Time flies when you're having fun
Classes are all rounding up around here for me. Most every time I have a class now, it is my last time with that group. All of the 5th formers (like seniors) are finished with their classes and are in the process of taking the Matura, which is a huge series of exams required to graduate. Last week for my last hour with the 5HB we took a field trip out to the UN complex in town. Truth is, I know very little about the UN. I did not know that Vienna was one of only 4 complexes. We got to see the big chamber where they hold meetings and our tour guide explained that Vienna's role is mainly dealing with nuclear weapons.
Besides classes I have also been keeping myself busy these days. Most every day I take a stroll downtown. Also I have been working on pulling things together, applying for a couple positions (I just had an interview for am RA position with SIT in the fall). Also getting my medical physical taken care of while here under better insurance. Although my policy does not really cover a physical, it is still cheaper here, and my doc wrote that I needed my blood tested for anemia so that I would not have to pay for my blood work. So, on Friday I went and got my blood drawn at the local laboratory. Although I was told to go early to avoid a wait, I did not, but was still the only person there. The first vial the lady took went really well, but something happened when she tried to switch them, and no blood would come any longer (smarty pants Rainer says that it's because the vial was not a proper a vacuum). So she worked on it for a long time, readjusting and trying to hold the vial in place better. And for the first time ever when having blood drawn, I was not feeling well after a while of this. So, I asked for a break and a glass of water. We decided to switch arms, and all went well...I wish we could have done that much earlier on...but so ist das Leben. Now I have lovely yellow bruises on each arm. Now that I have my blood results back, my physical is scheduled for tomorrow.
I also had a good weekend with friends. On Thursday evening Kristy, Becca and I went to Oberlaa, a spa on the outskirts of town. We started with a little swimming, both indoors and out (there was a gate to swim through). We all enjoyed the massage stations in the pool where jets were aimed at different parts of the body, and a buzzer signaled when to switch from one to the next. We then headed in to the Kraeuterstuben, which were herbal-infused saunas. I especially liked Eucalyptus (but hay flower just smelled like bad room spray). Then back to the whirlpool and pools. It was dark out by this time, and there was one pool with colored lights and music which made for good floating and star-gazing.
Saturday night I got to hang out with the boys. John, Rainer and I went bowling!! My first game was good (a 169), but I got progressively worse from there. But I must say that I retained my title of bowling queen. It was fun also in that it was Rainer's first time bowling. Ever. After bowling we went back to John's place to watch Snakes on a Plane (oh my) and have a 'sleep over,' although I was disappointed in the lack of facials and toenail painting. The next morning John made us American pancakes and sent us on our merry way. Sunday night Rainer and I met back up to go see Blades of Glory. Funny.
Tomorrow after my Doc appointment I will take the train to Steyr to celebrate Katie's birthday. I will stay with her a couple of nights and then she and I will both head to St. Poelten for a weekend with Alice, a friend we met at the Altenmarkt seminar. It promises to be yet another fun weekend (one of very few left in Austria).
Besides classes I have also been keeping myself busy these days. Most every day I take a stroll downtown. Also I have been working on pulling things together, applying for a couple positions (I just had an interview for am RA position with SIT in the fall). Also getting my medical physical taken care of while here under better insurance. Although my policy does not really cover a physical, it is still cheaper here, and my doc wrote that I needed my blood tested for anemia so that I would not have to pay for my blood work. So, on Friday I went and got my blood drawn at the local laboratory. Although I was told to go early to avoid a wait, I did not, but was still the only person there. The first vial the lady took went really well, but something happened when she tried to switch them, and no blood would come any longer (smarty pants Rainer says that it's because the vial was not a proper a vacuum). So she worked on it for a long time, readjusting and trying to hold the vial in place better. And for the first time ever when having blood drawn, I was not feeling well after a while of this. So, I asked for a break and a glass of water. We decided to switch arms, and all went well...I wish we could have done that much earlier on...but so ist das Leben. Now I have lovely yellow bruises on each arm. Now that I have my blood results back, my physical is scheduled for tomorrow.
I also had a good weekend with friends. On Thursday evening Kristy, Becca and I went to Oberlaa, a spa on the outskirts of town. We started with a little swimming, both indoors and out (there was a gate to swim through). We all enjoyed the massage stations in the pool where jets were aimed at different parts of the body, and a buzzer signaled when to switch from one to the next. We then headed in to the Kraeuterstuben, which were herbal-infused saunas. I especially liked Eucalyptus (but hay flower just smelled like bad room spray). Then back to the whirlpool and pools. It was dark out by this time, and there was one pool with colored lights and music which made for good floating and star-gazing.
Saturday night I got to hang out with the boys. John, Rainer and I went bowling!! My first game was good (a 169), but I got progressively worse from there. But I must say that I retained my title of bowling queen. It was fun also in that it was Rainer's first time bowling. Ever. After bowling we went back to John's place to watch Snakes on a Plane (oh my) and have a 'sleep over,' although I was disappointed in the lack of facials and toenail painting. The next morning John made us American pancakes and sent us on our merry way. Sunday night Rainer and I met back up to go see Blades of Glory. Funny.
Tomorrow after my Doc appointment I will take the train to Steyr to celebrate Katie's birthday. I will stay with her a couple of nights and then she and I will both head to St. Poelten for a weekend with Alice, a friend we met at the Altenmarkt seminar. It promises to be yet another fun weekend (one of very few left in Austria).