Archive for October, 2010

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October 22, 2010

Acts

I am currently reading the book of Acts in the Bible, and came across a verse that I would like to share. I read the verses over again and again, because although it isn’t one of those famous biblical verses, it really does put into perspective the power of the Holy Spirit.  When the apostles were spreading the news of Jesus Christ and performing miracles, the Council at one moment wanted to kill them.  But one of their own thought twice and said these words:

“Men of Isreal, take care what you propose to do with these men.  For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him.  But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and became nothing.  After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who followed him were scattered.  So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

– Acts 5:34-39, KJV

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October 22, 2010

Blue Hub Evian

So it’s about time I write a little something about what I am studying here in Switzerland.  First of all I am studying at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne or EPFL for short.  I am taking four courses that are all in french which is pretty cool and I also got a credit from the intensive french course I took in August.  Another thing that’s cool is that I am taking three masters courses including my studio.  Here the undergraduate degree is only three years long.  For my studio I am working with a partner to design a transportation ‘hub’ in Evian (across the lake from Lausanne) with a variety of other types of program included in it as well.  This image is one of the many sketches of our design in-the-works.

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October 6, 2010

Swell things about Switzerland

Now that I’ve been in Switzerland for over a month, it is time that I make a list of things that I think are pretty swell about Switzerland.

– Most of the public telephone boxes are square and BLUE with a little light on top.  Can’t get any more swell than that!  Best phone experience EVER!  ; )

– The Swiss building code requires every residence to have a nuclear bunker (unless there is access to a communal bunker).  Hard core!

– The Swiss ten bill has Le Corbusier on it with his awesome nerdy glasses.  ‘La Petite Maison’ by Le Corbusier is a short drive away.

– The Swiss speak slower and clearer french than the neighboring French.  Thanks!

– Swiss wine is amazing.  The harvest starts this week.  The vines are all stepped on really steep slopes that look incredible.

– Lake Léman is gorgeous.  You can see France and the alps as clear as day on the other side.

– The Swiss say septante, huitante, and neunante, instead of soixante-dix, quatre-vingt, and quatre-vingt-dix.  WHATT?

– The windows don’t have screens and can open up all the way (more than half the area of the wall).  Unfortunately that doesn’t mean they don’t have mosquitoes.  : P

– The Swiss give three ‘bisous’ (kisses) as a greeting.  It is the same as in the Netherlands.  Girls kiss girls, boys kiss girls, but boys don’t kiss boys (unlike in France).

– The metro here is twice as efficient and more than half the price of the TTC.  Use this as a precedent Toronto!

– more to come…..

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