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a weight of the shoulders
I don't think i can imagine a better way to spend my time in Switzerland than succumbing to the standarized testing of the american public education system, jolly, eh? Well, yes I am talking about the dread of every high school, the SAT's or even worse, taking the SAT in a specialized subject... I, and my ambition to apply to at least one challenging school, have been forced to take the SAT subject tests in American History and Englisch Literatur. And what better time for me to do this that in Switzerland, after not reading anything in Englisch and having to force myself on to Henretta's (the author of my last year's AP history book) homepage and quizzing myself on the Wonders of the Northwest Ordinance of some year, or the beliefs of Booker T. Washington (which i ofcourse have already forgotten), but anyway all of this turned out to be a much needed weekend away, with none other than myself!
The adventure began on Friday at exactly 15:04... my train to Spiez. I found myself in a lovely train with a bunch of annoying Britisch tourists, most likely heading in the same direction. And yes I am calling the Britisch annoying, not only because of their dreadful accents, but also because of their ability to keep their dreadful accents while attempting to speak quite excrusiating german. I indulged myself in a roll of bread and an Englisch book, Babylon Airlines, about the dirty secrets of what goes on in the Britisch Airline's.. fitting, no? I enjoyed my half an hour train ride to my connection, overlooking the landscapes of the mid-lands of my current residence, and enjoyed my bread as well. My connection at Spiez led to Zweisimmen, and my book, my bread, and I were joined by over-enthusiastic Japanese tourists who proceeded to take photos of everything from inside the train. Now, I have tried this myself, in my youthful tourists days here in Switzerland, and it doesn't work to well... they must have special "from inside train" cameras that make ever peace-sign and awkward smile, simply perfect! The journey continued from Zweisimmen onto a train bound for Saanen via Gstaad. Now, here was the stressful part for me, where I had to be aggressive and push my way infront of all the confused, Englanders burdened with their ski's, fur coats, and matching Louis Vuitton purse and suitcases (Gstaad is well known for it's rich visitors). The stop after Gstaad, when the train became almost empty, I was left in peace to get out at Saanen. A quaint Bahnhof, left me guessing where to go to find my destination for Schalfen... I walked straight. Luck for me that straight, was indeed correct and there stood forth the Hotel Landhaus, hotel and restuarant! I walked in to be greeted my a humbled 60-something. She asked my name, nodded, inquired of my german skills, and then explained how the key system worked, incase I wanted to go out at night when the doors would be locked.. yes the urge to participate in Saanen's wild night life the night before a decisive test was just burning through every pore. I understood and then took the lift up to the 4th floor (dritte stock- they count differnt in europe). My room was easily found and I was introduced to a small, one bed, compelte with bathroom and TV schlafzimmer. I was satisfied and then decided I would probabaly need some dinner. I then left the hotel and discovered the main street, complete with an Intersport, one pub, a backery, bank, and then a grocery store. I went in and first looked over my choices... some half an hour later I finally decided on harmless ham, jogurt, and indulged in dried mangoes!! I returned to my room to participate on TV yoga, last minute studying, and then blanking my mind out by watching the acclaimed dance film "honey" in italian. I fell asleep at about 9:30, only to be waken up by 3 "good luck" text messages sent by caring swiss friends, knowing about my stressful past week.
At 6:30 I arose to get dresed, study some more, and wait until 7:30 breakfast would be available. I descended into the cozy restaurant to be the first guest to test out what they offered. An array of jogurt, bread, jams, cheese, meat, granola, cereal, lit up my eyes, and I opted for bread.. my favorite food! accompanied with the house jam! I sat myself and was greeted by a surprisingly awake lady who offered me a coffee with FOAMED milk, my absolute favorite. She then came around after with freshly made gipferli's and I of course took one smiling. With 2 minutes until i had to be at the test (did I meantion it was in the hotel??) I got up, said my goodbyes, and walked up the stairs into a crowded room of english speakers. This took me off guard for I was not expecting that many kids to be there! Le Rosey is a private boarding school in Switzerland popular with the Americans, so I was with a bunch of hoity toity's, but it was so interesting! I was led to a smaller room becaues I was only taking the subject tests, with about 5 other kids (all with Le Rosey except for one other). A lday with a thick french accent read the directions we had all heard before and then it was off! Me struggling to remember everything from last years history class, and after an hour, i wasn't feeling to torn. A five minute break led me talking to Tess, and American born 19 year old who has lived in Genf for the past 16 years and aspired to getting into Columbia. We went together to the food table Le Rosey offered and took adavantage of the apples, water, and cholocate :].
The last hour was spent with me trying to focus of Engisch poetry.. something that is a whole lot harder than you would think after not reading anything in englisch that takes actaul thought... I think i pretty much screwed up that test! But, after finishing I went out to talk with Tess' mom and totally be inspired. She has lived an amazing life from Dutch kindergarten, englisch grammar school, french high school, and American college... all to end up marrying a romanian refugee who she met in Colorado, and then help founding an airline corporation in Geneva. whew!! we talked alot and it was such a nice completion to my testing experience abroad!
I departed the Landhous at about 11:00 only to arrive at the bahnhof to discover i had missed the last train by 3 minutes. Seeing the next came at 12:09 i saw a sign across the road stating Gstaad, 3k, wanderweg (the walking trails).. so I walked to Gstaad and enjoyed the scenery as I made progress. I arrived in Gstaad with enough time to purchase a Coop quality salad and catch the 12:16 train to Zweisimmin.. the route was the same, and I found myself walking through the door home in Worb at 3:00, pretty much exhausted. I said hallo, chatted a bit, and then fell into my bed for a 2 hour, much needed nap.
And so there... as sarcastically as i wrote, partially spiting mother for reminding me to write here ;], I really enjoyed the silence, quietness, and relaxtion (well mixed with nerves). On my walk from Saaned to Gstaad i really got to see the beauty and soak it all up, not cooped up from inside a train! And i took some pictures that would own any super japanese technology!
Love to all, and all a goodnight, because its 11 pm and I'm dead tired, a little sick, and have an important job of cooking pancakes for the family tomorrow. Dad I'll do you proud with the tradisch sunday pancakes!!!
love, prayers, and oh so much swissness coming ur way!
The adventure began on Friday at exactly 15:04... my train to Spiez. I found myself in a lovely train with a bunch of annoying Britisch tourists, most likely heading in the same direction. And yes I am calling the Britisch annoying, not only because of their dreadful accents, but also because of their ability to keep their dreadful accents while attempting to speak quite excrusiating german. I indulged myself in a roll of bread and an Englisch book, Babylon Airlines, about the dirty secrets of what goes on in the Britisch Airline's.. fitting, no? I enjoyed my half an hour train ride to my connection, overlooking the landscapes of the mid-lands of my current residence, and enjoyed my bread as well. My connection at Spiez led to Zweisimmen, and my book, my bread, and I were joined by over-enthusiastic Japanese tourists who proceeded to take photos of everything from inside the train. Now, I have tried this myself, in my youthful tourists days here in Switzerland, and it doesn't work to well... they must have special "from inside train" cameras that make ever peace-sign and awkward smile, simply perfect! The journey continued from Zweisimmen onto a train bound for Saanen via Gstaad. Now, here was the stressful part for me, where I had to be aggressive and push my way infront of all the confused, Englanders burdened with their ski's, fur coats, and matching Louis Vuitton purse and suitcases (Gstaad is well known for it's rich visitors). The stop after Gstaad, when the train became almost empty, I was left in peace to get out at Saanen. A quaint Bahnhof, left me guessing where to go to find my destination for Schalfen... I walked straight. Luck for me that straight, was indeed correct and there stood forth the Hotel Landhaus, hotel and restuarant! I walked in to be greeted my a humbled 60-something. She asked my name, nodded, inquired of my german skills, and then explained how the key system worked, incase I wanted to go out at night when the doors would be locked.. yes the urge to participate in Saanen's wild night life the night before a decisive test was just burning through every pore. I understood and then took the lift up to the 4th floor (dritte stock- they count differnt in europe). My room was easily found and I was introduced to a small, one bed, compelte with bathroom and TV schlafzimmer. I was satisfied and then decided I would probabaly need some dinner. I then left the hotel and discovered the main street, complete with an Intersport, one pub, a backery, bank, and then a grocery store. I went in and first looked over my choices... some half an hour later I finally decided on harmless ham, jogurt, and indulged in dried mangoes!! I returned to my room to participate on TV yoga, last minute studying, and then blanking my mind out by watching the acclaimed dance film "honey" in italian. I fell asleep at about 9:30, only to be waken up by 3 "good luck" text messages sent by caring swiss friends, knowing about my stressful past week.
At 6:30 I arose to get dresed, study some more, and wait until 7:30 breakfast would be available. I descended into the cozy restaurant to be the first guest to test out what they offered. An array of jogurt, bread, jams, cheese, meat, granola, cereal, lit up my eyes, and I opted for bread.. my favorite food! accompanied with the house jam! I sat myself and was greeted by a surprisingly awake lady who offered me a coffee with FOAMED milk, my absolute favorite. She then came around after with freshly made gipferli's and I of course took one smiling. With 2 minutes until i had to be at the test (did I meantion it was in the hotel??) I got up, said my goodbyes, and walked up the stairs into a crowded room of english speakers. This took me off guard for I was not expecting that many kids to be there! Le Rosey is a private boarding school in Switzerland popular with the Americans, so I was with a bunch of hoity toity's, but it was so interesting! I was led to a smaller room becaues I was only taking the subject tests, with about 5 other kids (all with Le Rosey except for one other). A lday with a thick french accent read the directions we had all heard before and then it was off! Me struggling to remember everything from last years history class, and after an hour, i wasn't feeling to torn. A five minute break led me talking to Tess, and American born 19 year old who has lived in Genf for the past 16 years and aspired to getting into Columbia. We went together to the food table Le Rosey offered and took adavantage of the apples, water, and cholocate :].
The last hour was spent with me trying to focus of Engisch poetry.. something that is a whole lot harder than you would think after not reading anything in englisch that takes actaul thought... I think i pretty much screwed up that test! But, after finishing I went out to talk with Tess' mom and totally be inspired. She has lived an amazing life from Dutch kindergarten, englisch grammar school, french high school, and American college... all to end up marrying a romanian refugee who she met in Colorado, and then help founding an airline corporation in Geneva. whew!! we talked alot and it was such a nice completion to my testing experience abroad!
I departed the Landhous at about 11:00 only to arrive at the bahnhof to discover i had missed the last train by 3 minutes. Seeing the next came at 12:09 i saw a sign across the road stating Gstaad, 3k, wanderweg (the walking trails).. so I walked to Gstaad and enjoyed the scenery as I made progress. I arrived in Gstaad with enough time to purchase a Coop quality salad and catch the 12:16 train to Zweisimmin.. the route was the same, and I found myself walking through the door home in Worb at 3:00, pretty much exhausted. I said hallo, chatted a bit, and then fell into my bed for a 2 hour, much needed nap.
And so there... as sarcastically as i wrote, partially spiting mother for reminding me to write here ;], I really enjoyed the silence, quietness, and relaxtion (well mixed with nerves). On my walk from Saaned to Gstaad i really got to see the beauty and soak it all up, not cooped up from inside a train! And i took some pictures that would own any super japanese technology!
Love to all, and all a goodnight, because its 11 pm and I'm dead tired, a little sick, and have an important job of cooking pancakes for the family tomorrow. Dad I'll do you proud with the tradisch sunday pancakes!!!
love, prayers, and oh so much swissness coming ur way!
(Anonymous)
THANKS!!!!!
LOVEEEEEE!!!!!