The campus is absolutely deserted (apart from a few swotters and the snow rabbits of course) which isn't a surprise really, as there's still about a week of vacation until the new term starts. For me it's already the second working day after Christmas holidays - and the first one with my new working tool (i.e. notebook). Hooray! In my first months here I often felt a bit sad that I had to work all alone in the library, away from my colleagues and everything that was going on in the institute. But then, when my notebook broke down I was assigned work which I could do on the office PC and I realised more and more that it's not all that great. The artificial light made me dizzy and tired (it may sound strange but it did so more than the dimly lit micro materials reading room) and it was hard to concentrate because it was never really quiet (not to mention that the office PCs of course have access to the internet - eeevil!) Furthermore, the work itself wasn't very exciting either. You think transcribing 18 century documents is dull? Well, then try transcribing late 20 century notes (from my boss). Seriously, today it was a pleasure to be back in the library again! Also it was good to see that I got into the gothic script quite quickly again. I should show you my new old "office" some time. Hmm, that has just reminded me that in my planned work report from 5 ½ months ago I've never managed to get beyond the introduction. Another day - maybe.

Zum Thema "Die kleinen Tuecken des Alltags": The floors in buildings are counted differently here. The North American way: It's done by levels, starting with 1 at the lowest, which basically means that the ground floor is missing. Missing at least for me who's used to having Erdgeschoss, erster Stock, zweiter Stock etc. So for three months I kept on telling people that I'd work in the first floor of the library until I finally realised that it's actually named Level 2. And it still happens from time to time that I'm stepping into elevator, wish to go down and suddenly hesitate. Strange! I can't find the" E" (or "G") button. Confusion. What next? ... ... Ahhhhh, I see! :-)

Here it's only 4pm and we still have 8 hours. When calling my granny I could hear the Strauss' Donauwalzer via the phone - and afterwards I figured that in the internet I can listen to it on OE1. Wicked! That's New Year how it should be..

I'm wondering how it will be here. I don't think it will be the bggest party ever. There aren't many people here, Eric and Anya both have to work, but I don't care that much about New Years evening anyway. I dislike those days of artificial happiness. What's the point of becoming ecstatic about the change of one number? Why should something change just because of that? One thing for sure: Once again I'll be boycotting New Year's Resolutions. Sounds a bit like the fox and the grapes now doesn't it? No, no - I do look forward to having a nice evening and hope we manage to watch the fireworks! (And if we return home at 3 am it would be the perfect time to watch the New Years concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra - given it's broadcast somewhere! :-)

So again HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007 to all of you!

And of course welcome to the EU, Romania and Bulgaria!