Lumberjack Update #6: Winter Break in the Swiss Alps

Hi everyone! For those I haven't spoken with in a while, I'm back in Flag.

After three awesome weeks of skiing in the Swiss Alps (Lenzerheide and the Engadin) I made it safely to the Phoenix airport. Immigration and the US-VISIT system weren't a problem at all. The fingerprints didn't take longer than 15 seconds... and that's about it. I met Josef, a Bronx guy, Patrick, who was on the same flight (which I didn't know!), and Ryder and his girlfriend at the airport! So, it was kind of cool to be back, and I felt home right from the beginning.

On Tuesday, January 12, my classes re-started (after ditching Monday). Well, guess what, not as exciting as vacation! I'm taking a grad seminar in management (books: Creating A Culture of Competence, Primal Leadership, Competing on The Edge) and another one in economics (Worldly Philosophers, that's very good: We meet Adam Smith, Ricardo, Malthus, and some other of these weird folks). Besides these courses I learn some interesting stuff in my political economy class (Bucking the Deficit and two other international econ relations books); and last but not least I signed up for labor economics. In total a whole lot of paperwork (six every week!), readings and presentations... you do not wanna know!

Even though my four classes are a lot of work (reading in the mornings/writing and class in the afternoons) my week has kindof two faces: Monday through Thursday studying, Thursday night through Sunday night socializing (San Felipes, Mad I, Joint, Charlie's, Maloney's, ... you name it). Yep, there are so many parties that's often hard to decide where to go. These events are always pretty cool 'cause you meet tons of international students... and it's getting late, very late and the drinks long and longer. I love Long Island Iced Tea—and, yes, I know there's no tea in these drinks.

Last weekend, we celebrated Dawn's 21 birthday... ,wow, man; we gave her a hard time! We played the drinking game Seven Eleven Doubles and you can bet that Dawn was everybody's target. Shortly after midnight we headed to San Felipes to give her the final shots. Totally crazy these American traditions... but absolutely hilarious.

A couple minutes ago I returned from the NAU Rec Center. After the usual fitness program on the cross trainer for some 35 minutes, I almost knocked out Jens in the squash court... just kidding. It was definitely fun and healthy, and I'll go back soon. However, I've never made it to the weight room up to now even though Patrick and Kathrin hang out there from time to time—that's totally not my business, sorry guys!

More interestingly, we got some new internationals: some Malaysians, Chinese, Germans, French, and most importantly a handful new cute Dutchies—wheeh! They're all from Groningen (northern part of Holland) or Breda (in the South) and study either Hotel Restaurant Management or Communication. I've met them at last week's meeting and at Mike's party Saturday evening. Let's see how things will develop... .

In the week before last week we got some three maybe four inches of snow... and it's supposed to add up tonight or tomorrow or whenever (I believe we won't get an awful lot of snow before mid February). I haven't checked out the Snowbowl yet... but Scott went boarding on Monday. Hope I can go there anytime soon! Current conditions: hard packed power at the top, ice in between.

... and on February 1, the Super Bowl is coming up: Patriots vs. Panthers (6:25ET, 4:25 Arizona Time—please don't call!) Mmmh, I'm getting so excited! After the Pats bite the Colts in the AFC Championship Game a week ago we should be good for the second Super Bowl title within three years. Unfortunately, the tickets at the new Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX, are already sold out since December. However, we're gonna have a nice TV party anyway—go Pats, go!

We haven't planned any trips yet. But I'm pretty sure we'll check out the Snowbowl, visit Phoenix and I'd also like to go to San Diego. Yeah, plenty of stuff to do... and the Spring Break is coming up as well. Quite a few kids are going to Rocky Point or the like, however, I'm not decided yet.

That's my short update! I'll keep you posted on the news (btw: no news is good news... haha). Have a great time.

Cheers,
Andreas

LUMBERJACK UPDATES