1st Legal Post!!!!

My first post of US legal drinking age…Wahoo!!  So yesterday was my birthday!  It’s tough to be away from home on your birthday…especially when it’s the big 2-1 there’s no denying that…but I had a GREAT birthday nonetheless.  When I arrived at work I had a gift on my desk from one of the other interns.  She gave me a coffee mug and chocolate, it was very sweet!  I had to switch offices since they had meetings in some of the rooms today so I got to know Anna, the Juvenile Justice Program Officer.  She is very nice and knowledgeable…she also is hilarious and kept me thoroughly entertained.  I had a birthday lunch in the park with the other interns and some friends from my program who work in the same area.  Two new interns joined us this week.  I have been working closely with Kate, she is from Rhode Island originally, went to Syracuse and now lives in Bern, Switzerland because her husband got a job in the Bern symphony!!!!  She is really nice and told me she would love to help me plan weekend trips all over Switzerland!!  After work I went home, it was the first rainy day we’ve had, and we all got ready.  Then the whole lot of us went to Road Runner.  It is a burger, fries, beer, and milkshake joint!  It was really fun…I don’t think they had ever had so many loud Americans in their tiny restaurant at once!  I got a burger, fries, and of course… a beer!  I have made such great friends here, I really do feel lucky!

            

FINALLY 21!!!

Best Birthday Meal Ever!!!

 Today started out with a mortifying yet hilarious event. I was at the tram stop with my friend Claire and the tram was really full, per usual for the morning commute.  I was getting on the tram and literally got stuck in the two doors.  They would not close and the bell started going off, etc.  It was quite the ordeal, but it certainly woke me up and I did manage to not spill any of my coffee, not an easy feat…thanks for the sturdy coffee mug, Laura!  I HATE getting up early...with a passion, but I really don’t mind my 40 minute morning commute.  From the walk, to the tram, to the walk, to the bus, to the walk…there is an energy in the city.  I can’t really describe it and I know it sounds cliché but you can feel it.  Everyone goes about their business, everyone has a place to be and knows where they need to go, but not in an obnoxious I’m better than you way, morel like a nod as you walk, grin a little way.  I love waiting at the bus stop looking over lake Geneva and the Alps in the background.  I can understand why Geneva was rated the 3^rd best place to live in the world!  I guess the beauty and international diversity attempts to make up for the absolutely outrageous prices!  On the tram people get up to leave seats for the elderly of the mother with kids; people are always willing to point you in the right direction of help you figure out which train to get on, all you have to do is ask!  I love the bus that takes me to work…it is the same bus that takes people to the UN so it is always a mix of languages and types of people.  Really interesting…. hopefully I will still enjoy the commute when it is cold!  It has been in the 70s and sunny since I got here (except yesterday) but I have a feeling the seasons are about to change…

Today at the office my boss brought me Dutch desserts that she made for my birthday and Anna brought me 2 kinds of her favorite chocolates.  I have officially eaten my body weight in chocolate.  But it is sooooooo worth it!  I have been very busy at work; I have been helping with our 30^th Anniversary book and with the symposium in November.  There are some other people on the program who are really bored at their jobs and I am very happy to say that that is not the case here!!  Today on my lunch break I was talking to the other interns about my plans to travel after the trip; the day before my flight back to the US I am in Geneva with no place to stay and my friend Aurelie told me I could stay with her!  I am really excited! I think it will be a great way to end the trip!  Also, Kate and I were talking about travels in Switzerland and she told me I am always welcome at her place!  I LOVE these people!!!  Here are the trips/travels I have planned so far…if you have ANY suggestions or recommendations I would LOVE to hear them!!!  Xoxox

September 25^th-27^th: Munich (for Oktoberfest) with Kierstin and Poppy

October 3^rd: Interlaken, Jungfrau, and Grindenwald

October 10^th: Lucerne**tentative

October 11^th: Hiking trip up Mt. Jura or Riederalp**tentative

October 16th -18^th: Lausanne (to visit Uncle Jon’s friends)****tentative

October 22^nd -25^th: Kierstin and Poppy (and friends) visit!!!!!! (Maybe Lausanne with them??)

October 30^th- November 1^st: Paris with Mom and Dad!!! (M and D is Europe October 28^th- November 5^th)

November 6^th-8^th: FREE (Maybe Gruyere to go to the Cheese and Chocolate Factory)

November 13^th- 15^th: FREE

November 20^th- 22^nd: FREE

November 27^th: Good-bye Fondue Dinner

November 28^th – 30^th: Brussels (to see Andrew)

November 30^th - December 3^rd: Amsterdam (with Kelly and Alison)

December 3^rd:  Geneva with Aurelie

December 4^th: Back to the states!!

Thanks for all the birthday facebook messages, texts, calls, bbms, and skypes!  Miss you guys!! Lots of love!! xoxo