Happy Halloween!

Even tho it is not really celebrated in Switzerland, a very HAPPY HALLOWEEN to all! Trick-or-Treating long gone, what are my plans this year? Well...class all day, tutor in Geometry from 1:30-2:30, work on my English research paper (on Child Labor and Sweatshops...how uplifting!), meet with my advisor to discuss my future at 4:30 (wait...email from her...changed to 5:40), work on the research more, possible carving of pumpkins at the Falcon's nest, grab some dinner with the friends at the North Campus, maybe hitting up the Halloween party from 9-11 there are well, work some more on homework and such...movie? At this point...who knows!

At any rate, Happy Halloween, and hope to finish poting the rest of Italy soon! Add it to the docket...

I Need Your Help!!!!

Hey readers! So I have a favor to ask of you!

This upcoming week we will be choosing our classes and travel for next semester...but I am stuck. Or at least with the travel. So, I am putting it in your hands, loyal fan base. I am not even kidding!

Here is a list of my possible travel options. Please comment on the blog (just click on the "comment" section under this entry) and vote on the trip that sounds the best (weather for me, or for you!).

Destination:

- German Speaking Switzerland
- Namibia (Environmental Field Observation of Characteristic Ecosystems)
- Venice and its lagoon (History / Economics / Politics / Art / Literature / Environment)
- Northern Greece and Turkey (Alexander the Great/St. Paul/Ataturk)
- London: Finance and Culture (Finance and Culture)
- Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia (History and Politics)
- Istria and Belgrade (History, Politics, Culture and Traditions)
- Berlin (War, Memory, and the Reinvention of Nation)
- Cyprus (Ethnic division, its causes and attempts at resolution)
- Paris (Urban development and the arts in the 19th and 20th Century )
- Bavaria (Laptops and Lederhosen)
- Morocco in Transition (Cultural Identity, Media and Gender)
- Umbria (Making and studying art)
- Washington, DC and Historic Virginia (Culture, History and Politics)

If you wish to know more about the trip, check out this website:
http://www.fc.edu/content/academic-travel/spring-2008-travel

Voting ends Sunday, November 4th! Please help out a brother (or son, grandson, friend, nephew, stranger, family friend...whatever!)!!!

Thanks!!!

Italy contiued...

Day 3: Parma - Modena

-Great breakfast, but God forsekenly early...(6:30am...c'mon...)
-Head to Parmesan Cheese Factory for tour!
-Outside, put on near-HazMat suits (seriously, the paper hat, jacket, shoe booties, and this surgeon-esque masks (not required, but really? of course we like al wore them!)), followed around by two random dogs (Delal and Karem wigging out over any dog)
- Inside, 15 or so giant vasts of boiling milk...spelled exactly of parmesan...heaven.
- Saw room where the cheese floats in salt water, then where it is stored for 1-3 years (called the "vault"). Over 10,000 wheels there (I'm not even kidding, you will have to check out the pictures!)
- 10 people only make 16-22 wheels/day
- From "cheese-water, the guys take out cheese using big paddle, sticks and cheese cloth. 1 vat = 2-50lb wheels), and pressed into the round forms
- Random woman comes in to use leftover water from vat to soak feet in...(I know, I know...gross...but I guess she has some condition where cheese water cures...those Italians...)
- GIFT SHOP!!!
- Walking tour of Parma, split from Adams so she can get an X-ray of her foot...
- Lose 2 on tour, but man (kinda lofty) doesn't seem phased, and continues
- See churches and piazzas (only things I can really remember)
- Split for lunch/shopping
- Our little group late to bus...whoops!
- Back in Modena, Amanda and I walked around entire city from 3:30pm-7:30 - opera house, churches, duomo, shops, market, dinner (my first ever Kabap...don't know what it is? well...neither do I...kinda like a gyro)
- Watch "From Hell" in Amanda's quite small room (bad idea...freaked out), so watch "The Comeback" for some humor (didn't work too well...)
- Accidentally locked roommate out for over an hour...did I have the only key?

Day 3 picts:
http://fc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27238&l=9d4ff&id=713110608

http://fc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27239&l=f0002&id=713110608

Day 4: Cars and such...woot woot...(sarcasm alert!)

- Me = sick today...cold or something
- After breakfast headed to Lamborghini Factory
- Tour of museum and factory
- All cars made by hand...dang...
- Shop (certain people take their time...)
- Bus to Ferrari museum (see the test track and plant on way)
- Sandwiches at the museum (kinda awkward)
- 2nd shop...Uber expensive...
- Bus to Ducate...sleep
- Tour of plant and museum
- Fathom that, third shop
- See Mazerati (sp?) factory from bus
- Pizza, then sleep...

Day 4 picts:
http://fc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27244&l=39981&id=713110608

http://fc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27245&l=c3524&id=713110608

Wow...it's been long...

Phew…I am back! I have actually been back from Italy since last Wednesday, the 24th, but unfortunately, I have not had Internet since now. Only the best at dear ol’ Franklin! So, here we go – the accounts of my very first Academic Travel: Northern Italy. (by the way, I took a day by day journal by hand, so for the most part, I will be bullet pointing the day’s events. if there is any really big/eventful/very interesting event, I will go into more depth. ENJOY!) (oh, and in addition, I will attach the links to my multitude of photos. seriously…I’m a Schober…lets just say I took a lot…over a thousand…no joke…). I will post a few days at a time...

Day 1: Lugano – Genova – Portofino – La Spezia

- Leave school kinda late
- Bus huge for group of 16 (seriously, a coach bus for this group…each person could have 4 seats…overkill? no…spacious and relaxing? oh yea)
- Stop at truck stop, buy delicious sandwich (seriously…quality!)
- Watch many episodes of Friends on bus TVs
- Arrive in Genova early afternoon – city on Mediterranean Sea, known for trade, ship building and Chris Columbus
- Ate crepe with Nutella (some embarrassing-esque picts, but I’ll own that)
- Explore with Claire and Amanda – see old school red light district (wow…very cultural and disturbing…and when I say old I don’t really mean historic, I mean the…ladies…weren’t too young…but I digress)
- Met for tour – very interesting
- For educational purposes: City was an oligarchic republic, controlled by the rich merchants. At one point, though, the money went away, and they were forced to auction prime real estate to the rich people in the countryside located on the main street in downtown.
- Bus ride to Portofino – quick 45 minute stop in city (after taking a city bus in – our monster bus wouldn’t fit) where Amanda and I hiked out to furthest point
- Home to Dolce and Gabana (did you know there were real? I mean, I knew they were real, but…nevermind)
- Bus to La Spezia – more Friends
- Hotel pretty nice (a 5 star compared to upcoming nights…wait and see!)
- Walk at 8:30 to group dinner – grotto-esque place, with lotsa food
- Courses – Penne e scampi (pasta with “shrimp”…crayfish…do not lie to me!), pork and potatoes…yummo, and for dessert split berries and crème as well as cake with Nutella, lemon, and marmalade
- Hotel had (faint) internet signal!!!

Day 1 Picts:
http://fc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27199&l=36ef5&id=713110608

http://fc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27203&l=1428e&id=713110608

http://fc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27204&l=7e473&id=713110608

Day 2 – Cinque Terre – Modena
- Breakfast in hotel – good spread
- Nearly miss train waiting for someone (c’mon Alexander!)
- Train ride to Vernazza (4th of 5 cities of Cinque Terre) along with Japan (seriously…everyone was…no lie)
- Vernazza was picturesque (I worked at the Calendar Club…I would know)
- So many cats everywhere!
- “Leisurely stroll**” to third city (working our way backwards)
- From trail, indescribably views – both Mediterranean Sea and the rocky terrain
- While taking a break, creepy wearing a sweater and a speedo runs past…group scared and some soiled
- Poor professor who had foot surgery last summer had troubles, but kept going
- Some of us had to leave the big group and contiue trucking (all of the stopping made us get more tired…we were losing momentum)
- Along the path, an older woman faceplanted on the rocky trail…she was alright, but dang, that was intense
- Waited at Corniglia for a while, but when rest of the group caught up, we got lunch at the most ridiculous restaurant ever…lots of confusion between servers leading to wrong dishes being brought out, anger, and a long wait on food – at least the view was good
- Missed the train by minutes (not realizing that the station was directly down hill, only accessible by steep trail peppered with switchbacks), so had to wait for an hour for the next one
- Train back to La Spezia, then bus to Modena – watched Grey’s Anatomy this time around, and slept a lot
- Hotel in Modena kind of sketchy…circa 1973 (seriously, everyone’s room was “decorated” differently, including some very…vintage…shower curtains)
- Walked around city, where the group was split for dinner, so Amanda and I found cheap, delicious pizzeria
- Used the hotel’s computer to access my life (aka email and Facebook)
- Bed for an early start!!!

Day 2 Picts:
http://fc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27206&l=a1b14&id=713110608

http://fc.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27236&l=e5767&id=713110608

** apparently in the Franklin College dictionary, "Leisurly Strool" = 2.5 hour hike on coastal, rocky terrain...who knew!

quick note in modena

hey all! so i don't really have the time to dedicate to a full on post, however i received some great news that i want to share with you all...

I AM PASSING ALL OF MY CLASSES!!! even after midterms i am maintaining passing grades in all 5 of my classes (family - remember what grades constitute a passing grade...all I'm saying...).

with all of that said, at about 10:30pm, I'm off to bed. we have to be on the bus at 6:45am tomorrow to go see how Parmesan cheese is made...woot woot!

More excited, more frazzled...

I LEAVE TOMORROW FOR ITALY!!!!!!!!

Now let's take a look at the list...se how we are doing...

√ laundry (sheets)
√ clean bathroom
√ clean kitchen
√ vacuum/mop/swiffer (thanks mom and dad!)
√ pack
√ clean out fridge
√ dishes
√ take out garbage
√ clean this thing off

why, I think that that's all checked off...and it's only 6:30pm...

wow, I rock! And I even found time to decorate for Halloween, courtesy of the family!

So then, now it's off to Kadie's for some pizza and movie. I am also going to take this opportunity to take my suitcase up the hill to her place where I will pick it up in the morning. I would hate to be rushed running up the hill with that beast. And it saves a few bucks by not taking a cab...man, smart and economical...I am a catch!

Excited yet frazzled...

One more thing as of Saturday 3pm (no internet then, so bare with me here)...

I LEAVE IN TWO DAYS FOR MY NORTHERN ITALY ACADEMIC TRAVEL!!!!! WOOT WOOT!!!

The list of things to do is quite long…(written on my makeshift dry erase board (aka my metal wardrobe)
- laundry (sheets)
- clean bathroom
- clean kitchen
- vacuum/mop/swiffer (thanks mom and dad!)
- pack
- clean out fridge
- dishes
- take out garbage
- clean this thing off

Time to go shopping for some snack and such for the time!

Oh, and I will post a list of next semester's options on here soon! I want everyone to vote, and then I will choose based on that, no joke! I love them all (ok, I will make comment about the ones that are sort of lower on the totem pole), and don't really care! It's up to you America...ok...it's up to you 20 some people that actually read this!

If I don't blog for a while, you'll know where I'll be! Ciao Ciao!!!

First Set of Midterms...√

Well, it's official, midterms are over...phew...First week of near death done. And not a moment too early.

As I already mentioned (I think) I had already taken 2 of the midterms prior to this week. Both of those (World History and Macroeconomics...) killed me. Seriously, definitely won't be going into any of those type of jobs...for sure...But, since nearly all of the class did horribly on the history test, he allowed us a redo on this essay part (all I am saying, I had origionally recieved a 12/40 on that part...all im saying...well, I could back that up with the fact that I got a 36/40 on the part before that...but thats all that I am saying...) which was due Monday. Sunday was time for that rewrite, and thanks to Jessi, both my friend Kristen and I were able to finish. THANK YOU JESSI!!!!!!!!!

My three remaining tests (thank goodness) were later in the week, however, that still didn't help with the fact that I still had homework to do...oh well. For my Business Ethics and Scandals Seminar, the midterm was this 4 question take home thing which we only needed to complete 3 of them...The bad thing, I remembered none of the topics in the questions...so I procrastinated that assignment till the end...

Thursday came my English midterm - an inclass essay. We had the option of writing about a time that was important to us either them or now, and writing it from that perspective but with current language, or writing about a saying/some quirk about our family...since our family isnt quirky at all (umm...right...), I chose the first topic. Though thinking that would be easy, I was misconstrued...now I actually had to think of a time that was important to me...thank God we had an hour and fifteen minutes to write this...it was sooo hard to get started. But after deciding, it went well, but it got kind of emotional. The most important time to me thus far was my New York departure weekend, and the familiness (is that a word...i dont know, google it) and the fact that it was really hard because it was emotional, especially without the whole fam (ALI!), and that it was great to have everyone do something that was important to them, and that it was a happy time...yea, all of that...I ended up writing soooo much (I hope it didnt feel too rambly...(again...word?)...) I was definitely the last one to leave as the next class was waiting in the hallway outside. Oops.

So after that, I had quite an interesting meeting. I was meeting with the Dean of Students...no nothing bad (mom and dad), it was actually an interview. In the school newspaper/online newsletter thing a job for a math tutor was posted. I inquired, and got this interview, where I found out that it was actually for her high school daughter who attended the American high school in town. She was looking for someone to teach her Geometry and Algebra. I guess she liked me, because I got the job!!! Friday was our first meeting. With a lot of patience and teaching tools, I think this will go great! Geometry is up first...proofs anyone? Oy...

So my seminar midterm, due Friday, proved to me quite to struggle for a few of us. Thursday night, after another fun time with dance, my friend Melanie and I discussed the questions until 3:30am when I finally had to give up. I guess she stayed up all night...trooper. I did finally finish it, and get it in on time. My last exam was spanish...it was like middle school all over! Seriously...soo easy. Thank goodness I didn't study much because it really would not have been worth it. The only thing that I didn't know was what the name of the ticket taker on a train is (and really, does anyone? even in english?). Let's just say I was the third on to leave...20 minutes into the test...yea...

So after the midterms are done, let's look at some of the other things that happened...

- The family finally got skype working!!! Will be able to talk to them more (and be able to see CADEE!!!!! and the rest of them of course).
- Tuesday night was the "Florida Study Session" with PB&Js and baking - with the use of Fleur's oven, we baked cookies and brownies for the different departments. Tho by the end of the night it turned out to be me baking by myself (RA Angela had rounds, and everyone kinda left). But it was fun - I miss my kitchen!!!
- Started to hang out more with Rinad - from Bahrain! How cool! She was in the last week of Ramadan this week - a really cool experience for us. On Friday was the celebration after it was over = no more fasting. She was quit happy!
- The "First 52 Days of Franklin" finished on Friday...but I don't even know the last days event...that's sad.

What a cultural weekend!

Quick update about my weekend (we don't have Econ today - teacher is sick - so I'll do a quick post before Spanish)...

So this weekend was quite the experience...a culinary tour of cultures if you may...

First, I had a lot of food shopping to do - I was taking part in a prestigious event on Sunday...we will get to that later!

Saturday was the highly anticipated International Food Night at the North Campus!!! There were many tables representing Franklin's ethnic clubs. The tables included Swiss (fondue and other cheese dishes), India (curries, veggies, and rice), Texas (jambalya, chili, chips and salsa, bbq chicken, cobbler...soooo good), Asian Club (spring rolls, fried rice, curry, sushi), Africa-ish (they had cakes and such...authentic?), German (bratwurst and Black Forest Cake...what more do you need?), Russian (again, desserts...oh, and vodka...stayed away from the Russian table), Arab Club (don't really know what they had - that wasn't really ready when I got there).

It was soooo good...soooo much though. Seriously...wow. Too much of a good thing = a really confused stomach. But in the end, Texas Club walked away with the People's Choice award (I, too, voted with them....) as well as a tie with India Club for the overall judge's first place. Congrats, guys!

Now for Sunday...welcome to the Schober kitchen! I spent hours slaving over a stove (and only - remember, my room comes without oven or microwave...) to get ready to participate for La Dolce Vida...fancy terms for "baking" contest! I was entered in two categories - cookies and misc. After numerous internet searches and hours at the grocery store, I came up with my recipes (sort of taking bits and pieces from other recipes) . I made:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal No-Bake Cookies

Homemade Cinnamon Tortilla Chips with a spoonful of Cheesecake-esque filling and a Banana-Cinnamon Salsa (for creative name points I named them "'Nacho' Ordinary Dessert"...cute, right?) (by the way...made this recipe up completely...no internet for this one!)

So at the thing, there were sooooo many desserts...it was kinda like...whao way too much of a good thing...gross. And, it was free to the students, so you could literally grab a plate and fill yourself sick. How fun! Some of the other things there included a Dr. Pepper Chocolate Cake from Paul (actually very good), some...interesting renditions of some family favorites (pies, cookies, cakes) that didn't turn out as...promising as the bakers would have liked them to, and a vast array of other good sweet treats including a Jaegermiester Cake...I kid you not...but it was well gone before I got to that table...tear?

When it came to judging, sad to say, Florida didnt win any first places (the only place that they read). However, our three desserts (my two plus a tiramisu) went very quickly. Yea popularity!

So what better to do on a Sunday night after eating waaay too many sweets then study for MIDTERMS!!! And that's what I did...or at least attempted to do...

Franklin College Revelations

So as I sit here this morning, I think about the lessons that I have picked up already from this school...and not the ones that one could get from a textbook or lectures...

- Hearing from the family is pretty much the best thing in the world. Either talking with them (my Mom has a screenname on AIM...how cool is she?!?) or just getting things in the mail (seriously, everyday it's like Christmas morning around here with people sooo excited about their packages - I would be in the same boat as them, but some people haven't sent me anything yet...just kidding! love ya!). I have gotten some cards, letters, and postcards (Thanks to Gramma Ro, Grandma and Grandpa, and Aunt Sue and Uncle Bob!!!). Somehow, those always come at the most opportune times - when I am a bit sad, when I don't do so hot on a test, whenever. Thanks all! Keep 'em coming!

- Mothers/domesticated fathers deserve awards or something...I have cooked, cleaned, shopped, laundered all since I have been here, and let me say...that is tedious! Seriously, dang. Go you all!

- Speaking of that, laundry is like a contact sport on the colligate level. I had desperatly needed to do some laundry (my hamper overfloweth), so i lugged the two bags up the the laundry room, and, like a hug from Jesus, they were empty (Praise Him!). So, I filled them both up (and still had one more load's worth in the hamper), and as I was starting them, four people came in with their stuff, had a look of dismay, and left, but not before forming a line of hampers, saving their place in line. After it all was done (the last load in the dryer...oh, and don't even get me started on the fact that my laundry card ran out of credit while I still had a wet load in the washer!...don't even get me started...thanks Alexis and Fluer for letting me borrow your cards!) I just proceeded to shove the cleaned clothes into my hamper to bring downstairs to fold, handing the machine to the next clothes hungry beast. Have you ever had that feeling that, after giving up the dryer for I am sure days now, and lugging your heavy, but clean clothes downstairs, that they weren't 100% dry...oh, the torture!

- College work? Please, I am going to write a cookbook! You heard it here first (ok, mom heard it last night online first, but anywho), I think I am going to write a cookbook on the essintials of college cooking: for those on a budget with little/no space. I have made some pretty delish things, so I might as well start to share them, right? Keep looking for more updates about that!

Finally:
- You really don't know your own needs and wants until you have been stuck in an unfamiliar environment for weeks on end. This one was what led to my semi-breakdown this week online...Seriously, after spending some time alone in my room, I began to contemplate my experience here...that "why am I here" thing came back. That's when I now started to ask "am I really happy here? is this the experience that will set me off on the right foot for my future?" And I think I came to the conclusion...no. I still have a lot to think about, and a lot more to explain. I know for sure that I will be here for the year, and hopefully by then I will have come around to finding something here that makes me extremely happy - that brings out my passions, but for now, that's still up in the air. Also, family helps through this part a lot...the messages, being there to hear the rants...it all.

Well, it's off to English right now! I will be back to add more insight into my insight.

and then...

Weekend!

Friday was the "why is there only a half of the students in class...oh yea, Oktoberfest weekend" day. Seriously, the numbers were down, but us few brave souls that stayed back reaped the benefits of education by staying...or basically just stayed here in envy of those out of class. After class, Kadie, Kristen and I ate a delicious dinner at Giradino (tho I will say that I had a calzone with ham, cheese, mushrooms and egg...the egg was kinda raw and runny, but other than that it was great). We then enjoyed a terrifying hike through the dark up a hill to a monastery. Why the heck were we going up there, you may ask? The view and the cool lit church (I have picts on facebook, check them out!). And what a way to finish off the day than watching a Kathy Griffin Special! Oh, the good times!

Saturday was our day to explore...First stop, Ponte Tresa, Italy! That's right, cross another country off my facebook map! Kadie's seminar was going there to film a movie, so Kristen and I tagged along to explore. In the rain, we strolled through the streets and found a supermarket (ok, I know where I am going to be doing my Christmas shopping...no joke) and then happened upon the market. Wow...this thing was impressive. Though most of the stalls had knock off apparel (Nke or Puima socks...c'mon people, I can read that...), there were some cool ones with different tapestries and cultural do-dads. But my favorites had to be the food stands lining the market's edges. These had it all - breads, fruits, meats, cheeses, and a family favorite, olives. I was sort of told off by one of the merchants when I asked her if I could buy only 5 olives...and seeing that they were sold by the kilo, she wasn't too happy, and therefore didn't do along with the purchase. It's her loss of business, not mine! Oh, and there was another instance with this man who made me try on one of his jackets, and proceeded to inform me that "in Milano this same jacket was under the Dolce & Gabana name, and that it sold for like 400 Euros, but I will give it to you for 170. From Switzerland, I take francs! The states? I take dollars! I also take cards! What, none of those...how much money do you have...20 euros?!? How did they let you cross the border?!?"...yea, that was fun. He then proceeded to take the jacket off very quickly and forcefully hand me my bags and umbrella while mumbling something that I am sure wasn't nice under his breath. They love me!

So after returning to Lugano that afternoon, Kadie and I decide to take advantage of the rest of the evening and check out a festival that my Spanish professor recommended - Il Sagra Dell-Uva (The Festival of the Grape). I guess this is the prime/last harvesting time for grapes in this region, and they take them out with a bang. This thing was sooo much fun! It was in the small city of Mendrioso about 20 minutes away by train, and it covered multiple streets with the many food and wine stalls as well as shopping. I feasted on a crepe with ham and cheese (yummo) and roasted chestnuts...I'm not going to lie...I didn't like the nuts much at all. They sort of tasted like the cob of corn (you know, after you eat the corn...everyone sucks on the cob...don't deny it!). Before heading back, we trekked up yet another hill to another church (what's up with the churches up the hill here? really fit monks, I assume). Our coordination of trains coming back didn't work too well, which resulted in us sitting at the cold and barren train stop for an hour. Then we watched 10 Things I Hate About You (never seen it - good but very predictable).

Sunday...oh Sunday. How I love this day. Amen! Who ended up sleeping until 12:42pm that day? Oh yea, that's me! I spent my limited hours that day cleaning, researching, and cooking very yummy food. I must say that I made the best "brunch" ever (if you eat at 2pm, does that still constitute as a brunch?). I made a breakfast burrito (tortilla, homemade hash browns, eggs with peppers, onions, garlic, cheese and chicken) with a homemade salsa (tomatoes, red/yellow/orange peppers, onions, garlic, and fresh parsley) and French toast - all thanks to produce that only had a few days left...I should be in culinary school, I swear. Why am I wasting my time here? (Ok, I'm joking...for now...I guess we will see when grades come if that should be the truth...) I had some company for dinner, and made the most random bunch of stuff ever (lotsa pasta cuz that cheap and that's what I have on me). After everything was cleaned, I called my Grandma while everyone was over celebrating her birthday. I take she was very happy, and now everyone got to celebrate her day with her! HAPPY BIRTHDAY again GRANDMA!!!

I was sooo happy that I could refrain from hiking the hill all day...and then Kadie instant messaged me asking if she had left her adaptor at my place...so up the hill I went...I am too nice.

Well, we are officially all caught up...phew...that was a lot of typing. Hopefully I will keep up with this all week, and even post more links to my fabulous pictures!

Ciao Ciao!