I arrived in Geneva at 13:00 on 27.04.12. :) Doesn’t that look like something you would see on Bourne or James Bond? I’m not going to lie I felt a little bit like that. After going through all the “passport” agencies and showing my diplomatic card I felt like a big shot.. until I had to get my luggage on my own then I kinda felt like a mess haha. I’ll remember to travel light next time.

I didn’t realize how FRENCH Geneva was. I attempted to speak to someone in English and quickly changed my mind after I saw the expression on their face. Something like “Are you kidding me” Anyway it just felt so natural to speak French again, it flowed the accent was there and I felt right at home. I have to give everyone that is considering going to Geneva a fair warning. The airport staff is RUDE. R.U.D.E they don’t give a BLEEP. I got anything from “How am I supposed to know” to “Hurry up” to “You need to be more organized”. All at the Taxi pick up area. SMH! It’s a damn shame because that was not the best first impression.

Anyway, I caught my cab. It was a van and I was desperately trying to figure out whether it was going to cost me more than a regular car BUT unlike  the cabs in Canada they weren’t see keen on having a client so I just went for the easiest option. Overall it cost me 37 CHF (Swiss Francs) to get to the WRONG destination, that includes the 5 CHF he charged me for having to carry my 3 pieces of luggage (one of them being a carry-on SMH). After I realized or actually was told I was at the wrong location, I made my way to the right spot, trusted a new friend to watch my luggage since I couldn’t carry everything and slowly changed my mind about the people of Geneva.

I checked into The Carlton a residence for students. The room was spacious with tons of storage, a clean bathroom and a little kitchenette. Very cute. I was really pleased and my heart skipped a beat when the guy at the reception Matthieu told me that it gets cleaned weekly *yay*.

Once I got home, I called my parents, messaged my significant other and checked in on fbook :). I took a long shower and an even longer nap. I woke up in the middle of the night starving and proceeded to hunt for some food. I didn’t have to go far, everything was closed except the bar across the street :). They made me a little pizza with fresh smoked ham and pineapple for 15 CHF he gave me a 3.5 CHF discount, we’re best friends now. I promised him I would come again and made my way back to the studio to eat, research some things to do and fall asleep.

So I’m actually already in Geneva but thought it would be cool to chronicle my days and be a good blogger while I’m here :) I was super excited for my flight to Geneva but as you all know I was in the process of moving out at the same time. I planned to be at my aunt’s house around 9pm the night before my 4:30pm flight but instead I packed until 4-5 am o_O story of my life. Anyways I got to the airport on time. I was first in line (see first pic!) I was PUMPED that NEVER happens to me, I’m usually the one that waits in line for hours.. anyway I still had to wait 1:30 until the staff got there.. haha. THEN I noticed that everyone had one suitcase..I had TWO so I triple checked my ticket and realised that I didn’t look at my baggage allowance…I always assume that I can take two. I’ve never in my life traveled with just one piece except once by choice when I went to Japan. I guess people are cheap these days, anyway that mistake cost me 70 bucks :( that I put on my parent’s credit card. I mean after all, I was never told about this and they booked the ticket :).

I took Air Lufthansa and was so impressed, the cabin was spacious and fully loaded (with wi-fi!!). I didn’t have to pay for my headset which was a plus. It was a small aircraft 300-340 series and got my favourite seat, window and right by the wing. I think it’s the most entertaining spot, I love seeing how the wings change during the flight to increase/reduce resistance. It’s the nerd in me. I fell asleep during the flight, very typical of me and had my usual flying routine: chicken no dessert, one glass of water and one glass of apple juice and for my entertainment Season 8 of Friends. Let’s just say I had a very pleasant flight.

Woah I’m going away in less than a week to work at the World Health Organization and have a mini start at the career of my dreams. I find it helpful to write down and kind of write my thoughts on what I would like to accomplish in the future. One day I want to run the drug surveillance show basically get my masters my MD and become involved in drug surveillance measures, programs all while practicing in rural areas of Africa. Crazy.. but possible. I also want to start my own company in something totally unrelated. REAL ESTATE. I’m a house/condo junkie, I love watching renovation shows and the whole process of providing a home or transforming a home. Maybe because I’ve moved so much and everywhere I’ve been felt like a home? I don’t know so on the side I’m saving up to do my first buy & sell and also to get started on projects. With this I’m hoping to eventually make buildings in Congo and just become start a real estate company in my own country. This is a family project that I would like to do to give back to my community and also to leave a legacy.

Soon. 7 days. Just seven days away from flying away to Geneva and having a test run at the job of my dreams. Besides having to move out I have to pack, get things ready for my job. It’s exhausting really. I ALSO have to get some clothes ready you know to look work appropriate. So here is the list I got from my GO GETTER GIRL book :).

- Pantsuit [this weekend]
- Skirt suit [mmh.. not for now]
- Black dress pants [this weekend or tomorrow]
- White stretch button down [tomorrow]
- Pointy towed black pumps [check]
-1 wrap dress or shirt dress [check]
- Black pencil or trumpet skirt [check]
- Black opaque tights [check]
- black or navy cocktail dress [weekend]
- 2 stylish twinsets [weekend]
- Chunky pearls [that’s not me…a statement necklace or two will do]
- Simple stud or small hoop earings [check]
- Dark tailored “work” jeans [tomorrow]
- 3 well-fitted T-shirt bras [check]
- Burberry like trench coat in a neutral colour such as khaki or army green [check!]
- Control undergarments [I’m good…]
- Structured handbag [on the lookout tomorrow]

I mean I can always do some shopping in switzerland but I definitely want to get the essential suit and black dress pants with a couple of shirts.

I will update on my progress.. since I am working at Zara tomorrow I’m sure I will find amazinngg things to purchase that have nothing to do with work. :( haha I have to stay strong. I’ll probably write about some of the casual clothes I’m bringing. I’m still trying to cut down on the 12 pairs of shoes I have put aside for now. I mean 12 in 2 months is not bad!