Highlights

The highlights of the year two thousand twelve in a few words...

January- closure and letting go
February- decided to come Austria
March- finally visited Kelsey at Notre Dame
April- turned 22
May- prayed a lot that I'd pass thermodynamics, major senioritis and lots of excitement
June- passed thermodynamics, graduated and became a NCC alum, moved home
July- challenging and useful preparation, shopping, Martini Mondays
August- Chipotle and Starbucks in Naperville, said lots of 'see you laters', got on and off a couple airplanes and finally got to hug the Gehring's, and finally met Mikal
September- culture shock, my German course, met my other half- Sarah,  homesickness, and YAG
October- guitars and praise team, adjusting to a lot of free time
November- challenges, my second Thanksgiving not in America, still homesick
December- went to Salzburg, got a 95 Euro OBB fine, Christmas markets, first St. Nikolaus day, first Christmas not in America, first Christmas in a foreign country- loved it and definitely adopting some of the traditions, learned some carols on guitar, saw a Christmas tree with REAL candles on it, not so homesick and feeling quite happy.

I guess I sort of just wanted to get in one last post before the clocks and calenders chime in a new year. Looking back on this year is actually sort of hard. It's a bit difficult to remember in detail the parts before I got to Austria, but I think it's good for me to try. The more you understand about where you've been, the easier it is to maybe see where you could be headed. Maybe...but we'll see, I guess.

It's been an interesting and very challenging year, to say the least. It was filled with tons of changes and life lessons that I am so grateful for. When I started college, I did not think that six months after I would graduate I'd be doing what I'm doing now, not to mention where I'm doing it. However, since being here, I have not ceased learning all sorts of things about myself and others, family, the world, and most importantly God. I think one of the things He's been teaching me lately is that I cannot do life on my own. I simply cannot do it. I cannot pretend to be independent and self-sufficient; I cannot pretend that I have it all together because I will be found out eventually. I cannot be afraid to appear weak or to ask for help, nor should I wait until the last minute to do so.

This illuminating lesson hit me hard one night in particular and is why "got a 95 Eure OBB fine" is one of December's highlights. For those of you that are not aware, the OBB is the train line I take to and from Vienna (and pretty much everywhere else too). Do not worry, I was not purposefully being delinquent. I had a ticket, but I did not know that I had to stamp it before entering the train. When I showed it to the officer, he said I had a "guilty ticket", which was an incorrect English translation, and then proceeded to tell me that, "my friend should have explained it to me better" and printed out my fine on his handy little fine printing machine. Ick! It was all I could do not to screen and cry in this man's face, but I held it together until I was off the train and walking outside in the crisp Hollabrunn air. Then I started sobbing. The funny this was, it had just been snowing and there was a light but full layer of the white stuff on the ground. Even though the sky was dark, with the lights and the snow it was rather bright out. Unfortunately my emotions did not match the calm and peaceful scenery. Anyway, even though the fine was upsetting me, I quickly began to realize that I was crying for a much greater and more serious reason.
I realized that I have been trying to do a lot on my own; I have been neglecting to seek God and his guidance and direction in even the seemingly simple things. I've never been good at asking for help. Even as a student, I can clearly remember as far back as grade school, it would always be so hard for me to ask my teachers for help. I hated doing it. I hated being seen as the one who did not understand something or could not do something. If someone sees that I need help and offers, that's okay; it still isn't great, but it's easier. I can handle it better. Anyway, back to my not so little tumultuous trot in the snow, it eventually turned into a beautiful time of confession before my heavenly Father that I think was probably a long time coming. He led me to a quite spot on a bench in a little park; I just sat there and calmed down. He reminded me and showed me that He's been with me through this entire journey and that I am here for a very specific reason even if it has not yet been fully elucidated. Everything that I am learning and challenged by is only for my good. Only good. When I had still been walking around in the sobbing stage, I remember thinking that I just wanted to be at the part where I could at least chuckle about the fine, and sitting there on that bench, He got me to that point. I knew it would work out that He would provide for everything.
I think that night was a real turning point for me. Really. I was truly humbled and shown grace beyond measure. Since then I've sort of gotten back to my normal self, I guess you can say. I feel more comfortable and okay about making mistakes. Plus I know how to work the OBB system a little bit more. I guess some things I just have to learn the hard way, but at least I am learning them.

Happy End of 2012, everyone.

All the best,

Sarah

Christmas

The past week has been pretty awesome. Everyone is off from work and school, so we've all been getting to spend some quality time together. Less stressed and more relaxed, which is always a welcomed feeling!

We celebrated Christmas on the 24th. We went to church, and then shortly after we got home, the Christkind came and delivered the Christmas tree and decorations and of course, the presents!! It was so sweet to see the girls so excited. Kristina kept asking me, "Sarah, do you know what today is??!?!" I said, "December 24th?"
"No, CHRISTMAS!!!"
Hahaha, of course!
Before opening any present though, we gathered around the piano to sing some traditional German Christmas songs. It was so cute, both Elena and Kristina took turns accompanying us on the piano; both played beautifully. Then they were allowed to go after the presents!! Ah, such fun to be a child and such joy to watch excited and happy little girls! After gifts, we had salmon for supper before heading over to Oma and Opa's for more singing, gifts, and sweet yummy things!! I must say, the Austrians bake some delicious Christmas cakes and cookies. I must bring so many recipes home with me!!! Oh my, it was such a nice time. I really enjoyed all the singing in German, especially because "Stille Nacht" reminded me of my madrigal days, which were some of the best! Another special thing that I saw, which I never have before, were real candles on a real tree!! I didn't think people actually did that! It looked gorgeous though; I think I'll have to try that at some point. One of my favorite things to do at Christmas is to sit in the living room with all the lights off except the tree lights. It is so peaceful and such a great place to ponder the real reason for all the celebrating, gifts, yummy food, and all the rest. Once I got back to our house, I skyped with Kelsey for a bit, which was lovely. Her and her mom were both in the kitchen preparing things that I am sure tasted amazing, so I was just propped up on the counter top. Ha. It was great and I felt like I was actually there, except I couldn't smell the seafood stew that was cooking. I went to sleep watching "Elf" since I hadn't watched it yet this season.

On the 25th, I started "Elf" again since I'd fallen asleep on it the night before and watched it whilst getting ready for the day. We went to Oma and Opa's for lunch and stayed until the early evening. I had my first cooked goose and all the fixings, as is the traditional Austrian Christmas meal. It was quite tasty  No, it does not taste like chicken, for those who are wondering. It is a darker meat and so has a taste closer to that  roast beef. Then afterwards there were more of those delicious little cakes not to mention a large chocolate cake and whipped cream. Wow. It really was such a lovely day spent with all the family; I had such a nice and relaxed time. Once back at our house, we had a quick light supper and then it was off to my room for my skype fest. First the short "conference" call with my parents and brother's family in AZ. Then they had to go, so it was just me and my parents. Then it was my sister. Then it was Jessi. Then I tried my Aunt and grandparents, but they didn't answer. Then I had to call a friend back here in Austria. Ahh! So many modes of communication!! No, but it was honestly so great. Obviously I missed everyone back home and wished I could have spent the day with them too, but I wouldn't have traded my Christmas here for anything. I can't live in two places; it's high time I start reminding myself of that more often than I have been.

The nest day consisted of a wee tummy ache and staying in bed pretty much all day. But I caught up on some superhero movies, reading, and Pinterest. I was with some YAG friends the next day. I went to the theater with my family the next day. We saw a movie about two sisters who are half human and half vampire. It was actually pretty good, plus I understood it, which was evidenced by my laughter in the appropriate parts. Then the next day we were with some of Andreas's family. We walked around this old castle grounds which were really pretty, especially the pavilion.

And here are some photos. Sorry the photos have been pretty scarce on the last few posts...

Lights in Vienna

Karls Kirche Christkindl Markt

"Also for you, Jesus was born"

This pillars are absolutely stunning...photos do not do them justice

Christmas at Schonbrunn

Christmas in Hollabrunn

A nice walk to an old place and pavillion

The lovely Elena

The always curious and busy Kristina

Quite enthralled with the ice

My two sweet Austrian girls!!

Horses!

I really have an obsession with clock towers and clock on steeples.

Farming stuff...made me feel at home

Work

Drawing Tinker Bell and her other fairy friends.
Trying to draw Ariel, but, "She's the hardest!" Flounder isn't too hard though.
Teaching how to braid, the fishtail and the 4-strand so far.
Practicing the braids on Barbie's and my hair.
Cooking the basics: soup, fish sticks, rice, noodles, peas, corn, and the favorite: SPAGHETTI!!!
Baking: chocolate chip cookies (so far).
Helping with and checking over homework (we can add to 10 now!!).
Reading in German.
Reading in English.
Watching children's TV programming in German (and understanding most of it!).
Playing in the snow followed by some hot chocolate and, "Woah! There's a marshmallow floating on top! Why?" "Why not!?!?" "Can we have more marshmallows?" "Okay, but only one."
Piano lessons at Music School and being known to a cute little boy as "the English lady" while his mom has he and his sister practice their English with me. They are sweet :)
Being a knitting teacher and trying to make sure 23 stitches stays at 23, but when it gets up to about 35 not making a big deal out of it.
Making paper snowflakes.
Making collages from magazines.
Listening to German read aloud to me and correcting pronunciation mistakes.
Dressing up as witches, but not just any witches- REAL witches from Rold Dahl's The Witches, which I am reading to them.
Bath time: minimal splashing, practicing holding your breath, "experiments" and other cool stuff.
Telling stories -- made up on my own or abridged versions of movies (Thank you, Liz, for this idea!).
Practicing piano -- me having to learn a bit of piano myself so that I can be of any significant help, which is pretty cool.
Correcting their mistakes in English.
They correct my mistakes in German.
Playing train with my many used OBB tickets.
Marbles and magnets.
Thinking up our very own monsters to then draw prototypes of and to then later (we haven't done it yet) make real-life puppets of.
Rhyming (in English and German).
Legos.
Playing restaurant- best soup and ice cream cone I ever had!
Serenading each other, therefore teaching them what a serenade is.
Playing Tooth Fairy.
Singing silly songs.
Singing not as silly songs.
Reading about dinosaurs.
Friday is clean up day. "Oh noo!!! Why is it Friday?!" "Well, because yesterday was Thursday and tomorrow is Saturday, that's why." "Huh?" Haha.

Laughing, smiling, hugging.
Diverting attention to avoid arguments, cheering up, holding hands whilst walking.
Paying attention, thinking of new ideas, being creative.
Letting little girls be little girls.

Learning.