Monday was an average day for me. I woke up at 6:30 and had breakfast with my host family before we all went our separate ways to school and work. My legs were pretty sore from all the biking and walking/ going to the gym that I've been doing, so I am hopeful that the soreness in my legs is just a sign that I am getting more fit. I am working on a project in my Kultur och Idéhistoria class and for my project I am reading 1984 by George Orwell. This is one of my favorite books of all time, so I am really happy that I could pick a book that I've already read for my project. I am reading the novel in English, but writing the assignment in Swedish, so I am sure that will be quite the challenge. Later in the day, Cecilia and I watched old Danny Saucedo and Darin music videos, which were hilarious. ( Danny Saucedo & Darin are two famous Swedish pop singers, btw). After school, I went to horseback riding lessons with Axel and Anna. We go together every Monday, right when I get home from school. I really love helping my younger Swedish siblings at the stables because I like horses and it's just a really fun activity that I get to do every week. After we got home from the stables, we ate a quick dinner, and we watched Titanic in English with Swedish subtitles. That was an emotionally-draining movie, but I had a great time watching it with Ulrika and the kids. Bengt-Ove didn't watch Titanic because as my Grandma in Colorado would say: " I already know how it ends".
Something that I find interesting about Sweden is that almost all of the movies here are available in English with Swedish subtitles. In Sweden, the only movies that are dubbed into Swedish are animated children's movies, besides that every movie comes in it's original language and Swedish subtitles.
Tuesday I had a very short day at school and I only had one class. Cecilia walked with me to the hotel where my hosting Rotary club has their meetings, so I wouldn't be completely lost.Tuesday was the first time that I had been invited to attend Rotary, so I was very happy that my school schedule allowed me to attend. All of the Rotarians that I met were very friendly and welcoming. After the meeting, the club president offered to give me a ride home, and she drove me all the way to the southern part of Uppsala, where my 2nd host mom lives. I had fika with Karin (2nd host mom) and Beth, the newest Rotary exchange student. Beth arrived in Sweden on Monday night, so obviously I had to meet her and get acquainted with her right away. I ended up staying for dinner, and after dinner we took the family's dog on a walk all around the neighborhood and to the nearby lake. I walked with Beth (from California), Alva ( host sister), and Emma (host sister). We had great conversation and we even played on the zip line at the elementary school in the neighborhood.
Wednesday, I woke up at 7:00 and ate breakfast with my host family. I woke up way before school started so I had some free time before I had to leave. Being me, I spent my free time reading about The Titanic on the internet, I learned many interesting facts and I think it was actually quite a productive way to spend my morning, if I do say so myself. When I finally did go to school, I had Filosofi (Philosophy), and I understood absolutely nothing. During our break, Cecilia and I went to ICA and I bought mini Swedish pancakes with raspberry jam for a snack, they were wonderful. On the bus ride home from school, the bus broke down about 3 stops ahead of where I was supposed to get off, so I walked to where I had left my bike in the morning and made my way home. I made my Swedish family BLT's for dinner, they turned out really well, and I thought the sandwiches were delicious. I also made lemon bars for dessert. While Ulrika and I were cooking dinner, we listened to Danny Saucedo on Spotify and had an awesome kitchen dance party. Ulrika and I share a very similar sense of humor and we always make each other laugh, a lot.
Thursday, I was up early again, so I had free time again, before I had to leave for school. I skyped with my best friend Jae Jae and it was great to see her face and just catch up on her life back in Colorado. In my Religion class we did a skit about moral and ethical dilemmas. I didn't completely understand my groups skit, but I know that Frederick played the part of a pregnant teenage girl who was facing the ethical dilemma of abortion. I played the stern, silent, Catholic mother, while Bonnie got to play the angry father. It was a really amusing skit, and Religion class was definitely interesting. We had delicious pancakes for lunch at school. I had my first Swedish lesson after school with the other Rotary exchange students and a few other exchange students living in Uppsala this year. The class is just one hour every week and it it held at my school, Katedralskolan, so that is convenient. I thought the lesson this week was very easy and I am hoping that I learn more with future lessons. After the lesson, Sierra's host dad Stefan drove me, Sierra, Beth, and Annalise back to my house for a surströmming party. Surströmming is a traditional Swedish food, it is fermented herring that is buried underground for one year before it is canned and ready to eat. The smell of the herring is actually a lot worse than the taste, and I was a little unsure about trying it, but it was a lot better than I expected, and actually kind of good. I invited my friend Louise over for the party, and it was great to introduce her to my Swedish family and the other exchange students. After dinner, we sat on the trampoline and talked while my younger siblings jumped and played games all around us, so much fun.
Friday, I had my first class at 8:30 in the morning, so this time when I woke up early it was great because I had just enough time to get ready for school and go. School was very ordinary, and I didn't understand my teachers. After school, I went to ICA with Cecilia, Josephine, and Disa, and we all bought ice cream bars. After I got home, I packed my back pack and spent some time with Ulrika before heading off to a new bus stop that I had never been to before. The bus stop was a few kilometers away from my house so I rode my bike there. I took the bus to my friend Sara's house, because she had invited me over for a sleep over. I had fun cooking dinner and meeting Sara's friends and family, and it was nice to meet new people. I could barely remember anyone's names, but everyone was so welcoming and friendly. I slept wonderfully on Sara's couch with a huge white down comforter. Friday was a good day.
Saturday, I took the bus home from Sara's house and I had lunch with my host family. In the afternoon, some family friends drove to Uppsala from southern Stockholm. We took my host family's motor boat out onto Lake Ekoln loaded with a picnic, and some water guns. We went out to an island called Klinten. On my 2nd day in Sweden, we went sailing to Klinten, so it was really interesting to see the island again. This time, we use the wood-burning sauna on the island. The Water Battle Extreme started and I had a total blast. We had a lot of water guns and the lake, so I got soaking wet. I went to warm up in the sauna, and Axel and Anna came into the sauna with water guns and surprised us. I had such a great time at the island, and after the water battle, we had hot dogs for dinner. I skyped with my Dad and my brother Scott so it was great to finally see them and tell them all about my adventures in Sweden. After I skyped with my family, my Swedish family skyped my host brother Hannes, who is on his Rotary exchange year in the United States. It was nice to see Hannes again and I think that he is liking Michigan. It was cool to meet his host parents over skype, too. Saturday was just overall a fantastic day with my host family. I love my host family, I know that now, and I know that will only make it harder when I have to switch families in a few months.
Sunday was without a doubt my favorite day in Sweden so far. My Swedish family celebrated my birthday in the traditional Swedish way. On Saturday night, Ulrika reminded me that we were going to celebrate my birthday on Sunday, even though my birthday is on Monday. She also reminded me that no matter what, on Sunday morning, I had to stay in bed and I couldn't come downstairs. So on Sunday morning, I was asleep in my bed, and my entire Swedish family got up early to prepare breakfast for me. They came upstairs with a tray of hot chocolate and my favorite Swedish bread topped with honey, butter, and purple and pink heart shaped sprinkles, and of course, candles. They came upstairs singing the Swedish birthday song for me, and they put presents on my bed. I woke up because I heard the singing, and I momentarily forgot that we were celebrating my birthday and I thought " Seriously, who is singing this early in the morning?". But, I sat up and opened my eyes and I found my whole host family in my bedroom with presents and breakfast. It was quite the sight to wake up to, and we ate my special birthday breakfast together while I opened my presents. My Swedish family knows me so well. Axel made me an adorable stuffed animal holding both an American and a Swedish flag. Anna gave me a beautiful, casual white dress that will be perfect for attending Simon's graduation in the spring. I also got two HUGE bottles of my favorite Swedish beverage, Ramlösa, which only further proves how well my Swedish family knows me. I also received a delightful Swedish cookbook and some other gifts that I can't recall off the top of my head. I was so happy that I got to celebrate my 18th birthday the traditional Swedish way. After the morning celebration, I took the train to Stockholm with Ulrika and Axel. We spent the day admiring the sights in Gamla Stan and all around Stockholm. We witnessed the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace, we went to NK (Swedish Macy's), and we got ice cream and lunch. I had an awesome time exploring the city with my Swedish family. Later in the afternoon, we took the subway to a suburb in southern Stockholm. From there we took a bus and walked. We arrived at a pancake party hosted by the same friends we had a water fight with the day before. Ulf had received a pancake machine as a gift from a friend, and we spent the evening eating wonderful pancakes and having a great time. Anna and Bengt-Ove drove down for the party, and after the party ended we drove home. Sunday was a perfect day. I couldn't have planned a better way to celebrate my birthday. I had so much fun celebrating my 18th birthday with my Swedish family and I am so happy to be living here. I am so lucky to have been given this wonderful opportunity and I am thankful every day.
Monday was an incredibly important day.... my 18th birthday! I can't believe I am finally eighteen years old. Since I celebrated my birthday with my Swedish family on Sunday, Monday was just a regular day. I woke up early, had breakfast, and left for school. My friends Frida and Cecilia got me two giant bottles of Rämlosa Smultron (my favorite flavor) and Ballerina and ICA Basic cookies. They know me so well. My Swedish teacher also had the whole class sing the Swedish happy birthday song for Frida and me and another girl who also has her birthday this week. In Swedish class, we also had fika. Despite having to go to school on my birthday, I had a wonderful day, and so many people wished me a happy birthday, in Swedish, too! After school, I went to horseback riding lessons with Anna and Axel, which was really fun. This week I helped Axel with his horse. I skyped my parents in Colorado for my birthday and it was great to speak to them, we ended up talking for nearly and hour and a half, and it was nice to introduce them to my Swedish family. This definitely has to be one of the best birthdays I have ever had. I am so thankful for all of the kind and friendly people that I have met in Sweden who helped me celebrate my birthday in so many fun and unique ways.
I had an exciting week in Sweden and I will post some more photos sometime in the next few weeks. Let me know if you all have any questions about Sweden that I can answer. :)
Hey Abi... love the blog!! Sounds like you're having a lot of fun in Sweden. If you want to make a trip further south you're always welcome in Switzerland :)
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