Summer in Switzerland and other life updates

March to August- that must be some kind of new record of blog laziness. Perhaps I should just give in to the fact that I'm not cut out to be a blogger. Or perhaps I just try, try again.

This may come as a shock to some of you, but I'm not currently in Morocco! That's right, my search for summer employment brought me to the disgustingly picturesque city of Lugano, Switzerland. Actually, the school where I'm teaching ESL in a summer program is not even in the city of Lugano, but the tiny village of Montagnola about 15 minutes up the mountain. It is truly breathtaking up here and I'm not entirely sure how I secured work in such a fantastic place.

The church I pass everyday on my way to school

Don't be fooled though, Switzerland, the land of cheese, chocolate, army knives and clocks, is not without pitfalls. The first of which is how insanely expensive everything is. Lugano is by far the most expensive place I've ever been and the fact that I'm becoming numb to the cost is quite concerning. I think you need an example. Let's start with McDonald's. In the states (and in Morocco) you can get a Big Mac value meal for around $5. Maybe that doesn't include a supersizing, but whatever. The same meal here in Switzerland goes for about $12. Twelve dollars for a McDonald's value meal!? Ok, it may be grass fed beef and not full of chemicals, but still. I can't even buy my own grandma a cheesy Switzerland magnet for less than $8. I don't even want to get in to the price I paid for a 90 minute massage. Let's just say I could probably eat for 6 months on it in Morocco.

A few of the buildings on campus

The second pitfall is rather Teresa specific. Being chuck full of quaint mountain villages makes for an alarming amount of car sickness while traveling. Ugh. My lovely Saturday and Sunday excursions are tainted with headaches and nausea unless I drug myself up. And drugged up is not the best way to enjoy the scenery which includes countless waterfalls cascading over the Alps. Has anyone had any luck with those weird bracelet things?

But enough about the negatives, Switzerland is quite possibly the most beautiful place I've ever seen. I cannot take enough photographs of the view of Lake Lugano from Montagnola. I photograph it in sunny weather, hazy weather, cloudy weather, day time, night time, etc. I often feel it looks like a photoshopped in backdrop and not like a real thing that I'm seeing with my own eyes.

The much photographed view

The job is also really wonderful. My teaching schedule is more than manageable with only 4, 45 minute periods per day. I'd like to thank AMIDEAST for acclimating me to three straight hours with teenagers at a time. Compared to that, this is a cake walk. Classes end at 2:30 and then two days per week I have to supervise an afternoon sports activity. Arts and Crafts and Swimming- life is tough! Evenings are free unless I want to attend an event or if I'm on dorm duty. Dorm duty is by far the lamest part of the job, but you put up with it for the wonderful weekend excursions! Every Saturday and Sunday I venture into Switzerland or northern Italy to see some new, beautiful place. So far I've been to Milan for sites and shopping, Ascona for beach time, whitewater rafting through the Alps, a beautiful Villa on Lake Como and Sirmione on Lake Garda. This weekend, to fair Verona!

Did I mention the Friday evening staff wine and cheese parties? It really is a dream way to spend a summer and earn good money. Unfortunately, Mohamed and I got engaged just before I left and I spend a good deal of time missing him and our life together in Morocco. On the upside, I think spending this time missing each other is in the end good for our relationship and will hopefully make us appreciate each other more when we're reunited. Only three weeks to go!

In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy everything that Switzerland has to offer and take some incredible memories back to Morocco with me. Cheers to that!

Since it's been so long since I've posted, here's a recap of the last 5ish months:

March- I spent my spring break visiting friends and my second family in the south of Morocco where I was a volunteer. It had been two year since my last visit and it was long overdue. They've renovated the town, but most other things have remained the same. Still an incredible place where I feel welcomed and at home.

Me and host sister Senna

Me and good friend Habiba

April- Mohamed and I took a day trip to explore Casablanca and I ran an 8k with a lot of ladies! The run was spur of the moment and I ran with a fellow teacher. I did it in just under 60 minutes and won third place in the foreigner category. For not being in running shape, I was pretty pleased.

At the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca

On the podium, collecting my prize!

May/June- We were lucky enough to have two sets of visitors in Rabat. Beth (PCV and former Epic co-worker) came up from the south on her way to the states and RPCV friends Brian and Sara stopped by during their spring break. Loved hosting and hope to have more visitors very soon!

Beth enjoying the sites

Mohamed and I also got involved in the expat softball league and Mohamed found he has a real knack for softball. I don't particularly like playing, but I was happy to step in to fill the female quota when needed. We didn't win the championship, but all in all great way to spend Sunday afternoons.

AMIDEAST Akbars at the championship tournament

And last but not least, the big engagement! Mohamed proposed in our favorite medina restaurant named for the town where we met. Awwww. It was very sweet and we can't wait to make it happen! Lots of planning to do and nothing set yet, but all in good time.

Celebratory dinner

Ciao for now!

For more pictures of my European adventure, check out these links:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100227212361522.2600786.12102478&l=98b9249bbf&type=1

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100288769485552.2604282.12102478&l=028cef87c7&type=1

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100297394910132.2608049.12102478&l=e53c80c98e&type=1

Winter Ends, Life is Good

The last month has been great. Although Spring has yet to make her official appearance, the weather recently has been fairly mild and dry. Mohamed and I have been taking advantage of this by going on a few day trips out of the city. As Sunday is our only non-working day togther we like to alternate between cleaning/relaxing days and days being out and about.

A few weeks ago we made a four hour trek to visit some of my PC friends now working at a university in Ifrane. I was hoping to see some snow, but the gorgeious day we spent walking around the university campus and exploring a natural, water filled park wasn't so bad. Despite now living in Morocco for 6 months together, this was my first time seeing Brian and Sara and it was great to catch up, compare teaching notes and see how different our lives are. Ifrane is calm, clean and noise free. Compared to the hustle and bustle of where I live, it felt a little bit like paradise. There complaints of course are centered around having very little to do. The grass is always greener...

Me and Mohamed touring the campus

The beautiful "Source" water-filled wonderland

Brian and Sara

Aside from our weekend trips, I've also gotten well-adjusted to my work schedule and hit a pretty nice stride with my classes. This week is the last one of the trimester, so my routine will soon be interrupted once again. A new trimester and set of classes can be a bit unnerving as I'm afraid my chances of having classes as wonderful as my current ones are slim.

This month has also brought some exciting news for me on the summer job front. I've accepted an ESL teacher position at a summer camp in Switzerland! I'll be spending eight weeks in Lugano teaching and assisting with activities during the week, then chaperoning excursions throughout Switzerland and Northern Italy on the weekends. Not a bad deal! The time away is not exactly ideal, but there are few ways to earn decent money here in the summer and I couldn't pass up the salary along with an escape from the Moroccan heat.

Following the camp, I'll spend 4 days back in Morocco before coming back the U.S for a visit! Very excited to spend three weeks hanging out in Michigan, Wisconsin and Texas with friends and family. These means another Christmas away from home, but I figure a trip in the summer will be loads more fun.

The purchase of an oven has also drastically changed the state of affairs chez moi this month. The first day we brought it home I made a cake and our lives haven't been the same since! While I hope the baking bug makes an exit soon (my repertoire so far: yellow cake, marble cake, choc pudding cake, cupcakes with choc frosting, lemon cookies), the increase in dinner options has been fabulous. We've made baked fish, pizza, roasted chicken and can refresh old bread!

Finally, with the last month brought my 28th birthday. 27 still sounded young, but 28 is surely a whole new ballgame. The slippery slope to 30 has certainly started and has lit a bit of a fire you know where. The time for playing around is quickly coming to an end.

Heading back to my old PC site for my "spring break." Should be loads of fun. Posts to come!

Have I only been here four months?

Because it feels like four years! I am absolutely shocked at how quickly you adapt to a new place and time starts to warp as you forget what you were doing only a few months before. Or maybe that's just me? I've also done a really crappy job of keeping this blog updated. Also a big shocker.

I'm pretty sure I've turned into a Moroccan in these 4 short months...

From this moment on I pledge to post at least once per month, but to start off on the right foot, how about a high speed wrap up of the last three months? Ready.....Set.......Go!

November-

My second month of teaching and I was really in the swing of things. My prep time was cut drastically and I started to really enjoy the whole process. My roommate and I continued to furnish the apartment and things were good on the home front. Weather started getting COLD and I almost bought a heater.

Yes, November brought the cold, but also visitors! Started with a visit from Cara and Michael who spent a few days in Rabat as Cara completed some grad school research. We even managed a short visit to the Peace Corps office, but unfortunately the place was very similar to a ghost town. After Cara and Michael headed inland, Rebecca and Ahmed came for a weekend during their first visit back since getting married in the states. The visit was too short and sweet, but we did venture out to some cool gardens north of Rabat.

Cara and I perfect the jumping shot at the PC office

Rebecca and Ahmed as we explored the Exotic Gardens

Eid lkbir (the big feast) brought 4 days off in the middle of the month. Being the biggest Islamic holiday, Mohamed made the trek to spend the holiday with his family. My roommate traveled as well, so I was all by my lonesome for 4 full days, two of which I did not leave the apartment. And joy of joys I got a horrible coughing, sniffling, sneezing illness so while the rest was good, I did not get to enjoy my time off. I also did not witness the slaughter of any sheep, although I did see a head roasting on an open fire from my balcony.

sheep head roasting over an open fire

December-

Did not start out well. No need for detail, but at the beginning of this month we learned that my roommate's boyfriend is a sexist, abusive, horrible guy. We kicked him out and went about our business. Mid month, right before classes ended for vacation, my roommate and I hosted a fabulous holiday party at our apartment. Everyone had a great time, but the evening was tainted when the next morning we realized one of our guests stole my roommate's ipod. Ba humbug!

As soon as classes let out, I made a trip to Fes to visit my first host family. It was FREEZING, but it was great to see them as well as the tiny town where I learned to be a Youth Development volunteer. Another highlight was the amazing food made by my host mom. She really knows how to keep a guess from being hungry.

Me and former host family members in front of my first Youth Center

After returning from Fes, Mohamed, roommate and I had a very nice Christmas despite being far from home. Santa stopped by and made some good boys and girls very happy. Soon after Christmas brought my very good friend Kasey Marie for a visit! We celebrated New Year's Eve Moroccan club style before setting off on an epic tour of the country. Kasey and I visited five cities in 9 days. It was a whirlwind and the poor girl did not escape some tummy unhappiness, but we checked off her to do list and had a wonderful time.

Christmas dinner

Picture with monkey- CHECK!

January-

Despite the happiness of Kasey's visit and the fun of our travels, January also started out a bit roughly as my roommate decided to take back the horrible boyfriend. This was my cue to get out of there and within 7 days I had started my second semester of classes, found a new apartment and moved out of the place that I shared for three months.

All's well that ends well though, because life is glorious in the new apartment. Thinking back I realize how foolish and unnecessary it was to have a roommate to begin with. I didn't really want one, I was just so anxious for a place that I dove headfirst into to a situation that was not ideal. I'm 27 years old and feel the days of roommates are officially over. My new place has one bedroom, 1.5 baths and two balconies. It's also closer to Mohamed's store and right across the street from a big supermarket. It feels more like my own and I couldn't be happier.

Classes are also really great this semester. I'm teaching 26 hours per week and have to prep for 6 different courses, but I'm not even phased any more. The whole thing just feels natural and I genuinely like many of my students. Even my 8:15 am class is a joy!

Two of my students in their bug masks!

I also got the tortoise that I'd been wanting since arriving in Morocco. Teddy was purchased after the move and is slowly adapting to his new home. I'm still learning how to be a good tortoise owner as well- did you know that they hibernate?! I thought he was dying.....turns out he was just trying to hibernate for the winter.

Teddy trying to escape from his bed. It's cold at night, so this is where he sleeps, then goes out for the day.

February-

So far so good. Mohamed and I already took one day trip and are hoping to take more in the next few weeks. I've also started to think more about plans for the next 1-2 years and am very excited about the possibilities.

Day trip to the beach town of Bouznika, only 20 mins from Rabat by train

More to come!