Weekend #1 Fun

Mira made me a picture for my room!

My first weekend in Denmark has been a wild success! I feel totally integrated into family life and am starting to find a group of people I connect with. On Friday, Lars and Helle invited me to a dinner at their friend's house. They jokingly told me that they always accept dinner invitations from this person because he makes amazing food... they were right! We had steak, lamb, two kids of potatoes, home made chocolate cake, and ice cream... delicious!

Rolls at breakfast

Bag from the bakery

At dinner, we had a really great time telling stories and stuffing ourselves. I had the feeling that I was never going to be able to eat again after we finished, but sure enough, the next morning I was able to eat yet again, this time feasting on Danish pastries! Lars went out and got us a "traditional Danish brunch" of rolls, "snails" (cinnamon buns), and several other delicious treats.

 After breakfast, Mira got out "Just Dance" on the Wii, which is basically like Dance Dance Revolution. The two of us had a blast jumping around and trying to copy the dance moves. She was a lot better than I was, but I think it's safe to say that we both looked ridiculous! Highlights included our rendition of One Direction's, "You Don't Know You're Beautiful!"

Mira is ready to dance!

After our 5th dance I was ready to collapse. Mira offered to help me with my Danish homework, so we sat down at the dining room table and went to work! She went through the pronunciation of the phrases and words I am supposed to know, which is a HUGE help! We have these online podcasts that DIS puts up for us, but it is a lot easier to have someone quizzing me and helping me to adjust the slight sounds that make a big difference in been understood.

I then went into Copenhagen to meet DIS students for our immigration appointments. This time, instead of waiting for the bus, I rode my bike (well, Helle's bike, but she is letting me use it for at least part of the semester so I don't have to rent one)!!! It went really well and I felt so refreshed and awake by the time I got to the station. It was a little cold, but honestly, it didn't feel much worse than I do when I'm walking. DIS staff went through paperwork with us and then students were bused to the Immigration Center. After a brief period of waiting, we each talked to an official and then had our photographs/fingerprints taken. The officials were really nice and the process was pretty streamlined. Props to DIS yet again. Hopefully we all "passed" and will be issued a residence permit for the remainder of the semester. If all goes according to plan, we will get our cards in the mail in about 2 weeks.

On the way back to the train station, Olivia, Sarah and I explored the area a bit. We walked along the waterfront as the sun set and then went into an indoor market.

Back home for dinner, which was pizza homemade by Helle. Delicious! It's a good thing Danes are so active.. lots of healthy (but high calorie) food. Still, with the biking, running, sports, and walking everywhere, they stay very fit!



I then went out bowling with some DIS students who live in the Glostrup area. The alley was set up almost like a night club with bowling... lots of music, lights, neon colors, and many Danes consuming vast quantities of alcohol. Given how ridiculously expensive alcohol is in Denmark (a small house beer will cost you roughly 50 kroner-- which is about $9) we didn't drink (not that I necessarily would have anyway), but we thoroughly enjoyed observing the Danes. The outfits, the dancing, the laughing... very fun (and funny)!


Taking the bus back was kind of a pain. We split up at about 22:30 (10:30pm) and I missed my bus (the 300S) by about 20 seconds and had to wait 20 minutes for the next one to come. Still, it feels good to get around by myself. I only wish that I hadn't forgotten my gloves! ;)

This morning I got to sleep in! Of course, when I got up at 10:30, all of my family was out and about (except for Kasper): Mira was riding, Helle was running, and Lars was playing football (soccer), but Kasper was shockingly still asleep. I've just finished a load of laundry and hung it on the drying rack in the living room next to the fire place to help it dry more quickly. This afternoon I will do some homework and then at about 16:00 (4pm) we are going to the Grandfather's house for a dinner with Lars' sister (and her family).

I still haven't snapped pictures of Lars, Kasper, or Helle yet, but I will try to do so this afternoon. I've warned them so they should be prepared!!! ;) [just as a note, Danes are obsessed with emoticons, so get used to seeing them in my posts. You should see the text messages and emails you get from Danes!]