Guess I'm a Morning Person teehee!

The Hour

You know what time it is right now hehehehe?? It's 6:30 am. I woke up all wide awake at 5. I slept quite early though. I've been getting rediculously tired rediculously early even if I am able to convince myself to fall back asleep till Steffi's alarm goes off at 6:50, I still crash around 8:30-9 pm!!! I was able to keep myself up till around 9:45 last night reading Path to Love. Good book. thanks mommy!! So I wanted to tell a little story about my morning and some realizations too.

Reflection

I think this thought occured to me while I was reading last night, triggered partially by the book and also by reminders of my back packing trips (my friend sent some pictures my way). I remembered how negative complaining used to be in my mind. I used to avoid it like the plague because I found it to be one of the most detrimental thing to a person and groups. It accomplishes nothing and only accentuates the negative of a situation. On trail I had completely stopped complaining and had a mentality that was able to find the positivity in EVERYTHING because there really isn't any other way to go about it. I noticed that I have been complaining A LOT rcently. In school and in other areas of my life. It kind of shocked me. I really want to rediscover my anti-complaining attitude. I'm glad I noticed the shift.

The Room Next Door

This morning was funny. So I am all awake, and I took out my earplugs because they were a bit uncomfortable by now, and I could hear the people next door. I think they must have gone out last night and were home afterwards just talking away, hahaha! I listened to thier enthralling conversation about the antics the club had held for them. Steffi was tossing around a bit so I thought I might ask the neighbors to whisper, since speaking in a normal voice seems to carry through the paper walls we have. They said sorry and all was well. The quietness lasted about 15 minutes, but Steffi was snoring so it seemed okay. I was just laying in bed relaxing and day dreaming. There was a guy in the room who had been chatting with the two roommates. I guess one of them had breakfast duty at 6 because her roomy kept telling th eother to shut up she had duty in 30 minutes etc. etc. Finally the girl gets dressed and goes off to school. Then, as if they weren't aware that we could hear everything since I let them know, the guy and the other girl start to go at it!! HAHAHAHA!! Usually I'm all okay with that, you know, yah go for it, have a good time, just don't be too loud and wake me up, but this morning I really didn't want to listen to them, but I was humuoured, I don't know why. I think it was because the second her roomate left....hahahha! Anyway. So I'm in the ironing room since there is really good internet there. Steffi's alarm is going to go off soon, so I should go back and get ready for school.

Today

I will be going to Sierre today since I finish at 1:45 and I will hopefully get some yummy tofu curry for dinner. We will see though.

Peace!

This is My 100th Post!!!

How exciting!

In other news. Today I thought I would kill someone...or many people...not really. First off, I am coming down with something I think, and I think it is going to be epic. My throat started hurting a day ago, and I've had a headache (that is getting consistently worse) coupled with random severe light headedness for about 4 days now. Also my neck has been sore, which is weird because the last time I had consistent headache-ness I also had this sore neck thing.

I was close to going home before my last to classes (4 hrs). I did stay, but I really couldn't function well, especially in Spanish. The teacher would ask me a question and all I could do was look at her and shrug. Anything she taught I could not absorb and could not apply. I called the nutritionists, who the nurse insisted spoke some english, and they didn't. Apparently none of the people there speak english. I asked. The nurse told me this morning that she would help me if there WAS a language problem, so I sauntered over to her office, and there were about 8 students waiting outside. About 10 minutes per student...I had 15 minutes left of my break, the ONLY time I could go, since she closes at something like 4 and I don't get out of class till 5:35. I had already used my first long break to get the numbers for the dr.s......anyway. I figured I would just call my Dr. who I go to, a regular one, but I guess I lost her number. I'm worried and completely stressed because it is so close to midterm and I really don't want to be an ailing sick person on my vacation. :(

This was topped off with having to go to A la carte for lunch (required) and them having rice and lamb lettuce for me to eat..oh and bread. Super. I went to Market Place afterwards anyway, and all they had was lettuce and fruit for me to eat...oh and bread. Then at dinner I went to the chef to ask what I could eat and he went through everything they were serving. I could eat salad and fruit...oh and bread too. He hadn't prepared a veggie plate for me, which is understandable since I had stopped picking it up (eating the same vegetables (the SAME ones) simply cooked in a vaccum bag and sprinkled with walnut oil everyday for lunch AND dinner, got a bit tiresome, and wasn't fulfilling my nutritional requirements.) All they had to do today, for example, was to NOT put cream in the curry (use coconut milk instead) or NOT put butter in the rice with veg. I am sorry for this rant, but I'm just getting to a point. And I can't even think of talking to Taylor, the director, about it anymore. I'm so tired of dealing with his stupid round about ways of dealing with things, and the delays etc. etc. They cannot provide, but they should not make me think they can so I don't even go to dinner or lunch and can actually plan ahead and just buy food. Stupid money hungry joke of a director....Okay I'm done. Anger, hatred, and general negativity is out.

It was sunny today, which was a pleasant treat.

One Week!

Interested?

SO first off, I would like to lead any of you who are interested, to my other blog: www.mistakesdontexist.blogspot.com for my first of hopefully many posts regarding staying/being healthy in university. Check it out and please do let me know what you think. The good, the bad, all of it please!

Weather Update

It's snowing again today by the way.

School

I had duty today, and had a pretty good time. It is funny how I actually enjoy my "work" and my weekend duties! hahaha!! Most people dread them. I'm quite keen on them! I'm strange I guess. ;P This was my last day in my kitchen uniform for 4 weeks! I just finished 3 weeks of practical. I have academics starting on Monday for a week, then a week off for midterm vacation!! I'm sure you all know where I am going, but if you don't then you will just have to wait until I am there and I'll post some pictures to show you! I'm reallllyyy excited! I hadn't even realized how close I was to my vacation until today really. I'll be outta here by next Sunday!! WOOHOO!!

Busy Girl

Schedule

Sorry for the long lapse between posts. I have seemingly been really busy, though I didn't really realize it even! I have been fitting all of this into one day everyday: Breakfast at school (1 hr), gym (1-2 hrs), class of menu planning and learning a cool program that calculates nutrition and cost of recipes (2 hrs), practical class (7-8 hours), Kitchen Design Meetings (2 hr minimum), working on Nutrition and Organizational Behavior Projects, reading blogs, sleeping. Lot's of hours. My body has been doing a good job of it though, naturally falling asleep around 9ish and waking between 6:30 and 7 am almost every morning. Pretty awesome!! I love my earplugs by the way!!

Exemption...How Many Times Have I Written That?

So what's been up? Well I did try to get exempted from practical after midterm, which would free up 2 weeks of my month each month, allowing me to work at a catering company for my friend's husband. It didn't work out anyway because apparently I had to have applied 2 weeks into school or at least 2 weeks into practical. I could still get exempted from my last 2 weeks of practical because it is not related to the other classes, so I am pursuing that for now. Apparently all of my grades from NCC were in the "A" range. Pretty stoked about that since I never actually saw my final grades!

Apartment Update

I have also gotten in contact with a landlord in Bluche who will hopefully be able to provide me with an AWESOME apartment here so that I will only pay 500 per month (the cheapest in the area) and not have to pay the 600 chf for the transportation pass and I will be able to walk to school and the gym at my own accord instead of having to rely on the bus and funi schedules.

Health

Otherwise I have been having some head issues. I have another constant headache. about 4 days now and little spells of lightheadedness that actually got me to go to the nurse on Thursday...I don't like going to the nurse. She said she was going to give me the number of a nutritionist, though he/she is kind of far away, in Sion, and I should maybe also go to my Dr. about it. It might simply be anxiety related as Tahir and my mom suggested. I think that may be the case since I think I was more stressed out this week than I have been. It is strange because I can only think that I have been stressed out without actually being sure. Perhaps I should learn to be more aware of my stress levels and meditate.

I Don't Really Like This Anymore

Title 1

I am tired. So tired. I want to be done and relax. It isn't even about what is going on. I just don't sleep well and I sleep angry. Last night I was EXHAUSTED at 7 pm. 7....right. I actually got into bed and fell asleep for about 30 minutes at which point a song change on my ipod woke me up followed soon after by my roommate calling to remind me of a meeting we had for our kitchen project. I was not going to go. She sounded angry. I was exhausted. I was not going to go and get stuck going to bed at 10 pm and falling asleep at midnight. Sorry, not happening AGAIN. So, I put my head phones back in and tried to fall asleep. The music didn't help this time. I also then got a knock on my door from a friend. I got up then she said sorry and I went back to bed. I waited to fall asleep. Then I got upset about not showing up for the meeting. So yah, it was a fitful night full of frustration, anger, sadness, etc. etc. I did fall asleep after I read the instructions to my earplugs and they actually worked this time! I ended up sleeping at around 9-10, which is good...right? I woke up after 8 hours, 5:30 am and was awake, so I got my gym stuff on and headed over there, catching a glimpse of my face...I looked EXHAUSTED and I didn't feel refreashed from my sleep...just awake....This seems like it isn't going to be a very good day.

Title 2

And it is snowing again...seriously, so no trip to Lausanne tomorrow like I wanted, oh well. Only here would I be able to go running in the mountains on Sunday and be caught in a blizzard on Tuesday. I need my midterm break. Or a single room away from noise.

Weekend Duty

I haven't been doing all that much recently. I will be working in the kitchen on Sunday though, in order to make up the weekend duty that I missed last weekend. I'll be glad to get that out of the way.

I watched "He's Just Not That Into You. Cute movie.

Good night!

Some Pictures Mariam Sent

Picture Time!






















This is in the tea shop I love so much! My breakfast of Coffee, a roll, and Marmalade Yum!

















Just a picture of me being happy.


















When we went out to eat at Edo, the Japanese place in Bluche. Starting from me and going clockwise we have, Sebastian, Tahir, Mariam, and Dominic.
















Just the students in this one, also at Edo.

Chef

I am waiting to go to meet Mr. Taylor regarding the situation with the chef. I actually already was called in to meet Rachny earlier today. I am amazed at how quickly this is all being dealt with. Rachny just had me go over the story and he highlighted the points he thought were most important, like the fact that Steiner wasn't even my chef that day, Ays was. And The points at which I felt uncomfortable, like when he was yelling about an inch away from my face etc. So now Taylor wants Steiner and me to sit down together and apologize to each other for our different wrongs. I will do that and I will also ask about my points and punishment that I was told would follow. I will let you all know what happens.

Random Comment

The head of the F&B department asked me today how my vegan food situation is going now. You see, I had been asking the school to give me half board so that I could use the money to feed myself well, since the school does not provide adequate nutrients for vegans. They ended up not giving me half board, but making a vegan friendly plate of food for lunch and dinner that consisted of the same vegetables grilled in walnut oil....every day for both lunch and dinner. I got tired of it pretty quickly and stopped picking it up. They don't make it anymore. It is more nutritious than just eating the salads, but no protein? No variety of nutrients? Really? Was that an improvement? I just take care of myself now, eat what I can, buy stuff and cook with friends at their place etc. ANYWAY, when he asked and I responded with my slight dissatisfaction at my options he said "well, have you lost weight or anything?" I have in fact and I guess he noticed because he goes "Yah, you have actually since last semester. Well, a few Kilos is good, right!" Ummmm, right. Sure I am happy I lost some weight, since I attribute it to my exercising regularly and eating "better", but not when I think about the fact that it may actually have had something to do with the extreme unwillingness the school has to help me. They could just give me half board.

Chill

I'm done ranting. I'm just irritated at my director and this school. I have a fancy dinner tonight and I will be wearing a dress I bought in Lausanne that didn't fit me all that great when I bought it, but might now. I'll post a picture, and compare to past ones maybe. Alright, time to go meet the director theoretically.

The Crazy Journey of a Movie Star

Mariam Visited

Mwhahaha!! I have been the subject of Mariam's documentary of an American studying in Europe since Thursday. We parted yesterday. It was lots of fun actually! Maybe I just like attention on me hehehehe!! She came to my kitchen classes and followed me and others around while we cooked, or got yelled at. She interviewed my friends and other americans. I thought it was quite funny how people were suddenly so talkative and friendly when there was a pretty woman walking around with a camera! I actually learned a little something about my feelings toward the US after this. I guess I remembered what I appreciate about the country. I am always noticing and talking about what I don't like, or how bad the media os and the food industry, but I seem to forget the other stuff. Especially when my friend Katharina opened up about how she loves the down to earth nature of Americans. I do to. I really do. It does seem that in certain ways Americans are more relaxed about living as people, and not being ashamed of being human. I also had a confrontation with a chef and noted how very few cultures at my school would have had this confrontation, but my being American definitely had something to do with it. It is described below. After all of the school stuff we went to Crans-Montana and walked around enjoying the BEAUTIFUL day! It was warm and so sunny, a bit too sunny for the camera. Then we went to Geneva and I got my Starbucks fix along with some Kenyan and Sumatran coffee for Tahir's place. We filmed by the lake and everywhere else we went. THEN we went and had a little adventure trying to find an Indian restaurant hahahha!! We didn't find it, but that is alright because we did end up eating at one and it was really nice!! I enjoyed dinner thoroughly. I met Said and he is so funny and nice too! I'm sure I will be seeing him again since he is so close by. After visiting Geneva, I want to go back and properly explore it because I realized how little of it I know!

The Confrontation

I also had a bit if a tif or row with one of the chefs. This is how it played out: It was a VERY slow dinner on Friday and all the students were doing nothing. Sometimes one of us would check on the buffets to see if anyone needed anything. I did at the beginning and then just fell into an irresponsible neglect of my duties by chatting. I just happened to be doing what all the others were doing in front of Steiner's, the chef, line of sight. He came out of his office looking really angry and, VERY aggressively told me off for chatting for a half an hour. Saying I haven't been doing anything except talking away (at this point he sticks his hand in my face making a talking movement, just to make his point clear) and to go do my job! I agree that I should have been walking around and checking the buffets, even though it was slow. I went over to one that needed some rice, so I as about to go get some rice then he grabbed my elbow and briskly walked away. Trying to get my attention to probably take care of another buffet. I, not so wisely, let slip "Don't touch me" since he had been so coarse earlier and could have easily gotten my attention by simply saying, "Lia, pasta station" instead of grabbing my elbow and walking angrily toward the station. I walked to get the rice from the kitchen and the chef followed me REALLLLYYY angry now, and yelled "What did you say to me?" I replied in a straight tone because now I realized that this was going to become an issue in a few seconds and I needed to stay calm, "I said 'don't touch me.'" "COME INTO MY OFFICE NOW!!!" He was rather angry. I went to his office with him and he was about 1 inch away from my face clearly trying to intimidate me. He proceeded in a constant angry yell to ask me why I had said what I said, which I explained by saying that I felt he could have simply asked me to do something or use my name. (After ruminating about it later I realized that I reacted that way because of the aggressive way he was dealing with my talking when I should have been working.) I then realized that even though I could have prevented this confrontation by not saying "don't touch me" I am pretty sure that I actually have the right to say that. I am not claiming sexual harrassment or anything, but I thought that mentioning the previous sentence was a logical point that would end this ordeal. I did state that I believed I had the right to say that and technically he could not touch me. He then yelled that he could touch me where ever he wanted to as long as it was not my breasts or butt and that he could even shake my head if he wanted to and that would be okay. I calmly responded that I didn't think that that would be okay. He then went on to claim that I play with words, am very arrogant, talk to people like they are stupid but he won't allow that with him. I did not argue these points as they are subjective and I was not very offended by his statements, though I think he wanted me to be. In the end he told me to just leave and go home and get out of the kitchen. I said okay and left the office. He then said "Stupid idiot!" So then I turned around because I thought this was a rather inappropriate and disrespectful thing to say and do, and I asked him "Did you just call me a stupid idiot?" He said that no, he was saying it to the commisary chef, who was not even near by and it seemed like an strange thought to occur to him at that point. I could not argue his claim, but did not necessarily believe that it was, in fact, directed toward the Commisary chef. I then went to collect my knives and started to head out of the kitchen and was pursued, once again, by Steiner who resumed yelling at me for being arrogant and talking to him like an idiot. I stated that I simply felt that I was not in error for the way I reacted. He then said that I play with words. I don't know what that means exactly. Stockli, the pastry chef, intervened and separated us. He ended the whole thing in a very good and professional way. He told Steiner to go calm down in the office, Steiner kept saying no, he didn't need to and that Stockli should stay out of this. Eventually Steiner did leave, and Stockli told me that I need to watch how I deal with the chefs because I am starting to get a reputation. He also let me know that I would be getting points off and potentially other consequences associated with this. I asked him why and he told me "for having an attitude with a chef." I accepted this and asked if I was to continue working or if I should still go home. He told me that it was between Steiner and me, so I proceeded to leave. After thinking more about it I did think that "attitude with a chef" is a legitimate thing to have points taken off for, but I did not necessarily see how I had an attitude with Steiner especially when I was being screamed at by him. I never spoke back to him or argued, only calmly and logically tried to explain my reasons for reacting how I did. I also found it not to be a logical rule when the chef is acting unprofessionally and giving the student more than a fair serving of attitude.

How I Dealt

I sent Taylor, the director, and Rachny, the F&B director, a professionalized version of this in E-mail form stating that I want this to be resolved before it can escalate. I also skipped my weekend duty because I honestly did not feel comfortable or welcome in the kitchen. I also wanted to spend some time to write a good E-mail.

YAH, that is the excitement going on right now. I will leave it at that.

A World Of Fluff

I am in a haze. You know when you wake up and never get that weird fuzzy sleepy feeling out of your head and body? Yah, that's me today. Not to rant or anything, as I generally try to keep this a very factual blog, but man I am socially stressed out right now. Usually I am not stressed by social stuff, but I'm feeling a pull. I don't like it. I'm feeling pretty good about ME and all, so that is good, just kinda down about people. Feeling a bit confused. Typical 20 year old stuff I suppose. AND it is actually sunny. Of all days for me to be in a mood haha! It did snow a ton last night and yesterday! It's all back on. Good day for sledding. I think I just need to chill and relax and go camping....if only. I think I'll have falafel for dinner tonight...to remind me of home and love. I actually am homesick today. I think I need a hug.

Sorry to be kinda down, thought I'd mix it up a bit. ;)

I love you all. The next will be a happy post, I can feel it!

First Day in Market Place

School

Today I started my shift in Market Place kitchen.  I made these strange things that we called omeletes, but it was really just eggs, Gruyere cheese, parsley and tomatoe put into a GN container and baked.  I have dinner duty this week and I work in the hot kitchen till tuesday and then I move to cold kitchen on thursday having weds off!  Mariam, a friend from NYC who works with my mom, will be arriving on Thursday to make a documentary on American's studying in Europe.  So, I'll be shadowed by a camera for a while, which should be pretty funny!  I'm excited to see her!  Hopefully she will enjoy this strange town of Bluche.  On Weds I'd like to go to Lausanne since I am off of work.  I've been planning to go some time soon.  I need a nice jacket/ new sneakers...unfortunatly.  I don't really like spending money, but I have holes in my shoes now.  Also gym shorts would be good.  Mine are not gym shorts....

....

Otherwise, it is still snowing and CDV is is amazingly loud for a Monday night.  I'm sitting here amazed.  A bunch of people from summer batch are visiting so maybe that is making it a festive mood.  Not much interesting stuff. Peace.

Not Much to Report

I'm just bored right now. I have been rather unproductive I suppose. Just relaxing, which I think was very much needed. I gave a massage with olive oil today which I thought was weird since I feel like I am basting someone to stick them in the oven later hahaha. I don't know where my regular massage oils went though, otherwise I would have supplied some. Tomorrow I will be cooking dinner for my second home, Tahir, Mitali, Sebastian, and I think Steffi will be joining us. I do like her to hang out with my friends sometimes, to see who it is I spend inordinate amounts of time with. Yah....really not much else. On sort of exciting thing is that CDV has some more legitimate sauce for the falafel wrap. It is more hummus like, though a bit too liquidy. They also just implemented vegetarian samosas, and they are vegan! BUT they are SUPER greasy. That was a turn off. I tried them, but I don't think I'll be getting them again. Tomorrow I'm running 5K with Tahir, and hopefully I won't take too long to do it like last semester. I think my running has improved actually. A lot of my stress is gone. It is nice. I feel happy.

School?

Stuff

I'm tired again. I did buy earplugs today, and looked at some more apartments. There is a REALLY nice one in a REALLY perfect location, next to a middle eastern restaurant and bus stop in fact, but it is made for more than one person and is kinda pricy. The other was way too small for the price. It seems that apartments in Montana are more expensive than in Crans, which is further away. Most of them aren't even up on the market until April or May. I'd rather finish it all now.

School...really?

Otherwise I am VERY ready to be done with academics and school in fact. I've been feeling that way alll day today. I feel ready to just go out and start racking up experience in different departments. I just want to start life and just focus on what I want instead of the unnecessary things that I'm sitting in class for, like Front Office, in which I would learn much better if I actually did it. I guess I'm getting tired f being a reliant student now. I never thought I would say that...I want my own life (yes parentals, I am growing up hahaha!)

Need to study for my kitchen exam.

Some Interesting News

Future

I WAS OFFICIALLY EXEMPTED FROM ONE INTERNSHIP!!! WOOOHHOOOOO!!!! That's awesome. That cuts 6 months out of my required school commitment! So all I have left is this semester, Management semester, and my internship. I'll receive my associates in Business Administration in December, and my SHA Diplome in June! Then I can pursue my BBA somewhere, where, I do not know yet.

Present

For now: I am checking out more appartments tomorrow morning in Montana, I have a yoga class today, I'm going to the school's first "street dance" class on Thursday with Tahir and Steffi, I'm hopefully going snowboarding on Saturday, and then practical starts on Monday. Phew. I have a good amount of projects I neeedd to work on and get them over with before they get too close. I have my nutritions project, which I'm excited to do, my Organizational Behavior project that I am not excited to do, and my Culinary Concept project that I am excited and scared to do. Today is spanish and Nutrition tests...I hope I'm prepared!!!

And We're Back

The Standard

I'm back to sleepless nights. Funny thing. I actually went to the pharmacy and a whole mall with the purpose of buying earplugs....then I completely forgot. Great yah? So, since I am going up to Montana on Thursday, I will make a point to buy some then....until then I will be having trouble sleeping. I've also started looking at apartments in Montana for next semester. I will be staying for Summer batch, so that is all done. I also am applying for internship exemption so I will only have 6 months of work to do after I graduate instead of one year. Yay for that. Otherwise I am slightly overwhelmed by work, though it wouldn't be so bad if I could sleep.

Other News

Right now I am at the American culture night meeting. We are doing a 1920's Cabaret style performance, mixing skits and dance, though I don't know how we're going to do that well... Yah. I have abunch more exams this week, but they are easier. Nutrition!! Spanish, uh oh, and a hardcore Culinary concepts exam super early, at 6:30 am. That will be interesting. So good night.