Updates

Hello everyone,

I know, I know - it's been a while. You think when you're "on vacation," you'll have all this time to do things - like practice playing the guitar and write your blog and catch up on e-mail. But then things happen and the days just kinda fly by and before you know, you're a few days away before the end of your vacation and you haven't done half the things you wanted to do.

The weather has been miserable in Austria. When I first got here - in May - it rained every single day. I think the only day we got a few rays of sunshine was my friend's wedding day. Then I left for India, where I had 10 days of quite a lot of sunshine (even though it rained almost every day since it was the beginning of the rainy season - but it only rained for short periods of time and it was still really really warm out). Then I got back home and almost immediately left for my grandparents'. That was the only week of sunshine I've experienced in Austria this summer. And yes, it was nice to have some sun but it wouldn't have killed me if it'd been raining. I mean, there's only so much I can do at my grandparents' anyway...rain wouldn't really have bothered me there. But rain really bothers me when I'm at my parents' house. And of course, as soon as I returned to my parents' house, it started raining again and has continued to rain for the past week. So much for hiking and swimming in the lake....

I now have one more week of vacation in Austria left. Then I'm heading back to the US to tie up a few loose ends at my last institution, spend some time with friends and after two weeks pack up my stuff and move.

I've received and signed the official offer letter. We're working on the immigration paperwork (that's the part that always gives me the most headaches...it just always feels like there is so much outside of my control and that they make it as complicated and difficult as possible). At first, I felt relieved but lately the worries about the immigration paperwork have come up again and I'm using my usual tactic of avoidance and denial. You shouldn't worry about things you can't influence, right?

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This summer has really flown by. There's just been too much going on. First my friend's wedding in Austria, then India, then visiting my grandparents, ....

I know I still owe you all a few India stories. I haven't forgotten. Just hang in tight for a few more days....