A few funny things I've learned here

1. No one can pronounce the "h" sound in English. For example, three, throat, the are extremely difficult.

2. For Italians, everything is "che bello!" or "bellisima!" (beautiful if you didn't get it)

3. The funniest phrases that I say are "thats weird," and everything with pretty "pretty much" "pretty good" "pretty cold", etc.

4. The Italian dialects are crazy. I watched "The Godfather II" with my friend, and we put the settings on English with Italian subtitles, so when Robert De Niro speaks in Italian, basically half of the movie, there is no English subtitles so I don't have any idea what is going on. I ask my friend what they are saying, and she says "I don't know." The Sicilian dialect was so strong that even an Italian couldn't understand what was being said. So eventually we had to put it in Italian (normal, standard Italian) with English subtitles so we knew what was going on.

5. The Europeans totally love American music and listen to it all the time. I got to listen to a far share of Italian and French music too. My theme song for Geneva was "We No Speak Americano" by Yolanda Be Cool & D-Cup (??). It is a old song in Napolitan dialect that was remixed recently, and since I was surrounded with Italians, of course wanting to be cool like an American, it was perfect.

"Porchain Arret"

My new favorite website here in Geneva is www.tpg.ch. It is a life-saver when I have to go somewhere and I have no idea where it is. The bus is my only source of transportation here, because without a Smart car or motorbike, it is difficult to get anywhere. Without the bus, I would be lost. So I have spent a lot of time on these buses and trams. It is actually one of my favorite times because I am able to read and take some time away from working to enjoy the city and listen to my music. We even have our favorite seats on the bus, and there are old buses and new buses, and we are excited when we get the newer ones.

My bus is #8, which goes from Veyrier (porchain arret: le reposoir "next stop") all the way to the United Nations, Palais des Nations (porchain arret: Appia). I have memorized just about every stop on the 43 minute ride from the Salesian house to the UN. Riding on bus 8 I go through town and across the Mont Blanc bridge, watching Jet d'eau and the lake. On the way passing our two grocery stores, Migros & Coop, and arriving to Gare Cornavin (i.e. the station). After the station, we go to the northern part of Geneva, and pass by our favorite Lebanese/Pizza restaurant called "Pizza Presto." Finally arriving at the UN and all the other international organization buildings.

Occasionally I take other buses and trams, like #13 or 15 to Palais Wilson. It is a great system, and the buses are very clean, and I am jealous that Portland doesn't have as good of a public transportation. The Max just doesn't compare. So this is one of the things I will most remember about this city.

With the children

So, the main part of the Salesian life is to work with children and youth, but as I am working in one of the placements that is in an office and not with children, I do not get to spend so much time with them. I am essentially working for the children, but not directly with the children...that will come in my next placement. But last week the girls in the office and our boss, Sr. MariaGrazia, was given the opportunity to speak with the children at the school. We gave a powerpoint presentation for 5 or 6 different groups (i forget exactly, i just know it was a lot) of children from 6-12 years old. The presentation was about all the children in Salesian schools around the world, and how we are all one community even if our culture and traditions are different.

Of course, I could not do much talking because they all speak French as the main language at the school, but as I have found out, Geneva is very international and many children can speak several languages. So, the only part I talked was when the slide for the United States came up. I put up some pictures of me in Texas with the other VIDES volunteers and children in Asherton and spoke a few sentences about my experience. I had to speak very slowly, but when the other girls asked the children, "vous comprendre?" (do you understand?) some "oui" (yes), and all the others, "NO!" So Chiara, the other volunteer, had to translate what I had said.

In some of the other classes, we asked the children to translate what I had said in English to French so that their classmates could understand. Of course, this absolutely amazes me that these 7 year old children can translate so perfectly. One of the boys, who was about 10, I found out knows 5 different languages!! We Americans need to be taught a thing or two about learning other languages.

One other cute story: one of the children was a British boy who, once he found out I speak English constantly turned around during the presentation to speak to me in his cute accent. Actually half the time I didn't know what he was talking about, but he was adorable. So a couple days later I was coming back from the UN, and I passed through the school playground and I saw him walking towards me and I waved and said hello. Here was our conversation:

British boy: "hi"
Other boy: "hello"
Me: "Oh, you speak English too?"
Other boy: "yes"
Me: "are you from the States?"
Other boy: "no"
British boy: "both of us are from England!"
Other boy: "No I'm not! I'm from Wales!"
Me: "hahaha"

It made my day. I was happy I got to meet with some of the children. I also got to see many of the children from my Italian class. It was fun to see how excited they are to talk about where they come from and their family's heritage.

Washing Dishes

One of my favorite times of the day is after dinner when we wash the dishes. It is the most relaxing time of the day and one of the few times I get to "talk" with the other sisters in the community. It is such a fun time where there is no pressure or tension. We sing songs, and one of the sisers, Sr. Tiziana, tells us stories about her adventures from living in Georgia and Russia, and just about life. Also Sr. Maria, a vietnamese nun, who is so cute when she practices her english phrases with a vietnamese accent. She also has to remind me, over and over again, the complicated organization of the dishes in the kitchen.

I look forward to this time each night, where it is just fun. It is the times I will remember the most about spending time with the community. Because I am unable to speak with the sisters very much due to the language barrier, it is nice to do something active like washing the dishes in order to create a bond. I look forward to the rest of our time together in the kitchen.

Sister Maria and me

Read it!

Click on the link to read about my report.

Usa Upr Report

Proud to be American!

So inevitably when you are living in another country you feel as though you are representing your country to everyone around you. Granted, there are many Americans living in Geneva, this is still the case for me. And I have recently been thinking about this because first of all, we just had the elections, and second, the Universal Periodic Review of the UN was reviewing the human rights situation of the United States on Friday. The UPR is a mechanism consisting of three sessions a year for two weeks that looks at one country for a 3-hour session and basically recommends what that country should do with respect to human rights. This is a big deal in the United Nations history, as it was the states who created this session, so they are very proud of it.

Prior to the session, NGOs had to get a sticker to enter the room because so many organizations had requested to be present at the meeting. The atmosphere was full of excitement and interest to what the States would say about the US. It is important because only recently has the US joined the Human Rights Council as a part of Obama's new foreign policy, as George W. Bush saw no point in being apart of this council.

It was very interesting what the states said, and when I am done writing my report, I will be sure to share with everyone. Germany in particular made the comment that they hope to see as much enthusiasm for making recommendations to the US as they do for implementing human rights in their own country. I thought this was hilarious! Another interesting comment was Israel, as they took their 2 minute time limit to congratulate the US and say how good of job they are doing in Human Rights, and how much everyone looks up to the US. Basically, saying we love you USA because you are the only ones who like us.

I was asked if I was proud of my country that day. Yes I was. I was very proud to be American that day. Although I told my co-workers those were "Obama's people" up there, it was still very exciting to be able to be here in Geneva at this time for the USA review.

On one hand I am very proud to represent the US, but also people, no matter how much we try not to have preconceived notions or stereotypes about people, we all inevitably do. As a result of many different factors, I am sometimes seen as someone who thinks they are an perfect example for everyone else to follow, and that I know what is best. This is kinda the attitude seen at the UN from my representatives. It is interesting to try to live in a way so that people see me for me, rather than where I come from. I obviously have gained many attitudes and personality from the culture around me, but I am my own person, always.
It is a challenge to not be consumed with stereotypes that we don't see people for who they are as God sees us. Also to balance being proud and being open.