Pillows + Photos

Photos by Caleb Charland (http://www.calebcharland.com/)
Pillows - I'd like to own them one day - all of them, they're so tacky.

Sto in Italia con i miei genitori. Yes, Italy is a country which matches up to its stereotypes. It always gives me some sort of bizarre inner satisfaction when some generalisation that I've come up with in my mind (or heard about) IS true. The weather is stunning, the food is delicious, yes, the good life - la dolce vita. However, I have seen thousands of Kappa tracksuits, fake 'n' bake boys, greasers and horribly mean, arrongant girls. Oh yeah, and loads of people that look like they're about to pop their clogs. Having said that, I love being at home.

It's been a long time...

Ja wohl, it's been a really long time since I wrote anything on here. 

Since my last post, I have been skiing again - with the school I teach at. I did 5 hours of skiing a day, and have even successfully completed a red run. Unfortunately, spring has now sprung and the snow has all gone. I can't believe that there is no more snow around - Vienna really was a winter paradise. 

       I teach at the Goethegymnasium in the 13th District, and I am really enjoying myself. Everyone is really friendly, some of the kids overtly so, but nothing scary/terrible has happened, so I am content. Most of my days here are spent at fancy Kaffeehäuser, playing at being a 'lady of leisure'. There are so many gorgeous cafés around - Café Griensteidl, Café Central, Café Hawelka to name a few, each with their own cultural and historical importance. In short, I absolutely adore Vienna.

Sports Galore!

I have done more sports in the last few days than ever (in my entire life!). Dan and Malia came to visit us at the lovely Linzerstrasse (more about that in a bit)... and we went:

a) Bowling at the Cumberlandstrasse Sportszentrum

b) Skiing at Zauberberg in Semmering

c) Badminton at the Sportszentrum

Apparently we live in the prostitute hotspot of Vienna. There are several brothels on our street, and if you look outside the window after 8pm, there will be a wide selection of girls to feast your eyes on. The girls have super long legs and yell incomprehensible sounds. Apparently prostitution is legal in Vienna and seems to be well regulated (health checks etc) - and the prozzies have to pay taxes - I guess all's fair in love and war (and sex apparently). 

Skiing was super fun. When we first got there, Malia and I had problems. We couldn't ski, kept falling over and walked down an 8km hill. It was pretty depressing and frustrating carrying our gear down while little kids whizzed past asking their mums things like "Why aren't the Fräulein skiing?"... Oh well, we found the baby (beginner) slope and had a ball. At last, a sense of achievement! It would have been pretty disappointing to have spent €100 each to walk/slide down a hill. Hopefully we'll go skiing again, and this time maybe I'll attempt a proper run. 

J'ai faim - je vais cuisiner quelque chose - je dois ecrire en français quelquefois, sinon, je oublierais tout. Quelle dommage! Je suis un peu fatiguée aussi, donc je vais continuer mes histoires demain (peut-etre!) 

Sometimes I wish I was a man...

Clothes influenced by: 

Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Charles de Gaulle, Benito Mussolini, Nelson Mandela, Chairman Mao, General Kalashnikov, Malcolm X, John F. Kennedy, Fidel Castro, Margaret Thatcher and Joseph Stalin.

Amazing - they should make some for women. I would choose a "Roosevelt Overcoat" (1st picture), priced at £599, but unfortunately sold out. 

More styles//great leaders @ www.socialsuicide.co.uk.

Recent purchases

One week in Vienna:

Accomplishments - bought tickets to go and see the Vienna Phil (with Lorin Maazel!) + in just under 4 months, I am going to see PAVEMENT. Live. At the Wien Arena. 

       We also have a year pass for the Schönbrunn Tiergarten. On the downside however, I cannot understand the Viennese accent (awkward if you are in a Kaffeehaus and you are talking, they understand, but doesn't work vice-versa). Also, I have 8am starts on Mondays - in the dark, cold, snowy weather.... But then again, I am seeing my favourite band. In 4 months. 

...and it means nothing to me... oh Vienna! (and in between)

We have really been jet-setting. Vietnam, Moscow, Paris, Avignon, Vienna - with some exciting trips in between...

Les parents came over to pick us up from Avignon and we went to Roussillon, Gordes, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Pont du Gard and Zürich. This is probably why there hasn't been much activity on here. 

We're now in Vienna - it's like being in a snowglobe. The snow is soft and it makes that really satisfying sound when you step in it. Another satisfying sound in Vienna that I discovered: the noise that the ticket machine makes when you validate the ticket. Gold. 

Walking around Vienna was pretty bizarre today - it doesn't seem like much has changed here over the years. There are still old shop signs up and the buildings exude an imperialistic aura. 

Our apartment is so much better than I expected. It has an amazing "Hochbett", giant kitchen and heated floors! Gone are the days where we live in sub-zero temperatures in order to save on heating costs - although, it might just be a little bit too hot in here now. Also, a proper fridge/freezer (complete with ice-maker!) and an OVEN (ultimate luxury item!). 

Last night that the parents are here - so should spend some quality time (except that mother has a magazine and father is watching Juventus vs. Rome), usual company of Adam it'll have to be. 

Vietnam

will post pictures and news etc soon - now off to watch some Werner Herzog with home-cooked bolognaise. too much snow outside, lazy day