I'm not the best crawling instructor..

Please excuse my shrill and annoying baby voice. 

Added Bonus, Recent quotes directly from 5 year old Katja:

"Britt you will go back to Florida soon."

"Yes Katja, but when you're older, maybe around 18 or so you can come stay with me in Florida if you want!"

"Yes Britt, but you will probably be dead by then."

"You know, Selina was in Mommy's stomach last year, but now she is a baby.  How do they get babies out of the stomach?"

"Hmmm...I have no idea! I've never had a baby before so I guess you'll just have to ask your mom."

"How old are you Britt?.....23?! That is so old! You are older than Mommy and Daddy."

Ugh...Children...... ;)

Taking a Brain Bath.

I have recently deleted my facebook.  I'm not crazy, just trying to ween myself off of my technology fix for a while. 

Of course I don't have to explain how wonderful and easy facebook makes it for me to connect with the rest of the world, but sometimes that's a problem.   I love keeping in touch with all of my friends in Pensacola and Jacksonville, and of course my entire family who live all over the east coast, but sometimes it feels as though I have never left the United States and quite frankly, I don't like the way that feels.  

I am on another continent, I'm in Switzerland, I should have completely disappeared off the radar for a year, right?  Well not in today's world of course.  And yes, as I am using the internet to update my blog I'm aware that disappearing or becoming disconnected is virtually impossible these days, but still.  I would like to feel as though I am actually a resident of Switzerland rather than a visitor and I think the best way to do that is to distance myself from home a bit.

I know the people I most care about (and vise versa) can always email me: Brittany.Elizabeth.Wilkerson@gmail.com  and Skype me: b.wilkszta

anytime :)

And hopefully keep up with me via my blog? ;)

Back in October I had some computer issues and was without internet for an entire week!  The first day was a little hard, but then it was easy and actually very nice to not have the internet as my main source of entertainment.  I read two books that week, went running everyday, practiced my german, and felt very accomplished each night my head hit the pillow.  Now I'm really starting to sound like a complete loser. 

The point is, I had a nice little brain bath and it's time for another one.

Things are going really well here in Zug! I've just moved into a new flat with two of my friends Matt and Cheesus.  It's such a nice place!  I'm very lucky to have such great friends here, they really gave me the hook up with this place, Matt's mom also gave me a bed to have while I'm here.  I will post pictures very soon.  I was glad to get out of my old place as my landlady was pretty crazy.  She was into witchcraft no joke, as well as wizardry. I once saw her in a sweatshirt that read, 'Hogwarts Class of '61 with her house crest on it.

It's nice to live with people whom when you are sick will probably just hand you some medicine, rather than knocking on your door at 8am with a caldron of burning incense swaying from side to side and speaking in tongues in attempts to rid you of your ill bearing demons (true story.)  Oh Mrs. Gubernale...I will miss your wonderfully weird ways.

She also referred to me only as 'Elizabeth', my middle name, on account of Brittany being a name she considered not as nice.

Without facebook I WILL be updating my blog WAY more often. Serious this time. I will be traveling to Prague in a few weeks, but you won't have to wait as long for another blog.

Miss you guys!!! Or if you're a Zug resident and reading this; See you in a day or so!!

A random compilation. Enjoy

I am the worst blogger. I know. I'm sorry.  It really does mean so much to me that so many of my friends and family read my blog. It makes me really happy when I get reprimanded by Lisa or Paige or my mom, about how I need to update more.  So for the moment I am wondering where I should begin. My last entry was just before the Christmas Holidays and so much has happened since then.  So off the top of my head, here goes nothing:

I sometimes think to myself, 'man I wish I had a blog specifically for my family.' It would contain the most appropriate stories, then I would have my "real" blog, in which I would tell the whole truth of what goes on in my day to day life.  Not that ridiculous things happen to me every day; Christmas in England was just an exception.  What a week!  I'm in a pickle because I would love to truly explain what I experienced during my time there but I can't do that without slandering certain people and that would not be classy.  So instead, I'm sorry but this is all the detail you get, (because it is safe) Liverpool is a great city. Oliver's roommates and their girlfriends are really great people and I genuinely enjoyed hanging out with them.  The Cavern Club where the Beatles first played together as a group was one of the best bars I've ever been to. It's basically underground and the band that was playing that night happened to be fantastic!

The sights I saw in London (Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, etc. see facebook photos) were beautiful.  I'm happy that I can go home and say that I got to visit England.  

When I got home from the U.K. I decided to take my swiss family up on their offer to go skiing in the alps.  Klosters specifically, which just so happens to be the ski area of choice for Prince William and Prince Harry. Oh stop!
I had never been skiing before and Stefan (my host dad as we nannies call them) was so sweet to help me out.  My first couple of rounds down a very easy slope he held my hands.  Then I got to a point where I was skiing all on my own and using the poles.  On my last round, as luck would have it, I lost control of my skis and barreled into Stefan.  He had to stop me somehow so he just put his arms in front of him, and brought me to the ground via his hands to my chest....awkward.  Or semi awkward because two seconds later that gesture proved to be too weak to stop my incredible speed and he ended up on top of me.  The two of us lying together in the snow and Stefan profusely apologizing for the way he had to stop me, that was awkward.

I've been reading a lot since I've been in Switzerland.  Well I am used to reading a lot but not for pleasure, I never had the time with all of my assigned readings for school.  Today I finished 'Push' the novel that the movie 'Precious' is based off of.  It's a very quick read, it took me a day and a half to get through it but I must say I wouldn't recommend the book to anyone.  It's very sad, but not the kind of sad that is deep and inspiring and pulls up great emotions in you.  I really felt that a lot of the terrible things I read were written down specifically for shock value.  Maybe I'll watch the movie and then I'll have a better perspective on the story.

But while I'm on the subject of book recommendations I have to urge you all to read 'Columbine' by Dave Cullen.  It is a fantastic piece of historical journalism!  One of my favorite books!  I was assigned to read it in my Mystery of Murder history course (my favorite class in college by the way) and had to write a paper on it.  I miss going to history classes :(
Cullen's book was ten years in the making. He was on the scene the day of the shootings and stayed on top of it for the next decade, talking to everyone involved, reading and analyzing the killers journals.  You really feel like a fly on the wall in every single aspect of the tragedy.  Read it.


I turned 23 this past Sunday.  Last year when I turned 22 I was so sad, 'I'm really an adult now ugh 22 I'm halfway dead!'  But I decided that this year I am going to be excited! I'm still young, I'm "in my twenties" and life is good.  I live in Switzerland, I get paid to play with four sweet girls, I live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, I still keep in constant contact with my family and my best friends, and I am healthy and happy.

Happy New Year! Happy 23rd Year to me! 

Babiessssssssssssss. Thoisday.

Swiss Princess Selina.

I will be in Liverpool in less than a week and I can't wait to get over to the U.K.

Here is a short life update: Friday December 3rd went to a company Christmas party with my friend Boris.  The kind of company that gives all their employees, and their employees' guests ipods as a Christmas gift.  5th generation nanos all wrapped and sitting on a table up for grabs as if they were boring goodie bags. Score!  (I thought about sliding a few extra into my purse, but then I thought about karma.)

Friday December 10th went to farewell dinner for my beautiful friend Elyse Van Herk.  Just her and I took the train to Zurich and after perusing the Christmas market for camel figurines, spontaneously decided on a pub called 'The Lion'.  Quite the classy place despite the name, honest.  We drank and ate and talked about Elyse's 7 month backpacking adventure through Asia.  Thailand was her favorite place. I MUST visit Nick and Lisa! Elyse talked it up so much.  She also spent a lot of time in Australia, New Zealand and India.  She's moving back home to Canada for a while and will be back in Europe in mid March.  Only this time she'll be living in Holland :(  So we had to have a goodbye weekend.

After dinner we went to a hostel bar in Zurich called Zic Zac. So much fun!  Hostels are great in general, of course, because you are meeting people from all over the world.  So a really happening hostel bar peaked my interest and it ended up being a great time.  I'm going back very soon. 

If you're looking for a good Christmas movie watch 'Love Actually.'  It's a perfect movie any time of the year but especially great during the Holidays. Watch!

I feel like I'm going to have a 'Love Actually' feeling this Christmas, seeing that I'll be in England, not to mention with a gorgeously handsome, charming, british man; Oliver Jones, whom in no way asked me to describe him using those adjectives. 

I hope you all have the best Christmas! I'm sure London will be spectacular and Oliver and I are going to have a blast in our Christmas sweaters at the pubs!

But if can borrow a quote from Dave Matthews for a moment, "turns out not where but who you're with that really matters."  So enjoy your families, I'll be missing mine.  

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooo

Trying not to slip and bust my hip, zing!

It has been snowing here in Zug for about a week now.  I have a love/hate relationship with my new found weather situation.  Of course being from Florida it is nice to see snow.  It's so pretty, but it is obviously freezing and there is the constant threat of injury (I haven't bought snow boots yet.)

I am trying not to spend too much money at the moment, as I am going to London for Christmas and I know it's going to be ridiculously expensive. Therefore, sacrificing my well being with sneakers instead of proper boots will have to suffice. 

It's Christmas Time in Zug and I'm Thankful to be a European.

Hey guys :)  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving in the good ol' U.S.A.

Mine was surprisingly perfect. I had dinner with my friend Jamie and her host parents Mads and Genia.

They are a really cool couple, they met in law school at Boston University, and after they got married they lived in New York City for a few years before moving here. So they've had a good few Thanksgivings.  Genia is an amazing cook! The four of us had a nice little grown up dinner after Sasha and Sofie went to bed.  Red wine, turkey, and all the sides you'd come to expect at a proper Thanksgiving. Not bad at all considering I originally thought I would spend that Thursday in my room after work. 

I don't think I can say it enough but I feel incredibly lucky to be living the life that I do.  I haven't done anything specific to deserve the people I have in my life, but they are there none the less so I chalk it up to sheer luck.  

Not many people can say that they picked up and moved to a different country at the age of 22.  Though I do get to say, "I live in Switzerland!" That sentence would not be coming out of my mouth if it were not for Jen Cowan.  J, I don't think I'll ever be able to express enough gratitude for the wonderful situation you've put me in!  I'm really thankful for you and this experience. Thank you thank you thank you!

Allow me to elaborate on what I mean when I say I am so lucky.  What I am most thankful for in this life is my ability to meet the BEST of people and form lasting friendships with them :)  You guys all mean so much to me! My wonderful group in Pensacola who have remained close all of these years.  All the amazing friends I have in Jacksonville!  I find that I have been exposed to some of the most kind hearted, genuine, and hilarious people one could hope to be friends with. 

Each and every one of you bring so much to the table, you have all enhanced my life in so many ways :)  And Zug has been no exception. 

Tonight I had dinner with some good friends, Tom, Michelle, and Matt.  Tom and Michelle are the kind of people who instantly make you feel welcome.  After all, they have only known me a short time and yet they have invited me into their lives and have quickly made me feel like Zug is my home.  I was skyping my parents this afternoon at starbucks when Tom called me and said, "Hey we want you to come over for dinner, we're making fondue so just head over soon."  They are so sweet and so hospitable.  

Some authentic swiss fondue + white wine + good people = a perfect Sunday evening. 

It's just such a warm feeling to know that no matter where I go in this life and no matter what I do, it seems there will always be amazing people around who offer their friendship to me. And for that I am truly thankful!

(A parting note:  Get ready for some serious travel blogs coming your way!!

I am headed to Liverpool and London for Christmas!  Spain in February and Ireland in March!

Also I am moving out of the convent and into an apartment with my soon to be roommie Matt in January!!)

 

All you need is Italy.

My Favorite statue in Florence

A view from the top of the hill at sunset.

8 euros for an authentic Italian Pizza, a glass of beer, and if you're lucky a nice view.

I LOVE ITALY! I was debating on what to title this blog and my mind was racing. There is so much I want to say about Italy, how do you boil down an amazing experience into one sentence? I did my best because truthfully I think Italy is perfect and if I had died on the train ride home, you all should know I would have died happy.  

I was in Florence for 5 wonderful days. So much happened so I'll try to condense it into a short blog with only the best details, though I think that will be next to impossible because as I said, the entire experience was just perfect. 

FOOD: Phenomenal, and all other adjectives that mean extraordinary. I don't think I will ever be able to eat pizza or ice cream again. I've had a taste of the real thing and now no other imitation will compare. 

(Side Note: The food tasted that much better because Switzerland prides their food selections on being flavorless. The blander the better! Unless of course we're talking chocolate or cheese, but that's it!)

We had gelato for lunch every day...no big deal. 

Favorite Dish = Tiramisu and Latte...Oh My God...Best. Ever!

SIGHTS: I myself could easily spend an entire day roaming around a museum. I'm that person that likes to read every description of the painting or sculpture that you are looking at.  And I am happy to report that we got a ton of sight seeing done. We saw "The David", Michelangelo carved it out of one giant piece of stone in 1502. That was probably my favorite thing that we paid to see. Just to be standing in front of something so historical. I mean Michelangelo carved it! It was so surreal! The detail on the statue is insane, we all stood in front of the David, and walked around it for somewhere around 20 minutes, just marveling over it's beauty, this one work of art!

 I'm so happy I left Florence checking that off of my list. 

We also went to the Medici castle and palace. Jamie is obsessed with the history behind the Medici Family. They ruled over Florence in the 1500s and it was so cool to see the beds they slept in, the sinks and fire places they used, the paintings and statues they collected.  I loved seeing these places with Jamie because she was like a personal guide, she knew a lot about them and I love that kind of stuff.  I have a serious passion for the the Kennedy family, so I really enjoyed learning about the Medici's from her. I made a mental note to pick up a book about them and further my knowledge. 

The Duomo: Skip it.

Seriously, I was so unimpressed. Not much to it.  A couple of murals, nothing comparable to the others we saw in different buildings. 

NIGHT LIFE:  We were fortunate enough to have Jamie's friend from high school, Stephanie, showing us around and taking us out each night. She is in Florence studying photography for the semester.  Florence is packed with Americans studying abroad. I never realized how comfortable I had become with being in an area where all you hear is German, until I got to Florence. It kind of annoyed me that everywhere we went we heard Americans speaking English. Come on, we're in Italy! But that's just a personal pet peeve I developed while there. 

It was great hanging out with Steph and her friends because we went to bars and night clubs every single night and had many intense flip cup competitions at the hostel, which served as our pregames for each night. 

(Always in my heart Team Cola!)

Steph was such a great sport when we dragged her around for shopping, dinners, and asked her annoying touristy questions. Thanks for the hospitality Steph! You are such a cool girl, I loved getting to know you, you made my first Italian experience that much better!

Something I didn't expect to get out of this trip: The realization of a culture, and I'm not talking about Italian.

Our first night in our hostel we met a girl from Canada named Stefanie. She was back packing through Europe by herself. This was my first time staying in a hostel and I haven't met many backpackers. I thought it was both weird and brave of her to be doing something like that on her own. She kind of looked at me like I was crazy for thinking such a thing.

As the week went on I realized that most people who are backpacking are doing it alone. And it's a funny concept to think that someone who is backpacking solo is alone, because in all actuality they couldn't be further from it. 

At one point in our trip my new friend Elyse (also a nanny in Switzerland, from Canada) said to me, "Don't you feel above all of the backpackers? We actually LIVE in Europe!" 

I agreed with her, I love being able to say that I am living in Switzerland. Especially when I meet an American who is just passing through.  But as I became more aware of the 'backpacking culture' I decided that I didn't feel so lucky.  These people are out on their own wandering around the world, meeting new people, making new friends, and experiencing new places every single day. 

WHAT A LIFE! 

I was jealous, I am jealous. 

It planted a seed in me that I know will only continue to grow the longer I'm here; I MUST KEEP TRAVELING! I want to find a way to travel for the rest of my life. The best plan I have thus far, is that I will go back to the states and become a teacher; save money during each school year, and spend each summer break backpacking in various parts of the world. Done! 

Gelato..or should I say Heaven

First Night/Dinner in Florence