A Day in Hanna's World

« January 2009 | Main | March 2009 »

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Vienna Philharmonics

Yesterday was the first concert by the Vienna Philharmonics at Carnegie Hall (they are also playing on Friday, Saturday & Sunday). The show we went to was a charity event meaning the show was added on at a later point and all the money was going to the charity. Even all the musicians donated their time and salaries for it. Pretty neat.

I really enjoyed the concert. It was neat to see Zubin Metha (I have seen him on TV so many times) and the Vienna Philharmonics live. I have never seen them live but have watched lots on TV. I guess growing in Vienna that just kind of happens by default. :)

The concert was really good. I enjoyed Lang Lang on the piano - pretty amazing. There were lots of Asian people there to watch him. It was actually a funny combination of Austrians and Asians in the audience (and well Americans of course).I am pretty sure it was sold out as there were SOO many people there. We were way up top but in a way it was kind of neat to see everything from up there. We could see the whole hall and all the people on the lower balconies.

Well, I am off to work in a few minutes. I am glad it's Thursday but have to stay till 7pm today. But at least tomorrow is Friday and I am off on the weekend again. So something to look forward to. :)

Mail update. No letters have gone out. :( Received letters from/still owe replies to: Carmen/Malta, Sarah/Canada and Jetta/Finland.

Posted by Hanna at 07:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Alles Waltzer (Everybody Waltz)

This past Thursday was the Vienna Opera Ball which is a really big event in Vienna each year. It's super expensive to attend but it's watched on TV by loads of people. There was a big discussion this year if they should hold the ball considering the economy but I think it only makes sense to hold it since so much money flows into the economy because of it (all the ball gowns that are purchased, the flowers, the caterers, etc. etc.)

Richard Lugner (real estate entrepreneur and Viennese socialite) is known for inviting a famous guest every year and the papers always speculate who it will be. This year it happened to be "Desperate Housewife" Nicollette Sheridan. In former years he invited Paris Hilton, Carmen Electra, Geri Halliwell, Pamela Anderson, Andie McDowell and Sarah "Fergie" Ferguson.

I loved looking at the pictures and am looking forward to watching the recording of it later on. Everything always looks so grand and spectacular. Someday I would like to attend although I can't really dance. But one can dream right ? :)

Not too much else new really. The weekend flew by as usual. Tonight the Oscar's are on TV so we will watch that. Been surfing the web, writing some letters, drinking tea & reading for the most part. This morning we went out for breakfast - had yummy French Toast. :)

Next week will be a busy week I am sure. Monday & Wednesday we are going down to NYC after work. Monday is my monthly Austrian meet-up and Wednesday we have tickets for the Vienna Philarmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

Mail update. So far letters are going out on Monday to: Celia/MA and Eunice/Malta. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Sarah/Canada and Jetta/Finland.

Posted by Hanna at 05:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Happy Birthday Mike !

Posted by Hanna at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. :)
I am still super excited about my new phone. *g* It is definitely the best toy. I love playing around with all the features. It even has GPS on it which could come in handy if we are driving somewhere outside of CT and need directions. Of course it would only work inside the US but hey, that's still pretty nifty. I love being able to access the real web and being able to check my emails super quickly. It's definitely a very awesome phone. :)

Today Mike & I are heading down to NYC to spend the afternoon/evening. Going to the Transit Museum in Brooklyn and then having dinner at Osteria Al Doge in Manhattan. I love that restaurant, the food is awesome and it holds tons of special memories (we went there the first time in 2000 when we officially got together). So definitely looking forward to that.

No real plans for the rest of the weekend. Going to try and catch up with some emails tomorrow, read some more of my book (Drums of Autumn - Diana Gabaldon), drink some tea & cuddle with the cats.

Mail update. So far letters are going out on Monday to: Jessica/DE and Lotte/Denmark. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Sarah/Canada and Jetta/Finland.

Posted by Hanna at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Happy Anniversary (yay for a new phone)

February is always a busy month for us because it's sort of a celebration month. :) Yesterday (Feb. 10) was our wedding anniversary which is the start to all the celebrations. Can't believe we have been married for 8 years already now. Time sure flies quickly. :) Had an ok day at work and then after work headed to Barca (a really nice trendy Italian themed restaurant) for a nice romantic dinner. On the way to dinner Mike gave me my gift which I am still VERY excited about. He decided to combine our anniversary and Valentine's and get me one gift for both -- a Samsung Instinct phone. Yay !! It looks so cool. I have been wanting an iPhone or something similiar for ages. I can't get an iPhone because we have Sprint and they don't carry the iPhone. But I am sure I will be just as happy with this one. Very, very cool. And it's pink ... yup I have my priorities. Ha ha. :) 

So today we will charge it and activate it so I can play with it. I'll make sure to let you all know how I like it soon. Saturday is Valentine's Day so that's the next event and then Mike's Birthday on February 18. So we will definitely keep busy.
We made reservations at our favorite Italian restaurant in NYC for Valentine's Day so we will be heading there. Might go to a museum or something else along those lines during the day, then have dinner at night. I am sure it will be a fun day.

Mail update. No letters have gone out since the last update. :( Received letters from/still owe replies to: Lotte/Denmark, Jessica/DE, Sarah/Canada and Jetta/Finland.

Posted by Hanna at 07:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Carnegie Hall

And we are already well into February. The week seemed to drag on forever but we finally made it through. Had a good weekend. Decided last minute to go down to NYC yesterday (Saturday) for a performance at Carnegie Hall. The Austrian consulate had emailed me on Friday to let me know about a peformance by the Cleveland Orchestra (their conductor is Austrian - Franz Welsner-Most) and included a 50% off coupon code. So we decided that it would be fun opportunity as neither of us had been in Carnegie Hall before.

It was a good performance and as it turns out we will be back at Carnegie Hall again before the month is over. We received a flyer about the performances of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and after looking at the playlist I decided I had to go. The tickets are pretty expensive considering we are way up top and in the back but it's ok. It will be fun just to be there.

Mail update. Since the last update a letter went out to: David/IN and Alex/Germany. So far letters are going out on Monday to: Nina/WA and Celia/MA. Received letters from/still owe replies to: Lotte/Denmark, Jessica/DE, Sarah/Canada and Jetta/Finland.

Posted by Hanna at 03:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack