no. 8

So a lot of things have happened in the past few days. It has been really pretty stressful, but it will be worth it in the long run.
On Tuesday, Michèle got an e-mail from the Swiss administration saying that my visa was accepted and that I could pick it up whenever. We called Sion to see when/where I could pick it up, more specifically if I could pick it up in Lyon, France the next day. Of course, our luck sucks. Turns out I had to go back to the States in order to pick up my visa. So, the next morning I got on a plane to Washington DC. I'm staying with my friend Ethan in La Plata, Maryland and it's been a good time.
Anyway, I finally picked up my visa yesterday. It looks really bad ass in my passport.

no. 7

Well, this weekend was absolute, pure insanity. I have done so much in the past 48 hours it's ridiculous. Let me tell you about it. (my pokemans, let me show you them.)
It all started Saturday during lunch with Michèle and Maurice. We were eating outside and Maurice mentioned something about how he saw a good American soul singer at the Montreux Jazz Festival a few days ago. Michèle said that I should go and forced 50 CHF in my hands. About a half an hour later, I'm on a train to Montreux, Switzerland. For those who don't know, Montreux is a part of what they call the "Swiss Riviera" and the Montreux Jazz Festival is one of the biggest musical festivals in the world. Deep Purple's song "Smoke on the Water" is about a fire in Montreux. Speaking of, Deep Purple played at the festival Saturday night.
So anyway, I get to Montreux and I was so overwhelmed by the beauty of it. I can honestly say it is probably one of the most beautiful places in the world. Do a Google Images search. Anyway, I'm there and it's gorgeous. I took a long walk through the outdoor shopping part of the festival which is quite literally on the shores of Lake Geneva. The lake isn't like any lake in the states. Meaning, it's like crystal clear water. It's like a sea or something. It's gorgeous. I eventually went to the actual festival and immediately got sucked into all it's glory. I didn't think I was going to stay for more than just the afternoon but as soon as I saw the program and walked through everything, I made the decision to stay up until 5 am to catch the train back to Sierre. I hung out at the outdoor stage and watched a big brass band from Maryland play and watched a Swiss hip hop group perform as well. I eventually went inside to the Montreux Jazz Club and got a beer and was sitting down relaxing my legs and feet when a guy from England with a Clash T-shirt came up and asked if I wanted to sit with him. He turned out to be really cool and we talked about punk and the school systems in the United States and in the UK. He was going to go see Deep Purple and he told me that he met a guy who was selling tickets if I wanted to go. We went to go find the guy, who was a security guard at the MJC, and it turns out he was just going to give him a free bracelet. So, I got the free bracelet. We went to go to Deep Purple and while on my way in they said the bracelet was for the hip hop show in the smaller auditorium, Miles Davis Hall. So I just went and it turns out that it was EPMD, Just Blaze, and Saigon. I got there in time to see the latter portion of Saigon's act and it was intense. I got a beer and just was hanging out and during Just Blaze's performance (which was absolutely amazing and provided more dance fun than any iQ night ever) I met two guys. One, Kyle, was from Chicago and works in Geneva, and the other, Keis, lives in Copenhagen and was on vacation with his mom. Turns out that they just met that night and were hanging out buying beers for each other. I joined their group and we dubbed ourselves a tripod. Those two are ridiculous and a lot of fun. So after the show, we went to the Montreux Jazz Club to drink more and be awesome. While we were there, we met a guy named Gabriel who lives in Montreux but is from somewhere in France. Keis was talking to him while Kyle asked me if he could wear my glasses so he could look more smart. We turned to Gabriel and asked him if Kyle looked any smarter and he stared at him and was like, "Um... nope. Not at all." From then on we became a big group of about 8 people. I met Gabriel's girlfriend and she was from Germany or from the northern part of Switzerland so she spoke German or something like that, but she was really cool too. So we're all hanging out, having a good time, being drunk, whatever. Eventually Kyle and I were just hanging out talking and making jokes and what not when all of a sudden we just couldn't breathe and our eyes started to water and we were coughing. Keis came up and was like, "Yeah I think we should get out of here, now. There was a huge fight just next to you guys and security used tear gas." What the hell? Hahah. I'm still wondering why I didn't see the fight. Then again, it was really crowded and loud, and I had a few beers in me.
After that, Keis went back to his hotel and Kyle and I caught the 5 am train to Geneva. We didn't get back to his apartment until almost 7 am. Quite literally, the sun was shining. We only got a few hours of sleep, but oh well. It was totally worth it. We got lunch / breakfast / brunch at a cute café by his apartment and then went on a walk to the park/lake. I saw the infamous fountain! Eventually Keis called us and we went to meet him and his mom at the Starbucks by the train station. We went on a long walk around all of Geneva. We saw generally everything we needed to see. Keis's mom is really cool and fun to talk to. We were talking about politics and differences and similarities between the USA and Denmark. They're really hoping that Obama becomes president because they feel like there will be hope for Denmark. I guess everything that America does, Denmark copies. Trends, government, movies, etc.
Basically, the whole weekend was fantastic. I'm so glad that I went to Montreux.

no. 6

Yesterday I rediscovered the glory of the library. In the past week, I've started and finished two books and I'm halfway through my third. I'm actually sitting here at the bibliothèque right now. I just checked out two books... in French. I'm going to start reading in French so then that way I'll learn quicker.
Well besides that, I'm in seriously deep thought concerning my future. I would go deeper into it but I'm only going to say one thing... I have someone to come home to that isn't just my family or my friends. It feels good, and my mom knows exactly how I feel. I want to ask her more questions about when she met my dad but I'm nervous about that.
I really should go to the Migros and get something to eat and then go try to find someone to get a drink with. I should start making friends here but it's so hard.

no. 5

So I'm a good week into my stay here in Switzerland. It's really interesting and I'm growing to like it a lot more. Michèle and I were talking yesterday after lunch about how close everything is... for instance, Italy is 2 hours away and I can see France from the deck. It's so crazy to think about that. I'm probably going to be going to Milan sometime soon because, well, I can!
I've been thinking a lot about my future lately. As some of my closest friends know, that's sort of a big deal. I never think that far in advance. But anyway, I'm actually thinking of going back to school. I want to be engaged in discussions about something to do with literature or the politics of society. I'm not positive on where I want to go specifically, or even if I want to go back to school as soon as I get back to the States, so really who knows what will happen. It's just an idea or two.
In other news, I am seriously craving my ukulele. I had absolutely nothing going on last night and all I wanted to do was play. It was a perfect night to sit on a bench outside and play my baby uke looking over the Swiss Alps. I should have brought it on the plane with me, but my mother insisted it would be too much. No, not really. But oh well. I'm just anxiously waiting for it to arrive via La Poste.
I don't do anything in my free time. I should be traveling, but every morning I have to do stupid little things. I want to be in Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, Milan, anywhere in Europe.

no. 4

Salut encore!
I'm writing this post from the terrace of a bar/café in Crans. It's so ridiculously nice out, but in the shade it's a little chilly. That isn't a big deal, though.
Last night Michèle et moi went to a brass band / chorus concert with some of her friends. The concert is a part of a series that has bands from America come and perform. They happen twice a week and each time it's a different state or part of the country (New England). Last night, Minnesota played. It was fine. Hanging out with Michèle and her friends was the best part. The band was a little off tempo and the chorus sang only religious songs. Yay "God"? I'm glad Michèle agrees with me on the ridiculousness of the Catholic church. The only good thing about the concert was that someone from St. Mary's college played a song by Mozart on the piccolo and it was absolutely beautiful.
Today I went on a hike in the mountains. Um, I can't even begin to explain how gorgeous it was so look at my Flickr for pictures. http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasteques/
My legs kind of hurt now but, oh well. Life goes on.
I seriously want the waitress to come back so I can get something to eat. I'm starrrving.

no. 3

Things are basically a roller coaster. I have just a few minutes to try to type out what the hell happened the past few days.
I have done my fair share of crying and carrying-on, and in all reality I just want to go home. And by home I mean the road. I have this urge (thanks to Mr. Kerouac) to take whatever I have and book it. I want to travel all around the world. I want to have no boundaries and no plans and just go wherever life leads me. But instead, I'm here. Still here. I mean, I couldn't be in a better place. Italy, France, Germany and Austria are all a matter of a few hours travel away. I just wish I didn't have to work.
Anyway, Saturday night I was bored and decided to (wo)man up and go out. I went to this Café-Bar place and sat outside with a cup of café noir and read my book. After an hour or so, a guy named Alan from Paris started talking to me. It was rather funny. His English wasn't that great and my French isn't that great so our conversation must have sounded humorous. "I don't understand" and "Je ne comprends pas" were common phrases. Oh, I have to mention that he still, to this moment, thinks that my name is Carla.
Antoine is at summer camp right now for two weeks. It's a lot less stressful. I just had to do a few things around the house this morning and now I'm waiting to start lunch. I'm never really hungry at lunch time and Michèle is so it's a rather interesting sight. After lunch, she is showing me how to do laundry and then we're going to drive down to Sierre and go shopping at the Migros (grocery store) down there. I am kind of excited about that because I seriously need to make my apartment more "homey". I also can't wait until my mom sends my ukulele.
I didn't accomplish what I wanted to with this post. It isn't a big deal, though. I need to go clean and cut tomatoes.

no. 2

So, a lot of things have changed since my last post.
Currently, I am an emotional train wreck. Yeah. It's actually really terrible. Then again, I'm exaggerating the terrible part. I just feel completely overwhelmed. There are so many things that I've never had to do i.e. take care of a child, create a menu for a family for lunch (not dinner), drive a manual car, speak French, use foreign currency, etc. Really, the little jobs I have to do aren't the problem. Neither is Antoine. It's the mom that I'm worried about. I try to do something right and somehow I do it wrong and she gets so frustrated with me and yells... but what does she expect? It's my 3rd day here and I don't know French and I have never done anything like this before. I'm not some super hero nanny on steroids. I don't know what I'm supposed to do, I don't know what they like and don't like, I have no clue. She expects a lot from me so soon. I'm not capable of giving her that.
And as much as I thought I'd never miss America, I seriously miss my family and my friends. I want to be able to ride bikes to Escape and take day trips to Chicago and be able to drive to Louisville. I don't know. I'm so nervous and frustrated and scared.
On the plus side, it's beautiful still. Don't think that will change anytime soon. I also met a girl from Cannes and she is really cool. I might go out with her tonight, I'm not sure. I know that if I'm still here when the Cannes Festival is going on, I'm going to go visit her and go to that with her. Also next weekend, I'm going to Zürich and hanging out with Martin. I'm excited about that! Oh and Susie is in Geneva for the next two weeks and then going to Italy to be with her boyfriend Marco, I might go hang out with her at either place sometime soon. I want to see Europe, I just am having a hard time being here in Aminona.
I met the neighbors today, well the dad (Stephane) and the little girl. They're really cool and super nice. They are vegetarians and musicians... Stephane plays the piano and sings. I told him I play the ukulele so maybe once I get that sent over, him and I can "jam sesh". Maybe I'll learn how to play the piano as well as speak French.
Anyway, who knows where I'll be come two weeks from now. I don't want to plan on anything besides traveling right now. My mind doesn't think that far in advance when it comes to big decisions. I've also been thinking a lot about my future (ha, imagine that) and I definitely want to stick with writing and reading and what not. Speaking of, I'm currently reading On The Road by Jack Kerouac. I love it.
And now, a quote.

"And indeed there will be time
For the yellow smoke that slides along the street,
Rubbing its back upon the window-panes;
There will be time, there will be time
To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet;
There will be time to murder and create,
And time for all the works and days of hands
That lift and drop a question on your plate;
Time for you and time for me,
And time yet for a hundred indecisions,
And for a hundred visions and revisions,
Before the taking of a toast and tea."

no. 1

7/9/08
Because I don’t have internet connection in my new Swiss apartment, I’m going to write my journals on a Word document and then post them in this blog once I get to Michèle’s or to an internet café.

Anyhow, let me throw out a little background information.
My name is Cara and I am 19 years old. Born in Cincinnati, raised (mostly) in Madison, currently living in Aminona, Valais, Switzerland. For the past 10 years or so, I’ve absolutely despised school. I didn’t like middle school; I hated high school; I dropped out of college (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee) after my first semester. After I dropped out, I worked at an upscale salon, spa, “and yoga” called ANiU Salon, Spa, and Yoga as a receptionist. I absolutely loved my job there. I met great people and made great friends, and not to mention that the perks were great. My hair hasn’t looked this good in… ever. I worked there for a little more than six months.
About two months ago, I was trying to find myself a way to get the hell out of Madison. I mean Madison is great, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that when you’ve lived there for half your life, you get real sick of it. There are only so many things you can do. Anyway, I seriously wanted out of there. I started to search my mind, and the Internet, for possibilities. First I thought I would move to Louisville, where the majority of my family is from. Then I thought that perhaps that wouldn’t be worth it because I already know enough people there, so I thought maybe I should move to Denver. But no, didn’t feel like it. After that, I decided I would take a month off of work and travel and live in hostels in southern France. No, too expensive. But then, one night I was brainstorming before I went to bed, and ah ha! I came up with the idea of being an aupair. I would get paid, travel, and become fluent in French! Score
So I did. And now here I am. I am taking care of a little boy named Antoine. He is 7 years old and a little bundle of energy. He is adorable. The mother is Michèle and she is an amazing person. She is so nice and very funny. She rents out apartments for people going on holiday. I couldn’t have asked for a better family to work with/for. I have an apartment where Michèle works and that is just so nice. I get paid 800 CHF a month and I have my own little Fiat Panda 4x4 to scoot around town with.
So far, I am absolutely loving this. I can’t even begin to describe how beautiful the Alps are. I am an hour away from the Matterhorn and two hours away from Mont Blanc. It’s super sunny but the air is fairly cold. It’s nice, though. I’m already a little sunburned on my nose.
The only thing that is frustrating is that I’m not that great at French yet. I’m learning slowly. Being completely surrounded by everything being in either French or German, is definitely helping though. Antoine goes to camp in a few days so I plan on taking a few French lessons. I also plan on traveling to Geneva or to Zurich.
I’m pretty tired… I just got in to Switzerland yesterday evening and jetlag is still there. I think I’m going to go watch TV and fall asleep. I have a lot of things to do tomorrow.