It Still Feels like Home

There is so much that I want to say, but it would take forever and probably be boring for some of you, so I'll stick to the basics. I'll try anyway.

Yesterday, I got back to Hollabrunn after being away on my first holiday. It has been two years since I was last in Scotland, and it was high time that I was back for a visit. I booked the flights at least a month ago, and have been overly excited about it since. But I was also a bit nervous and anxious. Two years ago I left feeling like I was being ripped away from the best time of my life that I wasn't ready to part with. As I flew out of the Edinburgh airport, I was in tears, but I vowed to myself that I would be back. I truly had no doubts about it. Then as the time for this trip came closer I started to worry that it wouldn't feel the same. Two years is a long time...especially for young people in university. People are still figuring out who they are and what they want. What if all my friends had changed and I didn't feel the same about anyone or anything? Oh my word. I was starting to worry, but God soon assured me that I was being foolish and that no matter what, I just have to trust that He's had everything under control from the beginning.
Onward and upward, my friends!

I left Hollabrunn last Wednesday. I was in a bit of a fluster at the start because I thought I'd gotten on the wrong train into Vienna, so that was a great start. I got there and then to the airport just fine though. When I went to check in for my flight to London, there were people already on line waiting, but no one was there to check us in! Eventually the message trickled back to me that the flight was indeed delayed. By an hour and fifteen minutes. How lovely. At this point I started praying that Kate was keeping up with my flight status online... Then they eventually called us all to the gate to start checking in. I get up there, do my thing, and then the guy had me put my suitcase in the size-checker-thing. My suitcase was too big. This literally is one of my worst fears when flying. I asked to try and rearrange it, and was allowed. I knew it was no use though because it was the actual suitcase that was too big. Gotta love those spinner wheels that stick out a mile and a half. They're convenient, except when the cost you 50 EUROS.!.!.!!!
On your American credit card that you are trying so so hard NOT to use.
Gahh!!!!!!!!!! Literally worst fear confirmed.
I asked if I could pay in GBP, but was refused; "Only Euros or credit card, Miss." At least I wasn't the only one. EasyJet is great, but they're strict little buggers.

Right, so I finally get to London Gatwick, and start praying again that I would see my friend and all will be well in the world again. I did my best to look thoroughly, those of you who know me know that I am not good at looking for things/people, but she truly was not there. I went back inside to check if I maybe missed her coming out the first time. Not a trace. I went back outside. I thought I was in the right spot. South Terminal arrivals...there were taxis and buses pulling in and out...other people were getting picked up and dropped off...but not me. There were two ladies who looked like they were waiting as well, and I soon found out we were in the same situation: waiting for a ride that hadn't shown up yet. Here is where I must confess something extremely foolish and embarrassing: I didn't have Kate's cell phone number with me at all and the only way I could get it would be to access a Facebook message. Here is where a "smart phone" would have been handy. So, I've learned my lessen: Smart phones are great but still write things down!!!

I asked one of the ladies if I could use her iPhone to get on Facebook, had to explain my brilliant self and the reason why, and at the moment she said yes, I could not have been more grateful. I got the number, dialed it (after having to ask how to use the country codes again!), and then waited out those dreaded seconds for it to start ringing and for someone to greet you on the other line.
"Hello."
"KATE!!! It's Sarah!"
"Ah great! Lass, where are you?!?!"

And now it just gets silly.
I described my location and she hers; they were one in the same. However, we could not see each other. Strange.
"Okay, I'm going to shout your name, and tell me if you can hear me."
"Okay. Go."
"SARR-RRRRAHHHHH! SARAH!!"
"Hey, I hear you!"
I walked towards her voice, looked around, described my position again."But that's where I am!!" we both kept saying, but neither of us saw no glimpses of the other. I crossed the little street and went into the car park (parking deck) a bit.
"Right, I'm going to shout again. SARAH! SARAH!"
"Oh my gosh! I hear you!!!! Where are you?!?!!??!"
There were some security guys working at a little electric box right by the lifts, so I decided to ask them, "Is there ANYWHERE else people can get picked up/dropped off from?"

"Oh yeah, sure," he said, "just down on the ground level."

You have got to be kidding me.
"Right, Kate, I'm getting on the lift, and I'll see you in a second." Click.

And then there was a warm and welcomed embrace and lots lots more laughing.
That's how I got to London and probably one of the best stories of the whole trip.

Kate and I had a lovely time catching up that night, and then it was off to the real London in the morning to catch my bus to Dundee at the Victoria Station. Eleven and a half hours on the Megabus- my butt was so numb. I saw a bit of London but not much; however, it was enough to make me want to go back really badly though. It stopped in Manchester, Preston, then up to Glasgow, Perth, then finally Dundee. Once we got to Glasgow, I started getting really excited. Then at Perth I was just plain antsy! I started seeing signs for Dundee and the Tay bridge, and when we finally got there and were passing pavements on which I had run before, I really just wanted to cry. I held it in though. Finally we pulled into the Seagate bus station, and I was up and out of my seat as soon as I could be. I heard someone from outside say, "There she is!" "Sarah!!" Then I heard three familiar voices- Jillian's, Laura's, and Lauren's- and became truly overjoyed.

That's pretty much how the whole rest of my time there was. Lots of talking and listening and sharing and smiling and feeling like I'd never even left. I went to all my favorite restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, and take away places. I had caramel McVities (which I have been craving for two years!) and Galaxy chocolate (which I have never seen in the USA or Austria). I had a delicious burger and lattice (not waffle fries) chips from Tonic and a Chinese take away and fish and chips and all things deliciously Scottish, except haggis. Don't misunderstand, I do like haggis, I just didn't have it this time around ;)
There were obviously numerous highly anticipated reunions, hugs, conversations- both serious and silly. I even got to spend time with the church family, St. Peter's Free Church of Scotland, that I was a part of while I was there. That weekend was the church's weekend away, which was in Arbroath, where my grandmother was born! Crazy cool! So on Saturday I heard a couple good chats from very wise and Godly individuals and feel privileged to have been in attendance. Then back in Dundee I went into all my favorite stores in the shopping center and bought a couple little things. I even saw two people from North Central, which was lovely! Then Sunday evening was a great big service at St. Pete's, which was really great, and then some quality banter with more friends afterwards! Ahh....so so blessed! Monday started with a full Scottish breakfast (delicious!) with Lauren at the Tartan Cafe (my favorite wee coffee shop!), followed by the lovely St. Andrews ruins and sea side with Andy, and then eventually everyone showed up after their busy days to have one last night with me before I left on the bus back to London Tuesday morning. Again, so so happy and blessed.

Dundee, Scotland <3

Arbroath, Scotland and the North Sea

St. Andrews :)

The whole gang :D

And that's pretty much it. I sat by a nice English couple and a cool English speaking Viennese girl my age on the flight back, so that was some pleasant conversation. Then when I was finally back to my room in Hollabrunn, I was greeted with a quality sized care package from my wee mum!!
Naturally, I ripped that right open before unpacking anything else from my trip. I ate a few of the goodies inside, and eventually felt tired enough to close my eyes and dream of the next trip to Dundee.
I think it will be nice to go there when it isn't freezing cold.
I've heard Scotland's lovely in the spring and summer :)

But for now, I am so happy to be home back in Hollabrunn! :)

See you 'round the bend..

~Sarah

When the Time didn't Change

There have been a lot of holidays happening lately. Wednesday was Halloween. yesterday was All Saints Day, and then last Friday was one as well, National Day, which celebrates Austria's declaration of neutrality in 1955. I cannot believe it is November already--wow! wednesday I was on door duty: I greeted the trick-or-treaters and gave out candy. Here the say, "Sweets or sours!?!" I didn't see any spectacular costumes and there weren't that many kids that came by, but it was still pretty fun.

Last weekend the ladies of YAG had a girls night!! I was looking forward to it all week since I hadn't been at church or seen any of them the previous week. Plus it was the night of the time change, so we were getting an extra hour--perfect! We indeed had a lovely time of fellowship. Oh my...there was a lot of eating and talking and sharing and growing friendships. There were the token pair that stayed up almost until dawn talking, so that is a sure sign of success. I decided I wanted to bring some Oreos and PB for the event, because what is a girls' night without it!? Many of them hadn't tried it before, so I was excited for them. I didn't hear any complaints, so I think most people liked them.

I left Andrea's about two hours before Bible study to just walk around a bit and think and pray. After sharing some things, it got me thinking a lot about the future. Part of the reason for my coming to Austria in the first place is to try and figure out what I want to do next. A grad program or a job or something else...I really don't know. So, I went to Stadtpark and found a good spot up against one of the bridge railings. I just stood there. I watched the pigeons and black birds fight for crumbs and the perfect bits for their nests. I took in my surroundings and began feeling overwhelmingly blessed. Oh wow...God is so so GOOD! He gave me this sense of peace about the future. I know He has it all sorted. I have faith that He is going to show me the way, like He always does.

I left the park and got to the church a little bit before 1pm, when Bible study starts. There were still lots of people gathered out in the lobby area, where we've been meeting lately. Hmmph. That's sort of odd. I rang the bell for the conference room to see if anyone was up there. No answer. "Okay," I thought, "I am early, and usually people are regularly late for things here...so I'll walk a bit more and come back."
I walked and walked and then came back. Still people there. I went inside the lobby, but I didn't see anybody I recognized. It was all people from the other church that meets there, so I suspected. Hmmph. I was hungry, and there was one bakery open up the other street. I thought surely by the time I went there and came back it would be after one and people, the right people, would be there. False.

I finally decided to call somebody to check and see if we were still having Bible study.
"Yeah, but I won't be there for another 30 or 45 minutes."
"Oh okay, well it's already 10 after one."
"No, Sarah, you're early. It's only 10 after twelve."

What? But my phone says it's one. Lies.
I didn't know that I needed to manually change my phone. All my phones back home changed automatically, so why shouldn't this one too? Ha. Ha. If it wouldn't have been just barely above freezing out, I would have been fine with my little mishap, but it was indeed pretty chilly. Plus, I had already been outside for a good couple of hours already. What to do? I sat at a little park, ate my snack and cappuccino from the bakery and made the most of the 45 minutes I still had to wait. Oh, and I also changed the time on my phone. I will remember this for the spring time.

When time tricks you...sad times.

What else better to do that to take photos of my surroundings to waste a little time

This is actually a nice wee park close to the church next to a tiny little museum.

They still write all over public picnic tables here too...

First time wearing the wrist warmers I knitted myself. I must say that I am quite pleased with them. I like that I can wear mitten underneath them if my fingers are getting too cold ;)

At about 12:45, I had had enough and headed back over to the church. As I walked in, I saw one familiar face and instantly felt better. She had been "early" too, so we had a good chuckle. Anyway, the rest of the day was lovely. During the service I sang in the praise band for the second time, which was great. After the service the YAG had a little pow-wow of a meeting. We are planning to do some pretty sweet sounding stuff that I am well excited for; Thanksgiving may or may not be one of those oh so sweet things ;)
Upon leaving the church, a few friends and I decided to spend a little more time together mainly because I still had an hour to kill before my train, which is becoming quite the common occurrence. We went to the Donau Zentrum, which has a large food court on one floor. We stopped at the Burger King and my friend ordered her food. I started to really have an appetite for a milkshake, so I just decided to get one. Then, about two minutes after I ordered and paid for it, I realized that I was actually really hungry. I ordered a small hamburger.
This is official documentation: on October 28, I had my first hamburger since being in Austria.
I almost didn't even realize it!
Even though it was Burger King (where else to get a hamburger than from the king himself, right?), it was delicious and I felt homesick. My friend shared some of her fries with me, and it was absolutely marvelous. Wow. Now I really want to make hamburgers!! Awh, what a great end to the day.

I can tell I'm really starting to feel more at home here because I don't feel the need to take pictures of everything I do and everywhere I go. I guess I should stop being lazy because I think I would have like a picture of me and that hamburger. Ha.

Well, time goes on...

~Sarah <3