Braving Vienna, Rain

My internet hardly ever works now for more than a minute or two a day -- literally, which is why you haven't heard much from me. It's so incredibly frustrating. I'm on Krystle's computer right now. I'm glad you guys had fun in Yellowstone, sounds like you did a lot of stuff. I bet Porter had a blast with all that. What's the plan for this next week, anything exciting? I've been practicing German, but it still does get discouraging. I don't like my teacher and I hate the formality between teachers and students here. The teacher is the complete authority figure, it's nothing like the relationships encouraged in high school and college you're supposed to have with the professor. I don't think I need that German program, I think I'll be fine without it. I'll think about it, but I should be fine.

Nothing really exciting has been happening here. It's been rainy almost every day since I've been here. One of the days it rained for a solid 24 hours straight at least, I couldn't believe it. Yesterday it was so beautiful and sunny outside, so we took the bus more into the city and were looking for a cathedral to visit when, surprise, it started pouring rain. We called the the two boys in our group, William and Chip, (they live in that district) and we went over to their apartment and hung out for the rest of the afternoon. Jess and Kristin came over too, so it was the six of us for like 4 hours just chatting and laughing; we had a great time. Will was telling me about how he used to be so shy and intimidated by people so he decided he would start approaching the people who intimidated him. Now, he's the most outgoing person I've ever met in my life. I thought it was so cool that he did that, confronting a fear like that -- I might try it.

Friday night we all went into the city with a few of the local young adults because everyone wanted to go clubbing. No thank you. I went all the way there, but Jess and I had been planning not to actually go inside when we got there. We found out it was 5 euros to get in, so we especially didn't want to go, so we got back in the subway and went to her house. Krystle and Will told me it was so fun but probably a good thing I didn't go in...they won't tell me why, however. I'm not sure I want to know.

Anyway, Jess and I went to her house because she was all alone there just for the night, and it was about 11:30 by then. We got to her apartment and then Kristin called and wanted to come too, so we walked down to the subway station (which was a little farther than a block away...) to pick her up since it was so late. I'm glad Vienna is one of the safest cities in the world, that's for sure. We stayed up talking for a while and then went to sleep. Krystle was planning on coming after she was done at the club, but changed her mind and just went home, which left me on the other side of Vienna to figure out how to get home in the morning. I woke up and left at 7; it took me almost two hours to get home, but I figured it out without a problem and felt like a champ! I took the bus to the subway, took the U-2 (subway) to the U-4, then the U-4 to our bus stop, the the bus to our street and walked home from there. I was so proud of myself that I figured it out.

We don't have school tomorrow because it's some holiday about Christ. We're going on a tour of Vienna with Professor Plummer in the morning and then I'm planning on studying the rest of the day because we have a German test on Tuesday. We only have 3 weeks left of German though! After that it'll be June and basically vacation for the majority of the month, and then it'll be July and we'll have a new German professor and only a month left of German altogether! I hope that doesn't sound negative...I am actually learning to love and appreciate the language, I just feel like it'll be close to impossible for me to learn it. I've always though it was harsh and not attractive, but it really isn't. In my opinion it actually sounds similar to French, which I love. I'm thinking next term will hopefully be slightly easier since we'll already know the basics. Keeping my fingers crossed.

This upcoming weekend a lot of us are going to the Austrian city, Graz. The church here has planned a stake (?) young adult activity there, so we'll take the train and spend the nights at members' houses and do fun things I guess. I'm not really sure what to expect, maybe an older-kid version of EFY. Hopefully it'll be fun though.

Tell Levi sorry I couldn't iChat or anything with him on his birthday. I just realized I should have, but I didn't -- sorry little brother!! We'll have a nice long chat when I get home while we eat fruit roll-ups and replay Office episodes, okay?? Tell the other kids hi, I'll try harder to email Poss. I feel bad that I haven't been very good at communicating here. It's just so frustrating about the internet though, maybe I'll just ask Krystle more if I can borrow her computer to write a quick email.

Thank you for the compliments about my pictures, it really means a lot. I'm trying hard, but it's easy to get discouraged about that too, since there are so many talented students here. Also, just so all the readers know, I love comments and I definitely read them and try to respond! Mom, can you give me the url for Becca's blog? I've really been wanting to read it.

Well, I think this is the longest email ever. I have to go finish getting ready for church now. I love you guys and miss you all terribly! Krystle thinks I'm baby and child hungry, but I just miss having so much fun with all the kids. Have a good Sunday, and write me soon.

Kayla