An American Girl in this Big World: A Month Already..

Hey everyone.

So its been a while since I wrote because I wanted to write in a month and give a recap of the first month. If I had to sum it down to a few words it would be: hard, homesick, new, exciting.

I am now able to say I am used to the rail system, which is amazing, but expensive. Just going to Zürich which is only 50 min away it cost me 14.50 francs EACH way. It is true, Switzerland is a really expensive country to live in. As for other things, I am also used to driving on the roads. I went into a big city and drove. well not big city but bigger than most I have been driving in.

As for friends, things are getting better in that area. In a couple towns over, there is an LDS family that has 5 kids. 2 are closest to my age, so I hang out with them when I can. Hanging out with friends here is soooo different than the U.S. Everyone lives at least 15 to 30 min away, and since it is expensive to travel here, people only hang out once or twice a week!! When I say expensive, I mean taking a bus for 5 dollars for a 15 min ride...so as you can imagine, it can get a little lonely from time to time. I have hung out with some people from time to time, and they are really nice. (and cute..) lol but they have alot of ysa activities here so I am usually going to one once a week. :) church is about 30 min away. and the ward is really nice. small but nice. I have someone translate into english for me for now, but find myself catching on to alot of different things.

As for my family I work for. well its going ok. I am still getting used to the culture difference. It is true that german people are VERY clean, and so everything is sort of organized around cleanliness and such. But it is going well. At first the 7 year old (Halina) hated me. But after I put the law down and sent her to her room a few times, she has been better. At first the 2 year old (Isabelle) loved me, and now....its still ok, just I think she is sort of going through an independent streak right now. Both are very active children. Halina goes to school everyday and then has swimming and sports, and then Isabelle and I go on daily walks around the countryside. I will show pictures here at the end.

As for anything else, my german is still not so good, but is getting better in listening to others talk. I am taking a german class in Basel which is about 30 min away, but I got a pass for the train which was also expensive because I still have to pay for the train each time, only half price now..

Next week I am going to Paris, so that should be interesting. I still need find a place to stay. Other than that...it should be really fun. I am planning on going to the Louvre and Notre Dame, etc. I will be there for 5 days, so expect some pictures soon :)
Well, as for other things, there was a moment that I just wanted to go home. Well I had a blessing and there will be alot of missionary work happening, I can say that for sure.

Ok, so here are some pictures. :) enjoy!