Liftoff Approaches

Saturday is the big day! The day when I wave goodbye once again to the free shores of America and reach out to the more hilly and musical ones of Austria. Too bad I can't sing but I suppose that that just means this trip is going to get a whole lot more interesting... or toneless.

I've been placed by the Austrian Fulbright Commission in a small town of Upper Austria. Actually, it's a pretty standard sized town of over 11,000 people. But a tenth of that number amounts to my high school... Hey, it could be worse. I DO have a train stop. This is a good thing! This means you can visit with ease! :D

Here are some links (very handy things):

http://www.ried.at/ <-- the town in question. Navigation is available only in German so...

This might be more helpful:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ried_im_Innkreis

At the moment, I'm more than passively thinking about packing. The suitcase has made its way down from the attic and into the hallway. I did buy some magazines today: a copy of the Rolling Stones, Sports Illustrated (Penn State edition), and a quilting circular (as a gift). Next on the shopping list are some maps, a newspaper, and perhaps a fashion mag - all to be used in the classroom. I also have to print some pictures of this wonderful land known as PA and of my family. Other things, like refreshers on how this country's education and political systems work will hopefully be available on the internet. Who fancies a pop-quiz?

Things that I've accomplished:
- registered with the American Embassy
- assembled Wittenberg loan repayment papers in a handy binder
- dug out the long underwear
- printed out necessary legal documents
- doubted the holding capacity of my suitcase

How is the state of the union, Mr. President? How kind of you to ask. Actually, I am peacefully numb with a dash of indifferent confidence thrown in to spice. It's a great place to be compared to the browned and withered domain of my doubts. *shudder* I've put away the map to that kingdom!

Next stop: Heathrow, London! Then Munich, Germany! And then Salzburg, Austria! And and then Saalbach, Austria! And then back to Salzburg, Austria! And then, finally, stopping at Ried im Innkreis, Austria!!

Life's a whirlwind and I just grabbed hold of a giant kite.