Off For A REAL Vaca

The family and Raood, our adopted Saudi ;P are going up to the cabin for some snowboarding fun!  Woooooo!!!  I'm quite excited since I am finally feeling well enough to actually enjoy moving around.  I think it will be plenty of fun and hopefully no injuries or anything.  We will also be seeing our dear cabin friends, the Cummings!!  I haven't seen them in a LONG time, or so it feels.  I am excited about that.  We'll be spending New Years up there bonding and such.

I hope everyone has a good New Years and all that.  Don't drink too much Champagne.  I'll be sending kisses to Switzerland as the ball drops. ;) 

MMMMMM

Hey there!

I am still sick with this silly sinus infection gone bronchitis thing, but I did get a RED i pod nano today for my work out music and am pretty excited about that.  Otherwise I have been staying warm and not moving too much.  I hope the antibiotics kick in before the 30th because I am supposed to go snowboarding in upstate NY.  Hope everyone is well and enjoying their holidays and time of relaxing if that is what you are doing.  Eat well, drink tea, be happy!

HOME

Well, I Am Home. I have a sinus infection that is taking over my life right now hahaha. It's not really THAT bad. I got the meds today, so hopefully it will kick in in a few days or something. I still need to wrap presents hehehe. I will do that before I pass out. The jet lag has not been bad at all, good thing my schedule was so messed up in Switzerland hahaha!!! I do miss certain things over their of course. Snuggly things....I'm excited to go back, but am not just thinking about that. I have not yet registered what is going on here hahaha!! Christmas is tomorrow and I am so fuzzy from this sinus thing and the jet lag it is all a blurry idea. I have a feeling htis vacation is going to pass quickly.

I had more to say, but completely forgot what it was hahaha

Half-Board

I Recently Requested Half-Board. I did this because I am vegan and the school does not offer vegan options at lunch and dinner. Breakfast actually has vegan options including soymilk! Half-board would only take me off of dinner, but it is better, since I would be able to use the money to buy groceries instead of spending the money on the meal plan and then spending more money on groceries simply because the one vegetarian option is not pure vegetarian. The director denied my request stating that the school only allows students who are living off campus or in Les Cheminots (an apartment style dorm that costs extra to live in) to get half-board. I can understand why this is the case normally......but I do not understand why exceptions cannot be made in circumstances like mine. I tried to stay vegan at the begining of last semester and ended up eating salads with limited toppings for most of my meals; I ending up light-headed and weak after a few weeks of this. I subsequently compromised my veganism to get enough nutrients from the school. I do not think it appropriate to compromise my beliefs and health choices simply because the school does not cater to them. It does not seem that I am asking too much of them to be taken off of dinner. It would be one thing if I asked them to change thier menus and prepare special items specifically for me, but I am not. I am asking them to let me take care of myself if they are not able to take care of me. I am also aware that cooking in the dorm rooms is agaist school rules for safety reasons and agreed to stick to cold items that I could keep in the small fridge that my roommate and I have. I sent a follow up E-mail, so hopefully the director will understand better. I am sure it will all turn out okay.

The Last Few Days And A SIGH

Albert Had His Graduation Dinner Yesterday. It was in a beautiful hotel. Very classy place. I certainly felt underdressed, and I was wearing a dress....but not a gown, which I felt like I should have been by the end of it. There was a champgne reception first and then the dinner itself. The food was okay, not spectacular. I got a veganized version of the menu, which I did not expect! So I pleased about that. The other's mentioned that the food tasted like first class airplane food, but I guess when you have that many people to cater for pre plated.....Anyway, I had a good time, and ended up getitng Albert on the dance floor!! Hehehe, I had fun dancing and hanging out with the people.

Today Was The Last Day of Work. We really deep cleaned the place. Scrubbing the walls free of marks and ketchup stains, deep cleaning the cofee machine and fridges, spraying and scrubbing the garbage cans...yummy! We also split up the tips, 100 chf each! Not bad. I really hadn't realized how close the end of this semester was until I was out of CDV and driving toward Zermatt with Dave. I suddenly realized that I was actually going home soon. CDV was over...I was going to be a student again. I let out a huge sigh, a release, a realization that I would see my family so soon. I still can't completely comprehend the end of this yet. I don't understand all that it means. I know that things will change that I don't want to. Some people will not be around as much, and I won't be able to hang out with others anymore. I have short bursts of these realizations and feel sad, but glad at everything that I have experienced and learned. I value the people I met, and even though I may never see some of them again, I will always remember their presence. I am curious about those that are staying in the area, and how the relationship with them will shift when I have a different (more balanced I would say) lifestyle as a studious student instead of a late night, social setting, worker. I also wonder about the relationships I left with the end of winter batch. Which friendships will grow, fade, be discovered? It is all very exciting.

I May Be Out Of Internet for the next few days as I will be living in the house in Randogne that I stayed in over the summer. Three person place shared betwene 7 for those few days...should be interesting. So, the next time I post will be while I am back home in CT!! WOOHOO!! I am really excited to get there. I just want to skip all the waking up early, bus, train, airplane, car, and just get home! Soon, so soon....

A New Plan For Next Semester????

I Have Recently Discovered a beautiful apartment in Montana! It is right on top of Migros, the largest grocery store around, in the same plaza as the Dr. I go to, a bus station to go to school with, and there is a cafe attached where I would do Homework. It is 10 minutes walking distance from the the center of Montana and of Crans. It is right on the Montana lake, which is beautiful, and has all the perks of being an appartment. A quaint kitchen with an island and bar stools, a cozy living room that looks out onto the lake, and is also down the hall from some friends. It is so perfect it is rediculous. I won't have to stress about groceries for one thing, which means I can be vegan easily and have plenty of fresh veg and fruits. I can cook quality meals instead of subsisting off of semi unhealthy stuff that keeps well in a dorm room. I will be able to focus MUCH better because it will be QUIET, which means I will be able to actually sleep early as opposed to waiting for all the party kids to leave CDV at midnight before it is quiet. Oh, that sounds heavenly. I will be able to focus on my work more because I won't be in a dorm building full of distractions, it will be so nice....if it is available etc. I don't actually know all the lease details yet, but I intend on finding out tomorrow! Cost wise it can potentially save me 1000chf, though I don't yet know if the school will charge me for a semester long bus pass or if the bus is free. Either way it would end up being cheaper than living on campus, and more beneficial.

Packing Has Sort Of Started. I just need to confirm where I am staying between the 20th (check out) and the 23rd (my flight). I have a place, I just need to confirm it. CDV clean up has also started. Things are moving around, the floor is cleaner than it has been in a while, and the stained stools are bright and shiney again! If only we could keep it this clean all the time. Chereiese is also back with us yay!!! Muli is in Market Place though. It is nice to have my friend back I must say I missed working with her.

Extracuricular stuff includes going clothes shopping with Albert, which was really enjoyable. He got some nice wears for his grad dinner on friday, which I am stoked about too. He got me a nice Alpaca sweater that is SO warm, and looks good on me too ;P I'm pretty sure I'll be wearing it home ont he 23rd!

The Last Week

Almost Done! This is the last week, and it is not so bad. There are not that many people around, so it stays pretty quiet, and things are slowly closing down. Now we only use two of three rooms, since we just deep cleaned the back room. I believe I will be done early enough on Friday to easily attend Albert's graduation dinner, so that takes a bit of unneeded stress out of my life. I bought my last bit of groceries for the semester, tons of veg since I have officially gone back to strict veganism.

I Need To Pack. My parents would be hounding me at this point "Lia did you pack!? NO!!!???? BUT THE WORLD WILL END IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY DONE A WEEK IN ADVANCE!" I'm just teasing you guys, you know I love you! MWAH! I really miss your reminders ;P I am very excited ot get back home, mmmmmmm....................

I Am Okay

Thanks, Mommy....for checking on me......? I do appreciate the love, but I am fine even if I don't post any updates, more likely than not. If something is wrong, then I will be more inclined to contact the family than if I am having fun and getting my time taken up by activities. So what have I been up to then?

Dancing since it is the last weekend of summer batch. I won't be seeing most of these people again, so I've been spending my time with them. I also got my nails done...way too expensive here. Otherwise just working and waiting for my last week to be done. I just have this next week and I'm done!! We open at 5 too, which is nice, so no service stuff during the day, just regular selling every day. It should be pretty quiet as everyone will be leaving. We also have to do general cleaning on the 19th, but should be done by 5 pm, which gives me plenty of time to pretty up for Albert's graduation :P

Montreaux Christmas Fesitval was reallly nice. I got some gifts that are unique to this region for the fam. I think everyone should be happy. I treated myself to some goodies as well. It was really pretty, but super cold!!

Funny Feelings

I'm Not Feeling All That Great. I don't really know what is wrong with me, just feeling off in the head more than anything else, and very tired. I'm drinking a lot of vitamins, tea, and eating fruits, yum yum yum.

So, These Past Few Days Have Been Quite Nice. I went dancing on Friday and had a lot of fun hahaha, at one point there was a big open area where the tables were (not the dance floor) and Kunal, a friend and dance buddy, challenged me to a breakdance fight hahahaha! Too much fun!! My arms are still sore from that. I think I won hehehe! ;P Sunday was probably my favorite day because I had it off!! AND Albert took me out to PP's where I enjoyed a delicious veal filet mignon with mushroom sauce, steamed veggies, and dessert, which I hadn't had in a while! Then we went to Edo for dinner, watched The Emorer's New Groove and some Sopranos. I don't think I could have asked for a better day off.

Monday Though..... Dave sent me a text saying that CDV was closed so no work yay!! I asked if he told Luigi, but I don't think he got that message. Luigi came in and was REALLY ANGRY!! So was Rachny. I was actually angry with Dave about it. Who did he think was going to come in on Monday? Claudia? Sure, even thoguh I told Dave that Luigi was working this week instead of Claudia, and did he tell Claudia anyway? No. So he would have screwed whoever was working. The weather is not great and Luigi has to drive here from his home. I don't think Dave even has the authority to close CDV without the permission of the manager above him, which would be Luigi. When I ask Dave I god a cold, "To be honest, I don't care." Great management skills. Sory for being negative.

Positive End: I talked to the stagiere in charge of rooms and she gave me good vibes about me and Steffi getting the room we want next semester, which is in CDV. It has a loft like our old room AND a balcony, which our old room did not. I won't be seeing Steffi before January like I planned to due to her schedule changing, so I moved my trip to Bern for this Thursday instead. Hopefully the market will be as nice as I imagine and I will find some quality, but not too expensive, gifts to bring home to everyone in CT!

More Snow?!

Yah, There is a lot of snow again. 24 hours worth. Goodness Goodness. I will hopefully still be going to Bern tomorrow for the market, but we will see how the weather is. Sorry this is so short, but there really isn't much to write about...actually.....

The Health Inspector Came To CDV. He wasn't very happy. He found some expired items (not ones we serve, but personal items that we had forgotten about) as well as some unswept spots on the floor. I don't know what else they didn't apporve of, but Dave was sent to meet with Rachny about it.

Week 19

It Is Week 19. Do you know what that means? It means that I have 2 more weeks. Week 21 is the last week. I know I'm counting down and I really shouldn't, but I have been a little off recently, and I think a nice bit of time back home will be medicine enough for my mind. Some peace with the family mmmmm. That sounds so good right now. So what's up, nothing much really. Nothing has really happened, I think I am simply aware of the nearness of the end. CDV is fine, not anymore strssful or negative, actually it has brought a lot of positivity my way recently. It is peaceful these days due to exams and such, and the people are in better moods it seems, probably because they are cooped up in thier rooms studying all day and it is such a relief relax for a while. That is called a run on sentence. I will enjoy its existence for the time being.

Health has been good. Working out has been really good recently. I've been pushing hard and feeling it more and more. The food part is kinda weird, but I'll deal with it and get used to it until this program is over. It's all very exciting actually, following a Training Program. It sounds cool too. "I'm training." hehehehe. Not just working out, training.

Stay Motivated

Runner's High!!!

I Am On Such A Runner's High!! I love exercise. LALALALALA!!! Hahahaha!!

Nothing Else Is New. It's still cold. They made Chocolate Chip Cookies for staff meal today!! They never make cookies here by the way. Not classic ones anyway. So I'm saving some for Dave, since he is not working today and misses his American goodies oh so much. They smell divine! Yah, things are generally calming down around here. Everyone is focused on final exams and where to live next semester, or, like me, for a few days after semester ends. Since my flight is on the 23rd and I need to be out of my room the 20th, I need to figure this out. I might be able to stay at Ty's place, but maybe I can crash in the stagier chalet. I believe they keep it opened over the break.

Blissful Peace

The Past Few Days have been quite nice and peaceful. Thursday was Thanksgiving and all I did was dishes and cooking, so it was more fun than regular operation. Friday I got off because the Social Committee hosted a fashion show in which they gave out 10% discounts to the store, which happens to be my favourite store in Sierre, so I will definitely be using one of those discount coupons! Saturday and Sunday were extremely quiet. People were clearly doing something else, which was perfectly fine with me. Everything ran super smoothly, and all has been well. I feel very calm and content. Today I even get off work early! And I'm off this weekend. I plan to go to Bern for the Christmas Market!!! I think I want to go with somebody. I just need to find someone who wants to. Saturday I think...yes, that sounds perfect. I'm really excited about it!!! I am also planning another trip to Zurich the 11th and 12th to visit Steffi and get some last things moved over to school for her. I also got the good news that though all stagiers are scheduled to work the 19th, graduation day, CDV staff don't have to! We plan to finish the cleaning on the 18th and have the 19th off! So I will be going to the graduation dinner with Albert to see him off :( It is all ending so quickly.

I Am Doing The Workout Program I mentioned in past posts. It is going well. the only difficult part is the nutrition part simply because I just don't like eating tons of protien, and a lack of carbs. It is only 5 days of this though, then eating that is more normal for me...then another 5 days low carb...then back to normal....and then ONE more time, hehehe, then the program is done and I will be super strong and fit AARRR!!! HEHEHE!!

I Hope Everyone Is Doing Well and the holdiay season is cheerful as it should be. I am so excited to return to CT and give out lots of hugs and smiles and get caught up on the goings on back home with everyone.

Lots of Love!