Boo! Happy Halloween!

Let's recap this week.

On Tuesday we had a firedrill, after school I bought indoor soccer shoes downtown, and then made dinner.

On Wednesday I had my first presentation in school (it was in english class about British history), Mormor Anita came down from Goteborg and we had Nyponsoppa for dessert. (it's this soup from powder that I've only ever had warm when we are skiing or hiking. But we had it cold for dessert. Yummy)

On Thursday morning I went to a naprapat, then we played badminton in gym class and then I had soccer practice. Jan came hom from his business trip so we caught on the tv show Vikings. I reached a critical episode in Grey's Anatomy and watched that until 12am becuase I knew I could sleep in the next morning.

And finally it was Friday. Friday before fall break. It's a great feeling. Had Physics, lunch, and then Chemistry. And then we were free! After school I went on a pumpkin hunt.
There are like no halloween decorations and I was not going to let a halloween pass where I did not carve a pumpkin. I found a pumpkin. Lugged it home on the bus. And carved it by myself. And it turned out pretty well.

 

I also baked another apple pie after school. (probabaly the 20th this fall). At 6 I went to Ellies house for dinner with some of her friends from school. We made tacos together (that's something you do here, friends come over and you make dinner together). After the awesome tacos we had some apple pie that I had brought. Then we played some games. And then we melted some chocolate and had fondu with fruit and marshmellows. So good but I was not hungry in the least.

When it was time for me to leave it was rainy and windy and nasty weather. Though I live close to Ellie I was not going to walk home in that weather. So I hopped on the bus and rode it 5 stops and got home.

And now it's break. Slept in today and have not done much at all.

I got a package from home yesterday and it was so nice with halloween things. I loved it!


Below are pictures of a litle box of mints that the bus driver gave us on Friday morning. And he came on the loudspeaker later and told us all to have a great weekend. Little things like these really do brighten your day.

Rain rain go away

Hej everyone and Happy Monday!

Let's start where my last post left off.

After school on Tuesday Yvonne met me and drove me down to the train station. I went to Goteborg to take the PSAT. I was actually excited about this because my friend Misha (from the US also here with YFU) lives right outside of Goteborg in Partille so it was a great chance to get to see her! I arrived in Goteborg Tuesday evening and Misha and her mom picked me up. Before coming to Goteborg I knew that it was a great chance to grab a Pumpkin Spice Latte because Goteborg is one of the very few places in Sweden with a Starbucks. To my dismay they had run out of pumpkin spice. I was pretty disappointed but oh well.

Goteborg's train station.

 

I love spending time with Mish and it was so great to meet her family! They are so sweet!
Wednesday was test day. Mish and I had a semi early start to our day. We took the bus in to Goteborg and after some searching found the school which was to be our test location. The test began at 9:30. But filling in our personal information with all the bubbles took an hour because there were so many questions about what the Swedish people should put as their grade, address, etc. Anyway. Test test test. We ended at 1:00. Mish and I walked out of there exhausted, cold and hungry and really craving some soup.
We saw a cafe with a sign for bagels which caught our attention because neither of us had had a bagel in Sweden. We went in and it was the best choice we made all day. They had an awesome goulash soup. But the best part was the homemade half bagel that came with it. I can't even begin to describe it's warmth and amazingness. Anyway, we sat there for hours. They played Planet Earth and Charlie Chaplin movies so we just sat and enjoyed. And then the guy who works there brought us some watermelon. So nice of him! Needless to say, it was awesome and we lost track of time and just relaxed. We are definitely going back!

We eventually left. Goteborg's transportation system is pretty different than what it is down here in Skane because they never check bus tickets there. So I made it through the whole day without a bus pass. But we cut it close one time when after getting on a tram I see official looking people in white caps that have Ticket Control written across their backs. I warned Mish and we hastily hopped off at the next stop. Phew! We ended up getting on the next one but not before scanning it for ticket collectors. We walked around town and she showed me an amazing candy store in which I probably spent a little more than I should have. Then we took our candy and found a place to sit by the water and we just talked.

Candy and the water.

Just the water.

 



Eventually it was time for me to go home. I took the bus home which took about 2 and a half hours. Not bad at all the bus was really comfy and there was free wifi and I had candy so I was set!

Needless to say. This was probably one of my favorite days in Sweden so far. Here is the link to Misha's blog. http://mishainsweden.blogspot.se/2013/10/october-days.html I think you would enjoy it!

I continued on with my week as normal. Thursday was when the rain began. It was funny that for lunch on Thursday we had goulash haha.
After school on Thursday I met with Morgane again because she was moving to Karlstad later that week, from an arrival family to a permanent family. So it was fun to hang out with her before she moved.

Finally it was Friday. I don't think I have ever appreciated Fridays as much as I have these last couple months. After school on Friday I went on an amazing run. And then for dinner we had this fish soup that was to die for. This Friday more than usual I was tired. This may seem lame but I was ready for bed at 8:45 on a Friday night. So I hunkered down in my room with the first Harry Potter movie (my reward for having finished reading it in Swedish) and just chilled.

 

 

 

These are all from my run. And they are different from my other pictures from run because those were from when I ran north from my house. This is when I run south from my house.

 

And this way my Friday night. :)

 

Saturday was an effective homework day for me which is always nice. Then at 4 I took the bus into town to meet with my friend Elinore. I had only met her once before which was at the family grill dinner. We had talked the whole time and I was so excited when she asked to hang out with me. We didn't really know what to do in town and a lot of the stores were closed. So we walked around and she showed me the harbor. Then it started raining more so we took the bus to her house. We had dinner at her house with her mom which was nice. Then we had amazing carrot cake and tea. Around 8 we headed to my house. We were waiting until 9:30 for a movie to come on so while we waited we found our mutual love for Grey's Anatomy so we watched an episode of that. Then we watched Die Hard on TV and enjoyed ice cream and Nutter Butters. After the movie I walked Ellie to the bus stop and then ran home because the forest next to the road is scary.
I loved spending the day with her. She is so sweet and on several occasions we said the exact same thing at the same time and we both love peanut butter and New Girl and Bones and Grey's Anatomy and we both have the SAT Quesiton of the Day app!

That night I might have lacked some judgement and may or may not have stayed up way too late to watch Grey's Anatomy.

Sunday was rainy homework day with breakfast at 12. Elna came over at 2 and we worked on a school project all afternoon. After she left we had dinner and then watched the Sunday night TV show Bron. It's a good show but last nights episode was especially scary.

This morning the rain continued and the forecast is rain all week. Boo. But on the bright side it's our last week until fall break!

Yup I think that is about it! I hope everyone is doing good! I love hearing from people!

 

I say this at a bookstore in Goteborg and it REALLY reminded me of my dad. :)

 On the train to Goteborg we stopped in my old home town of Varberg. I actually recognized the train station.

 

 I don't know why I took a picure of this but we really stock up on the milk here. Like buy 6 at a time and it'll last a week.

(By the way mom I am drinking milk, no need to worry about my calcium intake)

 

Epitome of dark and rainy. 

Two Months!

Can you believe it?? Today is the 14th! Two months ago this adventure started! I cannot believe that it has been that long!

Though I'm cherishing every moment here, I'm glad the time is going by relatively fast. If that makes sense? I'm just glad that time isn't dragging. I guess I like it because I know I'm having fun if the time is flying by!

Two months of ten. That's incredible. Though I'm by no means wanting to come home I am counting down. I guess I just am.

Sometimes you have a rough day. Maybe you never went out on that run that you kept telling yourself you would go on, or maybe the physics homework is kicking your butt (which by the way it is. Never had a class that hard) or maybe you're just really tired. You never think about wanting to go home because it's not THAT bad. But you just feel beat. But then you look out the window and see the ocean and think of the amazing family that has taken you in and the great people you have met and you just resurge. This is an incredible opportunity I've been given. It's not going to matter if you finish the physics assignment or if you run tomorrow instead, what matters is this year as a whole. The good memories you make and the relationships you make. Those are the things that are going to matter. And freaking out about these little things is pointless! It's not going to matter in the long run and you are just keeping yourself from making a good memory when you are in a bad mood. You're still going to have bad moments. But just remember how amazingly lucky and blessed you are to even be here in the first place. Then you will have a great day. Turn on some music and smile and make this the best day ever.

It's not everday you're in Glumslöv twice.

Crazy week as usual!

Wednesday was a great day. I was the first one up in the morning so I had plenty of time to get ready and since it's so freezing everywhere I wore a nice, warm, cozy outfit that day. I had fika with Morgane (the French student) after school. Since food at a cafe is so expensive we went to ICA (supermarket) first and bought a package of Anna's pepparkakor (ginger snaps) because Morgane had never had them before. We then bought coffee at a cafe. We sat there and ate almost the whole package of pepparkakor between the two of us. It was so nice to talk to her and we were there for almost 2 hours. We could have talked longer but she had to catch her train. I was just in a really good mood when I came home, so that was a good day.

Also, Wednesday morning was the morning I woke up, immediately checked my phone, and saw the girls had beat Carmel. So that was definitely a day maker in and of itself! I am so very happy for the team and hope and think they will make it far. Awesome to see them do so well but also so hard because I really really want to be there.

In gym class on Thursday we did track and field and I am sorry to say that I'm not a future Olympian. High jump, long jump, 60m, 200m, and shotput were the events that were offered. I honestly think I did the worst in every single event except high jump. It was still kinda of fun though, but being last isn't always fun, but hey! you win some and you lose some right? Planning on some intense training for the next track opportunity in the spring, not.

After gym class on Thursday we were done. And I really wanted to make Rice Krispie treats. But I had looked at the ICA I normally shop at they didn't have Rice Krispies. And since I had time to kill I decided to walk to the bigger ICA way down the road. Long story short, and hour later I had bought a box of Rice Krispies and the last two bags of marshmallows at ICA Hamilton.

Once I finally got home on Thursday we ate a little bit because we were going to have a late dinner. After we ate I made Rice Krispie treats which actually turned out well!

Around 6pm we went to start the fire for the night's grilling. Apparently this is thing they do every so often with a few other families. Our location was a fire it right next to the water and it was an absolutely BEAutiful night. Jan started the fire from scratch with only 1 match which he was very excited about.
Then the other families came and we feasted on hot dogs. I sat and talked to a very nice girl named Elinor. We had a lot to talk about and hopefully we can do something together sometime.
Eventually it was freezing cold and we came home.

Friday. I brought Rice Krispie treats to share at school and to say they were a hit would be an understatement. Making friends with food? Absolutely. But if I do say so myself, they were very good.
After school Elna and I walked downtown a bit and hunted for vanilla extracted which she eventually found.

Once home I was informed that appetizer and a game would be at 5:30 and dinner at 6:30. We are orderly people here. We played Trivial Pursuit which was very fun. The game got spilt into a before dinner part and an after dinner part. I might have to say that it was more fun before dinner because after dinner I was falling asleep. Some of the answers that I provided throughout the game were; Mercury, Spanish, Flamingo, NSYNC, and Copper and Zinc. (my team won)

And so we arrive to Saturday. This morning I was up "early" for a run. Then I came home and got ready and then took the bus into town to meet Morgane. We wandered around until we were picked up at 11:30. We drove to Ängelholm for the YFU meeting. At the meeting there were 9 students (there are more in the area that didn't come) and their host families and a few volunteers. Once we arrived there was lunch and just socializing. It was so nice to see the other students and to just talk to them. Then we split up so that the students and the junior area representatives went to a room and talked. We were given a list of topics to follow which we did loosely, but we mainly just talked about our experiences so far and such and I think we all really enjoyed it. Again, we could have talked much longer if given the time.

This is everyone who was at the meeting.

 



We got home from Ängelholm and it was dinner time. Though I had stuffed myself with cookies and kannelbullar earlier I forced myself to eat some real food. Then at 7:15 we headed downtown to see a show called After Dark. It's a drag queen show. The show was very good but I didn't understand many of the jokes. But still, very good. We got home from the show a little bit before 11pm. We then had cheese and crackers and grapes and candy. I satisfied myself with water and tea.

And that brings us to present time which is bed time. I think some Harry Potter and then sleep.

Tomorrow will be homework day as I didn't do any today. On a side note, there is more weekend homework here. For example, in the US teachers give assignments that are due the next day and usually none on Friday that is due on Monday. But here, you might not have class until next week, so naturally, at least for me, that homework gets pushed to the weekend. Does that make sense? It's not necessarily weekend homework, it's due by the next class but that class might not be until next week.

Also, since teachers move between classrooms throughout the day like students. None of the rooms are cozy. Classrooms are all quite generic and boring. A bummer I think.

 

And when you meet someone for the first time you always shake your hand and say your name. Doesn't matter if you've already been introduced, say your name, and it's always a handshake, even between teenagers. But, if you've shaken their hand once, you hug the next time. This is a pretty definite rule. So if I haven't met the dinner guests it's handshakes when they arrive and hugs when they leave.
And you hug more here too. When people arrive you hug and when they leave. Either at someones home or even downtown when you have to catch a bus. Hug hello and hug goodbye.

Also, compared to my brother who wears a t-shirt everyday and owns a handful of button down shirts, fashion is big here. Not even exaggerating my host brothers spend way more time on their hair than I do. Gustav, who drives me to school, has never been ready to leave before me. And also when Anton had bought some new clothes, that evening Gustav and Anton tried on all the clothes and showed it to Yvonne, Anita (mormor) and I. And then the next day it was the exact same thing to show Jan who had come home.

Pictures!

 

 View from kitchen.

 

 

 Nightly TV time with newly baked _____ pie. (usually apple)

 

 Always tea

 

 That nights apple pie. Yum.

 

 This was the exchange my brother and I had...

 

 One beautiful morning at the bus stop.

 

 From my run.

 

Oh and I almost forgot! Calling all Thanksgiving fanatics!! I am starting to plan the feast the I want to prepare. I'm thinking:

turkey

gravy

stuffing

cranberry sauce

mashed potoatoes

sweet potatoes

green beans

rolls

pumpkin pie

pecan pie

 

What do you all think? Does anybody have something that I would be absolutely missing? Or any absolutely amazing recipies? Or some absolutely amazing advice on how to make these things with limited knowledge and indgredients? If you do, it would be much appreciated. I could handle Rice Krispie treats, we'll see about this...

 

Okay I'm done. Though I said I was going to go to bed a while ago, I actually am going to now. Good night!

 

(i think this is the longest post ever)

 

October 7

Hej hej!

 

Last week just flew by! Lot's of early afternoons and not to much homework. But at the same time there is always lots of things to do. Anyway, the weekend was nice!

On Friday night two friends/acquaintances came over. They didn't come until after nine o'clock so by the time they came I had already watched most of High School Musical. So when they came we finished that movie and then we watched a good old Mary Kate and Ashley movie. It was fun to watch a movie that I loved when I was little. Then we talked a little and they left at 12:30. So that was nice!

 

On Saturday morning I went on a run. 

This is a panorama of the water from Domsten. Domsten is the next town or village or whatever you want to call it up the coast. I run here sometimes and that was when I took this picture.
I got back from my run and then had breakfast, this was around 12 noon. During the afternoon nothing was planned and we just did homework. Mormor Anita also came because Anton's birthday was the next day.

Sunday morning we did the traditional birthday thing. Which is to go in singing into the birthday persons room with cake and presents. Anna, Gustav, and I collaborated and bought Anton a pair of headphones. So that was followed by a nice breakfast including cake. Yummm. Then it was more homework. I was mainly working on Physics and a Swedish paper. Then we had a nice birthday dinner followed by the Sunday night murder mystery that is actually really creepy but also really good.

This morning was a normal morning. I took the bus and it was fun because I knew 7 girls on the bus and we all sat together. Since we have a long lunch time on Mondays me and some other went to Subway for lunch because it was some kind of deal. It was so funny because they measure their subs in centimeters! I mean of course they would, but I just thought that it was very funny! The deal was 35kr/15 cm. I know this is weird to translate but it's 5 dollars for a 6 in. Funny considering that we aways have 5 dollar 12 in.! It just shows how expensive eating out is here!

 This was my meal. A 6 inch, a drink, and a cookie.

 

 Subway even has a nice snazzy coffee machine!

 

 Subway only offered these sodas. Half of the amount we have at home. And the soda cup that comes with the meal is also smaller.

 

 Inside the Subway.

 

Less trash in Sweden too! Unless you're doing take out your sandwich comes in little baskets!

 

So the plan for tonight is to do some homework that is do next week and maybe some other stuff. Pretty chill. I'll go on a run too if I have time.

 

Have a good week everyone!



It was 35 degrees fahrenheit this morning

 Hej hej!

Today was a great Wednesday! It was absolutely freezing when I walked out the door this morning. But I got a great seat on the bus right next the heater. Nice and toasty. And I tried out a new way to get to school that didn't require me to switch buses or walk so far in the cold so that was a nice success. Though today was a long day at school it wasn't too bad. Since I didn't have anything planned after school I decided to treat myself to an after school fika at a bakery. It was delicious!!
Then I was on  my way to buy a stamp and I passed this international market thing. I looked really interesting to I took a look around.

There was all kinds of fun stuff! I went to an atm to take out some money and then bought home some British fudge to share at home, I just couldn't resist. It ws funny because the guy who was manning the both was from Pennsylvania. Again, it's a small world. Really I wish I hadn't eaten before because there was all kinds of good stuff there.

 

I finally headed home and got home around 5pm which is pretty late but like I said, had nothing else to do today.

Tomorrow in gym class we are ice skating which will be fun. But some of us are a bit nervous because we are using hockey skates so there aren't little spikes on the toe so let's count how many times I fall!

(here's another picture of the cat!)

 

When I go on runs here I usually run in the woods. On one of my first days here Jan and Yvonne showed me this really cool spot in the woods and I returned there a few days ago to snap some pics.

 

You'll have to excuse my iPhone. But anyways, in the first clearning you can see Kronborg in Denmark (an ancient castle, Hamlet's castle to be exact) in the second clearing you see some homes and villas over in Denmark, and finally in the third one you see nothing but the ocean all the way to the horizon. Can you guess what this is supposed to symbolize?

 

Well if you said the past present and future then you are correct! Pretty self explanatory and I thought that it was pretty darn cool. Hope you thought so too.