tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-666770374671277182024-02-08T20:23:50.729+01:00ViennaMy journey as a singing au pair in Vienna, Austria.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-76101789233046511142011-05-09T12:20:00.000+02:002011-05-09T12:20:00.473+02:00April in PhotosWould you believe that I only have eleven more days left in Vienna? Once I booked my ticket for May 20th, I decided to cram everything into these last few weeks that I've been wanting to do since September. Most importantly, I wanted to find some way to visit friends in Germany before heading back to the States. <br />
<br />
A few days before Easter Break, I decided to take a trip to some of my favorite places to visit people who made such an impact on me over the past ten years. But, before I get into all of that, here are photos from a hike I took with my friend, Patrick, at the beginning of April. I think I've already mentioned Patrick, but this may be his first appearance in the blog! Patrick is an American singer who came to Vienna on a Fulbright Scholarship. He's now studying voice performance at the university here, and we've had such a fun year together. It's been so nice having a fellow American who I can completely relate to.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3JpzS_ROj0/Tcedv_hZyRI/AAAAAAAAAlo/xkPJCviMEOY/s1600/DSCN1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v3JpzS_ROj0/Tcedv_hZyRI/AAAAAAAAAlo/xkPJCviMEOY/s640/DSCN1603.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A delicious wine spritzer to kick off the hike!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97TsFjbEC-Y/Tced4CuHI6I/AAAAAAAAAls/-so4GSOdLek/s1600/DSCN1607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-97TsFjbEC-Y/Tced4CuHI6I/AAAAAAAAAls/-so4GSOdLek/s640/DSCN1607.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Danube.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFVf82S6ltE/Tced_PQoDKI/AAAAAAAAAlw/WrTUzilJpdg/s1600/DSCN1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iFVf82S6ltE/Tced_PQoDKI/AAAAAAAAAlw/WrTUzilJpdg/s640/DSCN1608.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Patrick!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Yrpp9zVVVQ/TceeF5z5jXI/AAAAAAAAAl0/zZzXLwaI_hk/s1600/DSCN1609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Yrpp9zVVVQ/TceeF5z5jXI/AAAAAAAAAl0/zZzXLwaI_hk/s640/DSCN1609.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cf5dJBDVURk/TceeM7KjN1I/AAAAAAAAAl4/SV5kmI2DB1Y/s1600/DSCN1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cf5dJBDVURk/TceeM7KjN1I/AAAAAAAAAl4/SV5kmI2DB1Y/s640/DSCN1614.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We stopped for dinner at this great outdoor restaurant at the top of the mountain. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88lRN-By7Y8/TceeZnEnd7I/AAAAAAAAAl8/FKw6bo38b-8/s1600/DSCN1615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-88lRN-By7Y8/TceeZnEnd7I/AAAAAAAAAl8/FKw6bo38b-8/s640/DSCN1615.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We hiked all the way to Lower Austria!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The first day of my 10 day Easter vacation, I took the train to Graz, Austria. I lived in Graz during the summer of 2006 when I participated in the American Institute of Musical Studies. I took part in an Audition Seminar class taught by American soprano <a href="http://www.andrea-huber.com/">Andrea Huber</a>. I was so inspired by her energy and enthusiasm for performing, and coached with her privately as much as possible during that summer. I recently discovered that Ms. Huber is the new Artistic Director of AIMS, and is living in Graz. I emailed her a few months ago to set up a coaching and visit, and it just so happened that she was available at the perfect time. It was so wonderful to see her again, and to sing for her. She was very encouraging, and assured me that I'm still on the right track, which was something I needed to hear! I loved going back to Graz. To me, the people seem much friendlier and warmer than in Vienna, and it's just such a gem of a city. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTDF0R_ifgc/TcegDL1hC0I/AAAAAAAAAmA/90y0Lb6bRxM/s1600/DSCN1637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uTDF0R_ifgc/TcegDL1hC0I/AAAAAAAAAmA/90y0Lb6bRxM/s640/DSCN1637.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Breakfast with the beautiful Andrea Huber. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">From Graz, I took the train to Salzburg to meet up with Irmgard's family for a few days. The weather was just perfect the whole week, which was a very pleasant surprise. It was nice to finally experience Salzburg in sunny, warm weather.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CN6WnlONPf0/Tceg8z13lLI/AAAAAAAAAmE/x2nbUCMV5q4/s1600/DSCN1638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CN6WnlONPf0/Tceg8z13lLI/AAAAAAAAAmE/x2nbUCMV5q4/s640/DSCN1638.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I took this picture at a stop on my way from Graz to Salzburg.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0WIDj3V8rI/TcehA0j-TaI/AAAAAAAAAmI/yRKEO4pLbos/s1600/HPIM1497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T0WIDj3V8rI/TcehA0j-TaI/AAAAAAAAAmI/yRKEO4pLbos/s640/HPIM1497.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I took this picture at a stop on my way from Graz to Munich in 2006. Same mountain? Yes. Same stop? Yes. Did I do this on purpose? Absolutely not! But after I took the photo, I looked at my camera and thought it looked so familiar. Then, I went into my iPhoto library and found this photo from 2006. I asked Harald and Irmgard, and they confirmed that this is the same mountain in the background, which means it must have been the same train station. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C4w9c_q6BG0/TcehH5dE-nI/AAAAAAAAAmM/_ZhBpNzFHaA/s1600/DSCN1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C4w9c_q6BG0/TcehH5dE-nI/AAAAAAAAAmM/_ZhBpNzFHaA/s640/DSCN1639.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here I am! I met so many interesting people, traveling on my own. The woman who took this picture was Russian, lived in Vermont for several years, then met a German man and moved to Munich. I wasn't sure <i>what</i> language to speak with her!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mwv1o5ADCkM/TcehPJ6ENlI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/cZYhfKVEzTI/s1600/DSCN1645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mwv1o5ADCkM/TcehPJ6ENlI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/cZYhfKVEzTI/s640/DSCN1645.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The family in Salzburg.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dyUgHVI7x8s/TcehWlhX2vI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4cV1uncOF6Q/s1600/DSCN1662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dyUgHVI7x8s/TcehWlhX2vI/AAAAAAAAAmU/4cV1uncOF6Q/s640/DSCN1662.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mozart was born here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kO7Dq6iDMzM/TcehdjkGDzI/AAAAAAAAAmY/UOqsg9m36wE/s1600/DSCN1663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kO7Dq6iDMzM/TcehdjkGDzI/AAAAAAAAAmY/UOqsg9m36wE/s640/DSCN1663.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6D2SZdhbLp4/TcehkY3DYoI/AAAAAAAAAmc/m8qdDGd9bT8/s1600/DSCN1670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6D2SZdhbLp4/TcehkY3DYoI/AAAAAAAAAmc/m8qdDGd9bT8/s640/DSCN1670.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> The biggest Mozart Ball in Salzburg. Unfortunately it isn't filled with chocolate and marzipan.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9cNSb1VRx0/TcehrmPspTI/AAAAAAAAAmg/TNuwgUct3Ao/s1600/DSCN1677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9cNSb1VRx0/TcehrmPspTI/AAAAAAAAAmg/TNuwgUct3Ao/s640/DSCN1677.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I love this photo of Vinzi.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aVIvkO3ML74/TcehzZbvN0I/AAAAAAAAAmk/svYeUydUUHA/s1600/DSCN1682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aVIvkO3ML74/TcehzZbvN0I/AAAAAAAAAmk/svYeUydUUHA/s640/DSCN1682.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lolo </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UlmMk1GRrYI/Tceh6reFdBI/AAAAAAAAAmo/dREP_XciC4o/s1600/DSCN1684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UlmMk1GRrYI/Tceh6reFdBI/AAAAAAAAAmo/dREP_XciC4o/s640/DSCN1684.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Felix</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JvlMhb-UsKQ/TceiBlbuF_I/AAAAAAAAAms/svmMfkxliXU/s1600/DSCN1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JvlMhb-UsKQ/TceiBlbuF_I/AAAAAAAAAms/svmMfkxliXU/s640/DSCN1688.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cousin Jonas</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OX46soJv0p4/TceiITMviII/AAAAAAAAAmw/zkWGjXo-lz8/s1600/DSCN1690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OX46soJv0p4/TceiITMviII/AAAAAAAAAmw/zkWGjXo-lz8/s640/DSCN1690.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9u8Tw0lee7o/TceiPRV0yrI/AAAAAAAAAm0/DYBLyf3wRoA/s1600/DSCN1696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9u8Tw0lee7o/TceiPRV0yrI/AAAAAAAAAm0/DYBLyf3wRoA/s640/DSCN1696.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-8Iwlvrw_c/TceiWIjBICI/AAAAAAAAAm4/Su6VyPaF9Vg/s1600/DSCN1702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-8Iwlvrw_c/TceiWIjBICI/AAAAAAAAAm4/Su6VyPaF9Vg/s640/DSCN1702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Lolo, Jonas, Lukas (probably the tallest 12 year old in Austria), Vinzi, and Felix</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzvLtsImJEA/Tceicwo1cSI/AAAAAAAAAm8/MQFKH5nCkec/s1600/DSCN1709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzvLtsImJEA/Tceicwo1cSI/AAAAAAAAAm8/MQFKH5nCkec/s640/DSCN1709.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>After a few relaxing days in Salzburg, I packed up again and caught the train to Munich. In Munich, I visited an exchange student, Amira, who my family hosted in September, 2001 (yes, she was living with us on 9/11) and then I stayed with her for three weeks in Munich in March of 2002. We hadn't seen each other in 9 years! It was so nice to see her, her mom and sister again. It also amazes me that so much time can go by, and yet it really feels like you pick right up where you left off. I'm so grateful to have all of these great friends all around the world!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6khQbQMw_RA/TcelqK4R1iI/AAAAAAAAAnA/o5pi1BJPlqQ/s1600/DSCN1723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6khQbQMw_RA/TcelqK4R1iI/AAAAAAAAAnA/o5pi1BJPlqQ/s640/DSCN1723.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Amira & Me, reunited after 9 years!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rY-rdHfbjOY/Tcelxbh0hbI/AAAAAAAAAnE/pWmMqzG87hg/s1600/DSCN1719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rY-rdHfbjOY/Tcelxbh0hbI/AAAAAAAAAnE/pWmMqzG87hg/s640/DSCN1719.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Girls' night out with delicious cocktails </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-QXhWFfhqM/Tcel4XzZH1I/AAAAAAAAAnI/X9aITvjAjCg/s1600/DSCN1728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-QXhWFfhqM/Tcel4XzZH1I/AAAAAAAAAnI/X9aITvjAjCg/s640/DSCN1728.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My Augustiner Biergarten advertisement. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> Augustiner beer is still my favorite. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmcZSWtgDHg/Tcel_jCg2QI/AAAAAAAAAnM/7hykGsiAIkI/s1600/DSCN1735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmcZSWtgDHg/Tcel_jCg2QI/AAAAAAAAAnM/7hykGsiAIkI/s640/DSCN1735.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Delicious jumbo soft pretzels. A perfect pairing with an Augustiner. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">After 24 hours in Munich, I hopped back on the train and headed to Zwickau, Germany, a tiny town in former East Germany. There, I visited friends from Indiana University, Josh and Megan. Josh sings with the Opera House in Zwickau, and Megan, his girlfriend and also an incredibly talented singer, recently moved over as well. Megan is teaching English and very quickly learning the German language. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLWKv2XQa0o/Tcen2Zq9EoI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/iNPYwyZVtWk/s1600/DSCN1742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FLWKv2XQa0o/Tcen2Zq9EoI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/iNPYwyZVtWk/s640/DSCN1742.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What a cute couple. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eC07oW5DsZQ/Tcen9iLwwtI/AAAAAAAAAnU/1XwsyQjQDkU/s1600/DSCN1744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eC07oW5DsZQ/Tcen9iLwwtI/AAAAAAAAAnU/1XwsyQjQDkU/s640/DSCN1744.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The opera house is the red timber-framed building in the background.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-217MoD3MZoY/TceoGYIXqFI/AAAAAAAAAnY/bYqzHcj2tvs/s1600/DSCN1745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-217MoD3MZoY/TceoGYIXqFI/AAAAAAAAAnY/bYqzHcj2tvs/s640/DSCN1745.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">At the Easter Market</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4lTDlzOhCo/TceoOJcoB-I/AAAAAAAAAnc/KwDAnB8Izes/s1600/DSCN1746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4lTDlzOhCo/TceoOJcoB-I/AAAAAAAAAnc/KwDAnB8Izes/s640/DSCN1746.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And Robert Schumann was born HERE!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6TzMVGXLqhA/TceoWxOaZzI/AAAAAAAAAng/yECME_rsXwQ/s1600/DSCN1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6TzMVGXLqhA/TceoWxOaZzI/AAAAAAAAAng/yECME_rsXwQ/s640/DSCN1748.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I matched the brewery.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vyI2YIbfI4/TceogEGBHeI/AAAAAAAAAnk/6GoH_2Ocisk/s1600/DSCN1749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3vyI2YIbfI4/TceogEGBHeI/AAAAAAAAAnk/6GoH_2Ocisk/s640/DSCN1749.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Zwickau Church. (Can you see tiny little Megan?)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Josh sings here as well, and he was actually getting ready for a performance of the Evangelist in Bach's St. John Passion while I was there. Also, Mary Ann Hart, Chair of the Voice Department at IU, performed in this church several years ago, and won a Schumann Lied competition here! Small, small world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNTON0xmYak/Tceon05_JuI/AAAAAAAAAno/X0GERgCWer4/s1600/DSCN1752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNTON0xmYak/Tceon05_JuI/AAAAAAAAAno/X0GERgCWer4/s640/DSCN1752.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Megan and I took advantage of the gorgeous weather and took a walk around the swan pond. Zwickau is much more beautiful than people think! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r3KQKdD2KBE/Tceo1FdOu7I/AAAAAAAAAns/rOOpzRDR3SQ/s1600/DSCN1761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r3KQKdD2KBE/Tceo1FdOu7I/AAAAAAAAAns/rOOpzRDR3SQ/s640/DSCN1761.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLLvYiSIkTY/TcepE5HDWWI/AAAAAAAAAn0/oewWqEiy24U/s1600/DSCN1763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLLvYiSIkTY/TcepE5HDWWI/AAAAAAAAAn0/oewWqEiy24U/s640/DSCN1763.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey, Schumann. I like your lieder.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> After two days in Zwickau, I traveled halfway across Germany to visit my German host family in the tiny village of Neuseesen. I lived with the Rebens for a year when I was 15 years old. It was one of the most incredible times in my life, and I can honestly say that I wouldn't be sitting here in Vienna if it weren't for this experience. I became fluent in German during that year, and learned and grew so much. Looking back, I cannot believe I was only fifteen! It was so surreal being back; the smells, the sounds, the people, nothing has changed! Everyone in the village remembered me, and I still felt like part of the family. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iS9FfgY3hmw/TcesHPEQsoI/AAAAAAAAAoc/zfI8-fe6pUI/s1600/DSCN1766.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iS9FfgY3hmw/TcesHPEQsoI/AAAAAAAAAoc/zfI8-fe6pUI/s640/DSCN1766.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I dyed Easter eggs with my host sisters, Frauke (left) and Lena. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T3nxLuAr3Ws/TcerIzdc_YI/AAAAAAAAAn4/ZpM_3-R1uZs/s1600/DSCN1768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T3nxLuAr3Ws/TcerIzdc_YI/AAAAAAAAAn4/ZpM_3-R1uZs/s640/DSCN1768.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Because my trip was so last-minute, no one other than the Rebens knew I was coming. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I lived here as an exchange student, I joined a church choir with other people from the village. I was the youngest person in the choir then, but these people were so warm and welcoming, and also felt like family to me. During my visit, I took a walk down the street to see if they were home, and they happened to be sitting out in their garden. I think it took them a moment to recognize me, but I'm pretty sure I'm the only Amanda they know. And, well, I haven't really changed much since I was 15! (This is not my jacket.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCNp4u3XUQQ/TcerPoKc3-I/AAAAAAAAAn8/rVefEBRZ-6Q/s1600/DSCN1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCNp4u3XUQQ/TcerPoKc3-I/AAAAAAAAAn8/rVefEBRZ-6Q/s640/DSCN1769.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Easter Saturday Breakfast.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-baVOhLLknO8/TcerWibZEWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/DC1VeB2NBLE/s1600/DSCN1770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-baVOhLLknO8/TcerWibZEWI/AAAAAAAAAoA/DC1VeB2NBLE/s640/DSCN1770.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our beautiful eggs!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pTVO2LZhJfk/Tcerdc1G9BI/AAAAAAAAAoE/3DHeIvrO_-4/s1600/DSCN1779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pTVO2LZhJfk/Tcerdc1G9BI/AAAAAAAAAoE/3DHeIvrO_-4/s640/DSCN1779.JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's tradition in Germany and Austria to have an Easter Bonfire the night before Easter. I wasn't able to stay for the fire, but I was at least there for the preparation and had the opportunity say hello to all of the farmers in Neuseesen! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRkcBDyak0c/TcerkQ0-49I/AAAAAAAAAoI/IaA59e-j_rA/s1600/DSCN1782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RRkcBDyak0c/TcerkQ0-49I/AAAAAAAAAoI/IaA59e-j_rA/s640/DSCN1782.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The German way: beer before noon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbtyQXnNfus/TcersCVtguI/AAAAAAAAAoM/LP6ialNc1GU/s1600/DSCN1785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XbtyQXnNfus/TcersCVtguI/AAAAAAAAAoM/LP6ialNc1GU/s640/DSCN1785.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sister photos... </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-35nhTDl-9hI/Tcery7f7jdI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/f0oiu8iJksA/s1600/DSCN1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-35nhTDl-9hI/Tcery7f7jdI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/f0oiu8iJksA/s640/DSCN1788.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33jERjkKwrc/Tcer54EJMMI/AAAAAAAAAoU/tUi3xCoEVYM/s1600/DSCN1789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33jERjkKwrc/Tcer54EJMMI/AAAAAAAAAoU/tUi3xCoEVYM/s640/DSCN1789.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKzbpQep66E/TcesAq0lfPI/AAAAAAAAAoY/5jzUjLyDUMc/s1600/DSCN1791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AKzbpQep66E/TcesAq0lfPI/AAAAAAAAAoY/5jzUjLyDUMc/s640/DSCN1791.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And here we are! Ten years later!</div><div style="text-align: center;">From left: Bernd, Frauke, Me, Lena, Ingrid.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately my visit with the Rebens was also a 24-hour whirlwind trip. Again, though, it's so nice to know that years can go by, but you still feel at home with people with whom you formed such strong bonds. The Rebens will always feel like my second family, and I'm so thankful for all that they've given me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">On the Saturday afternoon before Easter, I started my long journey from Neuseesen to Upper Austria, to spend the holiday with the Herkners. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pc6C6e6ZK6Q/Tcex9hYTTCI/AAAAAAAAAog/D134yRMAJdo/s1600/DSCN1802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pc6C6e6ZK6Q/Tcex9hYTTCI/AAAAAAAAAog/D134yRMAJdo/s640/DSCN1802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Searching for Easter eggs and chocolate!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mg7LUKCRPs/TceyHeqisfI/AAAAAAAAAok/x7v2fwkGbbM/s1600/DSCN1803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mg7LUKCRPs/TceyHeqisfI/AAAAAAAAAok/x7v2fwkGbbM/s640/DSCN1803.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71FK680O0mU/TceyQtayBeI/AAAAAAAAAoo/kJW03hrUdHw/s1600/DSCN1805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-71FK680O0mU/TceyQtayBeI/AAAAAAAAAoo/kJW03hrUdHw/s640/DSCN1805.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think they were satisfied.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2QHydrxRL0/TceyXCiVAlI/AAAAAAAAAos/HHlKbUtIqWU/s1600/DSCN1809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O2QHydrxRL0/TceyXCiVAlI/AAAAAAAAAos/HHlKbUtIqWU/s640/DSCN1809.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">As a going away/birthday present, the Herkners surprised me with a trip to a Dirndl shop. It was such a thoughtful gift, and I'm so excited to have my very own dirndl! I don't know if you remember, but I made a bet with Harald's father that, if I sang an Inviertl Landla Lied, he'd give me a bottle of champagne. Well, Harald wrote out the dialect for me and I transcribed the yodeling from a CD. I memorized it and sang it in the Dirndl dress for guests on Easter. Unfortunately, Harald's father was in the hospital, so I insisted that we take a trip to visit him, and I sang it in the hospital lounge for him and anyone else who may have been listening! I now have a great big bottle of champagne that I'll open on my last evening in Vienna. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KEgYP9noeHk/TceydstCssI/AAAAAAAAAow/AC8ZkrEhZ7E/s1600/DSCN1813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KEgYP9noeHk/TceydstCssI/AAAAAAAAAow/AC8ZkrEhZ7E/s640/DSCN1813.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Harald's mom wore her Dirndl on Easter, too! (I didn't keep the shoes.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nny0Bpg0Ic/TceymnrWjXI/AAAAAAAAAo0/l7AU3iL1sj8/s1600/DSCN1814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1nny0Bpg0Ic/TceymnrWjXI/AAAAAAAAAo0/l7AU3iL1sj8/s640/DSCN1814.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Highlights form my Dirndl Photo Shoot...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lH7ZclrwW9E/TceyxdK3iHI/AAAAAAAAAo4/DEGMghbBKu0/s1600/DSCN1816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lH7ZclrwW9E/TceyxdK3iHI/AAAAAAAAAo4/DEGMghbBKu0/s640/DSCN1816.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd408tEzUeE/Tcey7v5pVYI/AAAAAAAAAo8/HLozlbuYArQ/s1600/DSCN1822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sd408tEzUeE/Tcey7v5pVYI/AAAAAAAAAo8/HLozlbuYArQ/s640/DSCN1822.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iS4H5mElVzY/TcezFQo9F3I/AAAAAAAAApA/O4lLXgqQPkE/s1600/DSCN1824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iS4H5mElVzY/TcezFQo9F3I/AAAAAAAAApA/O4lLXgqQPkE/s640/DSCN1824.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And finally, here are a few photos from a hike with Irmgard, Oma, and a few of the kids:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YTnwsEbjRjQ/Tce2iU-hqsI/AAAAAAAAApE/RvvxZsiqHbI/s1600/DSCN1831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YTnwsEbjRjQ/Tce2iU-hqsI/AAAAAAAAApE/RvvxZsiqHbI/s640/DSCN1831.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oma and Opa's horse</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GRZDWMADPpU/Tce3YNgPLwI/AAAAAAAAApM/b6zrLVjVn9Y/s1600/DSCN1850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GRZDWMADPpU/Tce3YNgPLwI/AAAAAAAAApM/b6zrLVjVn9Y/s640/DSCN1850.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A rooster roaming the village.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sNO8ncZOrZk/Tce3e1HFzZI/AAAAAAAAApQ/NhtgmHNfShY/s1600/DSCN1854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sNO8ncZOrZk/Tce3e1HFzZI/AAAAAAAAApQ/NhtgmHNfShY/s640/DSCN1854.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwXeGUYzOkQ/Tce3mGPbZnI/AAAAAAAAApU/CnjOmCt_saM/s1600/DSCN1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MwXeGUYzOkQ/Tce3mGPbZnI/AAAAAAAAApU/CnjOmCt_saM/s640/DSCN1855.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Laura, Alma, Irmgard, Vinzi, Caroline (Oma) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LcI-ot2YTLo/Tce3wp-5W0I/AAAAAAAAApY/jqeou5L6G6U/s1600/DSCN1867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LcI-ot2YTLo/Tce3wp-5W0I/AAAAAAAAApY/jqeou5L6G6U/s640/DSCN1867.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Vinzi</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNfNsMir6-4/Tce34OIAMjI/AAAAAAAAApc/O_KzUiYT-7U/s1600/DSCN1869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNfNsMir6-4/Tce34OIAMjI/AAAAAAAAApc/O_KzUiYT-7U/s640/DSCN1869.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Alma</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnf_IpaBAwo/Tce3OzJSJuI/AAAAAAAAApI/58jql0itI8w/s1600/DSCN1836.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnf_IpaBAwo/Tce3OzJSJuI/AAAAAAAAApI/58jql0itI8w/s1600/DSCN1836.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnf_IpaBAwo/Tce3OzJSJuI/AAAAAAAAApI/58jql0itI8w/s640/DSCN1836.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnf_IpaBAwo/Tce3OzJSJuI/AAAAAAAAApI/58jql0itI8w/s1600/DSCN1836.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The house, which can comfortably host eleven guests!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, that's all for now. I hope you've enjoyed my April update.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you all have a wonderful start to the week, and I'll see many of you very soon! I'll try to update my blog at least one more time before heading back home. Thank you for all of your encouragement and support during my journey as a singing Au Pair in Vienna!</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iS9FfgY3hmw/TcesHPEQsoI/AAAAAAAAAoc/zfI8-fe6pUI/s1600/DSCN1766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-51005498777802310952011-04-01T11:44:00.003+02:002011-05-02T10:19:56.581+02:00Good News!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
I was so relieved to wake up to the first of April this morning. Spring really has come after a very long winter! It seems like winter gets harder and harder to deal with every year. The Viennese hate winter. Everyone gets so grumpy. Natives of Vienna will be the first to admit it, too. It's incredible to me how everyone's moods are dramatically changing with the beginning of spring.<br />
<br />
<i>My</i> mood drastically changed yesterday when I received an email from the IU Jacobs School of Music informing me that I've received an Associate Instructorship for my doctoral studies! This means that I will have my own private voice studio, teaching undergraduate voice minors. I'm really excited to have the opportunity to teach. It's something I've always enjoyed, and I find it incredibly rewarding. So, I will <i><b>officially </b></i>be returning to IU this fall to pursue the doctorate. <i><b> </b></i>Whew, it feels so good to be able to say that. I have a PLAN!<br />
<br />
Of course, this wasn't originally what I had anticipated, but I think it's going to be good for me in the long run. I've been doing so much thinking over the last month. I don't want to feel like going back to Bloomington is a step backwards. I don't think it will be, as long as I continue auditioning and performing. With the Associate Instructor position, I will have the financial means to travel and take auditions while studying on a regular basis, and I hope to get the opportunity to perform again at IU as well. I'll be making Bloomington my "home base". <br />
<br />
It's now been about a year since I've performed, and it's making me go crazy! After such a long hiatus, I have a whole new appreciation for that feeling of being on stage. It's like nothing else in the world. I've recently been reading bits and pieces of Jerome Hines's<i> Great Singers on Great Singing</i>, and I was truly moved by his interview with Beverly Sills. Ms. Sills was not only a phenomenal singer and performer, but she was an extraordinary human being. I had the opportunity to hear her speak several years ago at the Pittsburgh Speaker Series at Heinz Hall, and I remember being so impressed by Beverly Sills as a person, before I had even become familiar with her singing.<br />
<br />
Here are a few excerpts from the interview that really stuck out to me:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i><span style="font-size: small;">"...I couldn't wait to get on the stage, and I think when you see a performer who is obviously enjoying herself like that, you are prepared to go along with her. That's one thing. Second of all, as I said before, I was a communicator. The words meant as much to me as the music. I wanted the people to have an emotional experience, which is why I never could be content with the 'stand up and sing' roles. This joyfulness that I felt when I sang, and this need to communicate with people, these are my two strongest points. I've always been a people person, I love people, I like to be with people, and when I got on stage, I was home free." </span></i><br />
<br />
Beverly Sills was larger than life. Her daughter, Meredith, was ironically born deaf, and her son Peter was mentally disabled.<br />
When she retired from singing in 1980 at the age of 51, Ms. Sills became the General Director of the New York City Opera. From 2002-2005, Beverly Sills served as the Metropolitan Opera's chairman. Ms. Sills was also devoted to charity work in the prevention and treatment of birth defects. <br />
<br />
Beverly Sills passed away on July 2, 2007 after being hospitalized for lung cancer. Jerome Hines ends his chapter on Sills with this:<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">"With that, Beverly had to dash. I accompanied her out of the inner recesses of the theater into the bright, cold sunlight. As I watched her quickly cutting her way through pedestrians and traffic, enthusiastically heading for her next appointment, I decided she must be more than just the twins of Gemini, it would take quintuplets to successfully race through the path of her life. Beverly: no one will ever be able to think of you in the past tense. You're always with it, no matter what it may be. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: small;">Godspeed."</span></i><br />
<br />
The quality of these clips isn't the best, but I think it's worth it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ef9Wrl1i3eI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/YnFktGJHrQU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-0HqdUGSG5w?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
<br />
Beverly Sills, you've inspired me!<br />
<br />
I hope you all feel a bit inspired to start off this new month, too. April first is a new start for me. I'm getting a hold of my perspective again, and can look to the future with a feeling of excitement as opposed to that sense of uncertainty that had been weighing on me for so long. Thank you all for supporting me throughout this journey, and for believing in me!<br />
<br />
Enjoy this recording of one of my favorite mezzo-sopranos, Christa Ludwig, singing Schubert's "Frühlingsglaube" (Spring Faith). Simple and beautiful, and the text is very appropriate for this post.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/sMd5EY6J04M?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<pre><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Die linden</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Lüfte sind erwacht,</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The balmy breezes are awakened</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sie säuseln und wehen Tag und Nacht, they sway and wave day and night</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sie schaffen an allen Enden. they are creating all around.</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">O frischer Duft, o neuer Klang! Oh fresh scent, oh new sound!</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nun, armes Herze, sei nicht bang! Now, poor heart, do not be afraid.</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nun muß sich alles, alles wenden. Now all, all must change.</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Die Welt wird schöner mit jedem Tag, The world will be more beautiful with every day,</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Man weiß nicht, was noch werden mag, one doesn't know what is still to come,</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Das Blühen will nicht enden; the blooming does not want to cease;</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Es blüht das fernste, tiefste Tal: the furthest, deepest valley is blooming:</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nun, armes Herz, vergiß der Qual! Now, poor heart, forget the torment!</span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nun muß sich alles, alles wenden. Now all, all must change.</span></pre>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-42742989705772630812011-03-30T11:27:00.003+02:002011-03-30T11:37:07.240+02:00Is there really a "right" way to sing Mozart?Tonight, I'm going to see <span style="font-style: italic;">Le Nozze di Figaro</span> at the University of Vienna. Of course, Cherubino is still a role that I covet, and have yet the opportunity to perform.<br /><br />I've coached and coached the famous aria, "Non so più cosa son", but am never 100% satisfied with the way it feels. I looked up three very famous mezzos singing the aria: Joyce DiDonato, Susan Graham, and Frederica von Stade. Each version is very unique, and each singer takes interesting liberties with the aria. Maybe this is why I have such a hard time with it; there are so many different paths of interpretation! <br /><br />It's so frustrating for me because I think this aria sounds so much easier than it is. It's also a difficult audition aria because it's supposed to sound nervous and angsty, but sometimes it's tough to separate from the actual adrenaline during an audition, making breathing harder than it should be.<br /><br />I'd be interested in hearing your opinions on the three singers. I'll keep my own to myself for now. :) <br /><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vHDaXm17Tqs" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QmA_xKzorjs" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/x66UhqsLa7U" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-60888164413916897982011-03-29T18:12:00.014+02:002011-03-29T21:43:00.591+02:00New Discoveries<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hcPex95QVcw/TZIvNr34cBI/AAAAAAAAAlI/sDn2hPFTk7o/s1600/DSCN1499.JPG"><br /></a>I made an exciting new discovery this morning, reminding me of the incredible musical history of this city.<br /><br />Every morning, Vinzi and I walk down the same street, through the same market, and pass the same familiar faces. Today, I just happened to look up to my right, and I noticed a plaque with Schubert's name on it. I couldn't stop to read it, as we were already running late for school, but I checked it out on my way home. Here is what I saw:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFgnIf_Jv28/TZIGfGP9NNI/AAAAAAAAAkI/aFqnH8Xrvew/s1600/DSCN1493.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFgnIf_Jv28/TZIGfGP9NNI/AAAAAAAAAkI/aFqnH8Xrvew/s400/DSCN1493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589537218843456722" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;">FRANZ SCHUBERT<br />composed in the garden of this house<br />(then called Biftsark)<br />in July 1826 on a Sunday evening with a circle of a few friends<br />in the middle of the noisy inn the song<br />STÄNDCHEN<br />(horch! horch! die Lerch' im Ätherblau!)<br />in memory of this immortal master<br />of the society of the wild ones from Wah-Ring 1885.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhvx1Ua2dg4/TZIGffeU6dI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/GZqEPutyvQc/s1600/DSCN1490.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhvx1Ua2dg4/TZIGffeU6dI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/GZqEPutyvQc/s400/DSCN1490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589537225614617042" border="0" /></a>I can't believe that, with all of the times I've walked past this house, I hadn't noticed this until now!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Originally, I actually thought that this was referring to a different "Ständchen", but then I youtubed "Ständchen (Horch! Horch!)" and found this:<br /></div><br /></div> <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4r11CfvHK1g" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />I did my best translating this text, though it was not easy. Some of the German words are so old and don't exist in the modern language, and poetic translations are always the most difficult.<br /><pre><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" >Horch! horch! die Lerch' im Ätherblau! Hark! Hark! The lark in the blue air!<br />Und Phöbus, neu erweckt, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phobos_%28mythology%29">Phobos</a>, just aroused,<br />Tränkt seine Rosse mit dem Tau, immersed his steed with the dew<br />Der Blumenkelche deckt. covering the flowerbed.<br />Der Ringelblume Knospe schleußt The marigold's buds show their<br />Die goldnen Äuglein auf; golden little eyes.<br />Mit allem, was da reizend ist, With everything that is lovely,<br />Da süße Maid, steh auf! sweet maid, wake up!</span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:85%;" ><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Wenn schon die liebe ganze Nacht</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">When already the entire lovely night <br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Der Sterne lichtes Heer the light-army of stars </span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Hoch über dir im Wechsel wacht, high above in the variations awakens you,<br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">So hoffen sie noch mehr, as they hope even more, </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Daß auch dein Augenstern sie grüßt. that the starry eye also greets (the night).</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Erwach! Sie warten drauf, Wake up! They are waiting,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Weil du doch gar so reizend bist; because you are just so lovely,</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Du süße Maid, steh auf! you sweet maid, wake up!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Und wenn dich alles das nicht weckt,</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">And when nothing wakes you,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">So werde durch den Ton then you will be awoken by the tender<br /></span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Der Minne zärtlich aufgeneckt! tone of love!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">O dann erwachst du schon! And then you will surely awaken!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Wie oft sie dich ans Fenster trieb, How often love pushed you to the window,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Das weiß sie, drum steh auf, Love knows, so get up,<br />Und habe deinen Sänger lieb, and love your singer,</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Da süße Maid, steh auf! sweet maid, wake up!</span> </span><br /></pre><br /><br />Here's the piece I thought it was. One of the most beautiful Schubert ever wrote, I think!<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qgxsiEcIUB4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe><br /><br />My translation:<br /><pre style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">L<span style="font-family: georgia;">eise flehen meine Lieder Quietly my songs beckon</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><br />Durch die Nacht zu dir; through the night to you;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">In den stillen Hain hernieder, in the quiet grove below,<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Liebchen, komm zu mir! sweetheart, come to me!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><br /><br />Flüsternd schlanke Wipfel rauschen Whispering slender treetops rustle</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">In des Mondes Licht; in the moonlight;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Des Verräters feindlich Lauschen Do not fear of the betrayer's hostile eavesdropping,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Fürchte, Holde, nicht. my dear.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><br />Hörst die Nachtigallen schlagen? Do you hear the nightingales calling?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Ach! sie flehen dich, Oh! They are begging you,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Mit der Töne süßen Klagen with the sounds of their sweet singing</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Flehen sie für mich. they are begging on my behalf.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><br />Sie verstehn des Busens Sehnen, They understand the heart's longing<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Kennen Liebesschmerz, they know the pain of love,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Rühren mit den Silbertönen they touch every soft heart</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><br />Jedes weiche Herz. with the silver tones</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><br />Laß auch dir die Brust bewegen, Let your heart be moved, too,<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Liebchen, höre mich! Sweetheart, hear me!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;">Bebend harr' ich dir entgegen! Trembling I wait for you!</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;"><br />Komm, beglücke mich! Come, please me!</span><br /></span></pre><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">This afternoon, I decided to do a little bit of sight-seeing on my own. I visited the <a href="http://www.belvedere.at/jart/prj3/belvedere/main.jart?rel=en">Belvedere </a></span></span>museum during my stay in Vienna in the summer of 2008, but I hadn't been there since. I forgot how magnificent it was. On the way to the Belvedere, I admired <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Charles%27s_Church,_Vienna">Karlskirche</a> (St. Charles's Church), pictured below.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcmMm1RYV9s/TZItAR-yrtI/AAAAAAAAAkY/1A8qFpGfdjk/s1600/DSCN1495.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hcmMm1RYV9s/TZItAR-yrtI/AAAAAAAAAkY/1A8qFpGfdjk/s400/DSCN1495.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589579570370227922" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HYtqBfhB_wY/TZItQi9UooI/AAAAAAAAAkg/a2lMUdfGbMc/s1600/DSCN1496.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HYtqBfhB_wY/TZItQi9UooI/AAAAAAAAAkg/a2lMUdfGbMc/s400/DSCN1496.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589579849805374082" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After snapping a few shots, I headed on to the Belvedere.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hcPex95QVcw/TZIvNr34cBI/AAAAAAAAAlI/sDn2hPFTk7o/s1600/DSCN1499.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hcPex95QVcw/TZIvNr34cBI/AAAAAAAAAlI/sDn2hPFTk7o/s400/DSCN1499.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589581999682121746" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ENb2Sy3ruDk/TZIuVm-dOHI/AAAAAAAAAko/QF6NAXBpTGQ/s1600/DSCN1500.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jzldDLQuLgo/TZIuWL2lfcI/AAAAAAAAAkw/3-gHrWW36NQ/s1600/DSCN1502.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jzldDLQuLgo/TZIuWL2lfcI/AAAAAAAAAkw/3-gHrWW36NQ/s400/DSCN1502.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589581046193946050" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rj6CSXm4XLk/TZIuW2ym3oI/AAAAAAAAAlA/cTMaMSvwZ90/s1600/DSCN1507.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksf3y7R1Nqo/TZIuWgcbQvI/AAAAAAAAAk4/zAaOXZEFniE/s1600/DSCN1504.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksf3y7R1Nqo/TZIuWgcbQvI/AAAAAAAAAk4/zAaOXZEFniE/s400/DSCN1504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589581051721368306" border="0" /></a><br />And I will leave you with this:<br /><br />For Christmas, Harald's parents gave me a CD of "Innviertler landla" music, which is essentially the traditional folk music of Upper Austria. It is incredibly specialized with an odd time signature (they call it a warped 7/8), a dialect that doesn't even sound like German to me, and a type of yodeling that is specific to Upper Austria.<br /><br />Anyway, Harald's dad, Heinz, told me that if I can sing one of these songs by Easter, then he'll give me a bottle of 100 Euro champagne.<br /><br />So, here's to give you an idea of what I'm supposed to do. I'd love to get my hands on a <a href="http://www.habithat.co.uk/images/Folk123.jpg">dirndl</a> for this feat, too!<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9JqrCoG0Gh4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-36139196156544775732011-03-26T12:35:00.036+01:002011-03-26T17:38:36.394+01:00March: Making New Plans & Family VisitIt's been one month and a day since my last blog post. Not a day has gone by this past month where I haven't reflected on my journey this year, pondered my future, and set new goals for myself.<br /><br />Since my last blog post, I received my final "No Thank You" (I'd like to avoid the word "rejection", though ultimately that's what they were) emails from companies for whom I auditioned or applied in Europe. Unfortunately, I came to realize that this isn't my time to stay in Europe. The audition season is over for the summer and the 2011/2012 season, so now it is time for me to alter my plan and goals a bit.<br /><br />Needless to say, it was a tough month! My family's visit could not have come at a better time. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a family to help keep things in perspective, and I am so incredibly grateful to have a family that supports and encourages me, during the best AND worst times.<br /><br />I'm not going to dwell on those rejections in this post. I've been doing enough of that. Life is just too short and I'm much too fortunate to beat myself up over a not-so-successful audition season. And besides, I felt like I sang my best for every single audition, and that's what's most important!<br /><br />My family's week-long visit was an absolute whirlwind. We had such a wonderful time together; it was the first time in a long time that the four of us were together for such an extended period of time! I was so happy that they were finally able to see everything and meet all of the people I've been talking about so much these last seven months.<br /><br />I hope you enjoy these photos from my family's visit. They were so excited to "make the blog"!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-peQzW_bhWN8/TY3UyGs_TBI/AAAAAAAAAgA/6S80za_wCYU/s1600/DSCN1379.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-peQzW_bhWN8/TY3UyGs_TBI/AAAAAAAAAgA/6S80za_wCYU/s400/DSCN1379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588356669894511634" border="0" /></a>This is the first photo from the trip. We went to the grocery store to pick up some things for dinner with the Herkners, and found G. Russo & Co. Clementines! Who would've thought, in Vienna?! The women working behind the deli looked at us like we were crazy. Good thing my mom explained...I wonder if they understood English? ;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sHYS7-1y1N4/TY3b8Vkx_2I/AAAAAAAAAhA/FrG96wK-KpA/s1600/DSCN1411.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sHYS7-1y1N4/TY3b8Vkx_2I/AAAAAAAAAhA/FrG96wK-KpA/s400/DSCN1411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588364542266703714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o-6XfQcMYxc/TY3XP8XM4PI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/Tiv2-SYwgeA/s1600/DSCN1380.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o-6XfQcMYxc/TY3XP8XM4PI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/Tiv2-SYwgeA/s400/DSCN1380.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588359381538103538" border="0" /></a>On our way to the<a href="http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/things-to-know/tour-through-the-park/schoenbrunn-zoo.html"> Schönbrunn Zoo</a>, the oldest zoo in the world still in existence in its original function!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2aYoo0vt1Y/TY3YrLOf2vI/AAAAAAAAAgY/Uq6idnEgzIY/s1600/DSCN1382.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S2aYoo0vt1Y/TY3YrLOf2vI/AAAAAAAAAgY/Uq6idnEgzIY/s400/DSCN1382.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588360948896226034" border="0" /></a>Checking out the giraffes...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl0WKTikpZs/TY3Yrb6GXfI/AAAAAAAAAgg/LC0oXnJK0V8/s1600/DSCN1392.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fl0WKTikpZs/TY3Yrb6GXfI/AAAAAAAAAgg/LC0oXnJK0V8/s400/DSCN1392.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588360953374072306" border="0" /></a>We all got a kick out of the penguins.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xGNGcAB5WTc/TY3ZrmL8zpI/AAAAAAAAAgo/pCcuR-tdZUo/s1600/DSCN1396.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xGNGcAB5WTc/TY3ZrmL8zpI/AAAAAAAAAgo/pCcuR-tdZUo/s400/DSCN1396.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588362055644925586" border="0" /></a>My dad took this picture of my mom and me. I think my brother was already on his way to find the wolves at this point. He was so excited to see the wolves!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MapluPre_0c/TY3ZrrylrJI/AAAAAAAAAgw/KqF9HYjdTmI/s1600/DSCN1397.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MapluPre_0c/TY3ZrrylrJI/AAAAAAAAAgw/KqF9HYjdTmI/s400/DSCN1397.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588362057149164690" border="0" /></a>All <span style="font-style: italic;">I</span> cared about seeing was this baby elephant. I had remembered hearing about him this past fall, and I finally got to see him! It was so cute watching his interactions with the big guys.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sHYS7-1y1N4/TY3b8Vkx_2I/AAAAAAAAAhA/FrG96wK-KpA/s1600/DSCN1411.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pUGgDLn_wi0/TY3b8LppHGI/AAAAAAAAAg4/XJVzcDG-OEE/s1600/DSCN1409.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pUGgDLn_wi0/TY3b8LppHGI/AAAAAAAAAg4/XJVzcDG-OEE/s400/DSCN1409.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588364539602738274" border="0" /></a>After the zoo, we strolled along the palace grounds to the Schönbrunn Palace. I'm sure you remember this from previous blog posts; it's one of my favorite places to visit in Vienna. As you can see, we were very lucky with the weather on this day!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-peQzW_bhWN8/TY3UyGs_TBI/AAAAAAAAAgA/6S80za_wCYU/s1600/DSCN1379.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3_0VOz6mpQ/TY3d_p9BvYI/AAAAAAAAAhI/hr6Gyvgm6Gk/s1600/DSCN1413.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x3_0VOz6mpQ/TY3d_p9BvYI/AAAAAAAAAhI/hr6Gyvgm6Gk/s400/DSCN1413.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588366798299970946" border="0" /></a><br />Does anyone know what this sign means? "No standing with your arms out to the sides"? If anyone knows, please comment! We were so confused!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7ao_s-VPEQ/TY3ea5mmYuI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/T2zS3wMEcEo/s1600/DSCN1415.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o7ao_s-VPEQ/TY3ea5mmYuI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/T2zS3wMEcEo/s400/DSCN1415.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588367266357338850" border="0" /></a><br />The Guys on the <a href="http://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/wissenswertes/tour-through-the-park/gloriette.html">Gloriette</a> at the top of the palace grounds, overlooking Vienna.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJvB9_dru00/TY3hOvT7ZSI/AAAAAAAAAhY/ghiIL7uKxzs/s1600/DSCN1420.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJvB9_dru00/TY3hOvT7ZSI/AAAAAAAAAhY/ghiIL7uKxzs/s400/DSCN1420.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588370355971122466" border="0" /></a>After our day at Schönbrunn, we decided to head to Grinzing, a wine tavern village in the outskirts of Vienna. My mom and I certainly enjoyed some female camaraderie, as we've both been living in very male-dominated households since I left home!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsMvcMEC_iE/TY3hOplPcQI/AAAAAAAAAhg/Ql9DbqfqMNU/s1600/DSCN1421.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bsMvcMEC_iE/TY3hOplPcQI/AAAAAAAAAhg/Ql9DbqfqMNU/s400/DSCN1421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588370354433126658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nO5f6ZFJp6c/TY3jGMbIjyI/AAAAAAAAAhw/YzUiLeqoScw/s1600/DSCN1423.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nO5f6ZFJp6c/TY3jGMbIjyI/AAAAAAAAAhw/YzUiLeqoScw/s400/DSCN1423.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588372408190406434" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hS5d4WQf78/TY3kdEogRSI/AAAAAAAAAh4/HGpucpcBslU/s1600/DSCN1424.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hS5d4WQf78/TY3kdEogRSI/AAAAAAAAAh4/HGpucpcBslU/s400/DSCN1424.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588373900747621666" border="0" /></a><br />Our first wine cellar visit of the evening.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fGzuITwW3dk/TY3jFxHqNgI/AAAAAAAAAho/BZ34xR1GdsE/s1600/DSCN1422.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fGzuITwW3dk/TY3jFxHqNgI/AAAAAAAAAho/BZ34xR1GdsE/s400/DSCN1422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588372400860968450" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r5sHr-fErOg/TY3kdtvkBkI/AAAAAAAAAiA/JC1ccH0zDfk/s1600/DSCN1425.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r5sHr-fErOg/TY3kdtvkBkI/AAAAAAAAAiA/JC1ccH0zDfk/s400/DSCN1425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588373911783081538" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3W3BxSJHmp8/TY4AYJULMOI/AAAAAAAAAiI/OH2XNNU2BI8/s1600/DSCN1426.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3W3BxSJHmp8/TY4AYJULMOI/AAAAAAAAAiI/OH2XNNU2BI8/s400/DSCN1426.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588404602430763234" border="0" /></a>We ended our evening at the wineries with authentic Austrian cuisine!<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P5kMYtHLK2g/TY4BRxPw9zI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/dRr3-W5XvYg/s1600/DSCN1428.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P5kMYtHLK2g/TY4BRxPw9zI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/dRr3-W5XvYg/s400/DSCN1428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588405592402229042" border="0" /></a>Vinzi has been learning to play the recorder this year. He has never really wanted to practice, until my brother came and played some duets with him. Since Guy has left, Vinzi's been practicing every day! It's so much fun to observe how impressionable young children are.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CdR_wmTer8/TY4C3AwemsI/AAAAAAAAAiY/OWDlOQm6jB0/s1600/DSCN1432.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9CdR_wmTer8/TY4C3AwemsI/AAAAAAAAAiY/OWDlOQm6jB0/s400/DSCN1432.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588407331732757186" border="0" /></a>On our way to the opera, standing in front of the Hofburg palace.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UcOwXELjWvs/TY4D12TThgI/AAAAAAAAAig/mCGjF0OLfMc/s1600/DSCN1436.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UcOwXELjWvs/TY4D12TThgI/AAAAAAAAAig/mCGjF0OLfMc/s400/DSCN1436.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588408411257800194" border="0" /></a>Our night at the opera! I surprised my family with tickets to Bellini's "La Sonnambula". Although we had pretty terrible seats (someday I hope to provide my family with COMP tickets!) we still had a wonderful time, and were very impressed by some of the singers. My family was also able to meet my coach, David, at intermission, and he gave us a quick tour of backstage.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3OAaNk7jHCE/TY4FEjzLIiI/AAAAAAAAAio/kUOpczHQi4M/s1600/DSCN1438.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3OAaNk7jHCE/TY4FEjzLIiI/AAAAAAAAAio/kUOpczHQi4M/s400/DSCN1438.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588409763500859938" border="0" /></a>Bro & Sis :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0dhnhrPVFNA/TY4FE5Wm_pI/AAAAAAAAAiw/Juoxo_XBYnE/s1600/DSCN1440.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0dhnhrPVFNA/TY4FE5Wm_pI/AAAAAAAAAiw/Juoxo_XBYnE/s400/DSCN1440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588409769286631058" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVbOzZx5i_Y/TY4GX_ZbvWI/AAAAAAAAAi4/pRL_zMSJ_lw/s1600/DSCN1443.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XVbOzZx5i_Y/TY4GX_ZbvWI/AAAAAAAAAi4/pRL_zMSJ_lw/s400/DSCN1443.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588411196838231394" border="0" /></a>I love this picture of my mom & dad. My brother and I are so lucky to have them as our role models for life!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sL7CNSocukE/TY4HsLqGnsI/AAAAAAAAAjI/LvXWK-vT3-M/s1600/DSCN1446.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sL7CNSocukE/TY4HsLqGnsI/AAAAAAAAAjI/LvXWK-vT3-M/s400/DSCN1446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588412643238387394" border="0" /></a>I was thrilled to finally get to introduce my family to my favorite person in Vienna, Hüseyin, a.k.a. DER WELTMEISTER. Have I already told you about him? Maybe. The Weltmeister owns the Turkish kebap stand at the market close to the Herkners, and I see him at least twice a day. I call him the Turkish Mr. Bean, and I think this picture captures his character perfectly! He's always a breath of fresh air and happy to see me. He's incredibly personable and friendly, and it's so nice having someone here who can make me laugh!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_l2U4WGswmk/TY4HAiBMKHI/AAAAAAAAAjA/4n3hMsibe0A/s1600/DSCN1445.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_l2U4WGswmk/TY4HAiBMKHI/AAAAAAAAAjA/4n3hMsibe0A/s400/DSCN1445.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588411893326555250" border="0" /></a>He also makes the best kebap in Vienna. My dad and brother certainly enjoyed theirs!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lajprl2E0Gc/TY4Js3kqGhI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/GKHNpzjPAuM/s1600/DSCN1449.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lajprl2E0Gc/TY4Js3kqGhI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/GKHNpzjPAuM/s400/DSCN1449.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588414854049962514" border="0" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIEsR-WSMdw/TY4JtMu4hoI/AAAAAAAAAjY/T3vtyTXYvqY/s1600/DSCN1451.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bIEsR-WSMdw/TY4JtMu4hoI/AAAAAAAAAjY/T3vtyTXYvqY/s400/DSCN1451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588414859729995394" border="0" /></a><br />Here are Guy and me on our way to an Irish Pub to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dC5YLb7If1c/TY4L0kB6n7I/AAAAAAAAAjg/8P3y__87cu8/s1600/DSCN1457.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dC5YLb7If1c/TY4L0kB6n7I/AAAAAAAAAjg/8P3y__87cu8/s400/DSCN1457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588417185266180018" border="0" /></a>Walking to the pub...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gZ71XBysrWQ/TY4L1JnWlXI/AAAAAAAAAjo/vwLVVUsuolM/s1600/DSCN1458.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gZ71XBysrWQ/TY4L1JnWlXI/AAAAAAAAAjo/vwLVVUsuolM/s400/DSCN1458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588417195355313522" border="0" /></a>And here we are! The Bogside Inn Irish Pub in Vienna, Austria. With a REAL Irishman as our waiter! I told my dad that this photo was "definitely blog worthy". :)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uxf9Nj5FUKA/TY4M7HEhOoI/AAAAAAAAAjw/hDXvGkKU5sg/s1600/DSCN1459.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uxf9Nj5FUKA/TY4M7HEhOoI/AAAAAAAAAjw/hDXvGkKU5sg/s400/DSCN1459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588418397263182466" border="0" /></a>My mom showing off the pub's whiskey collection.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XjrQKZjksQY/TY4M7fx0yOI/AAAAAAAAAj4/rvndovfwjpI/s1600/DSCN1463.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XjrQKZjksQY/TY4M7fx0yOI/AAAAAAAAAj4/rvndovfwjpI/s400/DSCN1463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588418403895658722" border="0" /></a>Who would've thought that my first green beer ever would be in Vienna?<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pi9KmRgqyrg/TY4OeBEetOI/AAAAAAAAAkA/J78e3jk8fw4/s1600/DSCN1466.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pi9KmRgqyrg/TY4OeBEetOI/AAAAAAAAAkA/J78e3jk8fw4/s400/DSCN1466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588420096459453666" border="0" /></a>We also had coffee with my friend, Kornel, whose grandmother performed with my dad in the Pittsburgh Dear Friends! We had some pretty great Pittsburgh pride going on, too.<br /><br /><br />Well, there you have it. Another wonderful experience in Vienna, and memories that I will never forget. <br /><br />As far as my future goes, I don't have any "official" news yet regarding this fall, but I'll be leaving Vienna on May 20th. I'm going to be living in Pittsburgh this summer working for <a href="http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/pre-college/music.html">Carnegie Mellon School of Music's Pre-College program.</a> I can also tell you that things are "looking positive" for my return to IU in the fall to pursue the doctorate.<br /><br />Since I now have less than two months left, I'm going to try to post at least once a week with a special memory from my time here. I have a tendency to get a bit down when I look back on this year, since the outcome wasn't as I had planned in terms of my career. But, it was still an incredible experience, and I've learned so much and I'm so thankful. <br /><br />My time in Vienna has been just another part of my journey, and I'm confident that everything is going to turn out just fine. I certainly haven't lost my drive or passion. In fact, I feel so much stronger and wiser than I did in September. Maybe that's what this year abroad was really all about for me. Sometimes it's not until it's over that you realize the true purpose of such a unique experience.<br /><br />I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and I'll be back very soon!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-88021194950546961472011-02-25T10:08:00.006+01:002011-02-25T11:01:22.962+01:00January and February<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7hWHguEnSQ/TWd9wZWxMAI/AAAAAAAAAf4/xVqQkoYnvFA/s1600/DSCN1361.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGxFExctN8k/TWd3vf9q4OI/AAAAAAAAAfw/DWUhBhXrGOI/s1600/DSCN1294.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGxFExctN8k/TWd3vf9q4OI/AAAAAAAAAfw/DWUhBhXrGOI/s1600/DSCN1294.JPG"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGxFExctN8k/TWd3vf9q4OI/AAAAAAAAAfw/DWUhBhXrGOI/s1600/DSCN1294.JPG"><br /></a>The past two months have been full of traveling, auditioning, visiting, ups and downs. In January, I flew to Berlin for an audition, took a bus from Berlin to Munich for another audition, and took the train back to Vienna. I hiked in the snow-covered mountains of Austria with Harald and the boys. In February, I flew from Vienna to Chicago, took the Megabus through the snow to Indianapolis, and drove to Bloomington, Indiana, where I stayed for two weeks.<br /><br />Being back in Bloomington was just what I needed. Not only was it incredible to be back in the city that I've always loved so much, and to see the people who are so important to me, but it also helped me reflect on my last six months in Vienna. It wasn't until this trip that I really realized how much I've learned, experienced, and grown over this crazy year. I've gained so much perspective, personally, musically, and artistically.<br /><br />I could go on and on about this (especially since I'm still a bit punchy with jet-lag and buzzed on caffeine) but for now, I'd like you to just enjoy these photos from my hike with the Herkner guys. I don't think I've ever been surrounded by so much beauty - I just wanted to keep taking pictures!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGxFExctN8k/TWd3vf9q4OI/AAAAAAAAAfw/DWUhBhXrGOI/s1600/DSCN1294.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGxFExctN8k/TWd3vf9q4OI/AAAAAAAAAfw/DWUhBhXrGOI/s400/DSCN1294.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577558321439367394" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0kP4ko0bMPw/TWd3AitFQlI/AAAAAAAAAfo/EnwphlwX85A/s1600/DSCN1295.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0kP4ko0bMPw/TWd3AitFQlI/AAAAAAAAAfo/EnwphlwX85A/s400/DSCN1295.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577557514721247826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PoIPL6HB4YM/TWd3AcbQPiI/AAAAAAAAAfg/-n3-JQM8n3A/s1600/DSCN1299.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PoIPL6HB4YM/TWd3AcbQPiI/AAAAAAAAAfg/-n3-JQM8n3A/s400/DSCN1299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577557513035857442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iT-RK9B02zo/TWd3AY6KYHI/AAAAAAAAAfY/iGgRaMcidD4/s1600/DSCN1304.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iT-RK9B02zo/TWd3AY6KYHI/AAAAAAAAAfY/iGgRaMcidD4/s400/DSCN1304.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577557512091754610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZCHaGvWUz4/TWd3ANOfCOI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/3AI4xT1BUFw/s1600/DSCN1309.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YZCHaGvWUz4/TWd3ANOfCOI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/3AI4xT1BUFw/s400/DSCN1309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577557508955769058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hAj9WqsOHJo/TWd2_y7pmtI/AAAAAAAAAfI/kFMn7y_-NMI/s1600/DSCN1310.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hAj9WqsOHJo/TWd2_y7pmtI/AAAAAAAAAfI/kFMn7y_-NMI/s400/DSCN1310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577557501897448146" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DRa9EN1-7g4/TWd2CGDEaeI/AAAAAAAAAfA/6jS_AGe7Gyw/s1600/DSCN1314.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DRa9EN1-7g4/TWd2CGDEaeI/AAAAAAAAAfA/6jS_AGe7Gyw/s400/DSCN1314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577556441876949474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-Py0YzPOr4/TWd2B3Um-_I/AAAAAAAAAe4/3plBGH-OiSs/s1600/DSCN1317.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-Py0YzPOr4/TWd2B3Um-_I/AAAAAAAAAe4/3plBGH-OiSs/s400/DSCN1317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577556437923986418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9yPO5mHQfw/TWd2BuaD2iI/AAAAAAAAAew/4SgK8F0WeJQ/s1600/DSCN1322.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V9yPO5mHQfw/TWd2BuaD2iI/AAAAAAAAAew/4SgK8F0WeJQ/s400/DSCN1322.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577556435530930722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QcbKcpBc7BI/TWd2BVtjteI/AAAAAAAAAeo/C1LlgjrHuW0/s1600/DSCN1323.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QcbKcpBc7BI/TWd2BVtjteI/AAAAAAAAAeo/C1LlgjrHuW0/s400/DSCN1323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577556428901823970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hIsDweXTyo/TWd2BBxNHVI/AAAAAAAAAeg/nb6e0S8dLds/s1600/DSCN1324.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hIsDweXTyo/TWd2BBxNHVI/AAAAAAAAAeg/nb6e0S8dLds/s400/DSCN1324.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577556423548411218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We made it to the top!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t9RbVnV6AR8/TWd1CEcaYvI/AAAAAAAAAeY/NqS3y-QCo2k/s1600/DSCN1326.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t9RbVnV6AR8/TWd1CEcaYvI/AAAAAAAAAeY/NqS3y-QCo2k/s400/DSCN1326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577555341934748402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3PttR1lKRk/TWd1B0R3HZI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/-6A_MTDYnQU/s1600/DSCN1330.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3PttR1lKRk/TWd1B0R3HZI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/-6A_MTDYnQU/s400/DSCN1330.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577555337595526546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnZRcilLRDI/TWd1BjgDsgI/AAAAAAAAAeI/jJ_MSXh0bI8/s1600/DSCN1331.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnZRcilLRDI/TWd1BjgDsgI/AAAAAAAAAeI/jJ_MSXh0bI8/s400/DSCN1331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577555333091668482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8MrS2DFBNk/TWd1BXo100I/AAAAAAAAAeA/ZZuR81ev1ok/s1600/DSCN1332.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8MrS2DFBNk/TWd1BXo100I/AAAAAAAAAeA/ZZuR81ev1ok/s400/DSCN1332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577555329907282754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j_NjS9oL9N0/TWd1AzZpI1I/AAAAAAAAAd4/5ocY1fh9NAA/s1600/DSCN1334.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j_NjS9oL9N0/TWd1AzZpI1I/AAAAAAAAAd4/5ocY1fh9NAA/s400/DSCN1334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577555320179860306" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(Great action shots, huh?)</span><br /><br /><br />Now for an audition update:<br /><br />I auditioned for the Berlin Studio Program (equivalent to a Young Artist Program) and although they did not accept me, I did gain an agent out of the audition. The agent, who is friends with my coach at the Staatsoper, sat in on my audition in Berlin In Europe, singers do not pay their agents, nor do they sign any sort of exclusive contract. This means that having an "agent" in Europe really just means that you have someone to find auditions for you. I will continue to audition for other agents, as it's been very slow-going with this guy.<br /><br />Although I also felt that I sang my best for the Munich Studio, they did not accept me to the finals, either. I was pretty bummed after this audition, but I made a comeback with my Doctoral audition at IU! I received great feedback from the voice faculty, and now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed for some good financial aid.<br /><br />Of course I would love to receive an engagement in Germany or Austria for next year, but I certainly wouldn't look at returning to Bloomington as a step backward. As I've already said, I've gained so much perspective during my time in Vienna, and I think that working toward the doctorate would be an excellent next step for me. We'll see, though. I'm just trying to take one day at a time, because otherwise I'll just go nuts!<br /><br />It was so great seeing all of you in Bloomington who may be reading this, and for everyone else: I think of you often, and am constantly sending lots of love and positive thoughts!<br /><br /><br /><br />The boys were very happy to have me back. As was their cousin, Alma, as you can see by this photo. ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7hWHguEnSQ/TWd9wZWxMAI/AAAAAAAAAf4/xVqQkoYnvFA/s1600/DSCN1361.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7hWHguEnSQ/TWd9wZWxMAI/AAAAAAAAAf4/xVqQkoYnvFA/s400/DSCN1361.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577564933915226114" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-17443342159594733922011-01-11T09:14:00.015+01:002011-01-11T11:31:33.643+01:00It's been too long!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr95jSaMI/AAAAAAAAAdg/zyzkiJidriI/s1600/DSCN1153.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr9BbmIWI/AAAAAAAAAdA/kCx9KeZmUfk/s1600/DSCN1191.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwrPRCg08I/AAAAAAAAAc4/uvUJn1jaL8M/s1600/DSCN1194.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwYC9U-xwI/AAAAAAAAAXo/1MZy8nLjABY/s1600/DSCN0981.JPG"></a>Happy New Year, everyone!<div><br /></div><div>I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post. The holidays were wonderful over here, but the time just flew by! </div><div><br /></div><div>My favorite part of Christmastime in Vienna was the Christmas markets. I'm familiar with this tradition from spending a year abroad in Germany ten years ago, and was so excited to learn that Vienna has <i>several</i> Christmas markets throughout the city. One of the most beautiful markets happened to be on the university campus right in front of my German class. I took a few photos of the market during a beautiful snowfall. Here's to give you an idea of what it looked like:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwYDV-ut7I/AAAAAAAAAXw/uvJuybGNSjo/s400/DSCN0982.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560846085614647218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwYDjjWlyI/AAAAAAAAAX4/xRGob1ZndsM/s400/DSCN0986.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560846089257916194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwYD4l11jI/AAAAAAAAAYA/aE7Avy8OMEU/s400/DSCN0989.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560846094905497138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div>Speaking of my German class, I passed! I was SO relieved to receive my passing score for the course. Our grades were based solely on the final exam: oral, writing, and reading, and it was extremely challenging. Two students didn't pass! We had a party the last day of class, where everyone brought a traditional holiday dish from their native country.</div><div>This was my idea. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>After the party, a few of us went to one of the beer gardens on campus (indoors, of course!) </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwajTN4FGI/AAAAAAAAAYI/LnvSfKmb3gc/s400/DSCN1064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560848833651938402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Peter, our German professor, and Marta, one of my classmates from Poland.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwajlahj1I/AAAAAAAAAYQ/uPEhfTvdzYc/s400/DSCN1066.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560848838536826706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 333px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">My class! (Sorry it's a bit blurry.)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwaj2qKUrI/AAAAAAAAAYY/yZV_pciwT0E/s400/DSCN1068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560848843165815474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Celebrating!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "> Marta from Poland, me, Jan Paul from the Netherlands, and Joanna from Greece</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I took several trips to the Spittelberg Christmas Market. The Spittelberg market was so charming because it was set up throughout the tiny cobblestone streets and had the most beautiful hand-made gifts. This market was also a lot less touristy than the others, and much more quaint. I took Jay to Spittelberg on his last night in Vienna. Unfortunately Jay was only here for one semester and now he's back in Bloomington. I miss having him here!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwc2TH7loI/AAAAAAAAAYo/wk8T2OYydPM/s400/DSCN1070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560851359067772546" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSweFb9e-mI/AAAAAAAAAYw/1VAiIVHcXGo/s400/DSCN1071.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560852718649539170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwc11FIJNI/AAAAAAAAAYg/E00pmwHNDmA/s400/DSCN1074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560851351002948818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I walked out of a coaching at the Staatsoper in mid-December, and was just overwhelmed by how beautiful the city looked all lit up for Christmas. Here's what I saw:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwftwwT8NI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/5PmBKB3pp94/s400/DSCN1075.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560854510937829586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwftl-cRrI/AAAAAAAAAZI/hzP7G3X-OKQ/s400/DSCN1076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560854508044306098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwftb_UAaI/AAAAAAAAAZA/wvxqWKl78lg/s400/DSCN1077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560854505363603874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwftN5nc6I/AAAAAAAAAY4/uQzPAQniCSo/s400/DSCN1079.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560854501581616034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I spent Christmas in Upper Austria with the Herkners at Harald's parents' huge farm house. It was so kind of them to include me in all of their family holiday traditions, and they made me feel like part of the family for Christmas. In Austira, the Christkind (a.k.a. Jesus) comes on Christmas Eve. He sets up the tree, decorates it (usually lit with real candles) and places the presents under the tree. It was so sweet being a part of this tradition, since Vinzenz still believes. We all left the house for several hours on Christmas Eve day so that the "Christkind" could come to set everything up. (If the children are home, he doesn't come!) When we got home, we had dinner and then heard a little bell. The dinging of the bell meant that we could go into the living room because the Christkind was finished. We all sang Christmas carols around the tree and then it was absolute CHAOS once the boys started opening their gifts! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwifPiYpJI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/2zdZnbaeU7I/s400/DSCN1088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560857560037762194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Table setting for Christmas (it's actually a ping pong table!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwiewyXbII/AAAAAAAAAZw/zonx8NALJhw/s400/DSCN1094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560857551783292034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">On Christmas Eve day, we visited the church where Harald's parents were married. This is Harald's Mother with Vinzi.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwiepc_CmI/AAAAAAAAAZo/QIb55bz6Qm8/s400/DSCN1103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560857549814565474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">We found a snowman!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwieaJKd5I/AAAAAAAAAZg/h-Ht9svqxqk/s400/DSCN1104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560857545704896402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The Christmas tree was so big, unfortunately the is the best shot I could get. Those are real candles!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwid7TG2TI/AAAAAAAAAZY/XaDNlcBul2s/s400/DSCN1106.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560857537425103154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">At about 11:30 on Christmas Eve, we walked to church for midnight mass. The church was a couple of miles from the house, and it was freeeezing cold! This brass quintet was playing outside. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Christmas Day was full of family, playing probably fifty games of UNO with Vinzi, and TONS of food. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwnlj5ozkI/AAAAAAAAAbo/c2E3cBrOXW0/s1600/DSCN1108.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwnlj5ozkI/AAAAAAAAAbo/c2E3cBrOXW0/s400/DSCN1108.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560863166141353538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Once they had permission by their Grandmother, all of the grandchildren took actual hammers and destroyed this gingerbread house. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwnlZNBWZI/AAAAAAAAAbg/VdvsfHh5GE8/s1600/DSCN1110.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwnlZNBWZI/AAAAAAAAAbg/VdvsfHh5GE8/s400/DSCN1110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560863163269863826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The view from my room on Christmas morning.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwnk4mO9wI/AAAAAAAAAbY/Ku5N13-TWZI/s1600/DSCN1115.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwnk4mO9wI/AAAAAAAAAbY/Ku5N13-TWZI/s400/DSCN1115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560863154517243650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vinzi was excited to play ANOTHER game of Uno with me. :)</div></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwnkpsGVSI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/SsJunLZphp8/s1600/DSCN1122.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwnkpsGVSI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/SsJunLZphp8/s400/DSCN1122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560863150515311906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The grandparents transformed their attic area into an ultimate playroom for the kids. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Vinzi showed me tricks on his new mountain bike from the Christkind.</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwm3IiyvEI/AAAAAAAAAbI/mseaifQMqIs/s1600/DSCN1123.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwm3IiyvEI/AAAAAAAAAbI/mseaifQMqIs/s400/DSCN1123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560862368523795522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Alma hiding from me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwm3G2R2wI/AAAAAAAAAbA/3ceWnounBX4/s1600/DSCN1128.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwm3G2R2wI/AAAAAAAAAbA/3ceWnounBX4/s400/DSCN1128.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560862368068655874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love this picture of the cousins: Laura and Lolo.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwm2-kjvLI/AAAAAAAAAa4/h0ee5fOdnfg/s1600/DSCN1129.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwm2-kjvLI/AAAAAAAAAa4/h0ee5fOdnfg/s400/DSCN1129.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560862365846846642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwm2iIz8iI/AAAAAAAAAaw/mitlVYC5Gvc/s1600/DSCN1132.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwm2iIz8iI/AAAAAAAAAaw/mitlVYC5Gvc/s400/DSCN1132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560862358214275618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwm2WqlERI/AAAAAAAAAao/ROgUW9F3xGM/s1600/DSCN1147.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwm2WqlERI/AAAAAAAAAao/ROgUW9F3xGM/s400/DSCN1147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560862355134681362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwmA6jNWVI/AAAAAAAAAag/swBQVsX3OG0/s1600/DSCN1138.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwmA6jNWVI/AAAAAAAAAag/swBQVsX3OG0/s400/DSCN1138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560861437054507346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the farmhouse.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwmAjoa_zI/AAAAAAAAAaY/UAfWoxruhpQ/s1600/DSCN1140.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwmAjoa_zI/AAAAAAAAAaY/UAfWoxruhpQ/s400/DSCN1140.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560861430902357810" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwmAVotf8I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/cgNmbAWz5rc/s1600/DSCN1146.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwmAVotf8I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/cgNmbAWz5rc/s400/DSCN1146.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560861427145473986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Vinzi was too cold to continue sled riding. I don't blame him!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwl_6EUSFI/AAAAAAAAAaA/f_S0-1qBDno/s1600/DSCN1152.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwl_6EUSFI/AAAAAAAAAaA/f_S0-1qBDno/s400/DSCN1152.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560861419745069138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">This is the "Rose Room", where I slept.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Spending Christmas in Upper Austria was very special, but I was ready to head back to Vienna for my boyfriend Marco's, visit! Marco arrived a few days before New Year's Eve, and stayed until January 7th. It was so great spending time with him here, and I loved showing him around the city. Here are some of the photos from his trip:</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr95jSaMI/AAAAAAAAAdg/zyzkiJidriI/s1600/DSCN1153.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr95jSaMI/AAAAAAAAAdg/zyzkiJidriI/s400/DSCN1153.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560867982316562626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Harald and Irmgard gave me 2 tickets to Hänsel und Gretel at the Volksoper for Christmas. It was a great production, and we were very impressed with the singing. I'd love to play Hänsel someday!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr99pzbcI/AAAAAAAAAdY/qE19Qgz5Puk/s1600/DSCN1175.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr99pzbcI/AAAAAAAAAdY/qE19Qgz5Puk/s400/DSCN1175.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560867983417634242" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">On our way to see "Die Fledermaus" at the Volksoper on New Year's Eve!</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I don't know if I've already mentioned this, but the Volksoper is a two minute walk from the Herkner's apartment!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr9oRtVFI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/GK6UHw9gXOM/s1600/DSCN1176.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr9oRtVFI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/GK6UHw9gXOM/s400/DSCN1176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560867977679426642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This was the perfect way to ring in the new year. The singers really connected with the audience. It just felt like one big party, actually! Unfortunately, some of the characters spoke with a very thick Viennese dialect, so I had a tough time understanding a lot of the jokes. Viennese will be my next language!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr9ayggyI/AAAAAAAAAdI/gpyRxjhaLzE/s1600/DSCN1180.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr9ayggyI/AAAAAAAAAdI/gpyRxjhaLzE/s400/DSCN1180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560867974058902306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">In the Volksoper.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr9BbmIWI/AAAAAAAAAdA/kCx9KeZmUfk/s1600/DSCN1191.JPG"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr9BbmIWI/AAAAAAAAAdA/kCx9KeZmUfk/s1600/DSCN1191.JPG"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr9BbmIWI/AAAAAAAAAdA/kCx9KeZmUfk/s1600/DSCN1191.JPG"></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwrPRCg08I/AAAAAAAAAc4/uvUJn1jaL8M/s1600/DSCN1194.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwrPRCg08I/AAAAAAAAAc4/uvUJn1jaL8M/s400/DSCN1194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560867181167694786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">After the opera, Marco and I headed downtown. We drank Glühwein and danced to very typical Austrian folk-pop music. At midnight, they played Strauss's "Blue Danube" and everyone started waltzing on the street. I think Marco and I were the best waltzers. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwr9BbmIWI/AAAAAAAAAdA/kCx9KeZmUfk/s400/DSCN1191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560867967251915106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwrOs2E3YI/AAAAAAAAAcw/V6GUSQPw7yw/s1600/DSCN1216.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwrOs2E3YI/AAAAAAAAAcw/V6GUSQPw7yw/s400/DSCN1216.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560867171451854210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Braving the cold at the Schönbrunn Christmas/New Year Market</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwrOCsPfXI/AAAAAAAAAcg/fSreBrZIEys/s1600/DSCN1220.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwrOCsPfXI/AAAAAAAAAcg/fSreBrZIEys/s400/DSCN1220.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560867160136318322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">At the Staatsoper for "Barber of Seville" (Standing Room, of course)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwrONpMVOI/AAAAAAAAAcY/JY9ib8Xl1rY/s1600/DSCN1223.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwrONpMVOI/AAAAAAAAAcY/JY9ib8Xl1rY/s400/DSCN1223.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560867163076318434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We stood way up there at the top. </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwqW_mRwCI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/36Lj3WDHT9M/s1600/DSCN1229.JPG"></a></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwqW_mRwCI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/36Lj3WDHT9M/s1600/DSCN1229.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwqW_mRwCI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/36Lj3WDHT9M/s400/DSCN1229.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560866214413189154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 354px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">In the Lobby of the Staatsoper</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwqWe3SmXI/AAAAAAAAAcI/jNHyIDo3PqA/s1600/DSCN1236.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwqWe3SmXI/AAAAAAAAAcI/jNHyIDo3PqA/s400/DSCN1236.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560866205626177906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Marco and I found this cute little restaurant that is apparently in a 500 year old building! It used to be a pretzel factory, and now they have the best apple strudel around.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwqWP98J1I/AAAAAAAAAcA/Xh9RCria4dM/s1600/DSCN1239.JPG"><br /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwqV25C2vI/AAAAAAAAAb4/4YaLHC2isIc/s1600/DSCN1246.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwqV25C2vI/AAAAAAAAAb4/4YaLHC2isIc/s400/DSCN1246.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560866194896116466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Marco in front of the Pretzel restaurant.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwqWP98J1I/AAAAAAAAAcA/Xh9RCria4dM/s400/DSCN1239.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560866201627535186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Marco is also a singer, and he was able to have a few coachings with David, my coach at the Staatsoper, while he was here. </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Speaking of singing, I have several auditions lined up within the next few months, so send good vibes! I'm headed to Berlin a week from Friday, and from there I'll be taking a train to Munich for another audition. Vienna is a wonderful city, but I'm so looking forward to seeing what else is out there. I haven't been to Germany since 2006, so this will be a great adventure, and hopefully I'll get a job out of it, too!</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Again, I'm sorry that it took me so long to post, and that this one is SOOOO long! </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><div style="text-align: left;">I hope you all had a wonderful holiday, and that 2011 is getting off to a great start. I miss you all, and will write soon!</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TSwm3IiyvEI/AAAAAAAAAbI/mseaifQMqIs/s1600/DSCN1123.JPG"></a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-7212477125361873552010-12-01T12:08:00.010+01:002010-12-01T15:17:42.818+01:00First Turkey, First Chestnuts, First Snow, First Advent<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPZQyXHvOLI/AAAAAAAAAW4/owZ4kpn_7OY/s1600/DSCN0978.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Thanksgiving in Austria</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPY2PhFjxBI/AAAAAAAAAVg/88fcVMbqPmg/s1600/DSCN0957.JPG"><br /></a></div><div>I did it! I successfully prepared my very first Thanksgiving Dinner, stuffed turkey and all! Celebrating Thanksgiving with the Herkners was so special for me. Not only did I surprise myself with my culinary skills, but I was also thrilled to see the Herkners so excited to learn about my traditions. Harald's sister, Evi, also joined us with her three children. Evi and her family lived in Chicago for three years, so they were incredibly enthusiastic about a real American Thanksgiving Dinner! </div><div><br /></div><div> The menu included:</div><div><br /></div><div>Stuffed Turkey</div><div>Sweet Potato Casserole </div><div>Cranberry Relish</div><div>Green Bean Casserole</div><div>Corn Casserole</div><div>Mashed Potatoes </div><div><br /></div><div>My friend Patrick provided the green beens, corn, and mashed potatoes. It was so nice to have a fellow American there to celebrate!</div><div><br /></div><div>The only thing missing was a pie or two, but we were all so full, we didn't need it anyway!</div><div> </div><div>In the midst of all the excitement, would you believe that I forgot to take a picture of the turkey before Harald started carving it? It's a good thing he's a doctor, and was able to put it back together pretty nicely for a photo op. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPY2jbJqKxI/AAAAAAAAAWI/W1W0EAcER6E/s400/DSCN0951.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545679973364935442" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Harald carving...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPY2QtYYW_I/AAAAAAAAAWA/VkQgbOwdFUA/s400/DSCN0952.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545679651841006578" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Our post-op turkey. (I'm sure you can tell that it looked beautiful before we cut it open, though!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The bird ended up weighing 6.8 Kilos, about 15 pounds. It JUST fit in the oven!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPY2QeW6vaI/AAAAAAAAAV4/dMPdnO-z2b4/s400/DSCN0953.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545679647808339362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Vinzi documenting the event. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPY2QNBMZiI/AAAAAAAAAVw/EQinqNcz4qg/s400/DSCN0954.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545679643153819170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPY2P9ZolfI/AAAAAAAAAVo/IkAnrJpTwDo/s400/DSCN0955.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545679638961362418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPY2PhFjxBI/AAAAAAAAAVg/88fcVMbqPmg/s400/DSCN0957.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545679631360967698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I couldn't find mini marshmallows or canned yams anywhere, so I had to improvise with my Sweet Potato Casserole recipe. Ultimately, it was more of a Marshmallow Casserole!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>Chestnuts Roasting on a Open Fire...</b></div><div><br /></div>The Advent Season has arrived, and it's a beautiful, magical time in Vienna. Austria is a traditionally catholic country, so all christian holidays are observed, and the first advent really begins the Christmas season. To kick-off the advent season, the Herkners host a Maroni Fest, or Chestnut Party, every year. We set up a tent outside and served hot, homemade <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulled_wine#Gl.C3.BChwein">Glühwein</a> (hot mulled wine), and really roasted chestnuts on an open fire! My photos didn't come out too well in the dark, but you can get the idea. :)<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPZF0Nb50GI/AAAAAAAAAWw/GkYv-X6ieUM/s400/DSCN0966.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545696754415554658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">The Garden was transformed into our own little Christmas Market for the Party.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPZFzy1aoWI/AAAAAAAAAWo/qHi2SHJfTl4/s400/DSCN0968.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545696747274805602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Harald roasting chestnuts with his nephew, Xavier.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPZFzhpKSZI/AAAAAAAAAWg/NT3RWViJrOA/s400/DSCN0969.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545696742660000146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chestnuts roasting...</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPZFzPlDI0I/AAAAAAAAAWY/mDm_J2G68Qk/s400/DSCN0972.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545696737810916162" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">My friends Jay and Katya, two fellow Hoosiers also living in Vienna, came to the party!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">(Too much Glühwein...?)</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPZFy1XVc7I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/RWeowrNiRFg/s400/DSCN0973.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545696730774074290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">American Invasion at the Maroni Fest!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">On the first Sunday of Advent, I came home to find everyone gathered round the dining room table with the first candle on the advent wreath burning, singing Christmas songs, eating cookies, and drinking warm punch. I then found out that we will do this every Sunday evening of advent. Such a lovely family tradition.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">As I write this, I'm taking care of poor little Vinzi, who I had to pick up this morning from school because he's sick. If this were America, however, the kids wouldn't have had school today anyway, because it hasn't stopped snowing all day!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Here's current footage of our snowstorm:</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TPZQyXHvOLI/AAAAAAAAAW4/owZ4kpn_7OY/s400/DSCN0978.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545708817283496114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Now the garden really is a winter wonderland. :)</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">As part of Austrian tradition, the Christkindl, or "Little Christ Child" (the "l" at the end is a diminutive in Austrian dialect), comes to every Austrian house on the night of November 30th to bring advent calendars to all of the good little boys and girls. This is such a cute tradition, and even I received an advent calendar!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Also interesting: "Kris Kringle" comes from "Christkindl". I hadn't thought of that until I read the article on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christkind">wikipedia</a>. </span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The holidays are such a wonderful time to be in a new country, experiencing new cultures and traditions. I wish you all a beautiful start to December, and hope that you are surrounded by warmth and love throughout this holiday season!</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-7514875782629734892010-11-25T08:24:00.009+01:002010-11-25T12:17:34.671+01:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4ab-QuAGI/AAAAAAAAATo/7_5s99Sydx4/s1600/DSCN0945.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4Y0LuRKGI/AAAAAAAAASg/3m3NhcEaYag/s1600/DSCN0929.JPG"></a>Hi everyone! <div><br /></div><div>I hope that as you're reading this, you're enjoying a much-needed and well-deserved Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. It's certainly strange being so far away from home today, especially since this is just another Thursday in November for Austria. I'm very excited, however, to share our traditions with the Herkners this evening. I ordered a turkey last week from a specialty Poultry shop in town, and picked it up yesterday. Apparently I'm not the only one celebrating Thanksgiving -- the shop owner brought out two boxes of fresh turkeys from the back yesterday when I went to pick ours up! It's 6,8 kilo, so about 15 lbs. This will be my first time ever preparing a turkey on my own, so CROSS YOUR FINGERS! </div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, I searched high and low for all of my Thanksgiving ingredients. I found marshmallows and fresh sweet potatoes at the specialty food shop, <a href="http://www.meinlamgraben.at/page.aspx">Meinl</a>. Then, I walked across the city to search for an English/American grocery store I had heard about. I finally stumbled upon this hole-in-the-wall shop, tucked away in a side street in the heart of the city. It's called <a href="http://www.bobbys.at/v2/">Bobby's food store</a>, and they had absolutely everything that I needed! Even Stove Top! :) I've already made the cranberry relish (my mom sent me her recipes), so today it's the turkey, stuffing, yams, and salad. My friend, Patrick, an American Fullbright Scholar who is studying voice at the university here, will also be joining us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I wasn't sure how I should format this post, as it's been almost a whole month since I wrote last, but I think I'll just start from most recent events and work my way backwards. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Budapest</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I spent this past weekend in Budapest, Hungary visiting my friend Kornel. I had a fantastic time, and absolutely love the city! I was there a few years ago for the Robert Page Festival Singers tour, but of course you gain a whole new perspective when discovering a city with a native Hungarian friend as your tour guide. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think what I love most about the city is that it's built around the Danube - Buda on one side, and Pest on the other. Also, the people: they talk loudly, they laugh loudly, and they SMILE at you when you make eye contact! There are still lots of reminders of the Communist Period in Budapest, as it lasted until 1989. Overall, Budapest is a much rougher city than Vienna. The subway trains are rusted and covered in graffiti, many of the old buildings are falling apart and have yet to be renovated, and parts of the city are quite dirty. In a way, though, this appeals to me, because it really makes you appreciate the unique beauty of the city. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4Y0LuRKGI/AAAAAAAAASg/3m3NhcEaYag/s400/DSCN0929.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543395476118775906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 374px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4Y0ThtgJI/AAAAAAAAASo/M8S0pSMF1EU/s400/DSCN0932.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543395478213591186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4Y07zWXTI/AAAAAAAAASw/0r00bk9TwSM/s400/DSCN0933.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543395489024990514" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Look! It looks just like Pittsburgh!</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4Y1Q5_zMI/AAAAAAAAATA/STOU_BvW3NA/s400/DSCN0939.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543395494690016450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4Y1CgGnlI/AAAAAAAAAS4/oAqE9AyC00U/s400/DSCN0938.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543395490823315026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4aZMiWLRI/AAAAAAAAATI/Sr0PPGjwr9E/s400/DSCN0940.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543397211503996178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4aZ1WpaSI/AAAAAAAAATQ/qw9m7JVzfos/s400/DSCN0941.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543397222460778786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">A funny little tour water-bus.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4aaZ-8c0I/AAAAAAAAATY/6o2y61oukcc/s400/DSCN0943.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543397232293475138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The beautiful 4 Seasons Hotel!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4ab-QuAGI/AAAAAAAAATo/7_5s99Sydx4/s400/DSCN0945.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543397259211571298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Look familiar? It's the Budapest Opera House. Looks pretty similar to the Vienna State Opera if you ask me!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4beU5yatI/AAAAAAAAATw/Y3YJ3YsnX8Q/s400/DSCN0946.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543398399160773330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4bemmzMWI/AAAAAAAAAT4/EPnXfS97woA/s400/DSCN0950.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543398403912970594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>A Hike in the Wiener Wald</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">A friend of mine, Maria, a fellow American mezzo, and I went for a hike a few weekends ago through the famous Wiener Wald, or Vienna Forest. It was quite a long, muddy hike, and we had a beautiful sunset at the end. I'm so thankful for Maria's friendship. This is her second year coming to Vienna to pursue auditions, so she's really been able to give me some great advice, and her positive energy inspires me on the those difficult, gray days. It hasn't been easy building a life here, but finding great friends has helped me so much. I have lots to be thankful for today. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4dwshKSjI/AAAAAAAAAUA/3Az97nUCIuQ/s400/DSCN0921.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543400913760832050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">This spot overlooks the entire city.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4dw4dcJOI/AAAAAAAAAUI/_HnpmFJ4Mdg/s400/DSCN0922.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543400916966450402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4dxTMltFI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/vJufj4G48aI/s400/DSCN0923.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543400924143531090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4dxul9guI/AAAAAAAAAUY/ZjjFLPiOZoI/s400/DSCN0924.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543400931497706210" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">4PM Sunset</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>Another Herkner Hike</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I'm becoming closer and closer with the Herkners, and really enjoy spending time with the family. We went on a Fall hike several weekends ago. Again, breathtaking views everywhere I looked!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO5Braqc2vI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/04Eed4S22Rc/s400/DSCN0911.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543440405487213298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4v1XPeGKI/AAAAAAAAAVI/xZUf4jjtq1Q/s400/DSCN0912.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543420785158133922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4v0W77tyI/AAAAAAAAAVA/Exld1569lDM/s400/DSCN0915.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543420767896319778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4vz8ljNwI/AAAAAAAAAU4/hKl16F0sZwg/s400/DSCN0913.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543420760823117570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4vy0dufHI/AAAAAAAAAUw/7ik-zBL6OnQ/s400/DSCN0917.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543420741462948978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO4vyiv1vbI/AAAAAAAAAUo/jSJGNlzdyaM/s400/DSCN0918.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543420736707083698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b>My Third Austrian Family: The Mayerhofers!</b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div>I've started visiting another family about once a week, teaching the children English. They are Emilia's neighbors, so I usually spend one hour with the Mayerhofers, and then walk over to Emilia's for a few hours. The children are so sweet, and love to learn. We do a lot of singing and dancing (their personal favorite is the Hokey Pokey), and play games like "Simon says" to help them learn English.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TO5BrgdsiPI/AAAAAAAAAVY/RLknNPOf8Us/s400/DSCN0855.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543440407044327666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 347px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Sara (9), Fabio (1), Laura (7), and Flora (4).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been multi-tasking writing this blog, preparing for my meal. I Youtubed "How to prepare a turkey", made the stuffing (Stove Top + some homemade stuffing), and Patrick just video chatted me to ask me how to use an Austrian can opener! It should be an interesting day, full of lots of entertaining memories.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends, and I'm sending you all my love. I'm so thankful to have each and every one of you in my life. Have a great day!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Love,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Amanda </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-24527170897742345382010-11-03T08:26:00.010+01:002019-05-14T17:52:03.731+02:00A Snowy Weekend in Salzburg<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEiVt6Jg8I/AAAAAAAAASY/PqxSPKMFSZE/s1600/DSCN0831.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This post is about a week overdue, but better late than never, right? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Two weekends ago, I went back to Salzburg with the Herkners. We had such a great time. I feel like I'm really starting to bond with the boys, and taking these little family trips really helps me get to know the family a lot better without the stress of the work week.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Instead of staying in Jonas's room, this time Harald, Irmgard, Vinzi and I stayed in the guest house. It was the most adorable little Austrian cabin - wood burning stove and all! The first morning, I looked out the window and thought for a moment that it was Christmas morning. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's what I saw:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEcMASbaNI/AAAAAAAAASQ/yYqmrS2YlQI/s1600/DSCN0774.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535236409576351954" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEcMASbaNI/AAAAAAAAASQ/yYqmrS2YlQI/s400/DSCN0774.JPG" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It snowed all day! This also mean that, as the Nanny spending the day with seven boys, I was dodging snowballs all day long, too. :)</div>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa35ZZB6I/AAAAAAAAASI/J0kJHET3eb8/s1600/DSCN0780.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Something about the first snowfall always seems to put people in a good mood. Everyone was so relaxed and happy all weekend. It really did feel like a holiday. We even ate goose our last night!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa35ZZB6I/AAAAAAAAASI/J0kJHET3eb8/s1600/DSCN0780.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535234964617496482" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa35ZZB6I/AAAAAAAAASI/J0kJHET3eb8/s400/DSCN0780.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Vinzi patiently waiting for everyone to get ready so that he can go outside and play in the snow...</div>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa3uFJfNI/AAAAAAAAASA/TOsJK7aXy18/s1600/DSCN0782.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa3uFJfNI/AAAAAAAAASA/TOsJK7aXy18/s1600/DSCN0782.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535234961579801810" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa3uFJfNI/AAAAAAAAASA/TOsJK7aXy18/s400/DSCN0782.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our Austrian Cabin!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa3LvsD_I/AAAAAAAAAR4/G8QaP79Ydj8/s1600/DSCN0784.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535234952362987506" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa3LvsD_I/AAAAAAAAAR4/G8QaP79Ydj8/s400/DSCN0784.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is where I slept. Not the most comfortable bed, but at least I was in the room with the stove! Nice and cozy!</div>
<div>
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa26hTDSI/AAAAAAAAARw/AYl2nOGETAQ/s1600/DSCN0785.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535234947739225378" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa26hTDSI/AAAAAAAAARw/AYl2nOGETAQ/s400/DSCN0785.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa2sgLJBI/AAAAAAAAARo/j6TBxnJ3xdo/s1600/DSCN0789.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535234943976416274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEa2sgLJBI/AAAAAAAAARo/j6TBxnJ3xdo/s400/DSCN0789.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The original Singer sewing machine. (I took this one for Mom and Grandmum).</div>
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEZ_H7BlcI/AAAAAAAAARg/hByKRvoqt34/s1600/DSCN0790.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEZ_H7BlcI/AAAAAAAAARg/hByKRvoqt34/s1600/DSCN0790.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535233989264119234" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEZ_H7BlcI/AAAAAAAAARg/hByKRvoqt34/s400/DSCN0790.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEZ-5gINrI/AAAAAAAAARY/8MZJCScY6FU/s1600/DSCN0791.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535233985393211058" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEZ-5gINrI/AAAAAAAAARY/8MZJCScY6FU/s400/DSCN0791.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Das Bauernjahr" = "The Farm Year"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Irmgard told me that this is a very typical decoration in Austria. This one was hand stitched by her Aunt.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEZ-ftfYTI/AAAAAAAAARQ/wy0ewxpAnnI/s1600/DSCN0796.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535233978469933362" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEZ-ftfYTI/AAAAAAAAARQ/wy0ewxpAnnI/s400/DSCN0796.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEZ-LpCHCI/AAAAAAAAARI/x4UdBW5aYnQ/s1600/DSCN0798.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535233973082528802" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEZ-LpCHCI/AAAAAAAAARI/x4UdBW5aYnQ/s400/DSCN0798.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEZ9sVETCI/AAAAAAAAARA/fDomIlmkyfc/s1600/DSCN0804.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535233964677286946" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEZ9sVETCI/AAAAAAAAARA/fDomIlmkyfc/s400/DSCN0804.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't think the decor gets more Austrian than this!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We spent the snowy Saturday at the salt mines in Salzburg. I had actually already been to the salt mines in 2002 when I went to Germany with my class from high school. It's pretty incredible that I've gotten to have such a unique experience twice in my life!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYiLyUXCI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/r6GmcO3c66Y/s1600/DSCN0805.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535232392573508642" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYiLyUXCI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/r6GmcO3c66Y/s400/DSCN0805.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Everyone had to wear these silly white jumpers. Simon looked like an adorable marshmallow man.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYh-z8msI/AAAAAAAAAQw/YWewZcbcQIU/s1600/DSCN0806.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYh-z8msI/AAAAAAAAAQw/YWewZcbcQIU/s1600/DSCN0806.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535232389090679490" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYh-z8msI/AAAAAAAAAQw/YWewZcbcQIU/s400/DSCN0806.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
On our way to the mines!</div>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYhqoNefI/AAAAAAAAAQo/eggz3RWBoqQ/s1600/DSCN0808.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYhqoNefI/AAAAAAAAAQo/eggz3RWBoqQ/s1600/DSCN0808.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535232383672744434" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYhqoNefI/AAAAAAAAAQo/eggz3RWBoqQ/s400/DSCN0808.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYhQXhevI/AAAAAAAAAQg/JVwze8o0JCU/s1600/DSCN0809.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535232376623430386" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYhQXhevI/AAAAAAAAAQg/JVwze8o0JCU/s400/DSCN0809.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Still trying to look cool. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(The boy in the middle, Lucas, is TWELVE. I think he's already 6'4"!)</div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYhNF3YBI/AAAAAAAAAQY/yZ_j4tk7mVo/s1600/DSCN0810.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYhNF3YBI/AAAAAAAAAQY/yZ_j4tk7mVo/s1600/DSCN0810.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535232375744061458" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEYhNF3YBI/AAAAAAAAAQY/yZ_j4tk7mVo/s400/DSCN0810.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We crossed the border into Germany! Underground! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also: the woman who took this picture was with her family from Boston. Funny hearing "Boston" English in Austrian salt mines.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEWP8XNFYI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/-Ip9tXLvmZM/s1600/DSCN0817.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535229880172352898" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEWP8XNFYI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/-Ip9tXLvmZM/s400/DSCN0817.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEWPsjnBuI/AAAAAAAAAQI/0I9kxdxiAKY/s1600/DSCN0827.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535229875929417442" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEWPsjnBuI/AAAAAAAAAQI/0I9kxdxiAKY/s400/DSCN0827.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEWO5gzx1I/AAAAAAAAAQA/DmOlJGhTZn4/s1600/DSCN0828.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535229862227461970" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEWO5gzx1I/AAAAAAAAAQA/DmOlJGhTZn4/s400/DSCN0828.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEWOmpUGKI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Ze3WVOQTxA0/s1600/DSCN0830.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535229857162860706" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEWOmpUGKI/AAAAAAAAAP4/Ze3WVOQTxA0/s400/DSCN0830.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEWOWKf0YI/AAAAAAAAAPw/68_WoyReldY/s1600/DSCN0832.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535229852738638210" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEWOWKf0YI/AAAAAAAAAPw/68_WoyReldY/s400/DSCN0832.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEULXve4PI/AAAAAAAAAPo/xPx5OF-yyAk/s1600/DSCN0834.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>
<div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEULXve4PI/AAAAAAAAAPo/xPx5OF-yyAk/s1600/DSCN0834.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535227602599338226" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEULXve4PI/AAAAAAAAAPo/xPx5OF-yyAk/s400/DSCN0834.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sweet little Sara had to hold her own with all these boys...</div>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEUK3DobSI/AAAAAAAAAPg/ndHmQ4rOLDM/s1600/DSCN0839.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEUK3DobSI/AAAAAAAAAPg/ndHmQ4rOLDM/s1600/DSCN0839.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535227593825479970" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEUK3DobSI/AAAAAAAAAPg/ndHmQ4rOLDM/s400/DSCN0839.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We took a trip up the mountain to see a view of the Austrian Alps. Unfortunately, it was too foggy to see anything. Still a pretty cool picture, though!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEUJ9UjDaI/AAAAAAAAAPY/G63QHRU18Ec/s1600/DSCN0842.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535227578327174562" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEUJ9UjDaI/AAAAAAAAAPY/G63QHRU18Ec/s400/DSCN0842.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I liked this picture in Sepia.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEUJglEvQI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/zcGhj0-KJnE/s1600/DSCN0844.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535227570611862786" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEUJglEvQI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/zcGhj0-KJnE/s400/DSCN0844.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEUJf6f2hI/AAAAAAAAAPI/KE0djF6IhKg/s1600/DSCN0845.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535227570433284626" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEUJf6f2hI/AAAAAAAAAPI/KE0djF6IhKg/s400/DSCN0845.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lolo & Me!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNERY82NftI/AAAAAAAAAPA/1RwJn80ot7g/s1600/DSCN0846.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535224537363087058" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNERY82NftI/AAAAAAAAAPA/1RwJn80ot7g/s400/DSCN0846.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Poor Vinzi had cold hands.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNERYqWiMXI/AAAAAAAAAO4/tsNgHxlLvI4/s1600/DSCN0847.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535224532398387570" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNERYqWiMXI/AAAAAAAAAO4/tsNgHxlLvI4/s400/DSCN0847.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNERYSIkPRI/AAAAAAAAAOw/AzzaQEH3Zp4/s1600/DSCN0848.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535224525897350418" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNERYSIkPRI/AAAAAAAAAOw/AzzaQEH3Zp4/s400/DSCN0848.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Snowball fight action shot.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNERYB_1IKI/AAAAAAAAAOo/r6oW8VglFHk/s1600/DSCN0849.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535224521565741218" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNERYB_1IKI/AAAAAAAAAOo/r6oW8VglFHk/s400/DSCN0849.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An Austrian Rock.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNERX_-vu1I/AAAAAAAAAOg/Zij483cMWeI/s1600/DSCN0851.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535224521024322386" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNERX_-vu1I/AAAAAAAAAOg/Zij483cMWeI/s400/DSCN0851.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: rgb(0 , 0 , 238);"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535243173511136194" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TNEiVt6Jg8I/AAAAAAAAASY/PqxSPKMFSZE/s400/DSCN0831.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nice in Black & White.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This past weekend, I stayed in Vienna and the Herkner's took another trip, as the kids had Monday and Tuesday off from school once again. I was able to catch up on various things, and I went to a Halloween party! I'll be posting those pictures later this week, but I thought this was enough for one post.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I hope everyone is enjoying the start of November, and I'll report back soon!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-1155993232659092102010-10-21T21:04:00.005+02:002010-10-22T07:30:30.073+02:00An October Update<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TMCUdGg9TJI/AAAAAAAAAOY/7lEcggEzOIE/s1600/DSCN0680.JPG"></a>I haven't written in so long! I'm afraid that the busier I get here, the harder it will become to keep up with my blogging. I will do my best, even if that means once a week!<div><br /></div><div>Since I wrote last, I started my German language course. There are 14 of us in the class, including the instructor, and we represent 11 different countries. These include:</div><div><br /></div><div>Poland (three students come from Poland)</div><div>Georgia</div><div>Germany (our Professor)</div><div>Macedonia</div><div>Holland</div><div>Bulgaria</div><div>Ukraine (two are from Ukraine)</div><div>Serbia</div><div>China</div><div>England</div><div>USA (me!)</div><div><br /></div><div>I was so thrilled when the professor started speaking and I recognized his familiar German accent. Even HE said that he has trouble understanding the Austrian dialect. This made me feel a lot better, too! </div><div><br /></div><div>So far, the class is very challenging for me. We spend a lot of time discussing politics and economics: two subjects which don't particularly interest me, and which I admittedly don't know much about. I'm really enjoying getting to know everyone in my class, and it's just such a nice change from "Au pair life", which I think I need to keep my sanity!</div><div><br /></div><div>This past weekend, I recorded seven arias for a demo CD. I've already been to the studio to work on editing with the sound engineer, and I think I'm pretty satisfied with the outcome. Of course, I listen with the most critical ear and already hear things that I need to fix, but I don't think I could ever be COMPLETELY satisfied. At least I'm not discouraged!</div><div><br /></div><div>The time has come for me to start sending my materials (resume, CD, bio, etc.) to agents and opera companies throughout Europe. I'm going to be pretty busy, and I can't wait. I've always been one who thrives on a busy schedule, and I've just had too much time on my hands during these last two months! </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunately, I don't have any exciting pictures to post this time. I'm heading to Salzburg with the family again on Sunday, as it's a Holiday weekend here in Austria. Tuesday is National Day, so I'll be sure to let you know how the Austrians celebrate. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Oh wait...I found a picture!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I asked Emilia last week if she'd be dressing up for Halloween. She didn't say anything, just ran upstairs and told me I wasn't allowed to follow. She came down dressed like this. The cutest witch I've ever seen!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TMCUdGg9TJI/AAAAAAAAAOY/7lEcggEzOIE/s400/DSCN0680.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530583570096934034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-76000095538319976052010-10-13T09:17:00.007+02:002010-10-14T09:17:12.206+02:00A Weekend in Salzburg<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div>This past weekend, I traveled to Salzburg with the Herkners. It was a weekend full of family, TONS of kids, hiking, and lots of picture taking for me. I was absolutely overwhelmed with the beauty of the Austrian countryside. We stayed with Irmgard's younger brother, Christoph, who lives in a beautiful home in the hills of Austria. Christoph and his wife, Isabella, have four children, and they hosted us along with another family with FIVE kids! Twelve children between the ages of six and fifteen were in this house. I felt like I was at summer camp. :)<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>HELLBRUNN CASTLE</b><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLYEf4NyweI/AAAAAAAAANA/MAuM23Exm_s/s400/DSCN0681.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527610538356556258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">At a rest stop somewhere in Austria.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(I absolutely love that the Herkners have a VW Bus!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLYEfvp-2fI/AAAAAAAAAM4/VXG2lxQpYn8/s400/DSCN0684.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527610536058870258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">When we arrived in Salzburg, our first stop was <a href="http://www.hellbrunn.at/en/">Hellbrunn Castle</a>. This Castle was built and inhabited by Archbishop Markus Sittikus in the 17th Century. Hellbrunn was his summer home, and portrays Sittikus's sense of humor and love of life. The archbishop commissioned an Italian architect to install trick fountains throughout the palace. Sittikus would host parties with lots of food and wine, and once his guests were sufficiently full of both, he would surprise them and turn on the fountains, which are still working today! (See photo below)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLYEfBmeZJI/AAAAAAAAAMo/8MI1bv2Y9f4/s400/DSCN0700.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527610523696129170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tour guide asked for volunteers to sit around the table, and you can see that Felix was thrilled to get soaked!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLYEfXDcZJI/AAAAAAAAAMw/CmWOAq2cdMY/s400/DSCN0689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527610529454777490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">All twelve kids!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLYBH3EcYQI/AAAAAAAAAMY/oWgJvgaGO7c/s400/DSCN0703.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527606827197161730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLYBHQJgbtI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/omXSNyM7_rg/s400/DSCN0706.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527606816749416146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLYBGhX7xPI/AAAAAAAAAMI/fvdj05r14t0/s400/DSCN0709.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527606804193461490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLYBGSsYdRI/AAAAAAAAAMA/2w5x_dbUNmk/s400/DSCN0716.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527606800252695826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLYBF_AFdDI/AAAAAAAAAL4/b5GOd5NlXuY/s400/DSCN0721.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527606794966627378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLWpq6239FI/AAAAAAAAALo/aiupLafd0NY/s400/DSCN0722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527510672486167634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLWpqjQExPI/AAAAAAAAALg/ZOK-egonK-w/s400/DSCN0724.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527510666149414130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLWpqFaCf1I/AAAAAAAAALY/rGrU-Jzni4o/s400/DSCN0725.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527510658138144594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Cousins, Simon and Vinzi, enjoying their weekend together. They're both 6, and good buddies.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLWpp3A9eTI/AAAAAAAAALQ/bf14FecbHq0/s400/DSCN0729.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527510654274861362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><b>HIKING ON SUNDAY</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div>We had a leisurely Sunday morning at Christoph's home, and then all of the (male) cousins piled into the VW bus, and we met up with both Harald's and Irmgard's parents for a hike. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLaq5DX-9tI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/ySPh6fLG0V0/s400/DSCN0734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527793489779029714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Christoph's home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLaq41HsA-I/AAAAAAAAAOI/joulrXOYQ60/s400/DSCN0735.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527793485952582626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The breathtaking view from the balcony.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLaq4l7n81I/AAAAAAAAAOA/8nLhFm-BDRE/s400/DSCN0747.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527793481875452754" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 375px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is Jonas, 8. He let me sleep in his room, and kept reminding me of it all weekend. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLaq4aNvrSI/AAAAAAAAAN4/0y9kg_MKGcI/s400/DSCN0748.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527793478730231074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Simon getting ready to hike!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLaq4CQMxAI/AAAAAAAAANw/QjCOjynMpYQ/s400/DSCN0751.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527793472298075138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking along this little stream inspired me to sing a Schubert lied. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy, but there really were trout in there! How could I NOT sing "Die Forelle"???</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLapbRomxyI/AAAAAAAAANo/xmipWTTf8LY/s400/DSCN0754.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527791878699140898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">"The hills are alive...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLapbDBNReI/AAAAAAAAANg/sLa1Ej5rfbs/s400/DSCN0760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527791874775795170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">...with the sound of music!"</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLapay_RbZI/AAAAAAAAANY/sNW6erDBrD8/s400/DSCN0763.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527791870472711570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLapaTthJ8I/AAAAAAAAANQ/6QE6gwi2MsQ/s400/DSCN0767.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527791862076745666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">All of the cousins made it to the top!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TLapaFSXPZI/AAAAAAAAANI/5_7Qb0rLdWE/s400/DSCN0769.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527791858204753298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Jonas & Opa on the hike back down.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>I think I'll end this post here for now. I still have a lot of updating to do, but I have to get going on my German homework! In my next post, I'll include stories of my interesting German class. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-51960066456000675762010-10-06T08:57:00.007+02:002010-10-06T16:15:12.154+02:00A Viennese Audition<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKx9v1u3VEI/AAAAAAAAALI/1o8o4VJDSgA/s1600/DSCN0678.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKx6GMMpzVI/AAAAAAAAALA/P3351GONwkY/s1600/DSCN0678.JPG"></a>My first agent audition went well enough for me to report back!<div><br />Overall, I would say that it was a positive, successful first European audition experience. David, my coach, organized this audition for an American soprano, Jenufa, and me. It was so nice to have a private audition, as the agent was able to take time to give me immediate feedback. I have to admit that I was too nervous for my own good, but my nerves calmed down by the time I began my second piece, and I was able to get a hold of my breath and calm my mind. I'm so glad to have this first audition out of the way, as now I have a better idea of what to expect. This particular agent said that my voice is best suited for coloratura (i.e. Rossini) and French repertoire. I still haven't had a chance to really talk to David about what he thought (he accompanied me), so I look forward to hearing his opinion. I don't think I'll be hearing back from the agent, but I wouldn't have expected that so early in the game. He has my contact information, though, so who knows! <div><br /></div><div>After singing, Jenufa and I treated ourselves to coffee at the famous<a href="http://www.sacher.com/"> </a><a href="http://www.sacher.com/en-hotel-sacher-vienna.htm">Hotel Sacher</a>, which is right across the street from the opera house. Jenufa is twelve years older than I, and lives in Florence with her husband. She's been singing in Europe for several years now, and had a lot of great advice for me. I look forward to keeping in contact with her, and maybe visiting her in Italy someday! We took this photo together at the Hotel Sacher Café. When we asked our server to take our picture, the entire café became silent, and everyone started staring at us. I still don't know why. Maybe you can even see how much I was blushing in this photo!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKx9v1u3VEI/AAAAAAAAALI/1o8o4VJDSgA/s400/DSCN0678.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524929103707722818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>That's all for now...I'm off to review some French arias! :)</div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-83137920018223295292010-10-05T10:45:00.005+02:002010-10-05T12:00:49.542+02:00A month has come and gone...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKrqF8ssD9I/AAAAAAAAAK4/LOJNV7gMKR4/s1600/DSCN0667.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's officially been one month since I boarded the plane in Pittsburgh for Vienna. Although there have been some ups and downs, I think I've settled in quite well. I've established my role with the family and have found a good balance between family member and employee. I have so much fun with the boys, and really enjoy spending time with the family when I'm not "on the clock". <div><br /></div><div>A recent development: last week, when Vinzenz come up to my room to tell me it was dinnertime, he hid behind my door and scared "the living daylights out of me", as my mom would say. :) Since then, Felix and Lolo have caught on. Last night, Lolo called me for dinner, and I walked down the hall with a full glass of water. He jumped out from behind a corner, and I was so startled that the water went everywhere. I think he loved that. He ran downstairs and reported his victory to the rest of the family.<div><br /></div><div>The last time I wrote, I was headed to my coaching with David and was hoping to see TOSCA from backstage. Well, it was even better than I'd expected: David snuck me up to a lighting booth directly above stage right, and I could see absolutely everything. It was thrilling! (Though I think at one point, Scarpia and I made eye contact, which was terrifying.) Before the performance, David and I went to the Staatsoper cafeteria to grab a bite to eat. I observed cast members in full costume, dressed as monks and choristers, sipping a beer ten minutes before curtain. That's showbiz, I guess!</div><div><br /></div><div>On Saturday, David gave me a comp ticket for the premiere of Donizetti's <i>Lucrezia Borgia</i> at the Staatsoper. In the third row. What an experience that was. Lucrezia was sung by the legend Edita Gruberova, who, at age sixty, still has the chops! It was a concert version, so the soloists were completely downstage with the orchestra and chorus behind them. It was great seeing their faces so close. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some photos from the two hour city bike tour I took with Harald, the three boys, and two of their friends on Sunday. I was pretty nervous at the beginning (see first photo!) because I was the only female, and I didn't have the greatest first experience with city bike riding! It ended up being so much fun, albeit freezing cold. We had our own parade throughout the inner city of Vienna! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKrqF8ssD9I/AAAAAAAAAK4/LOJNV7gMKR4/s400/DSCN0667.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524485280837144530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKrqFcydSeI/AAAAAAAAAKw/lnbz-vyicRI/s400/DSCN0668.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524485272271407586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKrqFHFaSDI/AAAAAAAAAKo/rAj6pEZ5z4w/s400/DSCN0670.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524485266445322290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 188px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">This photo was taken under a bridge along the Danube canal. The walls are completely covered in graffiti like this. It made for a pretty cool photo!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKrqEzPBPXI/AAAAAAAAAKg/C1kqktoPb_M/s400/DSCN0672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524485261116915058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Harald was a great tour guide. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today, I have my first audition with an agent. Last night, I translated and reformatted my resume to fit the German/Austrian standards. I have to admit that I'm pretty nervous, as I have no idea what to expect. You have to start somewhere though, right? I'm really not expecting much out of this audition, but I'm just looking forward to being heard and getting some feedback. I may or may not report back on the audition, depending on how it goes! ;)</div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-59989543767924175482010-10-01T10:52:00.005+02:002010-10-01T11:21:45.572+02:00Name Day & Emilia<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKWio_N-NYI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/00KhFCILEvQ/s1600/DSCN0657.JPG"></a>Happy October, everyone! I can't believe how quickly September flew by. I've already been seeing some Halloween decorations in Vienna. Everything is so much more "Americanized" in Europe just since I lived in Germany ten years ago. Halloween was so foreign to my friends and host family in Germany in 2000, but now, in 2010, children over here are talking about trick or treating and Halloween parties.<div><br /></div><div>Emilia, for example, was a bat for Halloween last year. She might be Ariel from <i>The Little Mermaid</i> this year, because Ariel is her favorite Disney Princess. Though Emilia informed me (in English) that she doesn't like red hair. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here she is!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKWkUo0x-GI/AAAAAAAAAJY/dA7ajxt2l3A/s400/DSCN0657.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523001192502917218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Emilia's favorite color is purple. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Vinzi's Name Day celebration was a lot of fun the other evening. It's pretty much a smaller version of a birthday party. Everyone sang a traditional folk song to him, and he was presented with a cake and a few little gifts. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Vinzi and I got off to a bit of a rocky start, as I think he was testing me out, but now we're getting along so well. I'd say that my best friend in Vienna right now is a blonde little six year old! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">In these photos: Harald, Irmgard, Vinzenz, Alma (Vinzenz's cousin), Judith (Vinzenz's Godmother)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKWmpJ6rtfI/AAAAAAAAAJg/2GmCJpa_lXc/s320/DSCN0650.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523003744006682098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKWmpr8dchI/AAAAAAAAAJo/tH7q_QUZpt0/s320/DSCN0651.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523003753140941330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKWmp7Kz_YI/AAAAAAAAAJw/VisVF6UatQI/s320/DSCN0652.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523003757227670914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKWmqB23-rI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/EOnd_TIUYJo/s320/DSCN0655.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523003759023094450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oooh, Abalone! Vinzenz loves games. Especially checkers and chess. Games were really never my thing, but I'm learning to love them. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I have a coaching this evening with David at the Staatsoper at 6.30, and then there is a performance of TOSCA beginning at 8PM. I'm secretly hoping that he sneaks me backstage for TOSCA as he did for BOHÈME. I shouldn't get my hopes up, of course, but it sure would be exciting!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-2117227334088509482010-09-30T12:19:00.003+02:002010-09-30T12:34:19.041+02:00German Course AdventuresI just got back from the university to register for my German Language course, which is a requirement of the au pair contract. <div><br /></div><div>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. </div><div><br /></div><div>I immediately got off the bike and walked it on the sidewalk.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then the proctor said jokingly, "So, do you want to take a class or teach one?" </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>Man, what an experience that was. </div><div><br /></div><div>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!</div><div><br /></div><div>Bis dann :)</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-86581023648496107842010-09-28T12:40:00.008+02:002010-09-28T13:59:39.943+02:00Starting the last week in September<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKHUtWqbqSI/AAAAAAAAAJI/NhMutDcY5H0/s1600/DSCN0649.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>A Day with the Family</b></div><div><br /></div><b>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. </b><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>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!)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKHHvopj97I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/d-tW_X3zp3c/s400/DSCN0643.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521914239312459698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 325px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b>Deutsches Deutsch</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Every time I meet a new friend or family member of the Herkners, the conversation goes something like this (translated):</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Friend: "Where did you learn to speak German?"</b></div><div><b>Me: "I lived in Germany for a year as an exchange student."</b></div><div><b>Friend (curiously): "Where in Germany?"</b></div><div><b>Me: "Right in the middle. My host family was from Hannover."</b></div><div><b>Friend (usually smirking): "OH, okay. Because you speak with an accent. A German accent."</b></div><div><b>Me (not really knowing how to respond): "Yes. I don't speak Viennese!"</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>It's so funny to me that I have a "German" accent here. Better than an American one, that's for sure!</b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Trips to School</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>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! ;)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKHI_Oil9eI/AAAAAAAAAJA/4BCuv5HKvCI/s320/DSCN0648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521915606693443042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKHI-v_YEEI/AAAAAAAAAI4/7kPKXNM9LnM/s320/DSCN0644.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521915598492667970" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKHI-J7rGUI/AAAAAAAAAIw/emfTa-myc18/s320/DSCN0646.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521915588276590914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b>A New Friend from the Dear Friends!</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><b>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, </b><a href="http://www.pitt.edu/~amerimus/foster.htm"><b>Stephen Foster</b></a><b>, 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!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TKHUtWqbqSI/AAAAAAAAAJI/NhMutDcY5H0/s400/DSCN0649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521928493775694114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 321px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b>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!</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-5669093180630204242010-09-28T09:29:00.003+02:002010-09-28T09:33:51.120+02:00A New LookI 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!<div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-3435261036749211782010-09-26T12:30:00.007+02:002010-09-26T13:43:21.328+02:00Where did this last week go?<div style="text-align: left;">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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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. </div><div><br /></div><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Friday evening, Jay and I went to the<span><span> </span><a href="http://www.volksoper.at/Content.Node2/home/index.en.php">Volksoper</a></span> 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. </div><div><br /></div><div>Well, Jay and I didn't stay for all of Tosca. </div><div>Instead, we went to Jay's favorite café, Café Berg, where I had an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_Budvar_Brewery">ORIGINAL Budweiser Beer</a>, brewed in the Czech Republic. Much better than the Budweiser we know!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJ8rhWUKpiI/AAAAAAAAAHA/B8p_tUQYFp8/s400/DSCN0639.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521179520105358882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>On Saturday, Jay and I met again to go to the <a href="http://www.aboutvienna.org/sights/naschmarkt.php">Naschmarkt</a> 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! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJ8uPLKReEI/AAAAAAAAAHI/jkYtepyuHAU/s400/DSCN0642.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521182506408310850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJ8uPYDL-HI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/Sx6KVAVFXSE/s400/DSCN0641.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521182509868251250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>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! </div><div><br /></div><div>Just kidding...I hope! ;)</div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-10227404223651452862010-09-22T09:24:00.009+02:002010-09-22T10:37:35.743+02:00Catching up since last week...<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJm8DqrQjbI/AAAAAAAAAGw/aUmDxLPo2FA/s1600/DSCN0635.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJm53jRp1oI/AAAAAAAAAGo/D_uatVWHOhw/s1600/DSCN0622.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJm5v3xaRvI/AAAAAAAAAGg/gpA3YDERUFo/s1600/DSCN0624.JPG"></a><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A Visit from an Old Friend & a Trip to Schönbrunn</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmwwFnnV8I/AAAAAAAAAGY/mSsqYdyiLKw/s1600/DSCN0596.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmwwFnnV8I/AAAAAAAAAGY/mSsqYdyiLKw/s400/DSCN0596.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519637158507796418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmwgArboGI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/rNLBy0x6Qxc/s1600/DSCN0602.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmwgArboGI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/rNLBy0x6Qxc/s400/DSCN0602.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519636882303721570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmwfkfyKOI/AAAAAAAAAGI/AackGYPv_Gc/s1600/DSCN0600.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmwfkfyKOI/AAAAAAAAAGI/AackGYPv_Gc/s400/DSCN0600.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519636874738673890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmwfHlQwLI/AAAAAAAAAGA/jq23PgN_sik/s1600/DSCN0598.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmwfHlQwLI/AAAAAAAAAGA/jq23PgN_sik/s400/DSCN0598.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519636866977022130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmwe6eKT0I/AAAAAAAAAF4/HKhVWq7lQmQ/s1600/DSCN0597.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmwe6eKT0I/AAAAAAAAAF4/HKhVWq7lQmQ/s400/DSCN0597.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519636863457578818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmweRJ8vcI/AAAAAAAAAFw/FvSUrTERzow/s1600/DSCN0592.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJmweRJ8vcI/AAAAAAAAAFw/FvSUrTERzow/s400/DSCN0592.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519636852366949826" /></a><br /><div>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 <a href="http://www.aboutvienna.org/sights/schoenbrunn_palace.php">Schönbrunn Palace</a>, 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 <a href="http://www.aboutvienna.org/sights/tiergarten.php">world's oldest zoo</a>! 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 <a href="http://www.christmasmarket.at/en.php/Information/index.php">here</a>!</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Another Exciting Night at the Opera</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">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 <i>La Bohème </i>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!</span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">A Night Walk along the Danube and "Flashdance" auf Deutsch!</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJm53jRp1oI/AAAAAAAAAGo/D_uatVWHOhw/s400/DSCN0622.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519647182332483202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJm5v3xaRvI/AAAAAAAAAGg/gpA3YDERUFo/s400/DSCN0624.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519647050395436786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></b></div><div>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!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>And finally, a night with Cecilia Bartoli</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJm8DqrQjbI/AAAAAAAAAGw/aUmDxLPo2FA/s400/DSCN0635.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519649589500612018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px; " /></span></b></div><div>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 <i>Semele</i>. 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 <a href="http://www.theater-wien.at/">here</a>.) It's almost overwhelming, how many opportunities I have to see incredible musical performances in Vienna. I feel so lucky! </div><div><br /></div><div>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!</div><div><br /></div><div>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! </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Will be writing again soon!</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Amanda</span></b></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-29713395233514924612010-09-21T15:19:00.003+02:002010-09-21T15:27:49.243+02:00A Quick Hello!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJiyO3nef2I/AAAAAAAAAFo/OmffFSjSDU4/s1600/DSCN0595.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 350px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJiyO3nef2I/AAAAAAAAAFo/OmffFSjSDU4/s400/DSCN0595.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519357311859982178" /></a><br />Hi everyone!<div><br /></div><div>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!</div><div><br /></div><div>I've attached a "teaser photo" of me on the grounds of the famous summer home of the imperial family called Schönbrunn. </div><div><br /></div><div> More on that trip to come!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-20013041320901616272010-09-15T20:04:00.017+02:002010-09-16T10:00:35.395+02:00Schulgasse 13<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJHFZGhOf2I/AAAAAAAAAEg/42i0q0OL6j4/s1600/DSCN0566.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJHBOFP0B-I/AAAAAAAAAEY/hEsQxXPXVE8/s1600/DSCN0494.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJHBOFP0B-I/AAAAAAAAAEY/hEsQxXPXVE8/s400/DSCN0494.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517403466176399330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">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. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJHAKpNgbgI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/c31WYJMNAUs/s1600/DSCN0498.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJHAKpNgbgI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/c31WYJMNAUs/s400/DSCN0498.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517402307599298050" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here's our street, Schulgasse. You can see our building on the left, to the right of the pink house.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJELEdbdePI/AAAAAAAAAEI/czuZgExyMV4/s1600/DSCN0549.JPG"></a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJELEdbdePI/AAAAAAAAAEI/czuZgExyMV4/s1600/DSCN0549.JPG"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJELEdbdePI/AAAAAAAAAEI/czuZgExyMV4/s400/DSCN0549.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517203189752756466" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">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!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A new discovery...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">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!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJHG6ngSw3I/AAAAAAAAAFA/RmhQvPcBnpM/s400/DSCN0558.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517409728844710770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJHF7JX2MgI/AAAAAAAAAE4/LrJITOo1haI/s400/DSCN0561.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517408638424461826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJHIqBk-Q7I/AAAAAAAAAFI/4tGrC-_ApPc/s400/DSCN0566.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517411642809140146" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJHJgJ2Bz0I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/4in3v2peoXY/s400/DSCN0565.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517412572741095234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TJHKivT_y7I/AAAAAAAAAFg/oAGbRsXwUGE/s400/DSCN0563.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517413716670270386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In other news...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">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. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Fingers crossed...or, "hold the thumbs" as the Austrians do!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-39183206852136497032010-09-13T12:23:00.008+02:002010-09-13T13:33:32.116+02:00Sailing on Saturday, and Sunday in the City<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI3-frIudsI/AAAAAAAAAD4/ZCZwrhfJ-dI/s400/DSCN0525.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516344938707449538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">On our way to the New Danube to sail! From left: Wendelin (Lolo's friend), Lolo, Irmgard, Felix, and Irmgard's mother (Großmutti).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI3-gHHeHwI/AAAAAAAAAEA/IpfF2FNelwU/s1600/DSCN0523.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI3-gHHeHwI/AAAAAAAAAEA/IpfF2FNelwU/s400/DSCN0523.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516344946218376962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Harald and Vinzenz were very excited to go sailing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI3-frIudsI/AAAAAAAAAD4/ZCZwrhfJ-dI/s1600/DSCN0525.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI3-e9w7wyI/AAAAAAAAADw/XILo3zSTLZU/s1600/DSCN0529.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI3-e9w7wyI/AAAAAAAAADw/XILo3zSTLZU/s400/DSCN0529.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516344926528062242" /></a><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">Hallo, Vinzi! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Every child in Austria rides a scooter!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI396fbn9BI/AAAAAAAAADo/IV1sbw67yQ0/s1600/DSCN0530.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI396fbn9BI/AAAAAAAAADo/IV1sbw67yQ0/s400/DSCN0530.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516344299910329362" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The New Danube river.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI39tBAEXDI/AAAAAAAAADg/XVis9LSa8jk/s1600/DSCN0532.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI39tBAEXDI/AAAAAAAAADg/XVis9LSa8jk/s400/DSCN0532.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516344068403387442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Lolo and Wendelin shared a boat, and Felix got to sail on his own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI39JEt48QI/AAAAAAAAADY/5IojUH4j-AQ/s1600/DSCN0534.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 274px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI39JEt48QI/AAAAAAAAADY/5IojUH4j-AQ/s400/DSCN0534.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516343450925592834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Harald, Irmgard, Vinzi, Großmutti, and I sailed together in this boat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI38uGP_VNI/AAAAAAAAADQ/aPnSjuaRJYs/s1600/DSCN0537.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 307px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI38uGP_VNI/AAAAAAAAADQ/aPnSjuaRJYs/s400/DSCN0537.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516342987480585426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">An entertaining puppeteer in the city.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI38hq1XhPI/AAAAAAAAADI/Io-dqZ4BtNA/s1600/DSCN0545.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TI38hq1XhPI/AAAAAAAAADI/Io-dqZ4BtNA/s400/DSCN0545.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516342773962736882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Stephansdom</b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is where Mozart was married and where his funeral was held. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is also where I performed with the Robert Page Festival Singers in the Summer of 2008.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">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. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">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!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That's all for now. More pictures and updates to come! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-5735720501090703102010-09-11T11:59:00.010+02:002010-09-11T13:06:57.272+02:00The Opera<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TItfm3tKMrI/AAAAAAAAADA/N91BvOV-EXo/s1600/DSCN0521.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TItfm3tKMrI/AAAAAAAAADA/N91BvOV-EXo/s400/DSCN0521.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515607290038334130" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The view of the Opera House on the way to the subway station</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TItfSL0O2zI/AAAAAAAAAC4/C5qHbpz8dAQ/s1600/DSCN0511.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TItfSL0O2zI/AAAAAAAAAC4/C5qHbpz8dAQ/s400/DSCN0511.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515606934659455794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The screen on the side of the Opera House, showing the live performance (you can see Rodolfo and Mimì!)</div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TItfCDq7SuI/AAAAAAAAACw/-o6MCgZm_Ag/s1600/DSCN0508.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TIteCA9LysI/AAAAAAAAACo/CmzRJPht1i8/s1600/DSCN0514.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TIteCA9LysI/AAAAAAAAACo/CmzRJPht1i8/s400/DSCN0514.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515605557354678978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The audience outside</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TItduXvRZHI/AAAAAAAAACg/pSusA9NUnOU/s1600/DSCN0509.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TItduXvRZHI/AAAAAAAAACg/pSusA9NUnOU/s400/DSCN0509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515605219872957554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Jay & me</div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TItdiTzGhKI/AAAAAAAAACY/O6L_5oE6nAc/s1600/DSCN0506.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TItdiTzGhKI/AAAAAAAAACY/O6L_5oE6nAc/s400/DSCN0506.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515605012656850082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TItdXnJuxOI/AAAAAAAAACQ/qHj5opvvnZ8/s1600/DSCN0504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TItdXnJuxOI/AAAAAAAAACQ/qHj5opvvnZ8/s400/DSCN0504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515604828873475298" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the Vienna Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper). Two nights ago, I saw <i>La Bohème</i>. 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!</div><div><br /></div><div><div>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 <i>Die Zauberflöte</i> 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. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66677037467127718.post-43807441525299906642010-09-10T15:36:00.009+02:002010-09-10T17:32:02.056+02:00Meet the Herkners<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TIo6zZUeY3I/AAAAAAAAAA0/ld_keOAh7Ug/s1600/DSCN0516.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TIo6zZUeY3I/AAAAAAAAAA0/ld_keOAh7Ug/s400/DSCN0516.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515285348313097074" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TIo3dOK4F7I/AAAAAAAAAAs/5WhbwIL1uLo/s1600/DSCN0480.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TIo3J7DQJpI/AAAAAAAAAAk/3_j9mn3E0-U/s1600/DSCN0519.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TIo218mKmmI/AAAAAAAAAAc/GabvztMU9Jc/s320/DSCN0500.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515280994095766114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TIo3J7DQJpI/AAAAAAAAAAk/3_j9mn3E0-U/s320/DSCN0519.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515281337278277266" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tX63otY3m0c/TIo3dOK4F7I/AAAAAAAAAAs/5WhbwIL1uLo/s320/DSCN0480.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515281668828043186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>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!<div><br /></div><div>Introducing (top photo, from left to right):</div><div>Vinzenz (Vinz, or Vinzi), 6</div><div>Laurence (Lolo), 11</div><div>Felix, 13</div><div><br /></div><div>The next two pictures are of Vinzenz, on the way to school, and then climbing up the doorway of course!</div><div><br /></div><div>Laurence is in the bottom photo.</div><div><br /></div><div>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! </div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>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! </div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2