Adjustment

Before I go on analyzing my return and adjustment to the good old U S of A, let me go into a little detail of our last days in Sweden. Our last night in Sweden was marked with our first sampling of Surströmming, or rotten fish. (to learn more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surstr%C3%B6mming) Upon opening the can, outdoors of course, we quickly realized how this has been said to be the most putrid smell in the world. Needing to sample everything once, it was quickly realized that it tastes like it smells and some of us couldn't handle it. It certainly made for a memorable last night. We of course also frequented the sauna and probably sat in it too long in order to soak up the atmosphere of what was a popular hangout in every juncture of the adventure.

We had a great last day in Stockholm. Cassandra, Anthony and I bought subway passes and set out in search of the places that had become our favorite haunts just 6 weeks before. We purchased a large container of fresh strawberries from a street vendor and set out on a lovely stroll, ending up at our favorite crepe restaurant.

Our last night was spent in the Jumbo Stay hostel near the airport. It's a converted airplane and was so great. Though the rooms were small, the bathrooms and showers were some of the best experienced on the trip and the bed was the comfiest I slept on in five months. It's not hard to see how Sonja and I could oversleep until 25 minutes before we needed to be at the terminal...

The flight went smoothly, but then again I stand firmly by the notion that coming back is much easier than going. In order to lose some weight in my suitcase, I was forced to wear several layers including my winter boots from way up in Jokkmokk and Umeå. My mother walked in the airport, took one look at me and couldn't walk any longer from laughing so hard. Thanks Mom, so nice to see you too.

After stepping foot on American soil, I decided that I needed fika. (of course.) We stopped at the nearest Caribou for cold press coffee and oatmeal. After stopping at home for a shower, I decided that I needed real, American pizza. No offense Sweden, but you're missing something here. We went to Old Chicago, my favorite, and I was in heaven.

The next day my best friend Jayna and I went for pedicures as I apologized to the poor woman assigned to my feet. Walking several miles a day for 5 months really takes a toll. The day was made complete with trips to my favorite American institutions, Target and Starbucks. I didn't think life could get much better. It was just starting. I thought that Jayna and I were going to meet my mom at the Wishin' Well cafe in Paynesville. I walked in and as I approached the back, I saw a huge banner with "Welcome Home, Karla" with about fifteen of my friends from high school sitting around the tables. Also present were my parents and my mom's best friends who are practically family. Not thinking life could possibly be any better, I heard some clapping and from the back room emerged four of my best friends from GAC: Ethan, Dan, Rachel and Julia. How wonderful that my worlds could collide. Never mind the fact that the Gusties had finals the next morning. Apparently it was supposed to be a dress up party where people should look through my pictures and dress like one of them. Jayna was the only one who followed her directions and dressed up as, what else, a wall of godies.

Yesterday marked the one week anniversary of my return to Sweden. So far, coming home has not been as difficult as I thought it would be. I do miss the group, but it's great to not be living out of a suitcase and moving every few weeks. When I got home and saw my closet, I was so excited, and I tend to overdress for everything as I'm so excited to have so many clothes to choose from. In fact, in those first few days, I may have even done several wardrobe changes each day...

I got the chance to make a trip up another big hill last weekend. This time in St. Peter and not in Jönköping. However, I promise that that dreaded Jönköping hill was at the forefront of my mind as I made that drive up and felt a pang of homesickness. The weekend was great and I saw some wonderful people that I missed so much.

Life moves along as fast as ever. Being home feels comfortable and easy- much like how I feel when I come home after a year at GAG, happy to have a big bed and my own bathroom. But to be honest, I'm tentatively anticipating the day where I miss my semester in Sweden so much that I can't stand it. For now though, I'm content. I'm directing a production of "The Fantasticks" this summer and had auditions this week. Throwing myself into another project has a distracting effect, I think. If you happen to be in the area the first week of August, come check out the show- I have a fantastic cast that I can't wait to work with after not being involved in a production in 5 months.

Perhaps not so shockingly my suitcase is sitting, unpacked, at the foot of my bed. I have been taking things out as I need them but no real putting away has happened. The last of the photos have been uploaded from camera to computer and put on facebook. It was a strange realization to understand that I was tagging Sonja, Jen, Maddie, Janella, Cassandra, Nate, Anthony, Tyler, Ben, Steve and Rob for the last time in these pictures. I have no idea what to say to people when I get asked the million dollar question, "so, how was Sweden?!" How do I sum up the best five months of my life in a simple answer? I'll let you know if I find out how....

For now, though, here are a few last pictures of my last days in Sweden, and my return home. Thank you to everyone who has followed my blog as I traveled through the country that became my home and will surely be returning to in the near future. It's such an incredible feeling to know I have people back home who care so much. So, until my next adventure and next blog, vi ses! (see you later!)

Here we go...

My father is an incredible human being. For those of you who are lucky enough to know him, this hardly comes as new information. Today, in an effort to put off studying for my Nobel Literature final and writing my 15 page capstone paper, I checked my email. Dad emailed me talking about the passing of time as he observed Bennies and Johnnies moving out and graduating from his office window after commencement. Yes. I'm sentimental. Very much so. This is what closed his email: "Where did those four months go? Where did those four years go? Where did those 40 years go? Was I not just standing in front of Uhler Hall only moments ago, arm in arm with Dad and Grandpa, diploma in hand, the graduate at last? Savor the moments that come to you, often unexpectedly, when you realize how quickly changes that once seemed to be so long in coming will actually occur."

I have absolutely no concept of where these months went. I have been looking back on my journal entries from the beginning of the trip, way back in Umeå, where I could not walk outside without wearing anything less than 4 or 5 layers of clothing and it got dark at 2pm. I made the observation in those first days that I could not think about being gone for several months- I had to take this new experience one day at a time or I would get far too overwhelmed with the amount of time I was to be gone. In very little time, the passing of days picked up and I no longer had to think of it that way. And now, here I am.

Last night we had our end of semester banquet. We all got dressed up and went in to town for dinner at a completely wonderful Greek/ Italian restaurant. (We had enough left on our bus card that we didn't have to walk into town- there was so much excitement.) After we came back, we gathered to give out end of the trip awards. Some of the awards included: the ever popular "best smile", "most likely to move back to Sweden", "favorite Swedish city" "best talent" "best hangout" "best storyteller" and so many more. We then watched a slideshow compiled of everyone's pictures- 4 months in 36 minutes. How surreal.

Today and tomorrow will be comprised of laundry, paper writing, studying and packing- for the last time.

Happy Mother's Day

Yes I know, two posts in one day! I'm a little overwhelmed myself. However, I just had to take the opportunity to say Happy Mother's Day to all mothers and mine especially! Love you so very much Mom and am so grateful for everything you have given me and taught me. It is because of you that I know what it means to be a good human being. Love you so much and can't wait to see you in only a few short days.

(Yes, I know the pictures are random but they are my favorites.)

Jag älskar dig! (I love you!)

How Did This Happen?

I am sunburned. People told me to put on sunscreen, and I listened a little bit but not enough. While my neck, shoulders, and chest hurt quite a bit and I feel like whoever once told me that three quarters of my body is made up of liquid is lying to me, I am blissful because this sunburn means two things: 1. it is warm and springtime and 2. I had an incredible day with the same wonderful people I go on and on about.

On Saturday morning we boarded a bus headed to Gränna, a little town about an hour north. (Yes, I'm Minnesotan and measure distances in time.) When we got off the bus we boarded the first morning ferry to Visingsbö, an island where the bodies of 2,000 Russian soldiers were held during "the war." (Yeah sorry, I don't know which war...)The ferry was so great and reminded me so much of all the trips my parents and I took to Washington Island in Door County. We spent some time exploring the ruins of the fort and climbed around the secret passageways. After the ruins we continued down the road and explored a beautiful church and surrounding countryside. Other components of the day included ice cream outside in a gazebo and fresh fish sandwiches in the harbor.

Upon returning back to Gränna we quickly set out in search of the famed Gränna Polkagrisar, huge candy sticks in every flavor imaginable. We even got to watch them being made in several candy shops. Of course I only bought about 15 "samples" to bring home...

As referenced by my title, I have no idea how it came to be that I will be home in about 9 days. It seems like it was about 6 weeks ago that I was calling my mom to tell her that I was going to Sweden for a semester and there was nothing she could do to stop me. (Right, like she would ever want to do that, I'm just sassy in my memory of that afternoon.) I look back to my pictures of the far north which seems so long ago. I don't know what it is, but in those pictures where the coldness hinders the pictures with an icy fog, I feel a pang of homesickness for the beginning of the adventure.

Just like January 13th was an abstract departure date that seemed so far off in the distance, May 18th was an even stranger concept that I couldn't comprehend for the longest time. And here it is, a week from Wednesday. This is arguably the greatest thing I have yet done with my life. So, how do I let it end?

I am currently thinking about how in the world I am supposed to write my final paper for the semester. 5 months in 15 pages. When I think about the journey I have been on for the last few months, I catch myself thinking, "what just happened?" "What do I do with this?"

These last few days I have felt strange in the context of wanting or not wanting to go home. On the one hand, I am so desperate not to, but on the other, it's somewhat overwhelming having the knowledge that we have so little time left together and we need to make the absolute most of it. It almost feels like we're waiting to go home.

There has been lots of talk among us of what the first things we're going to do when we get home, what we're going to eat, etc. For a long time I was sure that I was going to have my parents take me out for American pizza, but the more I think about it now, I'm sure that the first words out of my mouth upon climbing in the old Elantra might be, "Let's go to IKEA."

Rocks and Dirt!

On Friday we returned from our long awaited and anticipated Geology Field trip. Our leader, along with Eric of course, was former Gustavus professor Mark Johnson. He was so much fun and it was so fun to watch him interact with his long time buddy Eric.

We left Jönköping early Monday morning and boarded the bus headed to Göteborg where we picked up Mark. After a morning introductory lecture, we got the afternoon to explore the city in the almost too warm sunny weather. We spent several hours at a huge park which even had a zoo in it! Göteborg had a very different feel from Uppsala or Stockholm and I can't wait to spend more time there on my next visit.

The next morning we got in our two eight passenger vans which would practically become our home for the next week and began checking stops off our list of about 26 in 4 four days. After a day of looking at different things and formations, we ended up on the island of Hållö. What an incredible place and experience! When I say "island" what I really mean is a huge rock face which has 2 buildings- a lighthouse and a hostel. We were the only 14 people on the entire island- the Gusties took over. I can't really even describe how incredible it was and I have never watched a more beautiful sunset.

It was interesting to watch myself evolve over the week. At first, it was difficult for me to think of the things I was seeing as anything besides just rocks and dirt. As the week went on, however, I started to be able to look out my van window at land masses and structures and know what they were and what the land might have looked like millions of years ago. I thought that 500 year old churches in Stockholm were impressive, but they might pale in comparison to standing on billion plus year land masses. We have learned so much about Swedish history over our last few months and this gave us a whole new prospective. The area we were in is so central to Swedish and European geology.

We really had a great week. A few people in the group did not bring computers and in the second hostel we went to after the island, there was no internet so we were forced to -gasp- socialize with each other. (Really though, we really are quite good at that anyway.) It was a really nice break from more formal classes and homework. As someone who is quite visual and hands on, I really appreciated the opportunity to learn about science in a way other than sitting in a classroom.

Glad Påsk från Sverige! (Happy Easter from Sweden!)

I think this Easter will be one I will always remember. Last night we started the process of dyeing eggs. (thanks again to the parents for bringing the kits all the way from America!) This morning while some of us were at church the eggs were then hidden around the dorm. I have yet to find mine. Church was nice- pretty traditional Lutheran. Even most of the music were pieces that I'm sure were played back home, and it was a little odd to be singing them in Swedish.

When we came back from church, we began the process of making brunch. I am continually excited by all the things I am learning to cook when before this trip pretty much all I could handle in the kitchen was making a mess. We baked a ham (ok chunks of ham) with apples and cinnamon and made some of the best french toast I have ever had. Sonja also made fantastic banana bread, which was quickly devoured. Needing some epic triumphant music to cook to in accordance with the day, the Lord of the Rings soundtrack seemed an obvious choice.

We could not have asked for a more beautiful day. Though some of the afternoon was spent inside doing homework, we broke free long enough to go outside for more than an hour. It was so glorious- we all sat around on blankets, reading various things- for fun! "Reading for fun" is a concept I seem to have forgotten after going to college but we are again becoming fast friends in Jönköping.

Tomorrow morning we leave to go on our Geology Field Trip. We are not sure what to expect but it will surely be a great week. I was at least hoping for camping, but we are evidently staying in hostels. Have a great week and Happy Easter, everyone!

More Time In Jönköping

Spring has finally arrived in Sweden! Everyday I see more and more wildflowers and I am increasingly able to go outside without a sweater. I am also no longer wearing socks which is always my marker of fast approaching summer. I have had some more time to explore the city and I am quite content. It feels so much more manageable and easy to navigate than Stockholm or London. Something else that's fun is that my parents are here!! They got in on Tuesday afternoon and left this evening to go back to Stockholm to be tourists for a few days. Though it was a little strange to go into restaurants and speak English right from the beginning, I absolutely loved having them here. My biological family got to mix with the one we have created over these last months.

We are here by ourselves for the week since the other students have time off for Easter. We are of course still having class, which continues to be quite engaging and so interesting. Yesterday we took a break in the afternoon and went to a sheep farm. Two of the teachers at the school own this farm and they were worried we might be bored during our time here. We had so much fun! After a lovely tour and lots of adorable baby lambs, we went inside where the most incredible meal was prepared for us. We were told by our host that she spent much time abroad and many people invited her into their homes. Doing the same for us is her way of repaying them. We were told we must now do the same thing when we encounter travelers in our futures.