I wish I had a fridge to post these on...

For the first time since beginning my new job as an Interior Designer, I left work feeling proud of what I had accomplished today rather than feeling defeated by a computer program. I don't really have a job description, but I work with 'Kreuz Bad und Heizung' drawing the customers' future bathrooms on this German computer program to show them what their new bathroom will look like. This is my first set of drawings that went with the designer to a customer sales-meeting tonight, and with a few changes will become a real bathroom soon!

After wrestling with this design, as well as two earlier bathrooms, trying to figure out what a 'torus' is, how to make the glass walls see-through, and even how to draw a curtain with brown rings on it, this is the final product. An accomplishment to be proud of, but also a promise of improving and learning even more about this program, design, and loving the work I do. How much would you pay for this bathroom that boasts a Twinline: shower and whirlpool duo, a Keramag Silk modern style sink, a Vasco Radiator/towel warmer, and a modern trend glass sliding door?

This is estimated at around 20,000 Euros...

Where I've been, and where I am now...a brief update in pictures!

Drew came to Switzerland...just for fun!

And maybe a little mischief too... Josh and I went camping during my last week in Switzerland.
We even went fishing, had smores, and cooked over the fire!


Andrea...a great friend...forever!

Daniel and my soccer team surprised me after my last game with

a huge picture of the team...and....

A brand new pair of Copa Mundials,

embroidered with the name of our team!

Switzerland, my old home.

Goodbye Switzerland, hello GERMANY!!!!

Drew and I finally together in Germany.

(This was his birthday in Wurzburg.)

My Aunt Nancy and Uncle John came to visit, and we had a blast retracking my Grandpa's steps.

I started my new job working for the interior design firm Kreuz.
www.kreuz.de

My new country, Germany...

Why my heart will stay in Switzerland long after I leave...

1) Andi and Corina, my favorite Swiss-pigcheeks.
2) FC Muri, the best group of girls I know.
3) The mountains
4) Rolling green fields
5) Hearing the rhythmic, comical sounds of Swiss-german
6) Josh and Frani making me laugh
7) Ben's sincere hugs when he comes home from Effingen
8) Running along the river at dusk
9) Herr Fontobel's hearty laugh and greeting as I leave the house
10) Being able to ski on a random whim, without planning a weekend in advance, because I love being spontaneous.

I am moving to Germany in 19 days...

Still remembering...

Seven years ago today, the World Trade Center in New York City was attacked; a terrible image that is burned into our memories forever. The people, a city, a country, and the world were hurt, robbed of life, and changed by the events of this day.

There is a sadness that still dwells inside me because such an event ever happened, and questions that haunt my mind about the repercussions of this catastrophy.

However, I find it rather odd because the memories I still have about September 11th, are not about the people directly affected, but of the TV pictures, the discussions with friends about this news, and the feeling of fear.

Where was I seven years ago when I first heard the news?

I was already in School at about 7:30am, Colorado time, when a friend, Chris, came into the hallway and said, "An airplane just crashed into a skyscraper in New York." The shock of this news became even greater during our third period Physics class, when Mrs. Ramsey, our principal, announced the news of the second plane over the loud-speaker.

What do you remember most about September 11, 2001?

Have you ever been so excited about something that you wanted to tell everyone in sight about it, even the ones who could care less?

This has been my exact feeling for the last three days, and yet I have withheld this desire to blurt out my thoughts because I am afraid it will be taken as bragging rather than pure excitement. So, I am going to try to convey this joy, that has hopefully subsided in the last few days, but only present the absolute facts. As with all news, the history of the story must be told or the news would be utterly meaningless.

Soccer is a passion of mine. Not the kind of fanatic-passion that is shown with constant viewing of the sport and in-depth statistical and player knowledge, but rather a simple passion that is fueled by the smell of grass as I am preparing for a game, laughing with teammates over everything except soccer, and beautiful creativity on the field. Soccer has been a passion since the seventh grade when my Coach, Chris Trujillo, would let me come early to practice to teach me slide-tackling and diving headers. It is these things that truly make me come alive.

At the beginning of my Junior year in college, a crazy idea came into my head that was perhaps encouraged by the fear of losing the opportunity to further fuel my passion at the end of my college soccer career, 'What if I could play soccer for a living?' From that moment, deep inside, it was a dream of mine to play soccer at the highest level possible, higher even than the collegeiate level. This impossible feat seemed even more impossible as I began exploring my options, but as I have learned repeatedly in life, the things we want the most, do not come without a fight.

Tuesday evening, as I drove on the German Autobahn from Nürnberg to Crailsheim, my dream of playing soccer at the highest level was becoming closer at a rate of about 120 km/hr, yet it still seemed so far away. In between me and my dream were miles of highway, a meeting with the team manager, and of course, a two hour try-out. Not only did these things need to pass by with miraculous harmony, but even more obstacles were speeding through my mind.

'How would I ever get to practice four times a week without a car when the trains stop running before practice is finished? After playing at a low-level for over a year, would I even be able to play at this high level again?'

Not only were the physics working against the car, but all the odds of achieving my dream were against me. I knew that without help from above, my dream could never come true.

As my mind raced, I prayed simply that I would not worry about the details, and that I would first just play soccer as I always have.

So, in referencing my previous post, God truly does give us the desires of our heart, and he is generous beyond our imagination, my imagination. After arriving in Crailsheim, meeting with the team manager, training with the team, and leaving Crailsheim, these are the things that have caused my overflowing excitement for the last three days:

1) I get to play soccer the Tuesday after I move to Germany.
2) I have the opportunity to train with TSV Crailsheim a Fraulein-Bundesliga team beginning in October.
3) The team pays for a car and gas for me and two other women to drive to and from Nürnberg for practice.
4) The coach said he would be excited to have me come back in October.


This truly is a miracle because really without God it could not have happened. I did not play my best at the try-out, yet the coach would like to have me back. I had no idea of how to get to practices, yet a car and gas will be provided. I played in a much lower league in Switzerland, yet the coach still allowed me to have a try-out.

That is my news, and I only hope it has not crossed the border of bragging because really it could not have happened without God willing it so...

A testament to God's Generosity

Over a half a year ago, I began searching for jobs in Switzerland and in Germany so that I could stay in Europe for at least another year. At the beginning of this search, someone suggested that I keep in mind my ideal job situation. Although I had this ideal in mind, I was willing to settle for anything as long as I could stay in this beloved Europe.

Well, to my own amazement, God is generous beyond my imagination. For some reason, I have found my ideal job situation, working in a small Interior Design business in Germany and learning the ins and outs of the trade from an incredible business woman. Not only have my wishes been granted, but God has given me even more than I had imagined. So, despite my small faith, unwilling heart, and independent attitude, God has blessed me.

In God's good ways, his generosity will always exceed what is desired.

Being a grown-up means liking tomatoes and other grown-up things, right?

In that case, can someone through me a coming of age party?

My childhood, teenage years, and college life were marked by my incessant opposition to anything even resembling a tomatoe. The closest I would come to the red-fruit (or is it a vegetable?) was if it had already been morphed into salsa, ketchup or spaghetti sauce.

Be it said that for the last week all of my lunches, dinners and snacks in between have included large portions of fresh cherry tomatoes from the Collicutts' garden. Now that I have been popping these sweet, round tomatoes like candy into my mouth, it can only be a sign that maturity has finally caught up with me.

But don't worry friends...even though liking tomatoes could be an outward sign of my maturing process, I will always be a salsa-loving kid at heart.

Returning to an Empty House

Upon my return to Rupperswil, Switzerland, I have found myself entering an empty house. Which, as a matter of fact, is odd because the family that I have missed so much the last two weeks is home. Yet, after spending a week with Josh, Bethany, Sara, Maren, Jake, Ric, Nick and Drew in this house, cooking, eating, playing, laughing, listening, talking, and living as close as can be to one another, this house feels incredibly empty because once again we are as far away as we were before, just in the opposite direction.

So, this is just a quick shot out to my peeps...thanks for coming to visit me, and for making this already great place even more amazing...you are missed already.


P.S. I am also just thankful the house is still here, because apparently the BBQ gas was left on for an entire week....ooops :)

I'm not going to write you a blog-post 'cuz you asked for it...

I am sitting here in Lauf, Germany in my pajamas that double as soccer clothes, and I am talking with Ric about what I should post on my blog. Apparently, I have a problem with posting on a regular basis, and unbenounced to me, people actually read my blog. So, despite my lack of time and creative writing skills, I am going to post exactly what is on my mind...

Spending an entire week with some of the most amazing people in the world in the most beautiful place in the world, is refreshing to the soul. The salad-bowl mixture of stories from China, Germany, Ethiopia, New Hampshire, and England were just a taste of the "dijour" life that was missed over the last year. Once again sharing life with these dear friends who have been an encouragement in this place, and creating new memories, such as Bethany and Josh's engagement, was a reminder of the blessings friendship can bring.

Reflecting over the last week, and looking forward to the next, the beautifully set table accented by laughter and good conversation deserves a toast. So, here is a toast...to friends, the swiss alps, propositions, good conversation, and being together....

Prost!

Quickly passing me by like an Eternity

As I stand here waiting at the train station, an endlessly long train, zooming along the tracks of life, seems to be quickly passing me by like an eternity.

It has been almost a year since I have seen some of my greatest friends in the world. An entire four seasons have gone by since last summer, which was filled with graduation, weddings, cliff-jumping, hiking, laughing, soccer, swimming, golfing and moving. Surely, for us all, there have been mountians climbed, new friendships made, traditions created, and timeless memories experienced.

However, when I look back to the beginning of this year, it seems to have passed by so quickly. I can hardly believe that another summer is here again, nor that in just a few LONG days I will get to see the friends that I truly love. We will swim, eat, talk, laugh, play, hike, and listen to the stories of mountains climbed, friendships made and a few of those memories created throughout the last year. Most of all, I will get the blessing of just being in the same city as you amazing people again.

I am now ready for this endlessly long train to stop, and to see my friends once again. I can see the train I am waiting for just at the point on the horizon where the tracks become one, and over the loud speaker I can hear, "Gleis eins, ankunft am siebzehn uhr von die Welt..." (Track one, arriving at five 0'clock from the world)

Finally, the longawaited train has come...

Dear Dad, I want to grow up to be like you.

Last Sunday was Father's day in Switzerland as well as in the U.S., and unfortunately, I was not able to spend the day with the man who has been the most influential person in my life. However, I took a long walk on Saturday evening, and thought of the many amazing memories I have shared with him as well as the things he has taught me. Here are just a few of the things that came to my mind as I strolled through the woods wishing I could recall all of these stories with my dad walking next to me...

When I was in sixth grade, you taught me with one simple sentence, that a bad day can always be changed to a good one if I always look on the positive side of things.

You taught me everything there is to know about baseball, a fascinating sport, including the complicated third strike rule. (I loved watching baseball games with you on cool summer evenings.)

You came to almost every soccer game I had, and it meant so much to me to see you in the stands. I loved getting a hug from my biggest fan, wearing your "be a fan of your kid" hat paired with suit and tie, straight home from work, even if we had lost the game. You showed me what it meant to support and encourage.

You taught me how important it is for me to seek knowledge myself, and to learn as much as I can. Simply by showing me that I can do anything I want.

And, how can I ever pay you back for the countless hours you volunteered so that I could play soccer and go on trips with the team, and go to the Dominican Republic with Amigos?

I only hope that someday I can be like you, my dad, Steve.

Now what?

About this time last year, things were beginning to fall into place for me to come to Switzerland...a dream come true! Now, I am again faced with the predicament of deciding where to go next...here are my options:

I would like to stay in Europe for at least another year, so I can either...

1) Stay in Switzerland for an extra six months while living and working with the family here. This is a viable option, and nothing would change for me until February of 2009.

2) Stay in Switzerland, but find a job working with an architecture firm. Several of the girls on the soccer team have helped me with this option, and have miraculously had connections.

3) Move to Germany in September, and look for jobs there. Also, try to find another soccer team to play for near Lauf.

All of these options are appealing to me, and it has been hard to discern between the three...what do you think I should do?

Experiencing Easter without Tradition...

Last weekend was Easter weekend, which is usually spent in the mountains of Colorado having the best outdoor breakfast with great family friends. One of my favorite family traditions, and I look forward to it every year.

In an attempt to recreate this special day in the mountains of Switzerland, Interlaken took the place of Flagstaff mountain this Easter. However, it was unlike any traditional Easter...there were no eggs to hunt, no bacon grilling on the fire, no short hikes to the rock formation below the fire, nor any laughs with great friends like Mike and Trish...

However, this Easter I was experiencing more of Christ's Salvation than I have ever known. I have made so many mistakes in my life, and I have been incredibly selfish and sinful in the last year and a half. Despite these mistakes, God has given me the grace to be able to spend Easter weekend with the one person who I do not deserve.

Even though Easter was nothing in the way of traditional this year, my day was filled with the joy of knowing that Love is greater than sin, and grace is truly the greatest gift one can find.

Next stop...please depart the train.

Riding the train the other day, looking at the Swiss-landscape filled with rolling green hills, spattered with large trees beginning to bloom, and a few sheep herding through fields, made me think about all I have seen and done in my life. It has been such a blessing to travel, meet amazing people, and experience so many different views about life. These things, people and experiences have made such an impact on me, and have helped to mold me into the person I am.

As I was looking at this beautiful landscape feeling blessed by its beauty, quickly passing through on the train as simply an on-looker to the sheep, this thought came to my head...

Soon I will be twenty-three years old, and want to be more than just an on-looker passing by, being blessed by the beauty of others. Though thankful for this beauty and these blessings, it is my desire to impact other peoples' lives, make them better by being a good friend, having joy, and helping those in need. Sharing the beauty and blessings by living in them rather than passing by enjoying them only for myself.

The next train station is just ahead, I will quickly ready myself to depart the train. Now a place is free in this train for others to see the beautiful landscape, and you can find me under the blooming tree next to the other sheep hoping you can be blessed too.

The real reason the Collicut's have an Au Pair...

Last Sunday I was riding the train home from church, and right behind my seat was a girl from one of our biggest rivals, FC Aarau, dressed in her Fussball Club trainers. She and the man checking tickets began speaking about women's fussball, so I naturally began eavesdropping as well as I could. I think the conductor noticed me eavesdropping because he quickly turned to check my ticket, and asked me if I also played fussball. In my best German, I answered, but my best German wasn't good enough to hide my "Auslander" characteristics. His very next question was if I was Iris Collicut's Au Pair from Rupperswil. I was so surprised that he knew this, but he told me he had worked with Iris and she told him all about her Au Pair that was here playing fussball from America.

Thus, I have realized the real reason the Collicut's have an Au Pair every year: It is not because both parents work full-time, nor because Iris needs to sleep in the morning rather than getting up with the kids, it isn't because they need help around the house, nor to help the kids with their homework. NO, the only reason the Collicut's have an Au Pair is because they need something to talk about. Something different in their lives to distract them from daily mundain routines. So, here I am, the exciting, interesting Au Pair from America. Your welcome Switzerland for giving you something to talk about besides your next door neighbor and the weather. :)

I knew the Swiss had secret bank accounts, but secret admirers?

Last month was everyone's favorite holiday, Valentine's Day. Usually, this is not one of my personal favorites simply because I like fireworks much better than hearts, but this Valentine's Day was particularly special.

At first, I was expecting it to be just another day of cleaning, studying and doing the laundry. However, when Iris came home in the morning she had a lovely bouquet of roses from the village florist that had been sent to me from Drew. I had the biggest smile on my face the entire day, and it meant the world to me.

However, to my surprise, the next day as I was washing the floors with my ipod blaring, another delivery of red roses came to the door. This time, the card was not signed, and the flowers were from the neighboring town's flower shop. Richard, Iris and I were all trying to figure out who could have sent me these flowers, and we were hypothesizing about which Swiss-mister had fallen for the American Au Pair...

I have already solved this mystery, but do you have any idea who could have sent the second bouquet?

What kind of an Au Pair am I?

Last Friday, Josh and I went into the woods with our bikes and the faithful dog, Poly. We stopped at a fire pit and began playing Josh's secret game where we go on missions to fight against monsters. (oops, don't tell him I told you about it.) As I always do, I let Poly of the leash so she could explore a little. Then, Josh and I began playing around the pit.

When it started to get dark out, we headed back home on our bikes. I called for Poly, and expected her to come shortly after I called her name. However, she didn't come. We looked for almost a half an hour, and I was almost in tears when Josh finally said calmly, "Let's just go home; she'll come." We rode home, but I went back out to the woods in the Soccer-mom-van to search for another hour without any luck. I left for soccer thinking to myself, "Poly is lost...how does someone loose a dog?...The family is going to fire me...I will be remembered as the Au Pair who lost the dog." Needless to say, I didn't practice much soccer that night.

To my relief, when I came home from practice, Poly was right there at the door ready to jump up on my legs. However, I am sure the parents are wondering exactly this...If an au pair can loose a dog, what will happen with our children? :)

Swiss-mas time!

Twas the morning of Christmas,
and all through the Swiss-house,
not a creature was stirring except for the au pair of course...

She woke up at 7:00am and forced herself to sleep longer,
Until 8:15 she was sure she'd be the last one awake.
Only to come downstairs where the silence was even stronger,
where were the other kids for heaven's sake?

The au pair was so excited to give her gifts,
yet somehow she new this Christmas would differ.
Everything was full of Joy and uplifts,
But the au pair was so glad to know Christmas is still there in Denver.