Sunday, June 28, 2009

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Coretta and Geno singing a duet

Switzerland: A Reflection


In two days, we will be venturing by airplane to America. We have not made this journey since last August when we moved here. So much has happened since then, and we have definitely grown as a family and individually. I will never take for granted how wonderful this experience has really been. The fact that my children can venture outside and have the freedom that I had growing up is so priceless. Coretta will leave and play with her neighborhood friends and not be back until dark. This could never have happened in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It really makes me wonder why? What has so severely changed since when I was growing up that makes this time period more dangerous. Any time you are watching the local news, all you hear about is robberies, murders, drug busts, meth houses, police car chases, and abused children. I again ask why? Why have we allowed our world to be so dangerous?

In Switzerland for example, women can even walk alone at night. I remember when I first moved here, how odd it felt to walk at night and not feel scared. It has given me such a liberated feeling.

Moreover, the public transportation system in America is extremely outdated. Back in the states, it would take me 45 minutes one way to get to my job each day which means on a good day 90 minutes of my day is stuck in a car dealing with traffic jams. In Switzerland, it has been very refreshing to know that all I need to do is jump on a train or a bus to get anywhere in Switzerland, or anywhere in Europe for that matter. It is safe, clean, and reliable. No muggings, no violence, no hassle.

Now things are more expensive here, but that to me is a trade off for people who are paid a living wage. Every person in Switzerland is highly skilled and trained at what they do. Because of this, they are paid much more than in America. In fact I believe that minimum wage is 30 dollars an hour and what is it in America?

The travel opportunities here have been too many to count. We have had the opportunity to travel within Switzerland to Lugano, Sattel, Engelberg, Mount Rigi, Mount Pilatus, Mount Titlus, as well as several other villages. We have been to France five times spending time in Strasbourg, Paris, Colmar, Marseille, and Lyon. We have been two places in Germany: Munich and the Black Forest along the Titisee Lake. We have been to Lake Como in Italy and traveled to Menaggio, Bellagio, and Varenna. This is all in one year! Nick and I laugh because back home we were lucky to do one family vacation a year and this year we went to 10 different cities in three different countries and so many places in Switzerland itself, I have lost count.

With this said, I am still looking forward to coming home (so to speak) which is used loosely because I feel that Switzerland is or feels more like home than anywhere I have ever lived. It will be great to see family and friends and spend quality time with those loved ones who matter to us. Although they will be sadly missed for another year when I return to Switzerland, I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. Switzerland is really my home, my refuge, and my soul.

End of School














Coretta and Geno are finally done with school. Because Coretta did such a great job in third grade, she earned the authentic Italia soccer jersey she wanted. She was very excited and looks forward to wearing it to soccer camp this summer. We have enrolled her in soccer at the inter soccer club which is located right by our house in Hunenberg. She will have soccer camp for an entire week and be there from 10 am until 6 pm every day. She is really looking forward to it. She will also be able to play basketball at school next year in 4th grade which she is also looking forward to. Piano has also been finished for the year and she has improved so much this year. She has been playing for three years, but this year is able to play and read music with the help of her great teacher Mrs. Pauli. She will begin piano again in August and she looks forward to that. Coretta will be starting school again on August 26th as a fourth grader. Congrats to both my lovely kiddos for such a great year.

Geno's School Conference



Yesterday I had Geno's end of the year conference. They stated that he has really come out of his shell and is using more and more words to express his feelings. They felt that he is at his age level in both gross and fine motor skills and emphasized that he liked more sedentary activities such as coloring, puzzles, drawing, and reading than physical ones. However, I have seen a change now when I drop him off because instead of doing a puzzle or coloring, he runs straight for the slide with the older boys.

They also stated that the only area of improvement (other than speech of course) is sharing toys with others. He tends to grab toys away from others, which can definitely be attributed to the age difference between Coretta and Geno. He pretty much has all of his toys to himself. They also stated that he is very happy at school and likes socializing with the other children. Next year, starting August 18th, Geno will have graduated to Play Group 2.

Great progress Geno! I am so happy to see you loving school and learning!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Swiss Drivers License


It has almost been a year since we moved to Switzerland. One of the requirements to drive in Switzerland, is to apply for a Swiss license within a year of your arrival. Nick and I took care of this recently and we had to have a recent photo of ourselves, our B permits, paperwork filled out, eye exams, and our American driver's licenses to process our request. We had been told that if we didn't get this done within a year, we would be forced to take the test in German (and I for sure would fail). In case you didn't know, Swiss drivers aren't allowed a license until their 21. (They can drink at 16, but they are not safe to drive until their older). I found this to be an interesting fact.

Everything was going smoothly until Nick was informed that his photo wouldn't work because a the top of his head was cut off. Pictures submitted needed so many centimeters of white space above your head apparently, so he had to take it over. We then were informed that we also needed our B permits in order to apply, so we had to run home to get this as well. Little chaotic, but we are legally allowed to drive in Switzerland now.

Here is a photo of our new Swiss driver's licenses.

Our Journey through Foreign Films














Nick and I have been trying to work our way down the top foreign films in Paste Magazine and have been pleasantly surprised. It makes it difficult living in Switzerland, however, because some titles are not offered on i-tunes. What I like most about foreign films or independent films for that matter, is that they take more risks and are more creative in their camera angles, cinematography, and content. This proved to be true in the movie Cache. It is a french film directed by Michael Haneke and written by Michael Haneke . In Cache, it was a psychological thriller about a family that was being stalked. In the beginning, you are watching a surveillance camera, almost as if you were watching this house from the street, and the movie rewinds. I thought that was creative and interesting choice to begin a movie. Then you realize that it is the family looking at their camera surveillance tapes trying to catch the stalker. The end of the movie is very open ended and you are left wondering who was doing it.

Last night we watched a Mexican film entitled Amores Perros which means Love's a Bitch. It was directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and written by Guillermo Arriaga It starts out at a dog fight (which is particularly hard to watch if you are a dog lover) and there are several scenes in the movie about this. The movie as a whole has to do with the old cliche "you don't know what you have until it's gone" or better yet until you lose it. Each character in the movie is forced to deal with loss. Loss of self respect, loss of love, loss of their dog, lose of their leg and modeling career, loss of a marriage. It also follows that philosophy that there are only nine degrees of separation and really looks at how interconnected the world really is. The movie centers around a car accident and how this accident affects three lives. I found this movie to be particularly gruesome in some scenes especially when the dogs are killed, but it was a twisted and dark way to look at it.

Well, can't wait to watch the next one!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Happy Fathers Day




I would like to start by sending out a Happy Father's Day to all the Dads in my life. Being a Dad is a very important role in any child's life. That relationship helps form kids into who and what they will become (as do mothers of course).

I just read that President Obama wrote a letter to his daughters apologizing for the time and things he missed when he was on the campaign trail. He also stated how important the role of a father truly is. He stated that "it doesn't make you a man to produce children, but it makes you a man to help raise them." This is so very true. I have been blessed to have a wonderful husband and father in my life who always puts the needs of his family first. He takes time to spend quality time with each child each day such as reading to Geno every night before he goes to sleep and taking Coretta swimming. In fact, right this moment, on Father's Day, he has taken Coretta and one of her neighborhood friends Michael, to the swimming Lattich in Baar. Later tonight we plan to barbecue ribs, Nick's favorite, with fried potatoes and salad, and of course, black forest cake.

Although many say that Fathers Day was just created by Hallmark as a way to sell cards, I truly believe that fathers who actually are there, present in their children's lives on a daily basis, should be honored at least once a year for all the work they do. Many times it is a thankless job, but I couldn't do it without you Nick! I love you!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Swiss Drivers License


In order to drive in Switzerland, after one year, you must apply for a Swiss driver's license. What you need to do in order to get one, is show your B permit, fill out some paper work (that is written in German), take a photo, and must show your United States driver's license. This is important to get within the allotted time, because if you don't, you must take the test that is all in German. Not only that, but don't get your United States license renewed prior to applying for your Swiss license. Why, you might ask? Because in Switzerland, you are not allowed to drive a car until you are 21. If you renew your driver's license prior, it looks like you just received your license, and they will not issue you one.

First thing on our agenda today was to go to the Photo Grau to get our eye exam completed. Now knowing that I do not speak very good German, I was a little bit apprehensive of the test. The test was actually fairly simple asking you what position various letter E's were facing in different sizes as well as deciphering a series of numbers.

Next, we were off to the motor vehicle place or the Swiss equivalent. Nick and I thought we had all the necessary documentation when we showed up at the motor vehicle office, to find out that we needed to present our B permit. Not only that, but in Nick's photo, his head was just a little cut off, and they made him take a new photo. All of this needed to be completed by 11:45 of course, because this is when the Swiss take their two hour lunch break and everything is closed. Amazingly enough, we drove home, got the B permits, drove back, and finished the process at exactly 12:45. Our new Swiss licenses will be here in no more than 12 days. Until then, we must carry a photo copy of the information.

Also this week, we needed to get new pictures for our B permit, so we took new immigration photos. These for the most part looked better than our last ones, but the last ones will always hold a special place in my heart. Above is a picture of our old versus our new. You decide which one you think looks better.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Geno's Speech Therapy Meeting


For the past month, Geno has been seeing a speech therapist who comes to our house and plays with him for an hour and a half every day. They play with toys, practice twisting the tops off of caps, cutting playdough, roleplaying, and several activites that look at cause and effect.

Yesterday we had our first official meeting to see what she has observed this past month and what our next steps are in regards to Geno's speech. The tests done were completed on April 30th 2009 when Geno was 28 months old. The tests stated that in gross motor skills, Geno was at 30.5 months, but when it came to his fine motor skills, he was at 18.5 months (10 months behind). His actual recognition of words (hearing and speaking) was also below average at around 18.5 months (10 months behind). His ability to do things independently without assistance was also below average at 17.5 months (12 months behind), and lastly when it came to his emotional growth he was at 27.5 months which was in the normal range. She also noted that although Geno has had some success in learning new words, he is not able to say any verbs at this point.

Since the test, two months have passed and Geno has really improved in all of his problem areas. Using his words more to communicate, being able to play independently, but he is about 7 months behind overall. Our speech therapist has recommended that she work with Geno once a week until he is 4 (if needed). I think that it is highly likely that by the time he reaches school age, that he will be right where he should be in regards to his peers.

Overall, it was a very productive and helpful meeting.

Coretta's German Class




Coretta has had an excellent year and has thoroughly enjoyed her German class. As the year is coming to a close, they were videotaped by their teacher Frau Jessop role playing scenes in German. Here are the videos of Coretta and her classmates. Enjoy: German Role Playing

They have also had to speak conversational German to one another and here is a video of Coretta and her classmates doing that as well: Conversational German.

The last video is just students practicing their German in class: German Class

Way to go Coretta!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Father/Daughter Trip to Rotheburg Germany





Coretta and Nick decided that it would be great for them to have some father/daughter bonding time (highly suggested by Mama) so Nick planned a trip for them on the romantic road in Germany to see old medieval castles followed up with an intact medieval city named Rothenberg ob de Tauber. Friday afternoon, Nick, Coretta, Seamus, and Ron took off in the Audi for a three day adventure. There first stop was a town named Memmigen. This seemed like a good half way point on their road trip and they spent the night there. The hotel was right in the middle of the Aldstadt (old town) and they spent time exploring the small village, took a sauna, and called it a day knowing that the next day would be quite long.

The next morning, they packed up, jumped back in the car for destination Rothenberg. Instead of taking the romantic road, they opted for the autobahn which according to Nick does not have speed limits. He stated to me that he could have went even faster if he didn't still have the winter tires on the car. Me, being the skeptic, is still waiting to see if any speeding tickets come in the mail.

Once to their destination, they checked into the Eisenhut Hotel which was right in the heart of the medieval city. The building itself was as old as the 1500's and decorated in that era as well. The hotel looked like a museum or a castle and had several pieces of art on the walls.

The first day, they decided that they would take the Nightman's Watch Tour which is a guided tour of what this job entails and how important that job is in protecting their community. In Nick's own words, he stated "Great narrated walking tour. Although I realized for the first time that Rick Steve's-endorsed attractions come with a lot of fanatical, loud, and sometimes obnoxious Americans."

They also made their way up one of the many bell towers which was quite physically challenging considering there were many, many narrow steps in order to get to the top. Definitely not for the weak hearted. Once to the top, Ron took a picture of Coretta, Seamus, and Nick and they looked like little specs in the background of the tower. At the top of the bell tower, there was an exhibition that documented the Allied bombing of the town in 1945. The narrative was very critical, noting that there were no military or industrial targets, but that similar to the bombing of other smaller towns and villages, it was intended to break the morale of the Nazis.

They then spent the remainder of the day sampling German beers and looking at tourist shops with the kids. Coretta ended up getting several postcards and a slingshot with metal bullets (which when brought home was given a lecture how no one can use it and only shoot at trees).

The next day, being Sunday, they decided to spend this last day at the Medieval Criminal Museum, and it did not disappoint. Nick said that it was quite interesting and somewhat comical the different medieval forms of torture that they used. For instance, if you did something that would be unfavorable to the citizens in the village, you were ordered to wear the "mask of shame." These were medal masks shaped like animal heads and were used in hopes that it would deter the accused of committing the crime again. However, for those who took part in any sexual indiscretions, they would be forced to wear the pig faced mask (and I thought the scarlet letter was bad).

They also had medieval instruments of torture for punishing quarreling women. It was made out of wood and their hands and arms were locked in there until they reconciled their differences. My question is, what did they do to quarreling men?

They also had chastity belts on display as well as executioner swords. A sample inscription on the blade stated: "As this blade falls, may the condemned find absolution." Furthermore, they had different instruments labeled "witch catchers" (heaven forbid there would be a real witch among them), medieval electric chairs, thumb screws used to try to get confessions to certain crimes, as well as a medieval form of water boarding. This form of water boarding was used in France and Spain and they used holy water instead of well water. Hmmmm....interesting. Do you really think that holy water could absolve them from their sins?

It seems that in medieval times, one of the best ways to torture victims was with presses: leg presses, tongue presses, head presses...seems the best way to extract confessions is to tighten the screws around select body parts. Ouch!!

Once finished there, they decided to stop at two villages along the way. One of the villages was actually having a festival in the old area with music and food, so they stopped there. They fit in a lot in three days, but I think it was a memorable trip.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Coretta


Coretta school is coming to a close on June 25th. I know that many of you are thinking, "That seems really long" but when you consider all of the breaks she has, it really isn't. She has had a great year at the International School of Zug and will definitely miss her teacher Ms. Wunderlin.

She has learned all about rights and responsibilities, learned about caves, multiplcation, improved her writing and research skills, read several books from several different genres, learned how to speak German, and played the recorder. She has met people from several different countries with different cultural traditions and customs, and has continued her lessons in piano at the Hunenberg Music School with Miss Pauli. She has also become quite good at swimming being able to dive, do the backstroke, front stroke, and butterfly.

Next year she will be in the fourth grade. Since there are four sections of third graders, they asked each student to write down three people that they would like to have in their class next year. I like that they mix it up every year because they are able to meet new people.

I am very proud of Coretta's progress this year and her ambition to always do the extra credit homework assigned and to take her studies seriously. She is still growing into a beautiful young lady who tries to include others who also continues to show great leadership skills at home, in the neighborhood, and at school. As Coretta says, "I can't wait till next year! I'll be ten. You know that's double digits right Mom."

Little Geno




Geno's school for the year is quickly coming to a close. His teachers are very proud of his progress this year. They have really seen him come out of his shell. He is a very loving child and loves to give all of his teachers hugs and kisses. As soon as he gets into school, the first thing he wants to do is rough house with the older boys and play on the slide.

As for his speech therapy, we will be meeting with his speech therapist next Tuesday where she will let us know what steps we should take next. I am proud of his accomplishments in this area as well. He is beginning to string three word sentences such as "I want toe (toast), or I need Mowk (milk), or I need Daddy, I got owie, and I want jew (juice). He is actually even counting to three as well.

His favorite toys are leggos, his big wheel (which he can now pedal), his Winnie the Pooh train, and any small figurines (cows, dogs, dinosaurs) and his toy cars.

His favorite foods are peanut butter, grapes, apples, crackers, cheese, and spicy thai. This is my boy who is now two years and six months old.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Coretta's Sleep over












Coretta had her friend Melanie sleep over last night. They had a lot of fun eating snacks, watching movies, playing on the computer, and playing outside. Geno especially loved trying to hang out with the girls with very little luck. He however somehow managed to get a kiss and hug out of Melanie. Here's a photo of them eating breakfast this morning.

They also decided that Geno needed a make over, or at least Coretta did. Coretta put eyeshadow and lipstick on him. I would say, "Geno you are a boy", which he would reply "No!" Needless to say he enjoys appeasing his lovely big sister. In the photograph you can see how much of a willing participant he is as he puckers for the application of the lipstick. The lengths he will go to impress the ladies.

Damage Control


The other day, I put Geno in his height chair and got ready to give him a hair cut. All was going well considering I am getting good at the bob and weave move. Muhammed Ali would be proud. Until, Geno kept fussing and I, being preoccupied on being fast, forgot that the protector was not on (since I was cleaning up his neck line) and all of a sudden he had a huge bald spot. Mortified, I quickly called Nick to let him know what happened. Thank God he likes to wear his fisherman hats. I'm thinking in a couple of weeks it will fill in nicely. With that said, no amount of kind words can assuage my mother's guilt.

On a lighter note, Geno has learned how to pedal his bike. Here is a video of him doing just that. Enjoy!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Furenalp Family Hike







Today the family decided to drive to Engelberg and do some hiking in the Furenalp region of Switzerland. Once there, we found parking and Nick paid for our tickets on the gondola. Once in the gondola, it was a slow ascension to the top of the mountain. Geno became scared a couple of times because of the dips and held on to his Dad very tight. Once to the top, Geno yells loud and clear, "Yay!!" and all of the other people on the gondola with us laughed.

We then proceeded to the outdoor terrace where they served drinks, food, and desserts and ordered German sausages with hash browns and alpine macaroni for two. I have never had the opportunity to try alpine macaroni before, but it surely didn't disappoint. This is a Swiss mountain dish that includes penne pasta, cheese, caramelized onions, garlic, and potatoes. Coretta followed her dinner up with two scoops of chocolate ice cream that she shared with her Mom and brother.

While we waited for the food to arrive, Coretta jumped on the trampoline that overlooks the mountains in every direction and Geno enjoyed going up and down the gigantic green slide. After lunch, we took the gondola and decided to hike in the valley since much of the paths are paved and easy to navigate with the stroller. It is here that we heard the clanging of the famous Swiss cow bells, saw old farmhouses, majestic views of mountains, waterfalls, and the cleanest water I have ever seen. Geno and Coretta took some time to skip some rocks into the river and I even dipped my feet in.

Both kids fell asleep on the drive home. Great way to spend a day. There is nothing like nature, mountains, and hiking to replenish your soul. Here are a few more pictures from our hike at this link: Furenalp Photos