Checking In...

I just have to say, I love my job!

I know I've only technically been on the job for 3 days, but they've been great days.  The boy I'm watching, E, is the most mature, intelligent, and friendly 9 year old boy I have ever met.  He's very inquisitive; always ready with a question or observation.   He's become very interested in microchips at the moment, so we've been scouring the house for old electronic games (like ones that come in Happy Meals) for him to open up and remove the chip.  He hasn't yet decided what he'll do with the pile of microchips that has accumulated, but I'm sure he'll have a solution tomorrow.

I honestly need to start carrying my camera everywhere I go.  E and I went on a bike ride today to the soccer field he used to play at (he's made the top team, so he now plays at a different field, much farther away), and just simply gawked the entire bike ride.  I don't think I've ever been to a more picturesque place in my life.  Next week, E is in a camp all week, so I'll take out my good camera and get some shots to try to capture the gawk-worthy scenery.

As part of my job, I have to make lunch for (almost) the entire family, depending on who is home each day.  For those in Switzerland, and most other parts of Europe, you already know that lunch is the biggest meal of the day.  Breakfast is still the most important, but lunch definitely takes the cake for size. This means this poor family has left their life (yes, life) in my hands.  Luckily, I've been practicing (see here, here, here, and here) and I don't think the food's been too bad.  So far, I've made a Mango Chicken (borrowed from a friend, KN - THANKS!) and a vegetable spaghetti.  Tomorrow, along with lunch, I'll be making a Jello dessert for the family.  For those that don't know me, and my family, well, you probably might not be familiar with this REALLY HARD recipe to make.  It has a total of...are you ready for it?...three ingredients (four if you count water), and takes forever to make (less than an hour).  Wanna try it?  Check back tomorrow after I've made it, and if you've been really good, I'll post the recipe (although I might get scolded by my mother for that).

And surprisingly, I still haven't felt homesick.  Yes, I miss everyone, too much to even say, but I don't have any interest in getting a plane and heading home.  It just makes me want to get on a plane and go see more of Europe.  Speaking of which, I have made some travel plans with my friend KW who is studying in Berlin.  In two weeks she'll be in Geneva, so we get to hang out.  Then we plan on going to Interlaken for the weekend (aka the most beautiful place on Earth - I promise to take too many pictures).  Then at the end of September, we plan on meeting in Munich for Oktoberfest.  If you've happened to check out my bucket list, you'll know this is something I really want to do.  Thankfully, so did KW, so I won't have to go solo.

I can't believe my first week is already half over.  Time is just flying by!  Excited to Skype with some of my friends back home and my parents on the weekend.  Miss you all, and chat with you soon!

Until tomorrow, thanks for checking in and have a great day/night!

PS: In amazing news, learned that there's a Bibliobus (Library on wheels) that drives right through the village.  I am obviously more than excited.

Quite a Bit Off Topic

First off, I want to welcome all the new readers I've had in the past few days.  Welcome, and feel free to leave comments.  I love comments.  And of course, a very big welcome and thanks to my two new followers.  Glad you found me somewhat entertaining.

Secondly, in Visa news, all my documentation has been sent off to Switzerland (for the low price of $54.11) and now I'm just waiting to hear the (hopefully) good news.

And now on to my completely off-topic discussion: my very nerdy and unhealthy obsession with books.  Ask anyone who knows me.  I always have a book with me, and usually a couple more in case I finish the first book.  Working as a lifeguard, there are days where a book (or a series of books) come in handy.  Canada doesn't exactly have the most temperate weather.  But since I learned to read, my mother has been asking me to put that book down and go do something (not exactly the worst thing a kid could be doing rather than doing chores).  I still relish reading time, especially those stormy days when there's nothing better to do than cuddle up with a book and escape to a new (sunnier) world.  And since I found time last weekend to bask in the sun, its been nothing but rain every since.  However, this means that I've read quite a few books recently, and here is my list of my favourites:

The Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

Think of a Number by John Verdon

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas

All of these books will have you hooked from the start (except maybe Prayers for Sale, but keep pushing through.  It gets a lot better).  And the best thing?  They're all available on Amazon.  If you're interested in trying any of these books out, click on the Amazon bar up at the top.  Doesn't get any easier than that!

How about you?  Have you read any books lately that you would recommend?  I'm always looking for another book to read.