Happy New Year!

Hi Everyone!
It has been a long while, so here is a new post to catch you all up. As I wrote in my last post, I spent my 3 weeks of Christmas Holiday at my grandmother's house in another part of Austria. It was a lovely, relaxing time, though also challenging at times too. Now I am back in Innsbruck, diving straight into my studies again (essay due on Thursday- oh no!). I actually only have class left until January 30th, which is amazing, because that is coming soon! I leave Austria in the first week of March... which gives me a month with nothing to do! At the moment, I am planning a few things, but I will let you know when the time comes :)
For now, since I haven't posted in such a long time, I'll share some pictures to help describe how I spent my Christmas!

 At the start of my holiday I was invited to Salburg (and area) by my friend Maria (who is now studying at TRU!) This is the 'Stille Nacht Chapelle'- where Silent Night was first written and performed!

       Maria and I touring a Christmas Market in Europe's longest castle!

 Before Christmas, we drove Sophi to her hotel, where she'll be working as a room maid/kitchen help until Easter!

     It finally snowed, leaving a story-book winter-land behind! BEAUTIFUL!

Only to melt again the next day and leave Christmas sunny and green (Dec. 24th)

                               Heilige Nacht, Christmas Eve

 In pursuit of snow, on Boxing Day we hiked around the top of a mountain and enjoyed hot chocolate at the top, in a mountain hut.

     We went to visit Sophi and stayed for a night at 'her' hotel! We also celebrated Christmas with her!
     What a view of the Alps, right from her hotel!

    O Sisters... we needed a good picture together

We came back from Sophi's, just in time to see some ski racing (Women's Night Slalom)

 You would never guess what country we were watching the races in... The crowd went WILD when an Austrian was in first place!

                                 HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!

   My mom drove me to Innsbruck (back to school). We got to enjoy a wonderful, relaxing hot springs!

 The next day we went to see ski-jumping! With a total of 22,000 viewers and an Austrian coming in 1st!

                                     Go Austria!

  And to end the year off completely, I finished reading my bible (all the way through, chronologically) in one year!


Have a good start to the year everyone, as routines start again and life becomes 'normal', may each and everyone of you find joy in life and in the one who brings JOY.
Love,
Christi

P.S.
A big thanks to my aunt and uncle who are lending me there computer, making it possible to post pictures again! Thank you! I appreciate it so much!