Only Time

“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn’t happen at once.”

-Albert Einstein

One thing that I have had plenty of recently is time- but if flies by so quickly I hardly notice that I have any at all.

This Friday I took a short visit to the college city of Lund. As I’ve mentioned before, it is very possible that I may study there next year so I of course needed to go down and see what I could be getting in to. My American friend Caylie is currently studying there so I met up with her and she showed me a few places, but it will take much more time, and many more visits for me to actually grasp the city of Lund.

When I walked out of the train station, the first thing I saw were the thousands of bicycles parked outside. I love that about Europe!

Lund is a very historical city, and perhaps the next time I go there I’ll figure out more about the history but from just viewing a few buildings and the cute little streets, I could get the sense of how historic this place really is. I could most definitely see myself going to school there.  

Caylie and I headed back to Helsingborg together and we met up with some other friends to go out for the night, that’s always a lot of fun. This weekend there was a special dub step show at a local club, and it was a blast! 

It is about -3 Celsius here, that is about 17 Fahrenheit. The snow that we received about a week ago is still on the ground, and the wind is somewhat humid (though nothing like back home in IL) and it seems to slice right though the warmest of jackets. This is perfect weather for walking around on frozen ponds, and chilling with your friends so that is exactly what we did.

It’s time for me to start making some big decisions… starting with when am I going home? Maybe I can tell you that next time.

Adios! 

Winter Wonderland

I woke up this morning to big flakes of white descending slowly towards the already coated ground… and I thought… “well it’s about time!”

I took my walk through the winter wonderland with my employer, Greta; about a good two hour hike through the woods was just what I needed! With the fresh coat of snow, everything was bright and happy, a nice change from the gloom and muck of the rain we’ve been getting!

One thing that I notice is how many Swedes were out walking in the weather, especially whole family of Swedes, with baby carriages and grandmas in tow! I don’t know how many American families go out for a walk in the wilderness on a regular basis together but from what I have experienced, it’s not many. That’s one thing I have to comment on- in a way Swedes enjoy the outdoors much more than we Americans do in general. You can imagine for yourself the typical Swedish mother- packing a snack of coffee and cinnamon buns and pushing her kids out on skis for a wonderful cross country skiing adventure.  

On my walk Greta and I were talking about all sorts of things, but one of the first points she made to me was that I have reached my half-way point. That shocked me! So much has happened in the last six months and it has simply flown by. We started talking about what I’m going to do with the rest of my time here, what I’m going to do when I get home, if I wanted to come back and work and go to school here… lots of things discussed! Honestly I’m not 100% sure what my plans are but it is certainly time for me to start deciding these things.

As we strolled through the forest, we came along the sea shore. Once again I was mesmerized by the magical appearance of the water- when I saw the haze made by the snow and the grey of the sea and Denmark looming on the other side- I saw a true winter wonderland.  

This week I’m going to the dentist! It’s amazing, I got a letter from the local dentist saying that I needed to come in, so I called them up and made sure that they knew I wasn’t Swedish and that I wished to cancel my appointment, (I didn’t want to pay for it). The lady on the other end asked me if I had a personal number (which I do) and she told me that since I am 18, and have a person number, I benefit from the medical system Sweden has; therefore I get to go to the dentist for free! Of course I couldn’t refuse that so I’m going! It’ll be interesting to compare if this tax-sponsored Swedish dentist is as good as the well-paid American dentists.

This country just gets more and more interesting! 

The Great Escape

No I don't mean the song that we used to play in middle school band, although it is catchy! 

Sweden this time of year is dark, cold, and gloomy. Christmas is over, so the next thing to look forward to is spring, which won't show it's face for a few months. With the lack of sun, it is easy to become tired and gloomy yourself. 

Many Swedes decide to escape from this depressing landscape during this time of year and travel to places that are much warmer, with lots of sun. Many go to the Canary Islands as I did, and other popular destinations are Thailand and South Africa. 

Coming back to Sweden now after my two weeks in the sun, I feel completely refreshed! It's amazing how much the sun can play with your state of mind! 

I returned to Helsingborg to join in on the full-fledge schedule again. Everyone is back in school, has started working again, there is a Fjord horse to ride and a poodle dog to walk, there are new online classes to take, (Art Appreciation and History of the United States) and tomorrow I’m starting my new SFI school, Merit, with my good friend Caylie.  As always there are more people to meet and friends to make, new things to try and places to see! 

The ground is still muddy, the trees; not one leafy hand, the sky is still cloudy, but at least I have a tan! 

Tenerife

“Fanta, Cola, Agua!”

The same guy has been walking up and down the black volcanic beach for hours now, trying to vend off his two heavy bags filled with ice and bottles. I feel sorry for him, that must be hard work. As I watch him tread back and forth, I join my fellow lizards and lay on my nice soft towel in my bikini soaking up the sun. Every once and awhile, we girls take a dip into the cool ocean water and then return to the same position which benefits our skin the most with vitamin D, also occasionally flipping over to equally roast both sides.

That, my friends, is life on the beach.

Coming from a country which at the moment is rainy, dark and cold, it is quite pleasant to be located on this tropical desert island! It’s heavenly being able to walk around in a skimpy shirt, with shorts and flip flops versus wearing warm boots, jeans, and a huge winter coat!

I wasn’t really sure what to expect of the Canary Islands when I first learned that we were going there. Truthfully at first I wasn’t even 100% sure where they were! But, now I know! The Canary Islands are Spanish, and they are very close the edge of the North-Western tip of Africa! I feel crazy thinking about how close to Africa I am… and this is my first time in Spain!

Most of our days here have been sunny, therefore we take the 15 minute walk down to the most preferable beach and then set up camp there for a few hours, doing as I described above. I can definitely feel that I am on a European beach when I observe topless women and men in speedos… ew.

Traditional food from the Canaries is few but delicious. Mostly what people eat here is the fresh fish, calamari, white fish, tuna, shrimp, YUM. There is also a special Canarian dish which I was not aware of before I came here, and it is basically small boiled potatoes with special sauces to accompany, called Mojo sauces. Other delectables found on the islands include tapas and fresh fruits, (pineapple, star fruit, bananas, grapes, oranges, etc.).

One thing that I was not expecting was how difficult it would be to bring back my Spanish language skills. Learning and hearing Swedish for the past six months has really put a dent in my proficiency in Spanish! It’s very awkward when I start speaking Spanish and then slip a Swedish conjunction in there. (haha)

Today our clan of Swedes took a hike through a national park. It was a great opportunity to observe the nature here and also to observe a certain culture! There are people who have built year-round ocean-front-homes made out of sticks, tents, and palm branches, and they have such a beautiful view! Before we went on the walk I was informed that this was the hippie-village, which made me chuckle. We came down into a valley and not only were there nude bathers, but also several of these interesting crafts of homes.

Still off to enjoy more and more of this wonderful holiday! ‘Till next time! 

Party like it's 2012

With fireworks blasting around me, champagne bottles being opened, and cheers and hurrah’s being echoed from me and my peers; the year 2012 had begun!

I started out New Years Eve by finishing my packing for my two week vacation, tagging along with the Brandt family to their annual visit to Teneriffe. Had to bring back out the summer clothes! With necessities stowed away, I did a quick run-over of the newly cleaned house in Maria park, locked up the house, and started the tow to the Brandts apartment downtown.

It was 4 o’clock, of course already dark but the mist that was lingering around made the night even more dark and mysterious. Already, people were trying out their fireworks! It sounded like I was pulling my luggage down the streets during a war! I lugged my suitcase up the stairs to the Brandt’s apartment and then started getting ready with Alicia for a New Years Eve party that we were going to. We put on some cute black party dresses and some ridiculously uncomfortable shoes and were driven down to the bus station. The party was in a little town just outside of Helsingborg, so we had to take a bus to get there.

At the party I met a lot of Alicia’s friends which was great! The night flew by as we celebrated together, it was a total blast! I couldn’t help but think though what I was leaving behind in 2011, it was a great year for me… graduation, trips, and the year that my journey began really! But, as I said cheers to the old and skal to the new, I came to grips with what 2012 will have to offer. 

When the clock struck closer to midnight, everyone put on their warm jackets, took a glass of champagne, and headed outside. With merely minutes left of 2011, the night was already at a climax when seemingly every person in Sweden was shooting of fireworks! I had NEVER experienced something as spectacular as this. Wide-eyed at the amazing light show, I vaguely noticed a countdown, 8..7..6..5..4..3..2.. ONEEEE God Nytt Ar!!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR! We were all very happy and there was much jumping up and down, and congratulatory hugging and drinking.

We stayed at the party for another hour or so when Alicia and I realized that if we were going to make it home in time to leave, (4 a.m.) then we’d really have to hurry! We caught the soonest bus, and were home in a jiffy. All four Brandts, plus myself, plus all of our baggage were crammed into their car and we drove about an hour and a half to Kastrup airport in Kopenhagen. I never recall being in an airport that early in the morning before, and if I have been, I was in a clearer state of mind and I’m sure that makes the process a little easier.

I was in such a weird funk for the whole plane ride, trying to sleep, trying not to be hungover, but I was not too comfortable for those 5 hours spent. Nearing the final destination Caroline advised me to look out of the window… and I did so to pleasantly see the momentous sight of the tips of volcanic mountains peeking over the clouds and growing larger and larger as we descended further and further. I couldn’t wipe the smile off of my face. Passing by the islands above the clouds reminded me of the magical floating islands from the movie Avatar, for those who have seen it. (haha)

When we finally embarked off of the plane, a warm breeze brushed by and I must say, it felt good to be warm! I saw the cactus and the palm trees and viewed the exotic mountains ahead of me and I knew that this vacation was going to be great! We caught a bus that would take us to our hotel, and driving around the little streets and winding roads along the coast gave me a good first glimpse of what I would be spending my next 14 days on! I saw beautiful resorts, lots of sand and exotic plants, lots of restaurants, lots of people, beaches, shopping, running, biking, everything!

We got to the hotel and we were all feeing very tired… and confused a little by what time it was. We took a walk and went out to lunch/dinner and then came back to the hotel and took a well needed rest.

The next morning we went down to breakfast then headed out to the beach! I don’t recall ever going to a volcanic sand beach, so seeing the black sand was a bit different for me! Nevertheless, the sun was warm and the smell of the ocean, relaxing, so we spent the day laying like lizards soaking up the sun.

Out to experience more of this Spanish Island so I can fill you up on the latest!

Hasta luego!