Zell am See

We went on a little ski holiday before heading back to school in January. We stayed and skied in a town called Zell am See, about an hour south of Salzburg. It was a lovely small ski village at the foot of the mountain. We stayed at a family-owned gasthaus that was first built in 1482. Visit Picasa for pics.

Winter Wonderland

 

This week I worked in the middle of a winter wonderland.  The trees were covered with ice and snow.  For days the trees sparkled white, and we couldn't even see the green from the Evergreen trees.  

 

Skiing the Alps

Chris and I had a day off school, so we went skiing. The edge of the Alps are only about an hour away from Vienna. So, we rented a car - wohoo - and drove outside of a town called Semmering. I was lucky enough to have my own gear (thanks Santa!). It certainly took some getting used to - the slopes were a little bigger than the ones in Michigan! It was a learning day for sure and Chris was super patient with me - especially since it was like child's play for him! He is quite the skier! By the end of the day I was falling less and skiing more.
Parking in Vienna was crazy - silly Christmas markets! We found a spot right outside of our building when we came home (and drove around for 30 mins), and Chris parked the car beautifully - leaving only INCHES between both bumpers.

First Visitor to Vienna

We had our first official visitor to Vienna last weekend! My dad was on this side of the pond for work and thought Vienna would be a perfect weekend retreat! I, of course, put him to work on a home improvement project! Dads are good at that sort of thing! :) So, aside from putting a small hole in our wall, we have a curtain rod with curtains on it! Privacy -what a concept. We also managed to fit in some great traditional Viennese meals, beverages, and desserts! We spent a whole day walking all over Vienna and seeing the sights. We even managed to catch the new James Bond flick. Chris returned from Zurich in time to squeeze in breakfast before Dad left town. It was a short visit, but a special treat for sure! Next up: Mom!

AIS

   

  

Here are photos of our Sports Bubble, sports field on the hill below, and our playground.

Surprise Party

My students threw a surprise birthday party for me, complete with an 18-kid birthday sign!  They were pumped to be so secretive (I had no idea ;) ) and we all enjoyed cupcakes baked by a room mom... my "I-get-one-every-year-mom" for the year... 

2 Things...

Two things I've noticed about the Viennese.

1. They love paper work. Maybe this is because it creates more jobs for Austrian citizens. Between the paperwork for my Visa and the paperwork a friend needed before she could get a certificate to get her water heater fixed - it's amazing there are trees left! Maybe it's because they don't use checks in Austria. Just cash or your bank card. And don't forget - you must complete all paperwork with a blue pen - otherwise you have to re-do it!

2. They follow rules. ALL THE TIME. For example, you only cross roads at the crosswalks. You only cross roads, at the crosswalks, when the little man is green. There could be NO evidence of a vehicle in sight, yet they all still stand and wait for the green man. If I cross on the red man, as sometimes I have done on account of being unable to bear it silliness of waiting any longer, you get dirty looks from the remaining citizens still waiting. I am getting better at waiting patiently, but sometimes I cross just because my logical side tells me too. We'll see, though, what I think after I get my ticket from the police for crossing when I wasn't supposed to...

p.s. you can also get a ticket from the police for not having a bell on your bicycle.