Midsommar i Sverige

This weekend it was Midsommar, so in other words, the longest day in summer, and being Sweden, they have a holiday to celebrate it. On Thursday afternoon I headed out to the summer house with my host family to spend the weekend there. It’s so incredibly beautiful out here! I love it. It’s been sunny every day and I’ve been able to chill, tan, read and occasionally get into the water, which apparently is super warm for this time of year at around 18 degrees.

On Friday morning we joined the rest of the people who have summer houses out here in a Midsommar celebration at the local school, and yes, I did join in with the dancing around the random pole, along with all of my host family. So random, but kinda fun! It’s all about celebrating summer pretty much, and it’s quite enjoyable. This was followed by some fun games, like sack races etc. And, being Sweden there was a whole lot of raffles, and we won a moonbounce, che ya. Hahahah. On Friday night we went over to some family friends, Eva with her son Micke and daughter Helena, summer house about 5 minutes away on the boat and had dinner there.

Saturday consisted of, sitting and relaxing, and not doing a heck of a lot! But was still enjoyable. Eva and Helena came over for dinner, and then we went on a little boat tour out to a small island for dessert, so random, but awesome.

Sunday was pretty much exactly the same as Saturday, but even better weather, and more reading was done.

Now, I’ve just gotten home, and I’m getting ready to head down to Malmö on Wednesday for .... EURO TOUR. I’m so excited! I’m sure it’s going to be amazing and if the weather stays like this it’s going to be even better.

Signing out for the next 3 weeks or so,

Lots of love,

Alex.  (and don't think that I've stopped taking self timer jump shots.. and yes, I will continue this throughout Europe)

Sommartider hej hej sommartider!

So schools out, summer's here (kind of), am definitely looking forward to the two months that I've got ahead of me!
On Wednesday, myself, David, Evan, Frida, Saga, Daniel and Fanny went out for dinner at one of the many many Pizza restaurants in town. Then we came back to my host family's house to watch a movie on the amazing big screen ;) (Mum and Dad, can we get one pleeeeeeeease!) Whilst looking through the dvd collection at my host family's place, we found the parent trap! Definitely was a great choice in movie I'm thinking. Hahaah.
Thursday night was Kathi's leaving dinner. She just had a small dinner at her host family's house for a few of the people from school. It was a really nice evening, very relaxed with enjoyable company (:
School wrapped up on Friday with the studenten. Graduation is so much more exciting here! On the last day, everyone arrives at school relatively dressed up, and the 3rd graders (7th formers) have these awesome graduation hats. (Which I totally want to get even though I'm not going to be graduation).
All around school the 3rd grades had whistles/horns etc, and pretty much just partied up! Whenever someone of another grade would walk past them they would shout "Var är mössorna?!" which means, where are the caps? After the final assembly, I went out for lunch at Ming Palace, was the first time I've had Chinese food since leaving NZ, oh how I've missed it!!! Then we went outside to watch the 3rd grades come past in their trucks. When they finish school, they go on a tour of town on the backs of trucks, pretty much just having a massive party! So awesome. It was a very enjoyable last day of school for the semester.

The last week has been pretty sweet. Very relaxed. I've spent a heck of a lot of time enjoying the sunshine and warmth. Also enjoying the fact that I'm finally no longer sick. One thing I've also been doing... Is watching the Soccer world  cup! Loving the fact that the All Whites are playing so amazingly! Definitely a proud kiwi even half way around the world. The best part of it all, is that I don't have to get up at ridiculous times in the morning to watch the games! They're at convenient viewing times (:

My host mum decided that on Wednesday, while we picked up my host sister from Falköping, it would be a good idea to go on a canoeing trip in the afternoon! Flippin best idea ever, I had such a great day. After a afternoon of canoeing which included a picnic lunch, and then fika later on. On the drive back home we went to a ruin that's next to the E4 just past Jonköping. It was so beautiful, with a view over the coast down towards the town Gränna and over Lake Vättern.

Me and David in the car on the way to Falköping

The view from the ruin beside the E4. 

Thursday was another visit to Norrköping for a day with the exchange students! We went to a lake in Åby which was really close to one of the exchange students houses. Was such a beautiful day and it was so nice to get to catch up with all of the exchange students again before Euro tour because I hadn't seen most of them for around 2 months.

Åby, while I was waiting for the bus back to town... Around 8:30pm, yeah the sun's still shining. 

This weekend was the Crown Princess's wedding in Stockholm! So my host family decided to take me up with them to Stockholm to be there, and to be a tourist for the weekend. The weekend mostly consisted with walking around Stockholm, and me taking a couple of hundred photos. Not to mention watching the royal wedding on TV, and then seeing the newlyweds go past in a horse drawn carriage! It was so cute, even if the whole thing was insanely overdone.

On Sunday, we visited Drottningholm, where the royal palace is. This is actually where the King and Queen live. After a morning there, we then trekked through the Gamla Stan, and then visited a photography exhibition, which was incredibly awesome.

Not only did I have the best time in Stockholm. It was followed by an amazing result by the All Whites drawing 1-1 with Italy at the world cup. And then followed by the realization that I left New Zealand 5 months ago now. It's weird, but amazing. I'm loving every minute here in Sweden at the moment, and know that I've got even more awesome times coming up, with Midsommar this weekend and then next week... EURO TOUR.. needless to say, I'm incredibly excited!

Love, Alex.

school? haha. nah, i'm an exchange student.

So the last few weeks have pretty much contained zero school, a lot of tv, and a lack of sleep. As school wraps up I seem to have to attend less and less school. It's pretty sweet really one lesson a day, maybe two. The weather's warming up, and there's been blue skies for the last week. I could FINALLY begin to work on my tan again ;) and don't worry, it's coming back slowly.
On the 28th of May I participated in the Blodomloppet, which is a charity 5km run. I did it along with my host family and David, from Australia.

Me and David enjoying the Friskis & Svettis aerobics warm up! Hahah. 

Other events from the last few days include watching the 3rd grades Studenten Ball, which is totally amazing. As a part of their graduation they take part in an amazing ball, insanely good dancing, the girls are in such gorgeous dresses, even more impressive than our ball dresses at home. Apparently they work for months on the dances. I kind of can't explain the awesomeness of it all, hahah, sorry folks. 

This Saturday the host family and I went out to a lake about half an hour from home for a canoeing afternoon and picnic dinner on a small island (: It was great! We were also joined by two Sri Lankan's who work with my host mum who were really nice. 

Then on Sunday, it was Sweden's national day. So while my host mum was out of town visiting my host sister who goes to town in Falköping, my host dad, other host sister and host brothers headed to gamla (old) Linköping, to see the celebrations. They included, a parade and some random young children singing. Haha. I didn't really understand, but it was still enjoyable all the same. Then we enjoyed a great lunch in the sun at the restaurant. Followed by a trip to Tornby, (kinda like Botany Downs, but on a much smaller scale), so that my host sister could get a laptop for her exchange!

I'm pretty much over my sickness now. Slowly making my way back to normal sleeping patterns, and doing a little bit more than watching tv all day! Haha. I went to an aerobics class tonight, was great ;) Definitely know some people at home who would love these classes as much as I do! 

I only have two classes this week and haven't had one of them yet. So have had a super relaxing two days. Which has been great. I'm definitely looking forward to summer holidays starting on Friday, and then only 3 weeks until Euro tour! I seriously can't wait.. 

Over and out,

Alex.

PS, I also think I'm slowly becoming a little bit more Swedish, and the language is coming along a little bit. Lots of work to do though! 

xx

Oh yeah, another point. Sweden is ridiculously close to the North pole, so the sun stays up for ages! It's kinda annoying when trying to sleep but great when you're out at night (:

This was taken at 10:30pm!

here comes the sun..

So the sun is finally coming to this crazy place called Sweden! And it's beautiful. This week has been great. 22 degrees most days. Shorts, t-shirts and jandals. I LOVE IT. It's great that I've only had to cope with 4 months of being cold..
Oh yeah, so I've been gone for 4 months now. What the heck?! Yeah. So a third of my exchange is done now and it's weird. But cool.

So since last blog, I've been doing much of the same, school, swedish, gym, eating, watching tv, and then repeat. It's so nice now that it's warm. Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved the snow. But to be honest I think this is much more of my scene. Last night I went to a BBQ at a girl from my class's house. It was sweet. Very chilled and I had a great night. Not to mention the fact that I captured some great videos of them. Haha. http://www.youtube.com/user/AlexandraInSweden

Me and Kathi, the German exchange student in my class

Today has been extremely chilled. Watching some movies. Sleep. Now am settled in to watch some of the French Open! Getting ready for my last 3 weeks of school before summer! So keen. It's unbelievable.

Anyway, that's about it from me.
Love always.
Alex. x

long weekends. the life of an exchange student.

So life is good. I miss home. But I can deal with it. This place is beautiful. It's kinda hard to believe sometimes that I'm half way around the world from everything I know. And that everyday I'm listening to a different language that's slowly becoming familiar. 


We had a 4 day weekend this weekend and I went out to the summer house with my host family. It's great. Their summer house has just been redone so after we arrived we had to move in the furniture and stuff so that we could actually live there! The weather was kinda crappy but I still had enjoyable time with my host parents and host brother. Saturday the weather cleared up and I actually got to expose the skin to the sun after almost 4 months (!) of jeans, jackets and snow. 


It's kinda weird being here and not having the busy schedule that I've lived at home for the last, uh, 18 years. There's endless amounts of spare time, and not much to be able to do to be busy. But I guess that's one of the challenges of being an exchange student, finding things to occupy your time. For me, I've been reading, making video's, going to the gym, sorting through my computer files (haha, nerd life), and occasionally trying to learn Swedish! 


So, another week's down.. On Thursday it will have been 4 months since I left home. 1/3 down. It's weird. It's like each day passes slowly, but then all of a sudden you think, oh wow it's been a week since then, and then it's been a month. 


Bye again for now,
Alex. xox


PS Mum and Dad, I've stopped biting my nails :O Haha. I hope you appreciate it :)

En bra vecka - A good week.

On Sunday my host family took me to a nature reserve, called Svartåmynnigen, for a bit of fika. It's a place popular with bird watchers during the Spring. Was really nice to get out and about within Linköping and see a little bit more of what the town has to offer.

The week was fairly uneventful, just living the regular Swedish life, going to school and gym, with the occasional baking spree and fika inbetween. A continuing cold is still hanging around which sucks but you know, you grab a cup of tea and get on with it!

On Friday night my host mum took me and my host brother out for dinner. The restaurant we went to was called 'Kniv & Gaffel' or 'Knife & Fork'. Where I got to eat some good old New Zealand lamb! So good. Definitely been missing it. Then we had a good old movie night and watched Angels and Demons. Pretty good, but no where near as good as the book. As always.

Saturday meant my first trip to Göteborg, and hopefully not the last. My host mum, host brother and I left Linköping at around 9:30 to begin the trip across the country, with the temperature being a wonderful..... 2 degrees! What the heck Sweden? I thought this was Spring! After an hour or so we made a stop in a town called Gränna, to pick up some Polkagris which is hard candy. SO GOOD! In this small town of around 2,500 (I think) there were Polkagirs shops every 2 or 3 stores. So ridiculous. But it is what makes the town so whatever, Im good with that! Haha.
We carried on to Göteborg, arriving around 1 when we picked up my host dad from the airport after he had been in Austria for work. Lunch time. Then came a quick trip to an art exhibition called :And There Was Light. An exhibition on Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Rafael. I got to see the recently discovered Da Vinci painting! Pretty sweet really. Along with a whole lot of other original works by the 3 artists and also several copies, including a full size copy of Micheangelo's "David".
Then we picked up my host sister from the train station, and headed to the hotel. Then went off to my host dads sisters house to meet the family! It was his sister's husbands 50th birthday celebration and I'm glad that I got to join them. The night was to consist of a boat cruise around the Göteborg harbour and out into the archipelago and an awesome seafood dinner on board.

Oh the joys of seafood ;) me and my host sister, Anna. 

It was absolutely beautiful, and the dinner was awesome. The weather even managed to clear up and warm up a bit for us. We managed to get a beautiful sunset and I also managed to get some sweet photos in there.

The beautiful sunset featuring the Swedish flag. LOVE IT

So the last few days have been spent doing the usual, school, Swedish lessons, chilling and watching movies. Particularly today as I've gotten sick, again, which sucks. Tomorrow is the start of a four day weekend which I'm looking forward to spending with the host family, hopefully heading out to the summer house for a few days. 

Missing you all, 

love Alex. 

En vecka som låtsas vara svenska - Another week pretending to be Swedish

The weekend after Kiruna, I started to feel sick, just like half of the others from my room in the hostel we stayed at. So I spent the majority of the week not feeling the best. Even having to take a day off from school to recover more. Not fun. It's weird being sick in another country! You don't have your favourite foods, drinks or medicines that you always take or eat when you're sick. So that took up the majority of my thoughts etc for the week.

Tuesday morning's Rotary meeting this week meant one thing... PRESENTATION TIME! Everything went splendidly (: Got the projector and computer set up fine, had an enjoyable breakfast, remembered my speech, showed the beauty's of NZ and even managed to answer the majority of their questions! Except for one, haha. So I had previously been told here that they don't get New Zealand wine, so when the topic of our exports came up, I said 'well our wine industry is quite big, but apparently not in Sweden' to which most of the Rotarians were like, uh nope, you can actually find plenty of NZ wines in the System Bolaget (alcohol shop).. Haha, being shown up about my own country... Love it. But hey, I am a Rotary student, NO DRINKING.

Friday here in Sweden was something exciting! It's another one of their strange holidays or celebrations. This one was called Valborg, celebrating the arrival of Spring and the beginning of May. On the night of the last night of April, it is tradition to light massive bonfires! I went down to one of the big public celebrations in Linköping with my host parents. There I met up with Evan and David the two other Rotary students in my town and a Swedish friend Frida. We watched the lighting of the fire and also a fireworks display! It was really awesome, and yeah, I am slightly obsessed with fires. Haha. Really exciting to watch.

 The bonfire at Tannefors slussar - Linköping

Today, I went with my host family out to the summer house for the day. They have been getting it renovated so wanted to check out how everything was going. The house is only about an hour and a half from our house and located on a small island just off the mainland, connected by a bridge and is really close to the water. It was gorgeous! I cant wait to spend some of summer out there with them, and hopefully some more time before then too.

Well, that's about it for the week. Nothing super exciting this week sorry.
Lots of love, Alex.