Week Two In Geneva

I've decided that I need to start a "Who Knew" book of interesting things that I have discovered while getting situated here in Geneva. The one I will share this week is: "Who knew that if one earns more than a certain amount of money in a year they can't open a regular bank account, but are escorted upstairs where they are serviced by their "personal banker?" That was a unique experience. We still have no internet at our home--only a non-secured open wireless that we are able to pick up here. There are so many laws, rules, and a general feeling of rigidity in this country. I'm doing better at shopping. It only takes me twice as long as I used to spend instead of four times as long. I have to read the German, French, and Italian labels to figure out if I am buying what I really want to buy. I am getting a little more adventuresome however. I actually picked up some carpaccio (dried/seasoned beef) to try. The Swiss aren't very innovative in their cuisine, but there are plenty of other restaurants of every ethnicity to try. My first experience with trying to bake something in my oven that registers heat in Celsius rather than Farenheit was not successful. Obviously I need more practice. However, with groceries in general not being that cheap; I think we'll just have to keep trying new restaurants. We are one step closer to beginning our French classes. We should have a teacher assigned and find out which evening we will be studying this week. Someone told me that they heard haircuts were outrageously expensive--$100 E. They live in France rather than Geneva, but I did see an ad in a window for a shampoo and cut for $80 CHF. That's only $68 U.S. rather than $130. The laundry bill for Steve's shirts was about double what we spend in Pinehurst. We are lucky to have a cost of living allowance.



Keep the Blogs and E-Mails coming as I really, really miss my family and friends.



Love, M

We've been gone a week

Although the past week has been interesting, it has also been difficult. We started out in Darmstadt Germany for two days of work for Steve, and trying to keep busy seeing the sights for me. On Thursday night, we flew to Geneva, and early Friday morning took our suitcases to our new apartment. It seems a little overwhelming to me to attempt to set up house when nothing is familiar in the stores and I don't speak French. I will be learning enough to get along here, I am sure. The weather is the big news so far. We have had very strong winds--very cold, strong winds since we arrived. Fortunately, on the fifth floor where our apartment is located, stays pretty warm. My warm coats are not here with me yet. I thought I would have them sent with other things we need a little later, that I would have time before the real cold set in. That has been the first mis-judgement. Scarves and gloves have been purchased, and I have made my first trip to the cleaners with Steve's shirts. I knew that whoever was working at the laundry would not speak any English and I was right. However, both the proprietor and I were able to make ourselves understood. I am surprisingly able to understand a lot of what is being said to me in French, even though I do not speak any. Trying to cook some packaged risotto with no understandable directions proved interesting. I had no measurning cup and didn't know how much liquid 9 dl was. It still was edible and gave me hope, though I don't envision myself doing much in the kitchen here which is the size of my shoe. Hopefully, my next report will contain some photos. As yet, we are without our own internet access. That is another challenge that will soon be overcome. I miss everyone and think of you all constantly--

Love, M

Our last weekend in Pinehurst

This is such a great picture of "cousin fun" memories.
Chad & Danielle's boys Ryan and Andrew with Grandpa and Grandma.

This is the first sleep-over for Andrew and Masen. Andrew fully uses the bed--even Masen's spot. Masen stayed in one spot and didn't seem to notice Andrew on top of him.

Bedtime stories with Uncle Chad. The "big boy" cousins with Maddie.

On our last weekend with the family, we went to Henry's for Gelato. From Left, Alex, Masen, Andrew, Madelyn, Evin w/Henry, Ryan w/Lari. We had lots of laughs, lots of activity, lots of snacking, and loads of love. Being with the family is what I will miss during the time Steve and I are in Geneva. It has been difficult to pack and mentally get ready to live away from home for nine months--at the least. I'm sure things will be fine once we get on the plane, but I'm also sure that I will be counting the days until we come home on December 19.