Breathing room

since we left from portland to oklahoma 13 days ago, i have been going 1000 mph. i have not had any down time. i started my german class today. our teacher is really nice. she is a native to vienna who the school hires for the month of september to come and teach us german. it's a fun, but tough language. i'll have to do a lot of studying. it will be nice to be able to have somewhat of an idea what is going on though. but, i now having nothing to do until class again tomorrow evening at 17:00 (5:00 pm, everyhting here is on a 24 hour clock or military time). we are having a pizza party tonight at the castle that we don't have to go to, but i'm sure everyone will becasue it means we don't have to buy our own dinner and spend our money. i will definatley be going! now for the castle...... it is amazing!!!!! it's huge and really really really beautiful. it's a 14th century castle that has been renovated with the times, but it still feels like a castle. my room is on the top floor, which is the european 2nd floor but american 3rd. i am sharing a room with caleb. our room is way to big for just two of us. we have a shower but the water closet is down the hall. the best part of our room is sleeping with the windows open (it's really hot and muggy here right now.... a lot like oklahoma) and waking up to fresh air only to get out of bed to look out the window and over the entire city of vienna! it's a breathtaking view. i would definately have to say that the best part of my trip so far was one morning when i got up extra early to go have communion at Westminster Abbey in London. it was an experience i can't even explain or put into words. if you would like to hear about it ask me and i'll tell you when i get home or in an email just so i don't have to write about it all. well, i should probably go and get some german homework done and rest a little until my friends want to go ecplore vienna til pizza time. i miss everyone and hope you are all having as much fun as i am............. as much as you can anyways :) love you all and here's some pictures finally! enjoy!!

MARK