Me, myself and I

It’s always difficult to present yourself and it’s even more difficult if you have to do it in such a global way. I'll try my best.

My name is Ines and I’m studying TKK just like the rest of you. My languages are Russian and English but I’m also quite fluent in French because I spent some time in France as an au pair before I began to study.

I’m originally from a village near Linz in northern Austria, but chose to move to Graz because this is the only place in Austria where they have a university offering the combination I study. Speaking of that, a probably important thing to know is that I’m not only studying TKK but also economics (the political stuff, not BWL! It’s VWL! The difference is crucial!).

Coffee is an essential thing to survive.

In the little time that’s left for leisure activities, I meet friends and have a drink or two with them. Sometimes I also like to spend lazy Sunday mornings in bed with a good book or newspaper or magazine beneath my pillow. I’m a passionate reader although, unfortunately, I have not read a lot since I started uni in September. I have not only been obsessed with reading ever since, but I also used to write and participate in some of those competitions and poetry slams. However, due to a lack of time, I have not written a single page since September, either. That’s a pity, but maybe I’ll take up writing again in summer.

When I was younger, I also used to dance several times a week. Ballet, contemporary, ball room dance, I did it all. I don’t really dance in a studio environment any more, but sometimes I do my routines for the mirror at home. Luckily, I have kept some of my flexibility and strength despite the terrible times I have now where I sometimes don’t exercise for over a week.

Whenever possible, I love to cook and bake and waste time eating while preparing food. My diet is a bit special because I’m one of those crazy vegetarians. Believe it or not, you can eat so many delicious dishes that don’t contain any meat and even no products of animal origin at all. And yes, tofu can taste awkward, but its taste really depends on how you prepare it. I have learnt so many ways to prepare it now and some of them are so fantastic that you’ll never want to eat anything else any more.

As mentioned above, I also love to read newspapers, but I detest newspapers that are for free or should be because of the nonsense they write about. Well, there are some of them in Austria and most of you will know what I mean. However, if there’s a good newspaper informing about the terrible things that happen in the world, I’m always eager to learn and – well – get excited about it. Apparently, I have a strong political opinion on different things and I love to comment on them. My poor friends and family have to listen to my point of view and sometimes discuss with me. I just can’t shut up if there is something to say.

That’s it. You probably know the most essential things about me now. I hope I didn’t scare you off or something. 

[I linked to some of the blog posts I wrote last semester in case you want to learn more]