Getting Meatballs

So, despite the name of this blog, I’ve had traditional Swedish meatballs twice already since I’vebeen here. At 9 AM on the 22^nd, a bunch of us international students got on board a charter bus that drove us about an hour to the first IKEA ever in existence. Some “fun facts” about IKEA: It was founded by Ingvar Kamprad who was born in 1926. He registered IKEA as a furniture store when he was only 17 years old! The name IKEA is a combination of the first letters of Ingvar’s first and last name and of the farm and village he grew up in, Elmtaryd and Agunnarydrespectively. Today, there are over 250 stores in more than 35 countries. Every year, more than 450 million people visit an IKEA store.

Well, this was the first time I had ever been to an IKEA. It was very interesting how they have you snake around the showroom and different furniture set-ups they have before you get down to the warehouse and area where they actually sell things. I bought a large doormat to keep our entryway clean(er), a bathmat, a small hand towel, and a red wastepaper basket for my room. I kind of wish I had bought some larger squares of carpet for my room and maybe for the kitchen.Oh well. Then after we were done shopping, we of course had to go eat some Swedish meatballs and boiled potatoes with lingon berry jam! I was actually kind of disappointed with the food though. Grandma JoJo’s meatballs are still far superior to the small, bland meatballs they served here. Of course, add enough gravy and jam to anything it will taste good. But still, Grandma’s are just much more flavorful and moist.

So it was a successful trip for the most part. I didn’t have to go buy pots and pans because I had found an ad the night before posted in the library by someone who needed to get rid of their kitchen stuff. I managed to get two pots with lids, two pans, and a bednight stand for 100krowns! Score! And of course at this point, I’m still desperately searching for a George Foreman grill, or something similar to it.

Saturday the 23^rd was the night of the VIS exchange student dinner and that was an absolute blast! They had a small program for us. The MCs gave us a small introduction to Swedish life and some advice on how to survive and make friends around campus. The dinner consisted three courses. First was some bruschetta with garlic cream cheese. However, the toast was nearlyuncuttable and rather grating on the inside of the mouth, though it was pretty tasty. The main course was a roast chicken breast with roasted vegetables and cake of fried hashbrowns with a creamy mushroom sauce. It was quite good, but a little cold. For dessert was some panacottatopped with raspberry jam. Pretty good, if a bit bland.

After dinner, they gave each nation represented amount the exchange to perform a short five minute skit, song, dance etc. I would have to give the humor award to the Germans. They put on a skit making fun of typical German stereotypes: Getting to the hotel pool at 6am to reserve deck chairs, then keeping their stuff the all day so no one else can use them, drunkenly singing in groups, getting to breakfast right at 7am when it starts, stuff like that. Award for most enthusiasm would go to the Greeks. They performed a traditional dance, but what put it over the type was the lone Greek guy that was going NUTS the whole time. He was throwing in all kind of crazy spins and dips and standing in the center of the circle, all kinds of stuff. Of course, I think I did hear him say he had consumed a whole liter of wine before the dinner had even started . . . but nonetheless, it was awesome. But Best in Show would have to go to South Korea.They blew the doors off the place doing a choreographed performance of some South Korean pop song. It was really great. They were all in sync. After the dinner, we headed over to Stallarna, one of the student pubs on campus and danced until 2am. It was a lot of fun, and we got to meet a lot of the other international students.

Dennis from Eau Claire had a great idea for us to experience food from other countries. With the help of some wonderful Swedish gals here at the university, he planned and prepared a traditional Swedish dinner: Swedish meatballs with gravy and lingonberry jam and boiled potatoes and a traditional Swedish apple cake for dessert. The meatballs were very delicious, but I still think Grandma JoJo’s recipe is the best!

On Wednesday, I went over to VUGI to play some basketball. VUGI is like the sports club here on campus. They have floor ball, aerobics, basketball, and core strengthening classes. I didn’t do so well. I pretty much only bring three things to the basketball court: hustle and two elbows. But I did manage to score a few baskets and grab some rebounds without hurting myself. “Finesse” would not necessarily be a word I would use to describe my basketball skills though. I do set a pretty wicked screen though. The first time you play is free, then after that you have to pay 250SEK for the semester. I’m not sure I’ll go back though. Once the snow starts to melt and the rugby team in town starts practicing, I probably won’t want to play too much basketball.

I’ve been making my way into town a lot. It’s a really awesome city. Very quant. I’ll take the bus on occasion, but the walk isn’t too bad, especially on a sunny day when it’s a balmy 28^o F! I made my way over to a store very similar to Best Buy, and I finally got an electric contact grill so now I won’t starve to death! It ain’t no George Foreman, but she’ll get the job done. I can fit like two burger patties or a large chicken breast on it.

I started my Swedish language class finally. It’s from 5 to 7:30 PM on Tuesday and Thursday nights. It seems pretty difficult right now but I’m hoping once I start putting in some time outside of class it’ll get a little easier. Right now I’m having a hard to mastering all the vowel sounds. I’ve got English and Spanish in the back of my head right now and it’s kind of difficult to make the switch. So many of the vowels sound so similar! We took a little in class quiz and I didn’t do so well . . . Oh well, I may just have to have some of my new Swedish friends to give me a tutoring session or something. But I do really want to learn the language. Hopefully I can continue studying it at the American Swedish Institute once I return home.

That’s all for now. Some of us were thinking of taking a weekend trip to Stockholm in the near future so look forward to hearing about that!

Kram och Puss!

Getting Settled

Well, I made it here and have gotten somewhat situated in my apartment. I still have yet to obtain pots and pans, garbage cans, and some sponges or brushed to do dishes, so it looks like I’ll be going out to eat until I manage to get to Ikea. I’m in a two bedroom apartment with a shared kitchen. My roommate, Travis, is a big dude from Wyoming and is studying political science.

The last few days have been kind of a blur so I’m just gonna do my best trying to recap what I’ve been up to.

Friday

Friday was a lot of orientation stuff. I had flashbacks of U of M welcome week horribleness . . . *shudders* But still, it was very informative. We met all of the faculty and staff involved with the exchange program here at Linnaeus. They fed lunch that was a little odd but still pretty good. It was a chicken breast in some kind of red sauce that looked like marinara but didn’t actually have much flavor to it. Oh, and it was cold. That was kind of a surprise for the first bite. Also on the menu was pasta salad, a small piece of cheese (probably Jarlsberg), and some bread. After lunch, were had some more information sessions. These took place in the Leonardo classroom. We all felt like we were at an Intergalactic Senate Session from Star Wars! (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3467626&id=581593015) We got some important information from the Vaxjo Chief of Police (who was actually an Aussie) about some of the different laws in Sweden. For example, you are REQUIRED to have a light on the front and rear of your bike when riding after sundown. During this time we were also introduced to the idea of Nations. Nations are kind of like co-ed fraternities here on campus. They organize events, and trips like going skiing or camping on the weekend or having dinners and getting to know people better. You also need to be a part of a nation to get into some of the student pubs on campus because they are actually operated by the nations. There are five to choose from and they all have a style of their own. I think I’ve decided on the ÖSTGÖTA nation. Their mascot is dragon/gryphon looking thing and they are kinda the party nation on campus . . . and the gals running their info table weren’t too bad to look at either.

That night, my newfound buddies and I went out to one of the student pubs on campus: Slottstallarna. The name means stables which is appropriate since it is built near where the stables for the castle that is on campus used to be located. What’s that? Oh yeah, there’s a castle on the campus grounds. More on that later. Anyways, the pub was a great time, with great music, and some seriously great FISTPUMPING. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that we were from the good ol’ U S of A.

Saturday

Saturday morning was a lot more information meeting stuff yet again. Pretty boring but still, good things to know. We found out about all the trips the Vaxjo International Students group are offering. Then they fed us lunch. Cold salmon with a caviar cream sauce, potato salad, brie, bread, and salad. Lots of the American students I was sitting next to couldn’t bring themselves to eat the fish, but I loved it. After lunch we got a guided tour of campus. My tour group consisted of two guys from the cities and three guys from Eau Claire . . . and our tour guide was from Eau Claire, studying in Vaxjo since last semester. We haven’t really branched out too far yet, but we’re working on it! It was nice to get some help figuring out where everything is since I have an absolutely dreadful sense of direction.

After the guided tour of campus, we got to go on a bus tour of the city of Vaxjo. Even though the campus is technically within the city limits, it’s kind of situated away from the actual city center. When the university was first built many many years ago, they thought it would be best to keep all the college students AWAY from everyone else. Pretty good plan if you ask me. After the bus tour, we got a walking tour of downtown Vaxjo. The city isn’t super big, but they have lots of cool shops and restaurants around. They also have a gorgeous church in the city with some very cool looking twin spires that make it the tallest building in Vaxjo. . . most buildings aren’t higher than 3 stories.

Saturday night, I just spent time with new friends. Mostly Americans, but there was one crazy Frenchman thrown in there, and some Canadians.

Sunday

Sunday morning at 11, there was a flea market put together by VIS. My roomie and I went thinking we could pick up some necessities likes pots and pans and maybe a doormat or an entryway rug. No such luck. The building they had it in was WAY too crowded and they could only let in a few people at a time. We got there right at 11, but there was a huge lineup already. Travis got in there before I did and gave the selection a once over. Nothing good. Sandwiches still for now I guess.

At 2, there was a Swedish Fika put on by VIS. Fika is a coffee break that Swedes tend to take during the middle of the day with some type of cookie or sweet pastry like a cinnamon roll. During the fika, we got a chance to sign up for a few type. I talked it over with a few friends, and we decided to shell out the big bucks to go on a weeklong trip to Lapland in the North of Sweden and enjoy some dog sledding and the beautiful ice hotel. The cost was 6000 SEK and we had to pay it all that day, so we went and literally emptied out the only two ATMs that are on campus. So, on March 10^th through the 16^th, spring break is gonna look a little bit different that years past. Instead of deciding on pool or beach in Naples, Florida, it’s gonna be, “Dog sledding or reindeer blood sausage cooking?”

Monday through Wednesday of this week has all been kind of a blur. I’ve gone to ICA a few times which is the local grocery store, went to the gym to workout with Clay and Arthur, went into town to pay the rent at the bank, and went to a few more parties and made friends with lots of people. People from Spain, Germany, Austria, France, etc.

The one that REALLY sticks out in my head though, was lunch on Wednesday. I managed to pluck up enough courage to text my relative, Sara Gustafsson, if the family would like to get together sometime before I have class so we could all meet each other. Rickard, Jonny, and Sara took me out to eat at the Golf Club. I had a really, really great time. The food was great; Salmon and boiled potatoes in a cream sauce with pasta salad, mushroom salad, and potato salad. BUT, the company was even better. Sara kept apologizing for her English, thinking it was bad, but she speaks great. Jonny and Rickard are so fun to talk to as well. Grandma Gunn and Grandpa Viede were feeling a little under the weather, so they could not make it, but they want to meet me soon as well. Viede especially wants to apologize for his English when my dad called him. He was not prepared to receive a phone call in English!!!

Plans for the today and tomorrow: Swedish intro class tonight at 5, IKEA tomorrow at 9am, then party time at Clay’s apartment and off to Stallarna! More to come later!

Getting There

Well, Mom wasn’t nearly as cut up as I thought she would be when she said good-bye to me at the airport. She either is used to it from sending Steve off to Italy or she is just plain sick of me being home at this point. Either way, it was a bittersweet farewell. I’m excited to start this adventure Sweden but will definitely miss my family and friends in Minnesota. Luckily I’ll be making new friends and there are distant relatives in Sweden.

The plane ride from MPLS to O’Hare was even shorter than I expected it to be. But of course, my ears were giving me trouble the moment we started taking off. Nothing a couple Tylenol extra-strength quick release capsules couldn’t fix, though. Finding my way through the O’Hare airport was a little bit of a challenge. I walked outside and looked around for some kind of shuttle or tram that would take me to the international terminal but didn’t see anything, so I asked a United Airlines employee at the help desk and he pointed me in the right direction. I took the tram over to terminal five and met up with Karla, my travel companion for this leg of the journey. The plane from Chicago to Copenhagen was the coolest I’ve ever been on. SAS really knows how to fly. Even in economy class, there are touch screens in the headrests that do all kinds of stuff. They play a variety of free movies during the entire flight for FREE. I watched District 9, Cheaper by the Dozen, Kingdom of Heaven, and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. I also played a little Tetris and some poker.

Two meals were served on the flight as well. For dinner, we had a choice of either fish or beef stew. I’m not exactly sure what kind of fish it was, but it was delicious and came with green beans and gnocchi, all covered in white sauce. Also included were crackers and brie, a small salad with pepper dressing, two dinner rolls, and a nice slice of cheesecake to finish the whole thing off. For breakfast, we were served a ham sandwich, orange juice, yogurt, and choice of coffee or tea.

Unfortunately, we were seated next to a couple of families with babies, but they managed to behave themselves for the most part except for our final descent. I’m sure their ears were killing them; I almost started to cry along with them. SAS provided two cribs for the babies that locked into the wall right in front of the parents. It was adorable.

Getting into Denmark was easier than getting into Canada! Once I arrived, I just walked right up to the customs agent, slid him my passport, and with no questions, he stamped it and waved me through. Then Karla and I went to go get our train tickets. We first walked up to the automated ticket machine, and although there was a button to translate from Danish to English, we decided to not take too many chances and just go talk to a ticket agent face to face. When we told them we wanted to go to “Vekk-Wah”, they pretty much had no idea what we were talking about. Apparently Karla and I still haven’t quite figured out the correct pronunciation of the city we’re going to be living in for the next 5 months . . . but I’m sure we’ll learn quickly.

So here we sit in this crowded train car. I think we’re in the quiet car, because there are signs all over of a man’s silhouette holding a his finger up to his face, and cell phones with red lines crossing them out. I’m also pretty sure people are pissed at us for taking up so many seats with our luggage . . . but hey, where the heck else are we gonna put it? The train operator already came out and yelled something at me in Danish and pointed at my duffle bag that was pointing out into the aisle. I gave him a “huh?” but he just yelled the same thing back at me so I nodded and just moved the thing. We had a little scare just now too. We pulled into a station, picked up some passengers, then headed BACK in the direction we came from. I assume we switched tracks and are headed in the right direction because the lady we first talked to said we didn’t need to transfer trains at all . . . Well here’s hoping.