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.