I actually have classes....?

So the last few weeks since my intensive break have been more "normal." Classes finally started, and after my first day of class, I went to another ball. This one was also at the Hofburg, and was put on by some fraternity organization that wore funny hats. A nice Austrian university student tried to explain it to me, and that was how I understood it. This ball experience was much more enjoyable. I wore flats, hemmed my dress, and I was ready to dance the night away...with a very nice Japanese student.
We did the Austrian line dances, which are interspersed with the normal waltzing, which was very interesting, considering that they are called out in German. So we had a good time getting pushed this way and that way by people how did know what they were doing. And the dances get faster and faster everytime you do them. The only part I actaully did right was the footstomp and the "Hey!" at the end. Then the caller calls out "Hop! Hop! Hop!" and the partners gallup around the floor together, then change directions, then go faster. Yeah, I am glad I wore flats. I would have broken my ankles otherwise. So the night was a success, I left at about 3:30 because I had class and a voice lesson the next day. And of course, surviving the rest of the week was a challenge.
The beginning of any semester is always a crazy time, but having all Austrian professors, I didn't know what to expect. I still don't know what to expect. They are much more unstructured. There are syllabi and a general plan, but they mostly hand you some music, or go on a rant about Malta (true story). I am taking "The Lied" which is a seminar on the German Art song. This is probably my most American-like structured course, probably because my professor, who is also the head of the music program is originally from Norway, but studied and lived in the US for most of his life. Its really interesting so far, its a 400 level course, so it will probably be my most challenging. I am also taking a 20th century analysis course, and I pretty much don't know what I am doing. My professor is Austrian, and he just handed us a score (20th century atonal Korngold, no less) and put on a recording and asked us to analyze the peice in sonata form. I have taken no atonal theory yet, and neither have most people in the class. But he doesn't seem to be concerned. Then I am taking The Political Geography of New Europe. Enter rants about Malta. My professor is also Austrian and we all rant together about the European Union. Then I am continuing German, my professor is Austrian, of course, and will not speak in English, however we did teach her how to say and use the expression, "Duh."
And then I am taking voice lesson for three credits, culminating in a solo recital in May. Yikes. The recital is 40 minutes long, and I am preparing all new music. 15 hours of instruction and at least 75 of practicing. I am singing a lot of Lieder, or course, and loving it. I actaully have to go practice in about 10 minutes, because tonight I am going to the opera, for the second night in a row. Last night we saw Cav/Pag, and tonight is a new opera premiere "Medea."
And then this Friday, I am going on an IES trip to Radstadt to go skiing! I am very excited, but I will have a lot of homeworking and practicing to do before then. And I will also need to buy ski pants. So much to do and time is flying by.