Wochenende

Today, for the first time, it isn't ridiculously hot. I also discovered that the Swiss do a great burger in McDonalds: the VegiMac. Yum. Went to the BrockiShop again and got spoons, two chairs for balcony, a colander and a teapot. 20chf, bargain. Also bought some more mugs in Coop, and a nice diary/year planner thing in Manor. Now trying to suss out the weird waste collection system.. this internet is crap. BAH!

Arrival

I'm still alive, yay! Observations:

Grasshoppers. Church bells every 15mins. Smells like cows. Brockenhaus = temple of loveliness (bed, sofa, wok, pan, kettle, knives n forks, chopping board all for 120chf [£100ish]). School lovely, teachers v pleasant, food expensive, hot weather, double decker trains, gruetzi, swiitzertuutsch, Migros, tiny kitchen, rappen and franken, rumantsch, giiiiiant sofa, balcony, zebra crossings EVERYWHERE.

:)

But no visa or bank account yet :(

Moving

So, tomorrow I'm off to Switzerland, with Jay in tow, to begin my illustrious year abroad. Wahey! I am kind of looking forward to it, but of course it's a little bit scary. At the minute my main concern is making sure my poor mum doesn't get too worried about me- here's some of my wisdom for her benefit..

Mother dearest, don't worry too much about me. I managed to go away to university by myself and although it was a little bit scary at the start, it was actually fantastic being away. See me being in Switzerland as the same thing, but with a different language. And I'm a big proper adult now, and I have lots of birthday money to live on. I'm only ever about 1hr away from a familiar face when it gets scary, and until May I'll be your personal European holiday destination. And the chocolate. THINK OF THE CHOCOLATE. And the duty free.

Anyway, my packing is almost done.. just need to put some shoes in really. And maybe squeeze in a couple of bowls..

Other things I need to do: print out flight confirmation, get passport, find laptop bag, make sure I have my big bundle of paper stuff with me, la la la. I am actually a weeee bit excited.

:)

Nebenkosten

OH YES! I was reading on the forum for English speakers living in Switzerland about apartments and stuff, utilities etc.. and I came across the word "Nebenkosten". I recall seeing this word somewhere towards the end of the university term, and I seem to remember thinking it probably meant 'surcharges' or some kind of 'additional costs'. HOWEVER! My research has led me to the word meaning 'utilities'. So, (once I see another copy of my apartment contract, anyway..) I will double check: but I think (and hope hope hope) that it means that utilities are included in the rent. That would make me very happy indeed.

Physik

Latest Switzerland developments: on Thursday 27th August at 10.05 (very precise) I am meeting a chap called Matthias Heidrich in room N101 or N107 (not that I know where that is) to talk about PHYSICS. Yes. The school I'm going to be working in does some of their teaching of the sciences in English, which I think is very interesting (and may make for an interesting pedagogic report) and it'll definitely be good to see the effect this has on the abilities of the students (both in English and the science!).

In the first email I received from the head of English, Katharina Ulmschneider, she mentioned that more than one teacher teaches in English, so I'm looking forward to seeing if any others require my help! I am rather intrigued as to what my role in these lessons is going to be.. hmm. Hopefully no in-depth A level standard knowledge is required.. seeing as I've only studied the sciences up to GCSE level (and everyone knows that everything we learn is lies).

Anyway: 2 weeks to go. S C A R Y T I M E.

Relief..?

Well, although I'm -terrrrrrified- about moving (haha) some things are falling into place, which is making me feel better.

1. The place I have to register is only a 20 min walk from my apartment, and easy to find.

2. The IKEA is only a couple of bus rides away.

3. The second hand furniture store (Brockenhaus) is on the main road near me, and only 1km away.

This is good.