Baking Cakes with Lil' Jon

Hej allihopa! It has been some time since I have last posted on here. For the most part, nothing to out-of-the-ordinary has happened. Classes have been going well and the weather is getting colder. However, I managed to go to Malmö and Copenhagen for the weekend.

I wasn’t expecting the train ride to be as uncomfortable as it was. After leaving at 10:45 from Uppsala, I was able to meet an American on the train from Stockholm who studied at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, which is one of the universities in which I am considering studying at for my master’s programme. She was really nice and we had a great conversation. However, sleeping turned out to be quite the task. After wrapping my scarf around my eyes, I managed to get an hour of sleep before arriving in Malmö at 6:15 in the morning. Once there, I waited for the sun to come up while eating a köttbullar baguette. 

I began my trek to the hostel at around 7:30. The city was really quiet and I managed to navigate through most of the city with no problem. I did get lost near the hostel, as the main street changed names a block away. I found the hostel and was greeted by the manager who spoke to me in Skånska (I was speaking in Swedish). After showing me my room and reviewing my credit card information, she came back and exclaimed “Oh, you are American! I didn’t know!” She later remarked (på skånska) that my Swedish was great. That boosted my confidence in my Swedish skills immensely. The room was nice, clean, and cozy, which was great considering the amount it costed. 

I met Elin soon after getting ready for my day. We went to a nice shopping center after buying a train pass. I really wish I had less luggage because the clothes were affordable and nice. We walked around Gustav Adolfs Torg and I took pictures of Gamla Stan. The weather was surprisingly very nice and I was comfortable and warm without a jacket. We walked to the Turning Torso and the beach nearby and went back to her apartment to have lunch and catch up. It was so great to see her.

After leaving Elin’s apartment, I went back to the hostel and slept until 7:30 at night. I got hungry, so I went to a nearby Chinese restaurant called “Wok Amok” and got sweet and sour tofu. It was the best tofu I have had in some time. While eating in the hostel’s kitchen, I met a Russian woman who was working in Göteborg and her German friend from Bremen. After dinner, I played the Sims before finally falling asleep.

I checked out of my hostel room at 9:30 the next morning and went to the local train station to get a ticket to Copenhagen. There were no lockers, so I had to carry my luggage with me. Once I arrived in Copenhagen, I decided to first explore Christianshavn. I was surprised that Christiania was not the only “alternative” place in the city; rather, the whole city was filled with a counter-culture animus. I began my journey to Kastellet in the northern part of the city, stopping to see Christiansborg Folketinget and the Radhus along the way. I found myself smitten with the city. It was like Portland or, better yet, Berlin, but the people were very friendly and accommodating. They were surprised I knew Swedish and that I could understand most of what they could say in Danish, but preferred speaking English. I walked about 10 miles altogether with my luggage in tow, so I was exhausted. Regardless, I might just have to go back for a more permanent visit.

I got back to Malmö at 4:30 in the afternoon to meet Charlotte and Carl for dinner. We finally met at 6, but only after I became friends with a group of youth in Malmö. Most were the children of immigrants and were excited that I was from California. The place we went to dinner had delectable Chinese vegan cuisine. I had the vegan chicken in peanut sauce. We took our time eating, talking and catching up. Because they still had to drive back to Göteborg, we said farewell at around 8:30, giving me time to edit my photos and check my email before catching the train.

On the train, I met two students: one from Malmö and the other from Lund. After I took some time to listen to them speak, I began to understand them more clearly (especially the man from Lund) and we began talking. We discussed beer, the culture in America, and how not all Americans yell at people with Bibles in their hands. We drank some beer and talked for some time before playing card games with the woman sitting next to us. They got off at Linköping and I took the time after to try to sleep once again. Again, I only managed to sleep for an hour and the walking in Copenhagen made the exhaustion even more unbearable. I arrived in Uppsala at 7:15 in the morning and walked three miles back to Flogsta. After a bowl of Cheerios and a shower, I became dead to the world.

This trip rejuvenation my love of Sweden and my interest to live here. I also may consider living for the short-term in Copenhagen, though I can’t speak Danish. All in all, a worthwhile adventure.

Kram!

-B

Die Gedanken sind frei, wer kann sie erraten,
sie fliegen vorbei wie nächtliche Schatten.
Kein Mensch kann sie wissen, kein Jäger erschießen
mit Pulver und Blei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

Ich denke was ich will und was mich beglücket,
doch alles in der Still’, und wie es sich schicket.
Mein Wunsch und Begehren kann niemand mir wehren,
es bleibet dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

Und sperrt man mich ein im finsteren Kerker,
das alles sind rein vergebliche Werke.
Denn meine Gedanken zerreißen die Schranken
und Mauern entzwei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

Drum will ich auf immer den Sorgen absagen
und will mich auch nimmer mit Grillen mehr plagen.
Man kann ja im Herzen stets lachen und scherzen
und denken dabei: Die Gedanken sind frei!

(English translation):

Thoughts are free, who can guess them?
They flee by like nocturnal shadows.
No man can know them, no hunter can shoot them
with powder and lead: Thoughts are free!

I think what I want, and what delights me,
still always reticent, and as it is suitable.
My wish and desire, no one can deny me
and so it will always be: Thoughts are free!

And if I am thrown into the darkest dungeon,
all this would be futile work,
because my thoughts tear all gates
and walls apart: Thoughts are free!

So I will renounce my sorrows forever,
and never again will torture myself with whimsies.
In one’s heart, one can always laugh and joke
and think at the same time: Thoughts are free!

I feel that, after making mention of it on Facebook, I should further elaborate on what has been troubling me recently.

Everything in Sweden has been spectacular. Despite my flu, the drastic change in climate, and the lack of financial aid, Sweden has been meeting the expectations I have had since I planned on eventually studying in Scandinavia in high school. The people I have met here are amazing and the classes, while they have been simple enough, have given me a new outlook on the development of Sweden and the formation of its culture.

However, as much as I am smitten with the country, I have decided not to move here with haste as I previously considered. I will come back for the graduate program, but feel the need to assist those in need around the world, sharing their struggles and helping them create a brighter future through empowerment and involvement. Recently, I was unsure how I can go about accomplishing this feat in a manner that would give me the leniency to form my own project while being affordable and legitimate. I began contemplating an old idea and, with time, became more comfortable with it after doing some research.

Before October 1, I will submit an application to join the Peace Corps.

I am applying with the hope that I will be able to formulate and execute a community development project in Thailand or Cambodia. I will not be heartbroken if I am unable to do such work in these nations. On the contrary, I feel that I will be able to grow in a different manner if I were to be placed somewhere else. As long as I am able to foster development through empowerment, I will be content.

I also feel that the United States of America is beginning to see the seeds of social change sprout throughout the country. With a precarious economic system coupled by years of failed policy, I am happy that many Americans are taking it upon themselves to change and improve their nation. Many are seeing that change is necessary not only for the welfare of the citizens, but also for the international community. It seems as though it will be a time in which my talents, experience, and dedication can assist others who seek a nation that truly stands for equality, justice, and truth. I look forward to seeing what will happen and what I may do to be a part of something that will change history.

Vi ses!

-B

What occurred was a travesty that cannot be described by words that not only affected the US, but also every other nation in the world. As such, I will remember those who died, contemplate the causes of the event and the conflicts that followed, and ponder what must be done now, ten years later, on my own terms. I am going to try my hardest not to be caught in the relentless “patriotism” debate that has been fueled by the US media and the growing nationalist sentiment. We cannot forget the past, but we also must respect it and learn from it.

And I have a fever. Bra.

As an update: I have taken my first week of courses and am not scared at all. I have no tests in my first class and only need to complete an eight-page essay comparing an event that happened in Sweden to an event that transpired in the USA. 

I took my Swedish diagnostic test and was confused. It was really simple, but the test asked for an 100-word answer on: 1) what people in our country drink, and 2) what we drink, when we drink whatever, and how we drink it. I also found out today that at least a few of the tests had a word bank during one part, but mine didn’t have it. o_0

Also, Stockholm is an amazing city. I only wish my tour stayed there a little longer. I took some pictures, but forgot my memory chip. I’ll post them once I figure out how to transfer them.

In the meantime:

Kram!

B

It sounds like it shouldn’t be too hard. However, I have my Swedish language test after. Dios mio.

Though it has only been three days, I have fallen in love with this country.

I have been meeting people from all over and have introduced myself to most of my floormates, half of whom are Swedish. As the stereotype suggests, many of them are reserved and were somewhat surprised when I started talking to them in Swedish. Fredrik, who is from Stockholm, seemed more reserved than the others and more blunt, but still spent quite some time talking to me, though I was still incredibly jet-lagged. Tomas and his friend, Max, who has spent time in California (Bakersfield. Wah wahhh), spent an hour or so talking to me and telling me that I am unlike other Americans they have met. Max even said that, with my level of Swedish, I should have no problem getting a job here.

Which reminds me of an observation I have made: people here don’t think I am American until I tell them.

I met a “Findlandsvensk” guy and a Finnish girl yesterday during fika and ended up hanging out with them all day. Aino, the girl, went with me to get a phone while she got a notebook. We met with Fred, the guy, and a guy from France, a guy from the Netherlands, and a girl from Germany. The French and Dutch guys both remarked that I looked more “European” than American. The German girl said the same thing a little while later. However, once I said I am from California, they all said that made sense. 

I am still deciding which nation to join, but I am thinking of joining Gästrike-Hälsinge. It isn’t too big, but not too small, either. I also had a nice set-up and the outdoor restaurant was comfortable and had a good atmosphere. I was thinking about Kalmar due to their gay club nights, but that is the only reason why I’d join. 

Oh, and here are pictures that I managed to take while walking:

Centrum

Uppsala Domkyrka

Uppsala Domkyrka

More to come.

B

Well, it seems that the weather from Oregon followed me.

I woke up to the sound of rain at 3 AM. Catherine was awake, too, so we decided to watch Mad Men and then try to sleep again. It didn’t really work.

After watching Swedish television for several hours, we decided to go to the international office. We didn’t know when it would open, but we figured that earlier was better. We were the first ones there (and watched some Modern Family to pass the time away while we waited for the office to open) and got everything we needed. We also talked mostly in Swedish with no stopping. Hurray!

We walked quite a while to the internet center so Catherine could get online and it began raining a little more heavily. By the time we left the center, it was becoming steady. We were soaked by the time we got back to the apartment.

And I still needed to check-in at Flogsta.

I braved the rain with my two pieces of luggage, my messenger bag, and my Pokemon backpack and become lost along the way. After making a 15 minute trip take 35 minutes, I finally arrived, only to be met with a long line of students. It took an hour and a half for me to get into my room and I was starving after. I forgot that I just ate pancakes and nothing else, so I went to the pizzeria nearby. It was a much needed dinner that was delicious.

More to come.

B

I should be unpacking, but I thought I’d give everyone an update.

The flight was alright, albeit incredibly long. I lost my phone at PDX (good thing I can’t use it in Sweden) and didn’t get free meals on the plane. However, I did get to see Iceland and it is absolutely stunning. I can only imagine what it looks like in the spring. I met Catherine there and we sat near each other on the flight to Sweden.

Arlanda International Airport was somewhat confusing. We didn’t know where to buy tickets for the bus, so we ended up eating at the 7-11 kiosk until we mustered the courage to ask a UL representative. Luckily, we got on a bus that departed 10 minutes after getting our tickets. The only thing that is worse than a 14-hour flight is a long wait for a bus after a flight.

When we got to Uppsala, we had difficulties finding out where to go. Catherine’s dorm’s office wasn’t anywhere near the dorm, so she asked the UL representative and got a ticket for a bus departing 4 minutes after she came back. As such, I didn’t have time to get the ticket, so I was basically screwed. However, the bus driver, like most of the Swedes I’ve met thus far, was really understanding and allowed me to go for free. Such things wouldn’t happen in Berlin.

Catherine checked in with no issues, but we then discovered that the dorm was a mile or so away. Taking pity on us, another bus driver drove us there for free. After being awake for 24 hours and carrying huge luggage bags, this was a great relief.

Catherine’s dorm is very nice. Because I couldn’t check into my dorm until Monday, I stayed with her. However, she only had one bed. It was time to improvise:

My Bed. Yup.

Uppsala was beautiful that afternoon and the view from Catherine’s window showed that:

Uppsala From Catherine’s Window.

Catherine was busy getting everything unpacked while I watched the news:

Le Catherine.

However, as this picture shows, the jet-lag took its toll on my body:

Me. Blurry And Blegh.

A post on my adventures in Uppsala and my journey to my dorm will come tomorrow.

Kram!

B

I haven’t been on here for a while but, as you can see, I have been pretty busy:

SO EXCITED!!!!