It has been such a long time since I have written a post. But that's because I have been busy with a few things. So I am going to write a paragraph about everything just to give you guys a little insight on what's going on with me.
First Time Skiing!!!
Alright Im from Vermont. And it is known for its amazing skiing places. Well I have lived in Vermont for over 17 years and never skied once. I don't have time for that in the winter. I have another priority. Snowmobiles. Anyway, so being on exchange means I have to try things that I would never think to try. I would have tried skiing in Vermont with some friends. But I can now say that my first time was in Sweden with a bunch of 3 and 4 year olds who can ski way better than I can. The first time for anything is always the most nerve racking time for anyone. Well for it me, it wasn't so bad. Until on my second day of skiing with only 2 hours of skiing time, my host mother thought it was the best idea for me to go all the way to the top of the mountain and go down with her and the family. I don't think I have been more afraid in my life. Well besides when spiders are involved. After skiing for about an hour straight, my legs, arms, and ankles killed. I had to take the next day off because I was starting to wabble when I walked. I love skiing now. I will totally go when I am in Vermont. Maybe with some friends at Pico or Jay Peak. Overall, it was one of the best experiences of my life.
Senior Project!!
One of the hardest things of being a senior in high school. Before I got any of my paperwork, I spent months trying to think of what I wanted to do for a project. Finally, I thought hard enough and decided that I would do a project that was close to what I want to do as I finish college and work studies. This project will take most of my senior year away. I am so glad that I am getting the chance to get a head start. My English skills are a little lower than what they have been. So the extra time gives me a chance to get my ducks in a row. I am pretty excited to be a senior. Currently, I am junior/senior because of the classes I have done. I am ready to take this project, start it, do amazing with it, and start my life in college with a great start!
Colleges & Where I Want to Go
I think people don't think about college until it's right in front of their faces when they are almost ready to graduate. I have been thinking about where I want to go to college since I was in 9th grade. Of course, as most people get older. the career they want changes. Mine has changed a few times, but I have one in mind that is perfect for me. And many colleges offer the base that is needed to start towards it. I have been doing research on many different colleges. And I have narrowed down the top 5 that I will apply to. I also have some that I might apply for just to see if I could ever get into them. I have always wanted to apply to Harvard just to see if I could get into it. I know that Im not the smartest student, but it would be interesting if they said yes. But I am ready to start this process just so I have it out of the way.
Changing Host Families
OH YES!!! It's that time again. Almost time for me to gather all of my things and move down to the last host family. I have to say I can't believe that I am almost to the final family. It seems so strange for me. I have to say, I am pretty excited and also a little nervous to move again. The next host family has children that are closer to my age, which will give me another view of being an older sister to older children. The next family lives closer to my bus stop. So I will be missing my walks home, but I could go for walks in town with the children. I started packing away things that I wasn't going to need already. I want to spend my last weekend with this host family. It's going to be pretty hard for me to move. I will cry I do know that. But I am ready for another view of Sweden.
Swedish Graduation!!
I am getting pretty excited for my graduation in Sweden too. I have less than 100 days until I am officially a graduate in another country before I even graduate in the States. Many people don't really get to say that. I still have to order a white dress for that day too. Which to some people they might be say just go out and buy one. Well I won't wear just any dress. Im too picky when it comes to what I wear. I want a dress that I can wear again and again. So I look back and remember "OH yeah! I wore this to my Swedish graduation!" So it has taken me months to find one that I might like.
Weather
Right this very moment, in my hometown and homestate they are being killed by a snowstorm. They have had so much snow this year I am kinda very much jealous. The one year I am gone on exchange, Vermont gets pretty much dumped on every week. Here in Sweden, we haven't had snow since about early February. Im not saying it's a bad thing because I love spring and summer because I can be outside and be active. But I do love to ride snowmobiles, groom the trails with my father, and just play around in the snow. But I am really enjoying the weather right now! Its like typical May weather. It's warm and sunny with a slight breeze. LOVE IT!!! I would have liked to had snow a little longer here, but hey Im not mother nature.
Recent Changes
So I have to say I have very much changed since I have came to Sweden. I am more independent, more mature, and a bit more educated. Nothing is wrong with either of those. I came on exchange to have my life changed for the better. And little over seven months in, I can more than say that my life has changed a bit. And I wouldn't change it. I can say that I have also lost all of my exchange weight. Oh yeah! I mean it was about 7-10lbs. And on my body it is easily seen. So looking into the mirror I feel better about myself. I actually like looking into the mirror now. Also my hair has changed colors :O No hairdye needed. It is slightly darker and also it has different shades of red, blond, and brown. It has also grown almost 5-7 inches since I have came here too. Which is great!! Just means more for me to donate.
Overall
For me, I have to say I am doing really good. I am into the culture of Sweden. And I really love it! I am loving the food, the school, the people, the town, the culture, the everything! I can say that I am loving the Swedish lifestyle. It's nothing like my American one, which actually makes me love it a little bit more! I might love this lifestyle, but I do want my American one back. I hate to say it. I have around four months left to go. I want it to go by fast when I need it to, but I need it to go slow when I am having the time of my life. But everyone knows that won't happen. A girl can dream can't she?
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Questions Pt. 2
I have been asked more and more questions as time ago on. I have to say, most of the time, the questions are never repeated. People have so many different questions on everything. I have to say, even after being asked hundreds of questions from many people, I still love to answer them. Being different each time, helps. But I like to talk about where I am from, what I do, and why I do what I do. Makes me feel like people actually want to get to know me. I am gonna go over some of the many questions I have been asked.
Q. How is Sweden now that you have been there for a little over six months?
A. I have to say, I am falling in love with Sweden more and more as the days pass by. I never thought that I could go to another country and love it almost as much as my mother country. But no country can ever replace the States in my heart. When I go back home, I will really miss Sweden and living a Swedish lifestyle. But being in Sweden, has made me miss my American lifestyle.
Q. Have you had any bad homesickness in Sweden?
A. Being in Sweden for the past four months has brought some good and some bad. I never look back on the bad. Just remember the good. That helps me so I don't get homesick and want to go home. In late September and early October, I had very bad homesicknesss. I cried most of the time when I was home. At school, I would think about home and everything that I had there. I cried to my parents on Skype, begging them to go home. I had made my mind up. I wanted to go home and no one could have changed that. Well, my father changed it. He said to stick it out. Everything gets better in time. I noticed that it started to get better as time went by.
Q. Do you have any good friends? Are you out a lot?
A. I have to say, I do have some good friends here. I have about three that I do things with. And I have some that only talk to me in school. Mostly, it is just Hi or How are you? then the conversation is over. I'm glad that I have some friends here that actually do things with me, but I wish that more of the people in my class would do things with me. I want to make a lot of friends and make a lot of memories to bring back home with me and share with everyone. I don't go out much. Since November, I have gone out many two or three times. The rest of the time I am at home with my host family.
Q. How is the new host family?
A. I love the new host family. Having kids around the house, is always fun and exciting. The kids are always next to me on the couch or following me around. I don't have any younger siblings in the States, so this was more than a new experience for me. I mean I have grown up with younger kids around, but it isn't the same as living with them. The family is always doing something new and exciting. And I love it!
Q. Are you going home for Christmas?
A. No I am not. Some days, I wish I was just to see my parents and give them a hug. I knoew that if I was to go home, I might not want to come back. That wouldn't be a good thing. But I'm staying here in Sweden and celebrating Christmas here. In Sweden, Christmas is celebrated on the 24th. I am excited to celebrate a holiday in a new place and how it is celebrated.
Q. Was it hard celebrating your birthday in Sweden without your parents?
A. I have to say, it wasn't that hard. But it was still pretty hard. I had a party at my house with some friends from my class. We had tacos, we talked, we laughed, and most importantly, we had fun. Even though my parents weren't there to give me a hug and say happy birthday, I was still happy that I had my host family and friends there to celebrate it with me.
Q. Do you want your friends or family to ever visit you while you are in Sweden?
A. I would love if they did, but I wouldn't want them to come and see me until the last few months of my exchange. It would be hard, for not only myself, but whoever comes and visits. We would both want me to go back, but that wouldn't be able to happen. If I had someone visit me, I would love it! But I only have about seven months left until I go home and I think that we could all wait until I get back to be able to see each other. I am not saying that I wouldn't want anyone to visit because it would be nice, but I don't want anyone going out of their way.
Q. Do you wish that you went somewhere different than here?
A. Sometimes. But I love Sweden. I wouldn't change coming here. If I could have choosen to go to another country, I would have picked somewhere warm. I love both the bitter cold and the humid heat. So far, I haven't had the bitter cold that I was looking for when I signed to come to Sweden. But I am okay with it. Sometimes, having weather about 28-45 F isn't that bad. But I wish it was colder and had more snow like my home does.
Q. Are you planning on seeing any other places in Europe besides Sweden?
A. Yeah, I plan to visit some other countries. I would love to visit most of the UK and France. I would love to see where my family originates from. I am also thinking about going to visit some friends from the states that are here in Europe. I would love to go see them and see where they are living. But I have to wait and see.
Q. How is Sweden now that you have been there for a little over six months?
A. I have to say, I am falling in love with Sweden more and more as the days pass by. I never thought that I could go to another country and love it almost as much as my mother country. But no country can ever replace the States in my heart. When I go back home, I will really miss Sweden and living a Swedish lifestyle. But being in Sweden, has made me miss my American lifestyle.
Q. Have you had any bad homesickness in Sweden?
A. Being in Sweden for the past four months has brought some good and some bad. I never look back on the bad. Just remember the good. That helps me so I don't get homesick and want to go home. In late September and early October, I had very bad homesicknesss. I cried most of the time when I was home. At school, I would think about home and everything that I had there. I cried to my parents on Skype, begging them to go home. I had made my mind up. I wanted to go home and no one could have changed that. Well, my father changed it. He said to stick it out. Everything gets better in time. I noticed that it started to get better as time went by.
Q. Do you have any good friends? Are you out a lot?
A. I have to say, I do have some good friends here. I have about three that I do things with. And I have some that only talk to me in school. Mostly, it is just Hi or How are you? then the conversation is over. I'm glad that I have some friends here that actually do things with me, but I wish that more of the people in my class would do things with me. I want to make a lot of friends and make a lot of memories to bring back home with me and share with everyone. I don't go out much. Since November, I have gone out many two or three times. The rest of the time I am at home with my host family.
Q. How is the new host family?
A. I love the new host family. Having kids around the house, is always fun and exciting. The kids are always next to me on the couch or following me around. I don't have any younger siblings in the States, so this was more than a new experience for me. I mean I have grown up with younger kids around, but it isn't the same as living with them. The family is always doing something new and exciting. And I love it!
Q. Are you going home for Christmas?
A. No I am not. Some days, I wish I was just to see my parents and give them a hug. I knoew that if I was to go home, I might not want to come back. That wouldn't be a good thing. But I'm staying here in Sweden and celebrating Christmas here. In Sweden, Christmas is celebrated on the 24th. I am excited to celebrate a holiday in a new place and how it is celebrated.
Q. Was it hard celebrating your birthday in Sweden without your parents?
A. I have to say, it wasn't that hard. But it was still pretty hard. I had a party at my house with some friends from my class. We had tacos, we talked, we laughed, and most importantly, we had fun. Even though my parents weren't there to give me a hug and say happy birthday, I was still happy that I had my host family and friends there to celebrate it with me.
Q. Do you want your friends or family to ever visit you while you are in Sweden?
A. I would love if they did, but I wouldn't want them to come and see me until the last few months of my exchange. It would be hard, for not only myself, but whoever comes and visits. We would both want me to go back, but that wouldn't be able to happen. If I had someone visit me, I would love it! But I only have about seven months left until I go home and I think that we could all wait until I get back to be able to see each other. I am not saying that I wouldn't want anyone to visit because it would be nice, but I don't want anyone going out of their way.
Q. Do you wish that you went somewhere different than here?
A. Sometimes. But I love Sweden. I wouldn't change coming here. If I could have choosen to go to another country, I would have picked somewhere warm. I love both the bitter cold and the humid heat. So far, I haven't had the bitter cold that I was looking for when I signed to come to Sweden. But I am okay with it. Sometimes, having weather about 28-45 F isn't that bad. But I wish it was colder and had more snow like my home does.
Q. Are you planning on seeing any other places in Europe besides Sweden?
A. Yeah, I plan to visit some other countries. I would love to visit most of the UK and France. I would love to see where my family originates from. I am also thinking about going to visit some friends from the states that are here in Europe. I would love to go see them and see where they are living. But I have to wait and see.
Coming So Far With Changes
I think that in the past months, I have grown and changed more than in any part of my life. I have been experiencing, tasted, and made so many different things. I know that my friends and family are proud of me. Even I am proud of myself for the first time in a very long time. I know that I should be proud of myself whenever I do something that receives an award or gets posted in the newpaper. But most of the time I am not proud of myself because I think I can do something better in the future that will blast everything else out of the water.
My biggest thing I am proud about is becoming an exchange student. I mean it has always been a dream. And the fact that I actually achieved my dream has never made myself more proud in my whole life. Most children when they are young dream about becoming a teacher or a doctor or a firefighter. My dream was to become an exchange student. It would give me the chance to explore the world while I was young. And it would give me an idea of what I might want to be when I become an adult. I want to be an ultrasound tech. I have known that for awhile now. And I have to go to college to become one. I could possibly study abroad somewhere.
I am also proud that I have tried new foods that before I would have never tried them. My parents always used to say that they were good and that I would like them when I got older. I never truly believed them until it actually happened. I started to like Hash (which contains fried ham, potatoes, carrots, and sometimes onions), lightly toasted bread with peanut butter, fish with breading, and a special salad. I never would have thought I would have liked some of those foods. But now that I have given them a taste from a different perspective, I like them.
I have done something off my bucket list. I know I seem young to have a bucket list, but we can die at anytime. And we might as well live our lives while we are still young and breathing. I have always liked being on ropes course and being high in the sky. Well since I have been in Sweden, I have played on a ropes course at 9:00pm. And loved every second of it. I always get an adrenalin rush from doing things that are a little more risky. But so doesn't everyone else. When I say risky, I mean there were two hooks that we had to clip in and I rarely clipped them both in. I could have fallen at anytime and risk serious injury. But I didn't because I knew what I was doing.
Another thing I have done that I am proud of is I have planned some of my future out. I thought about what goals I want to have in life and how I plan to reach those goals. I have decided that I want to live somewhere different, go to college, make friends in yet another place (just as I am doing now), and actually try to get somewhere in life. I know people that waste their time doing drugs, skipping school, having sex with random people, getting drunk almost all the time, and are never around to be with their families. I don't want that. I mean I want to be at school and actually learn something that will get me somewhere. I want to be with my parents and my brothers as much as I can. I love them with all my heart and I would do anything to make them all proud. I have friends that I hang out with all the time and I have friends that I mainly see just at school or sometimes see while I am downtown. And I like it. My friends are always behind my back on every decision that I have made. I mean they are sad that I am not home, but it doesn't mean they aren't proud of me and where I have gotten.
I have learned skills that I know I will need for when I get older. I have become independent with my own decisions. I decided that I wanted to do certain things with my life and I have kept my word to them. Nothing can change my mind about them either. I have watched and learned how to get the skills. At first, I failed when trying to use them. But as I practied them and got used to them, I became better at using them and made not only myself, but my family and friends proud of me.
I know that people don't like to think that someone can change so easily. But it's more than true. I know that I have changed as a person over the past six months. I don't think I could ever like to go back to the person that I as before I left for my exchange. I'm not saying that I was a bad person or was going down the wrong path, but I feel as if I was not as self aware as I am now. I am a more understanding of everything. Even before I came to Sweden, I knew that not everything goes the way that you want it to go. But now, I seem to understand it a lot better. And I respect that it happens. I might not like that it does happen. But I am okay with it.
My biggest thing I am proud about is becoming an exchange student. I mean it has always been a dream. And the fact that I actually achieved my dream has never made myself more proud in my whole life. Most children when they are young dream about becoming a teacher or a doctor or a firefighter. My dream was to become an exchange student. It would give me the chance to explore the world while I was young. And it would give me an idea of what I might want to be when I become an adult. I want to be an ultrasound tech. I have known that for awhile now. And I have to go to college to become one. I could possibly study abroad somewhere.
I am also proud that I have tried new foods that before I would have never tried them. My parents always used to say that they were good and that I would like them when I got older. I never truly believed them until it actually happened. I started to like Hash (which contains fried ham, potatoes, carrots, and sometimes onions), lightly toasted bread with peanut butter, fish with breading, and a special salad. I never would have thought I would have liked some of those foods. But now that I have given them a taste from a different perspective, I like them.
I have done something off my bucket list. I know I seem young to have a bucket list, but we can die at anytime. And we might as well live our lives while we are still young and breathing. I have always liked being on ropes course and being high in the sky. Well since I have been in Sweden, I have played on a ropes course at 9:00pm. And loved every second of it. I always get an adrenalin rush from doing things that are a little more risky. But so doesn't everyone else. When I say risky, I mean there were two hooks that we had to clip in and I rarely clipped them both in. I could have fallen at anytime and risk serious injury. But I didn't because I knew what I was doing.
Another thing I have done that I am proud of is I have planned some of my future out. I thought about what goals I want to have in life and how I plan to reach those goals. I have decided that I want to live somewhere different, go to college, make friends in yet another place (just as I am doing now), and actually try to get somewhere in life. I know people that waste their time doing drugs, skipping school, having sex with random people, getting drunk almost all the time, and are never around to be with their families. I don't want that. I mean I want to be at school and actually learn something that will get me somewhere. I want to be with my parents and my brothers as much as I can. I love them with all my heart and I would do anything to make them all proud. I have friends that I hang out with all the time and I have friends that I mainly see just at school or sometimes see while I am downtown. And I like it. My friends are always behind my back on every decision that I have made. I mean they are sad that I am not home, but it doesn't mean they aren't proud of me and where I have gotten.
I have learned skills that I know I will need for when I get older. I have become independent with my own decisions. I decided that I wanted to do certain things with my life and I have kept my word to them. Nothing can change my mind about them either. I have watched and learned how to get the skills. At first, I failed when trying to use them. But as I practied them and got used to them, I became better at using them and made not only myself, but my family and friends proud of me.
I know that people don't like to think that someone can change so easily. But it's more than true. I know that I have changed as a person over the past six months. I don't think I could ever like to go back to the person that I as before I left for my exchange. I'm not saying that I was a bad person or was going down the wrong path, but I feel as if I was not as self aware as I am now. I am a more understanding of everything. Even before I came to Sweden, I knew that not everything goes the way that you want it to go. But now, I seem to understand it a lot better. And I respect that it happens. I might not like that it does happen. But I am okay with it.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Christmas!
I know Christmas was about a week ago! I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas! I know that I had a life changing one. It may have been way different from how I celebrate it. But it was fun and different. And I just happen to like things that are different. That's basically the main reason I am doing my exchange. But the Swedish traditions for Jul (Christmas) are pretty amazing and a little strange.
First off, it isn't celebrated on the 25th like everywhere else. Instead it's celebrated on the 24th. This tradition dates back to Scandinavian/Germanic pagan rituals. Yuletide was celebrated on the 23th and the New Year was on the 25th. Yuletide was the special celebration for the god Odin, he and his 8 legged horse would visit the children's homes on the last day of the year (the 24th) The children would leave straw and carrots and water for the horse. Odin would replace those foodstuffs with sweet treats and small gifts This celebration lasted for up to 3 days. It is still celebrated this way today.
The food is another thing. I am used to having prime rib with mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, popovers, and any amazing dessert my mother makes. Here in Sweden, that's not the case at all! It's cold Julskinka (Christmas Ham), boiled potatoes, different cheeses, Santa porridge, a Swedish sausage that tastes like hotdogs, herring in different types of sauce, and meatballs, of course!!!!! This is what I had for dinner on Christmas.
Of course, I didn't ask for much from my real parents or from my host parents. I already had gotten the biggest and best gift that anyone could ever give me. I got candy, goldfish crackers, three boxes of strawberry Poptarts, two Tomten children, movie tickets, an iTunes card, dry roasted peanuts, candy canes, gloves, a hat, and two glass candle holders made in Sweden. It is going to be so hard to bring them back to the States. But if there is a will, there is a way. I have already double wrapped both in bubble wrap. They are going to go in my carry-on. I don't want them to break!
First off, it isn't celebrated on the 25th like everywhere else. Instead it's celebrated on the 24th. This tradition dates back to Scandinavian/Germanic pagan rituals. Yuletide was celebrated on the 23th and the New Year was on the 25th. Yuletide was the special celebration for the god Odin, he and his 8 legged horse would visit the children's homes on the last day of the year (the 24th) The children would leave straw and carrots and water for the horse. Odin would replace those foodstuffs with sweet treats and small gifts This celebration lasted for up to 3 days. It is still celebrated this way today.
The food is another thing. I am used to having prime rib with mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, popovers, and any amazing dessert my mother makes. Here in Sweden, that's not the case at all! It's cold Julskinka (Christmas Ham), boiled potatoes, different cheeses, Santa porridge, a Swedish sausage that tastes like hotdogs, herring in different types of sauce, and meatballs, of course!!!!! This is what I had for dinner on Christmas.
After you eat, you wait for Tomten (Santa) to come and give you gifts! The kids get over filled with joy and they wait for this all night. Tomten is usually the father. He says that he is going out to get something from the store, dresses up as Tomten, comes in with gifts for everyone, then he leaves. Then magically the father comes home almost right after he has left. The kids are disappointed that their father didn't get to meet Tomten, but get over it pretty quickly because it's JUL!!!! They open their gifts are quickly as they can.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Tis The Season
I know that I haven't written anything in awhile. And there is a reason for that. It is time for Christmas around the world. And in Sweden, Christmas is called Jul. I have to say, it may not be as big as it in the States, but it is still pretty big here. I have been spending the past couple of weeks going to see many different Lucia plays, buying things for my parents for Christmas, going sledding with my host siblings, Christmas Tree hunting, baking gingerbread cookies and drinking glögg, making a gingerbread house, singing Christmas songs, and watching the snow come and go. I thought I would make different parts of my experiences that I have had over the past few weeks.
LUCIA
Lucia is a very beautiful and amazing experience with singing, dressing up, and somtimes Glögg and pepparkakor. Lucia is always celebrated on December 13th. The story of Lucia is Saint Lucy, or Santa Lucia was a young girl who lived in about 300 CE. At a young age, her Christianity made her the target of anti-Christian sentiment. She was blinded and executed. Lucy is now associated with both light in the darkness and sight. The festival of Santa Lucia celebrates the light brought to one of the darkest days of the year, just as Lucy’s faith shown in a dark period for early Christians. This year it was on Friday the 13th. At a Lucia concert, one girl dresses up in a white dress with a crown with five candles lit. The rest of the girls also wear white dresses, but instead of a crown full of candles, they are holding a single candle in their hands. Most of the time, the Lucia doesn't sing. They sing songs about Lucia and many holiday songs. Some of the songs are in English, some are translated into Swedish, and some are just traditional Swedish holiday songs. It is an experience that I will never forget. In the pictures below, its myself as the Lucia and how everyone is supposed to dress for a concert.
Drinking Glögg And Eating Pepparkakor
This is always a fun thing to do. Baking cookies and drinking something warm. In Sweden, we make ginger bread cookies and drink glögg. Glögg is a spiced, sugared and simmered (or ‘mulled’) red wine. In Sweden this is a beverage consumed almost exclusively during the Christmas season, usually with raisins and blanched almonds added. The drink can have alcohol or not have any. I have tested both. The one with is very strong and you can smell the alcohol. The one without is almost like a hot lemonade with a hint of home spice. Glögg is nice to drink on a nice cold day and it is nice to drink when everyone is sitting around the TV.
Sledding With My Family
I have gone sledding ever since I was a young child. I have always loved it and always had a soft spot for it. In my more recent years, every time I have gone down the hill in my back yard in the States, I have always flown off and done a faceplant. I would continue to sled even after doing who knows how many faceplants. On top of doing faceplants, I would sometimes fall off the back of my sled and land very hard on my back. My luck with faceplants ran out. And I haven't done one in years. But upon riding sleds in Sweden, I have fallen off the back of the sleds many times. Even though, I fell off many times, I still managed to have some good fun with my family.
Baking
I have to say, I have always loved to bake. So nothing makes me happier, but to bake. And I also love it when I have people to do it with! It makes it so you can share the feeling of making something amazing with not only yourself. I have always helped my mother bake, until I learned to do it myself. In Sweden, when it comes time for winter, everyone bakes Lussekatter and pepparkakor. Lussekatter is a bun that has saffran in it. Saffran is a yellow colored powder that is mixed in the dough. This is supposed to symbolize the light that shines through the darkness of winter time. I have to say that even though the bun doesn't have much of a sweet taste, it is still pretty good. We also put together a ginger bread house. It wasn't home made, but it was still made with a lot of love.
SNOW!!!
One of my favorite things about winter. I have always loved snow. You can ride snowmachines, you can play in it, you can build snow forts, have snow ball fights, go sledding in it. There are many fun things that you can do in the snow. Being from the NorthEastern part of the States, I have seen snow many times in my life. Having it for a few months a year makes it even that much more special to me. At my home in the States, they have receieved snow in October, which is VERY early. It didn't stay for long. In Sweden, we didn't get snow until late November. It left just as fast as it came.
Christmas Tree Hunting
Another favorite part about Christmas and winter time, the tree. The smell of the tree always makes me smile. Just like in the old days, some people here in Sweden, go out and cut their own trees. Instead of buying them. I have to say it makes for more memories doing it this way. It was today that me and my family went out into the woods with some friends from my rotary club and we searched for a tree! I loved it! I loved being in the woods, cooking hamburgers and hot dogs, having glögg, meeting new people, seeing known faces, and having a good time all around. We spent time as a family and I loved it.
LUCIA
Lucia is a very beautiful and amazing experience with singing, dressing up, and somtimes Glögg and pepparkakor. Lucia is always celebrated on December 13th. The story of Lucia is Saint Lucy, or Santa Lucia was a young girl who lived in about 300 CE. At a young age, her Christianity made her the target of anti-Christian sentiment. She was blinded and executed. Lucy is now associated with both light in the darkness and sight. The festival of Santa Lucia celebrates the light brought to one of the darkest days of the year, just as Lucy’s faith shown in a dark period for early Christians. This year it was on Friday the 13th. At a Lucia concert, one girl dresses up in a white dress with a crown with five candles lit. The rest of the girls also wear white dresses, but instead of a crown full of candles, they are holding a single candle in their hands. Most of the time, the Lucia doesn't sing. They sing songs about Lucia and many holiday songs. Some of the songs are in English, some are translated into Swedish, and some are just traditional Swedish holiday songs. It is an experience that I will never forget. In the pictures below, its myself as the Lucia and how everyone is supposed to dress for a concert.
Drinking Glögg And Eating Pepparkakor
This is always a fun thing to do. Baking cookies and drinking something warm. In Sweden, we make ginger bread cookies and drink glögg. Glögg is a spiced, sugared and simmered (or ‘mulled’) red wine. In Sweden this is a beverage consumed almost exclusively during the Christmas season, usually with raisins and blanched almonds added. The drink can have alcohol or not have any. I have tested both. The one with is very strong and you can smell the alcohol. The one without is almost like a hot lemonade with a hint of home spice. Glögg is nice to drink on a nice cold day and it is nice to drink when everyone is sitting around the TV.
Sledding With My Family
I have gone sledding ever since I was a young child. I have always loved it and always had a soft spot for it. In my more recent years, every time I have gone down the hill in my back yard in the States, I have always flown off and done a faceplant. I would continue to sled even after doing who knows how many faceplants. On top of doing faceplants, I would sometimes fall off the back of my sled and land very hard on my back. My luck with faceplants ran out. And I haven't done one in years. But upon riding sleds in Sweden, I have fallen off the back of the sleds many times. Even though, I fell off many times, I still managed to have some good fun with my family.
Baking
I have to say, I have always loved to bake. So nothing makes me happier, but to bake. And I also love it when I have people to do it with! It makes it so you can share the feeling of making something amazing with not only yourself. I have always helped my mother bake, until I learned to do it myself. In Sweden, when it comes time for winter, everyone bakes Lussekatter and pepparkakor. Lussekatter is a bun that has saffran in it. Saffran is a yellow colored powder that is mixed in the dough. This is supposed to symbolize the light that shines through the darkness of winter time. I have to say that even though the bun doesn't have much of a sweet taste, it is still pretty good. We also put together a ginger bread house. It wasn't home made, but it was still made with a lot of love.
SNOW!!!
One of my favorite things about winter. I have always loved snow. You can ride snowmachines, you can play in it, you can build snow forts, have snow ball fights, go sledding in it. There are many fun things that you can do in the snow. Being from the NorthEastern part of the States, I have seen snow many times in my life. Having it for a few months a year makes it even that much more special to me. At my home in the States, they have receieved snow in October, which is VERY early. It didn't stay for long. In Sweden, we didn't get snow until late November. It left just as fast as it came.
Christmas Tree Hunting
Another favorite part about Christmas and winter time, the tree. The smell of the tree always makes me smile. Just like in the old days, some people here in Sweden, go out and cut their own trees. Instead of buying them. I have to say it makes for more memories doing it this way. It was today that me and my family went out into the woods with some friends from my rotary club and we searched for a tree! I loved it! I loved being in the woods, cooking hamburgers and hot dogs, having glögg, meeting new people, seeing known faces, and having a good time all around. We spent time as a family and I loved it.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Apologies
I had just been talking with my host parents. And a topic about my blog came up. While we were talking about it, I decided that this would be best to do. Not for me, but for the people that I have offended. I am doing it now because I feel that it is important to talk about it instead of waiting. I would like to explain myself to allow you guys to see where I am coming from. I don't want to harm anyone.
I am not being forced to say this either. I decided that it would be best. I am sorry. I have not had the intentions of hurting anyone or making them feel bad. I just want to say that I didn't want to hurt anyone when I wrote any of my posts. I also want to say that if you feel offended or want to talk about it feel free to contact me about it. We can go for a Fika and talk about it. Or we can talk on FaceBook. I don't want to give off a bad impression.
I can understand where it might seem like I am seeming either mean or trying to make someone feel bad. But this is not the case. I am not trying to focus on any certain person or group of people. I love being here in Sweden and even in Jönköping. I wouldn't change being here for the world. I love the people that I go to school with.
I might have changed classes. But it wasn't originally my choice. The class advisor from Sa3b said that it might be better for me to be in Sa3a because students from that class had been talking and doing things with me out of the classroom. She had only said this because during our class meeting times, I would sit alone for the whole 40 minutes. I didn't feel like I was apart of the class. I can understand that some of the people in the class may have been shy to talk to me. But they shouldn't have to. I am pretty open and always willing to talk. No one should ever feel shy to talk to me.
Now that I have changed classes, I don't want the original class to feel as if I don't like them. I do like them. I enjoy every time one of them talks to me. It makes me feel good inside. I feel like I have a purpose for actually being here. Instead of just feeling like I am alone and that no one wants anything to do with me. I would love if I could go to the movies, have Fikas, and even have people over from both of the classes. I think it would help me get more friends and also help me become more involved with the Swedish culture like I would love to do.
I hope that if I had offended anyone, that this would help clear up any misunderstandings. I am truly sorry if I have made anyone feel bad about themselves or feel as if I am not willing to try to be friends with anyone.
I am not being forced to say this either. I decided that it would be best. I am sorry. I have not had the intentions of hurting anyone or making them feel bad. I just want to say that I didn't want to hurt anyone when I wrote any of my posts. I also want to say that if you feel offended or want to talk about it feel free to contact me about it. We can go for a Fika and talk about it. Or we can talk on FaceBook. I don't want to give off a bad impression.
I can understand where it might seem like I am seeming either mean or trying to make someone feel bad. But this is not the case. I am not trying to focus on any certain person or group of people. I love being here in Sweden and even in Jönköping. I wouldn't change being here for the world. I love the people that I go to school with.
I might have changed classes. But it wasn't originally my choice. The class advisor from Sa3b said that it might be better for me to be in Sa3a because students from that class had been talking and doing things with me out of the classroom. She had only said this because during our class meeting times, I would sit alone for the whole 40 minutes. I didn't feel like I was apart of the class. I can understand that some of the people in the class may have been shy to talk to me. But they shouldn't have to. I am pretty open and always willing to talk. No one should ever feel shy to talk to me.
Now that I have changed classes, I don't want the original class to feel as if I don't like them. I do like them. I enjoy every time one of them talks to me. It makes me feel good inside. I feel like I have a purpose for actually being here. Instead of just feeling like I am alone and that no one wants anything to do with me. I would love if I could go to the movies, have Fikas, and even have people over from both of the classes. I think it would help me get more friends and also help me become more involved with the Swedish culture like I would love to do.
I hope that if I had offended anyone, that this would help clear up any misunderstandings. I am truly sorry if I have made anyone feel bad about themselves or feel as if I am not willing to try to be friends with anyone.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Confessions About Sweden and My Year So Far
I thought I would give everyone an insight on how my year is going. To be honest, I will write some sad ones, but I will write some amazing ones as well. I want to give everyone a better look at my exchange year because a lot of people ask me how I am. And I love answering them. So this post is for the other people who don't get the chance to ask me how I am doing. I hope that these confessions will give you an idea of how I am keeping up in Sweden :)
After arriving, I thought that I had never truly left the States. I mean there are some pretty big differences, but where I live has a forest pretty close by and it looks pretty similar to Vermont. But there are huge differences.
I had to start a new medication for a exsisting condition. And I had gotten very sick from it. I tried to hide it as well as I could. I never really told my host parents about it. I am still feeling some of the side effects now. And I have been on it for over 2 months.
I had liked my last host family, but I didn't really connect with them. I mean I did, but not like I thought I would. It was hard because of their jobs.
I had very bad depression during the first two months, but it really effected me in the second and third month. I almost never wanted to do anything. I would sit around and cry for most of the day. I sometimes did it during school, but I hid that very well also.
I was very homesick during the end part of August and beginning of September. I like to think it was because I had finally gotten fully adjusted to my new life and I was a bit jealous of my parents exchange student. But I stopped being home sick in early October.
In Sweden, they have some American things, such as Skittles, M&M's, Ben & Jerry's ice cream (Made in Vermont), Coca-Cola products, peanut butter, Doritos, and even fluff. It makes my happy that I can go to the store and get them.
Sweden has mostly BMW's, Volvo's, Citron, and some Toyotas. I have seen very few Chevy's, Jeep's, and Ford's. This is because the cars here are made in surrounding countries. And the cars that we have in the States would be very expensive to ship here.
It took some time to make friends. It was maybe a month or so before I really had any friends. Now I am friends with most of my class. It feels great to know that I have people I can hang out with and talk with.
I have blood from Ireland, Scotland, and England. A few people at my school asked me if I was from different places in the U.K. I told them that I was from the States and that I had blood that came from the U.K. They were very surprised.
I have been told that I do not have the "typical" American accent. The "typical" American accent to them might be from the large places that they have visited. But I am from a very small town and state. I also I have a parent from Vermont and one from New Hampshire. My family lives throughout New England. I hear different accents all the time. Mine has changed over the years due to this.
Food here is very good. But it isn't a normal meal. To me, a normal meal is where you have a meat, a vegetable, either rice, pasta, or potatoes, and a drink. Here that is not the case. You have a meat, potatoes, and a vegetable. I am fine with having potatoes because I eat them in almost every way. Even raw, just needs a little salt ;)
I thought that the weather would be freezing and that we would have seen some snow by now. I am completely wrong. It is currently like a late September to early October weather in Vermont. And when it is time to go to school, the temperature is not usually below 32. I was told that back home they have seen snow and that it is cold almost all the time.
I thought that Sweden would have a lot of Swedish artist. I thought that it would be a great way to learn the language. But usually they listen to American music. They do have some successful artist, but they mostly sing in English. Some famous artist are ABBA, Rockset, and Avicii.
A very good thing about Sweden is that they have many different types of candy. Their chocolate is amazing. I get very bad headaches from eating American chocolate. But here, I don't get any. They have many different types of candies to choose from. The Swedish word for candy is Godis.
The language... For me, I think that it is pretty easy to learn. I do have problems with it though. Don't get me wrong. Anyone who learns a new language has problems. I can talk to my host siblings with almost now problem now. But the good thing about Swedish is that many of the words are pretty close to English. But the grammar is hard. And there are three additional letters. Å, Ä, and Ö. We have words that use the sounds of the additional three letters in English. But they have different ways of saying them here.
Since I have moved to my new host family, I feel like a big sister and feel like I have big responsibilities. I am the youngest of three and the only girl in the family. It is different having a younger sister and brother living with me. I love it though! I wouldn't change it for the world. They are the best!
For the first time in my whole life, I have no pets around the house. I am used to having a dog or two. But my host family's dog recently passed away. It is sad.
In my mind, I think that a bit of the Swedish guys are pretty hot. I mean like damn.... And I also think that a lot of the Swedish girls are very pretty. It sort of intimidates me.
A lot of Swedish girls have very thin and very straight hair. And is usually blonde. Where as my hair is very thick, very curly, frizzy, and wavy. And it is a medium brown color. I am always having my hair up because if it wasn't, it would be an afro or a hot curly and frizzy mess.
The stereotypical Swede had blonde hair, blue eyes, very tall, very pretty/handsome, and can be very shy. Well I can tell you. They do have many different hair and eye colors. They can be very tall and very short, such as myself. They are pretty and handsome, but everyone has their own looks. And they can be very shy, but it doesn't take very long for someone to crack their shell and make them act like a bunch of crazy people.
After arriving, I thought that I had never truly left the States. I mean there are some pretty big differences, but where I live has a forest pretty close by and it looks pretty similar to Vermont. But there are huge differences.
I had to start a new medication for a exsisting condition. And I had gotten very sick from it. I tried to hide it as well as I could. I never really told my host parents about it. I am still feeling some of the side effects now. And I have been on it for over 2 months.
I had liked my last host family, but I didn't really connect with them. I mean I did, but not like I thought I would. It was hard because of their jobs.
I had very bad depression during the first two months, but it really effected me in the second and third month. I almost never wanted to do anything. I would sit around and cry for most of the day. I sometimes did it during school, but I hid that very well also.
I was very homesick during the end part of August and beginning of September. I like to think it was because I had finally gotten fully adjusted to my new life and I was a bit jealous of my parents exchange student. But I stopped being home sick in early October.
In Sweden, they have some American things, such as Skittles, M&M's, Ben & Jerry's ice cream (Made in Vermont), Coca-Cola products, peanut butter, Doritos, and even fluff. It makes my happy that I can go to the store and get them.
Sweden has mostly BMW's, Volvo's, Citron, and some Toyotas. I have seen very few Chevy's, Jeep's, and Ford's. This is because the cars here are made in surrounding countries. And the cars that we have in the States would be very expensive to ship here.
It took some time to make friends. It was maybe a month or so before I really had any friends. Now I am friends with most of my class. It feels great to know that I have people I can hang out with and talk with.
I have blood from Ireland, Scotland, and England. A few people at my school asked me if I was from different places in the U.K. I told them that I was from the States and that I had blood that came from the U.K. They were very surprised.
I have been told that I do not have the "typical" American accent. The "typical" American accent to them might be from the large places that they have visited. But I am from a very small town and state. I also I have a parent from Vermont and one from New Hampshire. My family lives throughout New England. I hear different accents all the time. Mine has changed over the years due to this.
Food here is very good. But it isn't a normal meal. To me, a normal meal is where you have a meat, a vegetable, either rice, pasta, or potatoes, and a drink. Here that is not the case. You have a meat, potatoes, and a vegetable. I am fine with having potatoes because I eat them in almost every way. Even raw, just needs a little salt ;)
I thought that the weather would be freezing and that we would have seen some snow by now. I am completely wrong. It is currently like a late September to early October weather in Vermont. And when it is time to go to school, the temperature is not usually below 32. I was told that back home they have seen snow and that it is cold almost all the time.
I thought that Sweden would have a lot of Swedish artist. I thought that it would be a great way to learn the language. But usually they listen to American music. They do have some successful artist, but they mostly sing in English. Some famous artist are ABBA, Rockset, and Avicii.
A very good thing about Sweden is that they have many different types of candy. Their chocolate is amazing. I get very bad headaches from eating American chocolate. But here, I don't get any. They have many different types of candies to choose from. The Swedish word for candy is Godis.
The language... For me, I think that it is pretty easy to learn. I do have problems with it though. Don't get me wrong. Anyone who learns a new language has problems. I can talk to my host siblings with almost now problem now. But the good thing about Swedish is that many of the words are pretty close to English. But the grammar is hard. And there are three additional letters. Å, Ä, and Ö. We have words that use the sounds of the additional three letters in English. But they have different ways of saying them here.
Since I have moved to my new host family, I feel like a big sister and feel like I have big responsibilities. I am the youngest of three and the only girl in the family. It is different having a younger sister and brother living with me. I love it though! I wouldn't change it for the world. They are the best!
For the first time in my whole life, I have no pets around the house. I am used to having a dog or two. But my host family's dog recently passed away. It is sad.
In my mind, I think that a bit of the Swedish guys are pretty hot. I mean like damn.... And I also think that a lot of the Swedish girls are very pretty. It sort of intimidates me.
A lot of Swedish girls have very thin and very straight hair. And is usually blonde. Where as my hair is very thick, very curly, frizzy, and wavy. And it is a medium brown color. I am always having my hair up because if it wasn't, it would be an afro or a hot curly and frizzy mess.
The stereotypical Swede had blonde hair, blue eyes, very tall, very pretty/handsome, and can be very shy. Well I can tell you. They do have many different hair and eye colors. They can be very tall and very short, such as myself. They are pretty and handsome, but everyone has their own looks. And they can be very shy, but it doesn't take very long for someone to crack their shell and make them act like a bunch of crazy people.
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