Kronborg & Sweden

I went to Sweden on Sunday! Yes thats right, Sweden. You don't get to say that everyday :)

The DIS trips to Kronborg filled up pretty fast so my host parents and I decided to take a trip to Helsingør on our own. Kronborg Castle is this huge place on the coast of Denmark that is the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet. It's a pretty impressive place.

Inside the courtyard

Me in the courtyard

King Frederick II's initials

Kronborg from across the moat

 "Anno" means year but when I saw this I immediately thought of my sister Annie

The ballroom

Lotte

The charming town of Helsingør

After the tour we took a ferry across the Sound to Helsingborg, Sweden. This was definitely the best part. We climbed up some steps leading to a medieval tower which is the last remaining part of an old Danish fortress. This part of Sweden actually belonged to the Danes back in the 1600s. After taking the "I'm in Sweden!" picture we headed to a cafe for some coffee and pastries. Overall it was an awesome end to the weekend.

On the ferry

Sweden!

the "I'm in Sweden" picture

Helsingborg Harbor

Today I had some time to kill before my Danish class and decided to check out a vintage store nearby DIS. Turns out vintage is extremely overpriced in Copenhagen! Most of the dresses were 500 kroner or more, which is roughly $100. Yikes. Sounds like I'll have to hunt to find a decent thrift or vintage store.

Tomorrow night I'm going to dinner at a place in Østerbro for my Danish class. I heard that dinner is on DIS so keep your fingers crossed :) Theres also a Medical Practice & Policy social event on Wednesday at this vegetarian restaurant called the RizRaz. My friend that studied in Copenhagen through DIS last year recommended it to me, so I'm excited to try it out!

First Weekend

Last night DIS hosted a welcome party for all the students at a club nearby school. I was skeptical at first but it turned out to be really fun! Thanks for the free beer DIS :)

I also bought a ticket to see Sleigh Bells at the Loppen. I'm so excited! If you haven't heard of them, check them out. The song Rill Rill is one of my favorites.

Today I biked to the train station with my host mom and it was bitter, bitter cold. By the time we got back I couldn't feel my face, toes, or fingers. I have a newfound admiration of all the Danes that bike to work or school each day, and that includes both my host parents. Perhaps I'll give it another go once its warmer.

I've started to compile a list of things that I want to do this semester in Copenhagen. In order to make sure I do it, I'm going to post it as a reminder so that I make the most of my time here.

So here's a list of places, and in no particular order. I'll cross them out after I go there.

• Kronborg Castle (Elsinore from Shakespeare's Hamlet)
• Christiania, the freetown
• Tivoli Gardens
• The Round Tower
• Lousiana Museum of Modern Art
• Copenhagen Opera House
• Rosenberg Castle
• Carlsberg Brewery
• Dyrehave park (literally, a deer park)
• go to a party at a Folkehøjskole
• Vesterbro & Nørrebro neighborhoods
• Royal Danish Theater

I'll be posting a picture tour of my walk to school in a few days so stay tuned.

Listening to--10 Mile Stereo by Beach House

p.s. Danes DO jaywalk. I saw it myself! So don't believe it when people tell you that danish people strictly abide by crosswalk signals because its an urban myth. They just do it a bit less than Americans :)

København

So far Copenhagen has been awesome! I'm finally done with three long days of orientation and I start classes tomorrow. I'm living with a host family in Ballerup, which is a northern suburb of Copenhagen. This makes my commute about 40 minutes long by bus and train. Its safe to say that my Ipod is my new best friend.

Copenhagen has a pretty decent music scene that I cannot wait to check out. Sleigh Bells are playing on January 29th and Lykke Li is coming in April! 

I took these pictures a few days ago on a short tour of Copenhagen.

The Danish Parliament

Nyhavn

The Royal Palace (part of it)

 The harbor

 Opera House

Gråbrødretorv (Grey Brother Square)

 Considered one of the most charming squares in Copenhagen

Almost There

I leave for Copenhagen in three days! I still can't really believe it. Everything is very expensive in Copenhagen so I've been stocking up on toiletries like crazy. I hoping to have a last "hoorah" with some of my friends and family before I go. 

After looking up information on the Danes, I've come across a few interesting facts:
1. Danes don't jaywalk. I find this incredible. It's funny and frustrating at the same time.
2. Danes don't have a word for "please" in Danish, so they usually don't use it when speaking in English. This makes them come off as rude when they're not trying to be at all.
3. Denmark was the first European country to legalize same-sex marriages in 1989 and offer the same rights as heterosexual marriages.
4.  Copenhagen has been named the "Bicycle City of the Year" with 36% of its citizens that commute to work, school or university by bike.

They even bike in the snow

courtesy of http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/

My host family has an spare bike for me to use, so I can't wait to explore Copenhagen on bike once it warms up!

My friend Maggie and I went ice skating the other day and I took this video of her. She thought I was taking a picture, which explains all the posing opportunities...haha well enjoy!

Song that I've had on repeat-Rill Rill by Sleigh Bells

DIY: Bows

Want to learn how to make awesome bows? Last month I posted a pair of shoes where I made the bows, so I thought I'd show you how to make them. It's a really simple process that only takes about 5-10 minutes. My friend Stacie also uses this technique to make bows.

First, cut out a piece of fabric so its rectangular. Mine is approximately 4.5 in x 2 in. Depending on what size bow you want, you can make the rectangle bigger or smaller.

 Next, turn the piece over and fold it lengthwise the "hot-dog" way. 

 Fold the ends in so that it forms another rectangle. 

Make two wide stitches along the center all the way through the fabric. 

 Now pull the string so that it cinches the center, forming the bow shape. 

 Cut out a small piece to loop around the center of the bow. This hides the stitches and allows you to hook a bobbypin underneath so you can wear it. 

 Fold the piece around the bow, stitch the ends together and tie it off. 

Now you have your finished product! You can experiment with different sizes and fabrics to create different types of bows. 

  Here's another bow I made when I cut off the sleeves of a polka dot dress. 

Enjoy! :)

Countdown until Copenhagen-12 days! I got an email from my host family yesterday which is super exciting. They seem really nice! I showed the picture to my dad and he said, "Well they look normal." Haha I'm not sure what he was expecting.

Listening to: "I Dig You" by Hanoi Janes

Just for Fun

This a video my friend Stacie put together, shes amazing! Enjoy :)

Happy Holidays!

I'm finally done with school for the semester and am enjoying being home :) I've been so busy with Christmas shopping and catching up with friends and family that I haven't had the time to post anything.
Here are a pair of shoes that I made a few weeks ago. I'm in love with them, but haven't had a chance to wear them yet. I made the two big bows and glued them on using super glue, which has held pretty well. I'll post a DIY on how to make bows later, its super easy!

I decided to pair them with this simple dress, even though they don't quite go together. Its kind of christmasey, right?

 New song I'm obsessed with- Come Home by Chappo (thank you jeff)

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays! Countdown until Copenhagen-25 days. Ah!