buy this car to go to work/go to work to pay for this car

today was my frist day of work...or training, as it would be.
however, as Gilberto did not arrive in Geneva until late this afternoon, my day was mostly spent toying around the internet. I did proofread a document and watch Mike (the current webmaster) edit a php form (which confused the hell out of me because of the vast amount of programs he was using to do so...seriously i kinda got scared when faced with the inevitable daunting task of running this website while simultaneously being in charge of coordinating the new one...but i know, i know, i'll "be fine"). anyways, i was told it would be an off day as they (the current interns) did not want to start official training until both of us (the new interns) we were both there (the office).

that said, Gilberto arrived today (and sorry Susan, I told him about your request for a blog and it doesn't look like its in the cards). It was good to see a familiar face, even though I've only been away from home for a couple of days, its the first time I've ever technically been completely on my own without knowing a soul - so there is a sense of comfort in having someone I used to see daily toiling around the lab (albeit, the back part of the lab). Once Gilberto arrived we got him settled (in the same foyer I am staying at..I gave him fair warning about the rooms...lets just say this place is the definition of student style living - common bathroom, common kitchen, and a tiny little room with no personality...i'm not sure we'll survive it, and a plan is underway to start slowly convincing the EAA to move us to a better location...we'll see what happens). Gilberto and I then attempted to do some shopping. We stopped by H&M to buy umbrella's as it was raining pretty hard (has been the past couple of days...and fyi, H&M is litterally less than a 10 minute walk from our foyer) and later attempted to grocery shop. Note the word: attempted. Everything, or rather, most shops and businesses etc, close here at 7. We must have arrived at the grocers at around 6:45. We tried to quickly pick up food (grabbing fruits and pasta) however, the lights turned out and a few moments later while purusing an aisle we were told if we didn't pay now we'd miss our chance. So despite our attempts, I think we got away with like...four pieces of groceries. Maybe tomorrow.

Afterwards we attempted to get food.
note the word: attempted
technically we succeeded, but this was after much strolling through side streets, comparing prices for food. Switzerland in general is extremely expensive, I knew or at least heard of this before coming out here. Our quest for moderately priced food merely confirmed what everyone had previous informed me of. We wound up at McDonalds because at least there, 10 Francs would get us some semblance of a meal.

That said, there seems to be a mutual concern about living on the stipend we have been provided. I assume it is doable (the other interns complain quite a bit about the difficulties in doing so, but admit, it is doable). So we'll see.

My current goals:
find the best place for falafels (always a goal of mine, no matter where I am)
buy some damned towels (i haven't showered because I have no towel, I have also been using a tank top as a hand towel when I wash in my sink)
get and/or steal a plant (if i'm staying in this room, i need to give it some life)