Life is a Journey...

In some ways it feels like I've lived in Sweden for years and in other ways I feel like a complete outsider. What I mean is that there are certain things, like the route from school to home and my running route to the lake, the grocery store, feeling connected with my friends, etc. that I feel so comfortable with navigating.....and then there are reminders like not being able to speak the language confirming that I am still learning a lot about the culture and environment. I kinda like the mix of the two. Feels like home but still feels like an I'm unveiling the adventure.

Speaking of language, I've decided to TRY and learn the language, in no way shape or form do I think I will become fluent by the time I leave, but knowing I'm not a natural language learner, I know that if I will pick up any of the language I HAVE to study it. I'm so much of a visual learner....I need to SEE the words as I'm being told how to say them.....so one of my friends, Frida, along with the help of my housemates Karen, Marta, and Elina, I am beginning to work hard  on the language. I fortunately have enough free time to quiz myself and feel completely silly trying to repeat back to the computer screen what I just heard some automated voice pronounce. My housemates found/bought a couple of children's books for me so I could learn words like tårta, which means cake.

Speaking of cake, yesterday at school a friend brought a princess tårta to celebrate the birth of the new Swedish princess who is an heir to the throne who was born yesterday, so that was pretty cool.

Many of you know that I just returned from the Baltic States....Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. 3 countries, 6 nights. Wow, it was an incredible experience. They were all 3 covered in snow, but that only added to the beauty for me. All three have really interesting histories and it was the first time I've been in a country where I felt not highly liked because I'm American. I was talking with my dad about this and I honestly can't blame them for being resistant to outsiders...they constantly have been attacked, conquered, abused, and oppressed, it makes sense that they don't particularly welcome foreigners. Despite this, I also met some really wonderful people in all 3 places who were passionate to share about their country and introduce us to the culture. Can I just say that I'm all about free walking tours. If you ever go to a city you are unfamiliar with, it's the best introduction to some of the non tourist spots as well as a guide to the things you shouldn't miss out on. Of course you tip the person but they are always the most authentic and raw tours.....and usually it's a young, often quirky person leading it.....I love it!

Thankful for the opportunity to visit. I went to the "beach" and got to see the Baltic sea frozen which was pretty amazing. The food, the cities, the travel between each place......I LOVE traveling.

Ok, there is a lot more I could say, but I will pause.....check out the photos.

Peace and Love!

Em

Yogurt comes in a cardboard carton. There are just some things that other countries do well that seem SO easy that I am left mystified as to why the US does not follow. Now, I'm sure we could debate (and I know there are some debaters who are reading this) about the pros and cons of materials used to house the products we love to eat, but honestly as I walk through the HUGE grocery stores (which is about 1/4 of the size of our Safeways or Krogers) the way things are done here just seem to make sense. I even venture to think, "we really shouldn't be so surprised at the obesity rates with ALL the choices and the volume of STUFF." And yet, other countries (even the nearly self sustaining Sweden) still seeks to model the US (at least in social culture). I was talking to someone the other day who spoke about the surge of "coffee shops" in the past 10 years or so here and he said so much of what the young people learn they want is from the movies......the American movies. Yet, Sweden has it's standards and social convictions. Starbucks has only made it as far as the airport where you can only access it with a boarding pass. So, no Starbucks for me for the next 5 months. Their "kaffe's" most typically only sell fair-trade products, which you know thrills my soul.

This past week I went to Uppsala, which is a college town about 45 min away via train, with 3 of my classmates. We ate at an incredible little cafe where the older couple running the place graciously spoke English and explained the menu to us. We decided on the homemade soup which was FABULOUS-there really is nothing like soup on a cold day. It was a beautiful day where there was actually some blue sky for a while and later it started snowing these beautiful big flakes and I felt I was stepping into a Winter Wonderland. Speaking of snow, do you know there are like a THOUSAND different kinds of snow? Now I'm sure my friends from the North are rolling their eyes but us Southerners haven't all been exposed to the wonders of the many personalities of snow. It can be dry or wet. It can be round or flakey (personally I love the round kind, when it's on the ground it looks like a giant bowl of Dippin' Dots was spilled (and I'm sure I should look to find a kid close by crying) which in turn makes me want to go to a baseball game because that's the only place I've eaten them), but they can be heavy or light. They can travel straight down or blow sideways and the other day I even saw them floating up. It was bizarre, like they were literally being sucked back into the sky. Anyway, as you "might can" tell, I love the snow. Who would have thought the Georgia girl/Bahamian bum would LOVE to wear multiple layers of cloths just to walk outside.

Well, classes are good. It's a lot of reading but most of the books seem interesting. I started my Human Rights class on Thursday and the prof. is actually from Kentucky but has been living abroad for more than 20 years. It seems like it will be an incredible class as we study indigenous people and ethnic minorities.

Today, my mission is to bake bread. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Much love to all!

Peace,

Em

Maybe it's because I completed the Walt Disney marathon recently, but I found myself feeling like Snow White yesterday. Maybe it was only because it was snowy and white, or maybe it was because I got lost in the woods. That's right, LOST. Thankfully I found my way, but there was that moment of panic because I wasn't sure where I was exactly. Where was I going? I was on my way to school. THS is basically in the bush, or at least it appears that way in winter. It's a beautiful (and a short walk, IF you don't get lost) through the woods to the school building. I was shown this path that literally feels like I'm taking a little hike to school. I LOVE IT!!! It's quiet and peaceful and refreshing.

I also love my fellow foreigners. It's interesting to me the difference in the feeling of moving to the Bahamas and working at BMH and being here for studies. I obviously have a different purpose in this adventure and there is also the language barrier. I automatically felt close to the other exchange students....I guess there was just a sense of being "in this place" together. We "geled" quickly and have really enjoyed being together.  I'm excited about having this group to share this experience with and I LOVE that we have diverse backgrounds.  There are 2 Filipino students (male), 1 Burmese student (male), 1 Candlier student (female), and one other Wesley student (male). So, Diane and I are the only females in the program currently. 2 more students from China are meant to arrive soon and potentially one other Burmese student. I feel like I have things so easy being from the States related to travel and visas. The others had difficult processes to hurdle their way through.

Today, I will go buy a hat. Yes, I'm already adding to my wardrobe here. I wear a hat everyday and almost all day long......did I mention it's cold here. Well the adventure continues.....

"Hey Emily, what's the first thing you did when you got to Stockholm? "

After getting my two ginormous bags (which were both under 50 pounds thanks to JennaLynn making me take out 23 of my 35 pairs of socks I had packed and a "few" other things.....hope I don't want to wear that shirt I gave to goodwill next week) I got a little Krona (which is the Swedish currency) and EASILY made my way through customs, they didn't even check my bags, but what was cool is that there seemed to be this endless walkway of automatic glass doors and they would quickly open as I approached which made me feel like a movie star.....only there was no one with red carpet or cameras in my face (thank God) to greet me on the other side. I made my way to one of the few stores to get a drink (the international drink-coca-cola) at a place you might recognize....7Eleven. Ha. So i'm drinking coca-cola and a swedish pastry thAt has similarities to a cheese danish and i got out my ipad and played..........Angry birds, that's right, angry birds. And not because I'm angry at all but because it was a game not requiring paid Internet access.....but I must also confess I have done a lot of people watching and language listening as well. The funny thing is that I don't know if it's swedish or something  else because I can't "hear" Swedish yet....I do know it's not Spanish.

A few days later......

Well, I'm settled in, and after minor culture shock and a few days to settle in, I feel comfortable here. Not completely adjusted and it doesn't feel like home yet, but comfortable, which I feel great about. My housemates, Elina and Marta (and during the week some, Karen) are all wonderful and super easy to get along with. I learned the Swedish equivalent to "nertz" which if you aren't familiar is an amazing card game and also got to hang out with some Northlander (the name of people from the north in sweden) guys with my housemate Marta the other night, where we took "fika" pronounced feeka. This I am told is the only Swedish word I really need to know, although I have already learned several more. Fika refers to a sort of break you take several times a day. There is not really an American equivalent but the closest might be English tea time, only fika is practically mandatory in schools, businesses, and homes alike. It's mid morning, mid afternoon, and sometimes, for us young'uns, an evening fika. Quite nice actually.

Today was my first day of school and it was overwhelming but also encouraging. I believe I will really enjoy the classes, and I really like the other foreigners in the program with me. There are 2 coming from china (not yet here), 3 from Burma, 3 of us from the States, and 2 from the Philippines. It will be interesting discussions for sure as I learned from sitting around the ouch table today.

Ok, I believe this is more than enough information for now. Thank you for being family and friends I can share my life with as I seek to embrace this new adventure.

Much love,

Peace out!

Em

My heart is beating so fast as I try to calm and cool down. Moving from the Bahamas where life is anything BUT “on-time” does not work well in America as well as the UK. My 11:30 train from Cardiff, Wales to Bristol, England just pulled away from the station at 11:29 and I stepped onto the train at 11:28. Some (Abe) might say, “I had plenty of time” but my steps/run to the train station this Tuesday morning gave me a good workout right after my nice shower.

I stayed at an incredible hostel last night. I googled (did you know that googled is not recognized by Word yet?) “cheap Wales hostels” found The Riverhouse Backpackers and booked it only a couple of nights ago. A brother and sister run the place and it’s SOOO clean and their friendly welcome eased my single traveler mind. I checked in, talked to the brother, Charlie for a little while and then headed out on an adventure for the afternoon. The Cardiff Castle being a top priority became my first stop after weaving in out of the small side alleys with shops like…. The Piercing and Tattoo parlor (no, I didn’t get one), the Button shop (all varieties of buttons), The Fudge Shop (I really had to convince myself not to stop), etc. The nice thing about visiting Castles is that typically they can be spotted easily. I mean it’s a Castle…..!! So when the ancient monstrosity of a building popped up in front of me, I knew I found what I searching for. Walking in, disappointment fell over me at the cost for entrance….8.95 (no pound key) and then after talking to the lady who HIGHLY suggested the guided tour (11.95) I reluctantly purchased the ticket and swore this better be a good Castle. It proved to be as I walked through the “private” rooms decorated in gold inscriptions and hand painted porcelain. The formality of presentation often seems cold but the mystery of activities and lives of the people who ran the hallways and played in the grounds always leaves me dreaming of life in a Castle.

I returned to the hostel after a boat ride down the river and a carousel ride. Do you need me to repeat that? Yep, I rode a carousel. Sarah Stewart’s challenge of the day for me was to find two friends and to do something crazy (but not too crazy). So, when exiting the waterbus and seeing a carousel I thought it would be pretty ridiculous and also very fun to ride a bright and elaborate carousel in the middle of the city center. I took photos to share later. And as for the two friends, Casey and Jackie are their names. I met them in the kitchen of the hostel where they were also just meeting and we decided to make a store run to pick up supplies for dinner. They are both Australian but live 10 hours apart and are both traveling for several months this summer on holiday. It’s the first time Casey has traveled abroad but he already is enjoying the life of travel and seeing new things and Jackie is a regular, enjoying many European countries. We decided to buy together and cook together (MUCH cheaper) and we managed to make quite a nice stir fry. The evening’s activities were very fun and relaxing.

Ok- I behind on the week in Bristol. Basically to summarize, it was a blast. It was fantastic to see Margaret’s place and get to meet the people she lives with (so diverse). The three of us enjoyed our day trips to Bath and Wells but also enjoyed exploring Bristol and getting familiar with the neighborhood. By the end of the week, I could walk around somewhat knowing where I was and able to enjoy the surroundings. Our day in Bath was especially fun because we met up with the couple in which my family exchanged lives (houses) with 8 years ago in London. Phil and Pat are a delightful couple with lovely stories and genuine hearts. I know that sounds very “sweet” but it’s true, they are easy to be with.

On Tuesday night (June 23rd) we went with Margaret to a Rotary Club meeting where she was due to give a presentation on her home state of GA. Not knowing what the evening consisted of, we got ready and were picked up by one of the members at 7 pm. The gentlemen, Rob was quite entertaining, also explaining about their club as we drove into the countryside. The meeting which normally consists of all males, not only was interrupted by three Georgian girls, but also by the wives as it was a lady’s night. The Restaurant sat amongst beautiful rolling hills, quietly existing next to a field of sheep. The meal: Wine, melon and strawberry sauce, bread, roasted potatoes, steamed leeks, sautéed carrots, lamp (with mint sauce), and for dessert, delicious chocolate eclairs (homemade). Needless to say, it was fantastic.

After saying a sad goodbye to Janell on Saturday evening, Margaret and I took a nice long walk back from the train station, stopping only for a milkshake after climbing a huge hill. Ha. We checked email, rented a movie from iTunes, and fixed a smorgus board of dinner.

Sunday morning I went to church with Margaret or should I say, “a meeting”. She has been attending a Quaker service and quite enjoying it as well. The walk to service became a sharing time for Margaret to explain to me the history behind and also beliefs of Quakers. I listened attentively to everything she shared and by the time we reached the building, the hour ahead deeply interested me. WOW. It was amazing. The service brought me so much joy as we sat in silence and listened to people share as they felt led to do so. The thoughts were deep, heart-felt, genuine, and honest. It didn’t seem fake or surface. This community shared troubles, questions, thoughts, and chose to BE with one another in the service. They welcomed the visitor from the States.

I’m sitting in a pub with Margaret right now (Tuesday June 30th). I arrived from Wales this morning after a relaxing morning at the hostel which included a walk through the park. I met up with her for lunch and now am about to go do laundry so I can be ready to start the next two weeks with Stephanie. I will meet her at the airport tomorrow morning (7 am) and we will work on planning out our adventures. I’ll let you know when I know……ha!

I’m listening to Black Eyed Peas newest release “Boom Boom Pow” and riding through the countryside of England traveling to Derby pronounced Darby. The past 2 days I spent with my cousins Janell and Margaret in London. After living in London when I was 16 for 6 weeks one summer, I felt comforted and I’ll admit proud of how familiar the city looked and felt to me. No, the Tube still conquered me making us pause at the entrance every time in order to figure out our route.

I must share my cousins are to be applauded for the next 2 weeks of adventure and unless Steph and I get on the ball with travel plans….well, we WILL get on the ball. I’m dreaming about what fun plans to make but mostly just relaxing in the beauty around me. Some say London is just another big city but I would have to disagree. Of course it contains some of the typical “city” aspects like chain restaurants, tall buildings, and a Starbucks on every corner, however London has history. Buildings date back before anyone started to sail the ocean blue to find new places.  The Tower of London blows my mind with how many people died a gruesome death within and right outside the walls of the ancient fortress. Did you know there are over 120 residents who still reside within the walls of the Tower, those people mainly being Yeomen or Beefeaters and their families? Every night at 10 pm for over 750 years without fail, these residents get locked inside the Tower. Our Yeoman who gave us the tour admitted it’s the safest place on Earth to raise a teenager…..ha!

It was fun walking the streets of London and I must confess striving to look the least amount of American possible…..I like looking and feeling comfortable in a place. I want to take it in….

We went to a show on Tuesday night “A Little Night Music” and after running in right at show time after getting a little turned around (there goes being familiar with things), Margaret squeezed through the closing doors while Janell and I got locked out. Ajay, one of the ushers, led us up the three flights of stairs where we took in the first half of the musical from the balcony. Nose bleed/binoculars section…..but we were thankful they didn’t just turn us away completely. At the intermission, we linked up with Margaret and enjoyed the rest of the show together. It was fabulous! I love musicals and shows! I’m hoping to see Billy Elliot with Steph when we are in London together.

Yesterday we took a train to Derby from London. The countryside took my breath away as we rode outside the city. Little towns, open fields, blooming flowers, gianormous windmills, and the COOLEST-community gardens. Margaret and I saw one simultaneously and at first glance thought it was a shanty town but realized it was plots with sheds for storage in this huge field.

Oh- I must go back to day one! Before I left the Bahamas, Abe said it would be cool if I did or carried something Bahamian with me to take a picture in all the cool spots on my travels. Well, I didn’t quite remember to do that, but loved the idea, so my wheels (in the brain) started turning upon arrival. I shared with my cousins and they too thought it would be neat for me to find an object to wave high and proud to signify my Bahamas. Ok- so day one, we are walking into the National Gallery where outside a man drawing many flags of the world in chalk is creatively sharing,  “many countries, but one world” message to passers on the street. Taking a glance, admiring, and joining one of the passers we walk into the Gallery. Not until walking out did I think, I wonder if my homeland is there…..after a search, no luck. I see the man who appears in charge of the work of art and after admiring his little boy helping his papa, I ask him about the Bahamian flag. He hands me the flag chart and says, “Chalks over there!” He told me to pick an empty square and add the flag, so with joy I drew the black, yellow, and blue colors on the stone sidewalk, adding a beautiful flag to the colorful display of our big world. Later I purchased a Coconut (fake) that will appear in other pictures to represent the Bahamas….look for it!

My journey now towards York will bring new adventures…..I’m thankful.

York’s shambles were the main thing I could remember about York, along with the street performers from my last visit (8 years ago). Fortunately with Margaret being in school in England she has made many friends who come from all over the country so we were able to get a tour from an actual Yorkshire girl. She enjoyed the day as well she said because it gave her a chance to do some “tourist” things she had never actually done before. So, together we ate lunch at Betty’s Tea Room (amazing)! I wanted to get tea just because we were in a tea room, but the comfort of my caffeinated coffee called my name. After eating a delicious Lunch, we roamed the town, walking down the Shambles (which is an old area of town where human sewage and blood from butcher’s killings would run through the streets). Not the most appetizing thing in the world, but definitely interesting history. There is also a wall that travels for 2 miles around the city and York Minster is the Cathedral where you can literally see 3 empires rebuilding/expansion on the ancient grounds. It’s in cities like York where I wish my historical knowledge ran deeper than it actually does and where I get genuinely interested in learning more. We went to an Evensong at the Minster where a group of Boys and Men (not to be confused with Boys to Men) led the evening’s service. The sounds were fantastic!

The next day we traveled to Durham (all of this by train). I must say that traveling by trains has been quite nice. There are enough stops to slow down and view the cities we pass through and beautiful countryside and landscape to blow your mind along the way. It also makes me want a sheep and to have a garden again…..I’ve got to work on my green thumb. I’m excited though because my friend’s little sister, Anna, wants to start composting for her family’s garden and I may even teach her about vermiculture (redworm composting). Shout out to Anna-I’m excited about August!

In Durham….we got to stay in a Marriot! It felt a little strange but was also really nice for full relaxation. We were able to stay there because my cousin Janell travels with her work back home, building up reward points so we stayed 2 nights at no cost in Durham. Woot for free stays! Friday afternoon we explored and then met up with one of Margaret’s college friends and her husband from GA who JUST moved to Durham. We went to an Indian restaurant called Spice Lounge and had a wonderful meal. I LOVE Indian food but still have to get an explanation of what words mean as I’m ordering. At 9 pm back in the hotel (posh!) we decided to see if a day trip to Edinburgh, Scotland would be an option. After a 20 minute conversation with the receptionist in the hotel, we made the decision to leave England and travel to Scotland the next day. Only a 2 hour one way trip by train, we walked out onto Princes Street and began our adventure in a new place.

Funny story- After collecting information in the Tourist Office immediately after getting off the train, we stepped onto the street and heard bagpipes. Immediately my feet wanted to move and I wanted to be wearing a kilt (weird?) We all had to use the Toilets (as they are labeled over here) and as we turned the corner to find the toilets, the music’s melody became louder and the real Scottish man with a real kilt on played his tunes for all the hear. Janell turned around, asking if I wanted to take a photo and as I said yes and reached for my camera, they became lost in the crowd. I took my picture, watched a child throw a coin into the piper’s bag and heard the man change his tune to “twinkle, twinkle little star”. After smiling at the scene, I turned to locate my cousins. With no luck, I thought they must have walked down to the bathrooms, simply 20 ft away. So, after paying my 20p to use the TOILETS, I walk in and say “Hey, guys!” and there was no response. I figured since I paid my money I should actually use the toilets and find them in a minute. Walking back out to street level, the bagpiper played merrily, but my heart beat a little faster. No where in sight, I stood on the corner of the crowded street where I was left just a few minutes earlier. Memories flooded my mind of John being lost in the Smithsonian when we were children and the plan our parents had made with us as children. First, I am almost 25 years old and second, my cousins and I had not made a “if you get lost” plan. I could hear my parent’s advice of “sticking together and looking after one another” and clearly we had failed. I did only what I knew was smart and stayed in the same location as where they had left me. My feet didn’t want to dance any longer but the music played on and unfamiliar faces passed my on the street. After 20 minutes, I decided to walk across the street where we were going to get on the bus, but with no luck after doing a quick walk down the short street, I turned to go back to the bagpiper’s performance which now barely sounded like noise to me. As I crossed, their faces appeared from the crowd and I shouted over to them. A Georgian “Ya’ll” is all that needs to be yelled through a crowd when you are in Edinburgh, Scotland to catch the attention of fellow Georgians. We reunited, shared our version of what happened, came up with a game plan, and then hopped on the bus to enjoy the day! Scotland is awesome!!!

A full English breakfast of hash browns, sausage, ham, eggs, toast, beans (yep Abe!), and mushrooms greeted me at a Café back in Durham Sunday morning. A large cup of coffee with a splash of hazelnut filled my belly as we spent our last hours in Durham. The Cathedral we visited on Friday and this afternoon we viewed the Castle which functions still today as part of the University of Durham. Somehow all these Castles make me think of Berry, but also make Berry look like a baby (in age at least). I really did attend a beautiful place for undergrad though. Shout out to Berry and my Berry Castle girls!!

In every guidebook, they advise to account for incidentals and as much as you think you will make sure to make sure the incidentals don’t happen so you can enjoy an extra “soda” or otherwise, they always do occur. Before we left our posh hotel this afternoon, I reached into Janell’s bag where I stored my laptop securely that afternoon. When we reached the train station to catch our 4:30 to Bristol, Janell asked for the keys to her locked luggage bag. My mind jumped around like in one of those inflated kid things searching for where I put them after retrieving my computer. I stuttered my words as I announced they were on top of the bag back at the hotel, realizing that now the bag was beside me and the keys were no where in sight. With her bag actually locked up, it became more than just leaving the lock behind, but needing to get into the bag. I through my bag on my shoulder, said I had money, and that I’d be back. Outside I hopped into a taxi told the guy my situation and as he hurried off I took a deep breath (of hope) and sat on the edge of my seat. Arriving back at the hotel, I told him to wait and I’d return quickly. Walking in, I turned right inside the doors before the receptionist even noticed my presence, scanned the floor where the bag had sat only 15 minutes earlier, and saw the keys. Grabbing them and tucking them away safely into my bag, I hop back into the taxi. As he drove away, I clasped in the backseat sending a “thanks” up. Some incidentals happen!

The world is big…..I will continue to explore!

Last night I had homemade pepperoni pizza with whole wheat dough....it's amazing how good something can taste when you haven't had it in a while.....or maybe I was just that hungry.

This morning I was able to sleep in which was a great feeling. It rained for the first time in 6 wks. and I have enjoyed chilling with the new interns who are here for the summer.