The babies here in Sweden are beyond adorable. I think it has something to do with the fact that I cannot understand what they are saying making them infinitely cuter. Swedes also have these awesome baby sleeping bags that go in the strollers to keep the kiddos warm. It makes so much sense, I just would've never thought to make a tiny sleeping bag to keep a baby warm.
Listening to people speak Swedish is so fun. It sounds so sing song-y and different from English. However, it is difficult when people assume I'm a Swede and start speaking to me in Swedish. I then have to embarrassingly admit that I don't speak the language. People are very friendly and understanding and are then able to speak to me in English but that doesn't stop me from feeling bad that I came to a Sweden only knowing how to say hello, thank you, and my name is Siana in Swedish.
Also awesome is wearing mittens and tights. I don't know why I didn't wear gloves more often in MN but here it is a must and it just makes sense. Why would you want to have cold hands especially if there is an easy solution to keeping them warm? Wearing tights as a layer for warmth has been just fantastic. Once again, I don't know why I didn't think of it before.
It was a week full of firsts:
- first legal drinks and along with that - first pub crawl!
We thought we should get some wine to go with dinner. Turns out it was alcohol free wine. We then went to the Systembolaget (state regulated liquor store) to get real wine.
- first stressful experience grocery shopping
I typically don't mind grocery shopping. It can be somewhat fun. However, it is incredibly hard to grocery shop in a place that has labels that I cannot read. I could handle the produce section fairly well but picking jam, spices, and milk was a struggle. I also just want normal, processed peanut butter. Sweden has a sad excuse for peanut butter that is comparable to the natural stuff in America but not as good. I will never take being able to read the labels forgranted again.
- first day of school in Sweden
Here's my first day of school picture, Mom!
- first new friends!
Our new Dutch friends Dieuwertje, Silke, and Esther!
- first time buying my own cell phone
I get to use this bad boy for the next five months. Call me, beep me, if you want to reach me.
It has been a busy week!
Monday was the first day of school and also the first party! I learned the hard way that the buses stop running around 12:30PM so that is something to keep in mind. I ended up the walking about 4 kilometers to get home. It was a long and cold walk but I have learned my lesson: be aware of the time and the bus schedule.
Tuesday I skipped class (Sorry, Mom and Dad). I went to the first hour but elected to not stay for the remaining three hours since it was review of Calculus was a waste of my time. It was very simple review. Like defining an integral and taking a derivative. We also discovered an awesome little cafe in town that has delicious "Chokladbollar" which are basically chocolate balls made with oatmeal.
Wednesday we had a Swedish dinner at Kalmar nation. Awesome thing: Lingonberry jam. It is so good. We also joined a gym. Since there is only about 6 hours of daylight per day here, it is hard to get a run in. Thus the necissity for gym membership. I also have more free time than I know what to do with.
Thursday was actually fairly uneventful. I Skyped my parents.
Friday we attempted to go to our first club at Varmlands nation. There was a massive line outside so we ended up just going to get drinks at another nation.
I should probably explain what a nation is. So there are 13 nations here at UU and you can choose to be a part of as many as you would like. They're clubs that plan activities for students like open mic nights, pubs, clubs, and gasques. There are also groups to join within the nation such as sports or athletic teams, choirs, art clubs, and bands. We have not joined one yet but we have to make our decision before the end of the month.
Today we're going back to IKEA. I'm so excited!
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