Transitions Abroad

Ok guys, sorry I’ve been such a horrible blogger. So here goes a recap of my life the last month and a half or so:

                Right before I got to Switzerland the family I’m working for, the Bodmers, decided they wanted to move. They found a nice flat in Stafa, and the move in date was set for August 10^th. Now the house in Zumikon is quite large, and the new place is about half that size, which meant basically throwing away/selling half of their stuff. I introduced them to garage selling, and the kids had great fun selling things and making some money of their own—my little businessmen!

                Mid-July the boys and Alessandra went on holiday for 2 weeks, and I stayed to pack and take an intensive German course. During the course, I was not highly motivated due to still being burnt out from college, but now I’m getting there.

                Robin, Alec, and Alessandra got back, and then 2 days later the boys left for a 2 week vacation with their dad—I guess the perks of having split up parents.  The next 2 weeks were full of packing, throwing things away, and finally moving. Moving a big house is definitely not one of my favorite past times, so it was nice for it to be finished.

                Our new home, Stafa, is directly on Zurichsee, Lake Zurich, so it is awesome to be able to just walk to the lake in 2 minutes. They boys have transitioned seamlessly and seem to really like the school and have both made friends. This town is much bigger than Zumikon, so I’m excited to explore.

                Last Tuesday, I began a new German class in Stafa that’s twice a week. I finally feel like I’m ready to crack down and learn some German.

Some highlights of late:

-Zurifascht: Weekend festival that occurs every 3 years in Zurich. Think fireworks, fair food, and music. Family friendly.

-Street Parade: Annual parade with elaborate floats blasting house and techno music. Lots of crazy outfits and interesting people. Thousands upon thousands of people flock to Zurich each year for this. Not so family friendly.

-Uetliburg: nice hike to the “Top of Zurich”

-New friends: Love meeting people from all over the world! Now I have friends from Estonia to England to Denmark.

-Dance classes: I had the chance to go to a day of free dance classes at a new studio last Saturday. My friend Mette and I got really ambitious and took Pilates, modern, raga, and a house class. Awesome and exhausting day!

-Enjoying every possible summer moment at the lake.