A New York state of mind....

To say that New York and I had a slow start is a massive exaggeration. In fact we were so slow that one could not even tell if we were moving. I came for the Social Commission at the UN, I did not know anybody, I hate big cities - and NY seems to be the biggest of all, noisy, crowded, busy on a 24 hour basis - and for the Austrian Permanent Mission to the UN I was just one more delegate who comes for a short while, needs a delegate badge, brags at home that he or she does UN business and vanishes again for good. And as for me: I had not developed a daily routine, I had nobody to hang out with and I was brand-new in a complicated job.

But then the Mission found out that somehow I liked what I was doing and that I was obviously quite good at it. So they wanted me to switch to the Ad Hoc Committee for the negotiation of a UN-convention for persons with disabilities. And this is when our relation picked up speed. Suddenly there were people I was working together with, places to go, things to do, and even workplace was not dull and dreary anymore.

I guess one can say that I had the time of my life - with the only inconvenience that NY was not home, and that it was quite far away from home. 10 hrs flight away actually, oh boy. But for a while it was good fun, and even though we worked long hours we also had excellent times. Here at the SEA in Brooklyn....

In the conference room...

Partying with the Finnish gang after we finally DID the convention....

And after a while I even enjoyed the UN basements and the negotiations and learned to appreciate the privilege to work and breathe at this very special place.

This is the view from the EU coordination. Who has ever had a workplace like this?

And suddenly, before you actually realize it, you are in this very special New York State of mind and the city becomes this glittering, mysterious adventure you have heard and read about and which you actually had expected when you came...

Life sign

My dears,

It has been a while. Time flies and life has become real fast. Work, sleep, play... It has been a very intense time and I want to share a few special memories.

We had a great time in Styria in late Fall, colors were so different and that time of year it is extremely quiet, almost just us and the kiddos, which is fabulous....

At Christmas time we browsed through some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the country. One of my favourite markets is the one at Schloß Ort near Gmunden. Very traditional, floating lights and decorated trees on the lake, the wonderful little castle with candles and all..... Very nice! Come when it is a bit darker and the lights are on! (But it is hard to take photos in the night, mind.)

Then we went to a cruise at the river Danube - it was "Gospel night", and along with "Gospel and More" we and our friends from Longfield definately rocked the place! Sorry, other passengers, but how can you not sing and dance along with such excellent music?

And of course there was Longfield´s charity concert for the "Österreichische Muskelforschung" which - in our minds - was also our Christmas concert of the season. Thanks to Dr. Georg Weilguny and all my Singers´ collegues! Dear Georg, I am really curious about your plans for us Singers for 2015!

Short before New Year´s a very dear friend of mine had a special anniversary this year. I am not saying which one, and looking at her you cannot guess anyway. I hope to reach the same anniversary just being as fit and good looking! Now: Who is Michi and who is her daughter? *gg* Thanks for the invitation, it was a phantastic party!

And when we had fun, the kiddos had their good times too....

Dear friends, I wish you and us all the best for 2015! I hope it is going to be a healthy, fun-filled and prosperous year for all of us. Take care, and until next time!