Happy Austria Day!

Sunrise over Hollabrunn

 To be completely honest, I’m bored. I’m frustrated. And I’m really sick of living in the Sporthotel.

 I feel like I’m waiting for something, and I’m not sure what that something is. Today I managed to stay in bed until 12:30. 12:30. WHAT?! I’ve never done that. That’s over twelve hours of sleep. *Ok, to be fair, I haven’t slept well the last two nights because of the insane wind..no seriously…in my state of sleeping delirium I though a tornado was about to touch down in Hollabrunn, Austria. Its been pretty crazy here..* I played the wake up and fall back asleep game until I finally came to my senses. Today we’re off because of the national holiday, and next week we have three days sans school. Sweet deal.

I cannot wait to get paid. As of now I’m doing fine financially, but it doesn’t help that I’ve had to buy so much food since we can’t cook. Frequent trips to Vienna to look at flats have also added up. I just want to hop on a train to the Czech Republic, or anywhere, but I can’t until we get paid- November 15^th.

I’m not sure if I’m totally here. Serge, Nisha, and I have just returned from McDonald’s where we heard Teddy Geiger (“for you, I will”…oh man, High School) Maroon Five, Aretha Franklin, and Adele. I had a Chai and a chocolate muffin, it felt just like Starbucks. While I’m clearly in Austria, I’m ready to really feel like I’m here. To get my groove on. To live in the city and to have a routine that involves real person things. Not just some combination of school and McDonald’s/Kebap/Coffee and hours on my computer. I’m over it.

Given the opportunity to do nothing, quite frankly the three of us tend to do nothing. I often go for walks but the weather has been pretty miserable as of late. I should be studying German.

Trees!

While I am exceedingly happy to be living in Austria, a huge part of me misses home. This weekend I missed my grandmother’s services in NY and Pittsburgh. This left me feeling very empty as I knew my family was together celebrating her life. I decided to walk in the Vienna woods and enjoy plenty of chocolate things just as grandma would have. Of course this was lovely. I miss fall in Ithaca more than I can say. Pumpkin Ice Cream at Purity. Fall on the lake. Everything. Fall here has been quite underwhelming so far. I can’t decide if it really hasn’t started yet, or this is it.



Hiking



Ranting aside, I will be able to move into my apartment on Sunday evening, though I probably will sometime Monday or Tuesday. I am beyond excited to move to Vienna! Yesterday I explored the surrounding streets and found boutiques, a cupcake shop (yes), art galleries, a traditional Bohemian restaurant, theatres, and a gorgeous church. Not to mention I’m a five minute’s walk from the Opera and Museumsquartier. The girls are wonderful, and I’m sad to see Amaya leave. I feel like we’d have a lot of fun together! However, I am taking her room, and am so thankful for a place to call home. I think it’ll be a great eight months with Gabriella, and I can’t wait to see her perform! (Both are actresses).

I’ll be out of this phase soon, I’m sure. I just have to get through.



More hiking



I did attend a mixer at the Austrian American society last week. I met a lot of nice people and hope meet up with them again soon. Another plus- free wine and food! By the way, if you're reading this Cliff Katz, Meredith and I are waiting. Get your butt out here now!

Serge, Nisha, Sam, Robyn and I went out on Friday night to Hollabrunn's "nightclub." Capris is a bar/restaraunt with multiple purple rooms full of zebra print things. We enjoyed cocktails and ran into a few of our students. They're not a day over sixteen, but legal in Europe!

In other news, I’ve met three more classes and all have gone well. This week I taught about the Industrial Revolution, American Houses, Facebook, Halloween, and Gender Double Standards. When introducing herself to me, a student said her Father has 199 children. Hmm. I wonder what she really meant. I smiled, nodded, and turned to the next student.

Be well,

Muffin

Well, here I sit relaxing on my bed, as I’ve newly discovered that the internet *sort of* works in my room! Which means that yesterday I spent about four hours watching a documentary about Gypsy weddings in the UK. Don’t get me started on that one…

This weekend has actually been rather lovely. Serge and I went for a long wander yesterday. I took him on my running path through cobblestone lanes and by wine cellars and those summer houses. We then ate lunch like a true Hollabrunner- at the Kebap shop- and walked to the Friedhof, or cemetery.

Serge strikes a pose

Pumpkins!!



Serge in front of our school



The rest of the afternoon was a long Siesta, and afterwards I dined on ice cream for dinner. We proceeded to have beers and chat. Today  I spent a few hours running/walking/ok fine mostly walking through the woods though my ears were quite cold by the end. We have just returned from the Kebap shop..

Our food choices are limited. McDonald’s, Kebap, Café where we can order cheese and veggies on toast followed by cake. Yup. I stopped in McDonald’s for a chai Wednesday and happened to bump into the mayor, a young successful looking man with his posse in tow and a really nice Lexus.

School this week went quite well, and I didn’t miss any lessons! I taught on a variety of topics, though I think my activity on censorship went over quite well. I had the students, eighteen years old (win), divide themselves into groups and discuss whether or not to censor Rebecca Black’s latest scandalous video. Some of them got the Friday Friday Fridayyyy joke, others not so much. In another class students created their own charity event after seeing my Bike and Build video. (Oh, Bike and Build, I miss you!) We then had a long discussion about housing issues, etc in Austria. My conversation class went very well, and the students surprised me with their knowledge and willingness to push subjects like racism. Heavy subjects are common discussion in the Austrian classroom. These kids are not coddled, or taught that Thanksgiving was just a friendly gathering between some white folks and those Indians. No no. I love it here! While a certain bias exists, I would say that Austrians are willing to acknowledge history as it occurred, and modern situations as they are.

I have many students with the name Florian. One likes to be called Flo. I love this.

One of my students thought Chicago was a state.

The verb “make” is used for everything. We make a party. Do you like to make parties?

The best part of my week is easily Friday night…I have a place to live! For real this time! I’ll be living with a lovely young Swiss woman in the eighth district, near the Rathaus. This is an excellent location, with an even better price. My commute will be quite easy, and I’ll be in central Vienna.

Rathaus Wien

I finally feel like things are coming together. My friends and I are beginning to scheme our travels- Croatia, Montenegro…warmth. I would love to go to Ithaca, as in, ITHACA, Greece.  Soon I’ll have a real place to call home, a kitchen, and hot tea whenever I’d like. I’m ready to thrive. To live in Vienna and just exist.

In other news, I do miss Ithaca! The Farmer’s Market, the lake, gorges…oh man. Say hi to her for me, would you please?

Cheers, and be well

Muffin

My Baby Plays the Guitar..I Pick the Banjo now..

Songs I literally can't get enough of latelly...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gX1EP6mG-E&ob=av2e

as ambiance for my apartment search...and to get me through a day's work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5DeY3H1oaU

I'm in such a bluegrass folky phase right now, its brilliant. Its very comforting to say the least..and has lead to an intense desire to relearn the guitar or learn the banjo. No, seriously.

Anyway..random thought of the day.
Happy Sunday!

Do you like Schnitzel? And Other Moments from the First Week of School

Well, I’ve successfully gotten through my first week of classes like a big girl!

            While there were a few minor blunders- confusion over my schedules between the two schools, completely missing one of my classes because I’m an idiot, faulty technology, etc- I seem to be doing ok. So far my schedule rotates on some incomprehensible manner, but I have every other Wednesday off. And maybe Thursdays? And we’re working on Fridays because the teachers understand I want to travel and think the kids don’t care on Fridays anyway so why not have me come in on Wednesday instead. Phew. I don’t know. For know I just have to go with it, and say yes to everything. I’m working thirteen hours a week, so I do have plenty of free time. Right now it doesn’t feel this way as I’m constantly planning lessons and making sure I’m doing everything correctly. Once I settle into a routine and get to know my teachers and students things will become easier.

            The two schools, Bundeshandelsakademie and the Aufbaugymnasium, share a beautiful old building and are joined by a chapel. The BHAK (a business oriented high school) doesn’t seem to hold any religious focus, but the Aufbaugymnasium (typical high school) has crosses in every classroom and starts each morning with a prayer. There is also a resident Father who roams the halls. He has a very ethereal air and it seems that he saw right through me while shaking my hand. I’ve actually seen him in town twice since then.



My School(s)!



            My teachers have been exceedingly warm and welcoming at both schools. I met with Martina- the teacher who is basically in charge of me at the ABG- on Wednesday, and she greeted me with coffee and two pastries (eat, eat!). Wine bottles littered the lounge, “I swear, we’re not in the anonymous alcoholics, it is someone’s birthday, would you like some sparkling wine?” On Friday I enjoyed fresh grapes after class. After hearing the schpeel about Bike and Build I gave to his class, Reinhard offered to let me borrow his “fancy schmaancy rayyhicing bhhyyke..and I ask my cyyhcling club for your about byhkes.” *That’s an Austrian accent..

            Every class is different, but my students have been pretty good, though I can forsee challenges with some classes. Honestly, this whole thing can be pretty nerve racking! I’ve gotten the usual gamut of questions- “Do you have a boyfriend?” “Do you have dogs?” “Do you make parties?” “Why do you like Austria?” “How old are you?” “Do you have kids?” (Oh God no..) and all have asked for my last name in an attempt to find me on facebook. Most are enthusiastic in speaking to me because I’m foreign and super cool, while some are smartass (excuse my language) eighteen year olds who giggle at nearly everything I say or sit there with blank expressions. That’s always fun.

            So..tonight I’ll be planning lessons and thinking of ways to get those kiddies to talk!



Surroundings of Hollabrunn



            In other news the apartment search continues with mixed results. I spent over an hour viewing one in the 19^th district (yessss), sipping coffee and playing with one adorable Dachshund. (Coffee!! I hardly drink it, but you just can’t say no when its offered to you!) This might be too good to be true, so more details once I have the results. The whole process is a big blind date. In the states landlords wait on your call. They want your money. Here it is, well, I’ll consider you and a list of fifty other candidates and ultimately decide based on some random feature like your hair color, how you dress, or whether or not you speak Icelandic and spend your free time knitting. I don’t even know. At least I was rather put together yesterday, and wore my purple scarf for good luck.

            The Sporthotel continues to be the Sporthotel. Monday evening I was drawn to the basement where I found middle aged Austrians line dancing to music from Lord of the Dance. A neighboring house raises chickens, so we’re woken by roosters, and often here sounds that are undeniably from a Pterodactyl.

            Honestly, I’m in no position to complain. I’m in Austria and this is my year to do me. I’m going to exist without the responsibility of college and four jobs. (And how would you like that cooked? Well tonight we’re featuring our Multepulciano..) I’m anxious to frequent the Staatsoper and Musikverein. A ballet on Monday, the Wiener Philharmonic on Friday. The usual. Once we get paid I’ll hop on a train to Budapest and start planning my travels. I’ll cook for myself and find a yoga studio. And imagine this, tea and pumpkin cookies on my own couch! Soon enough..



Steph, Lauren and I atop Vienna last weekend. More sightseeing occurred while apartment searching this weekend.



            I’ve also come to understand that I currently live in rural Ohio. Running through the hills behind the hotel I can’t stop thinking about Bike and Build. The scenery is identical to that on our way to Gambier (oh, what a day). Fields that go on for ages, and tractors turning the soil. Honestly, I wouldn’t have a clue that I was in Austria, except for the trains, BMWs, Wind Turbines, and Vineyards. Ok, I guess I’m in Europe. Small farmhouses line the cobblestone streets leading to the hills, which are dotted with small orchards and surrounded by fields of crops and golden grass. It is truly gorgeous here. The leaves are changing and fall is in the air! 



Where I run



            Cheers, and be well,

Austrian Muffin

One Week In..

Whew, what a whirlwind week. I woke up Monday anxious for my trip to Graz, and my impending first encounter with Ursula, a teacher at my Stamschule. She picked me up at 8:30, and we drove out to see a room for rent at her friend’s mother in law’s place. Interesting connection. The 10m drive was beautiful as we passed foggy pumpkin fields and gorgeous countryside. The room, well, what can I say? It was on the top floor of said friend’s mother in law’s house. It came with a lovely bathroom, a balcony, or rather the top of the tin roof, and was complete with pink walls, pink linens, and plenty of other pink things. There was a wicker basket full of old German Shepherd stuffed animals in one corner. The Virgin Mary was everywhere on the walls. It seemed a bit chilly, so I can only imagine the winter. I would have been allowed to cook in the very cluttered kitchen, use the sweet indoor swimming pool- though I wasn’t allowed to drown!- sun myself in the garden, and use the washer and dryer for free all for 260 euro. This is an amazing deal, but if you can’t tell from my description, I didn’t feel comfortable at all in this space. Also, I would have to take the bus into town with her grandchildren that I would have taught that same day in school.



Old Vienna- the Strassenbahn to Grinzing.



 Thus, I am still a bit homeless living in the Sporthotel for a month. While I have plenty of minor complaints, I’m in Austria, I have a job, and I will find a place to live. This place is cheap and its something for now. I’m not alone, as Nisha and Sergio are also living here for now. Nisha is a British TA working here in town, and Sergio is a Spanish TA who happens to be in the Bundeshandelsakadamie with me. Walking buddy! The two of us actually had a rather hysterical conversation about the hotel, and how we feel a bit trapped here. There is nothing to really do in town, people seem to leave every weekend, and local teenagers race their cars and motor bikes every single night (they’re bored it seems). While it is quite charming here, there’s just not much to do. I don’t mean to sound harsh, and I would love to give this place a shot in terms of living here, but it seems there is nothing! We’ve agreed to celebratory drinks after our first day, and to making our stay as awesome as possible. We’ve got this! We will begin searching for places in Vienna as it just seems logical right now.

So, on to orientation. Overall this was a wonderful week in Graz, though my mindset was constantly changing. It was so nice to meet other English TAs, but a bit challenging to remain socially on for the entire week. I do feel very confident after having gone through seminars on teaching and classroom essentials, and having taught and observed in a gymnasium in Graz. My group presented the class with games and exercises surrounding the UK and US, and the students were wonderful. The teacher we worked with had been a German language assistant in Edinborough, and married a Scottish woman, thus spoke with a distinct brogue. Picture an Austrian man speaking perfectly Scottish English. I love Europe. Other highlights of orientation included staying in a castle, a walking tour of Graz provided by local high schoolers, great traditional food, lots of wine, new British and Irish friends, talking with the Austrian director of Fulbright and potentially getting a free bike, and performing as Celtic Tiger with a group of Irish TAs during our final evening together. As a part of the talent show extravaganza we decided to show off our skills and dance a free for all reel. I was the only trained Irish dancer, but the others hopped around behind me, we ran around in a circle holding hands, and Bryan stole the show by pulling a Michael Flately in his hott pink short shorts and black tee shirt. We went over pretty well I must say.



Graz! Home of Arnold Schwarzennegger. Ja Wohl.



Well, now that I’m rambling, I’ll end this by mentioning my lovely Viennese Saturday with my dear friend and travel companion Lauren McCullough.



Being with Lauren brought back memories from our anthro trip to Hawai'i.



Lauren and Steph have been traversing Europe for three weeks, and are ending their trip here in Wien. I was so happy to take them around the first district, and through my old neighborhood for some delicious Heuriger food. Spending the day with them was a nice piece of home. There we were chatting about life in a park, not in Ithaca but in front of the Hofburg. I live here. In Austria. Holy crap. This is real!?! Spending the day in the city also solidified my somewhat frantic desire to find a flat or other accommodations outside of Hollabrunn, as I just don’t think this will work. By living in Vienna I can have the best of both worlds. I’ll keep you updated!

The Hofburg, one of my favorite buildings in Vienna.

Time to go for a run about town.

Cheers,

Kaitlin