Hello, Kentucky! I miss you! :)
Yesterday was so fun. Amber's "Austria Buddy" from the university took us on a tour of the entire city. We got to see St. Stephens, Freud's favorite coffee shop, Mozart's house, and the Danube. This city is home to around 3 million people, so it was a very big adventure. We also got to go see our university, which is called by the locals WU (prounounced like "vay ooo"). It is pretty nice! I really can't wait to start doing my classes. One of the funny things that I've picked up on so far, is that Europeans rarely use the word "study," but instead they say that they are going to go "learn." What does that say about the differences in the education styles of the two cultures? :)

It rained all day today, so Amber and I looked like wet American rats. We were troopers, though, and stayed out all day.

After we got back from touring around the city, we went downstairs where all of our new guy friends live, and met up with Farhad. He is from Iran, and doesn't speak a whole lot of English. He speaks fluent German, and a little bit of Italian and English, but it is a little hard to communicate. Talking with him is more like an extended game of charades! :) While we were hanging out in his room, he decided to get on his computer and play music. It was so funny, because the first song that he played was Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On." He started singing the words in his little Iranian accent, which was so adorable! We understand Titanic, at least!

After we sang and danced (Amber and I danced to N'Sync.... Fahrad and Joe laughed), Fahrad, Amber, Borhan (another guy from Iran), and I went to Borhan's and watched tv and ate some traditional German kabobs! It was so good! We had such a good time getting to know these guys. On the way home, Fahrad taught Amber and me how to count to 10 in German, and we laughed a lot about that. This is just another blessing in my life, I think. Before this trip, I didn't know anyone from the Middle East very well, and now I consider Farhad one of my closest friends here. It's so exciting!

After we got back, Srdjan, Amber, and I talked to my parents and Bryce on Skype for a while. It was really funny. Srdjan didn't want anybody to see him on the webcam, because he said that he was shy! I've only known him for a week, but he is the least shy person that I've ever met! When I asked why he wasn't shy around us, he said, "Yes, cutie, but you are not someone's momma!" :) We talked for a while, and then he found my FCA bible sitting on my table. I explained to him that it was the regular bible that he also knew, but that it had applications specific to athletes in the back. I think that he understood. He also looked at the devotional book "Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell, and was very interested in that. We talked about Christian authors like C.S. Lewis for a while, too. It was a really good conversation.

Today, September 6, has been pretty slow. It continues to rain, so we all just hung out in the kitchen and I cooked pasta for us. Farhad didn't complain about the taste... but then again, he probably didn't know what to say! :) Tonight everyone should be back, and we are probably going to go out and explore, regardless of the weather. Joe went to Normandy today, so we haven't seen him yet. Srdjan wanted to go to KFC, but Amber and I are a little burnt out on that restaraunt.... maybe since it was invented right close to home! Before he left, he said, "Girls, what is 'Bucket of Chicken'? Is it good?" haha.

I actually DID homework today, everybody! I started an online class through UK before I left, so I already have homework to do for that.

I will keep the updates coming, but so far..... this trip is AMAZING! Pray for some sunshine! :)