Entry #7 - October 7th, 2008

Hello, Hello!

Boy, have I been slacking off recently with this blog. Let's get it going again! Lots to say, so let's begin, shall we?

#1: 5 more days til I turn the big 2-0 and become old, but I have since, been reminded that I'll still be the baby here in Sweden. So i guess, nothing changes. I got a birthday card from my family, about 2 weeks early, boy, they definitely did not know when my birthday is ;)

#2: I was in Stockholm about a week or 2 ago! For a day trip with Kaddy, Ina and Adam. I'll post pictures up on facebook, when I decide to get on it. I'm lacking behind in the uploading photos department, but sooner or later, I'll do it, so hold your horses! Stockholm was beautiful, we picked an exceptional day to go. Amazing weather, sunny with no clouds, what more can we ask for! It takes about 2.5 hours bus ride to get from Orebro to Stockholm, so it wasn't too bad. In the morning, we ride our bikes (approx. 25 mins) to the train station, where we board our bus, then 2.5 hours later, voila! we're there! We went shopping, didn't end up buying anything because they were pretty expensive. We also watched the sunset on a bridge, it was phenomenal! So we decided to take the last bus back to Orebro at 10.30. But we almost missed that. Thanks to my good visual history skills, I was able to find the Stockholm train station by thinking backwards and going through history to go back to the station. We made it in time with 1 minute to spare! yahooo! Stockholm was fun! I'm sure I'll be going there numerous times.

#3: I've been learning more and more polish. This is soo exciting! I talked to Ewelina's boyfriend through her skype. Though it was only one sentence lol. But i'm starting to talk to Asia and Ewelina in Polish and they answer me back in Cantonese! How sweet is that! We're also learning Japanese, this way we can bond with our third roommate, Shizuka! So by the end, I'll come up with some common phrases in Japanese too!

#4: Many trips in the planning. This thursday, I'll be going to Norway with my roommates (Ewelina and Asia, yes we consider Asia our roommate, though she lives diagonally across, but is always over) and perhaps Adam. That is only a day trip. And I have been invited to go to another Norway trip in mid november, where we'll be visiting oslo, bergen and the fjords!! Also, have been invited to go to Helsinki in late november on a little boat ride that cost about 20 Canadian dollars (not includeing train/bus ride) And as I said before, I will be visiting Hayley when it's possible. I have yet to find out when my Swedish final exam is. So as hpo would say it. That's the plan, stan!

#5: This week's tuesday night party is hosted by the Germans with their theme of Oktoberfest! That should be quite interesting. Well at least it sounds interesting.

#6: I have just taken my first final exam in Sweden this past saturday! I definitely hope it went okay, fingers crossed. and Yes that does mean I have finished one course already. Anti social behaviours is over and done with. I am now taking Comparative Social work. This course includes 1 intro class, 3 lectures, 2 study visits and 2 days of presentations. No final exam, just a 10 page essay and the 5-10 minute presentation! So that should be alright. And this class end in 4 weeks! wohoo! Time is sure passing by super quickly, soon enough, all the friends I've met here will be going back home. O well, more places to visit ;)

#7: Ever heard of Surstromming? Well wikipedia it or youtube it. It's the stinkiest fish alive! It's a Sweden thing and we decided to give it a try after my roommates were hosts of a Polish meal. Excellent meal, might i add. But the fish's smell, holy moly! It was EWWWWWWWWWW
Once again, I'll post some pictures up. But hey, we did it, not necessary ate it but I managed to have enough courage to touch it. My fingers were smelly for the rest of the night, but it's okay now :D Adam and his Swedish roommate, Marcus, actually ate the fish. I would of done it, except for Marcus told me that eating it was okay, but the aftertaste that stays in your mouth was awful! So, no thanks!

I think that's all for now. I'll tell you about my norway trip when i get back and make time to update you all. While I'm at it, I might as well upload my pictures. So enjoy!

Ytam.