Hanging High with Pascal

I practice gymnastics about twice a week at a "Turnsaal" near Schoenbrunn in Wien. Pascal has come with me before, twice, and this time we went on my normal night, Thursday since Friday was a school holiday. He had lots of fun especially on the high bar. And for a little guy this high bar is really high!!! I helped him up the ladder the first couple of times, and now he can do it himself. He loves swinging, and then dropping into the pit. Without teaching Pascal anything, he also tried a full twist off the vault, and made it! He also likes chalking up his hands. He's the littlest guy in the gym, and everyone watches him with a smile.... especially his Papa!

Winter Progress

I started working again beginning February 1. Up until this time I've kept up on my gymnastics with plenty of rest during the day. I gotta keep it going even if I'm tired from work. Here is a small sample of where my parallel bar skills are at. Could definately get crisper (stick the handstands will you!), and I need a dismount (which I'm afraid of).... but it's slowly getting there.

Homesick but I found a Gym!

Feeling awful homesick. I didn't think I would feel this way so soon and so hard! It's not a pleasant feeling at all. Very negative.

Today (Saturday) I found a gym at the university where I can do gymnastics! That made me feel better. As soon as I walked down the stairs and smelled that distinctive mixture of chalk and sweat, my spirits lifted. Anika, Tessa and I sat down on some mats and watched the action (mostly university students, ranging from totally unskilled to decent skills). I asked some guy chatting behind me about how Anika and I could find a class/time to workout and he turned out to be an instructor and he invited me to join his class. I followed the class, was told not to bend my arms on my handstand press and I tumbled a little. (Austin: to my surprise, my front flip was actually not that bad) I can't wait to try some giants on the high-bar next weekend.

After that Sabine and Pascal joined us for a tour of Schonbrunn Palace. Very magnificent, huge, beautiful, stunning. Not a bad day in all, with some positive steps toward integration. Whew!!

Last Things

We've set a date, May 27, 2009 and Anika and I are flying out to Vienna. Sabine and Pascal are already there. Pascal is enjoying the playgrounds and has started pre-school. So far so good. I have to finish cleaning up the house, donating furniture, selling cars, settling accounts, etc. Of the many "last things I do", one important one was to accomplish giants on the high bar. I got 'em, see the video below.