Concerning train travel

I was looking around at the eurail passes, and the eurail select pass may be a more affordable option for me. I could get an adult eurail 3 country select pass for 8 days in 2 months for $535, and an adult 4 country select pass for 8 days in 2 months for $584. That's a lot better than about $750 for the adult global flexi pass. So we'll see what happens.

Update on schedule, and about Lourdes mission trip

I just wanted to update everyone on my schedule. I audited the German class. This way I can learn German and won't be weighed down by the tests. Plus I'm done with my language requirement anyway.

Concerning the Lourdes mission trip. I learned from one of my household sisters that I can do fundraising for the mission trip. That I can probably do. And it shouldn't be too hard paying for the trips to Salzburg and Poland. I figured that I could do the excursions that the school is doing. This way I can travel. I don't plan on traveling every weekend. Growing up, I only went on vacation once a year...to Florida. Besides, I'm already paying for room and board. I might as well get my money's worth. I'll get plenty of opportunities to see Europe. Not to worry!

Registered for classes today!

Like the title says, I've registered for the spring 2011 semester in Austria. Right now I'm registered for 15 credits, although I may audit one of the classes. So right now this is my schedule for the spring 2011 semester:

GRM 101 Elementary German I Prof Franz Schneider
PHL 212 Foundations of Ethics Prof Maria Seifert-Wolter
THE 214 Theology of the Church Prof Robert Cassidy
THE 341 Christian Marriage Dr Donald Asci
THE 409 Christian Spirituality Dr Donald Asci

Almost forgot...intensity has started

I almost forgot to mention that intensity has started with Stella. This week is covenant week. This is where the twinkles focus on the covenant. They also wear blue, yellow, and grey all week. Last semester I was going through intensity. It's strange being on the other side now. But it's good. Stella has five twinkles, mostly sophomores. So it's a good class. I'd welcome more, but that's alright. Just pray for the twinkles as they spend the week meditating on Stella's covenant.

Options with traveling by train.

After considering my options concerning traveling by train, I think my best option would be to just buy the train tickets when I need them rather than buying the eurail pass. I am too old to purchase the Eurail youth pass (who would be in 2nd class). I could only get the adult pass, which if I got the adult global flexi pass, would be over $750 (and would be in first class). Everyone else that would be traveling with me from Franciscan would be in second class since they're under 26. I could sit in second class if I wanted to with the adult class. But why should I have to pay more for sitting in the same class as my classmates? I definitely wouldn't sit in first class all alone. So my best option would be to just buy the individual tickets (since you have to make a reservation anyway). This way I can travel throughout Europe and not go broke. Would I like to get the global pass? Sure. Do I have the money for it? No. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to pay for the trips to Poland and Lourdes. God willing I'll find some way to pay for it...even if it means working on campus all summer to pay for it.

Eurail pass

After considering my options concerning train passes, I might be able to get the 10 day global flexi pass. I figured that I can work on campus during part of the summer to pay my parents back for the pass. This way i can go to Lourdes and travel to different countries. So maybe there's hope after all. I just hope my parents will go for it.

May not be doing too much traveling while in Austria

Why not, you may ask? Because I can't afford to buy a Eurail pass. I'm not sure how I'm going to find a pass that is affordable. I'm too old to qualify for the youth price, and I can't afford the adult price. What makes this harder is that I feel that God wants me to go on the Lourdes mission trip during 10 day. How am I supposed to do what God wants me to do if I don't have the money to do it? I need the Eurail pass to get to France, and I don't have the money to get the pass. I just wish I could find a pass that is affordable.

Update on Household and Austria

I have booked my flight to Austria. Originally I was going to go through JFK, but realized that it would be too expensive. So I am flying out from Philly to DC, and then to Vienna. I can take the NJ Transit trains to Philly, and then take one of the Philly subway trains to the airport. So I wouldn't have to drive to the airport. I could take the train from Rahway to Trenton, and then take the train to 30th st station in Philly. I would then take the Septa Airport line from 30th st to the airport. By having my flight go out from Philly, I save $200. Plus it doesn't cost too much to take the train the the airport. Anyway, I have my return flight coming to Pittsburgh so that I'll be at the school for graduation. Plus I'll have a chance to see everyone before the summer break. So all I have to do now is find someone to sublet my apartment for the spring. Anyone interested?

Household: Stella now has five twinkles. We had one after Tuesday morning mass, and one after holy hour on Thursday. Personally I'd welcome some more...but we'll see. It's looking like a good class. They're going to learn how to shine.

Oh, and I'm finally done with midterms! Yay!

Update on Austria, and other things

I figured it was time for an update. So here we go!

Austria: I have since had two more Austria meetings. I look forward to these meetings because it's at the end of the week, and I'm done with all of my classes by then. At the second meeting, we talked about flights to and from Austria. I will probably fly out of JFK, since it is close to NJ. The flight would depart JFK at 5:30pm on January 15, and arrive in Vienna at 8:30am the following morning. There would then be a bus that will shuttle us to the Kartause in Gaming. At the third meeting, we filled out the application for our visas. They have my passport photos and my passport. So all I have to do now is buy my plane ticket. I also have to find someone to sublet my apartment for the spring semester. So far I haven't found any takers. But hopefully someone will want it for the spring. Just pray that someone will want to sublet it.

Tentative Austria Schedule: I've been figuring out what classes to take for next semester. I think I've come up with a good schedule.
Art 205 Art Appreciation Healy, Jennifer
PHL 212 Foundations of Ethics Seifert-Wolter, Maria Michaela
THE 214 Theology of the Church Cassidy, Robert F.
THE 341 Christian Marriage Asci, Donald P.

Household: Stella now has three twinkles! Very exciting! It's strange being on this side now, being a star. But it makes it very exciting when I see a sign that says that we have a new twinkle. It tells me that someone wants to intent my household. I'm hoping that we'll get some more this week.

FOP: We had a FOP a few weeks ago. It coincided with Homecoming, and there were a lot of alumni there. As always, it was a blast!

Midterms: Midterms are underway. I had three midterms last week. I haven't gotten them back yet, so I don't know how I did yet. Hopefully I'll find out soon. I felt pretty good on them. So we'll see. I have one more (Mariology) on Thursday.

Hopefully the next time I update, I will have purchased my plane ticket to Austria. It'll be the first time I've flown since 1985!