STOCKHOLM

I'm going on a day trip to Stockholm tomorrow with my new British friend Hanne. We met during school orientation because we were 2 of 3 international students in the biology masters program. Everyone else is Swedish. She is in the ethology program and lives in Norrkoping. I ran into her on the campus from from Linkoping to Norrkoping the other day and I mentioned I want to start exploring but I want to do it with someone and she was like well I am down for that. So we are going to be travel buddies. She seems fun and outgoing. I'm not sure what we are going to do in Stockholm but I have my books from Alisha to read up on what cool things to check out.

Work. I work now. Sometimes. I started work at the Stadium (sporting goods store) warehouse on Monday. Since I have class everyday I can only work half days. It is a mindless job. There is a conveyer belt with boxes which have an invoice in them. I find the merchandise on the list and put them in the box and send it on its way. A lot of walking and carrying stuff. I listen to music and get into my own zone and the time flys. There is no work schedule. I find out the night before or the day of if they want me to come in. I worked Monday and Wednesday afternoon this week. Adding work into my schedule has definitely changed the speed of things. On days I have school, work, and hockey I never had a break. But it's not that bad. I still have time to do my homework and sleep.

Four weeks of school are down. This week's module was on shallow lakes and alternative stable states.  We went to a lake about 45 minutes away and took samples of the invertebrates.  It was a beautiful place. We have two more weeks of modules and then the last two weeks of the course we have a mini project.

Court and I are very close to planning our trip over winter break. I am very excited. Amsterdam, Germany, and Prague. We are going to be either in Prague or Amsterdam on New Years which will be awesome. If any of you have suggestions for the trip let me know.

Karin, my Swedish roommate, was in the kitchen cutting slices from this dark block that looked like fudge. Intrigued, I asked what it was. She said blood pudding. I laughed and said no really what is it? She said no really its blood pudding. Apparently that is something Swedes eat. She fried it in a pan and ate it with jam. I tried it soley to say I've eaten blood pudding. It did taste irony and crunchy kind of like burnt toast. So yeah, I've eaten blood pudding.

Deb (Boston roommate) planned a Halloween party in late October with costume contests. I need to think of a good costume. I normally suck at that. Suggestions are welcome.

Per, who I met when looking for places to stay and who helped me pick up some furniture, invited me over one Friday night to hangout. I had a game the next day so I wasn't drinking but I went anyway to be social. Swedes are SO awkward. It's like we sit and look around and its silent and no one says anything. I didn't know what to do. Like yeah we don't know each other well but I've never been in a situation in the states were there is silence at a party. And when I think of a party I think of cases of beer and drinking games. That's not how they roll in Sweden. He had popcorn on the table and we sat in the living room and everyone sipped on their drinks. Weirdos.

No hockey this weekend which is why I am taking advantage of the free weekend and checking out Stockholm. This is the first free weekend I've had besides the first weekend after I arrived. Now that I am all settled I am ready to explore.

During school orientation a woman came up to the table I was sitting at during lunch and asked if any of us were interested in blogging for the university. Since I was already writing a personal blog I said sure. I got an email recently to start it and they said there will be a 6 week trial period to see if they like the blog and we can potentially become a paid blogger for the university. Pretty sweet.

Have a good weekend!