People are People

Life is pretty crazy sometimes.

So my cousin, her kids, and I went on a day trip yesterday. It was loads of fun. We were on our way to Luzern via train. It's quite the experience going on a train with three small children. I begin to feel sorry for my own mother who has five children and we were all really small together. I mean, I've always been grateful but you certainly gain a new appreciation for all she does.

In anycase, we were sitting sorta behind these group of youngish guys who had been seated since we boarded. They were playing a card game and speaking a different language. Totally not surprising. I would've been shocked to hear English.

Well. They were very blatantly checking us out. It was kinda weird. Complimentary sure. But honestly, we had three kids with us and... I don't know. It's just you don't plan these things, you know? Especially when you are in a foreign country, with your cousin, on a train, with three kids. It was odd.

After we got off, my cousin and I just laughed. She informed me that they're probably from Italy because the train we were on goes from Italy through Switzerland into Germany. Plus, they smelled a little. Meaning they've probably been on the train for a long time. But it was complimentary, still odd. Made for an experience. Italians. Who would've thought?

The reason for our day trip was to go to the Gletscher Garten also known as the Glacier Garden in English. It looks like this:

It's that awesome looking? Answer: Yes.

They have this tent thing over it so that it doesn't become more weathered down. It's been a place to go to for many many years. A glacier went through forever ago.

Those big holes? They were created by those rocks swirling around by water. Nature is pretty impressive. It really is.

This lion is carved at the beginning of the gardens. Wikipedia is very helpful in understanding the significance of it. It says, "It commemorates the Swiss Guards who were massacred in 1792 during the French Revolution, when revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris, France. The American writer Mark Twain (1835–1910) praised the sculpture of a mortally-wounded lion as 'the most mournful and moving piece of stone in the world.' " It was really breathtaking. Europe is pretty amazing. Just seeing places that were built before the US was a country... It's cool.

Also at the Gardens they had a mirror maze. It was pretty intense. You think it's going to be easy, but when you are inside it you are so confused. 

Your depth perception is messed up. You stare at yourself in a mirror trying to figure out if it's a mirror or if it's the mirror just beyond it. So totally worth it. You are so so so confused. Loved it.

Then they had a tower there that we climbed and climbed and climbed up the stairs on the mountain to even reach. Then we climbed some more to get to the top of the tower. These are a few photos of Luzern I took after we finally arrived at the top:

After the gardens we went to Zurich because one of the kids had an English class. Then my cousin and the kids went on their way home after I was shown around Zurich a little bit. I hung around in Old Town wandering around, exploring, watching people, reading, writing.

Well, as I was sitting on a bench another random experience happened. A random guy sat down next to me and started talking to me in English. He was kinda interesting. After awhile of chatting about politics and the different plus and minuses of different countries and religions etc. etc., he decided to be more forthcoming and actually be blatantly forward. And guess what he asked? If I'd like to have drinks with him sometime. I cannot believe I was asked on a date while in Europe nor can I believe that I was asked to go on a date to actually drink alcohol. Poor guy. I do not understand people sometimes. It was another thing to add to my list of things that happened to me while in Europe. It's quite the adventure.

At 7, I began to make my way towards the stake center. I was going to institute. In Europe. It was lovely. I'm so grateful to returned missionaries. I really am. Especially ones that speak English and can help me translate. So I had a translater. I was given more Swiss Chocolate as well. I love church activities in Switzerland. I really do. After institute they provided dinner. See, in Switzerland there is not YSA branch or ward. Only family wards. So institute is really the only place where people meet each other. People go straight to institute from work or school so they're hungry and need more time to socialize. I met this really nice girl who just moved into the city. She's from Austria originally but she went to Arizona, US for high school for the exchange program. She stayed in a town called Joseph City. It was settled by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More than half the population are members and that's how she was introduced to the church and where she joined. It was really awesome to get to know her. It was even better that she knew English so well. She knew English and Swiss German, sorta. So it was fun. New friend. I'll see her next week. I'm excited. I love the gospel. It works miracles for people. I really and truly love it.

Coming home was a bit of a problem. I had a difficult time pronouncing the name of the girl who was to give me a ride and then I couldn't speak German at all. However, when we were on our way home it was a lot of fun. We had this problem speaking to each other, but with some basic English and big gestures and mind communications girls can still talk about all things girls can talk about.

So basically at the end of this post I suppose I can announce that people are people everywhere. I love it.

Going to Church

Church in Switzerland is pretty great.

Today was the primary program and my cousin is the music director. So we tried to arrive early. Thus, of course, we arrived sorta kinda early. My cousin got everything ready and her daughter went and sat on the stand. Meanwhile, the twin 2 year old boys and I went and sat down in the back.

The building is interesting. It looks like a new building. But in the basement where the nursery is it's a part of a former bunker. The sacrament room has one main entrance and one simple door in the back. There aren't any benches, but rather only chairs. It reminded me a lot of church at BYU-Idaho.

Soon an older gentleman came over and asked me if I was using a certain seat. However, I had no idea what he was saying at it was either in Swiss German or High German or another language.. In anycase it was in another language. I made gestures expressing I have no idea what he's talking about. And I said, "I'm sorry I don't understand." However, he knows English. So that was awesome.

They gave me these little translator things that make it look like I'm wearing a very non-attractive stethoscope. However, taking care of twins causes me to frequently take off the translator things because it's really hard to hear anything the boys say when I wear it. The older gentleman was really helpful when things fell. Sweet man.

The primary program was focused on the Old and New Testaments. It was nice. What was interesting was that every once in awhile the children spoke in English.

No matter where you are in the world, the Holy Ghost is the same. It's wonderful.

After Sacrament Meeting, I spoke with the gentleman next to me. He wanted me to know how special and how blessed my generation is. When he was a young boy it was before the World War II and the missionaries came. It touched something in his heart. It was powerful. But then WWII occurred and the missionaries left. He'd study the Bible cover to cover multiple times. And the scriptures that touched him the most was about the living waters and the bread of life and if he partakes of it he'd never hunger again. It was powerful because he was starving. He had no food. He really was starving. He had brushed against the Gospel but wasn't able to partake. He was saved by the Americans. The American planes flew overhead. The war was over. Then there were American missionaries that came across him. He was so happy. He had not thought that he would ever see them again.

Sunday School was fun. It felt like a normal Sunday School. The lesson was Lesson 34: “Keep the Ordinances, As I Delivered Them”. Good lesson. All in High German.

Then I went to Relief Society. I was lucky enough to have sister missionaries in the ward today. One of them has been in Switzerland for only 4 weeks. She was from Idaho and even went to BYU-Idaho for two years. It was kinda funny. But she was very helpful in translating for me.

However, this sister missionaries were the ones giving the lesson today. The lesson was "Chapter 40: Temple Work and Family History". It was a lesson I had my last week in America. It was fascinating. You know how in American the lessons we have about genealogy work is mostly about going to new.familysearch.org as well as doing indexing? And of course going to the temple to do work for the dead. But in Switzerland the focus is on going to the churches. You know, the churches with records dating back quite a long ways into the past? Where you have to go talk to the Catholic priests for access to the records? Yup. That's what the Europeans do. They discussed how many hire people to look up their genealogy for them and how those without money usually have the time. So each has their own talents and availability for this. But I also learned how important it is for Americans to do their genealogy work. One family was finding their ancestors and many generations back they found a line whose temple work was all done. It was quite the surprise for them. But what had happened was that an extremely distance relative in the states had done his or her own family history and temple work and as a result made it easier for this new family to finish up their line until the common ancestor.

Both the Americans and the Europeans do the temple work and family history, but it seems to me that we each have our strengths and weakness and we help each other out.

The Europeans find the written records and go through that process.

The American use the technology to help organize those that had lived in that past.

Isn't that fascinating? I thought so.

I love the gospel. I truly do.

How to be an American in Switzerland

While I was at Europa-Park the other day my cousins told me some interesting things.

Number One: If you have a question, especially when you feel as if it should have an obvious answer, you ask it in English. Because Americans ask questions all the time. No one thinks second thoughts when an American asks questions. That's just how they are.

My cousins then began people-watching. It's a European pastime. A hobby really. They just stare. But we began watching people and tried to guess who belonged to which nationality. I learned a few more things about being American in Europe.

Number Two: Americans smile when they walk. Apparently this is a big giveaway. You pretty much do not need any other qualifiers once you come across this. Europeans don't really smile, but they aren't grim. They just relax their faces a bit more then we do.

Number Three: You are an American if you where a hat. A baseball hat especially. That's a giveaway too. I have yet to see someone in a baseball hat.

Number Four: You are an American if you have a backpack. I think it's a certain kind of backpack. Not the hiking packs, because lots of people use those in Switzerland as they hike across the country. Not the uniform Swiss backpacks either. Those backpacks are all the same, though they might be different patterns or fabric. The reason for this is because of the school system. Which I'll have to explain at a later date.

Number Five: You are an American if you wear tennis shoes. Europeans are people too. I've seen business shoes, heels, flats, sandals etc. I've yet to see tennis shoes unless they are jogging and biking seriously verses just trying to get from one place to another.

Number Six: You are an American if you have lots of kids. Europeans don't.

Number Seven: You are an American if you are loud. Most Europeans seem to think of themselves as quiet. Not sure if this is true. The trains can get pretty loud when you head to or from a city. But I suppose that could be the foreigners.

Adventure Day

Today was Adventure Day. I love those days. Most of the time. There are requirements for Adventure Day.
1. You must be trying to go somewhere (either somewhere new or on the way back home).
2. You must have a good atitude at all times.
3. You must have something negative happen to you (getting lost, car breaking down, etc).

I went canoeing with my cousin and his friend today. They needed someone over the age of 18 to accompany them. They needed someone with spare time. I was lucky enough to meet both of those qualifications.
Problem. I didn't really know where we were going canoeing. Nor did I know how to use the amazing public transportation system they have here to help me get there.
There = Nidau, Switzerland

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I learned how to use the public transportation system today. You get on one train, get off, get on another, get off, get on a tram, get off, walk a lot then you're there.

Simple.

Ya, right.

What's ironic about the whole thing is that the most difficult part I was expecting (switching trains and making sure you don't miss it) was actually the easiest, while the easiest part was the most complicated. Apparently when you are on a tram it doesn't automatically stop at every stop. You have to tell it to stop by pushing a button. So we missed Nidau and made it to some small little town that we learned was not Nidau, after walking around for several minutes. We then start heading one direction and we got to the next tram stop. In Ipsach. The wrong direction. So we walked back to the other stop. Then waited because poor little me was totally exhausted. We got back on the tram headed towards Nidau. We got off at Nidau.

However, that was not the end of it. Oh, definitely not. We were now looking for the lake. It's rather obvious on the map. But when you are on the ground the hills and buildings block it. We saw the river (learned later it was a canal) and tried to figure out which direction it was flowing. We assumed the river would flow into the lake. So we started to head East. If you look on the map that is the WRONG direction. Again.

You see the town called Port? Where a river and the canal meet? Ya. We passed that. See that first bridge on the left? That's sorta where we started. It was beautiful. But I was tired and the lake was not showing up.

So we started walking back. Then my cousin asked directions. The person had no idea. We found a map. YAY! It was under the first bridge where we started. I figured out where we where (from walking along that canal and over the river, so I recognized it on a map). And I learned we had to head North into town and had about 6 blocks to go until we turned left.

By the time we arrived at the canoeing place we were all a little bit exhausted. and hot. It was fun. We went canoeing. I was excited because I could sit. That was fantastic. However, I now had to exercise poor little stick arms and muscles I rarely (if ever) use. We canoed down to Ipsach. Ironic. We canoed back and after an hour we were very very very tired.

So we left after talking to the wonderful Swiss person who helped out us poor, confused Americans.

We got back on the tram. Then we went to Luzern, Switzerland:

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It was dark by then. But beautiful and busy. It was fantastic. See the little train symbol? That's where we got off. It's a huge train station. The trains are on the main floor. Underneath them and the streets and buildings outside is a huge shopping area. It was just... amazing. I know that a lot of places have shopping areas like that, but still. I was in awe. Though I guess it could have been because I was totally tired.

We then went to McDonald's right next door. It was the most classy McDonald's I have ever seen. Ever. The seats were amazing. The ceiling was amazing. The menus looked amazing. It looked like either wealthy or young adults went there. It was a place to go apparently. What was sorta funny was that my cousin, who grew up in Switzerland since his toddler years, asked me what McDonald's in America looked like. And I didn't really know what to tell him. "Not like this." Maybe a Switzerland gas station? But not? I had no clue.

After that we went on some famous wooden bridge. And walked by a tower thing that apparently suffered from a fire sometime. It's famous. But I have no idea what the story is there. But I have a picture of it. Oh! Wikipedia says it was built in the 14th century. Makes sense. The thing was covered with huge fat spiders. But I walked on it!

We also went and saw a church. Which Wikipedia tells me is Church of St. Leodegar built originally in 735 and then the current one was erected in 1633. Apparently something happened to the first one. Still beautiful and old. Sadly we weren't able to go inside as it was late (you can even tell the time on the tower). But we saw some of the grounds. There is a cemetery there. It was gorgeous.

After exploring it was time to go. So my cousin and his friend went on one train and I on another. I paid attention and got off at the right stop and got on the right train, then got off at the last stop and then walked up the hill (steep hill) to my cousin's listening to the cowbells and the sheep's bells while seeing the world light up because of the lightening from the other side of the mountains that were headed our way.

That was my Adventure Full Day. I'm tired and sore, but it was totally worth it. I love Switzerland.

Sattel and Einseideln

These are just a few pictures I've taken while in Switzerland. But the pictures don't really grasp the true magnitude and magnificence of the country.

Here is Sattel, Switzerland:

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 This picture is in Sattle, Switzerland. The Alps are hidden behind the clouds here. Actually it's fog, because for many people (including where I am staying) the clouds frequently reach homes.

This is of some of the cows. I love the cows. I know that it may sound odd, but in Switzerland the cows each have a cowbell. Instead of branding the cows each farmer has his own cowbell so you can tell who the cow belongs to. Also, the country does not need wind chimes. The cowbells actually sound beautiful. It's the music of the grasslands.

 This is a picture of a park right outside the farms. :) It's wonderful.

This is a picture of the Alps that were hidden behind the clouds earlier.

This is Einsiedeln, Switzerland:

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I was in a bookstore in Einsiedeln, Switzerland and I just had to take a picture of some of the books. I just love books.

This is one of the streets. Cobblestone streets and sidewalks. Some areas are paved. Some are not. Still love it.

Things I Love in Europe...

There are several things I love about being in Switzerland.

Of course the first would be the fact that I have family here that I rarely am able to see. It's been a lot of fun hanging out with them and getting to know them better. Plus, having family that has lived here for awhile is nice because they can tell you so much more about the country than touristy places. And you get to stay in a place tourists don't stay in.

I love the greenery. Imagine Rexburg, ID. Extremely green for a longer time. Add in a few hills and mountains and wonderful roads.  Then you can almost picture Switzerland. But not really.

I love the speed limits. They are nice and fast. Most of the time.

I love that you can just hop over to visit another country for a day trip if you wish. Today I went to Germany with my cousins. We went to an amusement park called Europa-Park.

If you ever get the chance to go to Europe stop by Europa-Park. It's an amusement park with different parts dedicated to certain European countries. Well, dedicated to the stereotypes of the different countries that just so happen to be true. It was awesome. Some of the countries included France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and even former British colonies. It was extremely fun. Plus, they have the tallest roller coaster in Europe called the Sliver Star. It's awesome. I loved that ride. Another roller coaster is Blue Fire where you go from 0 to 100 kph in 2.5 seconds. That one literally took your breath away. And you spun and spun and spun. They even have water rides where you can get soaked.

There is also a camp ground there where you can stay for however many nights you want. They charge per car per night. We wandered over there after the park closed. What was the most amusing part was that the camp ground had it's own set of stores and playgrounds and such, but it was all the stereotype of the American West. You know, the Cowboys and Indians and Wanted Posters, etc. That was the greatest thing ever. Apparently most Europeans imagine the American Frontier to look just like that.

I also love the European cars. They're small. They're fast. They're even pretty. I'm kinda planning to get one sometime. :) You can tell who is from which country based on the license plate. I saw cars from Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, France...

I love the German autobahn. There is no speed limit. You just go. and move quickly out of the way of the faster cars because they will not slow down. I love the laws for driving. It's so simple and so much faster. You are always in the righthand lane unless you are passing, then you move to the left and go back into the right as soon as you pass them. Most freeways and highways are two lanes. But occasionally there are 3 lanes and in that case the same rule aplies. Also, if you are in the righthand lane you cannot pass the car on the left, it's illegal. It makes a lot of sense in practice. It's so so so much easier and simpler and I love it. I also love the roundabouts. They make total sense once you see it in action. Whoever is in the inner ring get's the right of way always. The outer ring always gives way to the inner ring. If there is more than two rings (though there are no dotted lines on the ground, you just look at the size of it) then the same aplies. The very outer gives way to those in the inner ring next to them and so forth. I love it. I really do.

On the way back from Germany we almost decided to go through France on the way home. But we decided against it because it was late. But isn't that odd that you would have an option like that? I love that too.

I also love the odd castles. They are actual castles. Some a little more ruined than others. But I'll be actually visiting one sometime verses driving under them in a tunnel.

I'm loving this trip. I'm loving my relatives. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. Life is pretty wonderful.

The Flight (and Time)

How to tell what time it is in Switzerland when you are not in Switzerland.
If you live in the Pacific Time Zone you subtract 3 hours and change AM to PM or PM to AM. Having it be 8:45 PM in California means it's 5:45 AM in Switzerland. So if you live in Mountain Time Zone you subtract 4 hours and switch the AM and PM.

How to tell what time it is in Switzerland while in Switzerland.
Switzerland is on the 24 hour clock. The mornings are really easy to figure out what time it is. But then after noon I have to stare at clocks that read 18:35 and try to figure out the time. Though there is a ridiculously easy trick. Just subtract 12. But still, it confuses me everytime I glance at a clock. I have to read it a few times before I can figure it out.

I am now in Switzerland.
My flight wasn't too bad. I love the Swiss airline. They offer you free meals (actual meals) which made it wonderful. They also gave every passenger some lovely Swiss chocolate just for flying with them. It's heavenly. If you ever want to fly to Europe (and not England) then I'd take the Swiss airline to Switzerland. Plus, from Switzerland you can get to everywhere else on the continent.

My flight left San Francisco at 7:35 PM Pacific Time on Monday, September 12th. I arrived in Switzerland at 15:40 (3:40 PM) Switzerland time on Tuesday, September 13th (which was 6:40 AM Pacific Time on Tuesday, September 13th). So my flight was a little less than 12 hours.

There are a few things that are confusing about flying from California to Switzerland.
I was put in the plane in the evening. So the whole flight was technically my normal nights. But you can't tell the when while on the plane. All the little windows were covered and the lights were either dim or bright at different moments. I was never sure what time it was when I was actually on the plane. So I fell asleep whenever I felt like it and whenever I woke up I had no idea how long I slept. It was kinda relaxing. But I feel like I did an all-nighter based on the fact I finished two 350 paged books.
When I arrived in Switzerland it felt like it was morning. The sun was shining. They feed us breakfast on the plane. Was it any wonder why it felt like morning?
What was interesting to me was that by the time I arrived at my cousin's house it was time for dinner (which was delicious). A few hours later, after playing with my first cousins once removed and watching Eureka, I was ready for bed. Yet it was only noon on my California Tuesday.

This morning I am typing away as I try to wrap my head around the fact that it's 5:40 in the morning while back home it's almost 9 PM.

But Switzerland is awesome. It's almost unreal that I'm here. I hear English every once in awhile outside my cousin's family. It sorta seems like I'm just in another part of the US. But I'm not. Being in Switzerland and coming to the realization that I'm actually in Europe is breathtaking. We, Children of God, are everywhere. There are 6.96 billion people on Earth today. You don't truly realize what a significant number that is until you are in a totally different country, on the other side of the planet, with a totally different group of people, with different customs and languages, etc. It's awesome.
Also, the scenery is amazing. I'm out in the country. But most of Switzerland is the country. There isn't that many "developed" portions. It's a smooth balance between the old style of life that we in America imagine with the wild land of the Medieval age and the new style of life with the trains and freeways and electricity. I'll be taking pictures today just to show you. It's awesome.

10 Things to NOT Forget when Flying

There are many things to remember when you decide to travel by plane.

1. Are you leaving the country?

If yes, then remember to have your passport assessable at all times. Also, remember that your flight is going to be a long one. Thus, bring a jacket to use as a pillow just in case the plane doesn't provide for you. After you arrive, you need to remember that the time zone you are now in will likely be different. So prepare by having weird sleeping habits already.

2. Remember to check-in early.

This means waking earlier than you would any other day so you can use the internet to get yourself a good seat before you get the uncomfortable one in the middle of two people.

3. Anything that could be a weapon in a world of imagination must be in your checked bags.

This list includes chopsticks, fingernail clippers, toothpaste, mascara and probably stiletto heels.

4. Cell phones must be off.

It confuses the cell phone towers when you keep switching as you fly through the air. Plus, by the time you reach another country you really don't want those roaming charges when you receive a text.

5. Make sure everything you need is packed. Twice.

It seems that every time I travel somewhere I've forgotten that one thing that I can't live without. Maybe you should check a lot more than twice.

6. Arrive at the airport 3 or 4 hours in advance.

This causes you to not be stressed about having no idea where you are going. It's ok to get lost several times. You'll still be on time. It also makes the long lines not that long.

7. Have something to do while you wait.

You wait a lot. Lines, delayed flight, the hours on the plane before taking off, the hours flying, the hours waiting to get off the plane, the time waiting for your ride. Make sure you bring a book, laptop, I-pad, I-pod, journal or something to do while waiting.

8. Become friends with the people on your flight.

You'll be with them for a long long time. Plus, when you arrive at your destination you can have them help you to the baggage claim and then through customs. Friends are good.

9. Bring food. That won't be confiscated.

You WILL be hungry. You can either buy food from places that take advantage of the starving traveler, or you bring your own. Just remember not to bring anything liquid. It could be a weapon.

10. Don't forget your brain.

You need some common sense, intuition and logic skills to figure out how to navigate through an airport and arrive where you need to be without losing anything. Also, your brain is rather important. It has many different functions. If it is forgotten the trip will not be as fun as you first imagined.

We Remember and Honor

"To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward." ~Margaret Fairless Barber

Today is the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

I was in 5th grade when the towers were hit. I was 10 years old. I knew nothing about the attack on the Twin Towers until I arrived home. I would have never remembered that regular day in school if it had not been such a blow to the nation. I didn't learn about the planes until I arrived home from school. My siblings and I took the bus home. When I walked in, I went to find my mom to talk about the day. It wasn't only my mom I saw, but my dad who was home from work. It was a Tuesday and my dad was never home from work on a Tuesday. Especially since just that morning we had run to the porch to wave goodbye and send him on his way.

When I had arrived home, not only did I see my dad home, but both of my parents were in front of the TV crying. That scared me.

At 10 years old you aren't really aware of the world. You're becoming aware of the world as it moves beyond you, but I was still very much settled in my own world.

I did not understand the significance of the attacks.

I was scared just because my parents were.

My dad had arrived at work and had been told to return home because they weren't sure if where he worked would also be a target. But it scared me that my parents were crying while watching the news.

My family rarely watches the news on TV, at least while we were home from school. I remember though that even the news reporters seemed confused. I didn't understand.

We live in California. I didn't know anyone that had died in the crashes. Watching it on TV when outside looked like a normal day was confusing. It didn't seem real. I didn't understand.

The days, months, and years that followed I learned more details. Learning about Flight 93 and Flight 77. I learned about the acts of heroism. I learned about the brave firefighters of New York. 

I read With Their Eyes: September 11th--The View from a High School at Ground Zero edited by Annie Thoms while I was in high school. I read about kids in high school. Kids in high school who were nearest to Ground Zero. Finally, several years later, I could relate. I discovered even more the true significance of this event. For the children of America, those who were too young to really understand and were born after 9/11 I would recommend this book. I would recommend this book to all high school students. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone to read and understand more about 9/11.

I learned that America is a country that can be united and be strong. I've learned more about what the United States of America represents and stands for through the reactions of it's citizens during and after 9/11.

I am proud to be an American. I want to incorporate what America stand for into my own character.

Today is the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. I remember and honor all those who died. I remember and honor all those who have lost loved ones. I remember and honor our heros.

God Bless America.

2 Days Until...

Two days from now I am flying to Switzerland.

I. Am. Going. To. Switzerland.

Me.

This causes me extreme excitement.

I'm going to visit with my cousin and her kids. I'm going to get to meet these sweet kids and get to know them. I'll also be able to visit with my Aunt's family. It's going to be quite the trip.

I'm going to spend time in Switzerland.

I've learned a few things about Switzerland.

The elevation of the place I'm staying is approximately 1,400 ft.

The elevation of Rexburg, ID, a place that I've lived in for 14 months of the past 24 months, is about 4,900 ft.

I've grown up in a town with the elevation of 90 ft.

This isn't going to be too difficult for me elevation-wise at least. Yay!

However the elevation moves swiftly upwards and I'm planning on taking some amazing photographs of the lovely country. I'm a little bit ecstatic.

I'll keep you updated.