I can’t believe I’ve already been at work for two weeks since being back. Time is flying by at the moment…
So, last time I posted, I was stupidly excited about going home for Christmas. Well, it definitely didn’t disappoint J I had such an amazing time! Being on a year abroad really does make you appreciate England…as soon as I got to Manchester I was already embracing northern accents, people holding doors open for me, standing in a queue…all these little things that you just don’t notice until you spend time abroad. Before my flight back to Vienna I stocked up on baked beans, Ritz crackers, Angel Delight, wispas, crème eggs, chicken soup, bisto…etc. Food is definitely something that I just cannot adjust to here…British food ftw.
I spent the first few days of Christmas at my brother’s, which was lovely. My sister also arrived on the 23rd and I think it’s the first time the three of us have spent the run up to Christmas together, which was really fun. On Christmas day my sister and I went to St. Anne’s, which is the church she sang at when she lived in Manchester. She managed to wangle me a place in the choir, which I was so grateful for because that was the first English (and the last…) Christmas carols I sing in 2011!!!! Needless to say, I sang my little heart out. Then, when we got home…I sat and waited for my parents to arrive, having not seen them since early September. It was amazing – I’ve never appreciated them so much and in light of recent personal changes in my life it was just the best Christmas present ever J Oh dear, I’m getting soppy now.
After spending Christmas and Boxing Day with my family, I then went to London to visit my friend Tim from Genesis Sixteen, which was great. I actually still feel like a tourist when I go to London, which my students in Austria find hilarious. It’s just such a scary place…I then went to my parents’ for New Year and the rest of the holiday, until flying back to Vienna. Being back in my own bed was amazing, and I had missed my cat so much!!!
And now I’m back, pretty much settled in again. But I’m back in England exactly 2 weeks today so it feels a bit silly! In 2 weeks I have the next Genesis Sixteen course, and after that weekend it’s my Semesterferien…so I’m going to stay in England for that week, visiting people and briefly going to Durham to sing a service with my college choir! I’m really looking forward to it. Don’t get me wrong, I love Vienna – but it has definitely made my love for England very strong!!!
Since last term, I have now been christened “2 glass Lizzie”…or maybe I am just being kind to myself, because I’m pretty sure at one point it went down to “1 glass Lizzie” L This is a reference to how much of a lightweight I am. Last Friday was my first big night out since I got back…and it was interesting…I remember protesting at 1am that I was going home, then someone thrust a glass of coke in my hand and I ended up staying in Beer & Songs (karaoke bar) until 5.30am (ugh!). Phil and I did our signature duet – All I Ask Of You. Near the end of the night Phil and I then decided we were going to stay at Jon and Liana’s instead of going home…I don’t quite remember the reasoning for this…something to do with breakfast in the morning. Anyhow, I didn’t get back to my own flat the next day until it had turned dark. I proceeded to spend the whole evening groaning in pain…and all of Sunday as well. I haven’t been out since. But this Friday is Jon’s birthday piss-up…oh dear oh dear.
This weekend I have a “Probenwochende” with Chorus Sine Nomine. Basically, a whole weekend of singing – which will be great; I’m loving the music…but it will be tiring!!! At the moment we’ve just started a beautiful piece by Richard Strauss called “Der Abend”. It’s absolutely gorgeous and in 16 parts. Other music we’re working on at the moment is Schubert Mass in A Flat and Mozart C Minor Mass. Rehearsals are much more regular this term so it’s nice to really get stuck into things more. I still don’t understand Johannes’ accent though…
Tomorrow is a very exciting day, as I have a singing lesson with a teacher from the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst. It’s a consultation, but if it goes well I will be sticking with it!!! Fingers crossed J
Teaching is still fun as ever but the schools have so many tests at the moment that a lot of the time…they just don’t need me, which is fine when they let me know! One teacher periodically texts me on a Tuesday night to tell me she doesn’t need me on a Wednesday afternoon…fine. But yesterday, I turn up thinking for once she wants me to come to the lesson. I get a text literally as I enter the staff room…ugh! But it’s not all bad; today I got to teach about British boybands and girlbands, which took me back J
I enrolled on an intensive German course for this term. It doesn’t start till March because I’m not here for a full four weeks until then! In February I have Semesterferien or I would’ve done it then. Anyway, was lovely to speak to the staff in the Deutsch Akademie because they were so…German! So easy to understand and have a proper conversation with.
I’ll be starting my Year Abroad Task soon as well, which is a silly 1000 word essay leading up to my oral exam in October. I’m trying to treat it seriously though, as it’s something that I might as well do well…
Also really looking forward to my mum, dad, brother and his fiancé coming to visit in April!!!!! That’s the probably the first time I’ll see them all since Christmas and I’m so happy I get to spend my 22nd birthday with them :D
Anyway, I will take my leave, because I’m off to teach another lesson on British Pop Music J
Bis Bald! xxx
