United Nations – Rotunda Tree

December 21, 2009

The tree that sits in the middle of the rotunda, a little meager, but better than nothing. THANKS CITY OF VIENNA for sending the UN the best charlie brown christmas tree I ever did see…

…here is my enthousiasm

christmas is approaching!

and as the Christmas tree appeared at the UN, it was a sad day to see one of my best friends here, Mandy leave…but a department is not complete without an intern picture…

classic photo take 1

classic pic take 2

and soon this group of interns will go….this is group 3 or 4 i’ve seen come and go now. ohhhhhhhh I have been here a while! It’s almost been a year now!

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I REFUSE TO UPGRADE!

October 21, 2009

To reintroduce myself as the “LBI Queen,”  I hosted a 1990s party – WE REFUSE TO UPGRADE!!! some flicks from our very 90s outfits….

Flashback Spice Girls!

Flashback Spice Girls!

Why do we refuse to upgrade?! ummmmm Gameboys, hightops, wutang clan, spice girls, aqua, venga boys, walkmans, neon colours, floral prints, overalls, fresh prince,  and ZACH MORRIS PHONES! Need I say more?!

8323_148605422543_501982543_2723223_4538291_n

a new orange phone?

a new orange phone?

The next generation of INTERN MADNESS will be headed by the ZACH MORRIS phone (as pictured above) because I REFUSE TO UPGRADE! R.I.P. ORANGE PHONE your legacy has been born at the 1990s party. As I said at the party, in my famous speech to the crowd (which turned out to be around 50 people in the end) and I will say it again.

It isn’t about going to the bar, it isn’t about going to the Pub, ITS ABOUT REPRESENTING! So TONIGHT we REPRESENT the new generation. all said of course by raising the phone in victory….

this time i put it on a necklace so i wouldn't lose it!

this time i put it on a necklace so i wouldn't lose it!

<3 these girls!

<3 these girls!

1990s!

1990s!

1990s!

1990s!

But where do I find such retro things like random Zach Morris phones? Which was actually called “Portaphone (r) 2000″ cause you know that’s what 2000 looked like in the 1990s. Nasch Market of course!!! What is Nasch? I wonderfully beautiful and atmospheric place that is a flea market, and food market, as well as other various items.

some examples from a few years back

nasch summer 2007

nasch summer 2007

nasch summer 2007

nasch summer 2007

In addition to buying antipasto, veggies, fresh breads, etc. You can also sit at a bistro in Nasch and get an XXXL Schnitzel, which is what I did two weeks ago before searching for second hand retro treasures for the 1990s party!

XXXL Schitzel

XXXL Schitzel

XXXL Schnitzel

XXXL Schnitzel

yummmmers….what a lovely place to eat. We were ALL happy with our meals, and especially happy that a donut sample lady was nice enough to bring over a little something something for us to taste at our table…..and THROUGH THE BUSHES! It was funny I kept peeking at her….I’m talking deep fried doughnuts

I am happy with my XXXL Schnitzel

I am happy with my XXXL Schnitzel

the nice sample lady...even climbed OVER the bushes!

the nice sample lady...even climbed OVER the bushes!

After our lunch we went searching for treasures….It was a GOLDEN day for me….I found a sequin hat (for 1 euro), two purses (4 euro each), AND a random leather vest, PERFECT for the 1990s….and of course the new ZACH MORRIS phone to REPRESENT the legacy of the old orange phone.

Here is how satisfied my trip to Nasch that day made me:

8323_148605412543_501982543_2723222_1261380_nAnd the aftermath of the 1990s party?! A string of funny quotes and one LONG hungover sunday spent lounging and eating pizza…….ah yess hangover sunday with my telephone and a beanbag chair @ Emma’s

8323_148605517543_501982543_2723233_5496965_nThanks again Emma Bell for helping me host a kick ass part at your wonderful Museums Quartier Studio!

xox

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CaraVision reports: LBI updates

October 7, 2009

Before Vannessa <3 left. I did an impromptu explanation of how the LBI (a.k.a. lunch break initiative) breaks by the fountain work.

What is the LBI? A social network of interns coordinated by popular demand decisions and summarized by me in a daily email. I am also known at the United Nations as the LBI girl, the one who puts allllllll our fun ideas in a fun packed newsletter type email. I am also responsible for keeping a housing list, and providing the interns at the United Nations with updates on social events, after work activities, and of course weekend fun

click here for the EXCLUSIVE LBI Report…(short video clip)

On the Agenda this weekend?!

RETRO – WE REFUSE TO UPGRADE – 1990s Theme Party

BOYAKASHA! My spirit is back, which means the LBI is back in full effect.

xoxo

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In the Name of Canada!

July 12, 2009

I realize its been a while since my last REAL update. Well….I’m running out of original material! Life in Vienna is getting………here comes the scary thing….ROUTINE! Agh Blegh….With a load of new interns, the nightlife and everything i’ve been doing till now is all new (to them), and well…..I can’t keep up!

The past few days have been spent in total isolation as I recover from a very bad cold (no not h1n1) just bad congestion. and UNLIKE Canada they don’t prescribe you meds here right away, they prescribe “bed rest” and lots of it. From Weds-Sunday that’s all I’ve been doing….but now I emerge from my cocoon, as a beautiful butterfly! bahahahaha not really….

It was a sign, I need to slow down. Bum around the city, find some new things to do…I’m thinking swimming, bowling night for interns, more festivals etc…need some new unique things to come up with! Anything but clubbing, I am clubbed out! Clubbing now is all weird vibes…I can’t put my finger on it! But all I can say these days its not worth the calories and spent money…gonna save it all for my Ottawa comeback – Christina’s Wedding <3 and GRIND 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

I didn’t realize how much i love and miss my friends back home until we had a  Canada day get together..IN THE NAME OF CANADA I wanted to spread as much Canadian cheer as possible. I circulated Canadian propaganda within the United Nations Email Lbi:

The Canadians here and I planned a Canada day! This event I brought Canadian facts, a quiz, Canadian Colouring, and A flag! I dressed up! I am so happy we all came together to celebrate it :) Everyone had to put their name and their age on their pieces! Some flicks:

Cara age 24

Cara age 24

oh Canada!

oh Canada!

Steph age 24?

Steph age 24?

Erica age 22

Erica age 22

Lesley (U.S.) age 26, with corrections by Erica (Cdn)

Lesley (U.S.) age 26, with corrections by Erica (Cdn)

Thomas, age 23

Thomas, age 23

James (visiting) age 23

James (visiting) age 23

Canada represent.

Canada represent.

Erica does the Canadian March!

Erica does the Canadian March!

we are CANADIAN!

we are CANADIAN!

hahahahah the conclusion of our gathering was that I would make an excellent kindergarden teacher!! The night ended early…which was expected since it was a weeknight. This made me miss all the INSANITY I experienced for the last ten years straight spending Canada days in Ottawa….and of course those I spent Canada days with!

you all know who you are! missss youuussss! XOXO

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[insert Nerdy Science Voice here..]

June 18, 2009

…My trip to Seibersdorf’s Labs

Here at the IAEA much research is done to advance the peaceful applications of nuclear technology. Since we hear and write about these peaceful uses alot, IAEA interns took a field trip to SEIBERSDORF! Many parts were boring, however I was able to have some fun and learned a bit at the same time…So here we go, some highlights..

ITS RADIOACTIVE!

ITS RADIOACTIVE!

I liked this sign. Our first stop included a look into Plant Breeding and Genetics. This lab included many plants being produced through a process called “radiation induced mutation” NO THESE ARE NOT GMOS. It’s a “modern and competitive plant breeding program.” The basics are that they look at the evolution of the genes of a plant, and breed those plants who have the strongest type of genes. They use radiation to speed up the evolutionary process, like Darwin’s Natural Selection minus the time and the nature.

test tube babies!

test tube babies!

baby plants

baby plants

grow strong babies grow!

grow strong babies grow!

Breeding strong plants means less food shortage in the world. Amongst plants that are worked on are rice and bananas.  As explained “All efforts focus on improving yield and quality by enhancing diversification and adaptability of crops for domestic use as well as for export markets hence contributing to income generation and socio-economic development”

No Erika, No Bananas here

No Erika, No Bananas here

We later trekked to the greenhouse where there were some full grown plants.

all grown up..

all grown up..

Beauty

Beauty

BANANAS full grown

BANANAS full grown

Banana?

Banana?

Hello? A possible new orange phone?!

Hello? A possible new orange phone?!

And then came the STINKY/FUN part of the tour… The Insect Pest Control Lab! Fruit fly problem? NO PROBLEM just NUKE EM! This area breeds insects, seperates males from females, and “sterilizes” the males using radiation. IE they neuter them so they can’t breed. Once the strongest males have been sought out they are released into the wild to mate. Since females mate only once before death this eventually will lead to less bugs. NO PESTISIDES needed :)

The breeding area STUNK! They collect eggs, wait for them to turn to pupi, then let them have sex in a holding cell once they are full grown in order to get more eggs.

different types of fly eggs

different types of fly eggs

since the place stunk so much….someone asked the guy what the smell reminded him of. “LIKE SEX” he answered LOL well i guess its the hormones from all those bugs mating.

smells like sex?

smells like sex?

after the eggs have hatched, the pupi are stored for a while in soil (i think) they tend to jump alot. My fellow intern Erica captured it on tape…

We were shown the final destination of these flies before the males were seperated and nuked/neutured to be set off into the wild. Here the males were free to mate with females, the females layed their eggs within the screens.

Place le Fruit Fly

Place le Fruit Fly

The man explained that this was a 5 star hotel for fruit flies. They get food, a place to stay and can have sex all they want. He also said once the males reach the “testing” stage in order to weed out the strongest to release, that they must choose males who are most “active” i.e. have sex more than 5 times a day! LOL what fun @ seibersdorf labs in Vienna at the IAEA.

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Flicks from the Weekend…as captured from facebook

May 5, 2009

4201_739724638763_3210062_42630896_5872323_nher last day as my office neighbor, but not in Vienna! The traditional fountain pose in front of the UN OPEN YOUR EYES!

4201_739724693653_3210062_42630907_7931131_n4201_739724703633_3210062_42630909_7444245_n1celebrations @ luftbad.

Will NOT be putting the FLEX pics in…BECUASE IT SUCKED! I love DnB but here in Vienna they have it every week at a place, and well the weekly DnB @ Flex….HAS NO ROOM FOR DANCING! and a bunch of stupid raver kids getting in your way each second burning you with a ciggy. Vannessa has scars to prove it! NO THANKS! Still looking to find a fun DnB party where i can move :P I think Arena is the best bet for it.

So after this…time for fancy drinks @ Manolos:

dscn0984dscn0985Then to finish off the weekend. The Lacrosse team afterparty w/Vannessa. But first some half pipe chillage in the park. Her friend Alejandro was very pleased to dance with me hahahah he was hilarious! The “latino lover” of the evening as coined by Vannessa!

4201_739711530033_3210062_42630364_6148738_n4201_739711679733_3210062_42630392_6105809_n4201_739711579933_3210062_42630374_3057350_nThe night is never complete without a reference to Lady Gaga <3 CANT READ OUR POKER FACE!

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Updates Updates..

May 5, 2009

Too many to speak of. Doing the LBI is cool. There are so many events its tough to keep up. but fun to try :)

I am at loss of words for once, I don’t know where to begin. Weirdly, i’m getting used to working at the united nations and the way of life here. HOWEVER – this does not mean I don’t get homesick once in a while. Which I do..I miss english television, english signs, english english english! I miss hearing it on the bus etc. I miss kraft salad dressing and I miss shopping malls open on weeknights!! Also, I miss living by myself, and being able to retreat alone once in a while :)

On the other hand. Working at the UN is incredible! It is truly and international revolving door. Interning at the agency is great, I have finally found how to balance my projects / tracking people down to understand projects. The LBI also keeps me busy on my down time. This weeks agenda:

-Wednesday, happy hour

-Thursday, FREE funk-soul concert at Museum Quartiers to Kick start summer

-Sat – 1960’s & 1970’s theme party. I’m thinking Jackie Kennedy classic & Chic. Just like me…well the classic part at least. hahahahah CLASSIC.

originaland the other days’ agenda? That’s a secret Ill never tell…you know you love me. XOXO Atomic girl.

(can you tell I’ve been into gossip girl)

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The new LBI Girl!

April 25, 2009

There are so many updates, its ridiculous! Stay tuned for an epic photo post!

To keep up with writing, research, an communications, I have volunteered to write the intern mailing list newsletter and coordinate the events!! I am so stoked on it, now I will do even more things and meet even more people!

BOYAKASHA!

There are so many things lined up this week its redunkulous! Today we start with enjoying the Vienna City Festival or Stadt fest with an outdoor BMX show, and Dj comp! I think maybe some people will be making a party here. Then electronic music concert tonight :) Will try and get some awesome footage today. Next week we will hold a KAROAOKE night to welcome new interns..yessssssssssssss FINALLY! Breaking the ice with bad singing is always the way!

Young, single, and in europe. Its a tough life really. :P

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And Spring came this past weekend (Weekend Adventures pt. 3)

April 8, 2009

The Sunday after partying, Vanessa and I went to Schunbrunn palace to enjoy the weather and easter market. Here are some pics from our lovely day in the sun

picture-062the gelato man made me very happy, HE HAS A CHEFS HAT! cause its not food…ITS CUISINE!

picture-066picture-068picture-067eggs eggs and more eggs! and Giant Pretzels! There were lots of other goodies too, like fruit drinks, ice cream, nackerl, crepes etc.

picture-065and some of the palace and palace garden, Soon to be more extravagant, I think it was only the second week the garden was open! Truely breathtaking & beautiful! The palace even has a zoo, we didn’t go in though! That will be another day in itself! The scenery was so picturesque and the energy of the market was so great I felt like a kid, the only thing that would complete the feeling would have been a RED BALLOON! CHECK IT!

picture-071picture-072picture-073picture-075picture-076picture-078picture-085picture-079picture-082

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And Spring came this past weekend (Weekend Adventures pt. 2)

April 8, 2009

What a weekend in the sun! Stayed in Friday, but Saturday went to donauinsel to chill all day in the sun and drink beer! It was a gorgeous day:

picture-051The view from the bridge! People chill/tan all across the sides!

Later on…we went barhoping, but met a bunch of peeps at Museums Quartiers, another popular hang out! At night you can just chill outside and make your own party. Drinking in the streets at night when its warm? MY style! We took a little impromptu photo shoot, until the camera was forgotten for the whole night.

picture-055picture-056picture-058After chilling at MQ a whole rack of us went to TITANIC, for a night of dancing! Which was awesome! There were MORE pics BUT THEY GOT HIGHJACKED/DELETED in the drunken jumble *SHAKES FIST* Next time I will remember to always be in charge of the memory taking…cause CARAVISION is better than television <3 Partied until morning!! Well the bars close at 4ish here…So mid morning!

One room played hip hop, the other like pop hits from 80s, 90s, and today!

The pop room even played BASSHUNTER which made me EXTREMELY HAPPY! No one remembered…this was the only song i FOR SURE remembered…and also LOW by flo rida cause i tried to have a dance off with some black dude on the dancefloor but then he wante dto like waltz/spin and dip me during it…at this point i walked away from the situation!!! Oh its still the same!

BASSHUNTER <3

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