My current occupation

So, after about 3 weeks of exploration and relative idleness, I'm now occupied! Nope, it's not an occupation in the sense that it's a paying job, but it is work. But before I get into that, here’s what my commute looks like:

Not bad, huh? :)

Perhaps I should clarify. This is what Leg #3 of my commute looks like; Leg #1 is a short metro ride from the CHUV to Ours, and Leg #2 is a bus from Place d’Ours to the bus terminal called Val-Vert. Lately I’ve taken to walking from Val-Vert to Belmont, the town where I’m volunteering, because why wait 30 minutes for a bus when walking takes nearly the same time? And with views like this, exercise has become so much more appealing :)

I really enjoy the work I’ve been doing. I scored this “job” (that pays no money) from a member of our local church, who is super-involved with leading our church’s various peace organizations. Of them, I am involved in 3: the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP), and the Geneva Interfaith Intercultural Alliance (GiiA). GiiA’s the main one I’m involved with; it includes a youth simulation of an Inter-religious Peace Council, which is meeting on the 23^rd of September! I am in the speakers’ list as a delegate representing my faith, Unificationism, and will be speaking on what sorts of concrete action I think the council could take to promote inter-religious and intercultural cooperation. It’s exciting, but intimidating as well; hundreds of people will be there, and I really hope I don’t come off as an uninformed buffoon. Anyway, we’ll see how it goes!

Room Tour 2.0

Ok, you guys. When I first showed you our shoebox, I think I made it pretty clear that this was one real student pad. Well, we’re moving on up!

No, we’re not moving out. We’re just improving.

Observe:

The bed and headboard - before: (note the uninspiring stack of books and miscellany)

And after!! One of my main motivations to reworking our room was that I really missed having an altar, a dedicated spot where I could focus on praying, reading, and writing in my journal. Note the fabulous orchid! I won this gorgeous plant during an impromptu singing competition in Zurich (more on that later.)

Next up, the closet - before:

And after! No huge changes, just my corkboards for jewelry and important papers (yes, a 20% coupon for FNAC is a big deal. For those who were wondering, FNAC is our Best Buy.)

Next up, the table, otherwise known as the big catch-all. Before:

And after. Doesn't look a whole lot better. In fact, in some respects it's worse. But in our defense, Dominique's back in school now. At least we don't have this sad little pretend altar in the middle of our random crap.

And, le piece de resistance: the kitchen area! First the before:

And now, featuring cabinetry and countertops!!

Well, not really. But for me, it’s as if I did a real reno!

This little kitchen area had no proper area to dry dishes. In exploring my local options online, I took notice of a three-level vertical dish dryer from Ikea. When my dear MIL offered this little metal cart to me, I immediately saw its purpose. And whodathunk, it fits perfectly! It’s become a nice little hub for drying as well as storing our dishes, and I’m so proud.

Likewise, when I saw this dumb little particleboard shelf in the garage of the in-laws, I knew it was meant to be mine. And of course, in true destiny fashion, it fit perfectly too, and has been of immense help lately come dinner time!

So yes. Laugh if you want. Roll your eyes at the waste of time reading this entry may have been for you. But these little things, in such a little space, pack a BIG punch. They've made my day to day life easier, and therefore have earned their place in my heart.

Ok, back to your nice big homes. I'll be here, enjoying my shoebox :)

Creating

While I was in Bourg-en-Bresse, I did a bit of crafting.

It started out with these canvases I bought at what is currently my favorite store in the whole wide world, Cultura - it's basically a cross between Barnes & Noble and AC Moore. I set up shop on my family's balcony, and got to painting.

My original plan for these was to paint something pretty, and then turn the canvases into an unconventional bulletin board.

But the more I painted, the more I started to drift from the idea, until I completely changed my mind. They’re just too pretty…

Overall, I've learned two things:

1) This may have been the first time I've painted on canvas, but it will not be the last.

2) Creating is the yum of the spirit, spread out for others to see.

Desolee.....

Sorry, readers - I realize it's been almost (but not quite!) one month since my last entry. I suppose getting the hang of blogging is a bit like getting the hang of buggy-boarding, or some other ocean based sport. You start out pretty much just splashing around in the shallow end, cautiously attempting to look naturally talented, until a nice big ocean wave comes and shows you what it's all about.

My life has been something like that wave. Within the past three weeks and six days, I have:

- visited France

- been reminded of my generally closeted love-hate relationship with bowling

- met some long-lost friends

- created

- teamed up with my sisters-in-law to prepare a rather excellent surprise romantic dinner for my parents-in-law

- gotten much closer to my SIL's in the process

- helped my eldest SIL choose her wedding dress :)

- had some ups and downs with my husband... but we always found our way back up.

- continued discovering my new (temporary? not sure yet) home

- got a (sort of) job

- spoke at the UN in Geneva

Piqued your interest? If so, please accept my apologies for such irregular upkeep, and allow me to share some of my recent experiences with you in the upcoming entries!