Work is finished

Wow. I can't believe my internship is over. Maybe that means I am finished with school, at least for now. It has been a fun experience and I am so thankful for the opportunity I was given.

I mentioned on a previous post that they toast to everthing, at my work. It is great. So yesterday my last day we had a toast. I said goodye to everyone, collected a few email addresses, did the whole three kisses on the cheek, which I never did get used to, and left Wolfisberg Laboratory for the last time. This is such a bittersweet time, It was so strange.

Then last night Tim and I packed my bags and cleaned my room. This reminded me so much of moving out of the dorms at Covenant.

We went to the French Bible study I have been going to. That group has been such a blessing to me even if I can only understand about 30% of what they are saying. Some people in the group speak English. And that is where I made my first friend when I got to Geneva.

Then I spent my last night at Chez Wolfisberg. I didn't get much sleep. I guess I was so exited about the upcoming trip And my body has been programmed to get up at 4:00 AM. So I got up and finished packing and went to meet Tim.

So then this morning Tim and I said goodbye to Madame Junod, the leader of the French Bible Study who graciously allowed Tim to stay with her, and headed to the train station to go to Venice. I still don't believe this is real. If I am dreaming I don't want to wake up. Venice here we come.

Chateau Chillon and prior

When Tim finally arrived on Tuesday, I was able to surprise him at the airport. I thought I would have to work, but I ended up being able to get off and meet him. It was so good to see him after being apart for 12 weeks. I gave him a tour of the city which I had grown to love. We went to the old city which is my favorite part and the the Parc de Bastions, where the Reformation Monument is. It was just good to be in the same country again.

Then on Wednesday we set off for the Chateau Chillon outside of Montreax, on the other side of the lake. The Chateau was beautiful. It just went on and on for forever. I couln't believe how big it was. And they had pretty much everything open to the public. Which was really cool.

A view of he chateau as we were walking up to it.


View from the Chateau windows.



Then we went to Nyon to catch a boat back to Geneva. As we were exploring the city. I remembered that this is where I had been the day I forgot to bring Tim's phone number so I could call him at our appointed time. And I spent about an hour frantically emailing him. It was ironic that I was able to show the city to him in the end. We went to the beatuiful white chateaux and had lunch looking out over the lake.
The Chateau Blanc at Nyon

Then we caught the boat back to Geneva. It was a beautiful ride.

Life is good

Let me first apologize for being such a terrible blogger. I realize it has been a long time since I made a post, and I am sorry, but I haven't felt like I have done that much exciting stuff. I have been pretty lazy these last couple of weeks. I guess I am resting up for the exciting times to be had in Italy and Frace that begin next week. Hooray.

Work has been amazingly good. I feel like my co workers and I are beginning to be friends. I occasionally understand what they are saying which is so encouraging. Just yesterday I was able to make a relevant comment, in French, in the midst of their conversation. This has been my goal since Day One and I was so happy to finally achieve it. I even think I will be sad to leave, something I felt impossible even a few weeks ago.

I am really having fun speaking the little bit of French that I know. I feel like it is a secret code that I am beginning to crack. It is so exciting. I am beginning to seriously consider taking French classes when I get back home. I know it is a little backwards, but better late than never. Right?

Tim arives today. Needless to say, I am so excited about that. It will be wonderful to have a friend to share this with, and a friend I can easily communicate with. I have missed that so much during these 12 weeks.

Bottom 10

As I said before I have also been thinking about the things in Geneva I will not miss. So I guess these would be the "Bottom 10". Sorry this list might be kind of depressing.

10. Not being able to get something as simple as a library card. Because I do not have an official document with my address. I do not want to steal your silly book; I just want to read it. Swiss people are so picky.

9. Paying to use the public restroom. Its 1 Franc for men and 2 Francs for women, what in the world is up with that. I actually did not pay, because of that simple fact, but I was super close.

8. Feeling like I have "Stupid American" tatooed on my forehead fo all the world to see. Although I will obviously still be an American when I go home, it will not make me the one that is different.

7. European men. They are so forward. Can I please walk down the street in peace?

6. 500 Degree weather with no air conditioning. I don understand how the rest of the world does it. I am such a spoiled American.

5. Not being able to understand what people are saying. Although, it is incredibly rewarding when I finally do understand what the heck they are saying. Unfortunately, it is rare.

4. Doing everything by myself. Traveling, eating, sometimes even talking. I miss my friends.

3. Missing church every Sunday. Although I finally got to go yesterday, and it was so good.

2. Getting up at 4:15 AM. I do not need to say anymore about that one.

And what I will definetely not miss about this place. Not being able to pick up the phone and call friends whenever I want. I miss you all so much.

Top 10 (Approximately)

As my time in Geneva begins to wind down, I have less than three weeks of work left at this point, I can't belive it; I have been thinking about what I will miss, And what I can not wait to leave behind. Let me begin with the finer point of Geneva.

11. Hearing French people speak the three English words they know to each other. They sound like little kids with their accent; I wonder if I sound like a little kid to them.

10. Rain that relieves me from the heat. It is hot again here. Although not as hot as July was. It rained almost every day in August which really helped cool things off. Actually I guess I won't miss the rain, because we have it in Atlanta, but you get the idea.

9. French Bible stuby. I literally stumbled onto this group my second day in the city. They have been such a blessing and an encouagement to me.

8. The parks where I can go to just sit and read. It is good to relax.

7. Getting mail and pachages with English books (Thanks Annie). It is so good to hear from friends in the states, but it will be even better to see them in a few weeks.

6. Smelling lilies sent from special people back home Thanks Tim). Need I say more.

5. YAGs. This stands for Young Adult Group. It is part of Evangelical Baptist Church of Geneva. This group has been such a blessing to me. It is so awesome to be with people literally from all over the world, who want to serve God. I will definitely miss them.

4. The Alps. Growing up in Chattanooga, I have a love for the mountains, and being able to visit the Alps only cemented that feeling for me.

3. Being able to take of for places like Germany and France. Situated in what seems to me the heart of Europe is amazing, because on a whim it is so easy to visit exotic places.

2. Public transportation. It is so graeat. I love not needing a car. When will Americans wise up and use this great resource? They also have sidewalks absolutely everywhere, in case you don't want to take the bus or tram.

And now my number one favorite thing about Geneva that I will most definitely miss. The lake and Jet d'Eau. This is the most beautiful spot in the city. I could sit in front of the lake for hours. When I have had a rough day I can go there and sit and I feel better. It is so beautiful.