general updates and all that jazz

OK. Major apologies. Seriously, I haven't posted in two weeks. I'm super sorry.

Anyways, lot's has been going on. I promise, I've been thinking about blog posts all the time--I just haven't had a chance to actually get on and write them down. Let's start from the beginning.

Halloween: was fun. We helped host a party for families at my dad's work. While the majority of the kids were under ten, it still was pretty fun. Not to mention free candy (just in case you guys wanted to know what to bribe me with).

Dance: is going fabulous. I love my studio here... they have SO many classes, and the teachers are really good/attentive. I had no idea what to expect when I came to Switzerland, so let's just say I'm pleasantly surprised. I have, however, discovered how difficult it is to take any class other than ballet in French. Ballet is fine because I know what all the terms mean, but once I get to a modern class, I'm completely lost. It was pretty comical. I'm attempting hip hop this week. It will be even more comical.

School: is going better than expected. I didn't bomb this "marking period" (like a half a semester... weird Swiss system), and actually did pretty well, so I'm relieved. Not that I can stop and breathe for a sec or anything, though, because they keep us loaded with so much work.

College: is stressing me out. First of all, college apps are so much work. Everyone warned me, but it never really hit me until now. Not to mention, coordinating letters of rec and transcripts across to continents is challenging. Even more difficult, though, is getting to auditions (for college dance programs) in various states across the US from Switzerland... they're all either on the same weekend, or like a month apart. It's really frustrating. We're trying to make one three-week trip in February, but it's such a hassle!

Weather: is so frustrating! It's so cold, but it won't snow. It just pours, constantly. While I love rain, it feels too cold for it to not be snowing. I'm sure once it starts snowing, I'll begin wishing it was raining again, but I can't wait for it to snow now. This is probably memories of a snow-deprived Bay Area childhood surfacing, but I can't wait to do all those cheesy snow-related things...

Good news: WE GOT OUR BOXES! This was better than Christmas, my birthday, and Halloween, all on the same day. It was amazing. Unpacking box after box of amazingly familiar, necessary (and unnecessary) stuff was super. I love having more than four outfits to wear, and having all my books with me. It finally, finally feels like we're settling (I keep saying that, don't I? Well, I was wrong before. I feel way more settled now). We've almost hit our 3 month-iversary! Crazy, huh?

I'm hoping to post again this weekend, and I'll include lot's of photos! As soon as my dad uploads all his photos, I'll have about five thousand to sift through... so expect a photo journal post soon!

Au revoir :]

Halloween en la Suisse

So, like, they apparently don't do Halloween in Europe.

I don't know about you, but any holiday that celebrates free candy should be celebrated internationally, if you ask me.

Actually, it seems that Halloween is kind of a budding holiday. There's one house on our street that has a few fake cobwebs up, and there's a small costume section in the grocery store. But I'm not expecting the full, everyone dressed up, candy everywhere, lots of sugar high kids type thing.

So, the American and Canadian families from my dad's work are putting together a Halloween party for all the kids. Aww. I think it's sweet. The one negative is that out of the 17 kids in this group, I am most definitely the oldest, by a good four years or so, so I might end up dressed as a pirate and babysitting some two year olds. Not that I mind. I'll still get the free candy.

Still, we're going all out with the decorations and such, and I'm even going to the American store in Geneva tomorrow to get some real, legitimate American candy. I wanted to make pumpkin cupcakes too, but we don't have cupcake pans at the mo. Sad day. Anyways, I'm kind of excited. It's like the first time in my life that I've ever observed my dad put any effort into a holiday event (that may be an exaggeration, but lets just say he's not exactly a holiday decorating kind of guy), so I know it's gonna be good.

But like I said... I'm being a pirate. That automatically makes everything better:

Arr.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Happy Halloween, everyone! :]