Keep Calm and Carry On

Well the good news is, I'm still alive. The bad (not really) news is, it wasn't easy.

Last Sunday (the 22nd), I moved families for the first time. Needless to say, it was really hard. In a way it was harder than leaving everything behind like I did almost 6 months ago. And don't ask my why, because I don't really have an answer. My guess is that 6 months ago, I didn't know what to expect and was full of excitement and nerves and was ready to throw caution to the wind, put on my big girl panties and experience life for all that it has. But this time, almost 6 months later, I had become so accustomed to my host family and to be honest, I considered myself one of the family and the feelings were mutual. The move  really just snuck up on me and almost took me by surprise. It wasn't like the first time where I had 3 months to anticipate it. This time it felt like I had only a few hours (I had more like a week, but in all honesty, it felt like 2 hours). The Saturday before I was to move, I sat in my bed and broke down crying. I don't know why, but I think I was just so full of emotions. The following week I had to pack all of my belongings into my 2 suitcase again and I have no idea how I have managed to accumulate so much more since I've been here - it is actually ridiculous.

At the airport on August 8, 2011
2 suitcases, 1 backpack and 1 small duffle bag

Moving Day - January 22, 2012
....

You can see for yourself here how ridiculous it has become. And don't ask me how I'm going to get everything home because even I haven't thought about that yet - probably in denial of the fact that I actually do have to go home someday. I haven't booked my flight home yet and I'm not sure I want to because then that means that I have a definite end date on this roller coaster adventure and I'm not one for expiry dates. However I do keep getting emails from my travel agent in Connecticut...maybe I should get on that shortly...

In between all of the packing and intensive cleaning of my bedroom, I was still able to spend some quality time with the fam before I was evicted (just kidding, it wasn't so extreme). On the Friday night we met up with the rest of the family at our favourite restaurant in Olten that is famous for its Hamburgers - honestly the best in the world. If you are ever in Switzerland you have to visit "Ratskeller" - I can promise you, you won't regret it!

Rita, Ernst and I at our favourite restaurant in Olten

The family <3
Céline, Nati, Marielle, Pascal, Me, Rita and Ernst
(Lara is missing!)

 And on Saturday night we went over to Beat and Andrea's house for a lovelyyyy dinner and a great night!

Rita, Beat & Ernst

Beat, Andrea and I

And then came Sunday. It was a sad day and there were many emotions, but I survived and so did everyone else. I finished packing up my room and cleaning everything and then the good-byes began. My two host sisters weren't able to come with us to the new house, so I had a few teary good-byes before I even left the house.

Bye-bye old bedroom!

My "old" host parents drove me to my new house where my new host parents had cake and coffee waiting for us. We all sat around and talked for a while, but before long it was time for Rita and Ernst to head on their way. I had been choking back tears for most of the day, but as we walked to the front door, I let all of it out. But let's be honest, are you really surprised? 

I left a letter and card behind as well

I couldn't move without leaving some of Canada behind

After the Studers left, I went downstairs to my bedroom and began to unpack my mountain of things. Quite literally, a mountain. It took me the better part of 3 days to unpack, but I am almost accustomed to my new room - which is gigantic by the way.

I have managed to settle in quite nicely and my new host parents are amazing! They have twins - Oliva and Benjamin - but neither live at home anymore so I am an only child now. It has taken some getting used to, but my mom said that I always wanted to be an only child.


When I moved in, my door was decorated with a welcome sign and my bed was made with chocolates on my pillow. How adorable?! Ohh, and to say the cat loves my bed is an understatement.

Translation: Warm Welcome Madi

Just some ladybug chocolates on my bed

Just working out on my bed, nbd.

The week has been pretty calm and not much has really happened. Last night my host brother came home and the whole family went to a big party for my host parents' company. The party was a lot of fun and my host parents hired 2 comedians for the evening - the things they did were hilarious...even in German.

The comedians dancing 

She went into the splits after this

After making Romeo gallop around the room to find his Juliet who was on stage screaming his name through a picture frame, and having reindeer gallop behind Romeo, and a few other questionable things, everyone ended up on stage for the proposal.

My host dad thanking the comedians for the night.

Today I stayed home and helped my host mom cook a little bit and then in the afternoon we went into town to rent me skis! I am so excited to go skiing again and we are taking a week-long ski vacation in March to a huge resort in Graubünden! 

Tomorrow I am going with my host brother and his girlfriend and a friend of his from Taiwan into the mountains to go tobogganing for the day! I am so excited for snow (where we are it is too low for the snow) and apparently there is a run just for sleds! I'll be sure to put up pictures! 

My big brother arrives in Switzerland on Thursday and I am so excited to pick him up from the airport! I haven't hugged my family in almost 6 months so it will be great to actually "touch" him instead of only seeing him through the computer screen!

Until next time,