Chestnuts or Buckeyes, you decide

Along with the leaves, there are several trees that drop large pods with nuts inside. These have to be picked up before the mowers run over them, or there are nice roots growing next year. They call them chestnuts, but to me they look like buckeyes where I am from.

We spent the rest of the day trimming and mowing the grass on all the properties. It has been awhile since I have mowed any farther than an electrical cord could reach. Jeff Z. was on the gas trimmer, Terry ran the riding mower and I took care of the trimming work the big mower can't reach with the push mower. It pretty much took 5 or 6 hours to cover everything on the grounds and across the street.

I was able to spend some time with students from Uzbekistan, Romania, and Russia at lunch time today. One is a former student that is here as a Russian translator.

Tonight was the first night with almost a full count of students for dinner, so the dish room is running at full-speed and there is a noticeable increase in the amount of tubs filled with dishes.

After dinner, we had a time of introductions and prayer with all of the students and staff in the downstairs classroom that is used for meetings and worship. After the meeting we converted it into a classroom with tables for the students, professor and translator.

One full day down, many more to come.

Yard Day

It's not rocket science, but Jeff Z. is all over it.

Today was yard work day to get everything looking its best as the students arrive throughout the day. Lots of raking, trimming and mowing.

Faye in the kitchen

Faye's apron says "I knead to be loaved". She's dishing up green beans.

Sunday outing

Today we got to visit an Austrian castle from the 1400 - 1600s. The castle is Rosenburg castle near Horn Austria, North west of the Haus. We saw a demonstration of falconry that has been practiced throughout history for centuries, but was very popular in the 15th century Austria. The would take turns sending the birds back and forth between two handlers flying very low over the crowd sometimes a wing feather grazing you as it flew by. We had a picnic lunch and toured the castle. Lots of pictures of the event and the castle.
http://www..rosenburg.at

When we returned home, we were back to our assignments preparing the meal and dish room for me after dinner.

We took a hike through the woods to the monastery down the road to listen to vespers (evening prayers). This monastery is somewhat famous because the Pope visits here occasionally and they have recorded a Chant audio CD.
http://www.stift-heiligenkreuz.at

Off to sleep and tomorrow the students arrive and we go into full-speed mode for the next two weeks.

Sent from Jeff's iPhone

Rosenburg Castle

The Haus staff took us to Rosenburg Castle today. They had a special Falconry show we got to watch for about an hour. First, let me tell you it is cold here so good thing we all wore layers, except Jeff H. as he liked it.

Anyway, I can't tell you what they were saying, but many different falcons and owls flew literally right over our heads. They would lure them back with this fake bird on a string, then feed them something. The something...worms, meat not really sure what it was.

They also were all dressed up in Renaissance attire and brought a few horses out too. One owl was a bit stubborn and didn't want to go back to the trainer. Eventually he did, but it was pretty funny. When the show was over we did lunch sitting in the van, because we are wimps in the cold. The brave few from Indiana, Illinois and Jeff H. ate outside picnic style. Then, we did a walking tour of the castle which was fun.

Tonight is worship service. Tomorrow the real work begins. I think they know it takes this long for us to get over jet lag so that's why we come so much earlier than the students.

Food Services

Yesterday we had orientation for our areas and I'll be serving in Food Services. Apparently people get hungry around here, can't understand why. :) Well, after a little over 3hrs we went through two packets of instructions, a kitchen tour, and were given our first real food task, PPLs. Professionally Packed Lunches that were used today for our outing trip.

Tomorrow we will get put to work fully as all the students arrive tomorrow and we will have a lot of hungry people to feed. It's unusual for these students see foods other than soup. As long as we follow Chef Sunny's instructions we can't go wrong. We must be punctual as everything is scheduled at certain times so we have to have everything ready in time. It's very organized. We'll see how it goes. At least Faye gets to experience this fun with me. Jody is in Guest Services which is what I did last time. Jeff Z ad Jeff H both have Maintenance this time.

Sent from Sandy's iPhone

Second orientation

Today was more orientation. Tour of campus and lots more information. The emphasis in everything they do here is to make the best possible environment for the students to learn and have a break from their normal full-time jobs. Most of the students complete the required prep work before they arrive for their class and complete a semesters worth of work in just a week and a half. After lunch we met with our work areas for more specific instructions and eased into some initial tasks.

I am working in maintenance this time and in the dish room after dinner. I had forgotten about raking leaves living in the desert but I spent the afternoon getting re-acquainted with piles of leaves and chestnuts. The weather is just starting to get cold enough for an intermittent, but constant falling of leaves.

I will be hosting tables at lunch time but leave the dinner table early to prepare for the wave of dirty dishes as they arrive in their plastic tubs. Everything is done with a specific purpose in mind and to slowly prepare you for the doubling of speed when all the students arrive.

I got to spend a brief few minutes visiting with a student staying over from last session from the Ukraine. She helped me double the amount of Russian I know from 2 words to 4.

Tomorrow is a bit of a sight-seeing day so hopefully I will have time for more pictures. Looking forward to getting down to the routine of the work week and seeing more students.

Sent from Jeff's iPhone