Things I'm Excited For: Part 8!

This is the final installment of my "Things I'm Excited For" series. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is because I will be on a plane home TOMORROW! Yay! I can't even describe how excited I am. Like I've had butterflies since last night. Those butterflies have been traveling back and forth between my stomach and my heart, sending random waves of excitement through my body!

The thing that I'm MOST excited for is....REUNIONS! I can't wait to see all of my friends and family! Here are just a few of the people I can't wait to see!

Like I said, these are just a few! There are literally too many people I'm excited to see to include all those pictures in the blog. So, no hard feelings please :) Basically I'm excited to see everyone! Love you all! I'll be home SOON! :) :) :) :)

Kayla

P.S. Here is your clip for the day! :)

Things I'm Excited For: Part 7!

Hello ladies and gentlemen! I woke up this morning only to find out that my internet connection has gone kaput! Being the computer wiz that I am (insert sarcasm here) I could not figure out what was wrong or how to fix it. So, I've been chillin' at Starbucks for about three hours now. Therefore, this is gonna be a short post. That being said, next up on the list of things that I'm excited for is:

MASSAGE

The very first opportunity I get, I will be treating myself to a hot stone massage! After a long, hard season, I need a good massage more than ever! Oooo I can't wait!

Like I said earlier, my internet connection in my apartment is not working. I'll try and find another source tomorrow sometime. So, just a heads up if you're trying to get ahold of me for something, you probably won't hear back from me until tomorrow. Don't worry, I'll be home soon! :)

Sending all my love from Vienna!

Kayla

P.S. Here is your clip of the day! Some more bloopers for ya :)

Things I'm Excited For: Part 6!

Hello all! Okay, I know I broke my promise of posting something that I'm excited for every day until I'm home, but I've been a little busy WINNING THE AUSTRIAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP! Woo! My first professional title! It feels pretty good!

So that's my excuse for not blogging on Wednesday. My excuse for not blogging yesterday is that I was ridiculously hungover from the celebration on Wednesday that I spent most of the day in bed! Oops! :) Anyways, I'm back now! And I will officially be back in Dubuque Monday night! So, you'll get three more days of my "Things I'm Excited For" series! Next on the list of things I'm looking forward to is...

THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

No German, no foreign accents, no language barriers, no "lost in translations", just plain old American English!  Granted I was lucky to have a couple American teammates this season, and a few of my teammates speak very good English, but a lot of them don't. My head coach didn't speak any English. So there were a lot of moments that I was completely lost. A lot of things were lost in translation, and it was hard to build relationships with people that barely spoke the same language as you. But, probably the worst thing about the language difference was when I went out in public to places like the grocery store, the gym, a restaurant, a clothing store, or even just a gas station, every conversation I had with a worker or waiter started with them saying something or asking me something in German and me having to say "Sorry? English?" It is just a pain and it's kind of embarrassing because it makes me feel stupid. Luckily, in most cases, the person has been able to speak some English, but it still sucks because they are still difficult to understand. Other times they can't speak any English and then you just kind of stare awkwardly at each other, neither one able to communicate what they want. Or if you are in a restaurant and you have to attempt to read a menu. Good Lord! It's near impossible! I've learned to read a few German words, but an entire menu is impossible. Basically, if I can find the word "Hühnerfleisch" which is chicken, I order that. I realized the other day that I might end up hugging the first American flight attendant I have on the trip home. Just hearing them ask me "Would you like something to drink?" in English is gonna make my day! :)

Sending my love from Vienna! 

Kayla 

P.S. I know I've already used this clip, but it seems very fitting for this blog, so I'm using it again :) Enjoy! 

Things I'm Excited For: Part 5!

Cornfields

and Country Music

Basically, everything I could get on a trip from Dubuque to Lincoln. I don't care what anyone says, it's a beautiful drive!

Game day tomorrow! If we win this then I'll be making my way home very soon! Keep your fingers crossed for me! :)

Sending all my love from Vienna!

Kayla

P.S. Enjoy!

Things I'm Excited For: Part 4!

If anyone has read the blog I posted about my current living arrangements, you'll know that I'm in a one room apartment, and that my bed is basically a fold out couch/futon. And you might have also gathered that I don't have a TV (not that I really need one here). Anyways, the point is that if I do wish to watch TV, that means I have to open up my laptop, and download the episode offline, normally not til' the day after it originally aired, and sit on my "bed" and watch it. And I found out very quickly that I have a lot of time to myself during an overseas season. Basically, this has been me for the past 5 months.

So what am I excited for??? TO SIT ON THE COUCH AND WATCH TV! Oh to be able to watch my favorite TV shows, the day that they originally air, on a comfy cozy couch, on a real TV! 

The other day, I went to Jenna's apartment (she has a TV in her apartment) and we watched a movie. It felt like the most foreign thing in the world to be watching a movie on an actually TV! I guess I've gotten so used to watching movies and TV shows on my computer that I forgot what it felt like to watch TV! So, this is actually one of the things I'm looking forward to the most. AND I'll be able to watch my favorite TV shows with the people I love the most! Whether it be "American Idol" with Dad, "The Office" with my brother, Eric, or "Criminal Minds" with Mom, I can't wait to enjoy it on a comfy couch in front of a television! So, this could potentially be me very soon :)

VB Update: We won the match last night and we are now winning the Austrian finale 3-1! That means we are only one more win away from being crowned the Austrian Champs! The next match of the series is on Wednesday! If we win that match, the season is over and I'll be flying home HOPEFULLY by Sunday at the latest! That's right! Less than a week! But, of course, we have to take care of business on Wednesday. Keep your prayers coming! 

Sending my love from Vienna!

Kayla 

P.S. And now for one of my favorite Michael moments! Enjoy!

Things I'm Excited For: Part 3!

I am excited to be able to go to the grocery store whenever I damn well feel like it! Where I'm living now, we have a grocery store called "Zielpunkt" on the bottom floor of our building. Can't get more perfect than that, right?

However, this grocery stores hours of operation are approximately 9AM-7PM M-F, 9AM-6PM Sat, and Sundays they are CLOSED! Huh? Everything is closed down on Sunday and everything closes by 7 PM on weekdays! This makes absolutely no sense to me. Isn't Sunday the day that everyone has off work? Don't people want to be able to do things on a Sunday or after they get off work during the week? What if someone needs to run a quick errand after work someday? They'll get to the store only to find it closed?! Or what if someone is cooking a big dinner for their family on Sunday and find they don't have all the ingredients they need? Too bad, so sad! Grocery stores are closed! I don't get it. I don't think I'll ever get it.

One more thing, remember when you were in grade school? Remember all of the days off school and the early dismissals? Then when you were in college thinking back to your grade school days it seemed like they were just looking for any old excuse to shut down school for the day, because in college class was never cancelled. I mean it had to be like the worlds worst blizzard for the school to be closed down. Well, I feel like the stores here are kind of like my grade school days. They are just looking for any old excuse to shut down for the day. For example, is the Monday after Easter a holiday? Maybe it is, I don't know anymore. But, do stores shut down on that day in America? I don't think so. I don't even think grocery stores are closed on Easter Sunday in America! Well, I went down to the grocery store on Easter Monday and sure enough, it was closed. Are you kidding me? Ridiculous!

So yes, one of the things I'm looking forward to is normal hours of operation, especially at grocery stores.

Game day today! I'll let you know how it goes ASAP!

Sending my love from Vienna!

Kayla

P.S. I hope I haven't used this clip before. Oh well, you can never get enough Dwight! Enjoy!

Things I'm Excited For: Part 2!

The next thing that I'm excited for is.....

COLBY JACK CHEESE!

Okay I know this sounds silly, but I am so excited for Colby Jack! Besides a bunch of weird kinds of cheeses, they only have cheddar! And I'm learning that I really don't like cheddar cheese all that much. But, the other day, I pictured myself eating a slice of Colby Jack cheese and my mouth literally started watering! Oh I can't wait to eat foods that I am comfortable with and that are normal to me! I've pretty much been living off of chicken, pasta, rice, and broccoli for the past five months! It's time to get home to the foods that I love! Soon and very soon!

The next match of the Austrian League Championship is tomorrow! Say some prayers for me! Let's go SVS Post!

Sending all my love from Vienna!

Kayla

P.S. Back to "The Office"! Bloopers make me laugh so hard! So here are some bloopers for you to enjoy!

Things I'm Excited For: Part 1!

Alright ladies and gentlemen. Here's the scoop on my life (at least the next week of my life). My team is currently winning the Austrian League Championship 2 matches to 1. The Austrian League Finale is a best of 7 series. We have a match on Sunday and a match on Wednesday. If we win both of those matches, then we win the Austrian League Championship and I will be flying home 3-7 days after the last match (hopefully it's closer to 3 days than 7). If we lose either one of these next two matches, then I'll be stuck here longer until we finish the best of 7 match series. So, needless to say, I will be doing my very best to kick butt these next two matches so I can get back to the States ASAP.

That being said, I can't help but think of all the things that I'm really looking forward to doing when I get home. So, I've decided to try my very best to publish a new blog post every day featuring something that I just am so excited to do upon my return to the good 'ol U S of A. Hopefully, I'll be on a plane bound for America in about a week. Without further ado, here is the first thing I can't wait to do:

BUBBLE BATH! 

Oh to be able to relax in a nice warm bubble bath; with aromatherapy candles burning and a good musical playing in the background! More importantly, in a human-sized tub! THIS ↓ is what I have been showering in for the past 5 months.

It's tiny! There is barely even enough room to turn around in this! It's just awful. Ladies, imagine trying to shave your legs in here. So, I guess I'm not just excited for the bubble bath, I'm excited to shower in an American sized shower! 

Oh it's the little things in life that make you happy (or in this case the big things).

Sending all my love from Vienna! 

Kayla 

P.S. Here's another clip from the Blue Collar Comedy Tour! Enjoy!

Counting the Days!

Hello! I hope everyone had a splendid Easter Sunday! I really wish I could've been celebrating with my family! But, nonetheless, I had a pretty good Easter myself. One of my teammates, Jenna Hagglund (our team chef) made a delicious dinner! We had ham, mashed potatoes (she even put cheese in them because she knows cheesy potatoes are my favorite holiday dish), green beans, fruit, and for dessert: brownies and ice cream! Needless to say, I was so full I couldn't breathe after that meal.

Today, we are back to the grind. We have training this afternoon, and two practices tomorrow. Then the 3rd match of the Austrian League Finale is Wednesday. Hopefully we stop messing around and take care of business this match. I could use some prayers at this point :)

Time seems to be crawling. But, another morning means that I'm another day closer to home! And it's so nice to see that my Written Paper Rings countdown is winding down!

This is where I started...

This is where I am today! Almost there!

I love you all very much! See you soon!

Kayla

P.S. This clip is of Larry the Cable Guy, who is a die hard Nebraska fan! He has actually come to a couple of our practices when I was still playing there and we got to chat with him for awhile! Cool guy!

Jesus Christ Superstar!

A lot of musicals have been playing in Vienna since I've been here including: Cats, Aladdin, and Sister Act. And a few lucky times, musicals have been playing here in English! For example, the London West End production of Hair made a stop in Vienna and I got to go see that. And most recently, a local theater put on Jesus Christ Superstar: the Rock-Musical in Concert in English!

I have to start by saying that the Ronacher theater was gorgeous! A very cool setting for a musical! 

So, it was in concert form, but there was still acting and staging. If anyone has seen the 10th or 25th anniversary concerts of Les Miserables, it was just like that. The band was right there on stage with them, the stage wove in and out of the band, and the actors sang into handheld microphones. Make sense? Here is a shot of the stage before it started. By the way, we had fifth row seats! Couldn't get more perfect than that :)

Mid-show picture (No, I didn't take this...found it on google).

They way they put it on was different from what I would've expected, too. For example, Jesus had a shaved head, wore cut up jeans, a button up white shirt, and Chuck Taylor's. The other actors were wearing modern clothing. Judas looked like a straight up rocker. Now, I haven't seen Jesus Christ Superstar on Broadway, but this was definitely not what I was expecting. This is the guy who played Jesus...

In real life, his name is Drew Sarich. After the show, I went and googled him because he was just so amazing. Turns out he's originally from St. Louis, Missouri, and he's been living in Vienna starring in shows at this same theater for about ten years. He's kind of a big deal, and a crowd favorite here in Vienna. He was so incredible. His version of "Gethsemane" was easily the best rendition of that song I've ever heard. He got a standing ovation from the crowd after that song that lasted about five minutes (no joke). I've never been in a show when an actor got a standing ovation in the middle of the show. It was unbelievable!

The guy kneeling down in the middle there is the guy that played Judas. He completely rocked out his part. It was amazing to listen to. The guy on the right played Caiaphas. Everyone in this production was just amazing. I can't say enough about them. After doing some research on the cast, I found out that most of them are regulars at this theater, and several of them (including Jesus) are in the production of Sister Act that is starting next week. Too bad it's in German, otherwise I would definitely go see it. 

I'm not even exaggerating, THIS WAS THE BEST STAGE PRODUCTION I'VE EVER SEEN! It was simply amazing, breathtaking, captivating, and incredible. Like there aren't enough words in the English language to explain how sensational this was. It was so beautiful and amazing that it brought me to tears several times. I mean right at the beginning of the show, the first time I heard Judas and Jesus sing, it was so awe-inspiring that I had tears in my eyes! Like just a reminder that no matter how tough a time you might be having there is still something beautiful and amazing somewhere waiting to stir your soul. I'm seriously thinking about going again on Sunday. 

Anyways, I always hate when I go see a musical, and you leave the theater and wish you could have that cast's recording on CD, but they are never selling it (or they haven't done a recording). Well, not this time! This cast recorded a CD and they were selling them after the show. It was a no-brainer that I had to have it. I may or may not be (but definitely am) listening to it now :) 

I always do things here and immediately afterwards I think of the people that I wish could've been there with me to experience it. This time was no different. I immediately thought of my mom and Jess Yanz. I would've loved to have them sitting next to me, because I know that my mom would've been crying right along with me, and I know Jess would've completely understood the amazingness of it all. But, oh well, we'll just have to go see a musical when I get back to the states :)

Until then,

Kayla

P.S. Our head coach was fired yesterday after our pitiful loss in the 2nd match of the Austrian finals. So, we're finishing out the next two weeks with a new head coach. Hopefully we can take care of business these next three matches. 

P.P.S. Since this post is all about Jesus Christ Superstar and the AMAZING Drew Sarich, here is the audio of his version of "Gethsemane". Be amazed. 

101 in 1001

As most of you know, I've been working on my 101 in 1001 list. For those of you who don't know, 101 in 1001 is quite simply a list that I made myself of 101 things that I wanted to do or accomplish in 1001 days. Well, I started the list about 8 months ago, and it's crazy how much your priorities can change in just 8 months. So, I decided that I was gonna make some changes on my list. I don't know if that's allowed, but screw it. I did it. So here is my new list. The things I have already done are crossed off. The new things are highlighted for you. 

101 in 1001!
Wednesday, August 24th, 2011 - Wednesday, May 21st, 2014

                   

1.                 Buy a good photography camera.

2.                 Get away with my best friends.

3.                 Go surfing.

4.                 Learn how to drive a motorcycle.

5.                 Audition for American Idol.

6.                 Go to see a Broadway musical in New York City.

7.                 Say “I love you” to the man of my dreams.

8.                 Buy a guitar.

9.                 Learn to play guitar.

10.               Make a t-shirt quilt.

11.               Learn another language.

12.               Visit one of my friends for once (instead of them visiting me).

13.               Watch every episode of "The Office”.

14.               Bike to work for an entire week.

15.               Travel to one of the pictures on my “Places I Want to Go” Pinterest page.                 

16.               Buy one of the outfits on my “My Style” Pinterest page.

17.               Graduate college.

18.               Give up pop for a month.

19.               Be a model in a photo shoot.

20.               Weigh less than 150 lbs.

21.               Do one of the crafts on my “For When I’m Feeling Creative” Pinterest page.

22.               Go ice skating.

23.               Do the Color Run.

24.               Go for a morning run on the beach.

25.               Sit on the porch in a blanket and watch the sunrise.

26.               Take a spontaneous trip.

27.               Make a wish at 11:11 on November 11^th, 2011.

28.               Sit on the beach under the stars.

29.               Party with Ryan Walthall.

30.               Take a month off of volleyball to relax.

31.               Give up candy for a month.

32.               Try making twenty new recipes.

33.               Go to a hypnotherapy session.

34.               Go to a psychic/palm reader.

35.               Take a meditation class.

36.               Take pop vocal lessons.

37.               Write and compose a song.

38.               Make a playlist of my 26 favorite songs (one for each letter of the alphabet)

39.               “Before I Die” chalkboard.

40.               Keep a dream journal for a month.

41.               Play in a beach volleyball tournament.

42.               Make a purse out of one of my t-shirts.

43.               Hold an exotic animal cub.

44.               Go to Harry Potter World with my best friends.

45.               Be a bridesmaid.

46.               Go to Carpinteria State Beach.

47.               Swim with dolphins.

48.               Go whale watching.

49.               Go to Sea World.

50.               Learn how to bartend.

51.               Written Paper Rings.

52.               Have Lasik eye surgery.

53.               Use Invisiline.

54.               Go hiking.

55.               Complete the 60 Insanity Workout Challenge.

56.               Go to see American Idol.

57.               Go to one of my brother’s baseball games.

58.               Go for a walk on the Mississippi River walk.

59.               Go to the River History Museum.

60.               Gamble.

61.               Play softball catch.

62.               Pitch a softball.

63.               Go to a driving range.

64.               Go to a Husker volleyball game wearing my 2010 Big 12 Championship Ring.

65.               Sing in public.

66.               Reread the Hunger Games series.

67.               Reread the Twilight series.

68.               “Take What You Need” sign.

69.               Tour Europe (Athens, Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, Madrid, Prague, etc.)

70.               Send a secret to Post Secret.

71.               Live in my own apartment.

72.               Go to the zoo.

73.               Do the 90 day Herbal Life program.

74.               Send a message in a bottle.

75.               Go to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

76.               Go to a water park.

77.               Go to Gotcha Glacier.

78.               Go to Universal Studios.

79.               Go to San Diego Wild Animal Park.

80.               Go to the Wax Museum.

81.               Go to Ripley’s Believe It or Not.

82.               Go to Venice Beach.

83.               Go celebrity watching.

84.               Go to Olive Garden.

85.               See one of my favorite comedians’ shows in person.

86.               Get my eyebrows threaded.

87.               Get highlights in my hair.

88.               Visit the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust.

89.               Learn how to juggle with four balls.

90.               Make a meal as good as Outback Steakhouse.

91.               Get a professional massage.

92.               Have a cookie dough movie day/night with my mom.

93.               Make a photo album of my pictures.

94.               Complete Laura’s summer workout.

95.               Run 1.5 miles every day for a month.

96.               Tough Mudder with Jess Yanz.

97.               Spend a weekend with Alicia Sieverding.

98.               Go on a photography walk through Austria.

99.               Visit at least one other country for a weekend while I'm living in Austria.

100.             Design myself a new pair of running shoes (and buy them).

101.             Make a scrapbook documenting #1-100.

Some of you may be thinking "Gee Kayla what are some of the new things that you put on the list?" Well, here are some links where you can check it out:

Pinterest

Color Run.

Before I Die Chalkboard

Herbal Life

I also have some bad news to share. You know how I said we should be able to sweep the Austria finals in four matches and that our last match would be April 15th? Well, I must've jinxed us because we lost the 2nd match of the series (it's best 4 out of 7 matches). So, that automatically tacks on another match on April 18th, adding another three days that I'm for sure gonna be here for. Yeah, I'm not happy about it. But, it gives me a new motivation to win these next three matches! I WANNA COME HOME and I promise I will do everything in my power to get home as soon as I can. I love you all and can't wait to see you :)

Sending all my love from Vienna! 

Kayla 

P.S. Since this loss was one of the most depressing I have ever experienced, here is a clip from another favorite comedian of mine (potentially #85?), Dane Cook. Yes, I did some of this after last night's match. Enjoy!

Feel the Burn!

Hello again! Today's post is for all you gym rats out there! I recently stumbled onto this website called Randomabs.com and I instantly fell in love! 

This website, quite simply, provides you with a daily ab routine.

All you have to do is click on one button and a new, unique ab routine will pop up!

Even if you're not sure what one of the routines is, you can just click on it, and a video will pop up showing you how to do it! 

How perfect! I absolutely love this website and I come here every single time I go to work out and need a good ab routine for the day. 

You can even follow them on twitter! They tweet the day's ab routine every morning! 

I expect everyone to have six packs by the time I get back ;)

See you soon!

Kayla

P.S. Here some redneck fashion tips from Jeff Foxworthy for you :) Enjoy!

Me And My Thoughts

As I've gone through my first professional overseas season, I've discovered that I have A LOT of time alone. Even though we often train twice a day, there is a ton of free time just chillin' in my apartment. All alone with only me and my thoughts. So, what have I started doing? Making lists. It seems to have become a kind of therapy for me. Might sound strange but I feel like it takes some weight off my shoulders. Anyways, I have come up with a few lists, and I feel like sharing them with you. Fair warning, some of these lists have been in the making for most of the season, so don't judge me (especially after reading the first one)...

Things I'm going to eat when I get back to the States (haha I told you not to judge me!)

Taco Bell (first things first)

Happy Joe's 

Carlos O'Kelly's

Olive Garden

Quiznos

Papa John's

Pizza Hut

Soup Plantation

Bisonwiches (delicious sandwich place in Lincoln)

Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

Ham steak and cheesy potatoes

Krispy Kreme Donuts

Kalmes (the best steak you will EVER eat, St. Donatus, IA)

Texas Roadhouse

NU Vibe (a really good smoothie place in Lincoln)

Planet Sub

The Bridge (good brunch place in Dubuque)

Jess's Reesee's brownies :)

Puppy Chow

Chow mein cookies (mommy's recipe)

IHOP

BJ's

Pancheros

Mr. Goodcents

Chilli's

*I realize that this list is ridiculously long. I realize I may gain 20 pounds within the first week I'm back :) I also realize that it would be totally worth it! 

Things I Need To Do When I Get Home:

Chiropractor 

Get new contact lenses

Massage

Eyebrow wax

Manicure

Pedicure

Countries I've Been To (all of this is in the last 6 months...crazy):

Mexico

Poland

Austria

Slovenia

Croatia

Hungary

Bosnia

Romania

Russia

Slovakia

France

Things I want in my next contract:

Free unlimited wireless internet

Gym membership for the time that I’m there

Bicycle

Free pass to the city’s public transportation

An oven

Now, this next list has also been a work-in-progress for a few months now and if you have any suggestions of what would make good additions, I'd love to hear them and add them to the list :)

"I'm Going HOME!" Playlist

American Pie - Don McLean

American Ride - Toby Keith

American Soldier - Toby Keith

It's America - Rodney Atkins

Courtesy of the Red White & Blue - Toby Keith

What You Own - The Cast of Rent

Some Beach - Blake Shelton

All-American Girl - Carrie Underwood

American Honey - Lady Antebellum

These Are My People - Rodney Atkins

Made In America - Toby Keith

Highway 20 Ride - Zac Brown Band

Summertime - Kenny Chesney

Home - Dierks Bentley

Fly Over States - Jason Aldean

Small Town U.S.A. - Justin Moore

Party in the U.S.A. - Miley Cyrus

You and I - Lady Gaga

Knee Deep - Zac Brown Band

Long Hot Summer - Keith Urban

Postcard from Paris - The Band Perry

This - Darius Rucker

So Obvious - Runner Runner

Long Live - Taylor Swift

I Drove All Night - Celine Dion

Come Back Song - Darius Rucker

Thank U - Alanis Morissette 

Hold On I'm Coming - Casey James

Leaving On A Jet Plane - Glee Cast

To Where You Are - Josh Groban

I Would Walk 500 Miles - The Proclaimers

Surfin' USA - The Beach Boys

Wouldn't It Be Nice - The Beach Boys

California Dreamin' - The Mamas and the Papas

Then I Did - Rascal Flatts

Mayberry - Rascal Flatts

A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton

I'm Already There - Lonestar

All Summer Long - Kid Rock

Watching Airplanes - Gary Allen

Every Mile a Memory - Dierks Bentley

Boy, I cannot wait to be sitting on a USA-bound airplane listening to these songs! And ladies and gentlemen, I will be in approximately two weeks :) 13 days until our last match! 

Sending all my love from Vienna! 

Kayla 

P.S. These guys make me laugh so hard! I tweeted this video the other day, but it's so funny I decided to use it again here! Enjoy!