On Saturday, the weather was nice, so I went for a walk with my friends Paul and Jessica, and their new baby Jake. I had been complaining about not being able to find the forest, so they finally guided me onto the correct path that will take me over the hill and through the woods. It was a really gorgeous day that felt like spring. We stopped to watch some funny chickens at a little farm-ish sort of place and ended up getting into a conversation with an old Swiss German man. Once he figured out that we didn't speak Swiss German, he slowed down so that we could understand him. I was pretty impressed with the amount that I understood. He was really nice- babies just melt hearts across all cultures.
For the afternoon I studied German, trying to file away all of the things that I have learned.
For dinner, I helped my roommate Stefano make lasagna and cannelloni. He made everything, and I helped to put things together. The interesting thing about real Italian lasagna is that the white layer is actually a béchamel sauce- they think it's strange that we put ricotta in lasagna. We all (Stefano, Jasmine, Stefanie and I) had dinner together and then played Trivial Pursuits- in German! They were nice enough to translate for me when I didn't understand the questions, and I ended up winning, despite being disadvantaged by not knowing any German or Swiss soap operas. Having to read the questions in German was an experience- I definitely need to work on my pronunciation skills.
On Sunday we had brunch together, and I introduced them to the wonders of oatmeal pancakes- yummy! My flat-mates are all very nice. I feel very lucky to have found this flat and to be able to hang out and chat with them. Stefanie is leaving soon for 5 or 6 months for her job in Ticino, which is sad. But Max from Germany will be subletting her room, so I'll (hopefully) practice my German!
Sunday was a lazy day, since the weather turned cold and rain-snowy. I went back to ICF church in the evening. I'm still not totally sold on it, but it is nice to go to church and to see people my age that I don't work with. Yay for weekends!
