I'm buzzing way too much at the moment and not really able to concentrate on forming coherent sentences. So for my last blog, I thought I would make a list of things I have achieved, and observations I have made on my Year Abroad.
Things I have achieved:
I've read all 6 Jane Austen novels (my kindle has been very useful in this respect...)
I've read the first 4 Harry Potter books in German.
I've learnt how to be rude, fully complying with the Austrian way
I've formed an unconditional and passionate love for the UK
I've lived in a city for the first time (Durham doesn't count.)
I've started running.
I've earned the nickname "2 glass Lizzie", which quickly became "1 glass Lizzie".
I've somehow managed to eat more Cadbury chocolate than I would have, had I lived in England.
I've mastered the art of going out without an umbrella or jacket, because believe it or not - the sun stays shining for more than ten minutes in this country!
I've learnt how to play Ring of Fire.
I've developed a taste for red wine.
I've now seen The Sound of Music in German.
I've been to see 6 operas.
I've learnt how to get up and be ready for work in 20 minutes (I used to need an hour and a half...)
I've stopped using hair straighteners religiously.
I've overcome my fear of getting my hair cut in a different country.
I've stayed out till 6 in the morning.
I've had singing lessons at a conservatoire.
I've used the most popular tourist attraction in Vienna as a place to go running rather than sightseeing.
I've been to the zoo three times.
I've sung in a choir and for the first time in my life, have sat in rehearsals and not had a clue what's going on.
I've sung in one of the most famous concert venues in Vienna.
I've forgotten how to speak English (a couple of weeks ago I said "leaved" instead of "left".
I've completed two intensive German language courses.
Observations:
Austrians get up very early.
They all have coffee machines.
There's signal on the UBahn but I always forget to use my phone because I can't quite comprehend this.
There's lots of hazelnut flavoured chocolate here :D
Things I have missed:
Afternoon tea
Cadbury chocolate
People smiling at me in the street, opening doors for me and generally being polite
TV
Fish and chips
Queuing
Holding English money (it's so lovely and heavy)
My northern accent
The English choral tradition
That's all I can think of right now. I know there's so much more, but right now I can't think straight.
It's been an amazing experience. It's had its ups and downs but I am so happy that I've achieved this. I'm a completely different person now and will always look back and be proud of this year :)
Thanks to everyone who read my blog!
xxx
