Weekend in Gaming

While most of the student body went to either Switzerland or Prague in the Czech Republic I spent my weekend back in Gaming. This is partly due to my peculiar financial situation but also because 1.) I want to explore Gaming itself and 2.) I have what can only be described as a literal mountain of homework sitting on my desk. It should also be noted that I got a job cleaning the Mensa after meals. So, on Thursday evening, after slaving away with my mop and bucket, I met my roommate Jason G. at the Keller (the Kartause restaurant) where we enjoyed a few beers and more importantly the company of his grandfather who was visiting from the States. I probably had close to a liter of the Keller's light beer which is more alcohol than I've had before in one sitting. As a result I now believe that I truly understand what Benjamin Franklin meant when he said, "God gave men alcohol because he wanted them to be happy."

Friday I had plans to hike to the waterfall outside Gaming with a half dozen students, including good friend Andrew Rall. However our hike was delayed by a thunderstorm. The rain began to let up by 4PM and we decided to brave what was left of the inclement weather. Of course after hiking the three miles to the waterfall it began to downpour once again so that upon returning to the Kartause we were all fairly drenched. Still, it was a pretty great time to be had.

Every night also consisted of movies, beers, and board games until Sunday came and I'd hardly done any homework. I wish I could say that my weekend had consisted of lots of productive and profound studying but sadly most attempts just ended in impressions of books on my face as I napped. I did get a fair amount done throughout the day on Sunday but unfortunately I have enough homework still that the school week is going to be incredibly hectic. However, on a positive note, I definitely aced my history test this morning.

What little profound studying that may or may not have actually occurred.

unproductive, not profound "studying" that definitely occurred

Day Trip to Vienna

On Saturday, Franciscan University made its day trip to Vienna. At 10AM our buses arrived at the church Kapuzinerkloster in old Vienna where we then had Mass. The student body then split into groups and we began our walking tour of Vienna. As we walked through the city Father Seraphim Beshoner, head of our group, pointed out the most notable features, most important of which was probably the Irish pub (and I don't say that to trivialize all the other notable features. The Irish pub is just that

important). We stopped and toured several churches and historical buildings including St. Stephen's cathedral and the Hofburg imperial palace. Also, I met Sammy, the 7 year-old son of one of the FUS staff, on this trip. Sammy's pretty cool: he can speak German, English, and Slavic (though being bi- or trilingual isn't uncommon here like it is in the United States), and he's very witty as well.

Sammy (left), Father Seraphim (right)

We then ended our walking tour with lunch around 2PM at Melker Stiftskeller where I got to try their house beer, Hofbrauhaus Traunstein . . . at least, I believe that's what they call it. Once we concluded our lunch I was on my own until the buses departed at 8PM. Wanting to see the Schonbrunn palace I joined a group of about a dozen other students and together we hopped on the underground and emerged twenty minutes later outside the park that surrounds the Schonbrunn itself. Here we were able to walk the gardens, get an excellent view of the city below, and tour the palace itself. We eventually got lost in the park as we tried to find our way back to the underground but eventually we found our way . . . only to get lost again in the city looking for the Opera house - which is where we were to meet the buses. Unfortunately we didn't have the time to stay for the Opera or stop at that Irish pub we walked directly past (the very same Father Seraphim had pointed out earlier) so we got some food to go before returning to Gaming.

Steve and I enjoying our lunch

Outside the Greenhouse at the park

brother and sister household

looking down on Vienna

Today, the students finally had an opportunity to tour the Kartause itself. The Architect, who not only owns the Kartause but was responsible for its renovation over twenty years ago, gave a talk in the church highlighting the importance of the Kartause from its conception to its present day. I don't know his name as he was introduced to us simply as The Architect. Even his secretary who has worked for him for over 25 years refers to him so. We also got to visit the bell tower, library, ballroom, and the three chapels present on the grounds - one of which is a beautiful Byzantine chapel with its religious icons hand-painted by the ITI theology students who used to stay there until last summer.

Apparently the Kartause monastery used to have a series of secret tunnels as well, until the Russians destroyed them during their occupation. Now, however, I must return to my studies as classes begin again tomorrow and I'm supposed to have the entire book of John read by that afternoon.

Oh, also, I was told today that I look like Peter Pan. I thought that was pretty hilarious.

8/27/09 First Day of Classes

Thursday was the first day of class so I awoke bright and early, donned my sweater vest, ate my German bagel, and heroically attended two classes, mass with Bishop Kung, then two more classes - all one almost immediately after the other. I have another full day of classes tomorrow to look forward to before a school trip on Saturday to Vienna . . . then about 150 pages of reading assignments to do by next week. After the first day of class. All those people who told me that "classes in Austria are chill, dude" lied to my face.

So, a breakdown for your convenience of the elaborate torture Franciscan University has scheduled for me over the next four months:

Christian Marriage with Dr. Asci

Foundation of Ethics with Prof. Seifert-Wolter

Philosophy of the Human Person also with Seifert

Intro to Scripture with Prof. Cassidy

History of Civilization II with Fr. Seraphim T.O.R.

But seriously, I'm excited about all my classes; not just because I have a penchant for torture but also because the prospect of learning all this cool stuff is pretty sweet. Also, my professors are what can only be described as awesome. So much so in fact that their lectures are like pure doses of awesome being injected directly into each students' bloodstream. No wonder FUS's study-abroad program is rated among the top five in America - we get our students high off of learning during class days and then send them across Europe over the weekends in this altered state of mind which can only be referred to as "enlightenment."