Hello friends,
Can you believe it’s been three weeks since I have been in Switzerland? I can’t either.
In a way, our days move slowly with classes starting from 8:15 in the morning and ending at 6 in the evening. The days are filled with simple moments like petting a cat on the way to class, finding the shortcuts to get up the mountain, and hearing the sound of bells on sheep grazing on the side of the hill. And then when we walk down the mountain at the end of the day, we can admire the view of the city from above. It’s quintessential Swiss, and a very sweet way of life.
I enjoy this daily rhythm very much, and have adopted back good habits such as going to a workout class, cooking most of my meals at home, and walking or taking the bus everywhere. Last night, I took the bus by myself without Michaela to go to Bible study, and the Molls gave me a ride home afterwards since it was already dark. It was very kind of them.
The evenings in Switzerland can feel a little hard to adjust too since after a week or two of arriving here, I have stopped going to social events since they all involve drinking, something I don’t necessarily want to do when I am here. With this said, I am charging my iPad and Kindle so I can get back to reading this week. Today, I was resuming Disciplines of a Godly Woman, and was reminded how “godliness with contentment is great gain.”
Traveling plans are also taking shape, week by week. The funnest news: I learned that my friend Blair would be visiting me! Blair is a close friend of mine who lives in Virginia, and she is taking 1.5 weeks off work to travel Europe with me! What? Can you believe it? Me neither. I’m simply pumped. We’re open to suggestions, but we have some fun and amazing locations on our travel list, and I’m just excited to see her again not so long after having her in Texas for my birthday in August.
This weekend, I am going to the little historic town of Arbon by Lake Konstanz. They have a Friday market that I am excited to try, and I’d just like to take some gentle strolls outdoors, since many in the program, including me, this past week have gone ill. Taking medicine and feeling better, but hoping I’ll be strong enough to hike Sealpsee tomorrow.
Okay, it’s me again! Arbon was such a good time! Even though the market was NOT happening (I was slightly confused), I got some gruyere cheese and grapes and sat by the water to watch the swans 🙂 The town was medieval and very pretty, but for some reason it was a little empty… anyway, it was worth the sunny day outside with the half fare discount! I am preparing for an interview in about an hour and then Michaela and I will be going to… Austria!!! Can’t believe I’m saying that. I’m so excited! Can’t wait to bring you all along 🙂
So… we didn’t go to Austria, because Michaela has a shift (she’s a nurse) starting at 10pm and she barely slept last night. However, we got some food and sat at the Abbey square, and that was really good (I’ve always wanted to do that). After we said bye, I took the lift up the ponds again to watch the sunset, which is something I’ve always wanted to do as well. The past couple days we have had completely perfect weather, and my heart sinks a little thinking about the cold months up ahead. I want to remember St. Gallen in the sun, sparking and shining, with full leaves on the tree and cows grazing on green pastures.
I then had some work to do, and I was able to be much more productive having spent the whole day walking and climbing and exploring St. Gallen and Arbon. Tomorrow, some friends and I are going to Sealpsee, a beautiful lake 40 minutes away from here, which is one of the most, if not the most, popular hiking locations in this region. I’m going with some friends I made when I first came here, so I’m pretty excited. And then I have a movie night with V and Emily scheduled for the evening, so I’m just going to cozy up with a rom com and hopefully a snack, like we’ve always done, after the hike.
What else is happening this week? I listened to Forrest Frank non-stop (honorable mentions: Safe and Sound, Miracle Worker), burned through my cinnamon apple candle (already), and bought some fluffy slippers for the cold winter. I read Disciplines of a Godly woman, took my first German class (it was pretty fun), and overall had great sleep after finally overcoming jetlag (praise God).
I thought about moving to Switzerland a lot this past week, especially after taking a career workshop with the university. However, I know that soon, the sun will go away and I will no longer feel the same about the country. I am a warm weather girl through and through, even though I’ve learned to adapt to the cold (shout out to my heated blanket and personal heater – I need extreme measures). I am excited to have another fresh start once my MBA is over and hopefully considering some warmer states.
That is all, folks. Quick update, packed with action. Not mentioned: lots of chocolate in between.
Love,
Tram
simply homemaker 
Leave a comment