The. College. Application. Process.

Pretty much this is how we felt after talking with Jack and his college counselor today.

Ever since their births we have had college pre-determined for both of our children: they would simply attend our alma mater.  Easy peasy. 

One day Teenage Son said, "I think I'd like to take a gap year." We considered his statement and decided that we could wait a year before buying spiritwear. He has excellent grades, excellent prospects; what's the harm in a year off to wander the world? 

And on another day, Teenage Son said, "I think I'd like to apply to ABC and XYZ universities, as well."  We considered his statement and decided that it was time to take Jack back to Ann Arbor for repatriation a campus visit. 

Then we moved to Europe, to a brand new world chockablock with opportunities for smart, international students. Damn us.

Today we sat with the Counselor for an hour long roller coaster ride. Standardized test scores were reviewed and discussed. Possible career options were discussed. Jack's list of college options was discussed. A list of possible UK colleges was discussed. A gap year was discussed. The NCAA tournament was discussed. 

The good news is that it seems we are apparently doing our parenting job well, providing Jack with the tools to succeed. The bad news, if it can be framed that way, is that he now has too many choices.  Of course we will support whatever rational path he chooses, but I just really, really, really want to own this sweater.

I hope Anna Grace is taking notes on all of this.

Yes. It's Snowing Again.

But no, I am not posting another photo of the 4cm expected today, the 3cm expected tomorrow, or the 3cm expected on Wednesday.  I have better photos to post, like some from the charming coffee haus hosted by the German I students at AIS last week.

Individual menus prepared by the students, offering both the traditional and the unexpected. Some menus were simply written on paper; Anna Grace went all out with hers.

Coffee and apfel strudel. Traditional.

Gummi bears, gummi worms, gummi frogs, and potato chips. Unexpected.

The underlying purpose of the coffee haus was to showcase the students' language abilities. Each student presented a short biography of themselves, auf Deutsch, naturlich; where they were from, what additional languages they spoke, what activities they enjoyed, and so on. For many of the students German was their third language, and for others, their fourth and even fifth language!  Amazing. 

Photos of the 21st century Austrian "S&H Green Stamps" that I used to see in my grandmother's purses? More interesting than photos of Austrian snow. The current promotion at one of the major grocery store chains here is Italian-made flatware. The previous promotion was luggage, which didn't inspire me.  I'm into this one, though.

Having to feed a teenage boy means I accumulate my "stamps" quickly. (I also benefitted from an unexpected largess; a strip of 35 stamps lying in the parking lot, and a customer ahead in line who gave their stamps to me.) My iced-tea spoon, dessert fork, and coffee spoon collections will look pretty on the table, though the mismatched pieces of silver flatware we use now are charming in their own way... 

Just a few more stamps needed for service for 8.  I think I'll make it.

Schönbrunn Ostermarkt

After depositing the two students we are housing this weekend for an IS Math Tournament hosted by AIS (they are from Dubai and are totally not prepared for the weather), and our son who is camping with his Scout troop (he is totally prepared for the weather) at the school this morning, the vote was for an indoor activity, but after I promised not to grouse too loudly about being cold Tony and Anna Grace agreed to my suggestion to visit the Easter Market at Schönbrunn Palace.

Coming up from the U4 at the palace we were greeted with chilly temperatures and blue skies. And very large eggs.

The Ostermarkt at Schönbrunn was a culturally delicious journey through Central and Eastern Europe. Easter Bread, Lebküchen, Wild Schwein and Deer Salami, and fresh Pecorino cheese cozied up in my shopping tote.

Around the corner, an unexpected market stall, Curry me home. Guess what they sold? Mango curry! Arabian curry! Serrano curry!  All I need now is a fresh lamb shoulder from the Naschmarkt, and dinner is done.

"Vegi" Apfel Strudel?  We had to think this was for American tourists.

As was this wall hanging.

Eventually we found the Easter eggs and crafts.  Wonderfully aromatic beeswax eggs. 

Wooden eggs with no aroma at all.

Exquisitely painted, and rather artfully arranged, duck and goose eggs.

I would never put all of my eggs in one basket. 

Pastel eggs, for reclining.

Crystal eggs, definitely not for reclining.

Crates and crates of Austrian eggs from which to choose.

Eggs from the Czech Republic.

And eggs from Romania, all of which decorate our home tonight.

 Along with our wooden painted Polish eggs, and alabaster eggs from Volterra, Rome, and Pisa.

Should your Easter nests be full, the market offered lots and lots of whimsy to help you get your Spring on.

We wrapped up our afternoon with a walk past the brilliant Hofburg dome en route to the Imperial Treasury for a look-see at all the sparkly (photos permitted without flash, but the galleries are so dimly lit there is really no point in taking photos)...

...followed by a few small bites at Trezsniewski's, one of our favorite places to pause for little breads and spreads. Today it was huhnerleber (chicken liver), paprika mit kren (red peppers and horseradish), speck mit ei (bacon and egg), and gurken mit ei (pickles and eggs). Each bread is but €1,10 and make for a quick and tasty snack.  Mmm.

Soon the afternoon began to wane, so we made our way past Stephansdom and to the U-Bahn, homeward bound. Another Saturday successfully mastered.

Dear Austria

Really?  Was this necessary?  The children are at BASEBALL and TRACK & FIELD tryouts, both of which are SPRING sports.   I should not have had to don winter gear to collect them after practice.

My cold and hungry children piled into the warm car. The Teen complained that he was cold (having, of course, just returned from Dubai); to him I offered no consolation. The Tween groused that the coach made them run outside. Even Clayton Theodore gave me the, "Are you serious, woman?" look when I suggested he make a quick run into the garden to conduct affairs.

I am not fooled by the little bit of sunshine today, and the promise of warm temperatures tomorrow. The boots, gloves, hats, and scarves will remain in the garderobe, at the ready, because I just know I will be reaching for them again.

Please, dear Austria, just shut the door to the Czech Republic or Germany or wherever the cold is coming from. 

Thank you.

Alt Wiener Ostermarkt

In theory, visiting an Easter market should mean sunshine and mild temperatures. Last year we were in Krakow the week before Easter and had rain, sleet, and snow, and sometimes all three in the same day.

Here in Vienna yesterday at least we had sunshine, but the temperatures were still more Christmasmarkt-like. Nevertheless, we bundled up and pretended it was spring.

The Old Vienna Easter Market boasts some 40,000 Easter eggs, so even I could find a few to bring home for the collection.

In the not-from-a-chicken series, wax and felted wool eggs.

 Fancy eggs with boas and beads.

Woodland creatures and farm friends.

Petit point and macrame, flowers and stencils.

Painted wooden eggs, more Eastern than Central European.

And of course, Klimt and the good Kaiser.

Near the Easter Market were food and arts and crafts markets. Since our toes were already numb, what was a little more wandering in the cold?

While out and about over the last week, I've started to see more Easter egg displays like these at the markets.

Inspired, but lacking a tree from which to hang our Easter eggs, I got a little creative with the grapevine sticks on our porch. I think Martha Stewart would be impressed.