Getting ready for a marathon! Or at least half : )

Some people give up fast food or alcohol for Lent, I pick up running.

As Spring approaches, it's become bearable to once again actually enjoy running.  I had been sequestered to layering on my jogging pants, zipping up and double buttoning my ski jacket, and then topping my head and very prone ears with a runner's hat (yes, they make those).  Add to that my gloves, which help keep those digitals attached.  Ever go winter running without gloves?  It's hell!
Practical as my ski jacket may have been, with its numerous - and cleverly hidden - pockets, where I could fashionably conceal my iPod, I have now shed that wintry shell in exchange for something a bit lighter.

My respiratory sickness in March lasted much longer this year - it's been over a month and loyally sticking with me - or to my esophagus.  Despite the soar throat, I'm thrilled to get outside and let the newly fresh and warm air do its healing.  I had been running earlier in the Fall, but this damn cold has swung hard and put me out of the game for a while, with health deteriorating.  Now I've been given the chance through this new warm weather to get back out and fight!

On discussing my renewed pull to run, a colleague and good acquaintance of mine from school mentioned  that Linz would be putting on its annual city marathon:

http://www.linz-marathon.at/

...and she suggested I run with her.  To which I responded, "Hell, yeah!"

This was the ardor I needed to get me out and about more.  Now don't get excited, I'll only be running the half-marathon alongside my colleague; but, that is still about 20k!

I've been "training" to prepare myself for the long run.  Every other day, I attempt to run further than the previous round.  I leave my neighborhood in St. Magdalena, head out on an asphalt path along a creek, and then enter onto the Donaugelände, a.k.a. a runner's paradise in Linz.  Here is a route planned out for my 20k practice run.

Change of season

Winter in Linz is thawing away, and cherry trees all around are sprouting buds already.

Mornings are brighter and the birds are chirping again!  Spring is slowly arriving in Linz, and I have high expectations for what this season has in store.

Flowers are sprouting up along the Danube river, which flows near my neighbourhood.  Dark blue “Leberblümchen” and bright red “Hänsel und Gretel” add a welcoming change of color.  Soon there will be tulips!  The city’s gardeners have been hard at work, planting fresh geraniums in all the parks.

I’m waiting on a few graduate applications to make their way through.  Until then, I have plenty to celebrate in Austria.  In Lower Austria, the Most festivals are soon to begin!  Most, or cider, is a staple in Lower Austria, and many taverns brew it in celebration of the warmer weather.  I plan on visiting some new friends of mine in Amstetten, the “capital of the Mostviertel”, as it’s known.  We’ll hopefully visit a few Most heurigen (“taverns”) and sample the cider together.

Will post again soon,

Upper Austria's Economy from an entrepreneurial standpoint

Having lived in Linz these past six months, taking classes and sitting in on lectures at the technical university, I was recently enlightened with how this area's economy, infrastructure, and even political system collaborate so well.

Earlier this month I sat in on a seminar at the Johannes Kepler University.  The seminar was part of a larger round of lectures, referred to as the "Gründercafe" or entrepreneur café, focused on entrepreneurship in Upper Austria and how university students can get involved.  Speakers among others included Professor Norbert Kailer, Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship at the university, Mr. Josef Hader, spokesperson for the Chamber of Commerce for Upper Austria (WKOÖ), and Mr. Dietmar Kirchweger, from tech2b, a high-tech business incubator centered in Linz.

Throughout the morning, the lecturers highlighted several aspects of entrepreneurship, starting with the initial stages of how to establish your own business, where one should go for funding and outside investment; local entrepreneurs even spoke about their own experiences in starting their companies.  Unique to the Upper Austrian chamber of commerce is it's role in helping start ups gain ground.  In addition to providing information to local businesses about trends in the regional economy, this chamber also provides funding to newly-formed companies as well as technical training to their employees.  You can find out more about the chamber here.

Enjoy!

-SB

Trip to Klagenfurt with TEA

On Friday, Nov. 19th, I and three other teaching assistants ventured to the southern-most province of Austria, known as Carinthia, for a two-day conference in Klagenfurt.

The conference was part of an outreach program for T.E.A. - Teachers of English in Austria.  Our goal was to make contact with English teaching assistants in Klagenfurt and the surrounding area, in order to build up a social network among assistants there.

While in Klagenfurt we met with several other assistants, who were also teaching in the province as part of their Fulbright programs.  It was a great weekend, and we were even treated to a Thanksgiving meal with the Austro-American Society of Carinthia - it was fantastic!

Take a look at our trip photos!

I wish everyone a very Happy Turkey Day this week!
Take Care / Alles Gute,
-Stephen

New digs for 2010/2011

Hi everyone!  Servus!

I'm well-settled and enjoying my second, and final : ( year in Austria.

My school is called the Europagymnasium Linz-Auhof, and is the only international school in town.  Four days a week I teach about 15 different classes and work with at least 20 English teachers.

Aside from teaching, I'm also taking classes in a Masters program at the Johannes-Kepler University - tuition free!  If you would like to see some pictures from my neighborhood, click the link below.

Let me know if you'd like to see more photos of Linz - I've got plenty!

-Stephen

Photos from my neighborhood

Fasching!

From Fasching

Was? Was ist Fasching?

After a long pause in my posting, I thought it best to continue with a little Bang! Fasching, or as some Americans call it, Fat Tuesday, was celebrated this past week in my town of Rohrbach.

You may have heard of similar celebrations throughout the world, too. There's Karneval in Cologne and Venice, Fasnacht in Freiburg and Munich, and, of course, Mardis Gras in Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans. Fasching is the term used in Southern Germany and Austria, and the celebrations in these areas are similar.

Whereas the big cities drawl crowds of spectators into the streets, the real party, in my view, is auf dem Land - on the countryside. Check out how I celebrated my first ever Fasching in Rohrbach! Included here are the Faschingsumzug, or carnival parade in the town of Haslach an der Mühl, then some more shots I took on the big day in Rohrbach, "Fat Tuesday".

Praha and Dresden

From Praha

Ahoj!

Prague was a wonderful trip with the students, and we even visited a few sights while about, including Dresden.

Our visit to the Czech capital and cultural center of Bohemia took us through the historical sections of town, such as the Prague Castle and the Staré Město, or Old Town. By day, we were lead through detailed tours on the history of this significant city, while at night, the students - with me taging along - enjoyed the vibrant night life. Albeit the weather did not cooperate in any regard: Rain, rain, for 4 days out of our 5 day trip (and to counter this, I came up with very clever ways of drying my soaked clothes and shoes).

Walking across the Charles Bridge (Karlův most) was one of my first impressions of Prague's medieval side. As you walk ancient statues, such as John of Nepomuk and towering structures, like the one pictured (right), pass by you.

Touring Prague for a week felt to me like I was dipping my toes into a deep cultural abyss. That thought alone motivates me to continue with my Czech lessons, even though they may be meager compared to studying the language. Perhaps that opportunity will present itself here in Austria : )

For more views of Prague and Dresden, you can view the photos I put together from the trip.

Na Shledenau,
-Stephen