Day 19. Aug. 29 Yesterday the rotary exchange students went on a bike ride around Ven, an island sort of in between Denmark and Sweden. Driving to the ferry it was pouring down rain, but once we actually left the harbour it was sunny :) Once on the island we treaded up a hill to rent the bikes. We all had single bikes, thank goodness because I don't think I would have done so well on a tandem bike. It was an easy ride, but I had been sore earlier so that didn't help much. Ven is very pretty, I liked it.

I also went to Sofeiro Slott, which is a castle the king used to live in during the summer but then he died and gave it to the town. They were having some sort of a plant, food event. The castle is beautiful <3

Today I went to a garden party to welcome us exchange students. All but one of the exchange students was there as well as all the host families. It was nice to meet everyone. It was also good to see Sarah and Teagan's host families again since I had met them before. It was a good weekend, even with the rain.

But tomorrow I have school :(

Day 17 Aug. 27 So it's official I just finished my first week of school as of 15:00 today. Boy am I glad its Friday and I have the wonderful weekend to look forward too. Lets talk about school for a bit, the good, the bad, and whatever fits in between.

     First off, I start at 8:30 or 10:10 depending on the day, due to which classes I have. I can end at any time between 11:30 and 16:00 (5PM). Once again depending on the classes. Here are the classes I took this week; Swedish, philosophy, English, Spanish, & Italian. So you can guess which ones I did absolutely nothing in and which ones I was actually able to participate in. Basically my point is school was rather boring this week, surprise! I mean I don't know what I was expecting, but I was hoping for a little more umph. Anyway I feel like there is alot of wasted time at school, who really needs twenty minutes for passing, hello its pretty much one building and some stairs. But yeah I guess if you have classes at one of the other sister/brother school you might need some time. Ohh and another time waster, lunch. A whole hour for lunch, in the work world that's great, but for school I'd rather have like thirty minutes.

Somethings that are different from CURTIS :) and Olympia are...

• teachers & students = almost same level
• 
  
  lunch = one choice (unless you count the vegetarian meal), free, all you can eat, real silverware, plates & glasses
• 
  
  leaving campus = a okay
• 
  
  smoking= allowed, preferably in the parking lot of the school
• 
  
  cussing= fine, even the teachers pitch in a few words here and there
• 
  
  cell phones & ipods= not a problem unless it's disrupting class
• 
  
  laptops= every student will have one

hmmm, think i covered most of it.

On Tuesday I will finally meet with a principal to discuss my schedule. So looking forward to that afternoon. For now I'll have just some temporary classes on Monday and Tuesday. I don't know what else there is to say about school, kids are nice...but it's seems like the girls are all very preppy as well as the guys. But they all seem to get along, so far I haven't really distinguished any cliques.

Gym, Gym, Gym. Emilia and I went on Wednesday (Onsdag) and this afternoon (Fredag). That was wonderful, it's been over two months since I've been in the weight room. Slightly sore, but I feel so much better after going. Today I actually jogged 1.25 miles then lifted weights, and did some squats and power cleans. Gahhh, pain. But I love doing them, so oh well. I need to try to get into better shape, 1: for my health, 2: for wrestling next year. I'm hoping to go Monday, Wednesday, & Friday after school. I also want to do boxing, will see about that. Or at least some type of sport!

This crepe just hit the spot.

Yesterday, there was a french market here...I think it was here today also. It had some vendors with items like, cheese, sausage, soap, crepes, candy, and more. It was nice to see, and the food all looked so good. I had a jam filled crepe topped with whipped cream. Mmmmm :) sooo yummmy. Ahh, well I think that is all for this week, not much happened. Don't think I've left anything out, well maybe a little, but nothing bad, just stuff not worth posting. (Like how on Tuesday night I was overwhelmed and got really homesick, it was not a good day ): )

Scones & Dinner Parties

Day 12 Aug. 22 Two days ago we all went to have fika with Veronica because she was getting ready to leave. She is going to Greece for a week with a friend! Lucky, lucky, lucky :) Sometime in the future I want to go to Greece as well. Veronica let me borrow two books with very easy sentences (in Swedish of course) so that I could practice my Swedish.

     Yesterday, was a good day. Lars, my rotary couselor in Sweden stopped by to say hello. I will be going with him on Monday to my first Swedish rotary meeting. I will also be going to my new school, Olympia to find out which program I will be doing and to take a tour of the school. Lars also invited me to a dinner party for that evening, a chance for me to meet two Australian girls that are also exchange students here. ----Before I went out... Emilia and I made my mamaa's scones. Birgitta, Paul, and Emilia enjoyed them. Which was good, since to be honest it was only my second time making them, and I am not the expert, my mamaa is. -----So that evening I went to the dinner party, and had a great time. I met Sarah and Tiegan the Australian exchange students, their host families, Sarah's parents, and Tiegan's mom, oh yes and Lars's family as well. All wonderful people. Although I did not know anyone there, except Lars (whom I had only met that day), I felt like everyone was very welcoming. Eveyone asked questions, told stories, laughed, and enjoyed the evening.
     Today, we might go out to a park and have a picnic, if the weather permits

Shopping

Day 9 Aug. 19 Just ate a taco :) Reminds me of home.
Emilia, Ida, and I went to Väla for some shopping today. Which reminds me, yesterday Emilia and I walked around town for a few hours and shopped as well. I bought a linne (spelling?)(a.k.a tank top) and a cardigan.The cardigan was light pink with black stripes, of all colors, I opted for the pink one. I believe that was the first time I have ever boughten anything pink. 0_o  Afterwards we met up with Veronica for fika. And I learned a few more phrases and words in Swedish :D Andddd! I watched Bad Boys II last night, it's been a long time since I've seen that movie. Still love it, hilarous, laughed all night. Back to today's events. Shopping with Emilia and Ida was fun, their mall is probably a third the size of our mall ;) but size doesn't matter. I bought a pair of jean shorts since I don't have any, and another cardigan. We also stopped at IKEA, but they will be closing it so it was pretty bare. Alls good though. Except I don't think I like riding the bus...

1 Week

Day 7 Aug. 17  Yesterday, Emilia and I went to Veronica's for dinner; Marcus and Ida were also coming. Veronica made us, salmon, potatoes, and a yummy salad. She also made a delicious chocolate mud cake. We ate and talked, then afterwards Emilia, Marcus and I went to rent a movie. We couldn't decide what movie to get, so we closed our eyes and just reached for one. We ended up with Eurotrip, kind of perfect since I'm from the U.S and am in Europe now. We got back to the house and ate the cake, ice cream, and had tea/coffee. I have to say the movie was hilarious! It seemed like I laughed through the entire movie. Well, after the great evening at Veronica's it was time to head home. Another fun day with the family.

Day 8 Aug. 18 It's been 1 week, since I've arrived in Sweden. I don't know when I'll get used to the time change though. (8 hours...or is it 9 hours difference?) Hopefully soon because I start school on Monday and it's probably a good idea to get there on time. I feel tired when it gets late, yet can't fall asleep for at least another 3 hours. Then I don't wake up till almost noon. Definitely not a habit I want to keep. Guess I'll just have to let it work itself out :) 

     Today I have no plans, maybe just a walk around the town or just stay in and try to study Swedish.

Helsingor, Denmark

Hamlet; docking in Helsingborg, Sweden.

     Day 6 Aug. 16 As I mentioned before, Emilia, Birgitta and I were going to take the ferry to Helsingor, Denmark. And we did. The ferry is named Hamlet & is quite big in comparison to the Christine Anderson from back home. Not only is there a cafeteria, but also a store on the ferry. And guess what they sell; candy, makeup, souvenirs, and must I not forget, cigarettes and liquor. Unbelievable...and...yes your allowed to smoke in some areas of the ferry! But, there is one thing the Christine Anderson has in common with the Hamlet, both take only 20 minutes to cross.

Mmmm :) No pepperoni, it's salami! It must have been 12-14".

When we docked at Denmark we went to a pizzeria to have lunch. It was through this little alley way, and was quite quaint. I ordered of course pizza. It had "tomatoes, cheese, salami, & peppers". And was delicious. I would love to go back another day. We then walked around a small part of Helsingor, ha I only bought three cards to send to people back home. But all the shops were unique and fun to look in. We stopped for glass (Swedish for ice cream). I was too full to have some, so I didn't get any. Then well, we headed back to the ferry.

     Back in Helsingborg, we went to a "big" store/market to buy some groceries. Emilia is going to make dinner tonight, we are going to have Thai. Also, Marcus and Ida have been invited to dinner.  

Days 1-6

It's almost been a whole week since I left home. It's crazy to think I'm actually doing this...

     So, since I did not start this blog till today I have five days to catch ya'll up on. I suppose I'll go back to the actual day I left Seattle, Tuesday, August 10.

My flight left Sea-Tac at 4:30PM (Seattle time) 11:30PM (Iceland time) 1:30AM (Sweden/Denmark time). This flight was not too fun, the plane was rather small, fully booked, and I couldn't understand anyone except the flight attendants. I arrived at the Reykjavik Keflavik Airport at 6:50AM (Iceland time) 8:50AM (Sweden/Denmark time) 12:50AM (Seattle time). Went through security once again and headed to Gate 11. I left Iceland at 7:50AM(Iceland time) 9:50AM (Sweden/Denmark time) 1:50AM (Seattle time). Ah, I managed to get an hour of sleep on this flight :) Anyway, finally I arrived at the Copenhagen airport around 1:00PM (Sweden/Denmark time) 5:00AM (Seattle time). By now I'm exhausted :( It's almost 2:00PM by the time I'm actually about to exit the airport with my luggage. I am met by my new papa, Paul (not Paul, but Pa-uhl) and new sister, Emilia. We have an hour drive till we get to Helsingborg. I am in awe at this place, its interesting.

     When we got home, I met my new brother Eric. But, sadly he left today (August 16) to Florida to be an exchange student as well. I also met my new mama, Birgitta. She made us a traditional meal of meatballs and potatoes. mmmm :) I got settled into my new room and then Emilia and Eric took me on a walk around the town. Later that evening I met my other new sister, Veronica and brother, Marcus. I also met his girlfriend Ida. They are wonderful people. That was day one.
     Day 2 & 3 Aug. 12/13 I didn't get up till almost 11. Ate some breakfast, them Paul and Emilia drove me to Höganäs for the last two days of language camp. (It started on Monday.) At language camp I met the rest of the students who were going to be living in the same Rotary district as me. A few from the U.S, France, Italy, and Japan. I learned some Swedish, a little about the culture, and a timeline of the past kings and queens. Here is also where I learned about a very important word in Sweden, Fika, a word meaning : to take a coffee break. Everyone partakes in fika!
     On Friday afternoon we all took a bus back to Helsingborg, I walked home, and managed not to get lost. That night Paul, Birgitta, Emilia and I went to visit with Per-Eric, Birgitta's papa. That was very nice.

Roxette :)

     Day 4 Aug. 14: Slept in till around noon, late, but I was tired so oh well. Today was the day of the concert. Paul, Emilia, Eric, and I left to another town, can't remember the name...for the Roxette concert. The only song I know of theirs is Listen to your Heart. Anywho, we left around 1, got there after 2. They weren't going to open the gates till 5! Gahh, such a long wait. So Eric took me around that town for a bit so we wouldn't be as bored. Finally the gates were open and we got in, but once agian had to wait for another 3 hours because they weren't going to start playing till after 8. Two bands played before Roxette, and honestly were not very good at all. Roxette played, and everyone went crazy! Emilia and I were standing within 25 feet of the stage, while Paul and Eirc were further back. They played great! Ahh, the concert was over it was probaby around 11. It was incredibly slow getting back to the highway, it took an hour. Still had an hour drive, and we were all hungry. Ha, only place open at 1 in the morning would be McDonalds. So we stopped and picked up some food. Got home, ate,said bye to Eric and finally fell asleep close to 3.

Emilia, Eric, & I

     Day 5 Aug, 15: Slept in agian :) Eric and Paul left early this morning to head to Stockholm. Emilia, Birgitta, and I went to spend the afternoon with Marcus and Ida. We had a large fika, watched t.v and played a game. It was lots of fun.

     Day 6 Aug, 16: Today! Well I woke up earlier, before 9:30 :) I haven't done much, just been studying my swedish. Trying to learn! Around 1:30 Emilia, Birgitta and I are taking the ferry to Helsingor, Denmark. I'm looking forward to it.