Woke up a little before 7. Had muesli and yogurt for breakfast. Talked with Jens, Ida, and Simon. Copenhagen won the handball game last night against Iceland (it was the quarter finals). Karen went for a run.
I did some reading for classes and then went for a run around Frederiksberg Have. It was rainy, very windy, and wet but not cold at all (6 degrees C). Didn't really see much of note. Noticed that all the cars have little clock things stuck on the front window. When you park in a metered spot you put the hands of the clock to the time it is so the police know and can yell at you when you've been there too long. Pretty trusting.
Took a shower. Read the NY Times online.
Had a lunch of the leftover buritto makings and milk (so there mother!)
Went into DIS. Did Danish listening HW on the computer and printed out an intro sheet to put up in the practicum site (Stenurten Bornhave) tomorrow. Went with Ashley and Elizabeth to a bakery b/c on Wednesday they have a special on cinnamon buns. It was delicious!
Went to Statens Museum for Kunst (I think that translates and the state art museum). There was a gorgeous museum that we went through to get to it. The museum has basically all Danish or Scandinavian art. I didn't love most of it and much of it was really disturbing but it was interesting to see. We went on a tour with a guy who had lots of interesting things to point out. I liked the art better after having it put in context. There was a very creepy room set up like a hospital room with real beds, radios, and outlets, and IV bags. Outside it said to be very quiet when you went in. Three of the beds had very lifelike models sitting in them. The guide said something about how they were homoerotic (?). One bed was left empty. It was very odd. Another really neat exhibit was a series of deformed or altered Venus de Milo's.
I watched some of the news in Danish. There was story about global warming grumping at Bush for ignoring it. There was also a story about a pig farm (with really cute pigs!). The meteorologists here don't stand in front of a green screen. There is not the same high quality radar we have at home. Uh oh to Mom and Dad whatcha gonna do! You would go crazy and have a million more hours of your life.
Dinner was nice because both Anders and Simon (the identical twin college age nephews of my host family) were visiting. We had chicken with a vegetable stir fry on top and mashed potatoes. It was yummy. For desert there were mini-cones filled with whipped cream and an undetermined berry sauce that is not strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, or rasberry. We talked about the quarter final handball game from last night, differences in the Danish dialect, and Karen's ski trip to the Alps next weekend. We were also talking about gang/hip hand signs for the areas of Copenhagen like for the East and West side of NY. Simon told a funny story about how they were trying to promote this innovative medicine program but you have to go to this random out of the way place in Denmark so 1/3 of the class got up as soon as they said where it was. It's easier to talk to Simon because he was in Australia for a while and thus is the most comfortable speaking English. The family is all very nice about either speaking in English or filling me in on what they were saying.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
TUESDAY JANUARY 30th
Woke up around 6:30. Ate breakfast of cereal and yogurt with Jens, Ida, Karen, and Simon. There was an article in the Politiken about social security and saving for retirement so we talked about that a little bit. Went for a run down Nordre Fasenvej and through Frederiksberg Have (gardens). There were lots of paths and little ponds. Tons of mallards and other birds in the ponds. The garden will be even nicer in the spring. Got a little bit lost near this neat old church but then I figured it out. I feel perfectly safe running here and the city is very clean. Almost got run over by two bicyclers. Oops!
Took a shower and headed into DIS. Talked with Nancy an Ada from DIS. She's very happy here and enjoyed a fishing boat trip she signed up to do on Sunday.
Went to 20th century Euro. history. Talked about population growth (fertility rates, mortality rates, women's edc, disease etc etc.) I like Peter the professor he has a good sense of humor and tells good stories.
Ate lunch of a focaccia bread with Elizabeth, Emily, and Ashley.
Went to Enviro. history. We talked about change from hunter/gatherer to agricultural to industrial society and generally how to split up the time from 40000 BC to now.
Went to Danish. Reviewed numbers and days of the week from survival danish. Praticed asking "what are you doing" Hvad laver du? (Jeg laeser (I read/study) Jeg ser fjersten (watch TV) Jeg horar radio (I listen to the radio) laver mad (cook) Jeg vasker op (clean up). At the end we talked briefly about cultural differences we've noticed.
Went back home and read for classes.
Talked with Karen about her ski trip with friends next weekend. She was sewing a neck warmer.
Helped to cut stuff up for a Thai stir fry with noodles, carrots, chicken, red peppers, leeks. Ate dinner with Jens, Karen, and Ida. We talked about what happened in our days and about favorite foods. We also talked about birthdays and having parties. Karen wants to invite a lot of people over and Jakob (Jens son from the previous marriage) is having a party to celebrate finishing his thesis for a master's degree.
Put laundry in to wash. They have different temps you can wash at but not warm and cold like a home. There is no dryer they just hang clothes to air dry on clothes line on the basement ceiling. I had to stand on a stool to reach the lines.
Watched a bit of the handball game on TV. It was the final game. Handball is sort of like a combo of basketball, football, and soccer. You throw the ball around but you try to throw it into nets. There is a large circle that the goaly stands in and that players cannot enter. Denmark beat Iceland. Hooray!
Took a shower and headed into DIS. Talked with Nancy an Ada from DIS. She's very happy here and enjoyed a fishing boat trip she signed up to do on Sunday.
Went to 20th century Euro. history. Talked about population growth (fertility rates, mortality rates, women's edc, disease etc etc.) I like Peter the professor he has a good sense of humor and tells good stories.
Ate lunch of a focaccia bread with Elizabeth, Emily, and Ashley.
Went to Enviro. history. We talked about change from hunter/gatherer to agricultural to industrial society and generally how to split up the time from 40000 BC to now.
Went to Danish. Reviewed numbers and days of the week from survival danish. Praticed asking "what are you doing" Hvad laver du? (Jeg laeser (I read/study) Jeg ser fjersten (watch TV) Jeg horar radio (I listen to the radio) laver mad (cook) Jeg vasker op (clean up). At the end we talked briefly about cultural differences we've noticed.
Went back home and read for classes.
Talked with Karen about her ski trip with friends next weekend. She was sewing a neck warmer.
Helped to cut stuff up for a Thai stir fry with noodles, carrots, chicken, red peppers, leeks. Ate dinner with Jens, Karen, and Ida. We talked about what happened in our days and about favorite foods. We also talked about birthdays and having parties. Karen wants to invite a lot of people over and Jakob (Jens son from the previous marriage) is having a party to celebrate finishing his thesis for a master's degree.
Put laundry in to wash. They have different temps you can wash at but not warm and cold like a home. There is no dryer they just hang clothes to air dry on clothes line on the basement ceiling. I had to stand on a stool to reach the lines.
Watched a bit of the handball game on TV. It was the final game. Handball is sort of like a combo of basketball, football, and soccer. You throw the ball around but you try to throw it into nets. There is a large circle that the goaly stands in and that players cannot enter. Denmark beat Iceland. Hooray!
Monday, January 29, 2007
MONDAY JANUARY 29th
Woke up around 6:30. Went down to breakfast. Ate breakfast of muesli, yogurt, tea, and a Clementine with Simon, Ida, Jens, and Karen joined us a bit later. They all talked in Danish but it was OK. Couldn’t really follow except for some words and when they were giving directions b/c I recognized street names.
Went for a run. Garbage men wear yellow and building/road public works people wear bright orange. Figured out what the sign Faesol po icen forbyt (skating on the ice is forbidden). There are lots of them up along the ponds where I run. Mallards were up on the grassy slope by the edge eating up all the grass.
Took a shower. Went into DIS.
Did some reading for class and had leftover tomato sauce and meatballs, an apple and bread for lunch. Ate with Elizabeth.
Went to my practicum class. We talked about personal boundaries and generally what to expect and how to behave at the practicum sites on Thurs. Interesting activity where we had to stand really close to each other and stare at each other to illustrate the point of boundaries. Talked in small groups about our expectations and hopes for the semester and about what special needs means. Sounds like they go outside a lot in the Danish schools, are allowed much more freedom to do dangerous things w/o supervision, and have much less structure. Early elementary edc. is considered very important and is paid for by the government.
Had an hour to kill so went looking in shops with Joy (a girl I’m friends with in the PCD program), three other girls from her home school and Elizabeth.
Went to my PCD theory class. Jan, the instructor is an older man. He has a sense of humor. He doesn’t speak terrific English, but its OK. He explained in general about what psychology is and what he defines special needs as. Talked about how there has been some research about eye movement to cure reading difficulties but that it doesn’t help. After he talked another guest lecturer talked about the Danish laws regarding SPED and how funding through the Danish welfare state works. There is no central definition of SPED and each municipality (sort of like our counties I think) determines who gets SPED and what sorts of services they need.
Took the bus back home.
Had burritos for dinner (beans, hamburger meat, guacamole, peppers, lettuce, cucumber) They put it all on the able and we assembled them. All the dinners are served family style not individual portions put on a plate in the kitchen. Everyone always has 2nds. Pitcher of water on the table to drink from.
We talked for a while. In English for most of it this time.
I watched the news in Danish. MUCH nicer than in English. Story about a bird that hasn’t been in Denmark for decades but is here now b/c of global warming. Story about some computer game called second life (sort of like The Sims). No stories about violent shootings or car crashes or any of that stuff.
Went for a run. Garbage men wear yellow and building/road public works people wear bright orange. Figured out what the sign Faesol po icen forbyt (skating on the ice is forbidden). There are lots of them up along the ponds where I run. Mallards were up on the grassy slope by the edge eating up all the grass.
Took a shower. Went into DIS.
Did some reading for class and had leftover tomato sauce and meatballs, an apple and bread for lunch. Ate with Elizabeth.
Went to my practicum class. We talked about personal boundaries and generally what to expect and how to behave at the practicum sites on Thurs. Interesting activity where we had to stand really close to each other and stare at each other to illustrate the point of boundaries. Talked in small groups about our expectations and hopes for the semester and about what special needs means. Sounds like they go outside a lot in the Danish schools, are allowed much more freedom to do dangerous things w/o supervision, and have much less structure. Early elementary edc. is considered very important and is paid for by the government.
Had an hour to kill so went looking in shops with Joy (a girl I’m friends with in the PCD program), three other girls from her home school and Elizabeth.
Went to my PCD theory class. Jan, the instructor is an older man. He has a sense of humor. He doesn’t speak terrific English, but its OK. He explained in general about what psychology is and what he defines special needs as. Talked about how there has been some research about eye movement to cure reading difficulties but that it doesn’t help. After he talked another guest lecturer talked about the Danish laws regarding SPED and how funding through the Danish welfare state works. There is no central definition of SPED and each municipality (sort of like our counties I think) determines who gets SPED and what sorts of services they need.
Took the bus back home.
Had burritos for dinner (beans, hamburger meat, guacamole, peppers, lettuce, cucumber) They put it all on the able and we assembled them. All the dinners are served family style not individual portions put on a plate in the kitchen. Everyone always has 2nds. Pitcher of water on the table to drink from.
We talked for a while. In English for most of it this time.
I watched the news in Danish. MUCH nicer than in English. Story about a bird that hasn’t been in Denmark for decades but is here now b/c of global warming. Story about some computer game called second life (sort of like The Sims). No stories about violent shootings or car crashes or any of that stuff.
SUNDAY JANUARY 28th
Woke up and went down to have yogurt and toast for breakfast.
Took bus over the Osterbro to run with Danes training for the marathon. Catherine Miller Little (smith alum) told me about it. 18km run in about 1:45. There were over 100 people that divided up into groups of 20 or so. They divided up into groups with 2 people leading and you couldn’t pass the leaders. The runners would raise their hand when stopping and point to things in the way. We went all over the area along the streets and some bike paths. No idea where we went, but it was pretty. At one point someone dropped off and another runner commented, “another one bites the dust” with Danish surrounding it. They have English music and English films and speak English everywhere here if you ask.
I took the bus back to the house. I had bread and liver pate and cheese and a banana for lunch. I haven’t been drinking milk because they don’t seem to and I feel funny guzzling it down. I guess it’s there for me to drink though. They only get half gallons.
Their house is quite uncluttered compared to ours. They moved at some point and both come from previous marriages so that could be part of it. The house is kept very neat.
I’ve just been studying Danish numbers and phrases and reading this afternoon. Ida is studying and working on her dissertation and Karen was out with friends. Jens read the paper and is doing work also. He has been doing a lot with their new boat to make it ready for the spring (sanding and finishing).
Spying on the electricity meter by the bathroom (all measured at 9AM)
78711kwh 1/25
78720kwh 1/27
78732kwh 1/28
78751kwh 1/29
Had a dinner of tomato sauce with meatballs and an egg that remains whole and cooks in the mixture and sort of ends up poached. Interesting. Had an apple cake for dessert.
Watched a CSI type show with Karen that is apparently very popular in Denmark. No commercials! Didn’t understand much but oh well.
Simon (Ida’s nephew arrived. He is the twin of Anders who I met last weekend. He had a Harvard t-shirt from being in Boston. He’s staying here for the week and going to the U. Copenhagen. Eventually he’ll move into an apartment.
Took bus over the Osterbro to run with Danes training for the marathon. Catherine Miller Little (smith alum) told me about it. 18km run in about 1:45. There were over 100 people that divided up into groups of 20 or so. They divided up into groups with 2 people leading and you couldn’t pass the leaders. The runners would raise their hand when stopping and point to things in the way. We went all over the area along the streets and some bike paths. No idea where we went, but it was pretty. At one point someone dropped off and another runner commented, “another one bites the dust” with Danish surrounding it. They have English music and English films and speak English everywhere here if you ask.
I took the bus back to the house. I had bread and liver pate and cheese and a banana for lunch. I haven’t been drinking milk because they don’t seem to and I feel funny guzzling it down. I guess it’s there for me to drink though. They only get half gallons.
Their house is quite uncluttered compared to ours. They moved at some point and both come from previous marriages so that could be part of it. The house is kept very neat.
I’ve just been studying Danish numbers and phrases and reading this afternoon. Ida is studying and working on her dissertation and Karen was out with friends. Jens read the paper and is doing work also. He has been doing a lot with their new boat to make it ready for the spring (sanding and finishing).
Spying on the electricity meter by the bathroom (all measured at 9AM)
78711kwh 1/25
78720kwh 1/27
78732kwh 1/28
78751kwh 1/29
Had a dinner of tomato sauce with meatballs and an egg that remains whole and cooks in the mixture and sort of ends up poached. Interesting. Had an apple cake for dessert.
Watched a CSI type show with Karen that is apparently very popular in Denmark. No commercials! Didn’t understand much but oh well.
Simon (Ida’s nephew arrived. He is the twin of Anders who I met last weekend. He had a Harvard t-shirt from being in Boston. He’s staying here for the week and going to the U. Copenhagen. Eventually he’ll move into an apartment.
SATURDAY JANUARY 27th
Woke up a few times during the night but got up at 7:30. Went right out for a run around the lakes. Saw a man kicking snow up and his dog was eating the snow. Swans, magpies, mallards etc are all around.
Took a shower. Had a croissant and tea for breakfast.
Went into DIS and headed off for a tour of Kronborg Castle in Helsinger (Elsinore in Shakespeare’s play) Where Hamlet was set. The bus went along the coast. We saw some beautiful large houses on the way. It was very scenic and the houses looked more like the typical ones in the US than the house I am living in.
We had time to look around in shops first. It was really cold. Elizabeth and I walked around together. Very cute old area. Many clothing shops and bakeries. One large indoor mall like center but mainly smaller shops. They had a cheese shop and a meat shop.
We ate lunch on a bench in an indoor shopping center on a bench. I had a rosemary roll and and a banana.
Went to the castle for a tour. Very cool.
Shakespeare may have worked with a group of players that worked at Kronborg or he may have heard the story about Prince Amlet that was passed on through Germany, France and then England. The castle was called Hook Castle but it burned down and was rebuilt.
I can’t imagine how they kept such a large place warm. Apparently there was frequently ice on the floors and the bedrooms are small because that makes it easier to heat. Many huge fireplaces.
Guide kept referring to stuff that Sweden stole which I though was funny. Shows the rivalry. I have a new appreciation for home much work royal life must have been. Just keeping the castle warm, everyone fed, at cleaning up would be a production. Neat stairways that curve and are narrower in the middle than the outside.
The casements were very cool but small and dark and creepy. I can’t imagine being a soldier or a prisoner and spending much time down there. Statue of a god who will come back to live and save Denmark. Prisoners and soldiers given lots of beer 8 Liters a day because the water was bad and they needed it for moral. Story about prisoners how had to walk the gamut and be hit by everyone else as they ran through the middle of the room.
See pictures and captions.
Took bus back to DIS along the highway.
Ate pasta with shrimp, leeks, and brussel sprouts. Water to drink. Talked about how putting the fork in the right hand is considered royal because the French did it and some American president liked the French very much. The danes eat with knife in the right and fork in the left all the time. Watched Danish TV show set in 1940s. Couldn’t follow much but the acting was good and there were no commercials or exaggered background music like in the US. After show had bread and cheeses (blue cheese, brie and a cheddar/ swiss cheese.
Took a shower. Had a croissant and tea for breakfast.
Went into DIS and headed off for a tour of Kronborg Castle in Helsinger (Elsinore in Shakespeare’s play) Where Hamlet was set. The bus went along the coast. We saw some beautiful large houses on the way. It was very scenic and the houses looked more like the typical ones in the US than the house I am living in.
We had time to look around in shops first. It was really cold. Elizabeth and I walked around together. Very cute old area. Many clothing shops and bakeries. One large indoor mall like center but mainly smaller shops. They had a cheese shop and a meat shop.
We ate lunch on a bench in an indoor shopping center on a bench. I had a rosemary roll and and a banana.
Went to the castle for a tour. Very cool.
Shakespeare may have worked with a group of players that worked at Kronborg or he may have heard the story about Prince Amlet that was passed on through Germany, France and then England. The castle was called Hook Castle but it burned down and was rebuilt.
I can’t imagine how they kept such a large place warm. Apparently there was frequently ice on the floors and the bedrooms are small because that makes it easier to heat. Many huge fireplaces.
Guide kept referring to stuff that Sweden stole which I though was funny. Shows the rivalry. I have a new appreciation for home much work royal life must have been. Just keeping the castle warm, everyone fed, at cleaning up would be a production. Neat stairways that curve and are narrower in the middle than the outside.
The casements were very cool but small and dark and creepy. I can’t imagine being a soldier or a prisoner and spending much time down there. Statue of a god who will come back to live and save Denmark. Prisoners and soldiers given lots of beer 8 Liters a day because the water was bad and they needed it for moral. Story about prisoners how had to walk the gamut and be hit by everyone else as they ran through the middle of the room.
See pictures and captions.
Took bus back to DIS along the highway.
Ate pasta with shrimp, leeks, and brussel sprouts. Water to drink. Talked about how putting the fork in the right hand is considered royal because the French did it and some American president liked the French very much. The danes eat with knife in the right and fork in the left all the time. Watched Danish TV show set in 1940s. Couldn’t follow much but the acting was good and there were no commercials or exaggered background music like in the US. After show had bread and cheeses (blue cheese, brie and a cheddar/ swiss cheese.
FRIDAY JANUARY 26th
Got up around 6:30. Went downstairs to have a pastry and tea for breakfast. Talked with Ida and Karen. Jens had already left. Karen is going to a classical music concert tonight. Ida is going to visit her mother who is in the hospital. Strange pic. in the paper of a worker sawing at a railroad rail.
Went for run. Warm but snowing/raining/sleeting and VERY windy. Frenetic and not fun to run in. Went running by the school where I will be doing my practicum. Also went running around the other two lakes that I haven’t been running around yet. They are OK. Lots of people walking dogs! People hide their children in carriages but love to show off their dogs.
Went back and showered.
Took bus to DIS. Went to 20 Century Euro history. I like the prof. he moves around the classroom but then stays put unlike some American teachers who pace. He likes to pick a person to speak at but he rotates who he intensely focuses on. He is older maybe late 60s and has obviously taught this type of stuff for a while. Also teaches at Copenhagen University. Asked a lot of questions that were somewhat rhetorical and about stuff that we didn’t really know the answer too. Made lots of funny jokes. Gave us a break in the middle of the 1.5 hour class.
He told a funny joke about a European study of elephants. The French wrote about the elephants sex life. The Danes wrote about its eating habits. The Germans wrote about its functioning and processes. Finally the Swedes wrote about Sweden and the Swedish people. We talked about how history is a science. We talked about how the 20th century is relative and refers to a certain mindset not especially to the dates 1900-2000. We defined Europe as a historical construct. The southern and eastern borders are not definite.
Had lunch of focaccia bread, a Clementine and a cookie. Ate with Elizabeth and some other DIS students that I now forget the names of.
Went to Environmental History. Saw Peter Christianson (the prof for 20th century and enviro history) smoking a pipe outside. We must call him Peter because that is the informal way the Danes operate. Much of the stuff at least for today was repeated in Enviro history. What is history? What is Europe? What is nature? Talked about how humans brought storks to Denmark by cutting down trees and creating meadows and then drove them away again by altering the environment again. Mentioned population growth and global warming. Al Gore had just been in Denmark to show the movie and talk about the book.
Went to Danish class. Nina Lahav is the professor. She gave the tour of Denmark I went on Monday. We went over the survival Danish stuff your name, where you are from etc. etc. Helped with pronunciation a LOT.
Hung out with Elizabeth and some other DIS students that I forget the names of. Worked on Danish HW that you have to do on the DIS computer b/c it involves listening to a movie.
Went to a meeting about sports in Denmark organized by a Smith alum who’s running a marathon this spring. Met 10 other runners! Very exciting. There is a running club I could join or we may just get together to run as DIS students. Nice to make the connections. I guess there are ton of sports clubs but in general for professional sports only soccer and handball are really popular and get money in Denmark. There are no super serious NCAA, NFL, NBA like organizations.
Went to “The Happy Pig” for a free Danish hotdog for dinner that DIS provided but it was tiny, crowded and too sketchy and barlike so we left very quickly and went to this other café type place. It was Elizabeth and Ashley and Emily two girls from Hobart and Williams Smith. We had a great time talking and drinking tea. Then I went home.
Went for run. Warm but snowing/raining/sleeting and VERY windy. Frenetic and not fun to run in. Went running by the school where I will be doing my practicum. Also went running around the other two lakes that I haven’t been running around yet. They are OK. Lots of people walking dogs! People hide their children in carriages but love to show off their dogs.
Went back and showered.
Took bus to DIS. Went to 20 Century Euro history. I like the prof. he moves around the classroom but then stays put unlike some American teachers who pace. He likes to pick a person to speak at but he rotates who he intensely focuses on. He is older maybe late 60s and has obviously taught this type of stuff for a while. Also teaches at Copenhagen University. Asked a lot of questions that were somewhat rhetorical and about stuff that we didn’t really know the answer too. Made lots of funny jokes. Gave us a break in the middle of the 1.5 hour class.
He told a funny joke about a European study of elephants. The French wrote about the elephants sex life. The Danes wrote about its eating habits. The Germans wrote about its functioning and processes. Finally the Swedes wrote about Sweden and the Swedish people. We talked about how history is a science. We talked about how the 20th century is relative and refers to a certain mindset not especially to the dates 1900-2000. We defined Europe as a historical construct. The southern and eastern borders are not definite.
Had lunch of focaccia bread, a Clementine and a cookie. Ate with Elizabeth and some other DIS students that I now forget the names of.
Went to Environmental History. Saw Peter Christianson (the prof for 20th century and enviro history) smoking a pipe outside. We must call him Peter because that is the informal way the Danes operate. Much of the stuff at least for today was repeated in Enviro history. What is history? What is Europe? What is nature? Talked about how humans brought storks to Denmark by cutting down trees and creating meadows and then drove them away again by altering the environment again. Mentioned population growth and global warming. Al Gore had just been in Denmark to show the movie and talk about the book.
Went to Danish class. Nina Lahav is the professor. She gave the tour of Denmark I went on Monday. We went over the survival Danish stuff your name, where you are from etc. etc. Helped with pronunciation a LOT.
Hung out with Elizabeth and some other DIS students that I forget the names of. Worked on Danish HW that you have to do on the DIS computer b/c it involves listening to a movie.
Went to a meeting about sports in Denmark organized by a Smith alum who’s running a marathon this spring. Met 10 other runners! Very exciting. There is a running club I could join or we may just get together to run as DIS students. Nice to make the connections. I guess there are ton of sports clubs but in general for professional sports only soccer and handball are really popular and get money in Denmark. There are no super serious NCAA, NFL, NBA like organizations.
Went to “The Happy Pig” for a free Danish hotdog for dinner that DIS provided but it was tiny, crowded and too sketchy and barlike so we left very quickly and went to this other café type place. It was Elizabeth and Ashley and Emily two girls from Hobart and Williams Smith. We had a great time talking and drinking tea. Then I went home.
THURSDAY JANUARY 25th
Woke up around 7. Ate muesli, milk, and a Clementine for breakfast. Jens was gone and Ida and Karen were not awake yet. Went off for a run around the lakes again. A swan was sticking its chest out far to break the ice around it. Lots of people with dogs and runners were out and about.
Took a shower. Got my stuff together. Went to the Frederiksberg Kommune to register so I can get a yellow CPR card that allows me to have health insurance. It was easy and they spoke English. I was in and out in 15 min. Very efficient. There was also a sign for marriage and registered partnerships. It’s neat that the country is liberal enough to accept that. They had a neat old fashioned elevator that is open with no doors and keeps moving almost like an escalator.
Continued on to DIS. Ate lunch of focaccia bread and an apple with Elizabeth. She’s feeling much better after her stomach bug and going home early from the brewery on Tues.
Went to the practicum class. Got info in general about how the Danish system is set up in terms of private vs. public and integration of different kinds special needs. Received a log book to record observations about our practicum site. I’m in a school that emphasizes environmentalism (they go the woods and eat fresh organic produce and focus on recycling and reducing waste) with 3-6 year olds located right near my host family. I could walk or it’s on the same bus route I already take to DIS but closer. PERFECT fit huh! DIS sure did their homework ready my survey and putting me at a good place. Elizabeth was placed there too. Very strange…especially bc we are the only two there. Creepy Twilight zone music cue here.
Went to Norreport Station to change my two zone public transportation pass to a all zone one b/c I’m in the PCD program and need to get around to schools. Got reimbursed and went to the bank to cash the check.
Exchanged a wrong binder I had been given for my 20th century euro class.
Went walking on Kobmagergade an only pedestrian street with lots of shops where we went to the market on Weds with the survival Danish class. Took pics. Froze. It was really COLD out today but sunny which was nice.
Talked with a woman in the PCD program who runs. Talked with another woman who I met during orientation in the business program.
Went to a choir group info session under duress from McCurdy but I wanted to also. She did it last semester and many of the choristers are full year students. I met Sarah Joy a woman in the PCD program who McCurdy was really good friends with. Met a XC runner from Wheaton who was also at the meeting.
Took the bus back home.
Ida is part of swim group on Thurs. afternoon and Karen works at the bakery.
We had potato leek soup and bread for dinner.
After dinner we had a long talk about expectations and plans for the spring and general household rules, schedules, and policies. Basically they are happy with me and I am happy with them and they have the same expectations that you and Dad would have.
The danes sure do love to talk. The ½ hour at the most dinners I'm used to at home are very different from 1-1.5 hour dinners we routinely have here.
Took a shower. Got my stuff together. Went to the Frederiksberg Kommune to register so I can get a yellow CPR card that allows me to have health insurance. It was easy and they spoke English. I was in and out in 15 min. Very efficient. There was also a sign for marriage and registered partnerships. It’s neat that the country is liberal enough to accept that. They had a neat old fashioned elevator that is open with no doors and keeps moving almost like an escalator.
Continued on to DIS. Ate lunch of focaccia bread and an apple with Elizabeth. She’s feeling much better after her stomach bug and going home early from the brewery on Tues.
Went to the practicum class. Got info in general about how the Danish system is set up in terms of private vs. public and integration of different kinds special needs. Received a log book to record observations about our practicum site. I’m in a school that emphasizes environmentalism (they go the woods and eat fresh organic produce and focus on recycling and reducing waste) with 3-6 year olds located right near my host family. I could walk or it’s on the same bus route I already take to DIS but closer. PERFECT fit huh! DIS sure did their homework ready my survey and putting me at a good place. Elizabeth was placed there too. Very strange…especially bc we are the only two there. Creepy Twilight zone music cue here.
Went to Norreport Station to change my two zone public transportation pass to a all zone one b/c I’m in the PCD program and need to get around to schools. Got reimbursed and went to the bank to cash the check.
Exchanged a wrong binder I had been given for my 20th century euro class.
Went walking on Kobmagergade an only pedestrian street with lots of shops where we went to the market on Weds with the survival Danish class. Took pics. Froze. It was really COLD out today but sunny which was nice.
Talked with a woman in the PCD program who runs. Talked with another woman who I met during orientation in the business program.
Went to a choir group info session under duress from McCurdy but I wanted to also. She did it last semester and many of the choristers are full year students. I met Sarah Joy a woman in the PCD program who McCurdy was really good friends with. Met a XC runner from Wheaton who was also at the meeting.
Took the bus back home.
Ida is part of swim group on Thurs. afternoon and Karen works at the bakery.
We had potato leek soup and bread for dinner.
After dinner we had a long talk about expectations and plans for the spring and general household rules, schedules, and policies. Basically they are happy with me and I am happy with them and they have the same expectations that you and Dad would have.
The danes sure do love to talk. The ½ hour at the most dinners I'm used to at home are very different from 1-1.5 hour dinners we routinely have here.
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 24th
Woke up around 7AM. Had muesli and milk and tea. Saw pic of Bush and article on top front page of Politik. Made lunch of rosemary roll, ham, banana. Took bus to DIS and walk to TRIS which is a building on a long bike and pedestrian only shopping street. Learned about Danish words for different foods. Reviewed Danish from yesterday. Learned Danish numbers and days of the week. Went to Danish market and found the names of different foods. Basically same variety as US. Everything very packaged. Not nearly as many brand names (only one or two). They have yogurt in a waxy cardboard container like you get milk in at the school cafeteria not in plastic.
Ate lunch with Elizabeth.
Went to psychology and child development orientation where they told us when classes are about the study tours to southern Sweden and London. They also went through the typical don’t plagiarize, no alcohol on DIS property etc. etc. There will be quite a bit of work and it will be different from the US but not overwhelming. I really liked the director and the prof for the practicum. Talked with Rebeeca Lawrence who went to CCHS. Talked with some other PCD students.
I picked up my textbooks. There are a TON. Ugh. Not too bad though and they came in a large heavy duty Ikea bag with hardcore handles.
I took the bus home.
I went for a really nice run around these three lakes that are right next to each other and I think connected in the middle of Frederiksberg. The lakes aren’t that aren’t too far. It’s my new favorite perfect running route. Lots of other people were running along there too. Lots of ducks and geese hanging out in them. There is a dirt path around them and every block(1/4 mile or so you have to cross a large road. The land is very flat!
Went back to my room and showered. Still haven’t quite gotten used to letting the water just go all over the bathroom floor, but its not a big deal.
We had bread, tomatoes and salmon for dinner. I remembered to eat like a Dane with the fork in my left and push on with the knife not cut up into bits and then switch the fork to the right like an American. I also remembered to say Tak for mad (thanks for the meal) in Danish.
Jens bought a sail boat. The internet is out in the building of the hospital where Ida works. Karen has a presentation to make tonight to 1000 people. She was nervous. She would like to party and go out more than her Mom would like. They are worried about her going off during her vacation with friends to Greece. Typical teenager parent interaction!
Classes (an intro to what happens for the practicum at least) start tomorrow. It will be nice to have a regular schedule again.
I have been keeping a close guard on my bag and to be aware. The city is incredibly safe and much less sketchy feeling than NY or Boston. I remember to lock the door of the house when I go out. You actually have to turn the key to do it.
Still can’t get over all the bikes. There are not that many cars given that’s it’s a city but rush hour seems so much more frenetic because of all the walkers and bikers that you also have to avoid.
Ate lunch with Elizabeth.
Went to psychology and child development orientation where they told us when classes are about the study tours to southern Sweden and London. They also went through the typical don’t plagiarize, no alcohol on DIS property etc. etc. There will be quite a bit of work and it will be different from the US but not overwhelming. I really liked the director and the prof for the practicum. Talked with Rebeeca Lawrence who went to CCHS. Talked with some other PCD students.
I picked up my textbooks. There are a TON. Ugh. Not too bad though and they came in a large heavy duty Ikea bag with hardcore handles.
I took the bus home.
I went for a really nice run around these three lakes that are right next to each other and I think connected in the middle of Frederiksberg. The lakes aren’t that aren’t too far. It’s my new favorite perfect running route. Lots of other people were running along there too. Lots of ducks and geese hanging out in them. There is a dirt path around them and every block(1/4 mile or so you have to cross a large road. The land is very flat!
Went back to my room and showered. Still haven’t quite gotten used to letting the water just go all over the bathroom floor, but its not a big deal.
We had bread, tomatoes and salmon for dinner. I remembered to eat like a Dane with the fork in my left and push on with the knife not cut up into bits and then switch the fork to the right like an American. I also remembered to say Tak for mad (thanks for the meal) in Danish.
Jens bought a sail boat. The internet is out in the building of the hospital where Ida works. Karen has a presentation to make tonight to 1000 people. She was nervous. She would like to party and go out more than her Mom would like. They are worried about her going off during her vacation with friends to Greece. Typical teenager parent interaction!
Classes (an intro to what happens for the practicum at least) start tomorrow. It will be nice to have a regular schedule again.
I have been keeping a close guard on my bag and to be aware. The city is incredibly safe and much less sketchy feeling than NY or Boston. I remember to lock the door of the house when I go out. You actually have to turn the key to do it.
Still can’t get over all the bikes. There are not that many cars given that’s it’s a city but rush hour seems so much more frenetic because of all the walkers and bikers that you also have to avoid.
TUESDAY JANUARY 23rd
Woke up a little before 7. Forgot to turn alarm off...oops…Ate cereal with milk, orange juice and tea for breakfast.
Took bus to DIS. No one talks on the bus and in general people speak much more softly in public than in the US. Survival Danish class from 9-12.
Jeg hedder Becca. Jeg kommer fra US. Jeg bor i Concord, MA. Jeg laeser psychology.
I’m called Becca. I come from the US. I live in Concord. I study psychology.
Jeg skal have den der. I want that one there. Vaersgo. Here you go. Tak. Thank you.
We got to try eating Danish pastry.
We walked around Copenhagen and she (the teacher) explained metro signs and signs in shop windows. We peeked in a meat shop, a fish shop, a place with smorrebrod (open face sandwhiches) in the window.
Ate lunch in the DIS main building with Elizabeth and Nancy. Rosemary roll with peanut butter and carrots.
In afternoon we had a bunch of somewhat boring but I suppose important orientation presentations about safety, optional study tours, the library, and Danish culture and manners.
After that we were taken to Carlsburg brewery for a tour. It was OK. Promotional video about the history of the company and then a speech read from the paper by one of the managers. There was a display of 6000 beer bottles I think all from different countries and with different labels. There was also an extensive visitor center with historical displays and information about how beer is made.
Had dinner there of a turkey sandwich that DIS provided. Met a really nice woman named Lindsey who is in the psychology and child development program also. Have also met Jamie and Emily who are PCD students and are equally nice. COULD have had beer (LOTS of free beer was available and many took advantage. I suppose when in rome do as the romans do but I didn’t really want to. They had bottled orange juice that I had.
Took the bus back home. Met Cecil a friend of Ida’s who lived in Denmark a while ago then in Canada and then in Paris.
I’ve talked with some guys also. It’s nice having them around for a change from Smith. One went to Concord Academy.
Took bus to DIS. No one talks on the bus and in general people speak much more softly in public than in the US. Survival Danish class from 9-12.
Jeg hedder Becca. Jeg kommer fra US. Jeg bor i Concord, MA. Jeg laeser psychology.
I’m called Becca. I come from the US. I live in Concord. I study psychology.
Jeg skal have den der. I want that one there. Vaersgo. Here you go. Tak. Thank you.
We got to try eating Danish pastry.
We walked around Copenhagen and she (the teacher) explained metro signs and signs in shop windows. We peeked in a meat shop, a fish shop, a place with smorrebrod (open face sandwhiches) in the window.
Ate lunch in the DIS main building with Elizabeth and Nancy. Rosemary roll with peanut butter and carrots.
In afternoon we had a bunch of somewhat boring but I suppose important orientation presentations about safety, optional study tours, the library, and Danish culture and manners.
After that we were taken to Carlsburg brewery for a tour. It was OK. Promotional video about the history of the company and then a speech read from the paper by one of the managers. There was a display of 6000 beer bottles I think all from different countries and with different labels. There was also an extensive visitor center with historical displays and information about how beer is made.
Had dinner there of a turkey sandwich that DIS provided. Met a really nice woman named Lindsey who is in the psychology and child development program also. Have also met Jamie and Emily who are PCD students and are equally nice. COULD have had beer (LOTS of free beer was available and many took advantage. I suppose when in rome do as the romans do but I didn’t really want to. They had bottled orange juice that I had.
Took the bus back home. Met Cecil a friend of Ida’s who lived in Denmark a while ago then in Canada and then in Paris.
I’ve talked with some guys also. It’s nice having them around for a change from Smith. One went to Concord Academy.
MONDAY JANUARY 22
Anders the nephew of my host parents was here yesterday. He was very interested in US politics. He is going to Medical school at the university of Copenhagen. He understands English very well because he lived in Alabama when he was little but has more trouble speaking it. They have a one-week retreat trip.
Karen works at a bakery and brings home lots of interesting home made breads and desserts. She has to give a speech in front of a thousand people on Wednesday. She already has to decide on a concentration and she’s only in HS.
My host family is not religious. They all speak English very well and only search occasionally for some fairly obscure words. Karen did go to a catholic school but only because there was lots of bullying at the public one.
Ida went off biking to work despite the cold. She has real fur mittens but claims they kill the animal humanely. She was back by a little before 4 when I got home.
Jens went off in the car to a meeting.
I woke up around 8AM this morning after going to bed around 9:30 last night. Very strange to have it still really dark getting up at 8! Think I was tired? It was cold windy and snowing for the first part of the day. I had muesli cereal with milk, orange juice (freshly squeezed) and tea for breakfast. Read the Danish paper and pretended I could understand what it meant. I got ready for the day. Took the big yellow 2A bus down this long highway to near Tivoli gardens. Got off and made my way eventually to DIS after a tiny bit of confusion and thinking I was lost. Met up with Elizabeth, Nancy (another Smithie Ada). Walked to the Glypotek with other DIS students to a super cool museum with a renaissance/greek feel to it for the opening ceremony. 3 different people spoke in general about the program (the registrar, the director of the program and Catherine Miller-Little (alum of DIS program, runner, and Smith alum)). Sounds like it will be academically challenging in a much different way from the US. We’ll see. A quintet played two classical songs. Went back to DIS building for lunch I had packed at home. Foccacia roll, cheese and a banana. Signed up for a tour of Elsinore Castle and another castle on Saturday. Went on a bus tour of Copenhagen. Saw Christianborg Castle (notice the PACE, FRIRE and other political message rainbow flags. Statue of Henry 7th? I think on the horse. Pic. of the old and new National Library the new one is called the Black Diamond.
We went to Amalienborg Castle where there was a guard with a super huge bear fur hat. The queen was home as shown by the triangle flag. Looking the opposite direction you could sort of see the Opera house.
3rd we went to see the little mermaid. The statue really is quite small. People have painted her and tried to cut head off, tired to cut her arm off, and dynamited the stand below her. The canal is pretty or would have been if it hadn’t been all snowy and cloudy at that point.
4th we went to Rosenborg Castle and drove around Copenhagen. It is a very old looking city with lots of really neat buildings, TONS of bikes and bike racks everywhere you look, and strange random statues. There are some squares, parks and gardens but mainly it is closely packed together buildings.
I made my way back to the right bus stop and back to Egernvej. I went for a run which really helped me get a better sense of the area.
The roads are super wide with sidewalks twice the size of US ones for walking and a lane on both sides for bikes. I need to learn to watch out for bikes. They go speeding along in their lane but you don’t realize because the cars are farther out.
Danish words: Tak (thank you) Jeg hedder Becca. (I am called Becca) Jeg er traet. I am tired.
Karen works at a bakery and brings home lots of interesting home made breads and desserts. She has to give a speech in front of a thousand people on Wednesday. She already has to decide on a concentration and she’s only in HS.
My host family is not religious. They all speak English very well and only search occasionally for some fairly obscure words. Karen did go to a catholic school but only because there was lots of bullying at the public one.
Ida went off biking to work despite the cold. She has real fur mittens but claims they kill the animal humanely. She was back by a little before 4 when I got home.
Jens went off in the car to a meeting.
I woke up around 8AM this morning after going to bed around 9:30 last night. Very strange to have it still really dark getting up at 8! Think I was tired? It was cold windy and snowing for the first part of the day. I had muesli cereal with milk, orange juice (freshly squeezed) and tea for breakfast. Read the Danish paper and pretended I could understand what it meant. I got ready for the day. Took the big yellow 2A bus down this long highway to near Tivoli gardens. Got off and made my way eventually to DIS after a tiny bit of confusion and thinking I was lost. Met up with Elizabeth, Nancy (another Smithie Ada). Walked to the Glypotek with other DIS students to a super cool museum with a renaissance/greek feel to it for the opening ceremony. 3 different people spoke in general about the program (the registrar, the director of the program and Catherine Miller-Little (alum of DIS program, runner, and Smith alum)). Sounds like it will be academically challenging in a much different way from the US. We’ll see. A quintet played two classical songs. Went back to DIS building for lunch I had packed at home. Foccacia roll, cheese and a banana. Signed up for a tour of Elsinore Castle and another castle on Saturday. Went on a bus tour of Copenhagen. Saw Christianborg Castle (notice the PACE, FRIRE and other political message rainbow flags. Statue of Henry 7th? I think on the horse. Pic. of the old and new National Library the new one is called the Black Diamond.
We went to Amalienborg Castle where there was a guard with a super huge bear fur hat. The queen was home as shown by the triangle flag. Looking the opposite direction you could sort of see the Opera house.
3rd we went to see the little mermaid. The statue really is quite small. People have painted her and tried to cut head off, tired to cut her arm off, and dynamited the stand below her. The canal is pretty or would have been if it hadn’t been all snowy and cloudy at that point.
4th we went to Rosenborg Castle and drove around Copenhagen. It is a very old looking city with lots of really neat buildings, TONS of bikes and bike racks everywhere you look, and strange random statues. There are some squares, parks and gardens but mainly it is closely packed together buildings.
I made my way back to the right bus stop and back to Egernvej. I went for a run which really helped me get a better sense of the area.
The roads are super wide with sidewalks twice the size of US ones for walking and a lane on both sides for bikes. I need to learn to watch out for bikes. They go speeding along in their lane but you don’t realize because the cars are farther out.
Danish words: Tak (thank you) Jeg hedder Becca. (I am called Becca) Jeg er traet. I am tired.
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