An End?

*Cliche Alert - An Apology for the Very Disney Movie Feel*

Not too long ago I was talking about the many "firsts" that would be happening throughout my journey. Now, alas, it is time to move those away and talk about the "lasts". The last class. The last weekend. The last goodbyes. It seems like only yesterday that I was expressing my feelings, doubts, and hopes for this year, but now it is time to look forward to my many more adventures and see what this world has in store for me. For a moment though, I do want to dwell on this experience, while sitting in my very white, very empty room here in Lugano for what could be the last time.

This experience...where to begin. These past 8 months have tried me through and through, with some of the best ups and worst downs one could imagine. But taking this time now to look back, there are no regrets. I would not have given this up for the world. I have learned a great deal about friendships, about myself and my limits, about looking at different people and cultures with excitement and not ethnocentrism, but most importantly, I have learned so much about appreciating home. It is so cliche, but so incredibly true that you appreciate something even more when you don't have it. And this was the case for the life back at home. I had always felt close to my family, friends and environment while there, but being away for this time has really shined new light on things, and made me feel that much more connected to it.

So, as this door of opportunities closes, a new one somewhere will open. Where? Well, this I cannot tell you. I really have yet to make a decision. With all of my studies and my attempts at taking the most out of this last few days here, I have pushed that decision aside for the time being and will make that decision back in the states. I can tell you that I have been accepted to Madison, however, contradicting with a previous post, the two school are back at a level playing field. I am torn 100%. This decision making thing is much harder that I thought...

This is definitely not a goodbye from me, though. I will continue this for sometime yet. Filling in the gaps that I have left over this past few weeks (again, my apologies), and letting you know where this next fall will take me.

But for now, it is almost time to say "Good Bye" to this place. Its spirit. Its scenery. Its amazing people. You know a place has affected you when it is harder and harder to let it go. I honestly never thought that was going to happen. While with my countdowns, my constant thoughts of home, and everything to look forward to, I now feel this strange and strong bond to this place - something that I feel sad to let go. But, I must. It is time to say "So long" here and welcome on the new opportunities, struggles, and goals that my life will bring. No regrets.

Where has the time gone?!

Dear extensive fan base,

I want to apologize once again for the amount of time between posts. Things here have been, well, a little crazy. See, with my time dwindling down here in Lugano, I have decided to focus my time on the many things that I will not be able to do anymore, so computer time has been limited. I can say, though, that I have been able to cross many more things off of some of my lists. This is true.

In addition to those things that are occupying my time, this week (as well as last Friday) is Exam time. Yes, that is right, the dreaded final exams. I can say, however, that I think my exams will not be too terrible (as I have heard so many people's are...sorry). This is my schedule with my predictions:

Friday, May 2:
- Financial Accounting (My hardest one probably. I do think, however, that I did pretty good. The teacher is really good, and he let us use our books, so yea, i think i did fine.)

Monday, May 5:
- Spanish (So this one, too, might be a little tricky. There is an awful lot to remember, but, is it sheer coincidence that the exam falls on Cinco de Mayo? I think not...)

Tuesday, May 6:
- Intercultural Communications (Umm...yea, I think I will do fine. I did very well on the midterm, and with half of the questions from that test, I think I can rock this one, too)
- Computers (If I can't get an A on this one, I shouldn't be in college. Enough said...)
- Religion (This is an opinion one. Three short essays: one on a movie reaction, one about violence in the name of religion, and one on women in religion. Sounds great, but I know my place in there...B+...)

So, as you can see, there is reason for my absence the past few weeks. It is already May 5, meaning two very important things: HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO to all of my Hispanic Fans, but more importantly I WILL BE HOME IN ONE WEEK FROM TODAY! This is ridiculous and quite possibly my most bittersweet moment ever. Seriously. It is like I will be leaving the longest, most emotion-filled summer camp ever, with the possibility that I may never see some of these amazing people again (enter low playing background music of "For Good"). So on one hand, it is soooo absolutely sad. But on the other hand, the excitement is just beginning. Time to see those old friends, hang out with the family, and get a job. Woot. Yea....

I leave you now with a little taste of what my final week has in store. Oh, and don't worry, those other posts that I alluded to last time are in the making and *fingers crossed* should be up within the next week. So, here is what I still have in store these last few precious days:

- Finish up exams and final paper (Accounting...that thing will never leave me alone!)
- Finish packing...what the chore.
- Ship my boxes (I was actually going to ship only one or two, and then have another one be a 3rd bag checked in for my flight, because it would be cheaper. However, after further investigation, I remembered that I have to switch airlines in NY, therefore I would really be paying twice for that third piece of luggage. That is a no go.)
- End of the year dinners/hanging out with friends
- Sell some of my bigger items that I cannot ship
- Attend Graduation (and possibly work it...that is still in the works...)
- Oh yea...and go to London. Have I forgot to mention that one? Oops... Well, I will update you soon about that one. But yup, it is true, in the 7 days I have left, one of those (literally, like 20 hours...) will be spent in London. Why? Well, you will just have to come back to see why!

Right now, its off to grab some breakfast and cram...I mean refresh for Spanish.

Have a fantastic week ahead! After all the dust settled and the chaos subdues, I know I will!

Very Sorry to My Loyal Readers!

Greetings all!

I am oh so very sorry about the incredible long delay! You see, I have been extremely busy these days... honestly! However, I am starting to really budget my time even better and hope to set aside a few minutes each day to crank out a post and eventually catch up!

With that said, here are somethings to look forward to:

- Actually concluding what happened with the trio visited over Easter,
- Finishing telling you about my experiences in the Former Yugoslavia
- Having a new bunch of visitors *hint: they have never been to Europe EVER and it started with "M" and ends with "om and Dad"*
- I am a winner... apparently!
- The final Countdown... and it is coming awfully fast! (18 days from this post!)
- My reflections on the experience as a whole (including a list of every place I have been to...)
- My "What Am I Gunna Do Over Summer" List... it's incredible and you will be jealous!
- My ACTUAL Plans for next school year...(that is if I know before then...)

So, I haven't forgotten about you! I swear...I have just been a little preoccupied with this thing called school...

Now, if you don't mind, I have to finish writing a paper, head off to two classes, meet with a teacher, get a paper signed, attend another class, and start packing...phew. Talk to you later!

Family Invasion...Round 2...

This time up to the plate are the parents. This will be their first time here in Switzerland, well, Europe for that matter. They will be arriving around 8am Saturday in Zurich, and you know us, things start up right away! There is quite the packed itinerary for the 10 days they will be around, including stops in 5 countries (maybe even 6), climbing a mountain that bares our name, and taking me grocery shopping (oops, did I forget to mention that, mom and dad?).

This will definitely be an interesting time of firsts: First time in the country (and continent), first experiences driving on these roads, first time they will legitimately use their passports...the list goes on!

But, as I sit here swamped in work, trying to get ahead in order to spend as much time as I can showing them the lay of the land, I can't help but realize...I WILL BE HOME IN 32 Days!!! Just wanted to put that in there...

So, check back with updates on how they are taking to the Swiss (and German, and Austrian...) way of life! Until then...

Don't have school on a Wednesday? Because of school? Umm...OK!

To many, Spring Forward is that time when you angrily lose a precious hour of sleep some Sunday around Easter. To a Franklin student, however, this has a whole other, more relieving meaning. In fast, it means a day off of school...let me explain.

Spring Forward was an experiment that the Student Affairs/everyone else on campus threw together. This day long event was a student's chance to get caught up with all those school issues that they have been putting off: researching clubs/organizations/leadership opportunities for the upcoming school year, declaring their major, and research other opportunities for post-graduation (resume writing, job searches, etc.). This was set on a Wednesday, with registration for many first year students in the morning, a barbecue (free!), some other small activities (sport against the faculty, short seminar-esque things, etc.) and then an award ceremony acknowledging various students for different things, including awards from teachers, organizations, and other students. Then, to cap off the evening, there was a "Tex-Mex" dinner (I will explain a bit more later...) and a concert by Swiss recording artist William White.

Ok, so my day went as follows: Even though this was a no-class day, I still had to be at campus earlier than usual (10am instead of noon) in order to meet with my advisor. In that meeting, instead of the registration that happened for most other students, I spent the time trying to convince my verrrrry optimistic and amazing advisor that I in fact would not be returning in the fall. We basically came to the conclusion that I should wait to make any set-in-stone decision until I am hounded by the school, and I hear back from other schools. Then I took this long survey about the first year experience here, in hopes of winning one of three prizes (including shopping certificates..like, or food...which I need), and collected my free "Franklin College" t-shirt...yea, they aren't messing around here! After that, it was lunch time - Swiss version of barbecue. There were salads, 5 different grilled meats, and drinks. Clearly, since it was in fact free, I definitely took advantage of that one...Oh, and there was a Strawberry Shortcake dessert...yum.

Then, there was this awkward break of time that I used to meet with other teachers, visit with Rachel, and see some other people. I would have done homework in the library (ie my Travel 10ish page paper that was due two days from then) however, the libraries were actually closed...this, I still don't understand. But alas, I did waste time till the award ceremony where I actually did receive a framed certificate from Student Programming Board (though this did feel spacial, basically everyone that holds some position on it got one...but oh well, I felt special). Then there was this humorous "Superlatives" ceremony, awarding random students titles such as "Most Likely to Lead a Revolution", "The Brangelina Award: Best Couple", and "Most Enchanting". After all of this excitement, it was time for dinner...the Swiss style Tex-Mex...one flavorless tortilla topped with a scoop of "seasoned" chicken, this bean thing, and mushy peppers, none of which had that spicy, yummy flavor of Tex-Mex, definitely leaving much to be desired. We were convinced that others (basically anyone that had ever tasted Mexican food EVER) would be able to have done better. Then we also got a piece of leftover cake from lunch. Score.

Finishing off the festivities was a concert by William White (google him...it was actually pretty good). I knew this wasn't going to be your standard concert when people started literally pulling chairs up around the stage...no moshing at this one...just sitting, swaying back and forth, and clapping while best seen appropriate. The funniest thing about this however, was his timing. First off, with the anal Swiss local government, we were only about to get him to play from 7-9pm, anything past that would be against sound regulations and we all would have been shot (they are really serious about that here...). So, at 7, we expected him to start, and living in Switzerland, we expected him to be punctual. But alas, people forgot to warn that he is actually from Barbados...he lives on island time (and apparently so does his band/sound guys who were eating cake well past 7...lame.) He finally stared up around 7:30ish, playing very Jack Johnson-esque music (or so I was told...I really had no idea who this was...) 90 minute concert, that would be fine. But then, around 8pm, he announced that he was taking a 10-15 minute break! I kid you not...most of us were just confused, thinking this was a joke, but honestly he took that break. By this time it was getting around 8:15ish, and I was tired, wanting to get home. I left early thanks to Rachel, who was borrowing someone's car.

Spring Forward was a success on many levels. It did give great opportunities for students, but there was one part that I hated. This was a day where you are at campus all day, without classes or a set schedule. Really, it felt like that last day of school where you show up to school but really have nothing to do. Where you like, socialize more than doing work. The problem was, however, that the next morning we did in fact have school. Mean and tricky...

OH! I did want to fill you in on some other small happenings around here:

-Girasole Hall Event to Parco Panoramico (which resulted in a walk to this park by just Michael and I). Very relaxing, great view, and a nice break from work. And best off, it was free!

Family in France (and Germany, and Switzerland, and Italy, and Austria...)

Coming soon: Family visits - what really happened!?

They're Invading!!!

HIT THE DECK!!! THEY'RE COMING!!!

Hehe...but in all seriousness...I HAVE VISITORS COMING TO VISIT ME!!! Me = sooooooo excited!!!

So here's how it goes: Jessi and fiance Andy flew into Zurich yesterday (bagless, but that is all about to change), rented a car, and shot northeast to Munich, Germany. They will then be leavng Saturday morning to join my here in Lugano WHILE Missy is flying into Zurich and bringing the train here as well! Then, after a few hours of reunion and orientation, we are hitting the road once again and are off to Nice, France for this Easter Weekend (Amen!). Then, Monday (when I am off of school) we will be heading back here via Monte Carlo, Monaco (phew!). On Tuesday, I will be heading to class (one of them anyways) while they check outsome of the local sites (i.e. funicular-ing up San Sal) and then I will join them for lunch, a tour of downtown, dinner on the lake, and then an evening of "fun"...it's kind of a surprise, so check back! Finally, Wednesday we might trek out to Bellinzona in the morning, take a look around, and then I will train back here as they continue on their way to Zurich where they will check out the sites, sleep, and then fly out the next morning...

Phew...one week, and sooo many places. True Schobers...

I must say that one of the funniest things happened with planning where we were going to travel this weekend. The idea was Rome...on Easter Sunday...along with every Catholic from Italy and surrounding countries. The thought of congestion mixed with a 7 our ride there kinda turned us off. So, instead we choose to visit the High Roller capital of the world - Monte Carlo. I definitely think my dad put it right while talking to our pastor:

"I told Pastor I wasn't sure I raised my daughters right since they decided to trade Rome on Easter Sunday for Monaco. He laughed and said it was probably a good decision since he didn't think you'd even be able to see ,much less get close to St. Peters with all the crowds."

Oh the fun!