Thank You Copenhagen

Thank you Copenhagen for allowing me to...

Create
Open
Perspectives,
Embrace
New
Horizons,
And
Gain
Experiences,
Never-ending

I will forever be grateful for this journey and the people who have enhanced my experience.

This is all I can muster at the moment, as I stare tearfully at my packed suitcases and all the emptiness within the Greenhouse.  I always knew goodbyes were a weakness of mine, but never before have I had to deal with so many at once, with people who I have grown so fond of and who touched my life so strongly.  

Life is a journey.  Yes I know.  I just wish this one didn't have to end so soon.  

"Sometimes I Wish Time Would Stop, Just So I Could Catch Up With It"

A week from today, a week from right now, I will be back in the US.  I've been in denial that December 15th would ever come, and it's right around the corner.  I'm not going to get all sappy and emotional on you just yet because there are still many more adventures to be had, but the sadness has crept in slowly but surely as I've already started the goodbyes.  This week's highlights included:

Wednesday, December 4:
A Renewable Energy Systems Field Study, where we played a 4 hour long game called "Changing the Game."  We were split into groups to represent a region within Europe, and then had to find a way in which to change the current energy system into a more sustainable one.  It was actually quite interesting realizing how possible and simple little changes can be within the larger system of energy.  

That night I went to my Sustainability in Europe Core Course final get together at "Fermentoren" beer bar.  We had pizza and tried a variety of beers, and were able to say goodbye to our amazing professor, intern, and classmates.  I loved traveling and learning with this group of people.  Beers, tears, and cheers to a great semester! 

Thursday, December 5:
Tonight I was supposed to have a Scandinavian Classical Music Field Study at Koncerthuset, but a huge storm came through Copenhagen and DIS cancelled all events.  

Friday, December 6:
Last day of classes!  But not the last day of work.  I still have a few papers to write but luckily I don't have any final exams.  Tonight we made a traditional Danish lunch for dinner with the entire house.  Each person was responsible for a specific dish, and when we came together there was so much food and wonderfulness in one room.  Dinner included… 

leverpostej (live pate) with mushrooms and beets and bacon, breaded fish filets (the dish I made), eggs, herring, smoked salmon, frikadeller (meatballs), flæskesteg (roast pork), rødkål (red cabbage), caramelized potatoes, boiled potatoes, duck with gravy, bread of all kinds, (salad and falafel for the vegetarians) and ris a la mande for dessert! 

In the dessert, the "rice pudding" is made in a huge bowl and there is one whole almond.  Whoever gets the almond gets a present, but they can't tell anyone they have it until the end of the dessert so people keep searching for it.  We put two almonds in the bowls because there were so many of us… but I found one of them!  I won a gift card to a hot dog stand down the street.  We then played this game where you put a lot of presents on the table and then take turns rolling a dice.  If you roll a 6, you get to take a present, but if you roll a 1 you had to clean the dishes until the next person rolled a 1.  I swear I rolled a 1 seven times it was ridiculous!  But I did end up with a present.  Once all the presents were taken, we played another round where if you rolled a 6 you got to steal presents from others.  It was really fun, and I ended up with a box of chocolate.  Yum.  

That night was the last night we all got ready to go out together.  We always have so much fun together I'm really going to miss everyone in the house so much.  

FOOD

Love these two

Saturday, December 7:
Today, I got to spend the afternoon/evening with my AMAZING visiting family.  Really though they are the best.  They invited me over for a traditional Danish Christmas meal.  First we had homemade æbleskiver with powdered sugar and jam.  Dinner included flæskesteg, gravy, potatoes (both caramelized and boiled), rødkål, and chips.  It was delicious!  While Helle was cooking, Emma, Sofie, and I made christmas ornaments.  We also had ris a la mande for dessert (and strategically found the almond again thanks to Helle for putting it in my portion.)  The present was a box of Anthon Berg chocolate.  We talked for a while about so many different things, and they gave me yet another present - a Nordic amber ring.  It is absolutely gorgeous and beyond generous.  I had such a great night and will definitely keep in touch with the Nielsen family.  If you're reading this - please come visit in the US!  You always have a place to stay.  And I will definitely be back to Denmark.  Thank you for everything and for making my experience so wonderful.  

Storm cloud on the way to Greve

Sunday, December 8:
We had a greenhouse trip to Christiania today (in the pouring rain) and got a guided tour around the area.  We also explored a Christmas market.  

The song "Slow Me Down" by Emmy Rossum has been on my mind recently:
"The noise of the world is getting me caught up
Chasing the clock and I wish I could stop it
Just need to breathe, somebody please slow me down"

She took the words right out of my mouth.  Commence the whirlwind I knew I would have to confront eventually: the last week of study abroad.  

There Is Always Something To Be Thankful For...

This week had many highlights, from birthday celebrations to Thanksgiving, so here we go...

Monday, November 25:
Today was Patrick's 20th Birthday!! I went to his house for a little birthday party that night which was really fun.  They had æbleskiver, birthday cake, hot chocolate, and gløgg.  Tillykke med fødselsdagen Patrick!

Tuesday, November 26:
I met Helle and Emma in Copenhagen for some delicious coffee and muffins in Cafe Paludan.  It's always great to see my visiting family!
Tonight I also went to a Scandinavian Classical Music Field Study concert, where my professor was the main performer/composer.  

Thursday, November 28:
THANKSGIVING!  Although it was sad not being with my family today, and unfortunate having to sit in class too, we made the best of a Danish/American Thanksgiving.  That night, we prepared a delicious meal (consisting of turkey, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes with apple, roasted root vegetables, brussels sprouts, stuffing, cabbage salad, mac&cheese, samosas, biscuits, pumpkin pie, and apple pie).  There were 9 of us for the greenhouse (mostly our floor) and an additional 6 Danes who all enjoyed their very first Thanksgiving feast.  It ended up being one of my favorite Thanksgivings ever! 

The Feast

Stuen Floor, Store Kannikestraede 11

Friday, November 29 - Sunday, December 1:
LALANDIA!  This weekend, Patrick invited me on his family trip to Lalandia, an indoor water park with so much more.  I had way too much fun.  It was the perfect escape from all the school work I had been wrapped up in.  I felt like a little kid again… water slides and bowling and the monkey tonkey playground (of which Patrick's little nephew Kian made exponentially more fun).  I'm so grateful to have these kinds of experiences with wonderful people… even if I don't understand the language and conversations most of the time.  Cultural immersion right?  I love it!

I'm so thankful to be where I am, surrounded by loving people in a wonderful city with my health, education, and infinite happiness.  I couldn't ask for more… except maybe to stay for longer than just 2 more weeks...

The Final Stretch

This past week was by far the fastest week yet.  After arriving home from Brussels, going back to classes was a struggle because it's the final stretch and there's so much to do within the next couple weeks (7 huge papers and a presentation to be exact.)  But of course in "study abroad," abroad >>>> study. 

This weeks highlights include:

Tuesday, November 19:

Patrick took me on a Copenhagen Canal tour and then we went to the zoo with his nephew Kian. 

Wednesday, November 20:

At our greenhouse dinner, I signed up to be the scribe/blogger for the night.  My Environmental Policy in Practice professor (Niels Fuglsang) was our guest,  and we discussed some pretty heavy topics.  Check out my post, and the rest of our greenhouse blog here: 

http://discovercopenhagensustainability.tumblr.com/post/67594426567/how-to-save-the-planet 

Thursday, November 21:

I went to the Crazy Christmas Cabaret in Tivoli with Karen (the daughter of the family we house-swapped with this Summer) and her friend.  This was really fun to see, thank you so much for taking me!  

Saturday, November 23:

After dinner, Wallis and I wandered around a Christmas market and got æbleskiver (ball-shaped cakes made of pancake dough with strawberry jam and powdered sugar) and gløgg (mulled wine).  We then came back home, made cookies and homemade hot chocolate, curled up on the bed and watched Christmas Vacation.  It was a tough week, so this was much needed! 

Only 3 more weeks in Copenhagen.  I'm ready to make the most of it!

Brussels, Beglium

Wednesday, November 13 (continued):

A 2 hour train to Roosendaal, a transfer to Antwerp, another transfer to Brussels Central Station, and a bus stuck in traffic later, we finally arrive at our destination in Brussels - the lovely home of the Maxson family.  Wallis knows Eva from summer camp, and her family kindly let us stay a few days.  Once we arrived at around 4pm, we chatted with Eva's mom and grandma for a while until she got home and we all ate some lentils and sausage with rice and carrot cake for dessert!  We talked with Eva for a while before going to bed in the attic room which was converted into its own little apartment - so cool!

Thursday, November 14:

Today Wallis and I took the tram into the city center to just walk around (Eva had classes on Thursday and Friday so couldn't come with us during the day.)  We went to Grand Place, Manneken Pis, the Waffle Factory for lunch, museum area, the Palace, park, and wandered into so many chocolate stores, churches, and side streets.  I had to be back to register for Spring Semester classes by 4:45, so we got the bus back early (good thing we did because scheduling was and still is a disaster ugh.)  After that annoyance, Wallis and I made stir fried vegetables for dinner and then went downstairs and talked with the family for the rest of the night, where we were served cookies and tea.

Grand Place

So much Belgian chocolate everywhere

Manneken Pis

The Palace

Friday, November 15:

We had a lazy morning, then got the bus around 11am back into the city.  We went to the Parlamentarium and saw the European Commission building.  When we walked past the Palace again, we stumbled upon a military ceremony which we later figured out was for a King's Day celebration.  Much wandering later, we headed home again before going out to dinner with another one of Wallis' friends, this time from Bucknell.  It was delicious dinner at a restaurant called Soul (I got salad with avocado, cheese, eggplant, and pumpkin seeds, then a meal of carrot and nut felafel with quinoa) and another great family to meet.  After dinner we went out with Eva and her friends for a little and tried some famous Belgian beers.  The last bus we could catch home was at midnight, so we were home again by 1. 

Saturday, November 16:

Wallis, Eva, and I made brunch (eggs and leftover veggies) before heading down to the city for our last full day.  It was fun walking around with a local and seeing some sights we might not have seen on our own.  We got massive Belgian fries and some Belgian chocolate before heading back home to bake Eva's first zucchini cake!!  We added Belgian cocoa to make it like a chocolate cake (so good) and then we talked and talked with her family.  They are so nice! 

Sunday, November 17:

This trip once again flew by.  We headed to the airport via bus and train.  Our flight left Brussels at 10:30am and we landed by 12. 

Commence the last month of study abroad... this time I'll stay in Copenhagen! 

Amsterdam, Netherlands

For the past 9 days, my friend Wallis and I spent our last DIS travel break frolicking around Amsterdam and Brussels....

Friday, November 8:

We decided to be super environmentally friendly and take an overnight train instead of fly to The Netherlands.  We got to Copenhagen Central Station in time for our 6:45pm train (after a really stressful afternoon with my realization that I got a train ticket between Amsterdam and Brussels for the wrong day... struggles.)  The train ended up being one of the best/worst decisions of the whole trip.  Here's how it works for those who have never done it before... Your ticket gives you a single bed in a 6-person carriage (think Harry Potter, but with beds and less magical) where there are 2 beds raised up high, then 2 "benches" in which the backs fold up to create the middle bed. 

Train Carriage

So needless to say, the sleeping part of this trip fell short (literally too... I was too tall for the bed) BUT I met some awesome people!  In our carriage, we had an older man from Paris, another from Sweden, an older woman from Denmark, and then a younger guy from England.  This guy we ended up talking to until 1am because his line of work is with food waste and sustainability.  Turns out he is really famous... has a TED talk, wrote 3 books, formed his own activist group feeding thousands of people from food waste alone.  We had some great conversations with him about the environment, travel, life, etc.  It was quite the experience.

Saturday, November 9: 

The stop for Amsterdam the next morning was around 11am, so we had time to relax and enjoy the view from the train in the morning.  We had to take another CityLine train to Amsterdam Centraal then walk a long way to Hostel Amsterdam Vondelpark, which was right next to a beautiful park.  After we got our room and dropped our stuff, we ate at a cafe then wandered around the park and museumstraat.  We were pretty tired by this point, so went back to the hostel and made a game plan for the next few days.  That night we went to an Indian restaurant in the pouring rain and had an early night.

Vondelpark

Sunday, November 10:

Since it was raining in the morning, we decided to eat our free breakfast at the hostel and then head straight to the "I amsterdam" sign in hopes that nobody would be there taking pictures.  It was perfect!  After taking a few pictures we went to the Rijksmuseum and spent about 3 hours in the massive art museum.  We ate lunch in the Blue Tea House in Vondelpark, where I had a delicious goat cheese, pepper, walnut, honey sandwich and a much needed hot chocolate.  We re-grouped at the hostel to switch up our plans because of the weather.  We walked to the Heineken Brewery and spent about 2 hours there, then wandered to find our free Heineken souvenir (a bottle opener.)  Apparently a famous food to get in Amsterdam is street fries so Wallis and I split a fries with garlic sauce, then ate dinner at Dante's where I had pumpkin puree and mushroom tortellini with a side of almond risotto.  We took the long way home and passed Hoppe - the oldest pub in Amsterdam. 

Rijksmuseum

 

Heineken Brewery

 Monday, November 11:

Wallis and I woke up early this morning and did a 20 minute meditation, had breakfast, and were out of the hostel by 8:30am in order to get to Anne Frank's House when it opened at 9.  The line was still really long, but we were in by 9:45.  It was really great to see the Secret Annex, especially since I read her diary in high school, but it was also really eerie and sad.  Afterwards, we walked around the beautiful canals and stumbled upon a cheese museum.  Yup.  We tried about 25 different types of cheese it was great, and also saw the world's most expensive cheese slicer.  Then we ventured into the Tulip museum which was short but sweet - did you know that at one point a tulip bulb was almost twice the price of gold???  Crazy.  We went to the Pancake Factory for lunch, where I had an Indonesian pancake with chicken, bean sprouts, mushrooms, and peanut sauce.  We then walked past a grand church, through the Red Light District, the Palace, Amstel Street, and Amsterdam's oldest bridge.  At this point we were really cold and had walked a lot, so we went back to the hostel for a little before dinner (I ended up taking a short nap.)  We had the best dinner this night at a local, organic, vegetarian restaurant where we had quinoa with cashews and garlic sauce, red cabbage and apple salad, tofu roll, bread, side salad, and a local autumn beer.  Beyond delicious.  

Anne Frank House

Canals

Cheese Museum

Tulip Musem

Indonesian Pancake

Tuesday, November 12:

This morning we walked to the Albert Cuyp Street Market where they had everything from clothes to fish to fruit/nuts to toys... just everything.  We got stroopwafels (classic to Amsterdam) and went into this awesome cafe "Trust" where you pay what you feel things are worth (we only got hot chocolate but the cafe was so cute.)  We had a canal tour at 12 for 75 minutes, then went to a cafe for lunch and got organic pumpkin soup with homemade bread.  We ordered tickets for the Van Gogh Museum at 3, then afterwards went to what looked like the "Little Italy" of Amsterdam for dinner where we got pizza.  On a whim, we decided to get Poffertjes (little dutch pancakes) at the Pancake Corner.  Good thing we did because it was our last chance and they were delicious.  

Bathroom in Trust Cafe

Our rainy day deserted canal tour

Wednesday, November 13:

We had to be at our train to Brussels at 11am, so our morning consisted of packing, eating breakfast, and walking to Amsterdam Centraal...

From Halloween to Christmas

Some highlights of the past week...

Wednesday, October 30:

The night after Kendra left (so sad), it was my turn to help cook for our weekly Wednesday night Greenhouse dinners.  Lauren and I picked up the vegetable bags from the food co-op around 4pm and then began cooking shortly after we returned, as Makayla and Maggie went to the grocery store to get a few additional ingredients.  We decided to go for a Halloween theme, but had to abide by the vegetables available from the co-op.  We ended up cooking a delicious creamy pumpkin, apple, leek, potato, celery root, ginger soup (it was AMAZING), kale chips and bread on the side, and a chocolate pudding "mud" pie with gummy worms crawling inside for dessert.  Yum.  

Friday, November 1:

So every year, it is Danish tradition that on the first Friday of November, Tuborg releases its Christmas beer around the country.  Needless to say - it's chaos.  It was so much fun though.  Wallis, Torie, and I were lucky enough to be in a bar when the Tuborg elves rampaged the place and gave away free beer and Santa hats.  Literally the entire city switched from celebrating Halloween to Christmas overnight.  

Sunday, November 3:

I finally saw my visiting family today!  It is so difficult to find time when we are all available.  I met them at PH Cafeen and met Helle's parents and sister.  Her sister was singing and playing guitar on stage.  After the concert we went out to dinner at a Thai restaurant which was delicious.  I always have a great time with them!

Tuesday, November 5:

I saw Helle and Emma again today!  This time we met at La Glace Cafe right around the corner from where I live.  It was beautiful and absolutely delicious.  

Wednesday, November 6:

In the morning, I had a field study with my Environmental Policy in Practice class to the DONG Combined Heat and Power Plant. 

Friday night I leave for my last travel break!  This time I'm off to Amsterdam and Brussels with Wallis and will be gone until Sunday, November 17.  Until then...