So I apologize once again for the lack of effort in posting pictures. I'm so far behind! I just wanted to let you know that I am now on my fourth week of classes - with only three school days left. As I look back, I can't believe how fast the time has flown by, but how amazing my experiences here in Switzerland have been! I just got off of Skype with Aunt KK and mom, and they have officially left Houston, headed for Paris, and then here to Geneva. I can't wait to see them! I still have a paper to write, but it will get done - hopefully!
Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers. I am looking forward to finally being in my own bed and having a bathtub to soak in, but until then, I'm going to enjoy the rest of my time here, and have a fabulous time touring other parts of Europe with mom and KK.
Have a blessed day and I will post pictures soon! (I'm hoping I will at least!)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
The first few days in Leysin
I know this is long overdue, but I thought I would start trying to post some pictures from my adventures here in Switzerland. I'll start off today, with pictures from my first few days here. 
These are pictures from a church below where we are staying.
The Journey Down...
The weather can get a bit dreary and chilly - but can also offer a beautiful rainbow!
The next few pictures are of the inside of the "Grand Hotel" - where we eat, sleep, and attend classes.
These are pictures from a church below where we are staying.
The Journey Down...
The weather can get a bit dreary and chilly - but can also offer a beautiful rainbow!
The next few pictures are of the inside of the "Grand Hotel" - where we eat, sleep, and attend classes.This is the banquet hall.
The Mac Computer lab - I've only been in there once! Everyone brings their own laptops.
The cafeteria.
The banquet hall windows.
My floor - I am in room #356 - last room on your left!
This is the view from my balcony, which is connected to everyone else's on my floor. I try to study out there, but can't seem to get anything accomplished - it is so beautiful!
My Bedroom
First Sunday evening in Leysin - we were greeted by the Director of the Leysin American School, and enjoyed some history of the building, and BBQ!
Sunday afternoon Kirsty and I took a walk down to Leysin Village - it was quite a hike!
It's great going down the hills - but this is what you constantly see trying to go back up!
A special treat for us at the bottom of the hill - thankfully, Kirsty speaks French!
The train station.
Another beautiful view!
So there are a few pictures of my first few days here. Come back tomorrow for some pictures form the first week of class!
The Mac Computer lab - I've only been in there once! Everyone brings their own laptops.
The cafeteria.
The banquet hall windows.
My floor - I am in room #356 - last room on your left!
This is the view from my balcony, which is connected to everyone else's on my floor. I try to study out there, but can't seem to get anything accomplished - it is so beautiful!
My Bedroom
First Sunday evening in Leysin - we were greeted by the Director of the Leysin American School, and enjoyed some history of the building, and BBQ!Sunday afternoon Kirsty and I took a walk down to Leysin Village - it was quite a hike!
It's great going down the hills - but this is what you constantly see trying to go back up!
A special treat for us at the bottom of the hill - thankfully, Kirsty speaks French!
The train station.
Another beautiful view!
So there are a few pictures of my first few days here. Come back tomorrow for some pictures form the first week of class!Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Life in Leysin
Let me first apologize for my lack of blogging. Since I first arrived here in Leysin it's been nonstop, and although I've taken a ton of pictures, I just haven't had a chance to sit down and post them. If you have a Facebook account, most of them are there, so check it out if you can. My class this week is a bit intense, so I'm doubting I'll have an opportunity to post some this week, but thankfully have the weekend free and will try my best to get them up here. I can't believe my time here is coming to an end and mom and Aunt KK will actually be here in one week! The end is in sight, but there is a lot to do to get there!
Thank you all for your prayers and support. I couldn't do this without you. God is definitely at work in my life right now, and I ask that you keep everyone here in your prayers. We're all feeling a bit overwhelmed!
It's off to breakfast for me - another long day of Language Diversity and a Research Paper to work on all evening. Oh the joys of being a student!
Until next time, take care and God bless.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. I couldn't do this without you. God is definitely at work in my life right now, and I ask that you keep everyone here in your prayers. We're all feeling a bit overwhelmed!
It's off to breakfast for me - another long day of Language Diversity and a Research Paper to work on all evening. Oh the joys of being a student!
Until next time, take care and God bless.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
I made it!
The last 24 hours have truly been filled with blessings. It all began when I went to the airport, checked in, had absolutely no problems with luggage or paperwork, and sat down at my gate with an hour and a half to spare. The plane ride to Paris was uneventful, although I did watch four movies! I was very impressed with their selection this ride, and I finally made my 10th trip to Paris yesterday! Yeah, I know, I've been to Paris 10 times and have yet to get off the grounds of the airport! I made my way to my next gate, while visiting with a woman and her grandson who also came from Houston and were heading to Holland for a month where they had family. The boy was in 5th grade, and we had a lot of fun talking.
My next flight was only about an hour long, and I ended up on the plane with two of my professors from previous classes! They didn't recognize me, which I thought was quite funny! I guess my hard work this year has paid off, and even today they were still making comments about how much weight I've lost!
So I finally made it to Geneva, bags were there, perfect timing, I went to the LAS help desk, along with a bunch of kids going to summer camp at the same school, and put my name down for the free bus ride to the school. Little did I know how long the wait would be, but I did discover I could call from my cell phone, and although I'm sure it will cost me a pretty penny, I called mom to let her know I made it to Geneva. Thankfully, I found a friend at the airport, Carolyn, who was also with the Endicott Program, and was beginning her first summer. She flew in from Boston, so we were both dragging a bit. Thankfully, there was room for us on the bus to the school, and for the next two hours, we sat in front of Russian kids that wouldn't stop chatting! God sure has a sense of humor.
The ride the to the school was breathtaking. As we rode around Lake Geneva, the views were amazing, and unfortunately, I wasn't in the mood to dig for my camera, so you'll just have to see it for yourself sometime! We got to the main campus, had to switch cars, and a lady who works for the school drove us up the mountain a bit more to where we are now. It's quiet, peaceful, and secluded. The rooms, which I have failed to take a picture of are like hotel rooms. My views are amazing, and I am ready to get started!
I ran into a few old friends yesterday, but am excited to see Kirsty and Hanaa today! Everything is at our fingertips here - I only have to go three floors down for the cafeteria and class, but when venturing out, it is only uphill or downhill. So much for me worrying about not getting enough exercise! I should be in really good shape by the time I get back home!
These next four weeks are going to be busy with class, but I am thankful for the old and new friends I have met, and for the beautiful scenery that I can enjoy. I have been thoroughly blessed in my preparations of getting here, and for all the many prayers along the way.
I have updated my Facebook page with more pictures, but if you don't have Facebook, here are a few that I took in the past 24 hours. Enjoy!
This is the view from my bedroom when I arrived yesterday. They supposedly had a storm come in, and the clouds were still lingering in the sky.
This is the building where we are staying.
This is the end of the building where my bedroom is...I am on the third floor, on the corner. We have a great balcony!
This is the train station. In downtown Leysin you get on a cogtrain, which takes you up the mountain to here, close to where we are staying.
The flowers are gorgeous!
They told us the views would be better this morning, and they were right! These were all taken this morning, from my bedroom window.
My next flight was only about an hour long, and I ended up on the plane with two of my professors from previous classes! They didn't recognize me, which I thought was quite funny! I guess my hard work this year has paid off, and even today they were still making comments about how much weight I've lost!
So I finally made it to Geneva, bags were there, perfect timing, I went to the LAS help desk, along with a bunch of kids going to summer camp at the same school, and put my name down for the free bus ride to the school. Little did I know how long the wait would be, but I did discover I could call from my cell phone, and although I'm sure it will cost me a pretty penny, I called mom to let her know I made it to Geneva. Thankfully, I found a friend at the airport, Carolyn, who was also with the Endicott Program, and was beginning her first summer. She flew in from Boston, so we were both dragging a bit. Thankfully, there was room for us on the bus to the school, and for the next two hours, we sat in front of Russian kids that wouldn't stop chatting! God sure has a sense of humor.
The ride the to the school was breathtaking. As we rode around Lake Geneva, the views were amazing, and unfortunately, I wasn't in the mood to dig for my camera, so you'll just have to see it for yourself sometime! We got to the main campus, had to switch cars, and a lady who works for the school drove us up the mountain a bit more to where we are now. It's quiet, peaceful, and secluded. The rooms, which I have failed to take a picture of are like hotel rooms. My views are amazing, and I am ready to get started!
I ran into a few old friends yesterday, but am excited to see Kirsty and Hanaa today! Everything is at our fingertips here - I only have to go three floors down for the cafeteria and class, but when venturing out, it is only uphill or downhill. So much for me worrying about not getting enough exercise! I should be in really good shape by the time I get back home!
These next four weeks are going to be busy with class, but I am thankful for the old and new friends I have met, and for the beautiful scenery that I can enjoy. I have been thoroughly blessed in my preparations of getting here, and for all the many prayers along the way.
I have updated my Facebook page with more pictures, but if you don't have Facebook, here are a few that I took in the past 24 hours. Enjoy!
This is the view from my bedroom when I arrived yesterday. They supposedly had a storm come in, and the clouds were still lingering in the sky.
This is the building where we are staying.This is the end of the building where my bedroom is...I am on the third floor, on the corner. We have a great balcony!
This is the train station. In downtown Leysin you get on a cogtrain, which takes you up the mountain to here, close to where we are staying.The flowers are gorgeous!They told us the views would be better this morning, and they were right! These were all taken this morning, from my bedroom window.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Just a Day
So I know this is going to be posted today, which in reality, I am referring to the day which ended an hour or two ago, but does it really matter?
It wasn't "just a day" I suppose, it was a day which started late, had its high points, its low points, and is ending much later than when it began. Due to going to bed around 3am the night previous, I was actually able to sleep until 8:30, was too lazy to get up, fell back asleep, and then drug myself out of bed around 10:45am. I had no definite plans for the day - there was a ton to do, but I just didn't have the desire! I spent the next few hours watching Jordan scramble to get everything together to head to Super Summer at UMHB, and took a few hours to catch up on the latest happenings of my Facebook friends - it has become such an addiction!
I said my goodbyes to Jordan, who I won't see for the next six weeks, and then sat in silence for the next few hours. I knew I had a birthday party to go to in the evening, so I literally sat on the couch, avoided everything that needed to be done, and accomplished nothing! HGTV has been great for relaxation and cat naps!
As I think back though, there is one thing I did get done - I wrote in my journal. This might not seem like a big deal to you, but to me, my journal is my lifeline, my place where all thoughts (or most of them) can stop circling in my head, and get written down. It's a place where I get it all out, my hopes, my fears, my frustrations, my dreams, and my prayers. I often read through past entries, which most often results in laughter, but there are those days when I look back and see all the great things God has done, and how he has answered my prayers in so many different ways - ways that I never thought possible.
Usually when I write in my journal, I read the previous day's entry and then start writing. What's happened though, is that in the past few weeks I have refused to write in my journal. The last entry I had was at the end of April, and that's crazy to say, seeing as how I had previously written in it almost every day! I know there is a deeper reason for me not picking it up, and much of it has to do with the fact that once I write something down, it becomes real - it becomes something that I will reread and have to relive in my mind. I know subconsciously I didn't want to write a lot of things down due to me reliving disappointment. If I don't write it - then it really didn't happen, right?! LOL, yeah, I sure wish that was the case! So the whole month of May and the first 18 days of June were missing from my journal, and I spent some time today writing. Writing about all the changes that have taken place in recent weeks - writing about the highs and the lows, writing about my prayers of discernment and contentment, writing about my fears of what is to come. I've missed writing in my journal, and although I have found some time to write on my blog, there is nothing like taking a pen and taking time to put thoughts to paper. I cherish the written word. I have cards saved from my grandparents who have passed on, and letters from old friends. I even have cards saved that my parents exchanged when they were married - they probably don't even know that! There is something to be said about taking the time to write, and I hope that I will soon resume the snail mail that I once was so passionate about writing.
So that is the randomness for the day - my main accomplishment was writing! :) I was able to go to Glorya's 66th Birthday, which was fantastic, and I have found time to stay up entirely too late once again. But I hve to say thank you dear blog, for giving me an outlet to share! For hopefully offering a laugh or insight into someone else's life. There are many pages left in that wonderful journal, and I look forward to picking it up once again and getting everything on paper - what a treasure my journals have been thus far!
I leave you tonight with a prayer of peace and contentment. Sweet dreams blog world!
It wasn't "just a day" I suppose, it was a day which started late, had its high points, its low points, and is ending much later than when it began. Due to going to bed around 3am the night previous, I was actually able to sleep until 8:30, was too lazy to get up, fell back asleep, and then drug myself out of bed around 10:45am. I had no definite plans for the day - there was a ton to do, but I just didn't have the desire! I spent the next few hours watching Jordan scramble to get everything together to head to Super Summer at UMHB, and took a few hours to catch up on the latest happenings of my Facebook friends - it has become such an addiction!
I said my goodbyes to Jordan, who I won't see for the next six weeks, and then sat in silence for the next few hours. I knew I had a birthday party to go to in the evening, so I literally sat on the couch, avoided everything that needed to be done, and accomplished nothing! HGTV has been great for relaxation and cat naps!
As I think back though, there is one thing I did get done - I wrote in my journal. This might not seem like a big deal to you, but to me, my journal is my lifeline, my place where all thoughts (or most of them) can stop circling in my head, and get written down. It's a place where I get it all out, my hopes, my fears, my frustrations, my dreams, and my prayers. I often read through past entries, which most often results in laughter, but there are those days when I look back and see all the great things God has done, and how he has answered my prayers in so many different ways - ways that I never thought possible.
Usually when I write in my journal, I read the previous day's entry and then start writing. What's happened though, is that in the past few weeks I have refused to write in my journal. The last entry I had was at the end of April, and that's crazy to say, seeing as how I had previously written in it almost every day! I know there is a deeper reason for me not picking it up, and much of it has to do with the fact that once I write something down, it becomes real - it becomes something that I will reread and have to relive in my mind. I know subconsciously I didn't want to write a lot of things down due to me reliving disappointment. If I don't write it - then it really didn't happen, right?! LOL, yeah, I sure wish that was the case! So the whole month of May and the first 18 days of June were missing from my journal, and I spent some time today writing. Writing about all the changes that have taken place in recent weeks - writing about the highs and the lows, writing about my prayers of discernment and contentment, writing about my fears of what is to come. I've missed writing in my journal, and although I have found some time to write on my blog, there is nothing like taking a pen and taking time to put thoughts to paper. I cherish the written word. I have cards saved from my grandparents who have passed on, and letters from old friends. I even have cards saved that my parents exchanged when they were married - they probably don't even know that! There is something to be said about taking the time to write, and I hope that I will soon resume the snail mail that I once was so passionate about writing.
So that is the randomness for the day - my main accomplishment was writing! :) I was able to go to Glorya's 66th Birthday, which was fantastic, and I have found time to stay up entirely too late once again. But I hve to say thank you dear blog, for giving me an outlet to share! For hopefully offering a laugh or insight into someone else's life. There are many pages left in that wonderful journal, and I look forward to picking it up once again and getting everything on paper - what a treasure my journals have been thus far!
I leave you tonight with a prayer of peace and contentment. Sweet dreams blog world!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Online Dating
So a friend sent me this link today, and I have thoroughly gotten a good laugh out of it! If you have ever ventured into the world of online dating, then you are sure to enjoy this clip!
http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/14029775
http://gmy.news.yahoo.com/v/14029775
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
4.0 and 49 lbs. gone!
So today I got the official news in the mail - I still have a 4.0! Hooray! I was a bit concerned with my GPA - it's been a tough semester, and although I was hoping I still had an A, I also know that I could have put more effort into it. With that said though, I can move on to my next classes and start fresh! This picture has been the 'wallpaper' on my computer this year, trying to offer me inspiration! So far it's worked, although at times I never thought I'd make it to Leysin!
This is also a video I found on youtube. It's advertising the Summer Camps they have at Leysin American School, where I will be. It looks like fun, and I'm hoping my classes will be as exciting as theirs! :) And now to the 49 lbs. So yeah, my goal was to lose 50 lbs. by the time school was out, and yeah, you see that that hasn't happened, but I still have faith, and as great as that glass of wine and cheesecake were the other day, and all the other wonderful treats I've eaten, I WILL hit my goal before I head out of town! :) Thankfully, I still have eight days!
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