So, I did not post last night because I was exhausted... But, last night I was catching up on US news and this hurricane business is scary! I can't even believe it! It's also in the newspaper here and on tv! What's next???
So yesterday I had class from 1:15 to 5pm (13:15 - 17). In the morning, I met another Dane who is a school teacher! She was very nice. We had tea and some "rolls" (that's what I call them because I can't pronounce anything in Danish!).
I rode my bike to class, but made sure to leave an hour early in case I got lost. Which I did. I was kind of laughing at myself because I knew I would, haha. But I made it to my building. Then I couldn't find the class room! It was on the third floor, but there are different stair cases for different sections of the building. So the whole floor isn't connected, which is kind of annoying! Well, I finally found and was the first to class!
I'm the only architecture major in the Information Design studio (it's graphic design but with a focus on typography). We learned a little bit about why cycling is so important and significant in Copenhagen, then we went on a bike tour! We used rented bikes and followed our professor around town learning tricks and signals that are helpful while biking. We went for about 3 hours and my butt hurt sooo bad. Still does, actually haha. The seats were so uncomfortable!! My own bike has a comfy seat, thank goodness.
I was going to go shopping with my host family, but I did not make it home until about 18! Once again, I got lost trying to find my way back! I still think its quite humorous. It's not that big of a city and I know pieces of it, but not how it all fits together so I usually only get lost for a block or two, haha.
I was just in time for dinner! We had some left over chinese food and watermelon for dessert. Jacob really likes watermelon! After Jacob went to bed, Helle, Christian and I played some board games. We played Ticket to Ride (US) and Christian won. Then we played some sort of castle tile game where you put them down one at a time, claim territories, etc. Christian won AGAIN! It was a lot of fun. We also had some chocolate turtles! Yummm!
And finally, bed time.
So my lesson for today, I understand why people look down on Americans. Most of the other students in my class were WRECKLESS when they were riding their bikes. They didn't stay to the right, they didn't signal to turn, they swerved in the road, they rang their bells for no reason, they stopped in the cross walk, they cut people off, etc. It literally amazed me. I am going to take a long shot and say that I don't think I'm like that at all. I came here open to change and open to a new kind of culture. I took time to observe how people behave in public and basically mimicked that so I could blend in and not cause any issues. I guess I respect that there are differences in cultures and although I am a guest here, I want to be part of their culture. I think its rude for people to come to another country and not give any thought to the context around them. That's just me, I guess.
So yesterday I had class from 1:15 to 5pm (13:15 - 17). In the morning, I met another Dane who is a school teacher! She was very nice. We had tea and some "rolls" (that's what I call them because I can't pronounce anything in Danish!).
I rode my bike to class, but made sure to leave an hour early in case I got lost. Which I did. I was kind of laughing at myself because I knew I would, haha. But I made it to my building. Then I couldn't find the class room! It was on the third floor, but there are different stair cases for different sections of the building. So the whole floor isn't connected, which is kind of annoying! Well, I finally found and was the first to class!
I'm the only architecture major in the Information Design studio (it's graphic design but with a focus on typography). We learned a little bit about why cycling is so important and significant in Copenhagen, then we went on a bike tour! We used rented bikes and followed our professor around town learning tricks and signals that are helpful while biking. We went for about 3 hours and my butt hurt sooo bad. Still does, actually haha. The seats were so uncomfortable!! My own bike has a comfy seat, thank goodness.
I was going to go shopping with my host family, but I did not make it home until about 18! Once again, I got lost trying to find my way back! I still think its quite humorous. It's not that big of a city and I know pieces of it, but not how it all fits together so I usually only get lost for a block or two, haha.
I was just in time for dinner! We had some left over chinese food and watermelon for dessert. Jacob really likes watermelon! After Jacob went to bed, Helle, Christian and I played some board games. We played Ticket to Ride (US) and Christian won. Then we played some sort of castle tile game where you put them down one at a time, claim territories, etc. Christian won AGAIN! It was a lot of fun. We also had some chocolate turtles! Yummm!
And finally, bed time.
So my lesson for today, I understand why people look down on Americans. Most of the other students in my class were WRECKLESS when they were riding their bikes. They didn't stay to the right, they didn't signal to turn, they swerved in the road, they rang their bells for no reason, they stopped in the cross walk, they cut people off, etc. It literally amazed me. I am going to take a long shot and say that I don't think I'm like that at all. I came here open to change and open to a new kind of culture. I took time to observe how people behave in public and basically mimicked that so I could blend in and not cause any issues. I guess I respect that there are differences in cultures and although I am a guest here, I want to be part of their culture. I think its rude for people to come to another country and not give any thought to the context around them. That's just me, I guess.