Day Tripping: Servion Zoo

This weekend, Lu's friend A visited from the UK.  He works as a zookeeper, so Lu planned accordingly. On Saturday we went to the Natural History museum near la Vieille Ville and on Sunday we drove to Servion (just outside of Lausanne) to visit the zoo and tropiquarium.  For a small zoo, it was great.  The exhibits were (for the most part) done well and there was plenty to see.  We spent about two and a half hours there and saw all the exhibits.  I highly recommend visiting.  And here are some pictures from the trip!

After the zoo trip, our GPS decided to take us on the scenic route home.  Luckily, this brought us right past the mountains from the Sound of Music (ok, not really, but pretty close).  So we had a photo shoot.

Mid-spin

Yipee!

And from there we drove home with a great view of the mountains.  Can't wait for our next day trip!

Giving Thanks

I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  My year has just gotten better as time has progressed and I honestly cannot even believe I am where I am.

So this Thanksgiving, I'd like to let you all know who I am thankful for:

1. I am thankful for my family.  If anyone knows me, it's my family.  And if anyone has supported me through the thick and thin, once again, that would be my family.  It's not easy to just pick up and move across the globe, but my parents have done everything within their means to make it that much easier.  For example, this week, my favourite bronzer crumbled into little pieces.  After tirelessly searching Migros, Coop, etc. for it, I gave up.  But then my mum pulled through.  She bought two for me from Shopper's and is sending them to me with P when he is in Canada at the end of the month!  It's the little things.  Thanks fam!
2. I am thankful for my host family.  I've heard and read the horror stories when it comes to host families.  Luckily, I can't say anything bad about mine.  Instead, you get to hear me gush!  The second I arrived in Geneva, I was greeted with hugs and from then on it has been nothing but love. When I came down with a cold this week, Dr. P (seriously, he is a doctor) was quick to 'prescribe' me with a multitude of options to alleviate the symptoms.  As well, I have yet to feel unappreciated.  The family is quick to recognize extra effort and thank me for everything, from cleaning the sheets to making a minestrone that tastes good.  I appreciate their love and support so much, and it has made my time in Geneva feel like nothing less than home.  Thank you famille M!
3. I am thankful for my friends back home.  It isn't easy to keep in contact with someone who is on another continent and no longer sharing experiences with you.  But my friends have proved that it's possible.  As much as I feel that I am missing so much, at the same time I know that everyone is there waiting for me to come home and will greet me with open arms.  I do miss seeing them, but thanks to Skype and Facebook, it's almost like I'm there.  So thank you, mes amis!  
4. I am thankful for my friends in Geneva.  What would I do without you?  Especially Lu and Lo who have been with me from the start (almost), and are always there for me.  We've had some ridiculous adventures and it's only been two months.  I can't wait to see what sort of shenanigans (yes, I used shenanigans) we get into for the next 8 months!  And thank you, mes amies!
5. I am thankful for my extended family.  I literally would not be here and my car safely parked in a garage if it wasn't for all of you.  You all went above and beyond the duties of family, and I cannot thank you all enough.  The best I can do is bring home a suitcase stuffed with chocolate. And I have been sampling some for you guys (that's my excuse).  I definitely have some goodies coming!  Thank you!
6. I am thankful for the internet.  Without it, I would be completely cut off from Canada and everyone I love.  So thank you Tim Berners-Lee!

There are many more I am thankful for, and I hope that I have proven to you that I am.  

There are also some things that I am thankful for:

1. I am thankful that I have a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, and a warm shower to take in the morning.  I wish everyone could say the same.
2. I am thankful that I have food to eat.  And not just boring everyday food.  I am thankful that I have access to food from across the planet, and have an abundance of foods from different cultures.
3. I am thankful that I live in (and am from) a country not stricken by war, famine, or civil unrest.  
4. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to be educated and continue my education abroad.  
5. I am thankful that the van no longer stalls after every red light because I've remembered to breathe while driving.
6. I am thankful that I am having such a wonderful experience here in Switzerland, that I get to see all my family and friends again at Christmas, and that I get to return to this spectacular country again in January.
7. I am thankful that my total views has now surpassed 5000.  Thanks to all the readers!  

There is so much more I am thankful for, but I feel like you all don't need to read a novel.  I just want to thank each and every one of you that have helped me to be where I am.  Thank you.

This Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Sunday Picnic: Annecy Edition

Our picnic spot

After our action packed Saturday night, we decided to take it down a notch and drive to Annecy, France for a picnic since it is less than an hour's drive away.  A couple of the girls planned the picnic as a birthday surprise for R, another British nanny (who also joined us at the hockey game).

The surprise worked quite well.  All she knew when we left in the morning was that we were going for a picnic.  But she quickly figured out the location when she started guessing cities and we all started to sing along to the radio when she guessed Annecy.  We don't have very good poker faces apparently.

The weather stayed beautiful for us and we had a delicious picnic by the water.  After lunch, we wandered the streets of Annecy's old town.  Since it was a Sunday, most of the clothing shops were closed, but a few tourist shops and ice cream stands were open.

It was a beautiful day and I can't wait to go visit again.  My only regret?  Not bringing my bathing suit to jump in the lake.

Allez Servette! Round 2

This past Saturday was Pink Day for the Servettes.  The hockey team was raising money for Breast Cancer research, and I was lucky enough to attend (2 games in 1 week!).

N was generous enough to get tickets for myself and four friends.  After donning some pink we headed off to the game.  Now what's a hockey game in Geneva without some perks?  First off, we got free parking in the Rolex building across the street.  Then, we got sixth row seats in the VIP section.  And to top it all off, after the game, we headed over to the bar attached to the arena and were shoulder to shoulder with some of the Servette players.  Winning!

I unfortunately forgot my camera, so I don't have any pictures to prove it, but the game was spectacular.  It was the most heart-racing, gut wrenching game I have ever been to.  The Servettes played hard, scoring in the last few seconds of the third period to tie the game and bring it into overtime.  The overtime period came and went without a goal, so it went into a shoot out.  The shootout remained tied until the last shot.  Lugano (the foe) went first and missed.  It was down to the final shot to decide the game.  And the Servettes made it happen, scoring on the fifth and final shot of the shoot out to win the game!

Three of the four girlfriends I brought with me had never been to a hockey game, and what a first game it was.  The atmosphere was electric and everyone got into the game.

We're already planning to go see another game later on this month.  We obviously won't be splurging for VIP seats, but we know we will have an amazing time.

Allez Servette!