Lately

So, I don't have a camera right now, but I should be getting my new one in about a month, so this time I have no pictures. Anyways, since being back I've stayed busy. This past weekend I went skiing for the first time since I've been here. I went with the family here in Switzerland to a place called Sorenberg. I must say that I kept my own out there with Sterre and Constantijn; they may be a little faster than me, but I was proud of myself for keeping up with them. European kids are born to ski, you should see them, they're fearless! The only time I fell was on the lifts... twice. The first time I went with Sterre and I knocked her over, skis flying off and everything. The second time I went alone and just slid back down to the bottom to try again. But, it was a lot of fun and I'm glad I finally got to go. I hope to go at least a couple more times this season.
I've been running a lot lately as well. I'm not sure if I mentioned yet, but Katie and I signed up for a marathon in Zurich on April 20th. We found a running plan online that we're trying to stick to, but it is hard with our differing and unpredictable schedules. Thinking about running 26.2 miles is a bit intimidating, so I just try to think day to day, and so far so good. I can remember when I ran a half marathon last year thinking when it is over, "how in the world can anyone go and run twice this much!" well, i guess it came back around to haunt me!
It has also been nice catching up with friends here in Basel. Over the holidays a lot of them went home or traveled, as did I. On Friday I am leaving to go to Lisbon, Portugal for a long weekend with a few other au pairs. I'll be sure to steal some of their photos to post.
So, other than that, nothing new is really happening. Oh, except that my hair is growing! I can tell at least, I don't think very many other people can. It still suprises me sometimes when I look in the mirror, but I'm pretty use to it now. My host mom asked me if I regreted cutting it the other day. I told her no; if I hadn't of cut it I would always have the urge in me to do it. So, now I have, and I won't ever have to again! And anyways, it's just hair, it will grow back.

5th and final stop: Milan, Italy

Before heading back to Basel we made one last stop to Milan. We stayed only for a day, spending just one night and then taking the train back to Basel the next evening. The first picture is of Comune di Milano, their big cathedral. The second and third are of the Galleria. There are lots of shops and restaurants in there, and well, some holiday decorations as well. We also ate a delicious calzone there! The last two are outside of the Castello Sforzesco. It too had some really cool Christmas lights on the outside. We also walked around the fashion district, though of course I didn't buy anything. We also went across town to go view the painting "The Last Supper", but apparently you have to have a reservation for at least two days in advance. I thought it was odd that just to see this painting on a wall, you had to plan so far ahead, but oh well. Luckily most sights in Milan are close together, so in one day I felt like I saw a lot, and we made it back to Basel in time to celebrate New Years with some of our friends. And friends, that concludes my big December Holiday Extravaganza series! There will be more to add later, as I have another exciting trip in just a couple of weeks!

4th Stop: Brussels, Belgium

We continued on to Brussels, a place I didn't have high expectations for, but that I ended up loving. Not only do they have great fries and waffles as you can see from the first 3 pictures, but the city is so corky and lively. (Also, noticed behind me in the waffle one the fountain of the baby peeing, the Manneken Pis; it's pretty much their city symbol.)

Another thing Brussels is known for is the comic book art. All around the city were walls that had comic paintings on them. It was fun to turn the corner and see one. We also came across a side street that had umbrellas running across the buildings with a cut-out of a man swinging from each line. It went zig-zag all the way down the street. We went to a huge flea market as well. Though there was little more than junk there, I could've spent hours just browsing.

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Of all the places we went, it felt more like Christmas in Brussels than anywhere. The Christmas markets were still up and there millions of stalls. There was ice-skating, a huge tree, carousels, lots of people, and tons of lights. The second picture is of Grand Place, the city hall building. Every night they play music, mostly classical, over huge speakers and coordinate the lights on the building to the music. One of the songs they played while we watched was a Queen song. It was mesmerizing to watch because there were so many lights and they changed so fast.

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We took a day trip out to Mechelen, a town just outside Brussels to go to the Jewish Displacement and Resistance Museum. It was cool to make connections from when we went to Dachau. We also strolled around the town some. It was really really quaint and cute. The buildings had so much personality.

Stop Three: Christmas in Dublin

Next was Dublin for 3 days, where Kate left on Christmas Eve for home and Katie and I spent Christmas. It was a very different Christmas then ever before, but if you can't be home for Christmas, you might as well be in Ireland. For Christmas Katie and I went to St. Patrick's Cathedral, ate Chinese food and lots of chocolate, and watch "The Pursuit of Happyness". I got to talk to the family too, so that made it seem like Christmas more than anything.

The first picture is of the Ha'penny bridge over the River Liffey. The second is of me, what looks to be eyeing the statue of Molly Malone. The third is of me in front of the Brazen Head Pub, the oldest one in Dublin. And the 4th is St. Patrick's Cathedral where we went on Christmas morning for a service.

The first picture is of me acting lke a pirate on a stroll we took to the harbor area, followed by me sitting on some artwork that was in St. Stephen's green. I have a picture of me sitting in the same place from when I was in Dublin 4 years ago with my friends that I studied abroad with, Katherine and Chelsea. Then there is a cool statue we saw near Trinity college, the doors to the Guiness factory (I didn't go this time since I went a few years ago and I'm not much of a fan anyways), me and the Guiness man starring intently into each others eyes, and finally the only picture we have of Katie and I together. We took it on Christmas day.

Second Stop: Barcelona, Spain

After staying Basel for a couple of days to work, Kate, Katie, and I started our 2 week adventure. The first place we went was Barcelona. I had been there a few years ago when studied abroad and I remember loving it. It didn't fail me this time either.


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The first 3 pictures are from Gaudi's Parc Guell. It hosts the longest public park bench and some really cool mosaic art. The next 3 are from La Sagrada Familia church, also by Gaudi. It has always been my favorite. And the 3rd is a skyline shot from inside the church. Though I've never really taken much notice to architecture, you can't not pay attention to Gaudi's stuff in Barcelona.


These next pictures are on the brighter side! The first is me and Katie acting tuff. We found a side attraction when walking and had a photo shoot. The next three are from La Boqueria, my favorite place in the world to be. It makes food look so beautiful. We stopped in there all 4 days we were in Barcelona to have the best fruit juices ever. (Mine in the picture is dragon fruit!)

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We spent one of the days away from the city and took a train out to Montserrat, which means jagged mountain. Between the fog, we could see the mountains, and we took a cog wheel train up to the top. There was also an Abby there that we looked at and it's known for it's statue of a black Madonna and child. Everything about the trip was great except for the fact that my camera was stolen on the train ride back to Barcelona. I fell asleep for maybe 30 minutes with my bag on my lap and hands on top of my bag. when I woke up my bag was opened and my camera was gone. I was disappointed, but all I can think of is that at least t wasn't my wallet or passport or something.

HAIR CUT!!!

The night before leaving for our big holiday travels, I decided I needed a haircut. And well, this is what hapened!


Let me explain. I've always had something in me that wanted to shave my head and I figured what better time than now to do it. I'm still not use to it really and it has been about 2 weeks, but as it grows out a little bit I like it more. My head gets colder, that's for sure, and feeling the wind blow on your entire scalp feels weird. But, I knew if I didn't do it now, I never would.