Ups and Downs

Since the last time I wrote a blog, I have had my ups and downs. My ups would include that I have had some major flatmate bonding. I introduced them to a drinking game called waterfall and it ended up in a snowball fight inside our flat. I learned how to make Hungarian pancakes, which are called palachinkas. We also got WiFi in our flat so if you have an iPhone, feel free to text me :)
I have also had some downs, not necessarily bad experiences, but I am still adjusting to the cultural differences. For instance, all the offices I need to go to close at 12 p.m. I don't even get out of my class that early. Not only do they close early, the people that work there don't have to show up to work until they feel like it. For example, I needed to talk to the coordinator of my German class and I asked my professor when I could reach her. My professor said, "Mmmm... maybe 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. but definitely by 11 a.m." Also the banks here like to close for two hour breaks every day, I still don't understand that. I have worked in a bank for quite a while and the work load there definitely does not call for everyone to get two hours off... at the exact same time. Everything here is just very laid back and I am having a hard time adjusting. Also registering for courses has been a little stressful. It is not near as organized as OSU's system. I used to get really annoyed with some of OSU's documentation requirements and regulations, but because of this experience, I have learned to be extremely thankful for the organization and neatness.
Overall I am learning every day and trying to be as optimistic as possible when I run into obstacles  I don't know what would happen if I didn't have Matt telling me to keep pushing through the rough patches. I am very thankful for all his support along with my friends' and family's encouragement as well.

Until next time,

Aufwiedersehen!

Finally Settling In

I am finally feeling relaxed in Graz. I am not running around all the time trying to get things done. I officially have my bank account, my bus pass, my vorteilscard, my student ID, took my midterm, enrolled in my classes, payed my rent, and now get to just enjoy my stay instead of being stressed out. It feels pretty good to be able to just go home after class and not to a thousand other places to get all these things done. My German class is going well. I had my midterm on Wednesday, it wasn't too bad... except for all the directions were also in German, so I am not sure if I actually put the right words and sentences where they need to go. I think I will find out tomorrow, and I will let you know how I did. Unless I did really horrible, in that case, I'm going to not say anything about it so my mom won't get mad.

Things that are different here than in the U.S.:
Tax- When you get something to eat or drink, if it says "2.50 euro" then you pay 2.50 euro, nothing more, nothing less.

Red Solo Cups- I mentioned in an earlier post that there is not really any plastic containers here. My mentor, Greta, asked if we really use the red cups at parties. I told her yes and she said she would pay a lot of money to get these so called red cups... and she would save them and reuse them at every party she had. She also said she would throw a party just for the occasion of having red solo cups.

Dogs- Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has a dog here. I love dogs and I like that every where I go, I get to see an adorable Canine. However, people do not like you to touch their dogs. You really shouldn't even make that "oh my gosh, look at that cute dog!" face, because the dog owner will purposely avoid you.

Last night we had stammatisch at the office pub and the quote of the night goes to my new acquaintance Matt Wyndham from Australia- "We are the only country in the world who eats their national emblem, the kangaroo."
... Interesting, kangaroo burgers anyone?

Until next time,

Tschüss!

Midterm

Lately I have not done anything super exciting because my German intensive course is... well... intense. I do have my midterm (Swischenklauser am Mittwoch) on Wednesday, so I have been trying to prepare for that. It has been a little stressful, but it's worth it! I have learned a lot so far. So while I study, enjoy this video:

Day Trip

Today I traveled to Vienna, Austria and went to the oldest zoo in the world. It was so big that it literally took all day to see everything! So here are some pictures :)