German Course Adventures

I just got back from the university to register for my German Language course, which is a requirement of the au pair contract.

I decided to ride my bike for the first time. It started out great, because I just rode in the bike lane on the street. Then suddenly, the bike lane disappeared and I was riding right next to tram tracks. Then a tram rode RIGHT by me...I'm surprised it didn't touch my shoulder.

I immediately got off the bike and walked it on the sidewalk.

Finally, I found another bike path, and rode the rest of the way to the university. I guess I still need to work out my bike routes.

When I got to the Language Center, I had to wait about an hour just to get into the test room. After speaking shortly with the proctor, he gave me the highest level placement exam. I was pretty nervous, especially because I haven't had proper German language classes for four years now. Once I finished, the proctor corrected the exam right in front of me. I was so uncomfortable, because I felt like my grammar was pretty rusty, and I'm always pessimistic about test results.

Then the proctor said jokingly, "So, do you want to take a class or teach one?"

Whew, sigh of relief! He placed me in the highest level course. It will be a huge challenge I think, but I'm really looking forward to it. The course will meet from 5:45 - 8:15 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays from October 12 - December 15. I think it will be similar to my experience at the Goethe Institute in Munich four summers ago, and I hope to meet a lot of interesting people.

We had to write our job information on the registration sheet, so I wrote au pair/opera singer. When the proctor finished grading my exam, he asked me for my autograph. I laughed. He wasn't kidding. So I'm sitting there in the test room with about a dozen people around taking the exam, and I'm giving this guy my autograph! It was hilarious! (I mean, here I am, totally serious and nervous about this exam, and all he cares about is an autograph?! I don't even know how thoroughly he corrected my work!) He also asked me to write a special message, so I promised him tickets if I ever sing at the Staatsoper.

Man, what an experience that was.

I realize I still have to update you all on Vinzi's Name Day, but I have to go pick up the little guy from school right now, so that will have to wait. Hopefully I'll get to it later this evening!

Bis dann :)

Starting the last week in September

A Day with the Family

After blogging on Sunday, I spent the afternoon and evening with the Herkners and some of their relatives and family. I met everyone downtown after taking advantage of the empty house to do some practicing. It really is so comforting knowing that the family is happy to include me in their activities, and that I never have to feel like a "guest". At first, this was a little tough for me, but I'm starting to feel more like part of the family, and the boys have really started to warm up to me in just the past few days.

It was absolutely freezing here in Sunday, and it gets very windy in Vienna. After our little outing downtown, we all rushed to the tram station, braving the cold. I thought that Lorenz looked absolutely adorable in this hat, so I captured this cute photo of him once we got on the tram. His mother told me that he bought that hat for himself on a family vacation in Lucca, Italy. (Oh, and there's Vinzi in the back!)

Deutsches Deutsch

Every time I meet a new friend or family member of the Herkners, the conversation goes something like this (translated):

Friend: "Where did you learn to speak German?"

Me: "I lived in Germany for a year as an exchange student."

Friend (curiously): "Where in Germany?"

Me: "Right in the middle. My host family was from Hannover."

Friend (usually smirking): "OH, okay. Because you speak with an accent. A German accent."

Me (not really knowing how to respond): "Yes. I don't speak Viennese!"

It's so funny to me that I have a "German" accent here. Better than an American one, that's for sure!

Trips to School

When I first started walking Vinzenz to school and saw how fast he would weave through pedestrians on this scooter, I was a nervous wreck. He's a very agile little boy, and there is a brake on the back of the scooter, but I had to explain to him that he can't ride as fast when I'm walking with him. He listened right away (to my surprise), and now he just does a couple of tricks to show off (see middle photo), and always waits for me if I can't keep up. Actually, I have to admit: sometimes I ride his scooter on the way back to the house by myself. It really IS fun! ;)

A New Friend from the Dear Friends!

Several years ago, my dad was part of a vocal/instrumental ensemble in Pittsburgh called the Dear Friends, specializing in 19th Century folk and parlor music. The group was named for Pittsburgh composer, Stephen Foster, who died at the age of 37 with a note on a scrap of paper in his pocket that read, "dear friends and gentle hearts". My dad has kept in touch with his colleagues from the group, and when I found out I was going to Vienna, the Dear Friends flutist told us that her grandson, Kornel, is studying conducting at the music conservatory here. I emailed him this weekend, and we met last night for Italian food. Not only was Italian such a welcoming change from the Austrian cuisine, but meeting Kornel was so much fun, and it was so refreshing spending time with someone my own age, who is also pursuing a career in music in Vienna. I look forward to developing a friendship with him over here. It really is such a small world! The picture below of Kornel and me was taken in the restaurant, and in the background you can see little pots of different herbs. Customers are welcome to take their own pot to add basil, rosemary, or cilantro to their dish. I thought this was such a cute idea!

Tonight, we'll be celebrating Vinzi's Name Day. I really don't know what this means, so I'll be sure to let you all know tomorrow!

A New Look

I was playing around with the template designs on Blogger this morning, and decided to go with this one. I like it because it's clean and simple. Knowing me, though, I'll probably be sick of it in a week or two and change it again! I'll be writing a real post later today, so...until then!

Where did this last week go?

I can't believe it's already Sunday, and my last entry was this past Wednesday! I suppose it's a good thing that time is starting to go so quickly, as it means I'm starting to make myself busy over here.

Since I wrote last, I had another coaching at the Staatsoper with David, saw yet another opera, and started a second job. My coaching on Thursday went well, but I was pretty tired by the end, because we coached five arias very thoroughly in one hour! I'm hoping to schedule a recording session within the next few weeks so that I can have a demo recording to send to opera companies and agents throughout Europe. I think we're going to try to put down six arias, so this should give me plenty to choose from to present on the final recording.

On Friday, I traveled to the 22nd district of Vienna (I live in the 18th) to "interview" for a second job with another family. This couple has a four-year-old daughter, Emilia, who they are hoping to send to a bilingual school next year. Therefore, they really want her to have a good grasp of the English language before starting school. They've hired me to spend several hours a week with her, just playing and speaking English. The parents, Silvia and Michael (Michi) have requested that I only speak English with them, as well, so that Emilia doesn't realize that I actually speak German. Although this family lives rather far (about 45-50 minutes), I think it will definitely be worth it. They live in a much quieter part of Vienna, and have a beautiful, bright, spacious home. It will just be nice to have the change of pace for me. Also, Emilia is the ultimate girly girl (I've never seen so many fairy princess castles or Polly Pockets in my life), so it's quite a change from my life with the three boys in the 18th District! I met with Emilia again on Saturday for a few hours. I think it's going to take her a little while to warm up to me, but she's already starting to communicate with me a bit in English, and I think we'll get along just fine, once she's more comfortable.

On Friday evening, Jay and I went to the Volksoper to see Puccini's TOSCA. The Volksoper is just a five minute walk from the Herkner's apartment, and when I found out that standing tickets were only 2 Euro a piece, I had no excuse not to check it out! Jay and I got there right as the curtain came up, and somehow accidentally found ourselves in box seats! We were both so excited...until they started singing...in German. Puccini in German just doesn't seem to work.From what I've gathered after seeing Tosca, the Volksoper is better known for their Musicals and Operettas. "Volksoper" means, afterall, "Opera of the People", so it makes complete sense that they would do all of their productions in the language of the folk.

Well, Jay and I didn't stay for all of Tosca.

Instead, we went to Jay's favorite café, Café Berg, where I had an ORIGINAL Budweiser Beer, brewed in the Czech Republic. Much better than the Budweiser we know!

On Saturday, Jay and I met again to go to the Naschmarkt downtown. The Naschmarkt is a huge market in Vienna, with tons of different ethnic food stands and little restaurants. Every Saturday, the Naschmarkt has a flea market, so Jay and I had fun doing a bit of browsing. We were so overwhelmed by the amount of beautiful scarves...and anyone who knows me knows that I'm a bit of a scarf addict!

Sundays in Vienna are generally very quiet (all stores are closed, no exceptions), so I'm looking forward to a relaxing day at home. I'm going to the Visa office tomorrow to get everything approved for my work Visa, so cross your fingers that they don't deport me!

Just kidding...I hope! ;)

Catching up since last week...

A Visit from an Old Friend & a Trip to Schönbrunn

When I sang with the Robert Page Festival singers in Budapest and Vienna two summers ago, I befriended our tour guide, Ondra. Ondra is from the Czech Republic, and at the end of our tour in 2008, he gave me his card and told me that if I ever came back to Europe, I should contact him. Well, two years later, I still had his card in my wallet, and I gave him a call. It just so happened that he was in Vienna this past weekend with a tour group! It was so nice to see a familiar face after spending so much time on my own over the past two weeks. On Saturday, Ondra and I went to Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer home of the royal family Habsburg. The grounds are just gorgeous (as you can see from the photos), and they are free and open to the public. Schönbrunn is also the home of the world's oldest zoo! It's so amazing to see people reading in the grass or going for a jog in such a remarkable environment. I'm so looking forward to Christmastime, when Schönbrunn sets up their Christmas market. Take a look here!

Another Exciting Night at the Opera

On Sunday, I met Ondra again for tea in the afternoon, and then we said our farewells in front of the opera house before my coaching with David. I had my second coaching that evening, which went very well. Afterwards, David asked me if I'd be interested in seeing some of La Bohème again. Of course I was! So, after my coaching, David had to run to rehearse with the principals. In the meantime, I went down to the Opera House Kantine for a quick bite to eat. It was exciting to sit and observe everyone around me in the Cafe, knowing that they were all somehow associated with the Staatsoper. After his rehearsal, David came down to get me. At this point, I still didn't really know what was happening, as it was all pretty hectic before the start of the performance. Finally, David led me down a narrow hallway, and just said, "Ok, open that door", so I did, and there I was: in the wing of the Staatsoper stage, right next to the orchestra pit. I watched the first act of the opera there by myself. It was thrilling! I loved seeing the artists' faces so closely - though I have to say that the poor tenor looked like he was about to jump off a bridge before his high C in "Che gelida manina"! Other than the Mimì and Schaunard, it was an entirely different cast from the performance I saw in the standing seats, so of course it was interesting hearing new voices in the house. I was so inspired by Mimì's performance, and she barely finished her aria when a chorus of "Brava"s came from the audience. It gave me chills!

A Night Walk along the Danube and "Flashdance" auf Deutsch!

On Monday, Jay and I met in front of the opera house and walked to his apartment along the Danube. It was a bit chilly, but a beautiful walk nonetheless. I tried to get the gorgeous view in the photo above behind us, but it was tough to capture on camera. Jay is being hosted by a bachelor who lives in a gorgeous 100 year old apartment building in the city. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to meet him, but I DID get to take a picture of this hilarious toilet! Also, in Austria, the toilet is in a separate room from the rest of the bathroom (i.e. sink, bathtub, shower). Just another interesting cultural difference. Jay's host has a projector for watching movies, and for some reason he owns "Flashdance" in German, so that's how we spent our Monday evening!

And finally, a night with Cecilia Bartoli

Last night, Jay and I went to the Theater an der Wien, another opera house just a short walk from the Staatsoper, to get standing room tickets for Handel's Semele. I hadn't even heard of this company, but there are some big names performing there this season, beginning with Cecilia Bartoli. (Check out the season here.) It's almost overwhelming, how many opportunities I have to see incredible musical performances in Vienna. I feel so lucky!

Unfortunately, Jay and I seem to have bad luck with standing room. The space was very limited in the theater, as it's much smaller than the Staatsoper. We were fortunate to stand next to a lovely older couple, who let us share their space. It was still fairly difficult to see, especially when the performers were upstage. I must say that I wasn't so impressed with Ms. Bartoli. She was very difficult to hear, and her diction was...well...let's just say it didn't seem to matter to her what language she was singing in! It was still exciting to see an international opera star in such a close space, though. And for only seven Euro, I can't complain!

Whew, well that's what I've been up to these past few days. The weather here is gorgeous this week, sunny and 70 every day, so I'm going to take full advantage and maybe even venture out on my bike!

Will be writing again soon!

Amanda

A Quick Hello!

Hi everyone!

I have a lot to catch up on after an eventful weekend, but unfortunately I probably won't have time to post everything until tomorrow. I was planning on posting lots of pictures and stories this afternoon, but I just heard that Cecilia Bartoli is singing in the city, so I'm headed down there now (3:30PM) to try to snag a cheap ticket!

I've attached a "teaser photo" of me on the grounds of the famous summer home of the imperial family called Schönbrunn.

More on that trip to come!

Schulgasse 13

This is where I live! The Herkners own this entire building, which is broken up into about five apartments. The house was built in 1898, and Harald was born here. He and his two siblings (one sister, married with three children, and one brother) still live in the building. The location is just perfect: walking distance to school for all three boys, and a block from public transportation. Also, the Volksoper, a smaller opera company in Austria, is just down the street! It only takes me about 15 minutes to get to the city center by tram and subway.

Here's our street, Schulgasse. You can see our building on the left, to the right of the pink house.

This is the Market, called Kutschgermarkt, which is just around the corner from the house. They open at about 8 every morning, and Vinzi and I walk through the market to get to school, so I usually say hello to the vendors about four times a day!

A new discovery...

A friend of mine who spent some time in this area told me that I had to visit a park called the Türkenschanzpark. The weather in Vienna was just gorgeous yesterday, so I thought it would be the perfect day to sit in the park. It was about a mile long walk to get there, through a beautiful, quiet neighborhood. The park is truly breathtaking, and a great place to just sit and think, write, read, meditate, whatever! I think I'll be spending a lot of time in the Türkenshanzpark. Enjoy the photos below!

In other news...

I had a coaching with an assistant conductor and vocal coach from the Staatsoper on Tuesday. His name is David Aronson, and he's good friends with Arthur Fagen, a professor of orchestral conducting and opera conductor from IU. The coaching went very well, and he had encouraging things to say. I look forward to working with David this year, and hope that our relationship leads to some opportunities in Europe.

Fingers crossed...or, "hold the thumbs" as the Austrians do!

Sailing on Saturday, and Sunday in the City

On our way to the New Danube to sail! From left: Wendelin (Lolo's friend), Lolo, Irmgard, Felix, and Irmgard's mother (Großmutti).

Harald and Vinzenz were very excited to go sailing.

Hallo, Vinzi!

Every child in Austria rides a scooter!

The New Danube river.

Lolo and Wendelin shared a boat, and Felix got to sail on his own.

Harald, Irmgard, Vinzi, Großmutti, and I sailed together in this boat.

An entertaining puppeteer in the city.

Stephansdom

This is where Mozart was married and where his funeral was held.

This is also where I performed with the Robert Page Festival Singers in the Summer of 2008.

I can't believe I've already been here for a week! I'm happy to say that it's been quite a smooth transition, moving in with the Herkners and integrating into the Austrian culture thus far. The Herkners have been so kind to include me in their weekend excursions, and it's so much fun being around such an active family. (In fact, they don't even have a T.V. in the house!) On Saturday night, I went to a concert with Harald and Irmgard. I had no idea what to expect, and as it turns out, it was a legitimate rock concert, beat-boxing and all! Needless to say, although Harald and Irmgard work very long, stressful hours, they still set aside time for themselves and know how to have a good time.

On Sunday, I went into the city and sat at an outdoor café for a few hours. It's always entertaining people-watching, and listening to all of the different languages around me. So far, it's mostly English and German that I hear. I'm also noticing that the Viennese love to stare, and don't seem to know how to smile. Irmgard and Harald warned me about this -- it's just a cultural thing, and doesn't mean that they're unfriendly people, but it's something that I have to get used to!

That's all for now. More pictures and updates to come!

The Opera

The view of the Opera House on the way to the subway station

The screen on the side of the Opera House, showing the live performance (you can see Rodolfo and Mimì!)

The audience outside

Jay & me

Here is the Vienna Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper). Two nights ago, I saw La Bohème. My friend from IU, Jay, is studying abroad in Vienna this semester, so we met up at about 4:30 to get in line for standing room tickets, which only cost 3 Euro! Here's how the system of the standing room seats, or Stehplätze, works: The box office for the Stehplätze opens at 5.30PM, but people start getting in line sometime in the early afternoon, because there are only so many tickets available. Once you've bought your ticket, you must go up to the standing room immediately, to secure a spot for the evening's performance. You reserve your place by wrapping or tying a scarf around the rail directly in front of your spot. Then, you can go and have a coffee, and come back just a bit before the opera begins. Jay and I, however, were the typical Americans who just assumed that we could waltz right in ten minutes before the performance and have a place waiting for us. Well, we quickly learned that this is not how things work in Vienna. Fortunately, we were able to watch Act I outside on a huge screen that is mounted on the side of the opera house (see photo). It was actually so interesting watching the opera outside, and observing all of the passersby. Also, it was exciting to see so much enthusiasm for opera; not only was the house completely sold out, but there were a few hundred people watching outside, too!

Luckily a kind little Viennese usher found us great standing room spots after intermission, way at the top, dead center. It was so interesting hearing the singers live in the house after watching them on the big screen. It was a very strong cast, both singing and acting-wise. I went back to the opera last night to watch Die Zauberflöte outside, and there was an even larger audience for this one...I think the Viennese have a thing for Mozart. :) It was so thrilling walking up from the subway station to hear "Dies Bildnis" echoing through the streets of Vienna, with people of ALL ages completely engrossed in the opera.

Meet the Herkners

For the next year, I'll be living with the Herkner family, working as their au pair. The parents are Irmgard and Harald. Irmgard is a lung specialist, and Harald an ER doctor...AND they're raising three very active boys!

Introducing (top photo, from left to right):

Vinzenz (Vinz, or Vinzi), 6

Laurence (Lolo), 11

Felix, 13

The next two pictures are of Vinzenz, on the way to school, and then climbing up the doorway of course!

Laurence is in the bottom photo.

We're following the Austrian Au Pair contract, which allows up to twenty hours of work per week. My morning schedule includes: setting the table for breakfast, preparing snacks for the boys, and walking the youngest, Vinzenz, to first grade at around 7:30. I have the rest of the morning to myself until I go back to pick up Vinzenz at noon, then we come home and I cook lunch for the boys. Lolo and Felix usually come home around 2, which is when we all sit down and have lunch together. Irmgard comes home at three. So, that's it! I think it's going to be a pretty great gig!

I'm getting along really well with all three of the boys so far. I mostly speak English with them, and they speak extremely well. In fact, Felix and Laurence prefer to speak in English with me. Even little Vinz can get by, though I think he still prefers to speak in German. He'll often mix the two languages and say a German word with an American accent, which I think is so cute! Today, I helped Laurence and Felix with their English homework, and then I taught them some tongue-twisters. "Red leather yellow leather" was the toughest for them, I think!

Greetings from Vienna!

Hello everyone! Well, I made it. I'm here in Vienna, beginning this new chapter of life after a whole lot of school. The last few weeks prior to my departure were so surreal, and just a whirlwind. I said my goodbyes in Bloomington, and then spent a few days with my family in Pittsburgh, packing for my trip. It took me about four days just to pack, trying to figure out how to bring just the bare minimum (but of course, after all that, I still feel like I brought too much!). The night before I left, my family and I had a nice, relaxing dinner at home. I took this picture at my "farewell dinner". In this photo: my dad, my mom, my brother, his new dog (!) Louie, my brother's girlfriend Jaime, and me. I left Pittsburgh the following day (Sunday), and after quite a long journey, made it to Vienna at about 12:30PM on Monday afternoon.

I was a bit nervous about finding my new Viennese family at the airport, since we only Skyped once and we never exchanged photos. After retrieving my luggage, however, I walked out and immediately noticed three blonde boys sitting in a row. I knew it had to be the Herkners! Sure enough, their mother came right over to greet me. I was so relieved to find them so quickly!