The Start to Summer

I do realize it's now officially mid-July, so technically summer has been going on for a while, but considering I was up at school nearly every day last week, this just feels like it's finally beginning.  For the past 9 years or so my summer calendar has revolved a lot around Shiloh's camp schedule, even while working it was how I chose to spend those summer weekends, so the fact that camp is already halfway finished makes this summer seem even more off somehow.  My "summer" runs from now until October 7 when classes start again, and by then the leaves are already starting to change!

This post is a bit jumpy, so be forewarned, but I feel like that's sort of life these days as I'm thoroughly enjoying my time off to enjoy Vienna, as well as sort of closing the chapter on this past season here. 

Plenty of time for sitting in the park people watching and reading...reading novels and not articles and textbooks...

Enjoying the many offerings of the international food stands at Rathausplatz

An evening of live painting...this Venezuelan artist combines live music, live dancing and painting and then auctions off these beautiful pieces. definitely a unique evening. 

And of course time to play tourist a bit...I'd never actually been inside Karlskirche, which is ridiculous since I pass here fairly regularly, but the other day a group of us finally did. 

The terrifying way to the top...that covered bit is a platform about halfway up, and then the stairs continue from there.  This setup has been there for years, but the whole thing shakes a bit and as pretty as it is, is slightly unsettling. 

Gorgeous closeup views of the frescoes though

The view from the very top

This is looking down from somewhere near the top...I actually took these pictures by holding my arm out, but I couldn't bring myself to really look down, or even look at the pictures until I was back on solid ground.

And it was finally graduation time at school! I was glad to still be in town to celebrate with all the 2013 graduates...and celebrate we did.  Whatever life choices have led to me being able to go dancing with a group of people in lederhosen and dirndl to fantastic Austrian music still astounds me a bit.  Perhaps one of these days I'll actually get a dirndl and not look quite so American... 

The beautiful reception on the terrace at school following the ceremony 

Evening drinks along the Danube canal, still definitely one of my favorite things

Enjoying the beautiful summer evening skies from all over town...trying to enjoy these long evenings where it stays light until 9:30pm...knowing full well that come December it will be pitch dark by 3:15

And finally a film at the film festival! This wasn't really on purpose I suppose, a friend and I just sort of happened to still be there when it started and thought why not watch a bit...it ended up being a musical about the story of IKEA...including a number about why IKEA furniture has names and not just letters and numbers to identify the products...in Swedish with English subtitles...totally ridiculous, a bit weird...and I laughed hysterically.

And now...thanks to my sweet and creative sister, I have graphic representation of my life starting Friday! I begin my summer internship in Geneva a week from today, and I will be there for about 2 months.  This week is mostly going to be spent running errands, doing laundry, packing, and trying to cram in some French phrases perhaps...and then Friday morning I hop on a train and watch all of Austria and Switzerland pass by my window.  Yes, they have direct flights, and they're only about an hour and a half...but what fun is that when you can sit on a train for nearly 11 hours :) I am super excited about this mini adventure for the summer!  Next post from Geneva hopefully!