Swiss Miss

Le Grande Magasins

2008-12-06T13:16:00.000-08:00

The Marais, Paris

2008-12-06T13:02:00.001-08:00

out for a walk

2008-11-29T12:49:00.000-08:00

A Swiss Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T12:23:00.001-08:00

2008-11-27T13:46:00.000-08:00

2008-11-27T13:42:00.000-08:00

A Chalet in the Alps

2008-11-24T03:13:00.000-08:00

feeling good

2008-11-22T02:14:00.001-08:00

I'm feeling better these day. Yesterday I spent the day in Geneva researching at the United Nations library. It is a very inspiring atmosphere, and I feel so cool just wondering the grounds. All I have to do is flash them my pass and I'm in, how great is that? In the afternoon I had went to the MSF headquarters and had an amazing interview with Jean-Marc Biquet, the head researcher for MSF's thinktank UREPH. We talked for an hour and a half, on a range of issues. He had a great perspective on the life as a humanitarian. We focused on the ethics that surrounds humanitarian work and the difficulty of remaining independent in the 21st century, as that is what my research is focusing on. I walked out feeling motivated and strong. Then I went home and made rice pudding for everyone, it turned out so lovely. Now I'm leaving for a chalet in the Valais part of Switzerland for the weekend. It's snowing outside, so being in the mountains should be interesting...

en route

2008-11-22T01:59:00.000-08:00

last bits of stockholm...

2008-11-22T00:58:00.000-08:00

Fika

2008-11-18T11:57:00.000-08:00

Fika in Swedish means "to have coffee" and the Swedes are experts at it. Every cafe was more magical than the last one. Full of tasty sweets, delicious lattes, candles at every table and cute guys working at the counter

so many pictures to share....

2008-11-18T09:39:00.000-08:00

Stockholm Day 2

2008-11-18T08:54:00.000-08:00

Homesick

2008-11-18T08:50:00.000-08:00

I have 3 weeks left until I'm home
2 weeks in Switzerland and 1 week in Paris
I'm supposed to be working on my research paper
but I can't concentrate. I'm so ready to be home with all my friends and family. But I need to focus and finish this paper.

first glimpses of stockholm

2008-11-15T11:26:00.000-08:00

The Divine Comedy - Sweden

2008-11-09T12:52:00.001-08:00

only two days until I depart for Stockholm!

Gruyeres 2

2008-11-09T10:12:00.000-08:00

Gruyeres

2008-11-08T14:07:00.001-08:00

A Night to Remember

2008-11-06T14:33:00.000-08:00

election night

2008-11-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

I got interviewed by swiss news network Swissinfo, here is the link for the complete video

http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/multimedia/video/detail.html?siteSect=15045&sid=9934924

reflections

2008-11-05T13:15:00.000-08:00

these past few days have been a blur, I'm running on four hours of sleep right now. I stayed up all night to watch the results come in from the election. I still have yet been able to formulate a proper sentence of how I feel about Obama's win. I am full of so much emotion, pride, hope, to name a few. I still cannot believe this is real. This campaign has gone on for almost two years, and it has finally come to an end. I have complete faith in Obama and what he will do as our president. Our country is burdened with so many issues that need immediate attention, the economy, the wars in Iraq and Afganistan, our health care system, and even our standing in the international community which has been so poorly damaged. There is a lot to be done, and we must all pull together, whether or not we voted for Obama. He faces an enormous task when he takes office January 20th, and I hope with all my heart that he will be able to live up to the many promises he has made which inspired so many people in America. So many people are counting on results, there is no other choice. I have regained a sense of pride in my country and have great faith in what we can do.

2008-11-02T12:57:00.000-08:00

thats Jean-Luc Godard's studio, you know he's there when the blinds are open, walked past him again yesterday, before I leave I must talk to him

but i though she said maple leaves...

2008-11-02T12:40:00.000-08:00

Sunday in Lausanne

2008-11-02T09:26:00.000-08:00

Luzerne

2008-11-01T05:44:00.000-07:00

Bits and pieces

2008-11-01T05:17:00.000-07:00

Bern, Switzerland

2008-10-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

We spent the afternoon in the capital of Switzerland, Bern. It was wonderful. A very old city, full of history

fall music

2008-10-26T06:50:00.001-07:00

graffiti even in Switzerland

2008-10-26T03:44:00.000-07:00

bowling

2008-10-26T03:13:00.000-07:00

Last night we went bowling in Gland with the other SIT group. lots of beer, crazy music, beaucoup de fun

un tres bonne nuit

2008-10-25T09:33:00.001-07:00

window shopping

2008-10-25T09:29:00.001-07:00

bonjour once again

2008-10-21T07:53:00.000-07:00

I saw Jean-luc again! It was at the same time and same street corner as before, isn't life wonderful sometimes?

what else is there?

2008-10-21T07:44:00.000-07:00

The swiss are obsessed with Nespresso brand coffee, you have to buy a certain machine, and you can only buy the little caps of coffee at their stores, one big marketing ploy I suspect. Yet I am addicted to their yummy coffee in varying strengths and flavors and ultra chic stores with rhinestoned coffee machines...and I must have at least one cappuccino a day (look at the pretty one I enjoyed today)

still looking for one of these...

2008-10-19T12:13:00.000-07:00

Jens Lekman - Maple Leaves (Live)

2008-10-19T12:11:00.001-07:00

its fall in Switzerland, and all I can think about is this magical song. This song has the power to make all my problems disappear (at least for 4 minutes)

plus de Geneve

2008-10-19T11:59:00.001-07:00

bonjour!

2008-10-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

i don't normally like posting pictures I took of myself, but I was bored and I want to show off my fabulous rose headband

Do It Anyway...

2008-10-19T11:50:00.000-07:00

Came across this poem/prayer today, and needed to share it

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you
of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some
false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building,
someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness,
they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will
forget tomorrow,
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and
it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got ... anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is
between you and God,
It never was between you and them anyway..

Mother Theresa

Maples Leaves

2008-10-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

A beautiful sunday afternoon spent wandering the streets of Geneva

A Moveable Feast

2008-10-19T09:29:00.001-07:00

while wandering the streets of Geneva today, I came across a market in the Plainpalais, I was in scensory overload. The smells of the spices, the tastes of the candied ginger, the colors of the oranges, raspberries and squash, and the many different languages being spoke, portuguese, french, italian...

Le Fete

2008-10-16T10:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Kendel's 21st birthday so we had a big dinner party with all the girls. It was lovely, good food, good wine, good friends

Fondue and a Hike

2008-10-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

How my day was spent....
Karen, her friend Richard, his dog and I drove up into the Jura mountains for the day. We stopped at a restaurant for a late lunch, of course lots of fondue and wine was consumed. Then we went for a little hike, when we reached the top, it overlooked everything, the alps on one side with Mont Blanc and on the other side we could see France. There was even a chalet open, where we stopped for some Swiss apple juice. The leaves are changing, and there is an warmness to the light here. It almost seems unreal

Beirut -

2008-10-11T03:36:00.001-07:00

Beirut's music, is hauntingly beautiful and has become the soundtrack to this whole experience

Have a nice day!

2008-10-10T12:35:00.000-07:00

after a day spent in the library working on my paper, i was in need of some retail therapy. I wandered down to the shopping street in downtown Geneva, it was a beautiful day. there was a used book and map market and venders selling roasted chestnuts, i love their smell, it fills the streets. I came across a store Nice Day Nice Things, it instantly made me happy. Full of whimsical goodies, cardigans, clutches, and purses. Found a lovely leather purse....

Le Chocolat

2008-10-09T12:01:00.000-07:00

Today we had a little field trip with our french class. We walked to the tiny village of Prangins and visited a small chocolate factory. First we learned the basics of chocolate, where it comes from, how it is made, the difference between chocolate, dark and white chocolate. Then we saw how they made their artisanal chocolate. Of course this included a chocolate fountain and sampling of beaucoup de chocolate.

Research

2008-10-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

It has come the time to begin the research process...we only have three more weeks left of our classes and then we begin our month of independent research time. I have my topic, now I am working on sorting through the literature that is out there on it. I am looking into the ethical and security dilemmas faced by the UNHCR (United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees) during the Great Lakes Refugee Crisis in 1994-1996. It is great to be right in Geneva working on this, because I have access to all sorts of libraries and collections. I've been spending most of my time at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, the school that I am interested in doing my graduate studies at.

Canals of our City

2008-10-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

Venice 2

2008-10-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

I have been without internet for a few days, so I haven't been able to update Swiss Miss, but now I am good to go, here are the rest of the pics from Venice

Le Petit Soldat

2008-09-30T09:33:00.000-07:00

I had a fabulous day....
this morning while walking to the train station this morning I was greeted by a certain special someone. Who is this person? While walking towards the cross walk, Jean-Luc Godard walked past and said bonjour to me. He looked actually how I expected him to. He was wearing sweat pants, a blazer, his trademark glasses, messy hair and all. I wore a huge grin the whole train ride into Geneva. I guess he's back to work in his studio. Hopefully more encounters will ensue...

Venice Part 1

2008-09-29T13:46:00.000-07:00

Bellinzona

2008-09-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

Monday we visited the town of Bellinzona, in Ticino, Switzerland. There was the most beautiful castles scattered along the mountains. It was quite possibly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen

Wine Party in the Hotel

2008-09-24T14:52:00.001-07:00

Decided to have a wine party in one of our hotel rooms, everyone provided different goodies, i came prepared with a great music mix...fun was had by all

Lugano

2008-09-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

Monday we arrived in Lugano, Switzerland. It is in the Italian speaking canton of Ticino. It is so beautiful, I've had to learn some Italian phrases, I love the language.

Benefits of living in Switzerland no. 261

2008-09-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

You get to see this handsome man's face plastered everywhere

this week

2008-09-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning we leave for Lugano, which is in south-eastern part of Switzerland (where they speak Italian) for 4 days where we will be meeting with different NGOs and exploring the beautiful area. Friday, me and a few girls are going to Venice for the weekend. I plan on living off of gelato for those 3 days

Another reason to love Switzerland...

2008-09-21T13:23:00.001-07:00

because I can buy rose flavored lassis at Coop, and many other rose flavored goodies. I truly am living la vie en rose!

Beer

2008-09-20T13:04:00.000-07:00

Went grocery shopping today at Coop, they had a wine tasting, which was wonderful, Karen bought tons of wine and I found lots of good beer. Including one I've been looking for for ages. It translate to "End of the World", fits well with my bitter, cynical side

Rolle

2008-09-20T12:57:00.001-07:00

The weather has been beautiful for the past week, fall in starting to kick in, leaves are starting to fall, the air is a little crisp and its almost harvest time at all the vineyards. I'm spending my weekend relaxing and writing two papers. On Monday we leave for Lugano, which is in the Italian part of Switzerland, where we will be there for four days visiting different NGOs then we have the weekend free so me and a few other girls are taking the train down to Venice. I'm so excited to wander the canals and eat a lot of gelato.

Old Town Geneva

2008-09-20T02:09:00.000-07:00

Fondue in the Alps

2008-09-19T16:32:00.000-07:00

Thursday evening we drove up into the Alps to enjoy a traditional fondue meal with all the students and host families. Beforehand we walked around and searched for mushrooms. It was one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever had. I was in complete awe of what surrounded me. The fondue was great (of course), I drank a little too much wine, but had a great time none the less.

Le Fromage

2008-09-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

My host mom Karen and I are cheese lovers, so every evening we try different kinds. Being in Switzerland it is not very hard to find great cheese! Tonight we had monk's head cheese, in which you use a certain contraption to get little swirls of cheesy goodness, once again Karen did not disappoint

Lazy Sunday afternoon

2008-09-14T11:09:00.001-07:00

My walk from the train station is so pretty, its about a 10 minute walk along a walking path, so I thought I would take some pictures of it

Red Cross Museum

2008-09-14T04:55:00.000-07:00

On Friday we visited the Red Cross Museum, it was so inspiring, the building itself was great, there is a lot of symbolism. It presented the history of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movements, and what it does in current humanitarian emergencies

Fondue Night!

2008-09-14T04:43:00.000-07:00

My host mom Karen, hosted a fondue night last night and a few girls from my group came over, it turned out to be a lovely night, full of good wine, good conversation and great fondue! Now I understand the art of fondue, and it is delicious

A woman is a woman

2008-09-13T03:41:00.000-07:00

Anna approves of the rain

FOR ALL THE YOUNG LOVERS OF THE WIDE, WIDE WORLD...

2008-09-13T03:34:00.001-07:00

It rained the last weekend, and now its raining again, which is making my plans to explore Switzerland difficult! It just rains constantly, all day long. The positive side of this, is it forces me to do all the readings for class and research for my project. It makes me think of the film Umbrellas of Cherbourg by Jacques Demy, if only I had a dreamy french man singing to me all day long. Now the only thing I need is a great trench coat, because every chic french woman owns one.

World Health Organization

2008-09-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

Today we visited the World Health Organization (WHO) for a briefing on sexual and reproductive health. A specialist discussed with us the issue of unsafe abortions and the WHO's strategic approach to strengthening abortion policies and programs. In 2003 the estimated number of unsafe abortions preformed were 19.7 million, and again in 2003 deaths due to unsafe abortions were 66,500. The most interesting issue brought up in the discussion to me was the Global Gag Rule/ Mexico City Policy which is a United States government policy which requires all non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive federal funding to refrain from performing or promoting abortion services in other countries. It was in place from 1984 until 1993 and again since 2001. This policy seems a bit odd since, abortion is legal in the US

Explorations

2008-09-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

Today after our briefings, I decided to wander and explore more of Geneva. It's a small city, very compact. So far I love it, its very international and cosmopolitan. Its not over whelming and it really inspiring to be around all these people that work at the different international organizations that are based here. The weather is beautiful here right now, so its great to wander the back streets, stop at a cafe for some coffee, stop in at all the random boutiques and grab some ice cream on your way back to the train station.

United Nations

2008-09-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we visited the UN headquarters in Geneva to tour the library (which we have full access to for our independent research projects). The campus of the UN is beautiful it overlooks Lake Geneva. It is a very inspiring environment and I cannot wait to get in there and meet people. It is all about making connections, this trip could open a lot of doors for me.

Exploring Geneva

2008-09-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

Today we explored Geneva for the first time. It's beautiful, I'm already in love with this place.
As you can see I took a lot of pictures of fountains, they are everywhere! Water is really Switzerland's only natural resource. Almost every fountain's (unless labeled) water you can drink. So if you're thirsty while walking around, you can just stop at a fountain and fill up your water bottle. Because after all the water comes from the same source as Evian. Not bad huh?

On the look out for Godard

2008-09-06T06:49:00.000-07:00

I had an interesting conversation with my host mom yesterday. It started by me being in awe of all her amazing film books on the book shelf across from my room. So then we started talking about French New Wave (as you know my favorite period), our favorite films, etc. Then she mentions a small detail about a particular director. Apparently Jean-Luc Godard's studio is across the street from my home in Rolle. Yup, Jean-Luc Godard one of my heroes. My host mother, Karen said I'll most likely see him wandering around town. But being that its Switzerland, and the Swiss are very reserve, I'm supposed to pretend he is no one special, ya I'm not sure about that. So starting now I am on the look out for Godard.

Swiss Miss

2008-09-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

I am now settling into swiss life. I moved in with my host family yesterday evening. I live with a woman Karen and her daughter Alessandra. Karen is American but has lived in Switzerland for 20 years. She is a legal advisor for governments. So far so good. It's unbelievable how beautiful it is here. I live in the village of Rolle on Lake Geneva. I'm surrounded by chalets and vineyards. I have yet to explore the area, but I have the next two days off to do so. They gave us a whole stack of readings to work on, and I must start thinking about my Independent Research Project.

Onto Switzerland

2008-09-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

and a few pictures taken today- our first day of classes in Nyon, Switzerland
The town has a lot of Roman history, hence the Roman columns

Pompidou Center

2008-09-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

I didn't go inside, because I'm going to wait to go to all of Paris's big museums when we spend another week in Paris in December, but the outside was well worth the trip to see