Of Elections.... and Emily

So it seems to be trendy to tell you all how the elections were from my temporary home. In a nutshell, it was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had! I went to a bar where the Democrats Abroad were hosting a election watching party. It was completely packed with mostly Americans, but a few Austrians thrown in there. We had to stay up all night, since Obama's acceptance speech didn't happen until 7 AM. With the help of a lot of Red Bull (an Austrian company, strangely enough), I actually managed to stay up all night with no problem. For those of you who know me and my sleeping habits, you know how amazing that is! During his acceptance speech, Polly and I cried all over each other. Partly because it was an incredible speech, and partly because we hadn't slept in 24 hours. It was great.

Em is here this weekend! She's been here since Saturday and will be here through Wednesday, which is awesome because it's such a long visit. We've had enough time for her to see all the sights of Vienna AND have enough time to chill and talk, sometimes with my Vienna friends, sometimes alone. It's been great. :)

Next Saturday night, I get to go to a Viennese Ball in the Imperial Palace of the Hapsburg Empire. We've been spending the last week trying to get together the required goods for it (gown, shoes, bag, curling iron, etc.). I am super excited for it! The weekend after that I'm visiting Ben in Zurich.

It's really weird. I leave in less than 6 weeks. I feel like I just got settled in to this city, this language, this way of life. These next few weeks are going to FLY by! I'm very conflicted. On one hand, I am super excited to go home again. I miss so many people so much, and I NEED some American food and some free refills. On the other hand, I really am loving my time here in Vienna. I will miss the city and the food (I'll have to learn to make schnitzel and knödel in the US). More to the point, I have a couple of friends here that it will kill me to leave. Ugh. All in all though, I feel that I will be ready to be home when the time comes. Unfortunately, it is going to take me 4 flights and 3 days to get home.

On a closing note, Christmas is coming to Vienna and it is really cool. They have the Christkindlmarkts (Christmas markets) popping up everywhere and the people are switching from Sturm (unfermented wine) to Glühwein (hot, spiced wine). I am starting to get into the Christmas spirit! :)