My Long Awaited Viennese Reunion

First of all sorry this took so long and second of all thanks for reading my blog! It cuts down on the emails which can get tiring at times. I am still having a really great time and cannot wait for it to stop snowing in Graz and just get green already. Anyway I shall proceed about my weekend in Vienna.
As I get off the train I cant seem to find Lisa anywhere, after searching for a couple minutes I get a call from her and we orientate ourselves and finally we see each other on opposite sides of the train station. I shit you not it was something a Hollywood producer would have died to film, not only because I would make an amazing leading role but also because there were no more people left in the station, the train was just taking off and we were literally at opposite sides of the station so we had to walk toward each other in our prospective dramatic fashions and finally embrace for the first time in a long while. It was so great seeing everyone again this weekend, it feels as though I was never gone, I loved every minute of my stay in Vienna.
After I got settled in at Lisa's antique, enormous, and beautiful new apartment I went to meet my host-family and say hello, and eat some really amazing food. Later that night I went to meet Dorina and Dino, Lukas, Steffi and Haucky. It was so much fun to see them again especially since we went to a bar that Dorina works at so we got a lot of free booze, which one can never complain about.
The next day I wondered around Vienna taking pictures and going to places that hold so many memories for me. I found myself laughing aloud at some streets and outside some bars because of the events that took place there years ago. Later my host family invited me to go up to the garden and check it out during the winter, it was nice but my pumas got a little muddy but its all good, once I post about Venice you will see how mud pales in comparison as to what they would go through next. That night I met with a bunch of Lisa's friends at a Arabian restaurant which was really good, I peaced out early and went to another bar to meet up with Mo and a few other Rosasgasse friends to round out my weekend.
On Sunday I didnt really do much but it was nice just to relax and wait for my train back to Graz. I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying there semester. P.S. I still haven't started classes yet, I hope we can still be friends after this. Miss you all!

I am sorry it took so long for me to update my blog but life here has been very busy which I cannot complain about. I am currently on a train destined for Vienna where I will once again be reunited with the many friends I have left there over three years ago. Needless to say, I cannot wait for this two and a half hour long train ride to arrive into Südbahnhof in Vienna and have Lisa waiting there to pick me up and catch up on our lives.

The past week and a half has been extremely fun, challenging and full of adventure. My last update left off after my first German class, which ended up being an interview that would decide which German class we would belong to. I was at first placed in B2 which was an intermediate level German course, which, at the time, I thought I was too easy, little did I know how much more advanced the next level was. I have come to the realization that I only know how to speak and read German. My German course has been extremely frustrating for me because the way I learned German is exactly opposite from everyone else in the course who have taken countless formal lessons focusing on grammar, where as I would just sit in Rosasgasse (my Austrian High School) just listening and repeating everything I heard, never asking why it is said that way just accepting it as fact. Unfortunately, my method for learning a foreign language has completely failed me, literally, today I had a test in my intensive German class and I failed, straight up didn’t know anything, I just guessed the answers based upon what I thought sounded best. After the test my teacher told me if I wanted credit for the class, which I do, I would need to go to down a couple levels since I was obviously not at the grammatical level of the other students. It was difficult to be dealt such a harsh dose of reality that I had been trying to suppress for quite some time now. Practically in tears from the harsh realization I decided to leave class early and catch the early train to Vienna. Despite the minor setback of this morning I am determined to have an enjoyable weekend in Vienna, not having to think of grammar.

After my first real day of German class, which still hadn’t hinted at the intensely meticulous grammatical schedule that was to plague my next couple weeks, I went back to my apartment and made myself some lunch. All the international students were really excited because that night we had been invited for a get-together for an International Student night out. It turned out to be really fun and I was able to meet some really great people that would be part of my life this semester. Afterward, Tommy (my roommate) Matt and I decided to meet my Buddy, Kat at her friends house for a couple of drinks and then head out to a club. It was a lot of fun being able to converse with all these other Austrian students and not stuttering or having to really concentrate too much on how to say the things I wanted to say.

Later after we had all gotten to know one another we headed out to KultiKeller, where it happened to be Karaoke Night. As a side note, I feel it is important to mention the Austrians have horrible taste in American music and cannot for the live of their beloved nation utter a single note on tune, yet they all tried their damnedest to sing such classics as Achy Breaky Heart, All the Small Things, and the ever popular Son of a Preacher Man. Mysteriously, only the chorus could be heard, the rest of the time the synthesizer proceeded with its electronic procession. After about 3am we decided to leave considering we had German class the next day at 9 am.

After struggling through class on Thursday, seeing as it was a beautiful day I mustered up enough energy and decided to walk around Graz and take dozens of pictures of the city I have been calling home for the past couple days. I only came back to the apartment once it was dark. A few minutes later Matt called and said he found a good happy hour at a bar in the city so Tommy and I grabbed our coats and rushed to make it to the bar just in time to get a couple of drinks for cheap. Once there we discussed our excitement for the upcoming trip to Venice arraigned for us by the International Student Co-op. For 110 Euro they have reserved four wagons on a train for us, on, what is known as a disco train, basically two cars are a bar and the other two are a disco! I am so excited! As international students we get free drinks both there and back, the best part is we are going to be in Venice for Carnival so it will truly be a trip to remember. In a moment of pure epiphany, I decided to host a mask making party so we could all enter the train true diva style with our homemade masks! It is going to be great, I hope I don’t die or fall in a canal. It goes without saying that I am counting down the days to my Italian debut, I am just hoping I will be able to move and breath on my own after such tomfoolery.

Friday after German courses we went to pay for our Venice trip and went back to our prospective apartments to rest and get some sleep for the weekend. At about 5pm Tommy and I decided to go to the grocery store and buy some beer and rum and other such necessities. We then invited Jen (an Alpha Chi from Tennessee) and Matt over for some pre-gaming. It was a lot of fun despite having to use two boxes as a table for our Fuck the Dealer and Circle of Death drinking games.

After a good two hours of pre-gaming we decided to make our way out into the city and meet up with the other exchange students at a bar called the 3 Monkeys, it was a nice club and it was fun to see everyone let loose a little, I think it helped I had downed almost half of my 5 Euro liter of cherry rum, but that’s another story. Awesome side note: the dj bought about 5 of us shots, it was amazing, I hope we keep this reputation in Graz, such activities align with my constant desire to burst into high society. After the club we were still unsure of how to work the nightline bus service so we just decided to take the twenty-minute walk home instead.

The next day the Duffek’s (my old host family) were driving through Graz on their way back from their vacation so we had dinner and it was really nice to see them again and catch up, it is always so strange how whenever I see them we always pick up where we left off, it makes everything more comfortable. Later that night Jen, Sam (from Australia), David (from France), Matt, Tommy and I had some drinks at our apartment and went out to an Irish pub then went to a billiard hall and played some pool. It was a really good weekend. I just hope once school starts there will be more activity in Graz, because as of now, Graz is radiating these ghost town vibes.

On Monday after German class a bunch of us went hiking in the surrounding mountains, I have some pictures posted of the view, I forget how beautiful the mountains are and can’t wait to go back in summer when everything is green. Afterward we decided to go to the grocery store, all pitch in and make a dinner together, on the menu was: salad, pasta, wine and ice cream, it was great finally eating something filling for once. The rest of the week I took it easy, I was preparing for my weekend in Vienna, which is about to start and I cant wait to see everyone again. My battery is almost out and I am getting too excited to write anymore, so until next time!

A Photo Blog; a collection

i know, its a long one!

At long last my journey to Graz has been completed. After what seemed to be weeks on end I finally set foot in Austria around 1:15pm on Monday. My entire luggage set arrived safely which I was a little worried about but thankfully it all came and I am able to enjoy my entire wardrobe. I guess it is just the little things that have all the potential to ruin my mood right now, so hopefully these next few days of filling out paper work and signing up to register go well, otherwise I am going to have a really stressful start to the semester. But I am determined to relax and take it all in, right after I get all my paper work settled out of the way!
As soon as I walked out of the airport I found my buddy, Katharina, she studied abroad last semester in Oklahoma so she has been a huge help already. She was able to pick up the key for my apartment for me so we were able to put all of my luggage in my room and survey the area and figure out which essentials I would need from IKEA. My room is surprisingly huge! I have a huge wardrobe, a nice shelving system, a big desk, lamp and chair and a nice view of a green space right out my window.
After we put all my stuff away Katharina and I went to IKEA with another American exchange student, Matt, who is from Arkansas, and his buddy to buy new bed sheets, pillows, towels and other such things. Afterward we went to a café where I was able to reunite with Sachertorte, my favorite Austrian dessert. Then we decided to go to a grocery store and buy some food, so I was able to stock up on some basics.
We returned to my apartment and made arrangements to meet the following day after the first day of German class. After Katharina left I put all my groceries away unpacked all my clothes and made my bed. By that time I met my a few of my other flat mates and was able to quickly check my e-mail, I am not able to get internet until I pay my entire semesters bill and deposit, so at this point I am willing to pay almost any amount to get back on the internet. Austria is still a little behind on the whole wireless Internet scene.
Then I was finally able to meet my roommate, Tommy, a junior at Northwestern Missouri State. We haven’t really been able to do all that much yet but he seems like a good guy and he is Greek, a TEKE back home so he can’t be all that bad right! After our initial meeting I took a shower and went to bed. I wasn’t able to sleep all that well but at least I was able to get a few hours in.
The next day was our first German class which ended up being only about a half hour long, we just split into group and they tested our German levels and we will find out tomorrow which groups we are in. Hopefully I am in the most advanced group. Then after that I went to the International Student Office because I need to fill out some more paperwork they are missing. So I went to the office but it wasn’t open until 10am and I found some girls trying to get in and were confused as to why they were unable to get in. I found out they were from San Diego and don’t know any German so they couldn’t read that the office was closed so we talked for a bit and grabbed some coffee and just talked about our flights and moving in and the torture of having no functioning phone or internet. Then I went back to the International office, filled out my paper work and me Katarina met with Matt and Marion (Matt’s Buddy) and visited all the libraries on campus, opened a bank account, and took a small tour of the city. The most important event of the day was my reunion with Kebap. I had my first real Kebap in three years and it tasted so good, it was euphoric.
Matt and I were exhausted so we decided to go back home and take a nap. Once we both woke up Matt and I went to grab a beer and some dinner. We found a restaurant that was cheap and ordered Wienerschnizel, another favorite. I am finally feeling like I am back in Austria especially after eating all my favorite foods. So hopefully things just keep getting better.
The pictures I posted are a view from my window in my apartment, my new university, and some shoes i really want to buy. enjoy!

No, I am not in Austria

Hello All!
All I can say is this past week has been a very emotional one. On Thursday when I said goodbye to my family, I found out my Grandpa Patnode has cancer so that was a blow, but he is a good natured guy and I am sure he will come out of it just fine. Friday I spent trying to get everything ready and packed into my suitcases, everyone says they are impressed that I managed all my belongings for seven months in one suit case plus a carry on, but you know, I am a champ so it isn’t a big deal! Then Friday night David took me to see Spring Awakening, an amazing Broadway musical, it was incredible, especially since we had great seats that were on stage. That’s right on stage! It was amazing, the actors were singing behind our heads and climbing and standing all around us, truly an experience I will never forget! Thanks again David (and Peter). After the musical Kevin, David, Briana and I attempted to do something but it was just too late and decided sleep was a better plan.
The next morning Briana came to pick Kevin and I up at Beta and bring me to the airport. Along the way we stopped at the dorms and picked up David. So we all drove down to the airport in Uncle Daryl’s huge pickup truck. It was funny and ironic that the two most city slicker grandkids ended up driving the farm truck around the cities. To make the experience complete my luggage was nestled neatly atop two bags of Sprout (substitute milk for claves), it just seemed to all come full circle.
As we entered the airport sunglasses still upon our faces and bursting into a rendition of Beyonce’s new smash hit “Diva” we finally made it to the United check in counter. Where, when my bags were weighed were three pounds over but lucky the lady said it was ok and I wouldn’t be charged. Then as she was sorting out my tickets she noticed I forgot to sign my passport, I quickly told her it was a sting operation and she had passed the inspection I was performing. After that ordeal I went back over to say goodbye to Kevin, David and Briana. It was so sad leaving behind such great people, but I am sure it will make our reunion all the better.
Then as I was going through security, my luck was still intact and a new line opened right in front of me so I was the first one to go through, when they were searching my bags they found my really cool VOSS water bottle and were a little confused and I swore it wasn’t vodka, prompting the security woman to smell it if she didn’t believe me. Then she proceeded to tell me how much she likes it and wanted to keep it for herself. I told her she couldn’t and that would be considered stealing, then she shouted out to Kevin, David and Briana who were standing behind us to buy me another one and send it to me. “No! Shipping charges are outrageous these days!” Needless to say she dumped out my water and finally I was on my way to Austria… or so I thought.
I made it to Chicago without any problem. I boarded my flight and found my seat which had so much more leg room then I knew what to do with and settled in for what I thought would be a simple trans-Atlantic flight. We taxied to the runway and found there was a mechanical error of some sort so we returned to our gate and waited for about an hour and a half, we were told it was fixed and prepared to return to the runway, then the problem popped up again so we waited another hour and a half, the whole time stuck on the plane, luckily the crew was great and fed us and gave us water and such. We were up in the air and I was a bit crabby but fine. Then somewhere over the plains of Nova Scotia our captain informed us another mechanical problem arose and he did not feel comfortable crossing an ocean so we were returning to Chicago. It was at this point I wanted to break down.
Luckily, the woman next to me who was going to meet a man she met on the internet in Istanbul, Turkey (I am really afraid she is going to be abducted into some prostitution ring, but that story is for another time) calmed me down. We made it back to Chicago just fine and received a new flight and a hotel and meal vouchers so all was well. I went back to the hotel and had a huge breakdown, something about being stuck on a grounded plane for so long and so many emotions really stressed me out. Thankfully, Hayley and my mother were able to clam me down and once I took a shower and scrubbed the tears from my cheeks I was able to get some sleep.
Today I have a much better disposition about the whole ordeal, and my upcoming flight. I cannot wait to get going and start my semester and make new friends and enjoy my time abroad like I planned. Thank you again to Kevin, David, and Briana for coming to the airport I love you guys. Thanks everyone else for the well wishes. Catch you on the other side of the Atlantic soon, I hope!
Nick