week three

wow. i can't believe i have almost been here a month. it seems like no time at all. it's nice to know that i'm progressing and moving forward in my stay. this week i did some more exciting things. one of the highlights was going to vienna fashion week. i went on saturday night with my host sister and a few of her friends. we saw five fashion shows in a big black tent like the ones at new york fashion week. the clothes were amazing and i was in awe the whole time. it took place in the center of vienna, which could not have been a more perfect setting. at night all the old buildings are just incredible looking. i still haven't had a chance to go to all the museums there, but i am definitely trying to find a time. the art and natural history museums are supposed to be particularly cool. on sunday i went to a ski resort. it was on this large mountain and during the summer it's for mountain biking and hiking and stuff. we took the ski lift to the very top and then rode down on these giant scooter things. the trail was steep, rocky, and scary, but it was so amazingly fun. once we reached the bottom of the mountain, we went to a restaurant and had schnitzel. i could not have dreamed up a more perfect way to spend a sunday. that evening i also got to skype with my parents, which was really cool. seeing there faces again was really comforting and made me feel at home. this week is my birthday, and i'm looking froward to spending it in the city. so far i don't really have any plans, but just being here is enough. i've made some friends at school, but so far i've been too shy to ask them if they want to do something. everyone here is really nice though, and i can't wait until i've made some good friends. german is also still a struggle, but i'm trying. it is a little hard not being able to participate in all my classes and stuff, but i'm trying to be patient with myself. i still have a lot of time to grow. all in all though, things are good and i'm excited to see what this week will bring.