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...