Dancing Lessons from God

800+

Posted on Monday, September 26, 2011 | 2 Comments

We returned from our five day trip to Salzburg/Munich/a few other locations yesterday. Oh boy. I am exhausted. I wish I was a speed photo editor and could share everything with you RIGHT NOW. But I'm not. So I'll wait (don't worry, I'm fully aware that I'm the only one excited about this blog and therefore am in fact referring to myself when I say "you." Some sweet form of a brain teaser/ weird psychology right there.)

I just have to decide which are my favorite from the.... over 800 photos that I took. If I make the font smaller, that makes the number less intimidating. Correct.

Best get to work.

Oh yes, and one of these I need to take photos of my apartment/street/school/etc. here. I will do this. At some point in the next two and a half months.

I can make no promises.

Labels: Study Abroad

Budapest

Posted on Monday, September 19, 2011 | 0 Comments

This weekend we went to Budapest. I was excited about this for several reasons:

1) the fact that my sister has one less country on me now. We might be even. I'm not sure.

2) the food. You all are shocked by this statement I am sure of it.

3) BUDAPEST. I need not say more.

Can I just say, Budapest was amazing. It really was. And although we were only there for two days, I think we covered it pretty well. I'm beginning to realize that by the time I leave this program, I will be in the best shape I've been in my life due to the excessive amount of walking that is going down. Which leads me to my next point. I have discovered the most amazing new use for chapstick. So you are walking for several hours, when suddenly the beginnings of a nasty blister begin to creep upon you, unawares, and in a most stealth-like fashion. Oh what to do, what to do?! Enter: Chapstick! Lickity split you best be rubbin' that chappy stick all over yo' feet. Or just on the area where it's starting to rub raw. Like magic presto all your blister woes will disappear.

For genuine.

While you're still reeling from this miraculous revelation, I will provide some photos for your viewing pleasure.

Labels: Study Abroad

Burggarten

Posted on Monday, September 12, 2011 | 2 Comments

As I write this, I am staring at a beautiful statue of Mozart in the Burggarten and enjoying the beautiful weather . It's a little unreal to think that right next to this garden is the Amerika Institut, and right next to that is essentially the center of the city. I go to school across from the State Opera House! That's insane! It's only my fourth day here and already I'm wondering how I'll go back to BYU. How about I just stay here. I like that plan.

Everyone else is in German class right now, so I have a little time to myself to wander around and try to blend in. It's probably not working very well, but hey. I'm trying.

A couple of us are thinking of going to Budapest this weekend. Hopefully all goes as planned.

My first impressions of our host mom is that she is very set in her ways and slightly intimidating. She seems so cultured and refined (probably the nobility thing?), but I find it interesting. She demands respect, and I like that. She also seems very nice and once we get more comfortable around her, I think we will really enjoy staying with here. Hopefully that is not just wishful thinking.

Oh, story time! Everyone should be impressed. My roommate were wandering around this morning, getting a feel for the area around our school and decided to go into this bookstore. I don't have any notebooks, and as I hate hate hate taking notes on my computer (I know, I know. It's the 21st century Maddie. But I prefer a notebook and a BIC pen. Perfection.) I wanted to see if they had any notebooks. The lady in the story asked me if she could help me with anything and I asked her if they had any notebooks. Unfortunately the didn't, but she informed me that there was a stationary store down the street that I might them at. I should check there after 10 or 10:30. I said thank you and was on my way with a feeling of supreme accomplishment.

The part that will blow your mind. Because it should.

THIS ALL WENT DOWN IN GERMAN.

That's right. I had a whole conversation. In German. Who's the coolest person ever? Probably not me, but I'm pretty close!

And to add to that, yesterday we attended church, and I understood the majority of what they were talking about (when jet lag wasn't making me fall asleep faster than Sophie can scramble to the door on a doorbell induced frenzy, or when I wasn't being entirely disgusted by the couple in front of us who thought Sacrament Meeting was a prime time for a snogging sesh)! I. Feel. Awesome!Anyway, hope all is well with everyone and that they're enjoying this beautiful fall weather!

Burggarten from my bench. :)

Labels: Study Abroad

Döner!

Posted on | 0 Comments

What is right across from the Opera House in Vienna? The Amerika Institut.

What is the Amerika Institut? Where I will be taking classes for the next three months.

Who is totally digging this? I am.

We also met our host mom, who happens to be nobility? Way. Cool. And she also speaks French. You're reading the frenzied typing of one excited person.

Also, I had a Doner Kebap today for lunch. I am officially in Europe and life is good. :)

Labels: Study Abroad

Grüß Gott!

Posted on Friday, September 9, 2011 | 2 Comments

Hello from Vienna! I have made it here safely (although my luggage fails to boast the same, having disappeared somewhere XNA and Vienna. Sounds promising, I know) and am about ready to hit the hay. At 9:30. Man does jet lag make you a lame old geezer.

Anyway, I noticed the blog was getting a little lonely so I thought I would give a brief update. Maybe tomorrow I will not be in such a zombie-fied state due to lack of sleep and will be able to snap a few photos to share. Not making any promises though. It might be just me, but it always seems harder to adjust to the time zones when going overseas than when coming back to the United States. What about you guys? Same same or vice versa?

Labels: Travel

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About

Arkansas native.

Currently based in Boston.

Travelling soul.

"Unexpected travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God." - Kurt Vonnegut Jr.

Contact

madeline.s.stoker@gmail.com