A Full House

With the approaching summer winds, arrive two enthusiastic guests all the way from South Carolina. The long summer holiday in America gave time for Heather to come home from Bob Jones University for a few months, in hope of getting a summer job, and spend summer with her family. We were enjoying our returned sister very much when we received another "sister" for a while!

Lisa Popwell, who also attends Bob Jones University, came all the way from South Carolina and stayed a week and a half with us. Four teenage girls in one house made it a very fun time!

We made sure Lisa saw all the important places in Switzerland that we could take her to in the one short week and a half. From the alps to a castle, even stopping in at the new apple store opening in Zürich! They saw it all. I did not accompany them on all their outings due to the ever present school work. But I did experience some.

Of course, what would a visit to Switzerland be without Fondue, Raclette and chocolate! Switzerland has some of the best food, in my opinion, and we made sure Lisa was quite aware of that :D

We had some adventures, such as being caught in a castle ruins during a rain storm, and moments we will laugh at for years to come which makes the entire time very memorable.
We will miss Lisa very much, but we will see her again soon!

But at least Heather is still here ... she is stuck with me for the summer muahahaha :P

All's that's left to say is ... to those who haven't been to Switzerland, come visit us!

Happy Mother's Day!

Because My Mom Loves Me

She washed my cloths, she made my bed,

She taught me all I did and said.

She cooked my food and did the dishes,

She tried to grant me all my wishes.

 ... Because my mom loves me! 

She gave me smiles, she wiped my tears,

And with her hugs she calmed my fears.

She showed me all I need to know,

That I can continue to grow.

... Because my mom loves me!

Through all the years of growing older,

There's one thing that I should have told her:

How more precious she's every day,

I value each thing she does and say.

... Because I love my mom!

...Then He Shouted "Ippon"

The first test of my newly learned orange belt techniques in Judo presented itself....a Judo ranking tournament! Down in the town of Bellinzona located in the italian part of Switzerland, hundreds of Judokas (people who do Judo), trainers and supporting friends gathered in an overcrowded gymnasium to find out who would come out first place. We were all separated into categories according to our weights and the fights began. I was the first person in my category and went up against a very friendly yet intimidating opponent. We approached each other and six seconds later I was on my back, the referee shouted "Ippon" (the Judo term for landing on your back) and the fight was over. My opponent won her second fight; therefore, I was back in against a second girl. She was less intimidating and we began. A small fight ensued still, ten seconds later, I was again on my back and for the second time my fight was over but this time for good. 

Though I lost both fights, I did not mind. I am just a beginner and will have much practice and hard work before I begin winning against those more experienced people. At the end of the day, after the other girl from my Judo club had her fights, we all gathered together in the sunny warm outside air and ate real italian gelato, one of the best consolation prizes :) I will have more chances coming up in the near future to hopefully do better in a tournament. But until then, I will keep practicing.