Hey! That flaming ball in the sky still exists!!!

Yesterday I wore a tank top. And, despite however briefly it lasted, it was glorious. It wasn't until I pulled off my jacket before mounting my bike that I realized my shoulders haven't seen sunlight since... at least October. (Kind of ironically, perhaps, there was an article about the effects of vitamin D deficiency on the NYtimes this morning...)

The change in weather has also brought about a very welcome change in attitude. Smiles are coming out of hibernation, and, as if humans around here had forgotten how to spread their mouth into a grin during the winter months, people are daring to smirk at others. I've even had numerous pleasant encounters and chats with cheerful strangers in the past days. The icy Austrian personalities may very well be melting away with spring. Of course I don't expect them to turn into chatty and charming southerners, but hey, I'll take what I can get. And I'll enjoy it.

The past few months have been a hodge podge of experiences. Between the every day grind of teaching and various adventures like a ski trip to Tirol or having Ellen visit for a week from Massachusetts, I've also been trying to figure out what to do with myself come May. And, although I'm still not quite sure, I've settled for zeroing in on the GRE. It's been nice to have something academic to focus on and invest myself in, even if the test itself is a load of bologna. So, friends, this is what my exciting, thrilling, adventurous future holds for me: a standardized test. And I still haven't figured out when exactly I'll be home. It's looking like fall time, though. (Just in time to keep my own grin from going into hibernation.)

Until then, I have some fun stuff planned. For instance, an Italian Easter trip, a girls beach trip to Croatia in May and a new dance class that starts Monday. I've also been looking into some music festivals for summer, but haven't found anything particularly promising yet - suggestions are welcome though!

And, since I'm bad at going into detail about what I've been up to, here are some photos...

We ventured out to a bar in the middle of the night in about 0 degree (F) weather to watch the Superbowl... 2 pairs of thermal tights: $50; 2 smartwool shirts, a wool sweater, a fleece jacket and a ski jacket: $200; face mask: $15; Not caring that you can't move because at least your warm: priceless

Outside our hut in Hopfgarten in Tirol

Cuddles after a Christmas market rendezvous

American (and Mexican) goodies that Crista brought me. Never ate so many tacos in one week as I did after Crista returned from the states.

I like bikes.

Just imagine - this could be YOUR event location!!! 

There are whales in the Danube

Thanks for reminding me

The roses are still hiding from the cold in coffee bags

I like flowers, too.

Rogue tree!!!! 

St Paddy's day at the park