Day Two

I discovered how these people stay thin, portion control!! They have the smallest bowls and cups I have ever seen. Seriously, where is my monster cereal bowl??? Actually, it is perfect. I am enjoying my time here. I had my nice breakfast and lunch with the guys yesterday, then went home and cooked my first dinner. Of course it was Italian, what else would you eat in France?? It was actually really good. Some tortellini with am amazing tomato sauce, some parmesan cheese on top and of course some amazing French bread.

I capped off the night by watching a movie on my computer and then calling it a night around 11pm. Got up today and had my bowl of oatmeal, tea, and my tiny cup of juice, more like a shot, but it worked. It is really weird eating breakfast at home. I do not leave for work until 8:15am which is over an hour later than I am used to. So I get up, shower, make my little breakfast and enjoy the scenery. Then it is off for my hike….

Now, I don’t know if I can properly explain how high up on this hill I am living. Pretty much at the top. So the driveway is not possible with my VW Golf. I park further up the hill on another small patch of land that they own and slide/walk my way down to the house. Not too bad at night, with a light. Although I had not done this during the day, it was not bad. No groin pulls or anything from sliding down the hill. But this morning, walking up the hill, in snow, with my boots, at altitude…. Dang. Let’s just say I got my heart rate up a little high than expected on my first early morning in the office. But it only took 5 minutes to get to my car. Crossed only one barbed wire fence, encountered some strange looking animal footprints and kept checking behind me for the wild boars that are on the land. All good fun at 8am!!

So the morning in the office flew by, I am super busy which I love!! At lunch I decided to go try out this trail around a lake right by the office. The guys in the office told me they did not want to come with me because there are wild men and wild dogs and I would probably be attached. They are so much fun here!! Anyway, I found my way there, and did a lap around the lake. I was running on snow/slush most of the time and it only took me 20 minutes to do my lap. I guess I can do 2 laps next time. It is gorgeous though, looking at the mountains all the way around. Temp was mid 30’s so not too bad. See a picture of the lake below. After that it was back to the office and that brings me to now. Day two, pretty good. I am off in a little while to go pack for our trip to Tunisia. I leave for the airport early tomorrow with the team. And I did learn that I will be riding a camel, I swear to God. I will be sure to get pictures of that!!

Check back soon. Miss all and love you.

Au revoir.

Bonjour!!

Well I did it. I moved to France. It was not the easiest thing to do, but I made it. Leaving my house on Sunday was one of the hardest things I have done. I did not think it would be as difficult as it was. Thanks to Katie for the hugs and reassuring me it would be ok. Getting my luggage all checked in was easier than I thought. All 5 pieces made it to Geneva with me. I was even able to get all 5 pieces through customs, by myself. Take a look at my good packing on the cart! Thanks to some bungees I grabbed at the last minute as I was leaving the house.

Upon arrival I was met my housing consultant and she drove me to the office to get my car. We went to the grocery store and I got supplies that will last me a week or so. Tea, cereal, eggs, pasta, milk and juice. Only the essentials! I then met my neighbors, used their internet for a while as mine was not working. I then unpacked for an hour and crashed. Watch Love Actually on my computer and fell asleep around 10:30. I climbed out of bed at 9:24am this morning so I think I am caught up on my sleep.

I awoke to snow. Took some pictures of my view out my kitchen window. Check it out!! I think I can get used to this.

I had my normal breakfast to help me feel more at home. My oatmeal and tea were very good.

I went into the office around lunch time and had lunch with 3 of the guys I will be working closely with. We discussed the assignment and life in France. It was good. Now I am in the office, probably until about 7pm or so tonight. Getting caught up and getting my feet wet here.

This will definitely be one of those life changing experiences, I can feel that already. I will learn a lot for work and think a lot about me. I am excited to see the area and just venture out on my own once in a while. Check back often for more news from my overseas adventure....

Christmas With the Fam Damily

Sorry this is a little late, but I have been a little busy getting ready for my short trip overseas:)

So the holidays were great this year. Sara, Dom and the boys were home for two weeks. We had everyone home Christmas Eve and Christmas morning was really fun. Adam is 3 now and Henry is 7 months. Check out some pictures of the family from our Christmas.