back into normal routine

Once again I apologise for the lateness... A double math lesson doesn't really appeal to me, so I will use the time to update you all on my Danish adventures! 

Summer has sadly come to an end, and I am back to 6am wakeup calls to be at school 8am. As I have moved host families, I no longer need to take the bus, which means I can actually get in touch with danish culture, and ride my bike to school! It's so wonderful to do this at 7:40am in the morning, and it actually clears my head... the hill that i have to go up though makes my morning, every morning. 

I ended my summer holidays with a bang, by going up to Jutland and visiting two of my friends who live up there. I managed to get through some of my 'to do' list in Denmark. 

I caught the train 4 hours and met my friend in Aarhus. Darcie (who lives in Aalborg- about an hour from Aarhus) and I were there for the day. It was strange for us to be back in Aarhus in Summer, as we had been there six months before and it was snowing! We saw the Aars museum (a museum of contemporary art) and the main feature of this is the rainbow panarama that gives you a beautiful view and outlook onto the city. I loved spending the day in the Museum, and the views from the rainbow were spectacular! Another feature in the museum is the 'Boy' which is a giant sculpture of a crouching boy. It is absoloutley huge! and is abnormally life size. Darcie and I also spent the day wandering the Aarhus shopping street- which was actually our first introduction into danish fashion 6 months earlier. It was so nice to be back in Aarhus! and i felt like i saw so much more of it in the summer as it was not so cold! We caught the train back to Aalborg, and to her house. We watched some movies and went to bed ready for day two of our little adventure!

Aars museum!

Inside the Aars museum- with the origional painting! 

Aars is really modern and features very modern art 

Aars! 

ROSKILDE CHURCH! wooooo! 

The beautiful rainbow panarama 

The view over Aarhus- Denmarks second largest city! 

RAINBOW PANARAMA! 

Rainbow panarama! 

the scuplture 'boy' 

Aalborg was a beautiful town in the middle of Jutland that has beautiful side streets and an amazing bakery that sells chocolate balls which they are famous for. This is basically just a sweet bread roll with half a block of melted chocolate in the inside. It was delicious! In Aalborg, there was also a HUGE shopping street, so Darcie and I had a really fun day roaming around there! Some purchases that I am particularly proud of are my Paris collared shirt that has the Eiffel tower all over it! We then went back to her house, made some home made pizza and continued watching our movie collection!

AALBORG! The view from the Aalborg tower! 

One of the main features in the garden of a museum in Aalborg 

The Aalborg tower which Darcie and I went up! 

our delicious home made pizza 

Making the most of a beautiful Danish summer afternoon in Juland! 

Aussie Aussie Aussie 

The next day, Darcie, me and another girl Grace from Australia caught the train up to Skagen, which is the top of Denmark. Skagen is about 6 hours away from Roskilde (shows you how big denmark is huh?) Skagen is so famous because it is where the Swedish and Danish sea meet, and you can actually see the different coloured oceans and it is just so beautiful! To start the day off, we caught the train for about an hour and a half, then saw we could hire bikes so decided to be very danish and make the most of the opporunity. We were very glad for this because we could easily get around, and it would have been about an hours walk out to the point! So we defiantley made the most of our day! We started off enjoying the shopping street and soaking up the atmosphere. We then went to an art museum ( Skagen is very very very famous for painters) and one of the main artists whose works were in the museum are the most famous in Denmark. The works were simply beautiful! And im so glad i got to see the actual ones! I have seen the movie called marie krøyer which is about the artists wife. It is really good for anyone who is interested! This movie that i saw ages ago gave me a back story into the museum and the works featured there so it was very interesting! After the museum, we continued on our journey through Skagen and came across a lighthouse. We climbed the 100 or so stairs to see the most amazing view of the point. It was wonderful- but so so windy! Skagen was so picturesque! After our little expedition, we continued to the point. We had to park our bikes and walk but that was fine as it allowed us to soak up the beautiful yellow beaches, and it reminded us all that we were standing on the tip of Denmark! As we walked out to the famous point where the oceans meet, we saw some bunkers from the first world war! This was awesome, so much history lurking even in Skagen! We eventually arrived at the point, and it was AMAZING! It was a really windy day so the ocean was a little wild, but that was even more interesting to see! I loved Skagen! After seeing the point, we ate our lunch in the sand dunes and just talked about our exchange and all of the adventures in euro tour. I hadn't seen Darcie in 6 months and Grace in 4 so it was awesome to catch up with my two best friends from intro camp! After our hygge in the dunes, we caught a sand dune tractor across the beach and back to our bikes. Of course we stopped in the souvenir shop to get some badges for our blazers and cycled back to get an ice cream. What a way to end a beautiful day!

On the way to Skagen! 

We made it! 

In the art museum! How beautiful are the paintings?! 

Art museum skagen 

The view from the lighthouse! 

THE TIP OF DENMARK! 

We were so lucky with the weather! 

On the way out to the point 

The lighthouse we climbed! 

Bunker form world war 1 

WHERE TWO OCEANS MEET! SKAGENNNN 

Cycling around Skagen was awesome! 

I caught the train home on the Monday  and started school on the Wednesday! So i am now back into the daily routine of things after a luxorious 3 month holiday! But it is good to be back at school again with my Danish friends! And its suddenly hit me that i only have 5 months left with these wonderful people. It will be so weird not sitting in class with them every day, or eating ice cream with them after school. It will be hard going home and not speaking danish also! As now im so used to it! And i can even speak it full time at school which is pretty cool for me! One of my biggest achievments in my language happened last week in Danish class at school when i read out a paragraph like a normal danish student. I was so proud and my class gave me a clap! Seeing all the new exchange students arrive reminded me how far i have come in this language. I have also now begun reading harry potter in danish- one of my goals for my exchange! 

I have also been making the most of my Tivoli wild card, by seeing some Fredags rock concerts! I have now visited Tivoli more times than a dane has in their lifetime. Everyone thinks its so funny and I love Tivoli so so sooo much. My wild card is the best thing i have ever bought and it has got a very good workout during summer! 

So two fridays ago, I saw NIK OG JAY! I also have a love obsession with this danish band, much to my classes horror. Nik and Jay taught me my first Danish work 'læker' and i just think that they are the funniest music people ever! So no surprises, when nik and jay collide with tivoli I HAVE TO BE THERE because its two of my favourite danish things! I met one of my friends gabby (also from australia) in Tivoli and we waited 6 hours to get second row. It was so so worth it! and nik and jay were awesomeeeeeee as always <3 feel free to check them out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k22VMbhAnzw (i think they are so funny!)

FREDAGS ROCK I TIVOLI! Nik and Jay! I only waited 6 months to see this! 

Tivoli by night! So sooo beautiful! 

NIK OG JAY WOOOO 

NIK OG JAY! WOOOO

NIK OG JAYYYYY 

NIK OG JAYYYYY 

NIK OG JAYYYY!

Og nu, jeg skal skrive på Dansk for Karoline, min dansk lære på Facebook ;) Så sidste Fredag, jeg var sammen med mine danske venner til Mads Langer i Tivoli! Jeg elsker Mads Langer! Han er også dansker og er meget meget lækker! Efter skole, Cecilie, Kristine, Karoline og jeg var i Tivoli for at høre Mads Langer! Vi købte tur pas og havde en rigtig sjovt aften! Cecilie, Kristine og jeg prøvet Vertigo!!!! Det var rigtig sjovt! Så vi spiste is, og hygge, og vente på Mads Langer! Og Mads Langer var MEGET FITTTTT!!!!! you can see his song here... its awesome!!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0i8EUEiDro 

på englesk: 
And now i will write in Danish for Karoline my danish teacher on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lær-dansk-med-Karoline/427330470686885?fref=ts). So last Friday, I was with some of my danish friends to see Mads Langer in Tivoli! I love Mads Langer! He is danish and i think he is pretty nice looking! So after school, Cecilie, Kristine, Karline and I were at Tivoli to hear Mads Langer! We bought a tour pass so that we could go on the rides and we had a very very fun night! We even tried the Vertigo which is really scary! :) it was so fun though. After we ate some ice cream and just had a cosy time waiting for Mads Langer! And Mads Langer was AWESOME! 

Kristine, Cecilie, Karoline og Mig 

MADS LANGER!!!! 

I had a very very busy weekend after Mads Langer. Darcie was down for a visit and so her and I went to Malmö Sweden for the day. We had a real shopping day (as thats what you do in Malmo) and it was so nice! We managed to somehow walk to the otherside of the town and ended up at a train station that wasnt the one we wanted to go home on. It was really funny!! So we wandered back, and ate lunch at Jensens Bøfhus which is a Danish restraunt... It was a really good day of shopping and I wish Darcie lived closer so i could see her more often! 

Darcie and I on the train to another country- takes just 20 mins... WHAT?! 

Ready to shop in Sweden! 

After Malmo, we went back to Gabby's house (who lives in Copenhagen) and got ready for Ivan's 18th birthday! Ivan is an exchange student from Argentina! We had a travel plan all planned out but we got really really really lost on the way and ended up being 3 hours late. But it didnt matter and we all had a great night! His class was really sweet. We stayed the night there, and ate a breakfast brunch with Ivan the next morning. It was great to see him again!

With some exchange students for Ivans Birthday brunch! 

Darcie, Gab and I then caught the train into Copenhagen to eat some kebabs at my favourite place in Nyhavn!! It was so nice, and we sat eating them on the harbour. I then caught the train back to Roskilde, and met up with my host cousion and aunty to go to their house to make a danish dessert called føldeballer which is one of my favourite things in Denmark! 

It was so much fun making them with my host sister and cousion Nils. We made three flavours- vanilia, rasberry and licorice. They tasted sooooo good and I will defiantley make them when i get home to Australia! 

Jeg lave føldeballe med min værts søs Emma! 

YUMMMMMM 

SOOOO DELICIOUS! 

What a weekend and what a great few past couple of weeks! 

On the agenda for the next few weeks......

-Legoland on Sunday with my friend Beth

-Rotary Get together

-voting

-school photos

-moving host famalies

See you soon Australia! 

how to be danish

I have recently started reading the book 'How to be Danish'... for those who are interested here is a link http://www.amazon.com/How-Danish-Journey-Mysterious-Denmark/dp/1780721331. It is actually a fun and good read, as it reflects on the Danish culture and thus the things that I have been experiancing this year. I am finding that im smiling and agreeing along the way, as the book holds the key to some of the things that I have noticed about Denmark.. guess it just may be a foerign eye. But reading it now, I've realised that these things have just become the normal and part of every day life. I no longer see them as strange, its just the way life is here.  And so an insight into this book... i give you an interesting post about the Danish way of life. courtesy of a status update from my first host dad :) 

Overall, Danes are more concerned with the greater good of the group than about their own individual accomplishments. Everything works like a well-oiled machine because they observe the rules. People tend to be punctual and precise, and will expect the same common courtesy from those they meet. Play by these rules, and you will find Danes warm and welcoming...

1. Don't Be Sexist
If you are a male, this does not mean you have to be a full blown chauvinist before this rule applies to you...but Danish women do not like to feel patronized, and they especially don’t like being called “Darling”, “Sweetie” or anything else that might come across as derogatory. Overall, Danish women are highly independent and are regarded with the same esteem in the workplace as their male counterparts. It is nothing strange for a working mother to balance a successful career and a family life, and Danish women are proud of this achievement.

2. Don't Break Rules
As mentioned, there is only one proper way to act in Denmark under most circumstances. Danes in general are disciplined rule-followers, so don’t you dare to jaywalk across a street. Courteous behavior is expected from everyone, be they local or tourists. If you break the rules, expect to be admonished in a most civil manner.

3. Don't Forget Hand Signals
It is a lovely day outside and you fancy a bike ride around the city. You’re pedaling happily away, taking a right corner without signaling. Who still uses hand signals anyway, right? Remember the point about rule breaking. Failing to signal your anticipated action in advance will result in a chain reaction of violent swerving and braking, and most likely a few Danish curses flung in your direction.

4. Don't Judge Family Values
"Children should be seen and not heard." We’ve often heard this phrase when growing up. In Denmark, things work a little differently. Danish children are encouraged to express their opinions from a young age, and will be informed about more adult topics the moment they are old enough to curiously ask about them. To the less liberal among us, these open-minded family arrangements might seem a bit strange. Also, marriage is not a prerequisite and many couples with children life together without ever making the relationship “official” through marriage. This may be a beneficial relationship for both parties. It is not your place to question the family dynamic.

5. Don't Expect a "Thank You"
This might sound like a contradiction, considering how highly Danes value good manners. Make no mistake, Danes are polite and respectful, but the lack of social pleasantries might shock non-Scandinavian travelers. The thing is, the words for “thank you” or “please” in the Danish language are simply redundant when you're polite to each other constantly anyway. So when a Dane tells you to pass the salt, don’t glower at them and ask for the magic word. Just pass the salt and tell him to pour you a drink.

6. Skip the "How are you?"
"Hi, how are you?" This is a source of great amusement to the Danes; asking after someone’s well-being without taking the time to stop and listen. It does not form part of the standard greeting that we have become so accustomed to. Only ask a Dane how he’s doing if you really mean it, preferably at a bar when you have to sit down. Remember, there is no such thing as small talk. This rule generally applies to the rest of Scandinavia as well.

7. Don't Forget the Three Ps
Privacy, privacy and privacy. I can not overstate this enough. Danes value their privacy highly, especially in the large city of Copenhagen. It forms part of their culture and who they are. People won’t ask after your health or your homeland because they assume that you would not like to be bothered with trivialities. However, if you make the first move and introduce yourself, they will respond warmly to you.

8. Don't Expect Confrontations
Generally speaking, Danes don’t lose their cool. If they get upset, they will tell the person off in a cool and collected way. As a rule of thumb, Danes are all about good vibes and comfort. There is even a word for it; “Hygge”. It is difficult to explain exactly what ‘hygge’ is about, but it can relate it to food, places, atmosphere and even people. If a person is ‘hygge-like’ it means they have a good and relaxed presence about them. This will win you many friends during your travels.

10. Don't be Surprised by Frank Opinions
Danes don’t sugar-coat to win your favor. They believe an honest approach is the best one. If you ask a question, expect an honest answer. This does not mean to say that Danes are always serious and without humor. They are outspoken and lively once they warm up to you, but in serious conversations, they will not mince words.

About the Danes...
While most Danes enjoy companionship and are generally laid back, there are certain formalities are observed and practiced throughout Denmark. There is this unspoken rule about privacy; Danes believe that everyone has the right not be pestered in public, and they enforce this right quite passionately. This is a world free of awkward social niceties and general inconveniences. They express themselves openly and meaningful conversation is the central element of Danish culture.

this is bound to make you smile. i love denmark. so much

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BVfneC6dXY