19 November 2003
Wow, I guess I haven't sent any updates lately. Sorry! Time has been flying by so fast lately. I had a dream the other night that it was time for me to go to the airport and I didn't want to go. I hadn't been here long enough, only 3 months! It's scary to think I only have 7 months and some odd days left. I haven't established a life here yet, I can't go home.
I am from Canada...have I mentioned that to all you Canadians back at home in Minnesota? I believe Minnesota should be annexed as the newest provence of the country with the big maple leaf on its flag. Yup, we have wolves, bears, deer and the occasional moose not to mention the lakes and the forests. To these Swiss people, that is Canada. The United States is L.A., New York, Chicago and Floridian beaches--not Minnesota! Whenever I describe where I live it is always, "Oh, it's like Canada? I have always wanted to go to Canada. It's really pretty there." Now, I have just began to say, I live in Minnesota, do you know where that is? Normally, people act like they know where it is until I ask that question, then of course I get the response of, "no." Therefore, I have started saying, "It's close to Canada." What I really want to say is that I'm just Canadian and clear up all the confusion!
In the U.S., we recieve report cards at our homes. Here, the same thing occurs but we also have the teacher of our class who reads all our grades out loud to the entire class! I got a 3 in Math, a 4.8 in Art and the other classes I just just a note saying I am there. lol. These grades are on a 6.0 scale. But not only does he read them, but he ridicules the students and is stern. Why did you recieve such a low mark? Maybe that is why Switzerland has the highest suicide rate for adolescents. (last Friday a 15 year old boy jumped infront of a train and committed suicide not far from my house.)
Another question I have, is if all my class is receiving such poor marks in English, how come they don't ask me for help??
I had previously asked the principal where I can volunteer in Fribourg and she told me to contact this group at school, Macrocosm. They had a meeting last week and I went. We are currently putting together a charity concert and then the money is going to Senegal. I believe, if I understood correctly, the group is going to Africa! It costs 5,000 CHF and I don't think I have enough money....but it's Africa!!!!!! Please, mommy?
Speaking of travelling, I hope to be doing alot this year. My host father wants to take me to France again for Christmas break, this time to the north. Then for Jan. I have a YFU camp in the mountains where I will be snowboarding. My family goes skiing once a week (I dont know when we will start) and I will be using the cousins snowboard and boots! So for Carnaval vacation in February I will be going to the south of Switzerland in the Alps and snowboard in France and Switzerland! We will be staying in a chalet for a week with the aunt and uncle and Elise. Then March 18, 19, and 20th I will be going all the way to the east of Switzerland (CH) for a band trip. Then the 31st, and the beginning of April we have the class trip. We are either going to Florence, Italy or to the Czech Republic!!! If we go to CR we might stay with host families...it would be a Swiss/CR exchange but for me a American/Swiss/Czech exchange! I'm sooo excited to do all my travelling!
I started Tandem, this match maker type thing, yesterday. Normally, Tandem is a pair of students--one French and one German speaking. Together, the students hang out once a week, altrenating languages, and learn eachothers cultures. However, I am in a French/English tandem. I had requested a partner that loves horses, of course. Nevertheless, the teacher, who I think wants to be a host of a dating show, couldn't find someone who liked horses. Yesterday, I met him--yup, he found me a boy, not a girl, and he doesn't like horses...so what do I have to say to him? lol. He looks like he is really into trends. He had his nike shoes, his bleached spotted pants, his glasses and his hair was kinda gelled weird. Anyways, I'm sure he is a nice guy. He can't really speak English. He tried saying to me "See you Thursday." since we didn't have time to talk yesterday due to his spanish class and we are meeting tomorrow at 3h30. Instead he said, "see you....see you....." then he started with his fingers and said "Monday, Tuesday..." then I responded, "See you Thursday." So, we'll see how it works out.
Well...my Swiss German class just came into the lab and I have Italian soon. So I better get going so they can start their class.
-Kris
4 November 2003 Journal Entry