AUSTRIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I finally made it to Austria! So far, we have visited Melk and St. Polten, where we had mass with the bishop. The university hosted lunch for us, and after a 3-course meal, we headed back to the buses for Melk. It took us about 1/2 an hour, but when we got there, it was awesome!

We visited this old Benedictine Monastery there, and the English guide informed us that Melk used to be the capital of Gaming 300 years ago. This monastery was originally built in the mid 1000s AD, but was torn down (except for two towers) and rebuilt in the Baroque style. They had many interesting treasures and the place was very themed. One room even had a ramp up and down, signifying the good and bad times of the days. They showed us a room where Maria Theresa slept when she visited, b/c the monks apparently were expected to house imperials when they visited. The place had over 1000 windows in it, and everything was designed so beautifully and every picture had a story to go with it. Throughout this whole journey, certain people kept making very puny "milk" jokes to the annoyance of some. *ahem* But, otherwise, it was a very pleasant excursion. We got back and had meetings and such, but they weren't too bad, and we all of course went to bed at a reasonable time as we had to get up early the next morning for meetings.

Yesterday (Wednesday) and it was kinda boring until we went into town around 3:45pm. Andrea, an Austrian with the school, led the expedition into town. She showed us where the doctor and dentist live, where we can get groceries and money from an atm, or where we might just sit in a cafe and enjoy hanging out with friends. It was a wonderful evening, and we all enjoyed walking back by ourselves. We had a talk earlier this week about how the crime rate here in austria is so low, that we do not even have to worry about getting robbed or anything. But, rest assured, I'm not about to do anything stupid. We just can feel free here.

So, Thursday, we started classes. I woke up and ran to morning prayer @ 7:30am w/ Sean, ate breakfast then  had 2 classes from 8:30am-11:50pm, then noon mass. @ 3pm, I had the same teacher (Wolter) for PHL of the Human person as I had had for foundations of ethics at 10:20am, and she is pretty nice. She is strict and challenging, but very upbeat and a great teacher. I had the famous Dr. Asci for my 8:30am, which is Christian Marriage. I'm pretty sure only 6 out 167 people on campus are not in the class, so you can imagine how packed the room is, even if it fits everyone. So far, I am liking my schedule, though. So I think I will stay with it. Anyway, I'm off into town with my pals. We need some things there, plus, it'll be fun to walk around and explore.

God bless,
Tessieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Christmas Holidays

Hello All!

            This Christmas, I flew with me mum to a far away land called Eire, also known as Ireland. Our flight was unfortunately delayed due to weather conditions, aka 2 ft of snow and plenty of ice, so we rebooked for the next day and headed home. We arrived back home, much to the confusion of all my siblings, and continued to open presents. (Mum and I had opened ours on Christmas Eve.) It took us over 24 hours to get from Manassas to Cork, but the 6 hour bus ride from Dublin to Cork was worth the €18 for all the views we had. Mum was even a free tour guide for me, explaining all the nearest towns and any places she had visited over her honeymoon. We arrived, cold and tired into Cork City, hitched a ride with my aunt Gretta to me grandparents house, and sat around the table with a warm cup of Barry's tea in hand, while we dicussed the evils of airliners. ;P The next week, I spent my days with my mom and grandparents, went to Gretta's house for a dinner with the gang, spent 2 nights in Cobh where my uncle (and Godfather) is stationed as a parish priest, got to tour the city with my mum for a day, and celebrated my newest cousin's (on my mum's side) birthday at my aunt Olive's. I also got to spend a night at my Aunt Kathy's house and got to see 12 of my cousins on my dad's side. I have had so much fun, since I arrrived. (Some pictures will follow of Cobh Cathedral once I find my camera! heehee!)

              So far, I have learned many new words and phrases and a whole new culture over here. For instance, a solicitor is a lawyer, an auctioneer is a realtor, desperate means crummy/horrible, and "I'm sorted" means "I'm all good". The Irish all are so kind and are not as fast-paced as Americans, which I like, even though they walk fast. It's much more peaceful and serene here. A great tip which I got from my cousin Genny is that you have to be nice to people if you want them to be helpful. This is much contrasting to Americans who will allow others to bad-mouth them while remaining polite. I found it quite interesting. Overall, Ireland is such a beautiful and amazing place to visit. The only drawback, in my opinion, is the cloudy weather. A day with sun is quite rare, especially in the winter.

             Anyway, I am spending the rest of my time with my family on my mother's side and will travel to London on Sunday and Vienna on Monday. Then, I will start my semester in Austria!!!! I will write more later, so later!!!

God less,

Tessieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Christmas Break

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my blog! This is my first time ever, so bear with me. I am really excited for I am venturing 11 days to a beautiful land full of adventure, just waiting for me. In 11 days, I am headed to Europe. My mom and I are heading to Ireland to see our family over Christmas and New Years. We will be there for 2 weeks, then I shall travel all by myself on a big scary plane to London! I will be surrounded by tall, scary Englishmen!!!!! HELP!!! jk. lol. But I will be alone overnight in England before traveling to Vienna. I will meet up with my schoolmates and head to an old Austrian monastery, where I shall spend the next 4 months of my life locked up in solitary confinement. heeheehee. I am too tired right now. I shouldn't be typing this b/c I am hyper!!!!!! (Am I annoying anoying n.e.1 w/ my skoolgal typing? *wink* *wink*) I am going to nap.

God bless,
Tessieeee