Come away with me, and we'll kiss, on a mountaintop...

Slowly, slowly, slowly I've been getting used to my "new" (in quotes because it's not so new anymore) life. This week, and especially today, I've felt more at home and comfortable here than ever before. I feel like the teachers have officially accepted me - I was told "wir sind sehr zufrieden mit dir" --> we are very happy/pleased/satisfied with you - and I finally got my first invite to go out with students. I don't know if it was me, or the "townsfolk," that has made feeling at home take so long, but I think that may be just how small-town life is: slow.

So, I feel like the students are truly warming up to me. It's hard because I only see each class once a week, it's been nearly impossible for me to learn their names, and they see me as just the "assistant." But, they like me, I think, and I started today to make a true effort to learn their names. I told all my classes today to keep an eye out for me at Salzhaus, the only, local disco, this weekend, which they all found hilarious. Once I buy them all a round, I think they'll really like me!

For some reason, I've seen more students outside of class this week than in the whole time I've been here. And it's quite amazing how many students I see just when I'm grocery shopping! I went to Liezen, which is 40 minutes away, yesterday with Frankie to shop (it was much needed!) and I saw 2 students there!

Anyway, it turns out one of my teachers in the BORG, Barbara, is going to be sick until Christmas. I feel quite bad for her, but this has turned out kind of cool for me. First of all, I got to meet Sandra, the teaching assistant from TEN YEARS AGO, who is from Minnesota and has inzwischen settled down in Bad Aussee with a hubby and a child and she teaches at the Hauptschule in BA. She's taking over the 7th and 8th form classes that Barbara had, so I'm sad I won't get to see them, but I'm essentially taking over the 6th form class! I'm quite excited for that, as they are pretty cool. And I will go with Anita, the other English teacher in BORG, to her classes. So this is cool because: I'm going to get to know an old assistant and I'm almost taking over an entire class! Neat!!

All of this is helping to convince me to stay in Bad Aussee for another year. I know I want to stay in Austria for anothe ryear, but I'm not sure if I want to change location or not. Colin, a friend in Vienna, told me that I should switch to a bigger city, but... I'm feeling really good here right about now and I only think it could get better. We'll see!

Ahh well, so it's been a great last couple of weeks! And this weekend, Saturday to be exact, is the day I'm celebrating Thanksgiving with some American and British friends! I'm so excited! I can't wait to host my first dinner :). I'm making the turkey (with Nichol's help!), mashed potatoes (of course!!), corn and stuffing. I have 9 other people coming: 2 boys, 4 Americans, 6 Brits, and somehow we're all going to fit in my apartment! Everyone is bringing or making a dish! Should be awesome! Nichol, Dan and Jordan are arriving tomorrow late-ish and then we're going out for the traditional pre-Thanksgiving drink fest :).

And this Saturday night starts Krampus, which is this crazy Alpine Christmastime festival during which the men, and boys, of the town, dress up like really scary devils and whip (not REALLY whip, but, ya) children and women in the town. So, we're of course checking that out after dinner. Should be pretty interesting!

OK, that's about it for now. Still have that post in mind about differences between Austria/Germany/United States. As a friend posted in her blog, there is a silent, and sometimes-not-so-silent, war between the two German speaking countries. It's kind of amazing sometimes how adamant the Austrians are that they are different than Germans.

And, btw, check out this Austrian commercial. It's an excellent example of shockvertising and my heart stops everytime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiBjWaYs5cw. I realize it's in German, but you'll be able to understand what's going on.

Love to all! And Happy Thanksgiving!!
Cheers,
Alaina

Schmeiß die Hände in die Luft!

So, the last few weeks in which I haven't posted have included many adventures in the Land of Party and Jäger Bombs. Let's see, I spent the weekend of October 24th traveling around Austria with some Brits (Dan, Rich, Nichol) - we went to Bruck an der Mur (for Emilie's birthday party), came back to Bad Aussee (for my HLW Maturaball!) and then went to Mürzzuschlag (where Rich lives). The weekend of October 31st, I was in Schladming with Frankie. It was Halloween, but nothing cool was going on in Schladming, sadly. I really missed Halloween this year! Then, the weekend of the 7th, I was in Vienna for Nichol's birthday. We all had a great time in the capital - Nichol, Ollie (Nichol's bf), Frankie, Jordan, Peter, Corrie and I had an awesome time on the town Saturday night. The city is absolutely gorgeous - I'm in love! I got a Starbuck's Latte and it was heeeaven! Only 10 Starbuck's in Austria, and they are ALL in Vienna! And finally this past weekend, I was in Schladming again for Frankie's Maturaball and general rabble-rousing. We raved in a cave. Enough said. :)

I have plans for the rest of my weekends before I go home. This Thursday, I'm taking the night train to Neuchâtel to visit Maude, the weekend after that I'm having a Thanksgiving bash at my apartment (which will be interesting...not sure how the food is all going to turn out haha), the first weekend in November, I'm going to Graz for "Fallstival," during which we'll be commemorating a Pagan holiday haha, then I think I'm going to go to Vienna to hit up the Christmas markets and, of course, buy many souveniors....then I'm flying home on Thursday the 17th!!!! And I even have plans that weekend to hit Ann Arbor hard :)!

Anyway, though the weekends are awesome here, the weeks are a bit boring here in Bad Aussee, but that's just how it is in small-town Austria. And I'm really enjoying my job (getting the hang of it and all) and even the really annoying classes are getting on my good side! Also, the good classes just keep getting better! It's cool. I was told by my main teacher that I'm a natural teacher, although I feel like I'm shit, so that made me happy! And my principal said I speak German really well, so that was awesome! I've had some really awesome lessons, such as the Ku Klux Klan, "schockvertising," legalizing marijuana and so on.

So I have some things/differences between Austria/America/Germany that I'm going to write about in my next post (can't be bothered right now....a bit lazy), so keep an eye out for that!

Miss and love you all!
Cheers,
Alaina

ps, "schmeiß die Hände in die Luft" is my favorite part of an awesome German party song "Das geht ab" - the quote translates to "throw the hands in the air!" :)

I, I can remember standing by the Wall...

Today is the 20 year anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Being in Austria, another German speaking country, I thought there'd be a little more celebration, or at least someone talking about it. However, in school, not a word was mentioned. Even the news coverage here has been scarce. Granted, I've been watching ORF all night and they just play American TV series on Monday night, but there wasn't much even on the news. I guess it really just highlights and reiterates that they are two very different countires.

I just so wish I had been in Berlin today. I bet it felt really good in that city today. I'm going in January, but it doesn't feel soon enough...

By the way, the song "Heroes" by David Bowie, which I have used in my subject line, is a love story about two people who met at the Wall.

Well, I know I haven't updated in a while. But I will later this week.

Sending my love to all!
Cheers,
Alaina

It's the 21st century....

I swear I will update this SOON. I even started a post, there is just way too much to fit in now to write it in one sitting, let alone read it. I feel bad for all of you who will try to!....