Calm Weekend?

Hej,

So here I am.... Not in Sweden. I'm really bummed about it, but here's to NOT using your phone as a reliable alarm system! Anyway maybe I better explain, and catch all of you up on recent events.

Our cafe night on Monday went well. We all had a good time discussing USA vs. Denmark on a lot of different issues, having a meal, and enjoying the company. Tuesday night a bunch of the DIS students went to a concert at Vega - Passion Pit came into town! The dance floor was covered with Americans since its an American band from Boston, but it was so much fun. I had never heard of the band, but luckily I like Indie electronic music! The Danes seemed pretty receptive too, but got very shocked when afterwards the club played Journey's "Dont Stop Believing," and we all went crazy. I even had a Dane come up to me and ask me what the song was - come on Denmark! You use our old 80's music enough, how come you don't know Journey??? Oh well, that was probably only one Dane anyway. :P

Classes went well this week. My professors are very animated and very interested in their lectures. I actually feel like a real medical student at times and have gotten used to telling young Danes that I'm studying medicine. It's nice not to have to explain the whole undergrad system we have in the states - its a method I don't really approve of anyway.

Wednesday was a fun day. My friend and I met up with two Danes we met earlier in the week and went to Christiania. Now, if you're into smoking and whatnot, its definitely the place for you. So bearing this in mind, I didn't think I would have a good time - but from a cultural standpoint, it was fun to make observations (especially why smoking is so bad for you). But I don't judge, I just smile and observe. I've never been to a place like Christiania.... it was like stepping into another world! In fact, it kind of reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. There were cute picket fences, interesting graffiti, small stands, overgrown brush and random flowers, people walking around in a trance, chirping birds, and distinct smells. The police weren't around that day, but apparently as of late, there have been riots and such. Needless to say, it's a very interesting place. I also recommend going with a Danish friend (don't worry you WILL meet some if you put yourself out there) so they can explain everything to you and show you exactly where to go.

That night, I had dinner with my visiting family, Arne, Bitten, Lasse & Anders. Anders was at work however, so it ended up being just the 4 of us. They live in the cutest house in Søborg... I wish I could explain it properly! My first sight upon entering was of Arne fixing Lasse's bike and I couldn't help but think of how Danish the whole scenario looked. Hej Dani! YOU'RE IN DENMARK! Get used to this! But I will say, living in the city holds a different perspective... for you folks living with a host family, you may be used to this. But remember, I live with 35 other Americans, and some Danish traditions are hard to come by. Anyway, Bitten led me into the house and gave me a tour. Imagine a cute Danish cottage surrounded by a proper yard full of apple trees, blackberry trees, herbs, and other vegetables. My grandfather would have loved the tomato trees, and I think Bitten looked amused when I got so excited about seeing these plants. I had to explain to her that not all families plant their own fruits and veggies, and that it's very refreshing to see that here. The inside of their house is just as quaint as the outside. They have wooden flooring, family heirlooms, neatly packed bookshelves, and a dinner aroma to die for. The layout of their house could accomodate several guests even though the initial impression doesn't suggest so. I felt like there were secret doors and rooms everywhere, and I absolutely loved it. Dinner was fantastic, and Bitten is a wonderful chef. Once again I surprised them by announcing I had never eaten fish while I was halfway through my fillet of salmon..... and I liked it! They all laughed very hard and made me explain my weird diet of fruits, veggies, chicken and pasta. We had a great discussion about US politics (on which Lasse knew even more than I did, whoops!), Danish culture, and academics. The family is a friendly, lively bunch, and I feel very priviliged to have been assigned to them. After dinner, I had coffee with Bitten and Arne while Lasse biked to go to the gym. I love how health conscious the Danes are too! Well, except for their smoking and drinking reputation of course. :P All in all, I had a very lovely time and I cannot wait to see them again. Tusind tak DIS & my wonderful Danish family! :)

Thursday's medical class has renewed my sense of excitement and fervor for my future. In just 2 hours, I experienced an academic opportunity that American kids don't get during their undergrad years, and I feel so rewarded for choosing DIS's program. In class, we learned how to take a patient's medical history and the proper way to ask certain questions, etc. We used our professors to role play patients and tested our bedside manner. Well since I had been hurt just the week before and my ankle still felt awful, I volunteered myself to be a patient as well. The doctors quickly agreed and I sat in the classroom as my peers took my history and inquired about the pain. One of the doctors then examined my foot and confirmed that it was sprained. During the examination, one of my classmates unfortunately passed out due to the high level of heat in the room.... and was quickly cared for by our doctors. Every one of us reacted so calmly and so well, you might have thought we were all doctors at a medical conference or something. It was fun to see the similarities and differences between my "fake" situation and the real emergency. The rest of the class dealt with the general examination in which our younger doctor (should I mention he's also very attractive? well, that's probably obvious since I'm in Denmark) was a guinea pig. Needless to say, all of the girls loved it.

Thursday night was spent with a few friends at the Wallstreet Pub..... where I literally spent the whole time learning different Danish dice games. Screw the music, the alcohol, the crazy Danes in the background.... these games were SO fun! And I had already finished my reading, so no worries there! :)

So once again, here I am.... on a Saturday afternoon.... when I should be hiking at this very moment in the beautiful Swedish countryside. Instead I was so tired last night that I did not wake up to my alarm... instead I woke up to a friend's phone call asking me why I wasn't on the bus. I guess fortunately and unfortunately for me, my ankle is killing me today... so it helps knowing that I didn't miss it for nothing? Alas, I also don't get a refund. I guess there's good and bad in everything. Instead, I am planning on using this weekend to clean, do laundry, study ahead, and just.... enjoy Copenhagen as someone who is actually living here and trying not to rush through everything. A lot of my flatmates went to Amsterdam this weekend, but I couldn't imagine rushing through in two days and then having to be prepared for a full week of class... I'll save those trips for the 2 week travel break. Besides, they are also missing out on one of the last gorgeous sunny days here in Copenhagen!

Hope you are all well,

Skål,

Danielle