Shortly after supper and getting into our comfies, I was on the computer reading something when all of a sudden all of the lights went out. Looking around I shortly discovered, not only the lights, but all of the power was gone!
Soon after this, Mike comes out of bathroom with a shocked (pun intended) look on his face and says, "Shannon. I was just electrocuted." It took all I had in me to not start laughing uncontrollably right then. I held back and replied, "What happened? All of the power is out."
"I don't know. I plugged in my razor and when I turned it on, it sparked and I was jolted," Mike said. And then I lost it. I just started giggling continuously as we tried to figured out exactly what just happened.
Many thoughts went through our heads such as; Is the whole apartment building out of power? Do we need to call someone to fix this? And if so, who? etc.
We luckily have flashlights on our phone and proceeded to look for an electrical box in the apartment. After several minutes of searching with no luck, Mike went to another apartment to find one of his teammates to ask what we should do, and to see if they were out of power as well. He came back shortly with a handyman. Luckily, his helpful teammate (TQ) speaks several languages and was able to communicate our problem with this man and turn the lights back on.
We laughed about the prior situation into much of the night. haha :)
Also, we tried out Tierney's milk tip and it still tastes good! This will help stretch the quantity of our milk as well!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Last Friday afternoon
I just put new pictures on my facebook page...I was able to replay the memories of last Friday afternoon.
Mike had the afternoon off because of his weekend game. I read previously in my Switzerland guide book of a museum here in Fribourg that is worth visiting. When I offered the outing to Mike, he was enthused along with me, so we ventured to the Art & History Museum of Fribourg.
It ended up being a short walk up the hill, only about 3 blocks and the cost only 6 francs. The building was beautiful, with part of it being a restored church. The church part was filled with stunning stained glass windows. ( I know my uncle Ger and aunt Sue would have loved to see this part!)
The lady at the front desk gave us a map, in English. But we shortly found out that all of the information was in French and German, NO English. I was still, however, very content viewing all of the historical artifacts, sculptures and paintings without much background information. Mike on the other hand wasn't...he got very antsy, very quickly. He started touching things and making me nervous in his presence. I asked him kindly to "Please stop touching things. You are supposed to look, not touch." His response was, "I was that kid on field trips that the teacher had to keep an eye on." This would have been nice to know before bringing him to the museum with me. haha
But Mike ended up being a very good sport for me. He got his touching under control, and allowed me to enjoy the rest of the beauty we had ahead of us.
After the museum, we looked around in a small park that was filled with many decorative flowers and bushes. This location was also close to the Sarine River that surrounds the city and had a wonderful view of it.
We next traveled to my favorite spot in Switzerland...a "Tea Room." (In America, we would call this place a Bakery/ Chocolate Store) You would probably assume I was interested in the Chocolate part...negative. I will admit that I have fallen in love with the Croissants here!
I have had a croissant before, it was nothing special. But biting into my first Switzerland Croissant was one of the most amazing food experiences I have ever had...(and this is saying ALOT because I LOVE FOOD!) My croissant adventure doesn't end there. The lady who serves me the croissant is almost half of the fun.
The same happy lady has been working in this particular Tea Room EVERY time I have visited, which is about every to every other day. And she knows I don't speak French, because of my first visit I told her I only speak English. Despite this small crutch, getting my treat is simple. I just point to it, hold up a finger indicating how many I would like and nod my head. She is able to understand this, bags it and puts the total on the cash register for me to pay. As I am doing my thing, she is doing hers...she wears a continuous smile and rambles on and on in this foreign language nodding her head, as if I understand completely, exactly what she is saying to me. I just smile back, make a few high pitch noises, take my croissant and leave. And I repeat, this happens EVERY time I visit. It actually makes me a little nervous each time I enter this place and find it intimidating...but little will get in the way of me and that croissant.
After this Mike and I share a good laugh about the continuous event that takes place each time we visit her and then set off of for our apartment where I am able to enjoy my little pleasure.
Mike had the afternoon off because of his weekend game. I read previously in my Switzerland guide book of a museum here in Fribourg that is worth visiting. When I offered the outing to Mike, he was enthused along with me, so we ventured to the Art & History Museum of Fribourg.
It ended up being a short walk up the hill, only about 3 blocks and the cost only 6 francs. The building was beautiful, with part of it being a restored church. The church part was filled with stunning stained glass windows. ( I know my uncle Ger and aunt Sue would have loved to see this part!)
The lady at the front desk gave us a map, in English. But we shortly found out that all of the information was in French and German, NO English. I was still, however, very content viewing all of the historical artifacts, sculptures and paintings without much background information. Mike on the other hand wasn't...he got very antsy, very quickly. He started touching things and making me nervous in his presence. I asked him kindly to "Please stop touching things. You are supposed to look, not touch." His response was, "I was that kid on field trips that the teacher had to keep an eye on." This would have been nice to know before bringing him to the museum with me. haha
But Mike ended up being a very good sport for me. He got his touching under control, and allowed me to enjoy the rest of the beauty we had ahead of us.
After the museum, we looked around in a small park that was filled with many decorative flowers and bushes. This location was also close to the Sarine River that surrounds the city and had a wonderful view of it.
We next traveled to my favorite spot in Switzerland...a "Tea Room." (In America, we would call this place a Bakery/ Chocolate Store) You would probably assume I was interested in the Chocolate part...negative. I will admit that I have fallen in love with the Croissants here!
I have had a croissant before, it was nothing special. But biting into my first Switzerland Croissant was one of the most amazing food experiences I have ever had...(and this is saying ALOT because I LOVE FOOD!) My croissant adventure doesn't end there. The lady who serves me the croissant is almost half of the fun.
The same happy lady has been working in this particular Tea Room EVERY time I have visited, which is about every to every other day. And she knows I don't speak French, because of my first visit I told her I only speak English. Despite this small crutch, getting my treat is simple. I just point to it, hold up a finger indicating how many I would like and nod my head. She is able to understand this, bags it and puts the total on the cash register for me to pay. As I am doing my thing, she is doing hers...she wears a continuous smile and rambles on and on in this foreign language nodding her head, as if I understand completely, exactly what she is saying to me. I just smile back, make a few high pitch noises, take my croissant and leave. And I repeat, this happens EVERY time I visit. It actually makes me a little nervous each time I enter this place and find it intimidating...but little will get in the way of me and that croissant.
After this Mike and I share a good laugh about the continuous event that takes place each time we visit her and then set off of for our apartment where I am able to enjoy my little pleasure.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Grocery Shopping here is NOTHING like in America
Firstly, our fridge is underneath the counter...so there is limited space. Therefore, we typically have been going grocery shopping daily.
While at the store....we don't get to use a shopping cart, we use a small basket.
Thankfully there are pictures on the food labels or it would be way more difficult. (it's all in French or German) However, it is still kind of difficult. One example: Mike and I were buying spices and some baking supplies one day...having a very hard time finding cinnamon. After day 2, Mike finally just opened one and smelled it..."I found CINNAMON," he screamed. haha
I was having a hard time finding baking soda, (for baking banana bread.) I translated it to French then asked a nice store lady. She told me I had to get that at the pharmacy. So I got BAKING SODA at the PHARMACY.
Sadly, there is a small selection of milk options, 3.5% fat or 2.5% fat. I have an extreme love for milk, so I have been sucking it up and drinking the "lower fat" milk. And it only comes in liters!...so that's on our shopping list daily.
Earlier this week we bought a bottle of champagne from a different grocery store, Migros. We opened it for dinner that night, it tasted so sweet and delicious. I translated the label online and found out "saans alcool" means "without alcohol." haha
Also, you have to pay for grocery bags. So on every shopping outing we bring bags and backpacks to fill up with our grocery items.
Each day we get a little bit better at the grocery store...hopefully we have it down soon!
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| The fridge is next to the oven. |
While at the store....we don't get to use a shopping cart, we use a small basket.
Thankfully there are pictures on the food labels or it would be way more difficult. (it's all in French or German) However, it is still kind of difficult. One example: Mike and I were buying spices and some baking supplies one day...having a very hard time finding cinnamon. After day 2, Mike finally just opened one and smelled it..."I found CINNAMON," he screamed. haha
I was having a hard time finding baking soda, (for baking banana bread.) I translated it to French then asked a nice store lady. She told me I had to get that at the pharmacy. So I got BAKING SODA at the PHARMACY.
Sadly, there is a small selection of milk options, 3.5% fat or 2.5% fat. I have an extreme love for milk, so I have been sucking it up and drinking the "lower fat" milk. And it only comes in liters!...so that's on our shopping list daily.
Earlier this week we bought a bottle of champagne from a different grocery store, Migros. We opened it for dinner that night, it tasted so sweet and delicious. I translated the label online and found out "saans alcool" means "without alcohol." haha
Also, you have to pay for grocery bags. So on every shopping outing we bring bags and backpacks to fill up with our grocery items.
Each day we get a little bit better at the grocery store...hopefully we have it down soon!
1st Post
Bonjour!
I have been in Fribourg, Switzerland 2 weeks today! It took 15 hours to get here (plus a 7 hour time change) and I did it all by myself...it was more comforting knowing Mike was waiting on the other side. I arrived in the evening and was exhausted from all of the traveling and little sleep. We ate some pasta and just went to right to bed.
The next day after Mike's morning practice, he took me out throughout the town. It was a gorgeous day and I was able to take a lot of great pictures. We took cobble stone paths down to the river that flows through the city, from there we went over many different stone bridges back and forth enjoying the sites.
We next journeyed to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas a few blocks away. We were able to go inside and look around, it was an outstanding structure with much history. It was constructed in the 1100s and not complete til 1300s. We were able to walk up to the top for 3.50 francs each. It took 365 winding, dark, small steps to the top. But at the top it was worth it! We were able to see the entire city and beyond.
Our excursion didn't stop here, we next traveled more into the city. We discovered many shops of all different sorts. I was in awe the entire time and unable to take my eyes off the surreal surroundings. I almost feel as if I am in a different era. Everything is very gothic and detailed. Each building has intricate stone carvings that consists of medieval designs. And as I mentioned before...many of the paths, side streets especially are cobblestone.
In this part of town we went into several places and did a lot of window shopping. We did our shopping for necessities at a store, called Coop, in the Fribourg Centre (or mall). Then we ventured back home to our very small apartment.
I have been in Fribourg, Switzerland 2 weeks today! It took 15 hours to get here (plus a 7 hour time change) and I did it all by myself...it was more comforting knowing Mike was waiting on the other side. I arrived in the evening and was exhausted from all of the traveling and little sleep. We ate some pasta and just went to right to bed.
The next day after Mike's morning practice, he took me out throughout the town. It was a gorgeous day and I was able to take a lot of great pictures. We took cobble stone paths down to the river that flows through the city, from there we went over many different stone bridges back and forth enjoying the sites.
We next journeyed to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas a few blocks away. We were able to go inside and look around, it was an outstanding structure with much history. It was constructed in the 1100s and not complete til 1300s. We were able to walk up to the top for 3.50 francs each. It took 365 winding, dark, small steps to the top. But at the top it was worth it! We were able to see the entire city and beyond.
Our excursion didn't stop here, we next traveled more into the city. We discovered many shops of all different sorts. I was in awe the entire time and unable to take my eyes off the surreal surroundings. I almost feel as if I am in a different era. Everything is very gothic and detailed. Each building has intricate stone carvings that consists of medieval designs. And as I mentioned before...many of the paths, side streets especially are cobblestone.
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