So, I know I keep talking about it, but busy is the understatement of the year as far as my time in Stockholm. Another understatement to go along with that is lazy. Not only have we been going about 8-8 on the regular, but we have been walking every where!! Like probably walked at least the length of a marathon which coincidentally is occurring on Saturday. I might pull a Boston and hop in the race for a photo op or something. Of course that would still require energy and the trend seems to be I'm lacking in that. Not even 3 cups of coffee a day is helping. But I know chances are I'll only be in Stockholm once in the foreseeable future so I just have to push through it.
Yesterday (Wednesday) was a rough one haha It started around 8 with breakfast on the boat. Breakfast consisting of cucumbers (?) some sorts of lunch meats (similar to turkey and ham and mystery meat but I'm following the don't ask policy), hard boiled (well basically hard boiled) eggs, yogurt (newsflash it has no added sugar so it was a little bit tart), applesauce, Quaver (don't worry, I skipped it), bread (mer), and coffee. The group then headed to the bus station (in the drizzling rain I might add), to catch the bus to the Karlinska Institute. The Institute is sort of like a University (from my understanding at least). The cool part is that the Institute is where the Nobel prize for Medicine winner is chosen. The faculty have connections to an (American) at the Institute who led us (via yet another bus) to the hospital/clinic where he works/does his research. Dr. Flanagan then gave us a (TWO) hour lecture about his research which was interesting because I could really tell how passionate he was about his work but at the same time it was a teeny bit over my head. After the talk, we ate lunch at the cafeteria in the building which consisted of the typical rice/potatoes (that I hardly ever eat at home but eat everywhere here #gluten probz). Drained was the word around the lunch table for sure. Crappy weather+ too much mental stimulation=bad news bears. After going down and back up and back down the escalators, the group finally got on the right Metro train back into the city. We walked over to some museum that ended up being closed then decided to continue with the theme of the day and tour the Nobel Museum. In all honestly, the museum was a little bit of a letdown but it was still really fascinating to learn about the different prize winners. Dinner was fantastic yet again. It was a quaint little Italian place where, you guessed it, I had the salmon. Don't worry though, I mixed up my ice cream choice and went for vanilla/chocolate chip this time! The funniest part of the entire day/night was definitely waking up in the middle of night to my roommate sleep talking straight to me. It made her wake up and we seriously were in stitches laughing (probably waking up the entire boat) for a good 10 minutes. It's that type of stuff that's making me love the group on this trip.
Now finally on to today. Remember things that happened two days is tough stuff. Another early start-this time 8:30. The group met Fran (our fearless leader) at the train station (She's been staying with a good friend since we got to Stockholm) to board the train to Uppsala. A bit of a hiccup when some of us sat in the "first class" cabin when our seats were for "second class" (whatever that means, there were no signs and the ticket lady didn't tell us to move haha). Once we got to Uppsala, a little hike/walk thing led us up to this castle/fortress looking building that had some crazy cool views. Next up was this completely majestic cathedral. St. Eric and Carolus Linnaeus even had their tombs inside. The hunger was striking but before lunch a tour of Linnaeus' house/garden was in order. By this point I was a wah wah (hot/tired/hungry=problem) so I did a "quick tour" followed by a little cat nap on the bench out front (ah that warm sun, so nice). Lunch was at this cute little restaurant (alright, who am I kidding, every restaurant is "cute" and "little") and it consisted of , take another guess, SALMON! It's just so yummy I can't help it (3 weeks of a basically all fish diet won't give me mercury poisoning...right?). Food babies in tow, the last group activity in Uppsala was touring the Medical museum. It had all sorts of cool/weird medical artifacts and even an anatomical theater (where they used to do directions...on people...with an audience...date night?). Free time consisted of just walking around into shops and stuff before meeting the group to head back to Stockholm for dinner (you should be getting the vibe that we eat a lot...because we do..). Dinner was at this adorable restaurant. The restaurant's version of a group room was this basement sort of cellar room which was perfect because we could be loud/obnoxious Americans without bothering anyone. I sat at the teacher table, so fun. That's another one of my favorite parts of this trip-the faculty and all the interaction we get to have with them. It's a really neat opportunity to be able to connect with them on a level different from the classroom setting (they're pretty cool cats, I'm not going to lie). Dinner options ranged from moose burger (I passed) to pizza to salmon. Which one do you think I got? SALMON! It was the best I've had since I've been here for sure. My flavor of the night (ice cream) was mochachino and it ranks pretty high on the greatness scale as well. I finished the night off with a short little hike up these stairs to this vantage point that had some of the best views of the skyline I've seen so far, I can't wait to post pictures!!
5.30.2013
5.28.2013
Stockholm Stockholm Stockholm!
So today I said goodbye to the adventure that was my time at
Raslatt. I had to get back on that stinkin bus for 5 hours to get to Stockholm
but thankfully I didn’t throw up this time. I’m kind of bummed I didn’t get to
say goodbye to my roommates (at least the 2 I met) but I ended up running a
little late and you know the Swedes and their punctuality so I had to hurry
haha
Once we got to Stockholm, we hopped in some taxis and headed
straight for our oh so lovely accommodations for the rest of the trip. Imagine
a shoebox, then cut it in half and that the size of the room. Like, I think my Barbie’s
had a bigger house then this. Oh and there’s two showers between 16 of us (2
people lucked out and are on a different floor). I’m thinking our group is
about to get REAL comfortable with each other REAL quick. Speaking of the
group, I’m starting to realize just how great everyone on this trip is. It
seriously would be a completely different experience without each and every
person here. We’re so stinkin precious.
So after check-in, the hangry-ness was making an appearance
so the group headed straight to dinner. We ate in the dungeon/bar/basement of
this pretty neat Irish pup right in the middle of Stockholm’s old town. The
views are beyond amazing (it’s messing with my amazedness scale for sure). All
the streets are cobblestone and all the alleys are narrow and all the buildings
are old- absolutely breathtaking! After getting stuffed to capacity at dinner,
of course we had to stop for ice cream (blueberry is quickly becoming a
favorite). Then we just wandered around the streets for a while, sort of taking
everything in. We passed the royal palace, which I cannot wait to visit later
this week!
So I’m combining yesterday with today because I forgot to
post!
Today, I’ve pretty much been walking from 9 to 5, basically
a full time job! The group started with a subway trip to this crazy cool food
hall with all these different vendors selling all sorts of fresh foods.
Everything looked so nom (the cooked stuff at least, I’m not about the huge
chunks of raw fish or anything). After, we walked walked walked to the “Vasa
museum.” I thought it was going to be a total snooze fest but it was actually
really interesting. It was about this ship that sank a bazillion years ago that
has basically been completely restored. The freaking four-story ship was
freaking IN THE MUSEUM! So neat!
Afterwards, we all walked over to the Nordiska Museum, which
was this museum about tons of Scandinavian culture. There were different
sections about everything from fashion to jewelry to place settings haha. I
actually learned a few things, like some women used to give their husbands
watch chains made of their own hair. Nothing says I love you like a necklace
made of hair I guess? Also, the Swedish didn’t wear underpants for quite some
time…interesting?
Fika was almost mandatory at this point and slowly but
surely, we wandered back to Old town. I got my tacky t-shirt so all is right in
the world. The group all met for dinner at this restaurant called Sally’s. I
had fish (surprise surprise) and it was every bit of amazing! Then, it’s also
becoming mandatory dinner means ice cream for dessert so we bombarded an ice
cream shop. This time it was orange/lemon swirl that was actually pretty good!!
Even though it was only 7:30ish, I was about to pass out so
the group consensus was just hanging out and playing cards on the boat for the
tonight sounds like the plan! I can't post any pictures because the WIfi here stinks but get ready for them because it's gorgeous here!
5.26.2013
On the road again
Tomorrow is when the real craziness begins, STOCKHOLM!!! I'll have to take that dang bus for 4 hours but I'm hoping some dramamine will knock me out a little so I can rest up. I don't really thing we're doing much else besides checking into the hotel/boat/hostel (whatever its classified as) and then having a nice group dinner. Speaking of these accommodations...cozy is an understatement. According to the professors, you can use the restroom, shower, brush your teeth, and wash your hands all without moving, at least the groups pretty comfortable with each other now! I think it'll be fun though, definitely an experience at least.
home sweet home...
So due to a sketch sketch sketchy wifi situation at the next destination, this could be my last post for a few days! I'm still going to blog then I'll just upload posts when I can.
5.25.2013
Asante...I mean no habla...I don't know what I mean
I'm not lying when I say I'm struggling to hold my eyes open right now I'm so exausted! Today has definitely been the most tiring so far so bear with me if I jump around a ton.
We hit the ground running bright and early to catch the train to Goteborg. It kept freaking me out because the train would be going forward, then all of a sudden after one stop it started going backwards. I could definitely see the whole motion sickness factoring in there but thankfully I was PASSED OUT. Two hours later we finally made it and of course I immediately starting being that tacky tourist with my camera attached to me taking pictures of everything. We went and walked to a boat harbor (or ships? I never know the difference but the boat/ships were huge and majestic. From there we could see the "lipstick building." Don't ask me why because I don't really think it looked anything like lipstick. By this point, my stomach was currently eating itself (as was the rest of the groups), so we quickly made our way to some gorgeous churches (including the Royal Cathedral) to glance around on the way to lunch. At lunch, I of course went for the grilled salmon (too die for once again) and ate so much I honestly didn't think I could stand up I was so full. I definitely haven't had to worry about starving on this trip hahah Mom, I hope you're ready to do a little shopping when I get home because my clothes are starting to get just a wee (lot) bit snug!
After lunch, we walked (and walked and walked) to an art museum which was pretty neat. Apparently I missed the Monet's and Picasso's which kind of bummed me out but I still saw some pretty neat things. Next was the Universium whcih is basically this huge indoor type park thing. I don't really know how to explain it but there are different sections about different environments that you can walk through and stuff (like rainforest, ocean, space, etc). It was pretty neat but now was about when my caffeine high was quickly fading so a fika was almost necessary. I keep seeing a few gluten free pastries at cafes now and then and I really want to try some but the problem is, I keep being fed so well I'm always too stuffed to eat another morsel!
Sweden has this cool law called the right of public access which basically states you can go anywhere as long as you don't mess up the environment. A few of us too that pretty literally when we went into a hotel just to ride the elevator up to the top floor to take pictures but hey! They turned out great!
After what felt like 5 minutes after eating lunch, the group all met together for dinner. I had char (man I'm loving this seafood action). I didn't think I'd even want to eat it after lunch but it was the perfect sized portion (so unlike America) and delish at that! The train left at 9pm so of course there was time to stop for ice cream after dinner. I had what I thought was going to be a orange creamiscle but it was actually "exotic" flavored aka yummy mango and pineapple with vanilla ice cream. The perfect treat to end the day. Since it gets dark so late here, I got to see the sun set (or fade to twilight) on the train ride back which was definitely worth fighting to keep my eyes open.
As far as my cultural goofs of today: I said thank you to someone in Swahili and I definitely said "no habla Swedish" to the convince store worker. Whoops.
I finally figured out what things I should have been photographing this whole trip. First off, there are a million different types of buttons/knobs/twist things to flush toilets! And there are SO MANY FLOWERS EVERYWHERE! Which I find strange, because I feel like all of them would die in the winter snow/darkness but they're pretty now I guess!
We hit the ground running bright and early to catch the train to Goteborg. It kept freaking me out because the train would be going forward, then all of a sudden after one stop it started going backwards. I could definitely see the whole motion sickness factoring in there but thankfully I was PASSED OUT. Two hours later we finally made it and of course I immediately starting being that tacky tourist with my camera attached to me taking pictures of everything. We went and walked to a boat harbor (or ships? I never know the difference but the boat/ships were huge and majestic. From there we could see the "lipstick building." Don't ask me why because I don't really think it looked anything like lipstick. By this point, my stomach was currently eating itself (as was the rest of the groups), so we quickly made our way to some gorgeous churches (including the Royal Cathedral) to glance around on the way to lunch. At lunch, I of course went for the grilled salmon (too die for once again) and ate so much I honestly didn't think I could stand up I was so full. I definitely haven't had to worry about starving on this trip hahah Mom, I hope you're ready to do a little shopping when I get home because my clothes are starting to get just a wee (lot) bit snug!
After lunch, we walked (and walked and walked) to an art museum which was pretty neat. Apparently I missed the Monet's and Picasso's which kind of bummed me out but I still saw some pretty neat things. Next was the Universium whcih is basically this huge indoor type park thing. I don't really know how to explain it but there are different sections about different environments that you can walk through and stuff (like rainforest, ocean, space, etc). It was pretty neat but now was about when my caffeine high was quickly fading so a fika was almost necessary. I keep seeing a few gluten free pastries at cafes now and then and I really want to try some but the problem is, I keep being fed so well I'm always too stuffed to eat another morsel!
Sweden has this cool law called the right of public access which basically states you can go anywhere as long as you don't mess up the environment. A few of us too that pretty literally when we went into a hotel just to ride the elevator up to the top floor to take pictures but hey! They turned out great!
After what felt like 5 minutes after eating lunch, the group all met together for dinner. I had char (man I'm loving this seafood action). I didn't think I'd even want to eat it after lunch but it was the perfect sized portion (so unlike America) and delish at that! The train left at 9pm so of course there was time to stop for ice cream after dinner. I had what I thought was going to be a orange creamiscle but it was actually "exotic" flavored aka yummy mango and pineapple with vanilla ice cream. The perfect treat to end the day. Since it gets dark so late here, I got to see the sun set (or fade to twilight) on the train ride back which was definitely worth fighting to keep my eyes open.
As far as my cultural goofs of today: I said thank you to someone in Swahili and I definitely said "no habla Swedish" to the convince store worker. Whoops.
I finally figured out what things I should have been photographing this whole trip. First off, there are a million different types of buttons/knobs/twist things to flush toilets! And there are SO MANY FLOWERS EVERYWHERE! Which I find strange, because I feel like all of them would die in the winter snow/darkness but they're pretty now I guess!
The lipstick building
I wish I had time to go here...
This guy was pointing to the exact spot he wanted Goteborg to be founded on
lunch
some scary modern art stuff
the view from the top of the hotel
stoppin to smell the roses..or tulips
5.24.2013
The end of this leg
So, thankfully, the end of my journey at Jonkoping is upon me. Don't get me wrong, I've loved being here and loved everything I've gotten to experience but, I'm definitely starting to get that "small town" feel. I'm just ready for bigger and brighter pastures if you will (especially the brighter part, it's a teeny bit chilly here).
Before I dive in to the adventure of the next week or so, lemme recap last night. One of the girl's on the trip had a friend in Jonkoping (more like acquaintance) that she had met when the girl had been on an exchange to the US. Josephine (the friend) took us to the Mt. Sequoyah version of Jonkoping. If you don't know, Mt. Sequoyah is this look out point in Fayetteville where you can basically see the whole city. The weather was gorgeous yesterday so it was the perfect opportunity for lots of pretty pictures (see below).
Tomorrow, the whole group (TEACHERS INCLUDED!!!) are taking a day trip to Göteborg! Göteborg is this HUGE (about a million people!) city on the western coast. Apparently it's super gorgeous and beautiful. One of the professors gave a little mini lecture on it this morning and I'm almost too excited for words. I don't know specifics but I know we're going to the Museum of Art. Call me nerdy but there are pieces of art from crazy famous people like Picasso and Monet so it should be pretty legit. And I know that right outside is a huge statue of Poseidon so I'm definitely going to have to get a picture reppin' dem deltas! Something tells me I'm going to wish we had more time in Göteborg. We're doing a few things as one big group and then we're also going to split off if people want to do different things. The problem is, I want to do everything! There's an amusement park, a "House of Flowers" (whatever that is), a "fish church" market (yes, the market was designed to look like a church...), a big ole park, and a cathedral! And that's just what we had time to hear a little about today!
I'm not going to spoil any of my other little adventure I have coming until I get to have them so be on the lookout=) But in the mean time, enjoy the beautiful Sweden landscape!
Before I dive in to the adventure of the next week or so, lemme recap last night. One of the girl's on the trip had a friend in Jonkoping (more like acquaintance) that she had met when the girl had been on an exchange to the US. Josephine (the friend) took us to the Mt. Sequoyah version of Jonkoping. If you don't know, Mt. Sequoyah is this look out point in Fayetteville where you can basically see the whole city. The weather was gorgeous yesterday so it was the perfect opportunity for lots of pretty pictures (see below).
Tomorrow, the whole group (TEACHERS INCLUDED!!!) are taking a day trip to Göteborg! Göteborg is this HUGE (about a million people!) city on the western coast. Apparently it's super gorgeous and beautiful. One of the professors gave a little mini lecture on it this morning and I'm almost too excited for words. I don't know specifics but I know we're going to the Museum of Art. Call me nerdy but there are pieces of art from crazy famous people like Picasso and Monet so it should be pretty legit. And I know that right outside is a huge statue of Poseidon so I'm definitely going to have to get a picture reppin' dem deltas! Something tells me I'm going to wish we had more time in Göteborg. We're doing a few things as one big group and then we're also going to split off if people want to do different things. The problem is, I want to do everything! There's an amusement park, a "House of Flowers" (whatever that is), a "fish church" market (yes, the market was designed to look like a church...), a big ole park, and a cathedral! And that's just what we had time to hear a little about today!
I'm not going to spoil any of my other little adventure I have coming until I get to have them so be on the lookout=) But in the mean time, enjoy the beautiful Sweden landscape!
Who doesn't love awkward pictures?
Oh, ya know, just the selfie life
The view from the top of the Health school
HARRY POTTER IN SWEDISH
My trek...
The lookout
5.23.2013
The day a stroll turned into a trek
So the past two days have been adventurous that's for sure. So many random things happened so be prepared for the random hodge podge that is this post.
First off, yesterday we went to a primary care clinic. With the exception of the crazy cool artwork it was kind of a snooze fest. The morning was pretty funsies though. One of our professors, Dr. Smith-Blair actually gave a lecture at the university (with other students from the school) on the United States health care system. I actually learned a lot about all that healthcare reform and all that jazz. It made me realize how goofy some people in the States are with all their misinformation. We ate lunch in the good ole caf again and for the first time since I've been here, i got fish!!! Color me happy. I keep hearing about all this amazing seafood in sweden and I finally had some! But i'm not going to lie, I'm kind of glad we only have to eat there one more time.
Last night, the group went to Akademian again and I think it was even more fun then last time. I knew what I was in for so I definitely came prepared with my party pants on. The only DUMB part (I'm still bitter) was the front desk people MADE me check my purse because it was "too big" even though they didn't last time. I had to pay like $5...CYA. They said it was because they didn't want anyone to steal the free water and cokes, um bye.
Today we had a late morning and only one lecture. I figured it would be intersting becasue the professor was talking about sleep apnea and I know a little about it from my brother but nope definitely not. Snoozefest. But after, everyone went out to lunch and then we had the afternoon off.
I could tell I needed a little me time so I sort of wandered off by myself. I just walked around for awhile people watching and going into random little stores because it was so gorgeous outside. After making a pitstop at the candy store (surprised?), I (stupidly) decided to walk from town back to Raslatt. I guess I didn't really figure it was SIX STINKIN MILES. That's right, six miles. By the time I realized it, I was already too far gone and also too stubborn to just wait at the nearest bus stop. It was a pretty walk though, definitely got my exercise (for the year). Then things got a wee bit dicey hehe The bus path follows the road (obviously) and so does the bike path so I was just walking a long it. Then at one point the bike path veered off and there was no sidewalk so off course I followed the path. Let's just saying I was walking through neighborhoods for quite some time trying to find the main bus road again haha Thankfully, I was pretty observant on our last walk because I recognized this yard we past that had a electric lawn mower so I some how got my bearings back. At one point, I almost considered pushing down a girl riding her bike so I could take it and get back faster I was so exhausted. I'm pretty sure my legs have never been so happy to see that tacky pink stucco exterior of the 'Slatt. But on the last part of the path I did get to see a grandma hawk a lugi so I'd say the trip was a success.
Three random things I've noticed today:
1)there are playgrounds about every 10 feet and
2) People walk EVERYWHERE with their dogs and
3) The Swedish seem a little culinarily confused. I've seen a sushi/latino restaurant, Greek/Italian, and a tex-mex/burger restaurant. I'm thinkin they just need to pick a cuisine
First off, yesterday we went to a primary care clinic. With the exception of the crazy cool artwork it was kind of a snooze fest. The morning was pretty funsies though. One of our professors, Dr. Smith-Blair actually gave a lecture at the university (with other students from the school) on the United States health care system. I actually learned a lot about all that healthcare reform and all that jazz. It made me realize how goofy some people in the States are with all their misinformation. We ate lunch in the good ole caf again and for the first time since I've been here, i got fish!!! Color me happy. I keep hearing about all this amazing seafood in sweden and I finally had some! But i'm not going to lie, I'm kind of glad we only have to eat there one more time.
Last night, the group went to Akademian again and I think it was even more fun then last time. I knew what I was in for so I definitely came prepared with my party pants on. The only DUMB part (I'm still bitter) was the front desk people MADE me check my purse because it was "too big" even though they didn't last time. I had to pay like $5...CYA. They said it was because they didn't want anyone to steal the free water and cokes, um bye.
Today we had a late morning and only one lecture. I figured it would be intersting becasue the professor was talking about sleep apnea and I know a little about it from my brother but nope definitely not. Snoozefest. But after, everyone went out to lunch and then we had the afternoon off.
I could tell I needed a little me time so I sort of wandered off by myself. I just walked around for awhile people watching and going into random little stores because it was so gorgeous outside. After making a pitstop at the candy store (surprised?), I (stupidly) decided to walk from town back to Raslatt. I guess I didn't really figure it was SIX STINKIN MILES. That's right, six miles. By the time I realized it, I was already too far gone and also too stubborn to just wait at the nearest bus stop. It was a pretty walk though, definitely got my exercise (for the year). Then things got a wee bit dicey hehe The bus path follows the road (obviously) and so does the bike path so I was just walking a long it. Then at one point the bike path veered off and there was no sidewalk so off course I followed the path. Let's just saying I was walking through neighborhoods for quite some time trying to find the main bus road again haha Thankfully, I was pretty observant on our last walk because I recognized this yard we past that had a electric lawn mower so I some how got my bearings back. At one point, I almost considered pushing down a girl riding her bike so I could take it and get back faster I was so exhausted. I'm pretty sure my legs have never been so happy to see that tacky pink stucco exterior of the 'Slatt. But on the last part of the path I did get to see a grandma hawk a lugi so I'd say the trip was a success.
Three random things I've noticed today:
1)there are playgrounds about every 10 feet and
2) People walk EVERYWHERE with their dogs and
3) The Swedish seem a little culinarily confused. I've seen a sushi/latino restaurant, Greek/Italian, and a tex-mex/burger restaurant. I'm thinkin they just need to pick a cuisine
5.21.2013
I'm basically Swedish
So, I've been here long enough that I feel like a Swede (at least a Jonkoping Swede). I know when the bus comes, I found the cheap coffee, and I could probably be dropped off anywhere and find my way back to Raslatt (of course I'm not testing that out anytime soon). I'm not going to lie,I'm kind of ready to transition to the big city livin' of Stockholm. It sort of lake Fayetteville vs. New York City.
One thing I still cannot get used to it the doors. First of all, even if theres a handle that looks like you should pull it, most times you have to push, silly swedes. Then there's this whole twist the lock to open the door thing that tends to leave me banging around for a few minutes trying to figure out which way to turn it. Maybe by the end of the trip I'll master the art of door opening?
Today, we got to sleep in woooohoooooooo! We started off with a prosthetics and orthotics lecture from an Australian lady who is working at the university. She was freaking hilarious. She kept joking that it was nice she could actually talk at a normal (fast) speed in English for once! I didn't know a whole let about what she was talking about but she made it pretty easy to get the gist. She talked about the quality of good running shoes (using me and another girls shoes as examples, of course mine apparently stink hehe). It was nice because since she is originally from another country with a different healthcare system, she finally pointed out the flaws (that obviously exist) in Sweden. Everyone so far has been all "yada yada, the system rocks" but no one has a perfect system so it was nice to get a different perspective. So now for my favorite tidbits I learned: those vibram running feet/shoe things are terrible for you! Chacos are a pretty decent shoe as far as supporting feet goes. And shape-ups actually improve your balance (but not while wearing them so if you have sucky balance already stay away). It was by far my favorite lecture I've had to sit through so far.
After lunch in the oh so lovely school cafeteria, the next lecture was about Internationalism at the university...or so I thought. Yeah, the speaker talked about it a little bit, but mostly he talked about Swedish culture which was refreshing. SO MUCH ABOUT HEALTHCARE ON THE TRIP that we're starting to hear a lot of the same things so it was nice to learn about something more laid back. It was during my usual afternoon lull so I alm...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Now for my favorite part of today, the Midsummer party! The school of health held a goodbye dinner for all the international students (like the ones who have been here for the whole semester, and us hooligans who have been here all of .2 seconds) at this fancy historical building on campus. It was themed after the Midsummer party which is a big ol mondo Swedish holiday every summer with flowers and poles and food and dresses. Cute theme if ya ask me (even though it feels like anything but summer outside here). When the group arrived, we were seated randomly so we got to meet other international students and teachers. I even talked to a guest teacher from Tanzania (Dr. Ungar would have been proud, I told her all about my trip last summer!). I ended up sitting next to my advisor for back in Fayetteville which was nice because she definitely squashed some of my worries about Nursing school in the fall. I also met girls from Austrailia, Austria, the Netherlands, and Germany, so cool! The food was a little interesting (pickled herring, cured salmon anyone?) but the SUSHIs made sure I had some gluten free chicken and vegetables so thankfully I got to eat semi normal food hehe And that ice cream for dessert was stinkin' delicious. I still find it hilarious that we came just in time for the goodbye dinner which was more like halfway dinner for us hehe
I know I've been slacking on the pictures but trust me I have them!!! I'm just too sleepy to upload them!
One thing I still cannot get used to it the doors. First of all, even if theres a handle that looks like you should pull it, most times you have to push, silly swedes. Then there's this whole twist the lock to open the door thing that tends to leave me banging around for a few minutes trying to figure out which way to turn it. Maybe by the end of the trip I'll master the art of door opening?
Today, we got to sleep in woooohoooooooo! We started off with a prosthetics and orthotics lecture from an Australian lady who is working at the university. She was freaking hilarious. She kept joking that it was nice she could actually talk at a normal (fast) speed in English for once! I didn't know a whole let about what she was talking about but she made it pretty easy to get the gist. She talked about the quality of good running shoes (using me and another girls shoes as examples, of course mine apparently stink hehe). It was nice because since she is originally from another country with a different healthcare system, she finally pointed out the flaws (that obviously exist) in Sweden. Everyone so far has been all "yada yada, the system rocks" but no one has a perfect system so it was nice to get a different perspective. So now for my favorite tidbits I learned: those vibram running feet/shoe things are terrible for you! Chacos are a pretty decent shoe as far as supporting feet goes. And shape-ups actually improve your balance (but not while wearing them so if you have sucky balance already stay away). It was by far my favorite lecture I've had to sit through so far.
After lunch in the oh so lovely school cafeteria, the next lecture was about Internationalism at the university...or so I thought. Yeah, the speaker talked about it a little bit, but mostly he talked about Swedish culture which was refreshing. SO MUCH ABOUT HEALTHCARE ON THE TRIP that we're starting to hear a lot of the same things so it was nice to learn about something more laid back. It was during my usual afternoon lull so I alm...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Now for my favorite part of today, the Midsummer party! The school of health held a goodbye dinner for all the international students (like the ones who have been here for the whole semester, and us hooligans who have been here all of .2 seconds) at this fancy historical building on campus. It was themed after the Midsummer party which is a big ol mondo Swedish holiday every summer with flowers and poles and food and dresses. Cute theme if ya ask me (even though it feels like anything but summer outside here). When the group arrived, we were seated randomly so we got to meet other international students and teachers. I even talked to a guest teacher from Tanzania (Dr. Ungar would have been proud, I told her all about my trip last summer!). I ended up sitting next to my advisor for back in Fayetteville which was nice because she definitely squashed some of my worries about Nursing school in the fall. I also met girls from Austrailia, Austria, the Netherlands, and Germany, so cool! The food was a little interesting (pickled herring, cured salmon anyone?) but the SUSHIs made sure I had some gluten free chicken and vegetables so thankfully I got to eat semi normal food hehe And that ice cream for dessert was stinkin' delicious. I still find it hilarious that we came just in time for the goodbye dinner which was more like halfway dinner for us hehe
I know I've been slacking on the pictures but trust me I have them!!! I'm just too sleepy to upload them!
5.20.2013
The Swedish Make it Rain...benefits
This post is a little more about all that educational mumbo jumbo I'm "supposed to be" (and actually today) doing. I started bright and early with a lecture at the social security office, then a visit to the Qulturum (no it's not the vampire thing from Twilight), then ended with lunch and a tour of Ryhov hospital. But, no worries, even though it was earlier, my day started fantastic because I finally figured out how to work the microwave (still couldn't figure out the timer thought so I just had to stand and watch it lawlz).
So as I'm sure everyone knows, the Swedish people do things a little differently here. Basically, citizens are taxed around 30% (I know the number seems super high but just wait). In exchange for being taxed so heavily, the people are universally provided with healthcare and free education among other things. Even universities are free! It's definitely based heavily on the state rather than the market system. Even if someone loses their job, they still have those benefits. I don't know about you but that idea sounds crazy foreign and opposite to me of the US. Everything hinges on the citizens having so much trust in the state, which is evident in the culture.
That's what the social security lecture was about, the logistics. IT was a big ol long lecture that would put most people to sleep so I'll give my reader's digest version of a few of the crazy differences. First off, workers have at least 5 weeks of paid vacation a year. You heard me, FIVE WEEKS. As far as sick leave, a worker gets paid no salary the first day they are home sick. Days 2-14, workers are paid around 80% of their salary from their employer then after that they apply for sick leave from the social welfare office. If approved, from day 15 on, workers are paid up to 80% of their salary from the state. Of course there is a ceiling limit so a person with a higher wage might not get paid as high of a percent but still thats nuts. Now here comes my favorite fun fact. In Sweden, a couple (yes mother and father) gets 480 days of leave per child. 480 days!!! Not only that, but the time doesn't have to be consecutive so the parents can switch off (like mom takes a month, then dad, and so on). The only requirement is that 90 days are not transferable (meaning its up to the parents who takes how much of that time except for 90 days). The parents are even guaranteed their jobs/salary when they go back to work. I almost can't even wrap my head around that it's such a foreign idea to me. Poppin out babies in Sweden seems like living the life!
Next, I went to the Qulturum, which is sort of like a "think tank." Members of the community all gather and through meetings and conferences, they look at quality improvement in healthcare. It's a lot cooler than I'm making it sound like and the building was gorgeous! The type of projects they work on are all about self-care and "coaching" patients. It's all about "coaching" patients actively and collaboratively rather than just "teaching." It's about the health, not the care in health care.
The hospital was pretty stinkin cool. First off, the government gives health facilities money to spent on artwork and design and such because they think the environment is such an important part of care. I'm down with dat. It was nice not looking at sterile blank walls for once. The main part I want to touch on about the hospital is dat $$$$$$$ (that money). Yes the government provides the healthcare, but what do the citizens have to pay to go to the doctor? Surely it must be outrageously expensive right? Thats a big fat WRONG! For a doctors visit, people have to pay about 150 SEK (which equates to about $22. That covers any visit, from the flu to a broken hip! Then for a visit to a specialist for any reason, they pay around $45 without a referral or another $22 with one. Now comes the crazy part, once they pay 1800 SEK ($270) for any healthcare visits/treatments etc (per year), they are DUNZO. That's their yearly deductible. It doesn't matter if they have cancer or some other disease, once they reach 1800 SEK, they are done out of pocket. Wicked cool.
All this stuff sounds nice and peachy doesn't it? At first, I was so flabbergasted we don't have something like this in America but something tells me it wouldn't quite work hehe. The culture and views of government and society are very different here and thats what allows this system to function so well. IS YOUR MIND JUST BLOWN OR WHAT?!
So as I'm sure everyone knows, the Swedish people do things a little differently here. Basically, citizens are taxed around 30% (I know the number seems super high but just wait). In exchange for being taxed so heavily, the people are universally provided with healthcare and free education among other things. Even universities are free! It's definitely based heavily on the state rather than the market system. Even if someone loses their job, they still have those benefits. I don't know about you but that idea sounds crazy foreign and opposite to me of the US. Everything hinges on the citizens having so much trust in the state, which is evident in the culture.
That's what the social security lecture was about, the logistics. IT was a big ol long lecture that would put most people to sleep so I'll give my reader's digest version of a few of the crazy differences. First off, workers have at least 5 weeks of paid vacation a year. You heard me, FIVE WEEKS. As far as sick leave, a worker gets paid no salary the first day they are home sick. Days 2-14, workers are paid around 80% of their salary from their employer then after that they apply for sick leave from the social welfare office. If approved, from day 15 on, workers are paid up to 80% of their salary from the state. Of course there is a ceiling limit so a person with a higher wage might not get paid as high of a percent but still thats nuts. Now here comes my favorite fun fact. In Sweden, a couple (yes mother and father) gets 480 days of leave per child. 480 days!!! Not only that, but the time doesn't have to be consecutive so the parents can switch off (like mom takes a month, then dad, and so on). The only requirement is that 90 days are not transferable (meaning its up to the parents who takes how much of that time except for 90 days). The parents are even guaranteed their jobs/salary when they go back to work. I almost can't even wrap my head around that it's such a foreign idea to me. Poppin out babies in Sweden seems like living the life!
Next, I went to the Qulturum, which is sort of like a "think tank." Members of the community all gather and through meetings and conferences, they look at quality improvement in healthcare. It's a lot cooler than I'm making it sound like and the building was gorgeous! The type of projects they work on are all about self-care and "coaching" patients. It's all about "coaching" patients actively and collaboratively rather than just "teaching." It's about the health, not the care in health care.
The hospital was pretty stinkin cool. First off, the government gives health facilities money to spent on artwork and design and such because they think the environment is such an important part of care. I'm down with dat. It was nice not looking at sterile blank walls for once. The main part I want to touch on about the hospital is dat $$$$$$$ (that money). Yes the government provides the healthcare, but what do the citizens have to pay to go to the doctor? Surely it must be outrageously expensive right? Thats a big fat WRONG! For a doctors visit, people have to pay about 150 SEK (which equates to about $22. That covers any visit, from the flu to a broken hip! Then for a visit to a specialist for any reason, they pay around $45 without a referral or another $22 with one. Now comes the crazy part, once they pay 1800 SEK ($270) for any healthcare visits/treatments etc (per year), they are DUNZO. That's their yearly deductible. It doesn't matter if they have cancer or some other disease, once they reach 1800 SEK, they are done out of pocket. Wicked cool.
All this stuff sounds nice and peachy doesn't it? At first, I was so flabbergasted we don't have something like this in America but something tells me it wouldn't quite work hehe. The culture and views of government and society are very different here and thats what allows this system to function so well. IS YOUR MIND JUST BLOWN OR WHAT?!
Yes, I will take you to the candy shop
Who wants candy? I'll tell ya, this girl! I went to a candy store TWICE yesterday. And oddly, I paid the same amount both times so I'm thinking he never weighed it. It was cheap so I'll take it! It's hard because I've found a few favorites that we don;t have in the good ole USA so I feel like every time I see them I have to get them! Thankfully, I've steered clear of any licorice (they love it here, thank goodness it has gluten in it so I have an excuse not to eat it). I did try a N-A-S-T-Y banana flavored marshmallow covered in chocolate. In my defense, it was shaped like I dolphin so I had to get it and I didn't know it was banana. If you can't tell, I've had the wanna be diet of a small child since I've been here. Ice cream, candy, french fries. I am most certainly going to have to reign that in real quick or else in addition to all the money I'm spending here, I'm going to have to buy a whole new wardrobe when I get home. Strangely, there are not that many obese people here (or at least that I've seen). The Swedish diet seems to be heavily pastry/sweets based but maybe all the healthy fish they eat outweighs all the junk? Of course, the skinniness also probably has to do with the fact people walk EVERYWHERE. So unlike America where we drive everywhere from the bank to the stinkin' mailbox.
Along with the whole Swedish diet thing, I can't get a grasp on my feelings about coffee here. On average the Swedish drink around 4-5 cups of coffee per day but I'm not seeing it. First off, most of the cafes don't even open till 8 or 9! Ridiculous compared to the 5:30 am Starbucks wake up call. Secondly, coffee at said cafes is 25-30 Kroner which works out to be around $4!!!!! And I'm not talking about touristy places (Jonkoping isn't really a hopin' tourist destination). I'd be broke as a joke. The worst part is I'm still bad at converting money in my head so most times I end up just buying it anyway.
Another peculiarity about Sweden is the volume. EVERYONE TALKS SO QUIET. It might as well be a whisper. And no one talks over each other. Its so awk sauce because that is probably the biggest give away that we're from the states because pretty much the entire city can here us coming. I've started to pick up on when I'm talking pretty loud. I guess it helps people communicate easier with each other because people actually listen to what other people are saying instead of just trying to force their point across.
Okay, so the weather. Not a fan in the least bit. Too much rain/wind/cold for this girl. If you're ever in Jonkoping and you think it's going to be a pretty day so you don't need an umbrella/rain jacket, you're wrong. Even on pretty days it's freaking freezing most of the morning so you have to overdress for when it finally (maybe) warms up in the afternoon. Talk about impossible to dress for!
So some of the group is about to go to IKEA for dinner so I have to skitskat. Yes, IKEA is a furniture store and yes IKEA has a restaurant/cafeteria and yes said restaurant is cheapy cheap. Also, their mashed potatoes deserve their own blog post entirely. We had a busy day though, so be on the look out for post numero dos in a few hours. What can I say? I just want to remember everything!
Along with the whole Swedish diet thing, I can't get a grasp on my feelings about coffee here. On average the Swedish drink around 4-5 cups of coffee per day but I'm not seeing it. First off, most of the cafes don't even open till 8 or 9! Ridiculous compared to the 5:30 am Starbucks wake up call. Secondly, coffee at said cafes is 25-30 Kroner which works out to be around $4!!!!! And I'm not talking about touristy places (Jonkoping isn't really a hopin' tourist destination). I'd be broke as a joke. The worst part is I'm still bad at converting money in my head so most times I end up just buying it anyway.
Another peculiarity about Sweden is the volume. EVERYONE TALKS SO QUIET. It might as well be a whisper. And no one talks over each other. Its so awk sauce because that is probably the biggest give away that we're from the states because pretty much the entire city can here us coming. I've started to pick up on when I'm talking pretty loud. I guess it helps people communicate easier with each other because people actually listen to what other people are saying instead of just trying to force their point across.
Okay, so the weather. Not a fan in the least bit. Too much rain/wind/cold for this girl. If you're ever in Jonkoping and you think it's going to be a pretty day so you don't need an umbrella/rain jacket, you're wrong. Even on pretty days it's freaking freezing most of the morning so you have to overdress for when it finally (maybe) warms up in the afternoon. Talk about impossible to dress for!
So some of the group is about to go to IKEA for dinner so I have to skitskat. Yes, IKEA is a furniture store and yes IKEA has a restaurant/cafeteria and yes said restaurant is cheapy cheap. Also, their mashed potatoes deserve their own blog post entirely. We had a busy day though, so be on the look out for post numero dos in a few hours. What can I say? I just want to remember everything!
5.19.2013
And things get interesting
Sorry for the length of this post, but I have to blog about stuff before I forget it.
So I keep waking up in the mornings with my "quilt" halfway out of my "duvet cover." Welp, it's probably because the giant pillowcase-ish thing has no buttons or zipper on the bottom so it can't help but slide out. Dumb.
Even though Sunday (today) was supposedly a "free day," it's been quite the little adventure. First, a few of the group went to this big church we've past basically every day for a Swedish church service. Surprisingly, the Swedish aren't very religious as a whole. The SUSHIs couldn't even tell us what denomination the church was and it wasn't even some rinky dink little chapel, it was a monster! Of course, i couldn't understand anything the priest (preacher? pastor? I have no idea so I'll just rock the Catholicism lingo) was saying but I could follow along for the most part. The hymns sounded similar and I could tell the main parts like the Lord's prayer and communion. Probably because of the whole language thing, it was a teensy bit hard to stay completely awake;) Definitely an experience to say the least.
Before church, I found a mini gym (think hotel style) in my own stinking building! I mean, it only took me a week I guess? So I had a nice little elliptical bout before the day started. on my way to the gym, I think I may have had a third roommate spotting. Well, at least I saw shoes outside her door so I'm thinking she was home. Maybe I'll meet her before we leave? So we "fika-ed" on the way to church of course. I find it interesting how rare seeing people with "to go" coffee cups has been. Everyone really seems to embrace the whole coffee break thing to really enjoy their time. Also, I counted at least 10 pizzerias on the bus ride to the church. Pizza. is. everywhere. Interestingly, when someone orders a pizza, the restaurant doesn't slice it up, they serve it whole. Guess you just have to dig in (which would be A-ok with me if I could eat it!). Speaking of restaurants, I committed an accidental crime today at Max burger! Whoops! I keep forgetting the whole no ice/free refill thing so I just went ahead and got more coke before I even thought about paying for a refill!
After church this morning, the group met up with the teachers to go to Huskavarna to go to some museum place. Not quite my cup of tea (or coffee), but it wasn't to boring. After, I got yet another ice cream (even though it was raining and freezing. This one was my favorite so far- sort of like a pineapple version of a creamsicle- YUMM. It went fantastically with the candy I had at lunch again today=D
Last night, the word around the Raslatt block (I swear, this place is a gossip mill) was there was some fiesta party going down. Sort of an international frat party if you will. Of course we had to go. We made it there, and we made it home, so as far as I'm concerned that makes it a success. It was kind of funny, all the music they played was about as American as it gets. Kesha, Ying Yang, Britney Spears, I can dig it. As we got on the bus back home, something really weird and VERY un-American happened. The police officers standing at the bus stop were making sure all the extremely drunk people made it onto their buses to get home. They would even talk to the bus drivers so the bus drivers knew to make sure they got off at their stop. It mesmerized me because in the US, the police would just slap some cuffs on ya and hello public intox!
I'm kind of bummed it's been so rainy today because apparently there was a huge gay pride parade through town. That sort of stuff isn't usually up my alley, but I figured it'd been an interesting experience. I'm hitting the ground running at around 7:30 tomorrow, so I finally get to take a lame night where I do nothing but sleep at like 9. Is it weird that I'm excited?!
So I keep waking up in the mornings with my "quilt" halfway out of my "duvet cover." Welp, it's probably because the giant pillowcase-ish thing has no buttons or zipper on the bottom so it can't help but slide out. Dumb.
Even though Sunday (today) was supposedly a "free day," it's been quite the little adventure. First, a few of the group went to this big church we've past basically every day for a Swedish church service. Surprisingly, the Swedish aren't very religious as a whole. The SUSHIs couldn't even tell us what denomination the church was and it wasn't even some rinky dink little chapel, it was a monster! Of course, i couldn't understand anything the priest (preacher? pastor? I have no idea so I'll just rock the Catholicism lingo) was saying but I could follow along for the most part. The hymns sounded similar and I could tell the main parts like the Lord's prayer and communion. Probably because of the whole language thing, it was a teensy bit hard to stay completely awake;) Definitely an experience to say the least.
Before church, I found a mini gym (think hotel style) in my own stinking building! I mean, it only took me a week I guess? So I had a nice little elliptical bout before the day started. on my way to the gym, I think I may have had a third roommate spotting. Well, at least I saw shoes outside her door so I'm thinking she was home. Maybe I'll meet her before we leave? So we "fika-ed" on the way to church of course. I find it interesting how rare seeing people with "to go" coffee cups has been. Everyone really seems to embrace the whole coffee break thing to really enjoy their time. Also, I counted at least 10 pizzerias on the bus ride to the church. Pizza. is. everywhere. Interestingly, when someone orders a pizza, the restaurant doesn't slice it up, they serve it whole. Guess you just have to dig in (which would be A-ok with me if I could eat it!). Speaking of restaurants, I committed an accidental crime today at Max burger! Whoops! I keep forgetting the whole no ice/free refill thing so I just went ahead and got more coke before I even thought about paying for a refill!
After church this morning, the group met up with the teachers to go to Huskavarna to go to some museum place. Not quite my cup of tea (or coffee), but it wasn't to boring. After, I got yet another ice cream (even though it was raining and freezing. This one was my favorite so far- sort of like a pineapple version of a creamsicle- YUMM. It went fantastically with the candy I had at lunch again today=D
Last night, the word around the Raslatt block (I swear, this place is a gossip mill) was there was some fiesta party going down. Sort of an international frat party if you will. Of course we had to go. We made it there, and we made it home, so as far as I'm concerned that makes it a success. It was kind of funny, all the music they played was about as American as it gets. Kesha, Ying Yang, Britney Spears, I can dig it. As we got on the bus back home, something really weird and VERY un-American happened. The police officers standing at the bus stop were making sure all the extremely drunk people made it onto their buses to get home. They would even talk to the bus drivers so the bus drivers knew to make sure they got off at their stop. It mesmerized me because in the US, the police would just slap some cuffs on ya and hello public intox!
I'm kind of bummed it's been so rainy today because apparently there was a huge gay pride parade through town. That sort of stuff isn't usually up my alley, but I figured it'd been an interesting experience. I'm hitting the ground running at around 7:30 tomorrow, so I finally get to take a lame night where I do nothing but sleep at like 9. Is it weird that I'm excited?!
5.18.2013
Hija
Hej! (I know it looks like hija but its pronounced just like Hey and hey! it means the same thing too!)
Today has been quite the adventure. First off it was a free day, woohoohoo. You would think I'd want to sleep for once on this trip but nope, I hit the ground running. Some of the group took the bus bright and early to go to a farmers market in town. I was expecting a farmers market sort of like fayetteville, with lots of fruits and vegetables and the like for sale. But nope, it more reminding me of a cheap place to buy clothes (that looked like they were made in China). It was FREEZING so we decided to take our first (of many) fikas of the day. After hanging around for a little bit, we ventured to the shopping street part of town, but not before we stopped at another cafe for fika round two (aka we got cold and wanted to go inside and warm up).
After fika #2, we finally made it to some stores. I'm definitely not doing so hot at the whole covert currency in your head on the spot thing so thank goodness for currency apps. I bought a few things but then I really struck gold, I found a candy store. I've been hearing a lot about the Swedish people and their candy but i had yet to go into a candy store. Thankfully a girl on the trip has as big (if not bigger) sweet tooth as I do so we saw the sign and we were so there. Heaven just might begin to describe it. Not only was there buckets and bins of candy everywhere, but there was even an allergen guide so I knew that everything with a blue little dot sticker was gluten free (SCORE!). Surprisingly I only spent around $2 but I actually got a lot of candy (which in true Kelly fashion, i ate as lunch).
On the way back to Raslatt (Side note apparently Raslatt isn't just the dorms for the international students, it's Jonkopings ghetto. I mean definitely nicer then any ghetto I've seen!) we stopped at Max Burger which is basically the equivalent of McDonalds. I had just eaten pounds of candy so I didn't get anything but I might have to venture there again before the trips over. As soon as I got back, I finally crashed. Three hours later I pried myself out of bed then just wandered around outside for a little while. I guess the boys here have to soak up all the sun they can in the summer (since it's so dark in the winter) because every time it gets warmer than 65 degrees, I'm pretty sure every guy has their shirt off and girls bust out the bikini tops. I'll work on the whole picture thing but I've got to get a little sneaky.
The end of my little adventure led to the grocery store. I literally just wondered up and down every aisle looking at all the interesting and different foods. I couldn't stop thinking of my friend Autumn when I stumbled upon a whole wall of hotdogs (I then thought of Lizzy being all "do you know whats in those?!). I found some definitely strange snacks (cream cheese chips anyone?). Of course I was dying of thirst so I thought I'd try some random drink....literally tastes like someone poured at least a pound of sugar in a bottle and squeezed 4 oranges. It was even too tart when I watered it down...and then watered it down some more. Earlier I got a flavored water, which I assumed would tastes like those carbonated flavored waters I always drink at home. NOPE. Ick gross, flavored seltzer water is obviously not my cup of tea.
I started walking home and of course it started raining since I had just taken my umbrella out of my purse. Okay, it was drizzling but just let me be a diva.
Today has been quite the adventure. First off it was a free day, woohoohoo. You would think I'd want to sleep for once on this trip but nope, I hit the ground running. Some of the group took the bus bright and early to go to a farmers market in town. I was expecting a farmers market sort of like fayetteville, with lots of fruits and vegetables and the like for sale. But nope, it more reminding me of a cheap place to buy clothes (that looked like they were made in China). It was FREEZING so we decided to take our first (of many) fikas of the day. After hanging around for a little bit, we ventured to the shopping street part of town, but not before we stopped at another cafe for fika round two (aka we got cold and wanted to go inside and warm up).
After fika #2, we finally made it to some stores. I'm definitely not doing so hot at the whole covert currency in your head on the spot thing so thank goodness for currency apps. I bought a few things but then I really struck gold, I found a candy store. I've been hearing a lot about the Swedish people and their candy but i had yet to go into a candy store. Thankfully a girl on the trip has as big (if not bigger) sweet tooth as I do so we saw the sign and we were so there. Heaven just might begin to describe it. Not only was there buckets and bins of candy everywhere, but there was even an allergen guide so I knew that everything with a blue little dot sticker was gluten free (SCORE!). Surprisingly I only spent around $2 but I actually got a lot of candy (which in true Kelly fashion, i ate as lunch).
On the way back to Raslatt (Side note apparently Raslatt isn't just the dorms for the international students, it's Jonkopings ghetto. I mean definitely nicer then any ghetto I've seen!) we stopped at Max Burger which is basically the equivalent of McDonalds. I had just eaten pounds of candy so I didn't get anything but I might have to venture there again before the trips over. As soon as I got back, I finally crashed. Three hours later I pried myself out of bed then just wandered around outside for a little while. I guess the boys here have to soak up all the sun they can in the summer (since it's so dark in the winter) because every time it gets warmer than 65 degrees, I'm pretty sure every guy has their shirt off and girls bust out the bikini tops. I'll work on the whole picture thing but I've got to get a little sneaky.
The end of my little adventure led to the grocery store. I literally just wondered up and down every aisle looking at all the interesting and different foods. I couldn't stop thinking of my friend Autumn when I stumbled upon a whole wall of hotdogs (I then thought of Lizzy being all "do you know whats in those?!). I found some definitely strange snacks (cream cheese chips anyone?). Of course I was dying of thirst so I thought I'd try some random drink....literally tastes like someone poured at least a pound of sugar in a bottle and squeezed 4 oranges. It was even too tart when I watered it down...and then watered it down some more. Earlier I got a flavored water, which I assumed would tastes like those carbonated flavored waters I always drink at home. NOPE. Ick gross, flavored seltzer water is obviously not my cup of tea.
I'm all about dat blue
How do the Swedes have teeth at all? #cavities
Mmmm hotdogs?
Sugar in a bottle
I'm not a fan (and excuse the ratchetness, I'm trying to be very European and not care about my hair)
5.17.2013
Day 12248237598235
So I feel like I've been in Sweden for about 5 years now. Definitely not a bad thing it's just an interesting feeling. Like I could wander off into the city by myself and most likely find my way back to the dorms (don't worry dad I'm not, I left my pepper spray at home). Although, I don't think anything would even happen to me. The Swedes seem to follow an honor system pretty well. Like, no one even locks up their bikes. Speaking of bikes, Jonkoping needs bike parking lie Fayetteville needs scooter parking (they are freaking everywhere. And don't think bikers (or cars for that matter) won't just plow right into you, they will. Speaking of bike parking at the university, the saga of the university sweatshirt search has began. I want one so stinking bad and I haven't found any sort of student union type store.
Also on the subject of sagas, I finally figured out the whole duvet situation. There was a bottom sheet for the bed, then a top sheet-which doubled as a huge pillow case type contraption for the "quilt" aka mattress topper. The whole bag should have come with instructions...just like everything you buy at IKEA which was where we went today! I don't think I could have had a better conversation segway there (literary genius status). I just love IKEA and the big maze that is existence. There's only one way through the store so you have no choice but to keep on keep on following it. Seeing as I've been so jetlagged, I took a little nappy nap (see da pic). Also, the precious Fran bought us lunch there. IKEA's have a cafeteria (probably because you get so hungry walking 5 miles through the whole stinking store). I had just had a snack so I wasn't too hungry so I asked for a side of mashed potatoes, yep definitely got about 4 scoops.
Before IKEA, the group listened to Nan (one of the other teachers) give a little lecture on congestive heart failure. Don't worry, I didn't fall asleep but I may have been close. Then we walked across town to go to a match stick museum because apparently they were invented here. I was going to buy some cute little match boxes but I wasn't sure how many TSA would let me get away with ;) Okay, honestly, I'd rather buy shoes and/or ice cream.
The group had some free time after so we walked around the mall a little bit (yes, I bought something at H&M) then we just came back to the dorms and took a nice long walk because the weather is beautiful! Speaking of which, I'm going to go enjoy it now.
Also on the subject of sagas, I finally figured out the whole duvet situation. There was a bottom sheet for the bed, then a top sheet-which doubled as a huge pillow case type contraption for the "quilt" aka mattress topper. The whole bag should have come with instructions...just like everything you buy at IKEA which was where we went today! I don't think I could have had a better conversation segway there (literary genius status). I just love IKEA and the big maze that is existence. There's only one way through the store so you have no choice but to keep on keep on following it. Seeing as I've been so jetlagged, I took a little nappy nap (see da pic). Also, the precious Fran bought us lunch there. IKEA's have a cafeteria (probably because you get so hungry walking 5 miles through the whole stinking store). I had just had a snack so I wasn't too hungry so I asked for a side of mashed potatoes, yep definitely got about 4 scoops.
Before IKEA, the group listened to Nan (one of the other teachers) give a little lecture on congestive heart failure. Don't worry, I didn't fall asleep but I may have been close. Then we walked across town to go to a match stick museum because apparently they were invented here. I was going to buy some cute little match boxes but I wasn't sure how many TSA would let me get away with ;) Okay, honestly, I'd rather buy shoes and/or ice cream.
The group had some free time after so we walked around the mall a little bit (yes, I bought something at H&M) then we just came back to the dorms and took a nice long walk because the weather is beautiful! Speaking of which, I'm going to go enjoy it now.
anyone want some potatoes?
bikes. freaking. everywhere.
Break it down
Academia was definitely interesting....
First off it's 3 in the morning and I'm wide awake so looks like jetlag finally caught up with me.I figured I write some of my post about last night then I could write the rest later today.
So back to the juicy stuff. First off, that first "legal bottle of wine I bought," yep apple juice. Story of my life. I don't even like apple justice but you better believe I drank it like it was going out of style.
So we met our SUSHIs at the "health park" next to the school around 8:30 (we were supposed to meet around 7 but we didn't see why till we got there). Definitely different form the Fayetteville "go out at 12 if your cool" lifestyle. bunch of other students from all the different colleges were just chilling out in this park, playing games and chit chatting etc. What's intersting is all the different colleges have different color coveralls (white for health science, red for education i think? orange for engineering maybe? etc) and the students wear these coveralls to Academian. Yep, looked a little out of place without mine but no biggie. There are even supposedly some unwritten rules about not washing them and exchanging pants legs (SCANDALOUS). So we hung out for awhile and got our mingle on with the other students before walking to the club. The club is run by students and they try to make everything as cheap as possible which is kind of cool. We walk in and the first thing I notice is the techno beatzz. Swedes love their techno and oh you bet I got my jam on for a few hours before we left! IT was definitely an experience and I'm not going to lie I sort of wish we had something like that back in Fayetteville.
So later today turned into this morning. I just went for my second morning run (and by morning run I mean 15 minutes worth of a light jog before I got tired and quit). That's already more working out than I planned to do this trip so I think that deserves TWO scoops of ice cream today. The ice cream over here is pretty legit. I tried blueberry ice cream...tastes exactly like a blueberry. And then of course I had ice cream for dinner last night, some sort of lemon, delish! A few people with me got Swedish pizza (which they said was heavenly). The weird thing was, it was served whole-no slices (or pizza cutter)- so I guess you're just supposed to dig in. After dinner we went and sat (sans teachers yet again) at a restaurant on the pier for a little bit. It seemed like sunset, but seeing as its light basically all the time (JUST LIKE ALASKA CAIT!!!), it wasn't really going down.
Earlier in the day, we nailed down some class related stuff (like what we have to do as far as school work, YUCK) before having lunch in the cafeteria again. Speaking of school work, all my grades from last semester are finally in, 4.0 woohooooo! After lunch I finally got to hear about this infamous Swedish healthcare system I'm supposed to be learning so much about. A professor came and talked to us for a bit and I'm not lying, interesting doesn't even begin to describe it (minus the fact I was coming down from my caffeine high so I was about to crash). Regardless of weather a Swede goes the the doctor for a runny nose or a broken leg they pay the same copay (which isn't much). Regardless of weather they go to a public or private provider, they pay the same copay. They don't even have to pay for children's care or having babies!!! There's not even any question of what it would cost if they didn't have insurance, because THEY ALL DO! Mindboggling.
So the dorms I'm staying in are filled with other international students from all over, so I'm not living with people I came with. I could be a lot worse off though. One of my roommates, Maria, is from Peru and she lent me her hair dryer the first day so she's an A+ in my book. My second roommate, Agnes, is from the Netherlands. She's a little older (like 25) and she's finishing up her thesis so she's a bit busy but she seems nice. My third roommate (I think I have one) has been MIA and I haven't met her yet so we'll see how that goes.
Alright, time to peace out and go get ready so I don't miss the bus (which I expect to happen at least once on this trip with my luck)
First off it's 3 in the morning and I'm wide awake so looks like jetlag finally caught up with me.I figured I write some of my post about last night then I could write the rest later today.
So back to the juicy stuff. First off, that first "legal bottle of wine I bought," yep apple juice. Story of my life. I don't even like apple justice but you better believe I drank it like it was going out of style.
So we met our SUSHIs at the "health park" next to the school around 8:30 (we were supposed to meet around 7 but we didn't see why till we got there). Definitely different form the Fayetteville "go out at 12 if your cool" lifestyle. bunch of other students from all the different colleges were just chilling out in this park, playing games and chit chatting etc. What's intersting is all the different colleges have different color coveralls (white for health science, red for education i think? orange for engineering maybe? etc) and the students wear these coveralls to Academian. Yep, looked a little out of place without mine but no biggie. There are even supposedly some unwritten rules about not washing them and exchanging pants legs (SCANDALOUS). So we hung out for awhile and got our mingle on with the other students before walking to the club. The club is run by students and they try to make everything as cheap as possible which is kind of cool. We walk in and the first thing I notice is the techno beatzz. Swedes love their techno and oh you bet I got my jam on for a few hours before we left! IT was definitely an experience and I'm not going to lie I sort of wish we had something like that back in Fayetteville.
So later today turned into this morning. I just went for my second morning run (and by morning run I mean 15 minutes worth of a light jog before I got tired and quit). That's already more working out than I planned to do this trip so I think that deserves TWO scoops of ice cream today. The ice cream over here is pretty legit. I tried blueberry ice cream...tastes exactly like a blueberry. And then of course I had ice cream for dinner last night, some sort of lemon, delish! A few people with me got Swedish pizza (which they said was heavenly). The weird thing was, it was served whole-no slices (or pizza cutter)- so I guess you're just supposed to dig in. After dinner we went and sat (sans teachers yet again) at a restaurant on the pier for a little bit. It seemed like sunset, but seeing as its light basically all the time (JUST LIKE ALASKA CAIT!!!), it wasn't really going down.
Earlier in the day, we nailed down some class related stuff (like what we have to do as far as school work, YUCK) before having lunch in the cafeteria again. Speaking of school work, all my grades from last semester are finally in, 4.0 woohooooo! After lunch I finally got to hear about this infamous Swedish healthcare system I'm supposed to be learning so much about. A professor came and talked to us for a bit and I'm not lying, interesting doesn't even begin to describe it (minus the fact I was coming down from my caffeine high so I was about to crash). Regardless of weather a Swede goes the the doctor for a runny nose or a broken leg they pay the same copay (which isn't much). Regardless of weather they go to a public or private provider, they pay the same copay. They don't even have to pay for children's care or having babies!!! There's not even any question of what it would cost if they didn't have insurance, because THEY ALL DO! Mindboggling.
So the dorms I'm staying in are filled with other international students from all over, so I'm not living with people I came with. I could be a lot worse off though. One of my roommates, Maria, is from Peru and she lent me her hair dryer the first day so she's an A+ in my book. My second roommate, Agnes, is from the Netherlands. She's a little older (like 25) and she's finishing up her thesis so she's a bit busy but she seems nice. My third roommate (I think I have one) has been MIA and I haven't met her yet so we'll see how that goes.
Alright, time to peace out and go get ready so I don't miss the bus (which I expect to happen at least once on this trip with my luck)
5.15.2013
Let's get our walk on
So today, we started off having to find our way to the Health School..by ourselves. Yep, our teachers are staying in an apartment separate from our dorms so we're pretty much on our own when it comes to getting places. Thankfully the directions weren't too hard and we hopped the bus at 9:19. And by 9:19, I mean exactly 9:19. The Swedes are all about that punctuality. And they're also all about that personal space. It's so strange because in the US, everyone is all up in each others grill basically all the time. Once we got to the school, we had breakfast. Don't worry everyone, it included coffee. The Swedes like their coffee, so much so that they have a special word for coffee break, "fika." Favorite part of the day?
After breakfast we learned a little bit about the school and Swedish culture from our SUSHIs. Then came the campus tour. All the buildings were so architecturally modern which was neat because they contrasted with the historic buildings in town. After what felt like two minutes after breakfast, we ate lunch in the cafeteria.
The SUSHIs showed us around the city next. We saw the match district, and the pier, and all that fun stuff. There were the most adorable restaurants on the pier with windows that completely opened up. Most of them even had blankets on the backs of all the chairs for if people got chilly (my kind of restaurant). We went to the shopping street next and I finally saw H&M, woohooooooo! We didn't have time to go in though because we had to change over our money and go grocery shopping before getting ready for Akademia tonight (apparently it's a club type thing for students with overalls and dancing? I'm a little fuzzy myself but I guess I'll find out!). Before hopping the bus again though, I had to embrace the legalness of being a 20 year old in Europe and buy my first legal bottle of wine, such a grown up! Such an experience, especially since all liquor/beer/wine sold in Sweden is controlled by the government (they own the liquor stores and mark up the prices insanely high). I guess the government might want to deter the Swedes from drinking but apparently it doesn't stop them because I was in line behind about 20 people! Grocery shopping was an experience as well. Think its hard shopping in an unfamiliar Walmart where you don't know where things are? Try shopping in a Swedish supermarket where you don't know where things are AND you can't read anything! I ended up with some peanut butter, yogurt, apples, bananas and some gluten free crisp bread so we'll see how that goes.
In my luck, I shorted out my plug adapter on the first morning (fyi Mom, that straightener didn't work hehe) but thankfully one of the teachers has an extra AND one of our SUSHIs let us girls borrow her straightener. But of course, since it's not like I'm finding a husband over here, it doesn't really matter what I look like;)
In a very rude awakening, yesterday morning (or today, it's 3 am so my body is really confused on the whole what day is it thing) I woke up to my entire Twitter and Facebook covered with posts and statuses about one of my sorority sisters who passed away along with another guy in a boating accident. The U of A campus just recently experienced a death in the Greek community, and now we've had two more. I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring oof love and support my sisters have for each other and I couldn't be proud to be apart of such a strong sisterhood. Please keep the families and friends of those two in your thoughts and prayers through what I know has to be a tragic time. I know I can't dwell too much on the situation since I'm all the way over in Sweden, so I'm going to try and enjoy what time I have here but it'll definitely be with a heavy heart.
After breakfast we learned a little bit about the school and Swedish culture from our SUSHIs. Then came the campus tour. All the buildings were so architecturally modern which was neat because they contrasted with the historic buildings in town. After what felt like two minutes after breakfast, we ate lunch in the cafeteria.
The SUSHIs showed us around the city next. We saw the match district, and the pier, and all that fun stuff. There were the most adorable restaurants on the pier with windows that completely opened up. Most of them even had blankets on the backs of all the chairs for if people got chilly (my kind of restaurant). We went to the shopping street next and I finally saw H&M, woohooooooo! We didn't have time to go in though because we had to change over our money and go grocery shopping before getting ready for Akademia tonight (apparently it's a club type thing for students with overalls and dancing? I'm a little fuzzy myself but I guess I'll find out!). Before hopping the bus again though, I had to embrace the legalness of being a 20 year old in Europe and buy my first legal bottle of wine, such a grown up! Such an experience, especially since all liquor/beer/wine sold in Sweden is controlled by the government (they own the liquor stores and mark up the prices insanely high). I guess the government might want to deter the Swedes from drinking but apparently it doesn't stop them because I was in line behind about 20 people! Grocery shopping was an experience as well. Think its hard shopping in an unfamiliar Walmart where you don't know where things are? Try shopping in a Swedish supermarket where you don't know where things are AND you can't read anything! I ended up with some peanut butter, yogurt, apples, bananas and some gluten free crisp bread so we'll see how that goes.
In my luck, I shorted out my plug adapter on the first morning (fyi Mom, that straightener didn't work hehe) but thankfully one of the teachers has an extra AND one of our SUSHIs let us girls borrow her straightener. But of course, since it's not like I'm finding a husband over here, it doesn't really matter what I look like;)
In a very rude awakening, yesterday morning (or today, it's 3 am so my body is really confused on the whole what day is it thing) I woke up to my entire Twitter and Facebook covered with posts and statuses about one of my sorority sisters who passed away along with another guy in a boating accident. The U of A campus just recently experienced a death in the Greek community, and now we've had two more. I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring oof love and support my sisters have for each other and I couldn't be proud to be apart of such a strong sisterhood. Please keep the families and friends of those two in your thoughts and prayers through what I know has to be a tragic time. I know I can't dwell too much on the situation since I'm all the way over in Sweden, so I'm going to try and enjoy what time I have here but it'll definitely be with a heavy heart.
5.14.2013
Arriving in Style
I finally made it! Let's just say it was a bit dicey there for a while. It was smooth sailing to Atlanta and then we even got in early to Amsterdam! There's nothing like the triumphant feeling of walking off of a 8 hour flight alive. Of course, I almost wasn't considering the airline didn't have my gluten free meal on my reservation thankfully I follow the motto "when in doubt, always bring snacks" so I managed to make due. We left Atlanta at 3pm and got into Amsterdam at 6 AM, talk about whacked up time sched. (time travel anyone?) Then things got really peachy as, not even 5 minutes into my flight, I started feeling sick. Not just the "a little motion sickness sick," I'm talking the white as a ghost, feel like fainting, and throwing up all at the same time sick. JUST PEACHY. Thankfully the flight was only two hours so then I could sit in the airport and feel sick, although at least nothing was moving there. Then we piled on a bus for a FOUR hour drive to Jonkoping. As gross as it is, thankfully I finally got sick about 5 minutes into the drive and things were looking up after that! Thanks Swedbus for the barf bag I guess? And Hannah for the packing dramamine tip! Also thanks for taking us around 5 MILLION roundabouts (I know because I'd wake up every time we ramped the curb), I guess the Swedish peeps love their good ole roundabouts. Also, the whole drive the opposite side of the road as the US still weirds me out.
In pleasant news, I've heard from the wise Fran (one of the teachers on the trip with us)(btw I'm calling her Fran because apparently it's culturally embarrassing for adults to be called by their last name?), Swedish people love their ice cream! So if it would get a little warmer (definitely had to walk out of the airport sportin my sockos) I know where I'll be! For the rest of tonight (or today, this morning, yesterday, whatever stinkin time it is) we're going out to a super nice restaurant with our SUSHIs (the students of Jonkoping that help with international students, not food), our teachers, and some Swedish faculty! Salmon is about to get in mah belleh. Okay we just got back, and let me tell ya, that was the yummiest first Swedish dinner a girl could ask for. Salmon, potatoes, sorbet, nom nom nom
Now i'm off to try and catch up the the years to sleep I feel like I'm behind on. Nighty night world!
In pleasant news, I've heard from the wise Fran (one of the teachers on the trip with us)(btw I'm calling her Fran because apparently it's culturally embarrassing for adults to be called by their last name?), Swedish people love their ice cream! So if it would get a little warmer (definitely had to walk out of the airport sportin my sockos) I know where I'll be! For the rest of tonight (or today, this morning, yesterday, whatever stinkin time it is) we're going out to a super nice restaurant with our SUSHIs (the students of Jonkoping that help with international students, not food), our teachers, and some Swedish faculty! Salmon is about to get in mah belleh. Okay we just got back, and let me tell ya, that was the yummiest first Swedish dinner a girl could ask for. Salmon, potatoes, sorbet, nom nom nom
Now i'm off to try and catch up the the years to sleep I feel like I'm behind on. Nighty night world!
yep, this existed (only for a few minutes before I devoured it)
Such excitement.
The group pre-Amsterdam flight
Sweden: as told in selfies by Kelly Williams
My humble abode (with some sort of duvet/quilt I can't figure out)
5.12.2013
And I'm off!
I officially leave tomorrow. Wowzers. Well if I make it to the plane! I already thought I had to be at the airport at 9...which is actually when my plane leaves. That could have been a whoopsie! I also drove 20 past my house before I realized I forgot to stop at the bank to take out money. Another whoops. I just keep having to tell myself (okay, my mom has to keep reminding me) that as long as I have my passport and money I'm good. If i need something I've forgotten that badly, the worst that will happen is I can go buy it, no biggie. It probably doesn't help that the last time I left the country for three weeks, it was to Africa where I couldn't exactly snag something from the nearest Walmart LOL. Regardless, I should be given an award for fitting all of this...
...into that suitcase. And under 50 lbs at that! So with my suitcase all packed, I said bye to the rents (no tears shed by any parties involved don't worry), gave the pups a big hug (I may have gotten a little teary on this one) and pulled out of my driveway and drove straight into a rainbow on my way up to Rogers (that has to be a good sign right?)
So here's to hoping I make it onto the plane tomorrow! Peace out 'Murica, see ya in a few weeks
5.10.2013
Stereotypin'
Alright, if someone mentions Sweden, what are the first things that come to mind? Welp, this is what I think of when I think about the land of the Vikings. My fantasy land Sweden has....
1. Chocolate. But then I realize that would be Switzerland. Wrong country.
2. Blondies. Blond hair, blue eyed supermodel-esque citizens.
3. Fish. Lots of fish everywhere. So much fish that Swedes eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Word on the street is that you can even buy it at the grocery store in a tube like toothpaste. UMM GROSS)
4. Coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
5. IKEA's and H&M on every street corner (at least in my dream world this one is true)
6. Swedish people live in igloos and ride polar bears to work. Maybe a little far fetched but a girl can dream.
7. All the things apparently created in Sweden-swedish fish, swedish massage, swedish meatballs
1. Chocolate. But then I realize that would be Switzerland. Wrong country.
2. Blondies. Blond hair, blue eyed supermodel-esque citizens.
3. Fish. Lots of fish everywhere. So much fish that Swedes eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (Word on the street is that you can even buy it at the grocery store in a tube like toothpaste. UMM GROSS)
4. Coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
5. IKEA's and H&M on every street corner (at least in my dream world this one is true)
6. Swedish people live in igloos and ride polar bears to work. Maybe a little far fetched but a girl can dream.
The best part of stereotypes is all of them are probably wrong, guess I'm about to find out!
Alright so now that I've been daydreaming my life away, I guess its time to get down to business. And by business I mean packing. Man, it's such a process. First I have to lay everything I think I'll need out, then of course I put half of it back because no one person needs that much stuff, then I add a fourth of it back again, then I will have still overpacked (LIKE ALWAYS). I'm at the point now where I have my passport and I called my bank so I'll have money so I just want to hop on the plane in the clothes I'm wearing and be done! If you can't tell, I'm basically the struggle bus driver right now, merrrrrrrr
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