So here goes nothing...
I was chosen to be an Autumn Volunteer at Our Chalet in Adelboden, Switzerland. Our Chalet is a World Centre of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Their website is http://www.ourchalet.org/ if you need more explanation. I am a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts, got a plastic card and everything, and was eligible and charming enough that they asked me to join them for three months to do some cooking, cleaning, tour guiding, activity leading, and whatever else they need. So I'm going.
This week is the big countdown. I leave Friday, August 29th, and will return December 2nd. Just in time to see my sister big as a blimp ready to give birth to my first niece on December 23rd and to spend Christmas with my family, especially my dad who about died when I wasn't home last year.
I have a brand new bright green suitcase, courtesy of my amazing and amazingly GENEROUS mom, who has agreed to support my broke ass while I'm there. If I haven't said it yet, I love her. I think I have everything I need except for the visa. Oh did I mention that the visa I need to get into the country still hasn't arrived. It's only three days before I leave, and I don't even know if they'll let me in. Cross your fingers.
Before I end my first post, I want to leave you all with this.
I got these great new hiking shoes/boots for while I'm in the Big Ass Swiss Alps and decided to break them in. We have this wonderful trail down to a creek in our back yard, and I figured I'd break in my shoes by going down there. I took my camera to take some photos to show all you folks in DC who couldn't understand why I'd want to be in SC just one reason why I love it here. Because what's in the photos would be my back yard.
So I reached the creek, accompanied by my trusty mutt Lola, and her pet dog, Spike, and sat down for a while to contemplate life. After a while, I got up and decided to follow the creek up to our pond. See, a while back, my dad dammed up a creek and made us a pond out behind our house. And how many creeks could there be right? The one I was at had to follow behind our house to the pond. So I followed it. And man, I took some great photos and had a great time with Lola and Spike. But I lost track of time and after a good while I figured I should make my way back towards the house. See I hadn't reached the pond, and so I was sure I made a wrong turn somewhere. So I found a path that headed in the direction of the house and took it.
Well I ended up at a house, but it wasn't mine. And it took me a few minutes to build up my courage to walk through these people's yard trying to think of how I was going to explain how I ended up there. But luckily, I didn't run into anybody, and eventually I discovered I was in the yard of a good family friend. So it all turned out okay.
The thing is, some of the photos are my back yard, but some of them - I have no idea whose yard it is. It's still beautiful, and where else can you traipse around someone else's land without getting shot or arrested AND have your dog(s) with you the whole time not on a leash or having to bag their you-know-what besides in South Carolina?
The boots worked great by the way.
10 comments:
Jena,
Somehow it doesn't surprise me that you got lost :o)
That first picture of the trees... I LOVE IT! Can you please send it to me via email. I'd like to blow it up, frame it, and hang up in my house.
I'm going to miss you... but I think I can go another three months knowing you will be home for a while after that :o)
The plan is to come see you before you leave, I'm thinking Thursday afternoon after work?! Let me know if you are free.
Anyways, I look forward to your blogs :o)
See you soon,
Tiffany
New Hampshire is JUST as beautiful! But I do not miss the cold weather or snow, and therefore have no intention to going back to live anytime soon. 3 Days? WOW! that was fast.
Love you lots.
Juely
The pics are beautiful. Will you be leading tours outside? You might want to work on your sense of direction:)Don't want to be reading about the lost girl scouts. Love ya! I have my fingers crossed for a very safe and awesome trip for you.
Linds
Hey Jena,
I loved your blog! I don't usually read blogs but somehow I just knew yours would be entertaining so I had to read it. I hope you have a wonderful time in Switzerland, that's such an awesome opportunity. Take care girl.
Janie
Yay Jena! Very cool and thanks for the morning entertainment. Have a fabulous trip and I will certainly keep checking in on your blog. (I want to see more pix of Lola and Spike!)
Jenn
Not that I'm partial or anything but this is awesome! Hope you have your earrings on correctly for that statement. I'm very excited for you....and yes, your mom is terrific. I'm glad I got to see the pictures after you told the story to us on Saturday. You be care, have a great time and remember...keep the passport taped to your body at all times! I love you! Patti
Jena, Great photos but where are the NASCAR cars? Thanks for the great blog. BobNash
Jen,
Great story, great pictures!
If you have to get lost , what better place than in this beautiful setting?
That being said, buy a compass, or take better companions while you are out of the country. :)
Love you and looking forward to this update. But have fun and do everything you can while you are there.
Leeann passed along your blog to me. I LOVE READING BLOGS. So i will be checking yours out daily to see if there are any updates. I hope you have a wonderful time in the Big Ass Swiss Alps! And i'm so glad you're going to make it back to SC in time for my birthday.
Jenner, how cool is your story and photos. I think your passion should have been language instead of math. I could have told you that you were funny , after all who went to the fair at three and had fun but not good fun because she couldn't get a toy on a stick. Maybe ther will be a toy on a stick in the big ass Alps.Keep the good stuff coming. Love ya mean it Diane
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