finally... AMERICA!!!

Hey guys!

I just want to remind you that university is nearly finished and  that summer holidays are coming closer. :))) Well, I guess everybody needs to keep on studying though to keep track of their languages… Plus, of course, WORKING! My summer job starts on the 7^th of July.  I wanted to work as much as possible as I’d like to spend the last month of our holidays (September) traveling. 

And finally one of my dreams is coming true, because I will be in AMERICA from the 5^th of September until the 24^th :))) Can’t wait!! 

This last year I was learning so many things about the US without even being there once! I had to listen to other students talking about their adventures in America. Some of them had spent a couple of months there or even a whole year working as an au pair for example. The decision of going to America was very spontaneous. At first, I wanted to visit a friend of mine who will be in Africa for about three months to do some voluntary work. But the more I thought of going to Africa, the more I realized that there are other destinations and countries that are further up on my bucket list. It wasn’t an easy decision, as this friend, who is going to Africa, usually is the one I am always traveling with… my travelbuddy. But then I realized that it’s about me and what I want to do and I definitely want to see America first. It was not hard to find someone who also wants to visit the USA (because, seriously, AMERICA!?!). I end up going with a friend from Germany, who I have met during my travels in Australia. There are numerous cities I’d like to see in America, but for me, the most important ones are Miami and New York!! As my friend (her name is Melanie by the way) has never been to the US either, we easily agreed on our destinations. Not only will we see Miami and New York, but also the Bahamas!!! It’s gonna be an amazing trip! 

GET COLORED!

Hey there! 

Today I want to tell you something about the popular HOLI FESTIVAL. As it took place last Saturday on the 14^th of June here in Graz. It was the first time I’ve been there and it was great fun! I have actually heard about this festival when I was in Australia last year. Some people were talking that there will be a holi festival somewhere in down under - but unfortunately it didn't happen. As soon as I had seen the pictures of this spectacular event, I knew that I have to go there :D it just looked like so much fun! And it was! 

For those of you who do not know what this whole festival is about (I myself didn’t have a clue when I heard of it the first time), let me tell you the story behind it :) 

Because it actually is a very important Hindu religious festival in INDIA. The spring festival is also known as the festival of colors or the festival of love. Instead of Holi it may also have different names in different parts of India, for example Phagwah.
Usually it is celebrated at full moon, but the date varies every year. Most of the time, it takes place in March or sometimes even in February and lasts for two to ten days. The festival has different meanings, it may for example signify the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, end of winter and for many it is just a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive.  

The second day has a very specific meaning. On this day, the caste-system is no longer valid. For this reason, all people are wearing white clothes (showing that all people are equal) and color each other with dry colored powder and colored water. They may even start water-fights using water guns and colored water-filled balloons. Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children and elders.

Outside of India, the Holi festival is just another reason to party. There are musicians and DJs to entertain the audience ..and, of course, alcohol. So far, the festival is celebrated in Austria, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom and even in Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Moreover, it takes place in Tunisia, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, New Zealand and in the United Arab Emirates.

I really enjoyed this festival because it was something different that I haven’t known before. Throwing around with various colors and don’t have to think about how you look (as everyone is colored and it doesn’t matter how your hair looks or your make up) was just awesome! I have been there with many friends of mine and we had a great day. I would definitely go there again :) (although it was a little bit expensive)

Check out the video! 

"Don't live a life, build one! Find your opportunities & ALWAYS be sexy!"

Hey everyone! 

Today I came across a quote made by the famous American entrepreneur Steve Jobs. He said: 

As I was reading this profound sentence, a video came into my mind, which I had watched a couple of months ago. The video contains a speech of Ashton Kutcher which he was holding at the Teen Choice Awards 2013 when he had won the Ultimate Choice Award. At that time, when I watched this video, I just returned from my adventure in Australia and didn’t really know what to study and not even where I should study. So I was somewhere between living life to the fullest in Australia and not having to think about the serious part of life and the REAL life back home. Ashton’s motivational speech and encouraging words really made me think. I admit watching it several times. In my opinion, he said some very important things. 
What I like the most is the sentence: “The sexiest thing in the entire world is being really smart. Everything else is crap!” And I totally agree with that. There is nothing sexier than a man/woman who is clever. Of course, he or she doesn’t have to be brainy like Einstein, but I like talking to people who have something interesting to say as well as deep thoughts. You could be the sexiest man alive, if you have nothing in your head, I wouldn’t be interested in you. So if you want to be sexy, be SMART!

Moreover, I like the part when Asthon Kutcher talks about building a life. And living in a life that was made up by people that are NO SMARTER than us! This just puts it in a nutshell. We all are capable of achieving something great if we just try hard enough and believe in ourselves :) I know, I might sound a bit like a philosopher now, but if you really think about it… it’s true! Life is a choice and it is YOUR choice. 

Watch the video and BE THOUGHTFUL :)

CULTURE TOPIC.. why did I choose the Kennedy brothers?!?!?!

As our culture days are coming closer and my culture paper is finally finished I want to tell you guys WHY I chose this specific topic. Well, I have to admit I am not very interested in politics. I know that I SHOULD be, after all, politicians can decide what’s happening in our country. And we can definitely not take it for granted that we have at least a little say in Austrian politics. That’s why I request everyone to go to the elections and make use of the chance to have a say in our politics! Many countries do not have this right..

However, I don’t want to digress from my actual topic… why did I choose the Kennedy family… good question. First of all I have to tell you that I have always been interested in people’s biographies. Although this might sound a bit weird, but I just like it. Of course I am not interested in my neighbors biography (this would be really weird!!), but in lives of people who have achieved something great. That’s not the only reason why I chose them. It was a couple of months ago when I was watching a documentary film about the family. As they are one of the most famous families in America, there are a number of movies and documentaries about the clan. The one I watched lasted for about three hours and really captivated me. It was actually about JFK himself, and his life before his presidency as well as the few years (1000 days!) as president of the United States. Of course they were also talking about his assassination and the various theories ..”WHO killed JFK?!?!?!” Well, this is probably a question that will never be answered. 

Anyway, before I had watched this documentary I didn’t really know a lot about John F. Kennedy, let alone the rest of the Kennedys. When we were talking about a culture topic in English class, I immediately had them in mind. I wanted to know more about the Kennedys anyway. It took me some time until I decided to write about the Kennedy brothers, John (Jack), Bobby and Ted (there is another brother, Joe, but he is not that important) but in the end I really got a deeper insight into their lives. What surprised me the most was the fact that, apart from JFK, Robert Kennedy as well was very important in American politics and even ran for president. When I was doing my research I also found some shocking information. A large number of Kennedys died in mysterious accidents. Besides the fact that Bobby Kennedy got assassinated too, there were several plane crashes which killed some members of the family (for example their sister as well as JFK’s son). 

All in all, the topic was very interesting and I gained at least a little insight into America’s politics. 

Bobby, Ted & JFK (l. to r.)

another eye-opening video.. the cruelty of humans

WATCH IT!

Hey guys! My new post is about a video that I have recently seen on the internet. It really made me think so I want to share it with all of you. It’s a video about the cruelty of humans. It shows how thoughtless human beings can be and how irresponsible some of us are acting on this planet. I have to say, the video generalizes a lot but we all know that there ARE people who kill animals in order to get new boots, a fur coat or a handbag. Many humans just don’t take care of other beings except themselves. For me, it’s one of the worst things on earth to witness an animal being hurt or killed. But it’s not only the animal cruelty; it’s also how our nature is treated. We probably can’t imagine how many trees and meadow had to give way for all our big cities. In my opinion that wouldn’t be so worse (as we have to live somewhere too) but all these cities produce air pollution which may destroy the rest of the plants and animals as well. It’s not that I am a tree-hugger and against any human inventions, but I’d like to entrust all of us to take more care of our planet and the animals living on it. It's the little things as well that can help to save our planet :)

Click on the link above and watch the video :) It’s worth it!