We were born before the wind, also younger than the sun

So, I'm really not sure how I get paid for this job. Obviously, this is the perfect job for a lazy person such as myself, ha! This is what I mean: I just had a lovely 5-day weekend, rolled out of bed for my one lesson today which began at 12:30 only to find out that it was the ONLY lesson I have this week. Therefore, I now have a 4-day weekend in front of me! Ahhh, this is the life!! And now I only have 3 days of work in front of until I leave for the United States! But, the one weekend I have no plans for of course ends up being a surprise 4-day weekend! I might go skiing or go to a Maturaball, but I don't know. I had originally thought I'd go to Vienna this weekend, but plans changed a bit...but now I want to go! We'll see...

Anyway, my weekend in Graz was a blast. I drove down with a teacher, which was awesome and saved me €15 and I got to speak German the whole time haha. I stayed with my friend Justin who lives in the same building as my friend Peter, and Dan stayed with Peter, so the four of us hung out the entire weekend. I love those guys. We went out every night with other assistants and Dan and I went shopping on Saturday. Saturday night was a party at an assistant's place, and we played all of the traditional American drinking games - Beer Pong (somehow we had real Solo cups!), Kings and, my fave, Flip Cup. Twas great! And we also spent a lot of time drinking Glühwein and eating roasted chestnuts at the Christmas market, which is an amazing tradition and really put me in the Christmas mood. Imagine: standing outside around a table with five good friends, drinking a hot drink, peeling chestnuts, hearing a Christmas choir or a band in the background of your conversation, Christmas lights everywhere, people everywhere, everyone bundled up. Couldn't be more perfect, if you ask me. Also, I got to eat delicious Chinese food, too! Needless to say, I was quite happy.

So, I'm more convinced than ever that I need to get out of Bad Aussee next year and into a big city. There is a good number of assistants in Graz and they go out together everyday! I want to be able to go out to lunch or have a drink with friends whenever I want. I got back to Bad Aussee Monday evening, and Tuesday was the most horribly boring day I've had here, mostly because I knew what I was missing in Graz (and I'm getting quite anxious and excited to be home). So, I surveyed the assistants in Graz and at least two are for sure staying there next year. Cross your fingers I can get placed there as well! I'm starting to work on my application today, but it's not too intense, just have to write a paragraph in German about why I want to stay/transfer. Should be quite simple.

Other than that, I'm starting to train for a half-marathon... not sure I mentioned it. It's happening on April 18th in Vienna and two other girls (assistants, too) are doing it. Some may laugh (I would at myself for dreaming of running a half-marathon), but I have 18ish weeks and I found a simple training plan, so I should be able to do it! I'm pretty pumped! Just gotta get over my laziness...but now that I have a goal, I think I'll be able to motivate myself, ha!

Alright, that's about it for now! Can't wait to see all you stuck in America VERY SOON!!!
Cheers,
Alaina

My mind's racing from chasin pirates

So my first time hosting Thanksgiving went perfectly! I was so happy to have all of my best friends in Austria at my house and spreading the Thanksgiving love. The entire group was 9 people, including myself. 2 boys, 7 ladies, 4 American and 5 Brits! The Brits really loved our holiday and totally got into it. Especially Nichol, who cooked the entire dinner by herself! I tried to help, really, but she continually shooed me out of the kitchen. I did mash the potatoes though, of course!

After dinner, we went out to the "Krampusumzug." Krampus is an Alpine Christmas tradition in which the men of the town (I believe) dress up at these insanely scary devil characters and run around with leather and wooden whips. Now, I had heard that they whip the women and children, but I didn't actually think they would WHIP you. Boooy, was I wrong! After the parade (they all marched into town), the barriers were suddenly gone and the monsters were everywhere! I was just standing, watching one walk up to me, and then he just whipped me right on my legs with a wooden whip (looked like a broom)! I screamed, and we went home right after that. I still have the marks to prove it...

And I must include that we played an INSANE game of American vs. British charades. It was the most intense charades game I've ever played. Twas awesome.

It's been a good week so far. The class that I hate still never listens to a word I say, but I think they like me anyway. We joked a lot today in class, which is a good sign. I've had to be at school at 8 am for Monday and Tuesday and the same tomorrow. I don't usually have to be there at 8 am everyday, so I'm a bit tired. But, my favorite teacher gave me such a nice compliment today saying that she loves what I'm doing and she's pleased with me and such. It made me happy :). The teachers usually say thanks and stuff, but I'm not sure they actually mean it.

Anyway! I found out yesterday that I have a 5-day weekend coming up! Needless to say, I'm excited. I'm going on Friday to Graz to visit some other assistants and I'm driving down with a teacher! I think she's continuing on to Wien, though, and I considered doing that as well, but I think I'll take the train back on Sunday instead. I want to go to Salzburg on Monday and I think I'll go skiing for the first time on Tuesday in Schladming! Frankie invited me, so if there is snow- why not! It'll be cool to go skiing at least once before I got home.

Speaking of HOME, 2 weeks and 2 days! I bought my train ticket to Munich today- leaving on Wednesday the 16th at 16:17 and arriving at 20:34. Then spending the night in Munich and flying off Thursday morning at 10 am! And landing at 7:42 pm in Detroit (after a layover in HOT-lanta)!!! Woooooo! Soooo excited! I'm getting quite anxious to get home. Can't wait to see everyone and everything!

Well not too much else to say: life's good and can't wait to go home. That's about it!

Until next time...
Cheers,
Alaina