First Three Weeks

My first three weeks in Austria have been amazing! I have seen and done so many things I never thought I would get to do. During my first week, my host sisters took me to Passau, Germany, to go shopping. In Passau, I also got to see the biggest organ in the world. It was huge! And the church it was in was magnificent. I also got to see a typical Austrian wedding in the church next to our house. My host Father, Hansi, conducted the choir and my host brother, Johannes, and sister, Maria, played the violin and organ.
School began during my second week. I am in a class with all girls. They are all very nice and interested in talking with me. School here is different from the US. I stay in one class all day and the teachers move around. The only time we move is when we split up for Latin or French. We also go to the gym for PE, and sometimes to the science rooms for Chemistry and Physics. My teachers are all nice, but I don't really understand much of what is said during class. There are a few teachers who say a few things to me in English to make sure I understand, and the girl I sit next to translates for me sometimes. She is very nice and I think we will become good friends. English class is one of my favorites because I can understand what is being said. The entire lesson is taught in English. PE is fun too, and I really like the teacher. She is going with my class for our trip to Berlin. I can't wait for the trip, it will be so AWESOME! Also in my second week, Hnasi and Johannes took me to Salzburg where I saw the house where Mozart lived, and I also got to go into the house he was born in. It was so cool! Inside there were a lot of pictures and things that had belonged to Mozart. His first violin was there and the Klavichord he composed Die Zauberflöte and the Requiem on. While we were leaving Salzburg, I also saw the church that was in "The Sound of Music" during the Wedding scene. That was really cool, we drove right past it and I recognized it. My host family has never seen "The Sound of Music."
Last weekend was the official day that the church was finished being restored on the outside. It was repainted and a new roof was put on. Hansi told me that the church is over 1,000 years old! I think it is a very big church, but everyone tells me it is a small one. There was a celebration during mass on Sunday and one of Mozart's masses was played for the music. It was incredible, I have always wanted to hear one of his masses played during mass. Hansi conducted the choir and the orchestra; and Johannes played the violin in the orchestra.
In my third week we got our schedules for school, and that also means we have more homework. My host siblings often ask me if I can help them with their English homework. Maria got 100% on the vocab test I helped her study for. She was very happy. I am still waiting for some of my books, so I am unable to do some of the homework I am assigned. Most of it is math homework, and I have done what they are currently studying before. Math is one of the few classes I am able to understand the majority of what is going on. Whoot for knowing numbers in German! My math teacher is very nice, and sometimes speaks English with me. He is also our homeroom and history teacher. This week in history he assigned a project with assigned topics. My topic was "US in Berlin," and I am excited,(I also get to do it in Enlgish). I really wish I had my history notes though. I remember most everything in them, but it would be nice to have as a reference. Unfortunately, they are still in my box waiting to be sent. I guess what I found on the internet will have to do. Johannes and I went on a bike ride this week through the forest. It was fun. He and my host sister, Christina, have also been teaching me to roller skate. Christina, Johannes, and I play a lot of games together in our free time. It is a lot of fun. Christina and I also like to watch movies or TV shows together.
Sometime this week I will be going to get my Visa, and I am also planning on going to a friend's house.