Maddie

             Multi-talented, world traveler Madeline Stoker is, to say the least, very impressive. She speaks French and German, has exquisite taste and a keen sense for fashion, is the ultimate photographer, has magical braiding skills, and could even give Molly Weasley a run for her money in a knitting contest. Needless to say from the moment I met Maddie, I instantly knew that I wanted to impress her.

Because I don’t really have any good sophisticated qualities to wow her with, I always try to make her laugh and I feel seriously accomplished every time I do. Not only because impressing someone impressive is super fulfilling, but also because Maddie has such a cute smile that just lights her up.  

I like talking with Maddie because it can be very enlightening. She makes astute observations and I am always interested to hear her take on things. I have really enjoyed the time I’ve spent with Maddie and look forward to learning more about her in the future. I already think she’s legit and I know I’ve only begun to scratch the surface of her brilliance. I hope she will continue to allow me to hang around and admire her talents and culturedness.

Maddie is extraordinary and I know she has the capacity to do truly incredible things.

Hottest Spandex EVER

Ashley

            Dude. Ashley. What a woman. Everything I’ve learned about Ashley this trip has surprised me. She has a great array of traits/talents that I never would have thought to put in one person. Ashley’s first legit quality is that she is from Boston. She’s pretty small but she’s still got a pdistinct personality that causes her to be anything but overlooked. She has this certain walk, almost like a strut, that lets you know you will be put in your place if you try any funny business with her.

            While it is clear that she can hold her own, when you talk to her you find that she is a tender little sweetheart! I was shocked to discover that Bostonite Ashley was also a cat-loving, legit ice-skating, cheerleader. I guess I didn’t realize they’d have to have cheerleaders in Boston too, cause for some reason those two concepts just can’t coalesce in my mind.

            I love talking about (and of course eating) good food, and Ashley, as a fellow food lover, nay, worshiper, is just the right person to share such experiences with.

And let’s not forget her vocabulary is more impressive than Charles Dickens’. I’m over here trying to learn German, when all the sudden Ashley throws out words I don’t even know in English. Maybe I should follow Ashley’s example and master one language before I try and move on to the second.

            Ashley has an irreplaceable, incomparably remarkable personality. She is a goofball and I absolutely love her.

Lyndsi

            Lyndsi Tolbert is somewhat of my kindred spirit. Wherever I go, I feel like at the very least, I need someone who understands and appreciates the magical realm of Harry Potter. Lyndsi fulfills this requirement and so much more. If ever I need to go on an HP reference spree, I know that Lyndsi will not only tolerate it, but will join in the glory of it.           

            Lyndsi is also like a fountain of fun. I think she is so enjoyable to be around and lives a laugh out loud kind of life. She is full of funny phrases and facial expressions that just put me over the edge with laughter.

During more serious moments, I have gotten some great advice and learned important things about life from this wonderful wise woman. She has real goals for her life and I can tell that she will achieve whatever she sets out to do. What a great example this girl is to me.

            She is a straight up sexy mama as well. You’d think everyone has their ugly days but I have yet to see Lyndsi not looking super cute. If I could trade my entire wardrobe for hers, I would do it without a moment’s hesitation.

            Lyndsi, be my friend forever. Also, marry Buck. (Team Buck! Team Buck!)

Carving Rocks. Yep. Rocks

Amanda

           So we all know those kids who have played musical instruments their whole lives and whose entire personality seems to be consumed by that one fact. They are often known, for lack of a better word, as Bandies. I won’t go into too much detail here because I think we all know what I’m talking about, but I will say that I expected bassoon playing Amanda Moreton to be one of these people. I know I’ve been told never to judge a book by its cover, but I had never even seen a bassoon before Amanda came into my life, and I feel like the obscure-instrument players usually have the worst cases of Bandie-itis.

            I will openly and publicly admit, however, that I was 100% misled in my first assumptions about Amanda. She is quite possibly the most legit individual I have ever met. I don’t know if you know anyone whose mere presence emanates awesomeness, but if you knew Amanda, you would know what I am talking about. She is so cool I can’t even think of words to describe it. Sometimes I think I have an opinion, but everything Amanda says makes so much sense, that I immediately want to change my life-perceptions to whatever Amanda thinks.

            Don’t get me wrong, she still does nerdy things like comment every time someone with a musical instrument goes by, is extremely good at what she does (bassoon playing) and still loves to go experience more musician-type things than your typical (in my opinion less-sophisticated) human being. But she does these things in a way that makes them seem cooler, rather than nerdier. Thank you Amanda, for changing the way I look at musicians. 

This is a really classy lady playing the bassoon. However, Amanda still looks better.

Heidi

            I got to spend basically the whole trip to Austria next to Heidi so you could say she was my first friend in the group. Heidi is the oldest member of our group and doesn’t actually attend BYU, so we are so happy that she chose this program so that we could have her here with us.

            Heidi is a master chef and I have had the pleasure of tasting some of her delectable cooking. I envy her knowledge of foods and ingredients and am sad she doesn’t go to BYU so she won’t be around to teach me her ways.

            Heidi is such a sweetheart and I am always impressed by the way she consistently treats everyone with respect. She is so generous and is never shy about giving to, and sharing with, others. Heidi was one of the first ones here to make friends with some Austrians which I think emphasizes her friendliness and likability.

            Although her life hasn’t exactly been a smooth journey, she is still optimistic about the future which I think adds to her positive aura. One thing that really impresses me about Heidi is that, no matter what happens, I don’t think I’ve ever heard Heidi utter a complaint. I think I would do well to follow her example.

Kinderpunsch

            So now that we're all acquainted with Christopher, I'd love to share a fun story:

            Last week Chris, Amanda, Lindsay and I decided to meander about the lovely Christmas market in front of the Rathaus (the only good thing about not having Thanksgiving here is that Christmas starts so much earlier). There is this delightful beverage sold at the markets called Kinderpunsch! We have to get the Kinder kind because it’s the only one without alcohol. Those of us who have tried it have like it so we suggested to Chris that he try some as well.

He purchased a mug from a lady at a stand who didn’t seem to speak English but usually that doesn’t matter very much. But as Chris went to take a sip, he realized that his drink smelled pretty foul. Since he had never had this beverage before he didn’t know whether or not this was… normal. So he took a sip that, not only burned his mouth but, apparently tasted pretty repulsive. That’s when we started having suspicions that perhaps when the Punsch was ordered, the Kinder part was somehow omitted.

Chris has some reservations about asking if he could exchange his Punsch for the non-alcoholic kind so I went up and asked for him. They were nice enough to get him a fresh glass, along with a euro because the Kinderpunsch was a euro cheaper! 

Christopher

           Christopher Pfaffroth (seriously complicated last name, still can’t pronounce it/no idea how to spell it) (to whom everyone else is a.k.a. chief). Ok, I think the first thing to be said about Chris is that he is hilarious. And not in a way that’s like, sometimes he says something funny. It’s more like, on the floor, out of control, he could make a living doing this, kind of funny. Every time he opens his mouth you might as well just pee your pants before the words escape because that’s what you’ll be doing in a split second anyway. Even the way he runs is entertaining. If he had his own TV show, I would watch it. I love experiencing awkward moments in his presence, because the awkwardness is somehow amplified and made funny at the same time.

            Chris is also full of unexpected talents. Like Frisbee golf. I watched some fake Frisbee golf on Zoey 101 one time, but otherwise I feel like Frisbee golf is something we all know about and have vaguely considered trying once or twice, but don’t actually know how to do. Now I can say I know somebody who does. And for sure kicks butt at it too.

            I have come to find that when someone mentions a random recreational activity, Chris just comes out of nowhere and dominates it. Like bowling for example. High School bowling team? Never heard of one. Who belonged to one? Chris Pfaffroth. Legit? I know. Think you could take Chris on in ping pong? Forget it. Wanna challenge him to Tiger Woods 2012? Dream on.

            Chris is super easy-going and is so easy to get along with. Every encounter with this man is truly a treat. What a blessing.