Over the past month two of my friends, Theodora and Meghann, have featured Day In The Life posts on their blogs. I really enjoy reading posts like this as it helps me understand a blogger just a bit more if I know what their “normal” day is like versus mine. Therefore, I thought I would do the same.
I really have 3 types of days so this will be a glimpse into one of them – a commuting day. In the future I’ll do a Geneva day and then a working from London day as well.
5:15am – Alarm goes off but my body screams for more minutes. Since it’s taper time I’m really listening to my body’s request for sleep.
5:30am – Alarm #2 goes off and I relax in bed for 15 minutes catching up on news, blogs and emails before finally getting out of bed
5:45am – Change into running gear and wash my face before heading out the door. I wash my face as this is the quickest way to wake myself up in the morning when I’m drowsy.
6:00am – Decide that this morning’s run will be 4 miles around the neighborhood as my deep tissue massage and speed session has left my legs tired and sore.
6:41am – Walk through the door feeling much better after the run. Amazed that it is still so warm in Geneva.
6:45-7:20am – Shower, dry hair, make bed, apply make-up, and head out the door.
7:20am – Realize, in panic, that I forgot to pack my bag for London.
7:20-7:30am- Thankful that I already have a few things in London, including workout gear and a few silk blouses, I only pack a yoga outfit and one change of clothes before dashing out the door.
7:42 – 8:07am – Faster than normal commute to work via the tram and bus. I have fallen in love with listening to Jillian Michael’s podcasts during the commute and especially enjoy today’s, Words of Comfort.
8:15am – Pick up bircher muesli and coffee from the cafe in the office. 
8:20-9am – Catch up on work emails before the day of meetings begins
9-11:45am- 3 different meetings with 3 different groups of people about 3 different topics, all relating to e-commerce growth
11:45-12:00pm – Grab a few bites of lox, grilled chicken and salad from the catered lunch bar we ordered for our presentation to the organization. It still amazes me how much the food in Geneva differs from New York, especially for catered events.
12-1:30pm Lead a lunchtime Digital, E-Commerce and Social Fundamentals training with my 2 counterparts, Ema and Christa, for our organization. Attendance is so strong that there aren’t enough seats for the group and food runs out early. In awe that over 80 people attended!
1:30-2:15pm Catch up on morning emails
2:15-3:45pm My weekly 90 minute French lesson with Professor Dib is more fun than normal because the entire lesson revolves around travel vocabulary. He realizes that I’m very good at memorizing and we make our way through 60 words by the end of the lesson. He also warns me that I’ll have homework when I’m in the US and it will be conjugating, not vocabulary.
3:45pm Dash upstairs to close out a few emails, touch base with a colleague and refill my water bottle before packing up my computer.
4pm Realize once again that I can’t take advantage of our office airport shuttle since it only begins the afternoon service at 4:30. Instead wait for a taxi since a bus will take too long.
4:15pm Begin getting very anxious when a taxi still hasn’t arrived.
4:17pm Three Italian colleagues inform me that they ordered a taxi and I can ride with them for free.
4:32pm Run to security, thankful to find a shorter than normal line.
4:45pm Have a five minute conversation with the customs guard who wants to know how I’m enjoying living between two cities. I really enjoy taking the time to slow down and converse with him as it reminds me how lucky I am, even during the chaotic moments, to have this opportunity. He asks about New York City and I end up recommending three restaurants and a hotel to him before leaving for my gate.
4:58pm I have 10 minutes before my flight boards and know that I really do not want the complimentary dinner sandwich they give you on the flight. Instead go into the small cafe and buy a salad and sparking water, proud of myself for making the healthier food decision. Bo will appreciate me not being “hangry pants” when I land in London.
5:10 – 6:30pm Flight from Geneva to London City Airport via Swiss Air. Swiss is actually cheaper than EasyJet these days and the experience is far better overall. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while I spend the hour going through work emails.
6:41pm Make my way through customs at London City Airport in record time
6:44 – 7:20pm Commute to Marylebone via DLR to Canningtown then Jubilee Line to Baker Street
7:30 – 8pm Chat with Theodora via GChat and do some light cleaning around the flat before Bo gets home.
8-8:15pm It starts raining so instead of roaming around High Street in search of a dinner spot we dash into a pub for a pint.
8:15 – 9:20pm The rain gets heavier so our pub choice turns into our dinner spot as well. Luckily the Yelp reviews are positive for the pubs alcohol selection and their food. While we’re both hungry we decide to share everything since the menu is very rich. We share a salad, appetizer and roasted chicken.
9:30-9:45pm Start downloading a movie on iTunes and catch up with friends back in US via GChat
9:45pm We are both exhausted so decide to call it an early night.
What does a day in your life look like?
Sounds like a fun day to me! I’m secretly (not so secretly) hoping that I find a job one day where I work in their European office for a few years like you’re doing. I think I would absolutely love living in Europe (although I’ve never been!).
Good luck Kathryn! I think you’d love it!
Hey, I see boots! Which ones did you end up buying?
These are my “dead” boots which will be retired as soon as I buy a new pair!
Wow! What a day! Incredible for sure!
Wow – what a day! Do you find that running in the morning gives you more energy the rest of the day? The food in Geneva seems so much healthier than what we have in the states – it is a lot of fun to read about these differences.
Yes, I really love working out in the morning because the energy and I find it starts my day on the right foot!
Your day seems so glamorous so on the go :). My days pale in comparison!
I don’t think my day is glamorous! I bet yours is pretty wonderful!
Love this! I’m curious-would you have made the move from the US to Geneva if you had to change jobs and go to a new company? Do you think keeping the same position allowed you to have an easier transition?
Emily we only made the move because the job security. It is tough to get visas if you aren’t moving with an employer, especially in Switzerland!
What a day! I loved having an inside look into someone else’s day. Mine often consists of waking at 6, getting ready/walking lambeau puppy, working including being a teacher/nurse/mom/counselor/disciplinarian, coming home (or running home) and cooking. I’m exhausted by 7pm! Do you have anyone to speak French with in a social environment to practice? (Like at a restaurant, market etc) immersion is the swiftest way to acquire a language! Utilizing your memorization and someone else’s patience to guide you in public (we call it “high stress” or “necessity” environments) will help you build stamina in using French!
Thanks Kristin! Your days are really busy too! In regards to French I do have someone with whom to practice but need more verbs in order to get there 🙂