Saturday, February 28, 2009

Prosit! A vortre sante! Eis Igian! Salud! CHEERS!







What a week, what a week, what a week! I can honestly say that not one time this week did I feel homesick. My awesome week started last Sunday! One of my bestest friends and sorority sister called me on MSN to announce her engagement! I was/am so excited for them! Matt and Kristin - Congrats!!!!!!
Monday was kinda boring. I went to the Austrian bank to open a bank account. Most of the day was rainy, so when I got there I was soaked to the bone!But I still looked cute! The guy at the bank that helped me, asked if I wanted to hang out with him. He was probably 23 or 24. I told him to ask me the next time I came in. lol :D Anyways....so at the bank, I had to provide proof of my residence here in Austria. I handed him the paper and he started typing some random street that I had never heard of. I was so shocked! That meant that I was registered to the wrong place. If the government found out...I would be shipped home!! So after i got my acount set up, Christine and I went back to the government place again. Only to find out that I have 2 address here. so just about everything I do, I have to re-learn how to do it. Its kinda stressfull, but at the same time its exciting. After I finally got everything straightened out, christine and I walked up and down her street for what seemed like 4 hours. We went into every shop and looked around...just killing some time and trying to stay dry. One of the places we went into was like a glorified Long John Silver. I guess it was ok...I had my first ounce and a half of coke haha the cans were sooo tiny!
On tuesday, I met my buddy, Andrea, for the first time. She met me at school and we kinda worked through my classes together. I found out that one of them had already started way back in January. I went to the class anyways and spoke with the prof and he decided to let me and 4 other international students join the class at that time. We just have to write a paper on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). ha that will be easy....(not)
I did meet Josh (from FL/CA), Vincent and Alexandre from France and Christine is in my class too!
Wednesday, I dont think, at least I dont remember doing anything....I might have stayed in bed for most of the day. I do know that I am planning a trip with Jordon to a day spa!! How awesome will that be? We found this natural hot spring place just outside of Vienna. He is going to fly down from his school somewhere in the UK for the weekend! And when we arent relaxing in the spa, I'm going to show him Vienna to the best of my ability!
Thursday was when my week really picked up! At 9AM (about 3AM for all you back in the States) I had to be awake and at BOKU for our first orientation session...and of course...I was late :D Thank goodness Christine saved me a seat! Basically, we sat in a beautiful room and listen to 2 women speak between English and German for 3 hours over the information that we had been sent a few weeks ago...kinda boring. When it was over, the tiny blonde haired girl turned around and in perfect English asked if we were from America. I thought she was a "valley girl" from California...turns out she is Canadian! Her name is Alycia! She is one of those people that is the bond between all different kinds of people. We somehow managed to find all the American students for the tour. there are 2 girls from Michigan State (Amanda and Michelle) a guy from University of Arizona (Mike) one girl from Wisconsin State (Selena) Josh is from Florida, Christine is from IN and Purdue like me, Allyson and Paul are from Cornell. Allyson is also a sister in my sorority! :D Zach is from some school in Georgia, and 2 more that i forget their names or where they are from.
But anyways we went on a tour of campus, in the rain of course. Later that night, I went out! We went to a party in the dorms where some of the kids stayed. It was really interesting to see how different things are here as opposed to purdue. Like, there are no RAs, kids can smoke and drink at the BAR in the hall!!!! There is noone controlling anything!
After the hall party, we headed to an irish pub called Charlie P's. Ummmm...I really didnt like it. It was really smoky and the DJ only played German music.
The next day, Friday, BOKU provided a tour guide for all who was interested and we hit the streets of Vienna! They took us around the inner city and told us about parts of history that even the history books don't teach!
Later that night, BOKU again provided us with an authentic Viennese dinner at a wine tavern! We got to sample all sorts of interesting dishes. I did try some of everything (except the sourcrout) and it all was DELICIOUS!!!! After the dinner, we all sat and mingled with each other. There were so many different cultures coming together. People from all over the world came to study at the same uni that I am.

All in all, this week was soo much better than last. I just needed to go out and make some friends.
I just wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful comments on Facebook and whatnot...you guys keep the smile on my face!
Until next time!!! <3

Sunday, February 22, 2009

The Imperial Palace and Ride Club







On Thursday and Friday, my week took a turn for the better. Christine and I explored the city, got lost, ate lunch at a train station and took a tour of the Imperial Palace!
In the palace, we got to see the Imperial Silver Collections, the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartment. It was soo beautiful! There was floor to ceiling fabric in brilliant red and gold colors. The Imperial silver collection had everything from precious glass, silver, and gold to hand painted porcelain that used to be used to feed guest numbering 1000+.
That night, my friend Yahya and his friends from back home took us to their favorite club called Ride Club. We had to wait out in the freezing cold, while it was snowing for about 45 min. Once inside, I felt like I had time traveled back to middle school or early high school. The DJ was playing music from Usher and Nelly. He also played some Michael Jackson...surprisingly, no one had heard the "Billy Jean" song. I about died! :D The club closed around 5AM...but dont worry, I left by around 2:30AM...but still it was soo late.

OK side note ---> One of my best friends just got engaged!!!! Congrats!!! <3>

Saturday, February 21, 2009

First Week Here

So...i have been here for about a week now. In this week, I have had very good times and very bad times. During it all, I have kept a journal of all my day to day activities. I was just going to write here and tell you about the good stuff and make it seem like everything was just dandy for me. But thats not what i went through so I will be sharing parts of my journal here as well.

February ?, 2009
So I'm not exactly sure what day it is. When I left home, it was Sunday afternoon and when I arrive in Vienna it will almost be Tuesday. Right now, I'm somewhere in between jetting through time. Time is a reality that my body now knows no concept of. I feel like the sun should be shining yet its pitch black in the cabin with all the window to the plane closed. I feel like I should be sleeping but cant. In about 4 hours, we will land in London where the time will be about 11:30 AM.I just dont know where the time is going.
As far as the flight is concerned, the IND to CHI flight was terrible. It was crowded with little personal space. The absolute worst part was the pain shooting through my ears. the cabin pressure was so bad it took almost an hour after we landed for my ears to finally pop! I was extremely worried that this overnight flight to London would be the same way. Thank goodness its not and my ears are doing just fine :D

I cant believe that i am almost in vienna. Its a surreal feeling. I cant wait to see the mountains out of the window!

But i know its going to be hard. Leaving my family was the hardest part. I was showered in hugs and kisses by Vannah and Sierra. Dad looked like those dads you see at weddings right after he gives his daughter away -proud but heart broken. now mom and grandma were a little harder. Grams didnt me to see her so upset and Mom...well I think I started crying when I said good-bye to her. It was the first of many times i would break down to tears.
I just miss home already.

February 19, 2009
So far i have survived in a foreign country for 4 days. From the begining, it was really hard for me. The first night at the hotel, all the excitment wore off and the fear settled in. As I took a shower that night, all i could think about was coming home. I tried coming up with any excuse I could to get my butt on the next flight home. After I calmed down, I found out that my hotel room didnt have internet - this set off another round of panic. Long story short-my first night in Austria was terrible.
I woke up the next morning only to find that it is pouring outside and I have to walk over a mile to get my keys and sign my contract. Today is not looking any better than yesterday...
On the way back to my hotel, I bought a cell phone and immediatly called Christine. Thank God for her because otherwise I would be writing this blog in Indy.
After I moved into my flat, another panic attack set in. This is for real now! As soon as my bags are unpacked, I cant go home. My internet didnt work at first so once again, i cried my self into a unrestful sleep.
When I woke up, the internet was working - what a relief. I was able to talk with my mom through email for a few minutes and she convinced me to go find the grocery store and get some food and try to become familar with my block.
On my out of the building, I asked this kid where the grocery store was located. His name is Yahya. He is from some island out by Saudi Arabia. Yahya ended up walking me to the grocery store and back then took me out to dinner to this little Pakastanie (sp) restauraunt. It was really neat because you dont pay for food there. You only pay for the drinks! It was really different!
The next day, Wednesday, was probably the worst day I will have here. I basically hit rock bottom. Christine and I went to school to register and get our student ID cards and meet Max, the international coordinator. While we were there, we found out that school didnt start for at least another 2 weeks! What are we suposed to do for 2 weeks? We got back early around 3:30 and the tears started. they didnt stop until around 2AM when I finally fell asleep. During that time, I was email Mom and Dad and calling them on Skype. There was nothing they could say to me that would comfort me. Everything so hopeless. I was lonely. I wanted to come home.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Before I leave

Its getting close. Six more days till I embark on what will be probabaly be the greatest experience of my life. Among my list of things to do is: everything!!!! :) I kinda started packing. I kinda started saying goodbye. I kinda know what I'm doing; and I'm kinda really excited to go!

Question of the day: should i pack it or buy it there? You tell me!?