Even the struggle bus eventually gets to its destination.

I have been DRIVING the struggle bus this week.
After coming home sick from the 3-city trip I stayed completely out of commission all week. My fever stayed gone after Monday and my cough got better after a few days, but I had a horrible stomach bug combined which was amplified by esophageal damage from too much red bull mixed with cold medicine and the usual medications I take. WHAT?! I saw two different doctors here over the course of the week which was an adventure in itself. I felt very self-sufficient to be able to get to them all alone and get my prescriptions from the Apotheke, etc. Survival in Austria! Hurray!

I was knocked flat on my face, but I missed not a single class! I just slept as much as possible and ate nothing but chicken soup and bread. It was unbearable! I felt horrible and I looked like I was wasting away. I was sure it was never going to end. Each time I managed to handle some real food or spend a few hours studying like a normal human being, I was in agony soon enough. Yesterday I saw the second doctor and he gave me some probiotics and other things and reassured me that this bug is going around and won't last that long. (COME ON, IT HAD BEEN A WEEK!)

BUTTTTTTTT......

Right after the doctor I felt much better! (Isn't it silly how those things work?!)
I went over to Julia's apartment because she was sick as well and wanted some company. There ended up being like ten of us there and we hung out all evening painting nails, noming, shooting the bull, and eventually watching "Edward Scissorhands". I was happy to just be around friends and not feeling like total death.

(Matt, Belle, and Ilana made some 60 cent tortellini)

And today I really am better!!!! And thank goodness for that because I had the most jam-packed and wonderful day!
Some kids organized an IES picnic way out in Hütteldorf on the tip top of this mountain. We TREKED up this thing for a good hour before we got there. Definitely NOT in the facebook event description, so there were a bunch of ridiculous looking American kids on a hiking trail in dresses and flip flops. Once we got there though, the view was absolutely breathtaking and it was a gorgeous, gorgeous day for a picnic. We were there for two and a half hours, but it felt like nothing. The sun was shining and tons of people showed up and brought lots of food.



After the picnic and the long ass hike down the hill I visited some friends of Bill and then met up with Alex and Alexa for some sushi at the Naschmarkt. We sat outside and it only got a little nippy towards the end, but it was wonderfully pleasant and relaxing. Also, it was amazing to eat anything that wasn't liquid or bread.
Now Sarah and I are watching "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and being cozy and boring on a Saturday night. Sounds to me like a perfect way to continue recovering.

Tomorrow we may head over to Prater (the amusement park) for ein day-o-fun and then wait on line for standing room tickets to Don Giovanni at the Opera! Oh, and homework and studying, right right right right. I am so excited to finally have some voice lessons next week too, I get one on Monday and one on Thursday because both me AND my teacher were sick this week so we didn't get to meet.

I'M BACK TO DOING ALL THE THINGS!
BUT THIS TIME...
HEALTHILY DOING ALL THE THINGS!