Tonight was our last dinner in the house with just us, and honestly, it meant more than we expected.

We had burgers and chocolate donuts and leaned into an easy American-themed dinner. But it wasn’t really about the food. It was about slowing down and having that one last moment together before the year wraps up.

Most nights, we’re surrounded by noise — the cafeteria, the boarders, the usual rush. But tonight, the house was quiet. It was just us, sitting down, talking, laughing, being fully present with each other.

There was something really comforting about it. We’ve spent so much time in this house, living side by side, but tonight felt like a small celebration of that — of the everyday moments, the support, the shared space that somehow turned into home.

It was simple, but it was ours. And that made it feel pretty special.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Vale turned 17 on Thursday and kicked off the celebrations with a special trip to Zurich with her parents. Today, she wrapped up the celebrations with a cozy dinner surrounded by her closest friends. It was a relaxed, joyful evening full of laughter, good food, and great company — exactly the way a birthday should be.

What a weekend! With International Week in full swing at CDL, the energy on campus was high, and the spirit of celebration, culture, and community was everywhere.

Friday kicked things off strong with the vibrant Brazilian stand run by Vale and her friends. They brought the flavor of Brazil to life with delicious brigadeiros and refreshing drinks that were a huge hit sweet, rich, and absolutely irresistible! Vale somehow also found time to organise, play and referee the Middle School vs. High School volleyball tournament, she was everywhere at once and pulled it off like a pro.

Back in the boarding house, Emma and Étoile helped me whip up a cheesecake, and wow… it was gone in minutes. Safe to say it was a hit. Definitely one to make again soon!

We also jumped into the May Fitness Challenge, which added a fun and slightly competitive twist to the weekend. Étoile absolutely smashed the mountain climbers with 129 in one minute which is super impressive. And then Vale and Marusya took on the patty cake challenge, managing 30 uninterrupted claps in a minute. Sounds easy, but it’s trickier than it looks!

And today, Sofiia got moving with a solid tennis session, a perfect way to wrap things up and get those steps in before the new week starts.

All in all, it was a weekend full of laughter, movement, teamwork, and (lots of) sugar. Can’t wait for the next one!

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Happy 18th birthday Emma!
It’s such a big moment, welcome to adulthood! Wishing you a year full of laughter, new adventures, and all the things that make you happy. We’re so proud of who you are and excited to see what’s next!

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Happy 18th, Marina — what an exciting milestone!
Wishing you joy, love, and adventure as you step into adulthood.
May this year bring you confidence, laughter, and unforgettable memories.
Here’s to the amazing journey ahead — you’ve got this! 🎉💫

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

What a week it’s been, full of great food and important conversations.

We kicked things off on Tuesday with a cozy house dinner. Lasagne was on the menu, and we wrapped it up with a delicious tiramisu for dessert. There’s something about sitting around the table together, laughing and catching up, that makes the house feel even more like home.

Wednesday: Talking Empathy at Our House Meeting
On Wednesday, we continued working on our 5th Pillar: Making Safe and Responsible Choices. This week’s focus was all about empathy—specifically, the tricky but powerful idea of seeing the world through someone else’s eyes.

The Advocates team led us through a video that broke it down in a simple but meaningful way: what empathy really means, why it’s not always easy, and how it helps us grow stronger as a community. The goal was to help us not just talk about empathy, but really understand how to live it.

Tonight’s Boarding Assembly was something special. Sofiia and her friends took the stage to tell us about Maslenitsa, a beloved Russian tradition that celebrates the end of winter and the beginning of spring.

Also known as Pancake Week, Maslenitsa is full of joy—sleigh rides, singing, games, and of course, blini (thin pancakes that symbolize the sun). Sofiia and her group shared what this tradition means to them and brought a little bit of that festive spirit to all of us. It was beautiful to see culture shared with such pride and openness.

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

What a weekend!

Vale started things off with some wakeboarding and even though she’s done it before, she had an absolute blast out there. Emma followed with a calming stretching session, and Marina powered through a bodyshaping class (go Marina!).

We also kicked off our May Fitness Challenge, and it’s already bringing out everyone’s energy and team spirit. Friday’s challenge was pull-ups. Vale gave it a try and nearly got one—so close! We love seeing that determination.

On Saturday, the goal was to do as many jumping jacks as possible. With some enthusiastic encouragement from Vale and Mo, Marcela pushed through and hit 65. Such a great moment!

And today, we switched it up with a creative twist: make a TikTok. Emma and Étoile jumped in and filmed a short, funny one that had us all laughing.

Can’t wait to see what next week brings!

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

It’s been a sweet and social week around here!

On Tuesday, we kicked things off with a lovely dinner together in the house — always a nice chance to slow down and catch up midweek.

Yesterday’s highlight was the International Dinner of the Week, and this time we took a culinary trip to Russia! A big thanks to everyone who helped bring the flavors (and warmth!) of Russian cuisine to our table.

And to end the week on a sweet note, today Marcela, Marusya, and I got a bit creative in the kitchen and made an apple crumble. Served warm with a scoop of ice cream — simple, classic, and totally delicious.

Here’s to more good food and great company! 💛

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Want me to add photos or make it more formal or casual?

This weekend was a perfect mix of indulgence and activity in the house! Etoile, Emma, and I rolled up our sleeves in the kitchen and whipped up a Biscoff salted caramel cheesecake—and wow, it was a hit! The girls loved it, and it didn’t last long once word got out. There’s something special about sharing homemade treats that brings everyone together.

Meanwhile, Sofiia and Sofja had a fun outing to Luna Park in Geneva. They braved the rides and came back all smiles (and slightly sticky) after tackling some seriously giant candy floss.

Back at the house, it was a fitness-filled weekend too—Vale and Emma headed off to Pilates, Sofja squeezed in a gym session, and Marina went to bodyshaping. Balance, right?

It’s always nice to see everyone doing their thing, whether that’s getting active, relaxing, or enjoying good food. Here’s to more weekends like this one!

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande

Tuesday night was pure magic! We hit the stage for the annual boarding talent show, and let me tell you—these girls gave it everything they had. After weeks of rehearsals, endless inside jokes, and a few moments of “wait, what’s the next move again?”—they absolutely nailed it.

And the best part? We walked away with second place! But honestly, the real win was seeing their hard work, teamwork, and sheer joy come to life on stage. I couldn’t be prouder of them—not just for the performance, but for the way they supported each other through it all.

Click the link below to watch the video and relive the moment with us—you won’t want to miss it! ✨

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Watch the video and relive the moment with us—you won’t want to miss it! ✨

Lots of Love,

Aida & Yewande