Lesson in Family Finance

So as part of my preparation to begin my life as a royal, I went to tour the family treasury this past Thursday. Apparently one of the most important parts of being royal is having a bunch of really fancy, one-of-a-kind things that you can use to impress everyone else. For best results these things are gilded in gold and have been touched by Jesus. Also acceptable are things that are supposedly really, REALLY old, took years to be hand crafted by masters, were worn during special historical occasions or are just super rare. For example, having the biggest emerald on the planet is pretty darn impressive (I’m quite pleased that this is in the family collection as emeralds are my favorite gem stone). Everything (including a gigantic emerald) is even more impressive when wearing a golden crown.
Luckily for me, pictures are allowed inside the treasury, so I documented some of the more important pieces so I can study up on JUST how rich I am going to be as a princess. Check it out:

I always thought I would prefer a tiara on my head, but this might be too tempting.

Whatcha think?

Of course, infants need throwns too

Ausguziechnet! (translation: Excellent auf Deutch)

This bowl supposedly caught Christ's blood after the cruxifiction and therefore has magical powers (in fact, anything in the treasury that supposedly had anything to do with Christ has magical powers)

The longest unicorn horn ever found. Yes, I said unicorn.

So, this doesn't look terribly exciting in comparison to some of the other things in the treasury, but supposedly that little blue circle on the bottom dates from 1000 BC, making it mighty impressive.

These hold supposed fragements of Christ's cross (these are 2 of many)

It's not a magic wand, but I can pretend

The nail that supposedly peiced Christ's right hand

This cloth was supposedly used to wipe Christ's face after he died and left an impression of his face. It's a bad picture, but look close (don't worry, it's hard to see in person too)

Another contender for the future decoration of my head

Just one more reminder of how hard life as a royal is going to be.

Holiday in the Sun

Monday was a holiday here in Vienna so NO SCHOOL! Awesome. Even better, the weather FINALLY warmed up and it was a gorgeous day. We got a bus tour of the city, so I felt like the ultimate tourist, BUT I went home with a long list of things I want to go back and see in the city. We had the rest of the afternoon, so Kristin and I went St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral and it was gorgeous. We finally had these Doner Kebab (not to be confused with doughnut kabob, which it what I thought they were. I kept imaging skewered doughnut holes.) sandwiches that were Amazing! Then we went and toured the carriage museum (aka my future princess transportation) and my mine was blown. Excellent.

T-Plumm, the man

My most fav Cathedral in Vienna thus far. Hands down

My new daily lunch choice. And only 2 Euros.

Pictures of awesome carraige to come. . .

Carnivals and Wienerschnitzel

Sometimes I just need to have a chill day. I picked Saturday. It was needed. Cassie and I slept ALL morning and then caught up on homework and other things. It was actually quite lovely. Not wanting to waste the entire day, we decided to go up to Saint Stephans Square and then to dinner. There was a carnival-type thing going on in front of the cathedral and we shopped and ate really yummy treats. I only have a little point and shoot camera, but Cassie let me play with her big fancy camera (even though I had no idea how to use it) for a while. Then we had a true Austrian dinner of Wienerschnitzel and apple juice. And then we went home and called it a day. But it was a lovely day indeed.


This photo is dedicated to Alex Allred. He will find it highly amusing

These creepy men in costumes stop us everyday. This is the first time I've seen someone happily listening to them.

This is Wienerschnitzel. (Wiener, Wien, meaning Vienna, therefore Viennese )It's breaded and fried meat. Not a hotdog. Why the hotdog place called themselves Wienerschnitel I will never understand. I still haven't finished this meal. Good price too.

This is what happenes when Austrian boys steal your camera. . .

When I grow up, I am going to be an Austrian Princess

So basically I’m convinced that I am a Hapsburg. This can’t be proven at the present time, because my father was adopted, but I’m pretty positive that I have royal blood running through my veins. You think I’m kidding, but I’m not. I came to this conclusion after visiting the Schonbrunn palace. I’ve had suspicions for a while now that I just might REALLY be a princess, and now those suspicions have been confirmed. I can’t explain to you exactly HOW I know, but trust me. . . it was apparent. How else do you explain the fact that I felt right at home at this place that was decorated in some of my favorite colors and art styles? Good taste apparently runs in the family. Plus, I love Austria, so the patriotism is clearly a part of my soul. Sure the family was a little off, but they were absolutely fascinating (and those of you that know my family know that this applies to us too :)). I have plenty of other evidence to support my hypothesis as well, but that’s not the point. The point is that I was born to be at Schonbrunn.
Now, I am aware that the role of princess is not a perfect fairytale. It is going to be lots of hard work and sacrifice, but I’m willing to pay the price for the greater good. Sure I might have to marry off all my children for political reason and watch the rest of my family get murdered, but at least I will have an awesome house! And actually, I think I could figure out a new way that I could achieve political success without sacrificing the lives of my family members AND live in a big fancy house. So it would be a win-win-win situation for everyone, and I would be the best princess this country has ever seen. I wouldn’t say I came to Europe to “find myself,” but apparently I have. It’s a good feeling to know your true purpose in life.

Some of my ancestors. (Note the resemblance)
I look to them for some tips on how to be a good leader

Marie Antoinette

"Sissy of Veinna"

And, of course, Maria Theresa

Recap: To be a good royal Austrian woman:
1) Share your cake
2) Grow your hair to the floor and spent hours a day grooming yourself
3)Birth 16 children and then find good uses for them

Got it!

Here are some of the pics my point and shoot captured of our future home. Pictures aren't allowed inside (luckily, or else the entire internet could copy my good taste in decorating) but the outside is gorgeous too.

And as if the gardens weren't awesome enough, THEY HAVE DUCKS!

Feeding the ducks is a favorite passtime of mine. I didn't have anything to feed this guy, so I hope I didn't make a poor first impression. . .

And did I mention that this is just the Summer residence. . . There is an entirely different palace for the rest of the year. Being a princess is going to be so overwhelming with all the square footage to become aquainted with. Oh well, a princess has to do what a princess has to do. . .