be there! I am so excited to see the kids and to see their reactions when they see me. Hopefully, they are surprised and won't let me down.
I hope to get some good pictures!
Robyn, I'm sorry that you have parent teacher conferences. I will be missing you and thinking of you!
Well, I am back in Switzerland and doing great. I think while I was home, I made myself believe that I was unhappier than I really I am. OR (this thought just came to me) I realized that only I can myself happy. And as someone said this past week, "I chose this life and it is up to me to be happy or not." I am choosing to suck it up, get over the cultural hump and start living life. So, day two is going great!
Anyhoo, I want to share everything that I did while in Nebraska! (Nebraska will always be the best place ever!) I was in Nebraska for two weeks. I went to the farmer's Market, tailgated, watched a Husker's football game, enjoyed plenty of American food, went blue rock shooting with my dad, saw my grandma, went shopping and shopping with my mom, finished Christmas shopping and my Christmas letter, had Thanksgiving dinner, was scared out of eating red meat again, picked up my finished wedding pictures, went swimming with Lauren and Brayden, played Super Mario Brothers with Conner, only broke down to tear three times, had plenty of family time and plenty of friend time, read to Brayden's preschool class, had two pedicures (the first one smudged), picked up all that I needed to scrapbook with Jackie's help, and bought some Sharpies (teehee). It was a perfect two weeks. Just what I needed. To my surprise, coming back to Switzerland was easier than I thought, after the tears in the airport after I walked away from my dad.
I guess that is all I am going to say. Maybe the pictures will sum up my first trip to the place I will always call home. Enjoy!
PS. The house is finally coming together. We spent all day hanging things up and getting things in order. SO, tomorrow AFTER church, I will post some pictures!
More photos here.
I had another great weekend in Lincoln. I ate out with my friends, had a few drinks, went to the farmer's market, did some shopping and hung out with some great friends. I also saw Craig, Jamie, Conner and Abby. I played Super Mario Brothers for a while (I'm better than Conner), went grocery shopping with Craiger, I tried to eat a Juicy Lucie, but I saw something while it was cooking that I should not have seen. It was hard telling them all goodbye, an hour of tears followed that goodbye. I ended my weekend with a yummy breakfast with Stephanie and Brian and then I drove to Kearney.
Anyways, as I walked into Ryan and Jackie's house, I was attacked by two sweet kids! Lauren took me to her room to listen to the song that reminds her of the wedding. It was the first song played after the formal dances. Anyone remember? Lauren does. It was "Tonight's gonna be a good night!" It was fun.
Then, I just had to give the kids some gifts. I brought some Swiss chocolate, some erasers for Brayden and a notebook for Lauren. I also brought some Silk Superman Boxers for Brayden. They were Thomas' but he didn't want them. Turns out, that Brayden just loves them!
My parents also came to Kearney today. We had some pizza hut and just hung out. It was a good day.
More photos here.
I have been home for one week and I have loved every minute of it. I have been to Lincoln, Columbus, Omaha, Norfolk and York this week. I have seen family and friends, I have been shopping with my mom and I have watched football with friends. The Huskers won by the way! I have had lunch with my dad, with my grandma and Aunt, had dinner with my entire family (minus Thomas-we missed him) and I have bought a lot of clothes.
The rest of my time home will be spent with more friends and family. I will be in Lincoln and Kearney. I am thinking going home to Switzerland is going to be challenging, but being away from Thomas is difficult too. It's hard being pulled in two different directions.
Enjoy the pictures! More to come soon!
More Photos Here.
I made it back to Nebraska in one piece. I woke up in Switzerland on Thursday at 5:15 to start the journey. We left the house at 6:15 to drive to the airport. I arrived in Omaha 23 and a half hours later. What a long day. Then I still had the drive home to Columbus!
So, today is Friday and I am enjoying being lazy in bed with good tv. I miss all the shows in English. Soon, I am going to get some lunch with my dad. Then it's off to Lincoln to hang out with good friends and watch some Husker football tomorrow. I am so happy to be here.
It's weird to be back where I was before the wedding! Thomas and I are on a 7 hour time difference and we are already back to texting and e-mailing one another. I surely don't miss that.
I'm off to enjoy my time in Nebraska! I love this place.
Oh, the Governor of Nebraska is Dave Heineman.
