Hey family! Just a little pictorial update...hope you enjoy!

DALMATION COAST-SPLIT, CROATIA

Miss you all! Thank you to all those who have written-please continue to do so! And if you haven't...please do!

All my love,

CLAIRE

ten great glories

10 great glories knit the land,
together linked hand and hand,
1 for those who wear the crown,
2 for those who keep hatred down,
3 and 4 are physical binds,
5 and 6 deal with mental twines,
7 heals the ill and sick,
8 puts evil's existance at risk,
9 gives people happiness in wealth,
and 10 helps all but himself

written by pollywag

Fall Before the Rise

Last Thursday I had an interview at the New York State Public Library. I was really nervous because I never had a real interview for a job before. I worked at Franciscan as a tutor and at Dad’s office. It’s a really nice library, and it is very close to my apartment, probably a ten-minute walk. This library is on the seventh floor of this building, which also contains a museum. When Claire was visiting me, before she went on her European escapades, we went on a walk and walked through the museum together. It was a fun day and she mentioned that it would be good if I could get a job at the museum because it was so close.
So, lets go back to last Thursday. I had recently cleaned my room, but on the morning of the interview, there were shirts and pants and shoes scattered across the room, with an especially large pile in front of the mirror. I finally managed to find an outfit that didn’t make me nauseous. I was a bit jittery that morning. I gathered the papers that I was going to bring along and a book to read while waiting. My interview began at one o’clock, but I left the apartment to begin the ten-minute walk at 11:45. Although I didn’t get much out of that hour of reading, I was able to look around the library for a bit. It has a great view of the city way up on the seventh floor. It has a huge genealogy section. There were two women that were asking about how it works (not that I was listening) and trying to figure out their family tree. The minutes finally crept to ten to one. I thought to myself, ten minutes early is appropriate. So, I packed away my prop of a book and headed toward the desk. I asked for the reference librarian who would be doing the interview. I followed her to the elevator and went down a floor. I was amazed to find the skeleton of the library. There were many offices and the old card catalogs. It also contained the room where I was going to be interviewed. I walked in and they asked me a few general questions. “So tell me a little bit about your work experience…” I had asked a friend about what to expect from an interview. She said that something that threw her off was that her interviewer asked what her weaknesses were. I had my weakness ready to go… and they didn’t even ask the question. The interview lasted 45 minutes. I walked in surprisingly relaxed and we chatted for a while after the interview was done. They said that they would let me know either Monday or Tuesday.
I was pretty excited and confident once the interview was over, and found myself daydreaming of a job there. I was trying not to get my hopes up too high… but it couldn’t be helped, it was my dream job for college! Come on! Money, Resume, Great View, Nice People… cant ask for more. So Monday is a busy day for me class wise. At around seven at night I roll into the apartment very tired, but there was a spring to my step as I popped open the computer to check my e-mail. Nothing. A little disappointed, but not all hope was squashed. Tuesday, I have a class from 4-7 and I tore up the stairs that night and flipped open the computer… this was it… moment of truth. Nothing. I let disappointment sink in… then I let frustration bear its ugly head… then reality sank in… I have to find another job which would mean another interview… in a place that would be compared to the NYS Library! (I know I know… you’re thinking it… its dorky… but look at my major… I’m entitled to a bit of dork!)
Wednesday I had a test, a test which took three hours (full class time) to finish so I was beat afterwards and I bummed out for most of the afternoon. Then I went into a cleaning rampage. I mean hard-core cleaning! Floors windows, you name it… it shone by seven o’clock. I felt better, perhaps me cleaning got out a bit of frustration that I had kept bottled up about the interview. So I plopped down on my cozy chair (which is another story) and called up the parents. I talked to them both. Dad suggested I call the library, and I was determined not to… I didn’t want to hear a no! Dad said that he strongly disagreed. But I had accepted the fact that I would not be working there. Mom was encouraging which made me feel a bit better after the conversation. After that I made some tea, and relaxed, realizing tomorrow I would be on the job hunt. SO, I soaked in my relaxation. I then decided to check my e-mail and facebook to see how Claire’s Euro life was going. I farted around on the computer and then checked my Albany e-mail address. I saw the reference librarian’s name, and was sure that it was a letter saying they were sorry, but they have someone else for the job, but thanks for showing interest. I opened it up… and they wanted me to work there!! I jumped out of my comfortable chair, jumped up and down and started pacing as a called up mom (who was in bed) and told her my news.
Yes, dear family, phase one of transformation into librarian has begun! I’ve got the glasses, and I’m working on the bun!

View of Salzburg and the Alps.

One of the most beautiful statues I have ever seen. It was in St. Michael's Church in Munich, Germany.

My friends Laura and Abby and I at lunch in Salzburg.


This is taken in the village I'm living in: Gaming, Austria. It is like a little charming story book town- so beautiful!

Enjoying some ice cream in Salzburg.

My roommates (Megan and Nicole) and I in front of the VonTrapp Family house ("The Sound of Music").

Miss and love you all!

Hello everyone! I hope this finds you well and happy!

I am doing very well- I love Austria. It is so beautiful. I spent my past weekend in Salzburg-the home of Mozart and "The Sound of Music" and in Munich, Germany. It was such a great weekend. There was alot of singing of Do-Re-Me and eating of Weinersnitchel.

This weekend I go to Medjugorje, Bosnia. It is a small town where Mother Mary has appeared. Many miracles have occured here. If there are any prayers or intentions you want me to offer there, email me and let me know. Know you all have been in my prayers and continue to be in my prayers everywhere I go and every church I go into.

Rear Window

I've never considered myself an overly nosy person. Upon reflection of my recently developed habit of snooping out my windows, I'm afraid I am a Curious George. In the curious George books, there is a moral at the end of the story... watch for mine.
The interest I have in my neighbors began innocently, as do most habits. I was sitting at my desk which strategically faces my window. I would notice the young family directly across from me, sharing my late nights by pacing with their little baby in arm hoping for the ever sought after rest of a parent that is rarely fulfilled. While observing them, i felt quite happy with my quiet little apartment.
As time went on my eyes continued to wander. This time, it is the woman with the dog. She is a woman who looks as though she has limited means. She would be the closest to Miss Lonely Hearts. She is often dressed in a floral moo moo in her limited back yard space making conversation with her pitiful looking dog, who I'm certain has seen better days. His slumped head reveals the burden of his master's woes. She was quite the entertaining bird.
The rooftop girls, the dancers. Across from my apartment, on the top floor there are two girls, probably undergraduates. You know, the girl's desperate for attention. The type of girl that will do anything to steal the show. There is a blond and a brunette. When the weather was warmer. Their apartment opens up onto the roof where they sport their barely there swim wear, big shades, music, and of course their cell phones. They would wave and yell to the passersby on the street below. These noisy girls spent their days sunbathing and discussing rather interesting drama about people I didn't know, but it did not stop me from listening. Quite entertaining.
The Desperate Housewives. There is a woman who lives in the apartment next to me and was having a barbecue one afternoon with several of her friends. I was innocently doing some of my reading until the deluge of gossip flooded my ears and sent interest shooting up my spine. As i stood up to get a better listen and put faces to the voices I saw about five well dressed woman who were chatting over Coronas and appetizers. The smell and sounds were intoxicating and before i knew it, i was perched on top of my desk drinking it all in. I began to feel for a certain friend of theirs who was unable to attend, by the time the chicken was being served i knew more about her than some of my close friends. After the food was served they all sat down in the lounge chairs set up in a circle to facilitate the flow of conversation. It was more difficult to hear them now, so i decided to try to open my window a bit more as i was sitting down on my desk. Unfortunately, I was unaware of the groan of my window as it is opened or shut. As i swung it opened. One of the women said "What the heck is that?!" Out of the corner of my eyes i saw her head begin to turn toward my widow. In a panic, i scrambled off and proceeded to fall off of the desk, onto the floor. My face immediately turned a deep red, and I moved myself and my work to the kitchen table to avoid any further embarrassment from my big ears.

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

I was going through some of our old Nichols Family photographs. I came across this photograph of Matilda Nichols, my great, great Aunt and Nellie Nichols, my other great, great Aunt. Both were French Canadians and lived in the Trois Rivier area in Quebec. It is absolutely fascinating how much these two ladies look like my sons John and Paul.

What to call the opening last night of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra season? That's what Paul and I -- well at least I -- asked myself last night. Paul actually fell asleep at the end of the first piece. His deep sonorous, (or was it snoring?) breathing at the end of the first piece pulled me into action as I had to elbow him to wake up! Concert does not quite describe what we saw, although a concerted effort it certainly was, indoors, outdoors, on radio, television and the Internet, and featuring what one presumes was the first performance led by a real-time holographic image of Kent Nagano.
The outdoor folks got that eye-popping premiere, on the vacant northeast corner of Place des Arts, so I cannot testify to the calibre of the technology or how Mozart's Adagio and Fugue sounded as played by student musicians on loan from the Conservatoire and the Universite de Montreal. Paul and I paid to watch the indoor part of the concert. This is something Paul prefers because he can easily order Hagen Daas ice cream during the intermission.

I can report the evening succeeded as an occasion, and one that, happily, did not subsume the music.
It all started outdoors, a little after sunset, with Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue as performed for a crowd of about 3,500 by pianist Alain Lefvre, the student orchestra and the genuine, corporeal Nagano. The effect of Gershwin's masterpiece of urban romance, as dusk settled and the lights of Complexe Desjardins where the jazz festival outdoor concerts are held.
People could watch the stage or a video image on the exterior wall of Salle Wilfrid Pelletier.
Nagano then rushed indoors to conduct the MSO. There were some unexpected visuals here, too, as a backdrop projection of the Montreal skyline alternated with more abstract images, for the benefit of the television and Internet transmissions. A cherry-picker camera, photographers and 3 other television cameras lent further weirdness to the setting.
Amid all this emerged the famous opening (think 2001 A Space Odyssey) of Strauss's Sprach Zarathustra. The MSO account caught my ear, and kept it, though Strauss's alternately rapturous, mordant and comic reflections on Nietzsche and the progress of man seemed to send Paul into either a rapturous or mordant or comic sleep.
Still, this did not have the polish of a top-notch MSO performance, which might be forthcoming in the repeat of the concert tonight (which will be without, as we Catholics say, the smells and bells... as the outdoor portion will not be repeated tonight). It should be noted an extra element was added to the debate between the B Major woodwinds and the C Major double basses at the end: A cellphone siding with the woodwinds. I can't get over it -- the last two concerts I have gone to has had a cell phone ring during the most quiet of moments!
After intermission (during which Nagano conducted Samuel Barber's Adagio, outdoors) we heard the Mozart, with Nagano dressed in a white suit that would not disgrace Sammy Davis Jr. - this was necessary for the holographic transmission for the outside concert goers. He was back in black tails as contralto Marie-Nicole Lemieux took to the stage for three Mozart arias. Non so piu, from The Marriage of Figaro. Ms. Lemieux was as pregnant as can be without breaking water on stage. With each note the baby would take a new position -- I was not alone, as many of us looked away from her on the high notes, expecting perhaps a spontaneous birth on a sustained high-C.
Then Nagano concluded with Strauss's Till Eulenspiegel, a comic masterpiece full of pictorial elements. The pace and the atmosphere were both relaxed. But the story behind it will tell you what passes for "humor" in Strauss's time: it details a pixie, who disguises himself as a priest and makes fun of God, and ends up being very worried about his transgression. Listening to the music, which has no words, brought none of this out, but if you read the program notes, you'd be informed... Anyways, it is a good piece of music and it was not a bad way to end a very busy and frenetic evening.

The Summer Adventure

This is my summer adventure....my Uncle Bernie came to visit. He came along to "Lowe's Build It" where we made a desk calendar.

We then went to get my pet hamster "Mocha" who is only 5 months old. I earned it by taking care of my class pet for the summer, now I am responsible. Uncle Bernie also helped to set up the cage. Thanks for coming here U. Bernie!
For the rest of the summer I played with our next door neighbors. I also took some classes; mini mosaics, paper mache, VBS, and religious ed. I started school this week. My teacher, Ms. Hamilton, is really nice. I hope everyone's summer went well and will end well. Love Andrea