Halfway There....

So it's been a little while since I've written....exams have literally turned my brain to mush. haha. But on the plus side I am halfway done! I only have 4 more to take, two of which are Monday. I would have to say that so far I think they've gone pretty well. I feel great about most of them and so-so about a couple.

It's been interesting to say the least. My first exam was written and I had to write that one in Italian. I had an oral exam right after that which I did in English. My other written exams have been in English (thank God), and the last exam I took on Friday was an oral one. This one I started in Italian...and ended in English. Geez it was interesting trying to understand exactly what they were trying to ask me. A very frustrating 20 minutes, in which I wasn't sure if he wanted me to answer what the Relative Humidity was or if he was just making a statement. Seriously....I don't think I like oral exams. I panic and can't remember the things that I've studied. It's awful.  I'm glad I don't have any more of those!

But...that's about it. Nothing interesting or exciting to report because all I've been doing is studying. I don't know that I've ever studied for anything so much....ever. I suppose that's a good thing. Cross your fingers for the rest. Then come Wednesday afternoon, I am having a drink (or two). Probably won't write again until then. I've got Biology, Chemistry, Microscope Analysis, and an oral/discussion with my teachers to get through. Molto pesante...(very heavy). :/

Alright, I'm out.

The Things They Find Funny...

Before I begin, an update for the score...it's not looking good folks:

Jet Lag: 3 Sarah: 1 and we're at half time. I've got to go for gold in the 2nd half, or we're coming home empty handed.

Annnnnddd....since that isn't going so well, I thought I'd focus on something a bit more entertaining. The other night I was going through my photo album from this last trip home with my friends. I think it was the day I got back over here, so imagine, we'll set the scene:  a sober, yet seemingly intoxicated girl (due to fatigue and the fact that she had been awake for 26 hours), trying to describe a number of things from the world that is America and justify it to a small group of Europeans (2 Portuguese, 1 Spanish, 1 Italian, and 1 German). The result: a whole lot of laughter, some very confused faces due to my inability to speak clearly and lack of readjustment to not using slang, and a lot of "Grande!!" expressions. Which just so you know does not necessarily mean "Big!' As you would think. It's more like saying "Awesome!" or "Cool!" Something along those lines anyway.

So what is it they found so entertaining about our way of life? 

1) I think what got the largest reaction (and I'm not kidding) is the compartmentalized styrofoam plates we commonly see at holiday get-togethers. hahahah. Crazy right? I would have never thought about it, but they couldn't believe those or the amount of food.

2) Next in line: The house in suburban Chicago we found that is decorated like Chevy Chase's house (hence the name for the album).  I believe I got a "Mi Dio!" on that one from Giulio and a "how do the neighbors sleep?!" from Andre.

3) The other biggest shock....our 9ft fake Christmas tree by the fire place. Lena: "It's like a movie!" And everyone else: "It's HUGE!" Then, I told them that was just one of our trees. They then proceeded to tell me that, everything is big in America, which I suppose is probably true. :)

4) However, my favorite was the little treat I brought back for Giulio: Red solo cups. It's no joke. You can't find them over here. And well, let's just say he wanted them for party planning purposes. ;)

5) I do have to mention one more thing, because the aunts and my mom will be pleased. We have been enjoying the Christmas candy immensely and I've loved trying to explain what everything is (turtles, bark cookies, icebox cookies, texas bon bons, etc.) The reactions both good and bad have been priceless.  ps...Mom...they love the turtles. I'll have to try and make them or something.

Just a few tidbits on life here and what we find interesting topics of conversation. If my friends read this, they'd probably tell you stories of things I've found interesting about here...and of course make fun of me. It's easy to do. :) 

Alright, I'm out for the evening, I need to sleep soon. Must. conquer. biology. and. pre-consolidation. tomorrow.

Studying...Studying...Studying....Lanchetta!

Day 1 of finally getting to study for these nasty exams was a quasi-success.  I say 'quasi' because I did succeed in translating around 14 pages of one of my presentations and making bi-lingual notes. Awesome?? It may appear so...however, this took me about 5 hours! This process only involved a few things:  one very large dictionary, a pocket translator (thank you sister Tiff! :) ), google translate from time to time (can't always trust what that will give you), and a 501 verb book (which still manages to leave out certain scientific verbs. sweet. :( ).  Why do I tell you all of this??

Because that presentation was 1 of about 6 for that class. And that class is one exam out of the 9 I have to take which all have that amount if not more presentations.  Needless to say, I have it all under control and I am nowhere close to PANICKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'M TOTALLY COOL. NOT WORRIED AT ALL....sorry am I yelling? I lost myself for a minute there. Phew...anyway....

I'm sure I'll get it sorted better tomorrow, and I'm really just venting about the frustration of the 4 extra exams that are AFTER my week of Master's exams (stupid stupid stupid).  I'll be fine. I'm gonna take those exams to the cleaners! (Can I use that analogy here??) Even with the positive attitude though, 5 hours of that would cause anyone to go a little crazy.

Thank God for Lanchetta. My other home. Nothing party planning, xmas candy (from the Rosenthal fam of course!), and some Portuguese port wine can't fix. :) I am once again renewed with optimism. I can take on the world! Too cheesy? Yeah I thought so too. Anyway, I'm really just glad that I was able to sleep at 1am last night and become a daywalker again. I got up at 8:30 am. BAM! Take that jet lag!

Jet Lag: 2 Sarah: 1

Crap he's still winning...You wait til tomorrow jet lag!!! I will dominate!!! (you can't see but i'm shaking my fist)

 With that all, I am off to bed. Love, love, love!

Jet Lag and I are fighting...

So I'm going to try and make this a habit of writing a little bit everyday even if it's not so exciting. Then maybe I'll actually remember to keep this thing updated.  It is now midnight my time (5pm central).  I couldn't fall asleep until 8 am this morning (1 am central). SO frustrating. These last couple trips hopping the pond jet lag and I have NOT gotten along. It's starting to wear on our relationship. I mean I may just have to stop making this transatlantic trips if he's going to continue to be uncooperative. ;)

So jet lag...yeah I'm talking to you...we're fighting in case you didn't know. I can't study science in a foreign language if you're going to be keeping me up at all hours of the night feeding my facebook addiction (which has become, I'm afraid to say, quite bad). I actually feel physical anger when the newsfeed doesn't change. Is that a sign there needs to be some intervention??? oh geez...

Anyway, nothing exciting other than my inability to sleep in Swissmode. I even went without caffeine (i.e. my daily coke zero, tea, and coffee) ALL day. It was awful. haha. Hopefully that means I'll sleep in the next couple of hours, but we'll see. This week will most likely be pretty quiet because I'm going to be studying the mounds of science I have....I'm not even sure where to start. : /

Do I re-write the notes and then translate? or translate then re-write? or type them on the computer? or simply re-read them? or wait...how much material do I even have to know? are they going to quiz me on the books they recommended in the bibliographies?? there's 15 of them...just for one day's lecture!!! PANIC!!!! My friend Federica would say 'tranquila Sarah, tranquila.' She says that to me a lot...it means calm down. I'm sure you all are surprised by that too...my panic mode and worrying. HAH...right. :)

Alright must go try and sleep...

The Definition of why I'm still here...

So I found this poem in my email as I was doing my annual cleaning and organization. I can't remember where I got it or why it was saved in my drafts. I didn't write it, but man does it really describe what I've needed to have to stick this school thing out over here. It's good advice for anyone who is tired of just 'living' or 'getting by,' but is a little afraid to take that first step and just do it. Go get your dreams...you've only got one life to live, make it something exciting! :)

I would assume it's called "Comfort Zone" but I don't even know that for sure...

"I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I couldn't fail

The same four walls and busy work were really more like jail

I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before

But I stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor

I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much

I said I didn't care for things like diamonds, furs and such

I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone

But deep inside I longed for something special on my own

I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win

I held my breath and stepped outside to let the change begin

I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before

I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door

If you are in a comfort zone afraid to venture out

Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt

A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true

Greet your future with a smile

Success is there for you.."


Absolutely beautiful... :)

Back for the Exams... :/

After an amazing, wonderful and much too short visit home, I am once again back in Lugano. I think I am recovering from the jet lag (I only slept until 2pm today haha.) Today I'm just unpacking and such. Hoping to get adjusted fully...then it is study study study. Because let's be real...all of you who saw me over the holidays know that well I really didn't study anything! haha...oops.

Anyway, I have 9 exams that I have to take, the majority of which are science (YES!...not....). I think I get to write them all in English...I think. I'm not sure how the oral exams will go. Lord help me. It will definitely be an experience. Although, I think I'll do well enough. Don't worry I'll keep you all posted.

Other that, nothing really exciting to report so far. I did get an interesting email from my roommate who is in Dubai, regarding my permit of stay. Apparently they sent it to his address in Lucerne instead of Lugano. SERIOUSLY?!  C'mon now...read the address I wrote on my form!! So, now my permit of stay is in Dubai with him and I'm going to go to the Ufficio degli Stranieri (literally Foreigner's office) to ask about it. I think I will have a whole entry to tell my visa/permesso story. It's just too good to not share...and I'm not kidding.

Maybe it's silly to say I miss everyone already, but I do. I'm already thinking about the end of July/August time frame. :) Lots to do inbetween, so time will fly I'm sure. Anyway, must go unpack and try to put my mind back in Swiss mode.  I must banish thoughts of refillable cokes, burritos and cheeseburgers from my mind...