First day of school – February 8

Today is cold and brisk in Vienna. It is time to go meet the gang over at FH-Wien. The subway is getting easier as I figured out that each line is color coded and the end station is the direction.

Getting to school was an easy, but we were late so we made a grand entrance. We sat through orientation, and then we had a short meet and greet with the other students. We meet a girl named Jordon who also goes to MRU and is living in the same flat as us. After the orientation, we had a break so we heading home for the afternoon. At 6:00 pm we had a welcome event and we learn how to dance Vienna style. It was so much fun. I danced with a guy from Argentina and he was a really good dancer. The evening was pleasant and a lot of fun. I am feeling a little out of place because I am older from most students, but most students don’t seem to care.

The University itself is new and quite contemporary. The building is a state of the art design. It is very different from the buildings at home. It is very edgy and has a lot of large white columns with shiny marble flooring.

It was a late night and getting home felt nice. The weather is too cold for me and I feel like I am always cold. A nice warm cup of tea should warm me right up. At about 11:30 pm, I noticed someone sleeping on the couch outside my door, and it was a girl from the Ukraine. She locked her key in her room and was going to sleep in the common area. Estella and I decided we should let her sleep in our flat for the night. Needless to say, we both didn’t sleep well, and I am feeling it today.

February 8

Today is the day we do our campus and city tour. I am only going to the campus tour. It’s too cold to be wondering around the city streets for 2 hours. Next time I am going to bring a fur hat as it would be very useful here. I am sitting in my flat writing this blog and a lady walks in who is the internet chick. Anyways, we had a good laugh because the connection in the room next door has 2 connection ports and is a one person flat, and this room has a 1 connection and it’s a 2 person flat.

So we decided it was a man who designed these rooms, and somehow we will find a solution. It’s really strange talking to someone who only speaks a little bit of English and then tries to explain the rest in German. I am so glad I am taking a German class that should make things easier for all of us.

February 5, 2010 Adventure

A recap of yesterday: One of us had to stay in the flat today because an internet technician was supposed to come and install another connection for us. As it stands, only one of us can plug in our computer to use the internet. Anyways he did not show up. After taking turns going to the grocery store and bakery (only me) we decided to leave the building together, and guess what? We forgot our key inside. Anyways we meet a girl from France, who has been staying here for months and knew some people who knew someone else who knew the house master. Okay this is crazy because, people who work in administration jobs in Austria only work until about 4 pm, and we could have been locked out all weekend. So Sebastian and Christen who are both from Germany and very good looking decided to make it their mission to help us get into our flat. They called and face booked people all over the world to find this phone number. And after about an hour of looking, found the phone number. So 45 minutes later the house master showed up with the key, charged us 30 Euros and left. Thank god we got into our flat. If we didn’t I don’t know what the weekend would have looked like.
So the plan for today...February 6, 2010.We decide to take on the challenge of riding the subway, tram trains and buses. We are going to find a meeting for me of the U-Bahn 4 and then we will be off to the Museum fur Angewandte Kunst (MAK). The Austrian museum of Applied Arts. My roommate is sleeping so I am signing off for now..but I’ll be back.
Today was a great day, we didn’t find a meeting but we did make our way around Vienna via U-Bahn train. We ended up going to the MAK Applied Arts Museum. I was so happy to be there. I learned a lot about certain things that were there. When we first got there we found out it was free on Saturdays. The MAK is a place of art that past and present meet. Contemporary artist have created an unparallel interaction between artistic heritage and contemporary art. Set up in 1863 as a “model collection of all kinds’, the Mak Collection has always been and still is seen internationally as an extraordinary crossover between applied art, design, contemporary art and architecture.
The first thing I saw was beautiful lace displayed from different countries in Europe. The first piece was from Italy 16 century and was called a “cushion insert” an outstanding piece of lace to say the least. The next piece I saw was from the 17 century and was called “lady’s portrait in a frame of lace work” over the top classy. Thirdly was a piece from France and was called “border” a needlepoint lace that was probably the most amazing pieces of lace I have ever seen. I know this is probably not too important to you, but I really loved it.
The 17 century furniture was so exquisite that, I am not sure I can explain it how I saw it but I’ll try. The cabinet designed by David Roentegen was brown maple, rosewood, myrtle wood, with various stained woods and gilt-bronzed mounts is an achievement that cabinetmaker would be inspired to copy. The tabernacle cabinets, library tables and other items in this area could have kept me there for hours. I think I may have to re-visit this museum and to truly capture everything that is there.
After we left the museum, we headed home and ended up talking for 2 hours about our day, our lives and how we are getting use to be and living in Vienna.

Day 2 Encouragement

Day 2 Encouragement


It is 6:00 am and the whole building is asleep. This is a nice time to be sitting in the lounging area and writing my blog. It is very quiet here in the morning. Although I’ve already gone to the grocery store, and it doesn’t open until 7:30 am. I am inspired to do something creative until it does open. I should go take some pictures. The hours of operation are very different in Vienna, stores open between 7:00-7:30 am and close at 7:00 pm, and most people stop to get their lunch for work in the morning.
Yesterday we went to do our administration business like getting our residence and transportation passes. We did go into a fashion district, and I was in my glory. Although we were not there to shop, I had my eye on a few things. I am interested in a new pair of boots and possibly a new bag. Looks like lots of sales going on in the district, and I think I need some shopping therapy.
I also got to talk to my family which was really refreshing. My mom figured out how to use Skype and was quite proud of her self and she should be. My daughter Mandi also found me, and we talked for about 10 minutes. I was happy to talk to my family.
Well it’s early, and I am not sure what I am going to do today. We have an issue with our internet cables and electricity outlets, so a technician should be coming today to fix that. We are also plan to jump on the subway and find our way to the University. We definitely have to get groceries and at some point, and I want to head to the shopping district and browse.
Okay well I am off to start my day, and see what it brings. I will check back in later tonight to end of my day with a reflection of lucky I am to have this opportunity.
Crazy day...check out tomorrow’s blog for details.

Day 1 Vienna

Good morning Vienna,
We are all set up in our flat in Vienna. We arrived at the airport last night at 6:30 pm and Sonja was waiting for us with a welcome sign. It took about 30 minutes to get to our flat. We unpacked and found our way around the flat, which isn’t very big. We have a small kitchen with a coffee pot, toaster, fridge and microwave. The bathroom is really small. My daughter would gasp at how small it is. The common area is just a desk with room for 2 computers and 2 beds. We have a television with maybe 2 channels. Estella is trying to figure out the channels and sub-titles as we I write.
Today the weather is chilly and there is overcast. We are going to get groceries, and some necessities that we will need to clean our flat. We are off to adventure around our flat and find whatever we need to get started. Estella and I are going to get an international calling card, and call home to let our loved ones know we are here safe. Neither one of my maps has our address on it, so we will have to write down where we are in order to get back here. I am feeling a bit out of sorts and lonely, but I am excited to be here. I am ready to go and see what we have around us and find a good cup of coffee.
Listening to Joss Stone, she says “my mistakes will make me strong.” Yes that is how I am feeling right now. Wings to fly where I need to be....
Well we are back from wondering around the streets of Vienna, and I am impressed with the availability of groceries, coffee shops and internet cafe. We spent 30 Euros to get set up with supplies as well as food. We are good now for a few days. Back in our room replenishing from the jet lag and time change. Nap time.
Tomorrow Sonja is coming to get us around 10:30 to get our administration stuff done. We have to register here in Vienna as residence.