Marie:
2021 was a successful year for me, full of important achievements and a fresh new start. In March, I finally turned 18 and started taking driving lessons. For the picture book explaining multiple sclerosis (MS), which I wrote and illustrated as my final project in 2020, the Swiss MS Society granted me its 2021 award. My godmother helped me create a website through which I sell the books in German and French – a total of over 300 copies so far!
In June, I passed my final high school exams. Two weeks after graduation, I took the Swiss entrance exam for medical school. A month later, the day before Mom and I left for southern France, I received my positive exam results! This way, I was able to enjoy our family vacation to the fullest. Afterwards, I spent a week in Amsterdam with some of my classmates from high school – the very first time I went on vacation with friends!
Two weeks before my studies started, I also passed my driving test and was able to step into medical studies at ETH Zurich as an “official adult” on September 20th. Right in the first week, a special program at a hospital gave us a taste of what the next few years would be like.
The studies are everything I had hoped for! I have great peers, my lectures are quite challenging but really interesting, and ETH regularly organizes social events and programs that make student life a bit more diverse. We have also been able to attend most lectures from home so far. When we are on site, masks and certificates are compulsory, which I find completely natural.
In January and February next year my first semester exams will already be coming up, which is why the Christmas break will consist mainly of studying for me. It has been an intense year, but I am very happy and looking forward to the remainder of my studies.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
Hannah:
It feels to me as if we only just celebrated New Year’s Eve 2019, because the last two years have passed almost in a dream-like state. There has been lot of planning and a lot of waiting.
This doesn’t mean there were no exciting moments. For example, when I built an apartment in a big hall with the help of friends for a music video shoot. Or when I spent the whole of May and June working as a production assistant on a big advertising campaign for the Zurich Children’s Hospital. Or when I directed my first commissioned film for the production company where I’d been working as an intern until last summer – this company, by the way, also produces the new TV series “Tschugger”, which is currently becoming a cult series in Switzerland.
The biggest thing for me this year, however, was the production of “Sand Castles,” my short film about two best friends who drift apart because of the Corona pandemic. I was able to get several sponsors and two co-production companies involved and, after several months of preparation, directed it during one week in November. As is so often the case with my projects, the whole family was involved: Marie’s room was painted bright pink for a couple of scenes and Mom was on set with her catering.
Now I am working on the post-production of the film. First it will be cut, then the sound and colors will be edited, while the music is being composed. Hopefully, it will be finished by the end of February. Until then I’ll have to do some more waiting… and start a few new projects 😉.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Michèle:
“I am fully content”: it is with these words that my mother-in- law invariably concludes our telephone conversations. Her husband died last year, and of course the state of the world is of concern to her. But at almost 91 years old, she stays alert, resilient and warm-hearted. I admire her and try my best to learn from her .
Indeed, I am grateful for this past year. Our close family and relatives have been spared by Covid or other health issues. Hannah and Marie have thrived this year, and as they still live at home, I’ve been able to share their projects and celebrate successes with them up close.
At work, I particularly enjoyed three projects this year. I was involved in the production of two videos filmed for WSL by Hannah, her friend Elia and another young filmmaker (see links on www.dobbertin.ch). In spring, I translated a 360- page hiking guide and web-based app into French. It showcases WSL research in Wallis (Valais). This was the perfect excuse for visiting this region several times.
After we were all vaccinated twice, we spent relaxing summer holidays together in southern France. Marie and I first stayed in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence – where Vincent Van Gogh interned himself voluntarily in a mental institution. Hannah was able to join us for a few days in Fitou, a picturesque village among vineyards on the southwestern coast, and in Ardèche. I loved going out for early-morning birding hikes in the shrubland overseeing the sea just a few steps out of our rental home.
One of this year’s highlights – not just for Hannah, also for me – was being immersed for a week in the making of Hannah’s film as their caterer. What a delight to witness creation in real time! And how refreshing it is to be around highly motivated and thorough young professionals!
I almost forgot to mention that I turned 60 in October . Just another birthday, no big deal after all.
With this, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year, and I look forward to hearing from you.
And like every year, here are a few links:
- Our year 2021 in review (slide show)
- Hannah’s homepage with links to her latest films
- Two videos Hannah made for WSL: “Pressured to transpire” (with her friend Elia and another friend) and “SwissForestLab Summer School” (with me).
- WSL free app to the hiking guide “Wandern, wo andere forschen“