Should be studying for my German Final Exam (German 1) right now as it is in one hour, but I figure if I don't have it by now, I'm not getting it! Talk about pressure: I have to pass in order to move on to German 2. Yikes. I am enjoying the process of learning another language although it is fairly difficult for me.
We had a wonderful weekend. Drove up to Schladming on Friday and arrived at our Gasthof (kinda like a bed and breakfast type place). Eric has found some great Gasthofs and we feel they are the best way to go. They are owned by locals...nothing fancy, a bit more affordable usually. Biggest plus, you really feel like you have 'experienced' an area as you are among locals.
This one had a wonderful young couple with a 6 year old daughter that Julia became fast friends with. We had 2 breakfasts there and Saturday night dinner. We were able to use/try our German quite a bit as the couple was VERY nice and slowed down/used small grammar and we all had fun with it. (They could speak English which always helps when you get in a bind!) Julia and Evan also got to see the stables and all the animals (horses, rabbits, goats, ponies) so that was really fun. Kyia couldn't speak much English so Julia used her German and bit.
It is also a nice relaxed environment to meet other guests. Two people were from the Czech Republic and very friendly and nice to talk to. He brought out some Czech liquor at the end of the evening for everyone to try. He also told us he owns a Gasthof in Czech, so another place to visit where we now have 'friends' to show us around. Fun!
The Alps are amazing and we couldn't believe just 3 hours away we were in serious mountains... unbelievable. The skiing was like nothing we had seen before. This area has a bunch of mountains all linked together. In two days we only saw 2 of them - and not even in entire mountains. The kids are SO fun to watch ski, they are having a blast. They are SO much better than me and I am holding them all back a bit, so I break off and do my easy runs or go in for a coffee and then meet them again. That makes us all happy I think.
There was one area that had jumps and then a kids slalom (sp?) course... we spent a few hours here as the kids LOVED it. Oh, Eric loved the jumps too. I asked Julia how I was supposed to do those hills with all the bumps (kinda soft moguls at the end of the day) She said "Mom, you just go down and jump them all" Talk about daring!
The crazy part was the end of Saturday. The Austrians ski hard a few hours (like 10am-3pm) and then they begin to party. By the time we finished at 4pm the huts at the bottom of the hill were rockin'! People dancing, music playing, people doing shots of who knows what everywhere. We decided to join the party! The kids thought it was so funny and we were all dancing. Honestly they were all having so much fun too and this is just a 'normal' thing I think!
Am now finishing this Monday evening as I take a break from trying to find airline tickets back to the States this summer. (Geez Louise, someone is getting rich off those tickets!) Anyway.. took my exam and I am pretty sure I passed. 2nd 1/2 on Wed and then I find out my scores on Friday.
On to Tuesday....
Monday, January 17, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
1-11-11 (we think this is so cool!)
So, we think we bought the right car for resale value in a few years! That is the bright side of finding your car broken into - window smashed and GPS/Stereo/CD Player console and airbags all stolen. Apparently our car is fairly popular for spare parts. Irony: we had finally gotten our butts in gear and found a possible church to try -- we were parked right outside the church. Darn those non-believing criminals! :)
Funny how you hold yourself together when your kids fall apart. Poor little Julia was so shocked, frightened, etc... that I held it together fine. Eric as always is calm cool and collected. What rattles this man of mine? (let's not find out)
We had met a few VERY nice people in the church that didn't expect us to take them up on their offer "to help anytime" just 5 minutes after leaving. The Polizei came, car is in shop and we have a short term rental. We should be back to normal by Friday or Monday.
So that was our Sunday excitement. Monday was back to school for the kids and they did well with getting back into routine. A rough spot was Julia's teacher was NOT back from maternity leave as expected. We aren't sure what is going on, but we think they were delayed in travel and hopefully will be back by Friday. Julia was more than a bit disappointed, but in Julia fashion - she rises to the occasion.
A few friends of mine that I really enjoy are back from the States after Christmas vacation there. They also arrived when we did (or after) - so I was a tiny jealous they got to go 'home'... but that is life. They did bring me back some nice goodies. Ida brought back a magazine (I forgot how much I love to read magazines!) and junior mints - YUM!!!!!! And a few other things too. I made a list for my dear friend Kara and she just shopped for me. Top of the list: She said I needed SPANX for my ball gown. A true friend. :) She brought some back for me. Oh - and mint M&M's ---- YUMMMMMMYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are going to the IAEA ball on Feb 5th. Have I talked about "Ball Season"?? -- it is truely old Vienna - they have many balls here over the next few months and we will be going to the big one sponsored by Eric's work. It is at the Hofburg Palace. Should be amazing.
Julia had a friend, Ayra, over to play after school today. The "after school" activities that the kids join don't start up until next week so leaves a few easy days for after school playdates. Julia signed up for Arts and Crafts and Swimming this next semester. Evan will continue with Basketball, hopefully start up soccer again in late Feb and he wanted to join Choir, which is Tuesdays after school. I am still not sure if he did it for fun or to torture the girls. He is continuing with Violin lessons and I think is joining the orchestra now which meets during school hours a few days per week. I think we are sufficiently busy with activities to keep everyone happy and hopping.
We are planning a ski weekend on Friday for 2 nights - 2 days of skiing. The kids are PUMPED.
Oh funny story - have been trying to talk to the man that cleans our building's stairs on Tuesdays. Using my limited German... it hasn't been working. I found out from the landlord he speaks polish. I felt so much better as I didn't think my German was THAT bad! :)
I think that is about the update for now....
Funny how you hold yourself together when your kids fall apart. Poor little Julia was so shocked, frightened, etc... that I held it together fine. Eric as always is calm cool and collected. What rattles this man of mine? (let's not find out)
We had met a few VERY nice people in the church that didn't expect us to take them up on their offer "to help anytime" just 5 minutes after leaving. The Polizei came, car is in shop and we have a short term rental. We should be back to normal by Friday or Monday.
So that was our Sunday excitement. Monday was back to school for the kids and they did well with getting back into routine. A rough spot was Julia's teacher was NOT back from maternity leave as expected. We aren't sure what is going on, but we think they were delayed in travel and hopefully will be back by Friday. Julia was more than a bit disappointed, but in Julia fashion - she rises to the occasion.
A few friends of mine that I really enjoy are back from the States after Christmas vacation there. They also arrived when we did (or after) - so I was a tiny jealous they got to go 'home'... but that is life. They did bring me back some nice goodies. Ida brought back a magazine (I forgot how much I love to read magazines!) and junior mints - YUM!!!!!! And a few other things too. I made a list for my dear friend Kara and she just shopped for me. Top of the list: She said I needed SPANX for my ball gown. A true friend. :) She brought some back for me. Oh - and mint M&M's ---- YUMMMMMMYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are going to the IAEA ball on Feb 5th. Have I talked about "Ball Season"?? -- it is truely old Vienna - they have many balls here over the next few months and we will be going to the big one sponsored by Eric's work. It is at the Hofburg Palace. Should be amazing.
Julia had a friend, Ayra, over to play after school today. The "after school" activities that the kids join don't start up until next week so leaves a few easy days for after school playdates. Julia signed up for Arts and Crafts and Swimming this next semester. Evan will continue with Basketball, hopefully start up soccer again in late Feb and he wanted to join Choir, which is Tuesdays after school. I am still not sure if he did it for fun or to torture the girls. He is continuing with Violin lessons and I think is joining the orchestra now which meets during school hours a few days per week. I think we are sufficiently busy with activities to keep everyone happy and hopping.
We are planning a ski weekend on Friday for 2 nights - 2 days of skiing. The kids are PUMPED.
Oh funny story - have been trying to talk to the man that cleans our building's stairs on Tuesdays. Using my limited German... it hasn't been working. I found out from the landlord he speaks polish. I felt so much better as I didn't think my German was THAT bad! :)
I think that is about the update for now....
Friday, January 7, 2011
Eric hits 39
It is Eric's 39th Birthday today! We just got back from lunch at work with him - something the kids and I love to do... for the company (Eric) and the good food at his cafeteria (seriously). We finished off a bit of shopping this morning and are making sugar cookies now -- Eric's request in place of a cake.
Yesterday we had a nice and quiet/relaxing day as everything was closed for a holiday here. (I think Epiphany Day or something - I need to research that one) Julia had a birthday party at a friends house - which was very fun for her!
This is wrapping up our 3rd and last vacation day prior to school starting on Monday. The kids and I have had a really great time the last 2 weeks (the first week with Eric was awesome too!) ... I was skeptical about 2 weeks without school with the kids - I love them but 2 weeks seemed a bit daunting especially with our fragile dispositions since the move (hee hee). I am happy to report that it was very fun, the kids did great (they fight a ton but I am getting kind of used to it) and I will miss them tons come Monday. I am also happy to say that Evan seems to be doing really well! For those of you who have listened to me cry and worry about him for the last 5 months - thank you. I know trying times aren't over, but he seems to have turned a bit of a corner and I am so thankful for it. Thank you for your prayers.... keep 'em coming!
Much love, Jenn
Yesterday we had a nice and quiet/relaxing day as everything was closed for a holiday here. (I think Epiphany Day or something - I need to research that one) Julia had a birthday party at a friends house - which was very fun for her!
This is wrapping up our 3rd and last vacation day prior to school starting on Monday. The kids and I have had a really great time the last 2 weeks (the first week with Eric was awesome too!) ... I was skeptical about 2 weeks without school with the kids - I love them but 2 weeks seemed a bit daunting especially with our fragile dispositions since the move (hee hee). I am happy to report that it was very fun, the kids did great (they fight a ton but I am getting kind of used to it) and I will miss them tons come Monday. I am also happy to say that Evan seems to be doing really well! For those of you who have listened to me cry and worry about him for the last 5 months - thank you. I know trying times aren't over, but he seems to have turned a bit of a corner and I am so thankful for it. Thank you for your prayers.... keep 'em coming!
Much love, Jenn
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
I can't stop laughing....
Okay, this is funny! Evan says I can't explain it well in the blog but i am going to try!
So the kids and I went to the Danube Tower this morning. It is a space needle like building (not as pretty I don't think) where you take the elevator up and then there is an outdoor and indoor observation deck. It was very cool and then we hit the cafe for some coffee and treats.
Evan ordered an ApfelStrudel and Julia wanted to take a look in the dessert case before ordering. So... as I pointed and named some of the desserts, apparently the waitress thought I had ordered a piece of torte (cake) so she delivered Julia's chocolate cake, Evan's Strudel and then this mystery cake that I didnt know I ordered. Well, it was gross but I figured Eric may like it so I asked the waitress in German if I could have a sack to bring it home with. Note: my German isn't great. So, she then asked if she could bring me a piece of aluminum foil (Note: this whole thing is happening in German) I said yes. She said ein stuck... which is one piece and I said yes because I assume she is asking me if I just need one piece of aluminum foil.
At this point she walks away and I say to Evan and Julia - do you think that she thinks I just ordered ANOTHER piece of this gross cake to bring home???? And Evan says "Mom, why don't you just let me take it from here" He is trying to nicely tell me that my German is not cutting it! :) So, he goes to the counter to check it out and he sees her wrapping ANOTHER piece of cake. WHY would I want another of something I didn't eat the first of?? Anyway, Evan starts speaking German with her and tells her that we don't want any more - we just want foil.
So... I can't stop laughing that I somehow ordered 2 pieces of cake that I didn't want today!
Note: The Danube Tower was fun.... off to the Marianette Theatre - we are seeing Hansel and Gretel -in German of course :) I'll tell you about it tomorrow!
So the kids and I went to the Danube Tower this morning. It is a space needle like building (not as pretty I don't think) where you take the elevator up and then there is an outdoor and indoor observation deck. It was very cool and then we hit the cafe for some coffee and treats.
Evan ordered an ApfelStrudel and Julia wanted to take a look in the dessert case before ordering. So... as I pointed and named some of the desserts, apparently the waitress thought I had ordered a piece of torte (cake) so she delivered Julia's chocolate cake, Evan's Strudel and then this mystery cake that I didnt know I ordered. Well, it was gross but I figured Eric may like it so I asked the waitress in German if I could have a sack to bring it home with. Note: my German isn't great. So, she then asked if she could bring me a piece of aluminum foil (Note: this whole thing is happening in German) I said yes. She said ein stuck... which is one piece and I said yes because I assume she is asking me if I just need one piece of aluminum foil.
At this point she walks away and I say to Evan and Julia - do you think that she thinks I just ordered ANOTHER piece of this gross cake to bring home???? And Evan says "Mom, why don't you just let me take it from here" He is trying to nicely tell me that my German is not cutting it! :) So, he goes to the counter to check it out and he sees her wrapping ANOTHER piece of cake. WHY would I want another of something I didn't eat the first of?? Anyway, Evan starts speaking German with her and tells her that we don't want any more - we just want foil.
So... I can't stop laughing that I somehow ordered 2 pieces of cake that I didn't want today!
Note: The Danube Tower was fun.... off to the Marianette Theatre - we are seeing Hansel and Gretel -in German of course :) I'll tell you about it tomorrow!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Last week of vacation....
So we are almost mid week of the 3rd week off. I told the kids today that it is great to live in a city where we can do something different almost everyday for 3 weeks... that is special. Evan still didn't buy it and said he would "still rather be home." I keep marching on....
Today we went to Bogi Park - it is an indoor play land type place. It was fun, not awesome, but worth the try. We met one of Julia's friends's from school and they were nice to hang out with.
Yesterday the kids and Eric went skiing for the day. I guess the place was really great but the snow was bad (icy skiing)-- they still had fun. I stayed home for the day as I am battling a head cold and just thought a day alone sounded pretty fun. (no offense to my family: they say "none taken"!) Sunday we went took down the tree and Christmas decor (the limited we brought) and then went to the great Museum of Natural History here. GREAT place. Eric said it was his favorite takedown in years as he didn't have to climb on the roof in the cold and take down lights! (we missed the lights on the house though!) Does anyone know of the renters put any lights out at our house on Cascade?
The weather here has been cold but no new snow...we are hoping we get a fresh snow as it is beautiful. makes the kinda dreary weather look a little prettier I think.
Oh, Evan had a nice soccer tourney on Sun morning too. They won 2 and lost 1 - Evan played well and played both sides of the field - which was great to see. We had so much fun watching.
After skiing yesterday in icy conditions for 7 hours, Eric said he couldn't believe how strong Julia's legs must be! He said that for her to be in 'pizza' for that long is just amazing. She LOVES to ski!! :)
Julia wants to type some now:
I mis evry one back home .I LOVE ALL OF YOU.Iam haveing a great time in austrea it is so prity arond the strets! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today we went to Bogi Park - it is an indoor play land type place. It was fun, not awesome, but worth the try. We met one of Julia's friends's from school and they were nice to hang out with.
Yesterday the kids and Eric went skiing for the day. I guess the place was really great but the snow was bad (icy skiing)-- they still had fun. I stayed home for the day as I am battling a head cold and just thought a day alone sounded pretty fun. (no offense to my family: they say "none taken"!) Sunday we went took down the tree and Christmas decor (the limited we brought) and then went to the great Museum of Natural History here. GREAT place. Eric said it was his favorite takedown in years as he didn't have to climb on the roof in the cold and take down lights! (we missed the lights on the house though!) Does anyone know of the renters put any lights out at our house on Cascade?
The weather here has been cold but no new snow...we are hoping we get a fresh snow as it is beautiful. makes the kinda dreary weather look a little prettier I think.
Oh, Evan had a nice soccer tourney on Sun morning too. They won 2 and lost 1 - Evan played well and played both sides of the field - which was great to see. We had so much fun watching.
After skiing yesterday in icy conditions for 7 hours, Eric said he couldn't believe how strong Julia's legs must be! He said that for her to be in 'pizza' for that long is just amazing. She LOVES to ski!! :)
Julia wants to type some now:
I mis evry one back home .I LOVE ALL OF YOU.Iam haveing a great time in austrea it is so prity arond the strets! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Glucklich Neu Jahre!!!
Happy New Year! The kids and I think it is ultra cool that today is 1-1-11... that won't happen again on a New Years Day until 1-1-3011!!!
We had a great day yesterday and this city absolutely knows how to do New Years Eve -- holy cow!! Downtown starting at 2pm (I think it went until 2am, but I am not sure!) there are stages set up with different music, bands, DJ's, etc... at each stage. You just 'walk' the circuit of stages stopping to dance, drink gluhwein (hot mulled spice wine) etc.. We went about 2:30 and met some friends there. We stayed downtown until about 6:30 having a blast. One of the stages had the guy up there teaching the Viennese Waltz... to like 200 people doing it at once. Super fun!
Then we came back here for a relaxed casual chili dinner and some WII dance etc.. The new part for us is that FIREWORKS are really HUGE here for New Years Eve. We bought some and the DelFabbros brought a ton over so we headed to the park by our house which has a pretty good view towards the inner city. We hear it is pretty spectacular to be downtown with all the fireworks, but not very safe with kids. We shot off all of ours about 11:30. This park is HUGE so there were fireworks everywhere there too. I am talking the big ariels - "illegals" in the states. The best was yet to come - at midnight -- EVERY direction you looks there were enormous fireworks going off. Like the biggest show I have seen but ALL over the ENTIRE skyline and all around for like 10 minutes. It was honestly like nothing I have ever seen before. It is really hard to even describe -- spectacular. Our Italian friend Franco said that this is nothing compared to southern Italy - I guess they are CRAZY down there! :)
We slept late and lounged around all day today getting rest. Eric and I are starting to pick up our German book work again as we have our big semester exam in a few weeks. I am already nervous as I can't move on to German 2 without passing the exam! Talk about pressure
Eric and Julia also skated on the pond at our park for awhile too... she loves her new ice skates.
I am hoping you all had a great time last night too. Happy New Year!
We had a great day yesterday and this city absolutely knows how to do New Years Eve -- holy cow!! Downtown starting at 2pm (I think it went until 2am, but I am not sure!) there are stages set up with different music, bands, DJ's, etc... at each stage. You just 'walk' the circuit of stages stopping to dance, drink gluhwein (hot mulled spice wine) etc.. We went about 2:30 and met some friends there. We stayed downtown until about 6:30 having a blast. One of the stages had the guy up there teaching the Viennese Waltz... to like 200 people doing it at once. Super fun!
Then we came back here for a relaxed casual chili dinner and some WII dance etc.. The new part for us is that FIREWORKS are really HUGE here for New Years Eve. We bought some and the DelFabbros brought a ton over so we headed to the park by our house which has a pretty good view towards the inner city. We hear it is pretty spectacular to be downtown with all the fireworks, but not very safe with kids. We shot off all of ours about 11:30. This park is HUGE so there were fireworks everywhere there too. I am talking the big ariels - "illegals" in the states. The best was yet to come - at midnight -- EVERY direction you looks there were enormous fireworks going off. Like the biggest show I have seen but ALL over the ENTIRE skyline and all around for like 10 minutes. It was honestly like nothing I have ever seen before. It is really hard to even describe -- spectacular. Our Italian friend Franco said that this is nothing compared to southern Italy - I guess they are CRAZY down there! :)
We slept late and lounged around all day today getting rest. Eric and I are starting to pick up our German book work again as we have our big semester exam in a few weeks. I am already nervous as I can't move on to German 2 without passing the exam! Talk about pressure
Eric and Julia also skated on the pond at our park for awhile too... she loves her new ice skates.
I am hoping you all had a great time last night too. Happy New Year!
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