A place to breathe….

I almost experienced it all:
a. Living with parents
b. Boarding house
c. Leaving with thesis mates in an apartment
d. Still living with parents even after graduation
e. Leaving alone

And now leaving with a flatmate.

I adore my place, located in a village far from the busy streets of the old town but everything and anything is accessible by taking one bus that will bring you to the city center or the airport. Unlike the many flats in Geneva that you don’t have a room to breath, mine has all the spaces that you want.

Space that is really more than what I need and one sunny day in Celigny an elder of the church convinced me to open my house for transients in GVA. I didn’t seriously consider this because of how much I value my privacy but one day as I was reading some adds in Geneva ONline and WRGFM, I saw the high demands for flat mate or small studio. And I answered 4 adds, asking if they are female or male and showing them pictures of my flat.

Everybody were interested, they instantly like my place. And in two days I was able to close a deal with a girl from Alicante, Spain.

Her name is Eva, a year older and she’s taking her PHD in Spain and will have to do some internships in one of the hospitals here in GVA. She sent me so many documents to prove her existence and the work that she will do.

On the last weekend before she arrives, anxiety was eating me up. What if she’s such a pain? What will happen with my privacy but of course I cannot back out now. So she arrived one sunny day and it changed my life =)

I still enjoy my privacy, we both have our separate rooms and if I want I can totally not see her. The relationship is good because unlike families you don’t need to have a relationship but you can talk to your flatmate if you like it but there’s no need if you don’t want to.

I’m so lucky because she’s not a pain at all, we seldom see each other but if we do oh my God we talk until midnight. She is a contrary of who I am.

Eva = drinks, smokes, loves to cook, a die hard romantic, can live with a few set of clothes and i’m the total opposite except for the romantic part =)

She cannot believe that I cannot drink beer or wine. She keeps questioning how did I survive Europe if I don’t. We talk about everything and anything especially guys =) and just the thought that I have somebody on the other room makes me more happy now, I don’t feel that alone anymore. Before I was on the verge of actually inviting a friend to live with me even without sharing the rent just to have somebody to live with but at least now I get to have both =)

She is staying here for 4 months, 3 more months and she will go back to Spain. After her I will rethink if I want to open my house again with a stranger, maybe not or maybe yes but definitely not when my parents come over in September but as of the moment I’m quite happy and relaxed that I have a flatmate on the other room.

I’ve done my laundry last night and as I was trying to squeeze some more hangers on my cupboard realization came to me….

I have two hanger stands in my cupboard that is full of clothes and i have another wardrobe that is full of shirts, skirts, pants and ordinary clothes. I never had this so many clothes in my entire life and it has only been an accumulation for the last 10 months.

I remember when I was in Manila I only have maybe less than 10 casual clothes, 2 pair of coat and pants and then 4 uniforms for the office. Back then I never had the need to buy so many clothes because we have uniform in the office (good excuse) and I wasn’t very adventurous on clothes, i preferred the ordinary look.

That changed of course when I came here. I shop at least a dozen new office attires every month and some casual ones on top of that. My choices of clothes drastically changed and the fact that in Geneva nobody knows the old me  really gave me the open opportunity to try anything and everything until I find what suits me best.

I remember late last year that I gave away three big bags of clothes to friends because the style does not suit me anymore.

My ex boss from the Philippines once commented there’s no trace of the old JOjo in me anymore. Maybe outside, somehow I’m still the same old JOjo.

But it doesn’t end here. I have this dream of having a huge bedroom with a separate room for my clothes alone. Arranged according to style and color just like in the department store. I have a huge room back in the Philippines, I just have to ask tatay to do some renovation to it to have the realization of this dream. Sounds shallow? Yup but I bet every girl must have this dream at the back of their minds =) And of course plus shoes!!!

After almost one month of preparation we were able to finish our workshop for all the region experts yesterday.

I wasn’t originally part of the team but some areas concerned my work so I was brought in. It has been a rewarding experience especially when my boss needs to take a one week leave and I have to take over in handling the things that needs to be finished.

The unexpected came when we had our final meeting before the workshop. Our director said that he wants us to take our part in the presentation. Presenting is the least of my problem especially if what i have to present is my day to day work. But what excited me are the people that will be attending the workshop.

The participants are our regional experts, we have 9 representatives from Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Americas, China and ITS. They know the process as much as we do so there’s really no room for any gaps in the information.

The other reason why i’m quite excited about this presentation is two of the participants are from Asia Pacific. One is Tham from Malaysia who I used to attend trainings with in Asia Pacific, the other one is Hoy Chin who is our Assistant Regional Director in Singapore. She was the first person who gave me a training on my 1st day of work in Singapore. The fact that I am the one giving the training now excites me a little.

It was a very busy but fulfilling day. We had fun and I’ve learned a lot from that workshop. My bosses were so great to give us the chance to take part on this workshop and we continue to be the model team.

And to sum up the day we had a great dinner in Versoix. Restaurant was great and everybody was in the mood to have fun. But around 830 i was already looking for an extra jacket, it was freezing already. Nick brought me home and I was dead tired when I reached my bed.

I went to coppet to have dinner and while waiting for the dinner I decided to go to the lake…

What’s with the sound of the water reaching the shore that gives us a soothing feeling? It’s like a lullaby trying to make you fall asleep…

Too bad weather was too cold to stay longer.

Looking back, it was a perfect time. I enjoyed the company, the talk, the ducks, the water. Just everything. I want to head back to the lake, too bad it’s too late already and i’m not properly dressed for the lake side. Hopefully soon.

I read this article when I was still in high school I think and then again this morning a friend of mine from the Philippines sent this article called Reason, Season or a lifetime.

It’s about people that come and go in our lives either they fall under the followig:

Reason - there’s something missing in our lives and they come to the rescue but for no reason they will also be out of your life once the need or missing part has been filled.

Season - They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. THey may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy but only for a season.

Lifetime - For all the things that you’ve learned you will meet somebody to apply it all and you will grow with this person and eventually share a lifetime.

But how in the world will I know who should fall where? Instict? Strong feeling? Chance? What?

I guess we will never know…

I boarded a taxi 10 minutes before our meeting time of 8:30 in Varembe, people were not yet ready when I arrived so I decided to check the train schedule and my mails.

There were quite a few people that actually planned this trip but only four of us are going. Originally we planned to go to Lugano via a van but sudden change of events made us to go to Luzern instead and via train. I preferred it coz less hassle and no freaking out in case we get lost.

So finally we reached the train station and lined up for our return ticket. While waiting I bought some magazines to read. The trip is 3.10 hours, it was okay. I wasn’t bored at all. Just the thought that I’m leaving town already gives me a sudden feeling of excitement.

So finally the minute we reached Luzern we looked for a nice resto to eat, unfortunately there’s nothing near so we end up eating at mc donals =(

We stayed in a bed and breakfast with free breakfast that only costs CHF 49.00. Not so bad, you don’t go to places anyway to stay inside. Once we were settled, Grace immediately booked us to a city tour via carriage. It was really, really nice. It’s really a must to see the city of every place I visit via a city tour, yet it’s good to be adventurous and discover the place on your own but I want to have a glimpse of the city first and then decide later where to go.

It’s almost one hour tour and after that we roam around the lake side and finally enjoyed the atmosphere while seating outside Starbucks.

We also booked a reservation to a Swiss Restaurant called Stadtkeller, food was amazing but the real reason why we went there because we want to watch a Swiss Folk show and as I expected it bored me to death but at least I was able to see one.

Finally time to hit the bed….

Next day:
We had a nice breakfast and we’ve meet three other Filipinas who are staying on the same bed and breakfast. They are Filipina nurses in Ireland and were visiting Switzerland for four days. They keep on commending how beautiful Switzerland is. I don’t blame them for me Switzerland is still the most beautiful place in all the places I’ve been to in Europe. Beautiful not only because of the majestic views but because the place is so clean, so efficient and so correct.

So finally time to hit the road again. Our first stop is the Transportation Museum. It was 3 museums in one: Transportation, Planetarium and some art gallery. Unfortunately we were only able to explore the Transportation museum which is quite good. You will be amazed on how those tunnels were created through rocky mountains…. And nice cars as well. In that place you will also find Imax, it’s like Realto in Enchanted Kingdom but this one is a full movie of 2 hours or so. So just imagine the headache that you will get after but I wouldn’t mind trying but too bad we didn’t have time.

After eating a nice lunch we separated ways with Ate Virgie and Ate Marietta coz Grace and I wants to go to Pilatus while the other two wants a less adventurous one which is cruise in the lake.

I was a little skeptical to go to Pilatus coz 1st I wasn’t properly dressed meaning my clothes are too thin and second I can still remember the swaying of the cable car in Eggishorn but finally I have to battle with myself and give in.

And it was the best decision I’ve ever made that day. Wow the view was amazing. Ride wasn’t bad at all. I actually enjoyed the small cable.

It seems like you were touching heaven. You’ll not get tired of looking around. And then after exploring the place we bought some snacks at the restaurant at the top of the mountain then we sit on one of the garden seats while enjoying the sun.

It sure feels good to be there….

View the photos: Sorry I’m not in the mood to put captions…