Swiss Miss | Notes from Abroad

I know the title is a little blunt. But this is exactly what I'm writing about. So this past month that I have been in Switzerland I've said some things, I've acted a certain way in situation that people have looked at me like I'm a complete b***. I mean maybe not to that extent but I know my behavior has been shocking at times. I find myself having to correct myself and to find different ways to say things. Something that I have never even thought about doing in my life. Is it the American in me? or is it ME? Being in a completely different culture and around people who grew up differently makes your own flaws stick out like a pigeon in a room of parrots. Seriously. It's eye opening. Being outspoken, blunt, and opinionated is such a norm in America. I mean of course not everyone is like that. But the vast majority is. It's definitely part of our culture I believe. All the protest, the riots, the movements. Typical America lifestyle right? We pretty much

Wow. So last night I felt extremely uncomfortable. Literally like a black sheep. So the advantage that I have with this move is that my parents are Swiss. My entire family is Swiss. My parents very much so raised us in a "Swiss" way. We celebrated Swiss holidays growing up and celebrated Christmas a bit differently. My parents talked to us about Switzerland almost on the daily. To the point where Switzerland always somehow felt like home to me. It felt more comfortable. This definitely helped with my move. It wasn't as scary because I was already prepared for some of the Swiss customs. Swiss are big on recycling and don't liter. Got it. My mom always made this big deal about recycling and we were raised never to liter. The Swiss always take their shoes off and have separate house slippers. Got it. We weren't allowed to wear our shoes in the house. The food. Got it, mom mainly cooked Swiss food and often had relative send up Swiss goodies year round. Swiss club

I knew it would happen eventually. I'm surprised it didn't happen earlier. I was literally holding back tears the entire day. And when I finally got home I let it out. It was short and afterwards felt so unnecessary. But it felt good. I'm not actually sad about anything in particular I think I was just overwhelmed. I had just got back from shopping in Germany and I literally came back with nothing that I needed. I've been here for exactly a week and I have been trying to find the same 3 items every single day and epically fail. Its overwhelming, exhausting, and frustrating. I honestly felt like just falling on the ground and throwing a temper tantrum. I completely understand and have so much more empathy for anyone who is away from home. Being in a different country is ridiculously hard. Not only are you alone but everything is new. Everything you felt so comfortable and confident about has been ripped from you and replaced with utter confusion. How is it that its

This question has come up so many times recently. From co-workers, to friends, to random people I meet on the street. Yet everytime I give them the same generic answer. Almost like an automated response because the real answer is way too long to continuously repeat. A big part of why I gave these automated responses is because I simply didn't know at the time. Switzerland came to me almost overnight. From one day to the next I made the decision to make this drastic move and there was nothing that could happen to change my mind. Everything happened so fast that I never really had the time to think. Well now I've had it. Switzerland=lots of walking which provides ample amount of alone time to think. So why? I mean.... why not? I've been unhappy for awhile now. My adult life has been a rollercoaster of ups and downs through bad relationships, family issues, and toxic friendships. But there has always been one common denominator. I have always settled. I have always acce

It's been awhile, Honestly have been making Youtube videos and forgot about this whole writing blog thing. But today it's necessary. I have had so much on my mind and have come drastically close to a mental breakdown.. or two... Yes. Everything will be okay, yes I know i'm strong and resilient, yes. But this does not mean that this isn't ridiculously scary for me. As of today I have 11 days left. Just 11. Isn't that ridiculous? How and when did this happen? I swear just yesterday It was 3 months out and it was all a vivid dream that I never though would be my reality. Moving to Switzerland will be me literally starting over my life. New identity, new image, new career, new apartment.... NEW. It's as if I have a second shot. I get a re-do on the Leontyne i've created thus far. But anyways enough of that sadness. So much has happened since my last post. I went to San Francisco to visit the Swiss Consulate to get my swiss passport I went back h

As the days pass by I am getting more and more nervous and stressed! 66 days to be exact! Where did the time go? There are so many things to tie up before leaving! I have a mini to-do list for the next 2 months. I have been going back and forth in my mind about how long I should actually plan to stay overseas. Originally I'm thinking 6 months - 1 year. But why not longer? If everything goes well I could travel around the entire world. Moving from country to country! Why not? We will see. Either way I've decided I need to part with my things. It literally gives me anxiety but It really shouldn't. THEY ARE JUST THINGS. I can get them back. Will it take hard work and alot of time? Yes. But I'd rather have experiences that these things. So that being said the next 60 days I need to drastically downsize! I'm looking to get rid of over half of my closet, makeup, all my furniture and even my car! Ahh. My car. Whyyyyy. It really wouldn't be worth it to keep. My car

Hello all, My name is Leah and I am a travel addict. I'm 26 years old currently living in Arizona. I moved here on my own from New Mexico 2 years ago. This is what started it all. Freshly out of college I finally had the chance and opportunity to travel the world without worrying about missing that class or writing a paper. A completely different side of myself emerged after college. I honestly had no idea how adventurous I actually am. So here we are... I am 3 months away from my big and courageous, last minute, move to Switzerland. I. WILL. LIVE. THERE. I graduated from NMSU with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. I am very passionate about the education of young children. I think it is essential and a key foundation for the well being of children. The first 5 years are crucial to your entire life. I am hoping to find a position teaching young children or being a nanny in Switzerland. Along with this passion I also love to cook, workout, and drink wine!  One thing abou