Germany....check

get ready for another long post...

Tuesday the 20th was the Russian tybble party. We had to wear red and drink vodka. Robin's dad and dad's fiance were in town so they came over and he cooked us some dinner. The chicken was so good. We hung out with them a little bit then went down to the party. It was fun, just another hang out with the international students.

Wednesday Karla, Robin, and I went to the Frimis free buffet. We took Robin's dad and dad's fiance. They had french fries and I piled my plate high with them. Then we walked to O'Leary's and watched half of a soccer game. Some town drunk came over to us and started talking about America and how we are all white nazi's. We had to call someone over to take him away. We were pretty tired so we went back home at half time.

I started my Developmental Psychology class on Thursday. It was SO boring. At least I have people in there to talk to. The girls waited for me to get out of class and then we went into town. We met up with the dad and fiance and walked around a bit. We saw their hotel and then we headed to Pitchers. I got a Tiger Woods burger which had BBQ suace on it. It was DELICIOUS.
We hung out there for a little bit and then decided to head home.

I had class again on Friday and was in a bad mood when I woke up. Class was again so boring it was torture. Robin and I went to tybble pizza. Then we went to a little party for an hour just to say hi and Happy Birthday. It was kinda a long creepy walk. We went home and I packed for Hamburg.

Saturday I woke up around 7:30am and couldn't get back to sleep. I got up and got ready for Hamburg. I met the girls at the bus stop arounf 10am and we headed to the train station. We got on the train and switched 2 times. It went by pretty fast. Then we took a short bus ride to the airport. We met up with everyone there and checked in and went to the gate. We boarded around 3:25pm and I sat with Robin and Karla. Jerry, Fede, and Chris were in front of us. The flight was pretty fast and not bad. We landed jumped on another bus and headed to town. We got to town and we were all pretty starving. We went to a nice restaurant and I got some pesto and a Becks. It was so good! Then we headed to the hostel. They had said online that it was right across from the subway exit so we got off and I recognized the sign from the pictures. But some guy told us to make a left, left and then a right. We walked for 45 mins before finding it RIGHT ACROSS from the subway. Luckily the guy was still there and we got in, freshened up and Danielle, Uta, Quang, and Fede met me, Karla, Jerry, and Chris at our hostel around 11pm. Andrew, Robin and Brad were too far away so they stayed in for the night. We all went to Reeperbahn which is the red light district with all the bars and sex stores. It was so lit up and so many people were out. Not like Orebro where the streets are empty at 7pm. It was so fun, Karla and I were kinda tired but Fede, Jerry, and Chris wanted to go to this Rock club. Fede couch surfed and the girl who he stayed with came out too. She was so cool. At first the music was really awful and then they started playing songs Karla and I knew so we had fun. We didnt dance, just watched everyone else. We got home and got to bed and it was 4:30am.

Sunday we were gonna get up at 11am but decided to sleep and got up at 1. Fede met us at the hostel and we went into town to meet everyone. The weather was so awful! We walked around a bit, went into the Europa Passage mall and I got some Chai which tasted like heaven. We decided to just hop on the bus and go to Robin, Andrew, and Brads hotel. So we all went and there was a Kebab place and people got some. I showered at the hotel. Everyone but me and Karla went to the Queen concert so we stayed behind and slept and got ready. We took some awesome pictures jumping on the bed. Everyone got back around 11pm and we went to our hostel to drop our stuff off and then headed out for the night. We first went to a rock bar and the live band was AMAZING. I was having a great time. Then a bunch of drama happened. People were crying, I was one of them and we walked home. When we got to bed it was about 3:30am.

Today I woke up around 10am. Got ready, woke the others and checked out. Fede met us and me and Karla had seen a 24 hour bakery and wanted to get something. I got a blueberry muffin that was so good. We went into town and met up with everyone and walked around. The sun was shining and it was gorgeous. I bought a shot glass and we just went into some shops. Then we headed for the bus station. We got on the bues around 3:45pm and headed to the airport. Our flight left at 6:20pm and it was another ok flight. Robin, Karla and I bought a one-way ticket on the bus everyone else had taken on Saturday and we hopped on. It was a really noisy and shaky bus but I was comfortable with Jerry sitting next to me. We got to Orebro around 10:00pm and went to the bus stop. We saw it wasn't coming for 20 mins and all went into McDonalds and got something. I got on the bus and now I'm home. It was probably one of the best times of my life and I feel so much closer to this group of people. They will be lifelong friends.

I hate airlines

So first off hotwire sucks and it's gonna be too much to change my plane ticket. So I won't be here for christmas, my birthday and new years. Thats all I'm gonna say because I will start crying again.

So Friday the 19th was Orebro Day. We had a international team and competed against the other departments of the school. It was actually a lot of fun. The weather was gorgeous. There was a concert that night but I had looked up the bands on myspace and didn't want to spend my money on them. So I went home and Karla, Robin and I rented Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I had seen it in the theaters but it was HILARIOUS. And I am now in love with Russell Brand. The gag reel is just as amazing. If you are having a bad day go to youtube and watch the gag reel. Guaranteed giggle fit.


Saturday I went to tybble pizza with Jerry and it was so good. I will never get sick of pizza. Then we all went to town that night. I was in kind of a weird mood but figured I didn't want to be sitting at home alone. We went to a karaoke bar where there was no karaoke. It was boring. The girls decided to take the party home and I stayed with the boys. We went to some rock bar where you have to jump up and down to dance and that's just not my style haha. But I had some heart to hearts with two of the boys. It was an overall ok night.


Sunday was Juanita's b-day!!! So happy 21stttt. I'm missing all the parties but like I said I'm coming home for mine so we gotta roll them all into mine! The campus movie was Into The Wild and it was SO good. We had a little bonfire afterwards. Not the same as the ones on the beach but still nice.

Monday I had Swedish class. It is such a joke. The teacher lets us out half hour to an hour early and she expects us to pass our final? I feel like its a kindergarten class. Learning verbs like Sew and Vomit. Really when am I gonna use those words? I watched a movie called In Bruges with Jerry. I had never heard of it, Colin Farrell is in it though so I was all for it. Turns out it was pretty good. Makes me wanna marry someone with an accent.


Tuesday we have our country parties and since last Tuesday the room was double booked we had the REAL Uruguay party this Tuesday. Robin, Karla and I made tacos before hand. I think we are gonna make Taco Tuesday a tradition. They were SO good. The party was fun with music and the limbo. And the student newspaper had come out that day and my article was in it so I ran around telling people I was a celebrity and showing them all. I stole a couple copies from people's mailboxes haha.


Wednesday there was a free buffet at this club called Frimis so the girls went. We were kinda skeptical since it was totally free but it was actually pretty good. Some rice and stew and carrotts and delicious tortilla chips. That will also be our weekly tradition. We did go to McDonalds after and get some ice cream. And they just came out with these new criss cut fries. Yummmm.


I had class at 9am on Thursday and wasn't too happy about it. But it went well. I was kinda having a bad day. Then I started going CRAZY in my room. Like screaming at my computer. Robin and Karla came over because they also needed to not be alone and we just had a fun girls night. Reading cosmo and looking at youtube videos. It was very much needed.


Friday I went into town by myself and it was nice to get away for a bit and walk around. Around 5 pm I got into such a hyper mood and was dancing around and couldn't wait to go out. Robin came over and we had a heart to heart and then went to Karla's because her roomate was having a pre-birthday party. Then we went to Karen. It wasn't too fun so we came home.


Saturday I woke up with about five new bruises. Haha. One has like a gash in it. I have NO idea where I got them. Some things never change. I went to Robins at night and we walked to Ica to get some ice cream and watched Celeb Rehab and some Braveheart. I hate that when we do want to watch tv MTV is like the onle english channel.


Yesterday was Jesse's 21st!!! It was a lazy day. Finished my essay that is due in a week so I didn't have to worry about getting it done this week. Since we are going to Hamburg on Saturday!!!! I'm so excited. It's gonna be amazing to get out of Orebro for a while.


I have Swedish class in 40 mins and have to stop by the ESN office to sign some papers for the student cruise to Estonia. This was a long entry so thanks for reading if you did!!!

AHHHHHHH

sooo I just received some of the best news ever!! my mom said I could stay for Christmas, my birthday and New Years!!! I am so beyond excited I don't know what to do. and my article in the paper came out this week!!! ahhhh.

gosh its been a while since I have updated...
saturday night Robin, Karla, and I watched the VMAs at Robins and made a carrot cake. It was pretty delicious. The VMAs kinda sucked this year though.
Sunday we watched the campus movie There Will Be Blood. Daniel Day Lewis did a good job, but I don't understand how it won so many awards. I found it wayyyy to long and boring.
Monday I had two classes. I'm really liking my Swedish class. It's fun learning new languages and we all know each other in class so you can pronounce things wrong, in my case I pronounce them like an American. haha.
Tuesday I had class again, and every Tuesday each country hosts a party where you wear the country colors and serve food and play music. The room ended up being double booked and we had to take the Uruguay party into Robin's corridor. Imagine over 100 students in a hallway. It was crazyness and so much fun.
Last night was student night at Frimis again, the club in town. I wasn't gonna go but everyone else was and I wasn't gonna stay home and be a lame butt. Turns out we had a BLAST. There was a box thing and a speaker and us three girls danced on them and people were taking pictures. That's how we get it done in San Diego.
I have class again today which sucks. And I woke up in a terrible mood. On top of that my computer is aparently infected with a Virus and I need to save all my data and clear it out. Wonderful.

Thanks for the idea Robin...

so i'm copying Robin and her 10 things I love about Sweden because last night I was almost in tears because life is beyond amazing right now and it's been a while...

1. The other international students. I have learned so much more than I ever could in any history book.

2. The transportation system. I would ride the bus all the time if it was like the buses here. I feel so safe and clean not like back in sd.

3. My new bff's. I'm gonna be sad to leave Sweden but I'll have Karla and Robin close by to talk about this amazing experience. And to party with!

4. The air. I love opening my window in the mornings and smelling the gorgeous fresh air.

5. The drinking age. This one explains itself.

6. The Swedes. While they can be a bit rude walking down the street, whenever I have asked for help no one has ever turned me away. Everyone is so eager to help.

7. My corridor. I LOVE the people that live in my hall. I am so lucky I got a good hall. I have made another friend for life that I have to come visit all the time in Sweden.

8. Like Robin, Sweden has made me realize the person I am. And I love her. Back home everyone is so judgmental, here I have more confidence than I have ever had in my life.

9. Karen. I LOVE dancing so its amazing there is a club on campus to go to every Friday!!

10. Last but not least, I have realized how much I take for granted at home. The simple things such as a dishwasher or being able to count on someone to have an ingredient.

I miss you all at home!!! And I love you alll soooooo much.

turns out the pizza place was open. karla and I walked over to robins and robin and I got a pizza. As we were leaving this older man shoved this piece of paper at me and it was in swedish so I was like "no thanks". it was really creepy. we went to her place and watched Stuck On You and then walked home.
wednesday I did some laundry and then I had swedish class. we were supposed to be there for 3 hours but I told the teacher all the international students had a dinner that started at 5 and got us out an hour early. :) go me. I got home changed and got ready and met karla outside my building. we walked to robins because the pre party was happening in the building right below hers. we saw people as we were walking up and all the boys looked so nice all dressed up. we went to her room took some typical pictures and headed down. there were little snacks and some soda. we went to town on the bowl of chips. we all headed for the buses. it was at the same club I had been to last wednesday with the boys. but they had made it all fancy with tables and candles and name tags. we of course switched them so robin could sit next to me. her name became Meredith Robin. then the tables were cleared and we danced the night away. it was a really fun night. we took the buses home around 1:30am.
yesterday I got going around 1pm. showered, got ready and k,r, and I went to town. tonight is a beach party theme at Karen which is lame because thats like a california theme. but it should still be fun.

sunday was another lazy day. karla made us dinner: pasta, meatballs and salad. it was SO good. we went to the movie on campus which was Thank You For Smoking. it was actually pretty good. funny. it was funny to watch a movie about smoking in a country where pretty much everyone does it. they made a remark like when you see someone smoking they are probably european.
monday i was supposed to take my picture for my column in the newspaper but the lady couldn't make it. i did pick up my package from home. it had my sdsu sweatshirt, slippers, pictures and most important my buddy bear. we went to robins and played some cards and watched starsky and hutch which i didn't find amusing at all. we were getting up at 5am to wait in line to get tickets to the sea battle which is a student cruise to estonia, and we were going to make a carrot cake. so we walked to karlas and turns out robin forgot some ingredients....the carrots. hahaha. so we went home. i slept for a couple hours and got up at 5am. there were already about 20 people waiting. the doors opened at 7am and we didnt get tickets till 8am. i went to sleep for a couple more hours then had class at 12pm. class was good then i came home, showered and napped some more.
i love the people in my corridor. it is never a quiet night which can be good and bad. but one of the guys' friends birthdays is tonight so he was blasting music and everyone had their doors open. i am so obsessed with my one corridor mate marcus. he is so adorable.
so now im sitting online trying to see if the tybble pizza place is open.

as I thought, thursday night was a lazy night. I stayed in and watched the show Weeds on my computer which I am now obsessed with. I tried to use skype and my computer is sooo annoying that is wasn't working and I got really frustrated.
friday Robin and Karla went to the gym and we all know I don't do the gym so I waited for them and then we went into the city. my bus card stopped working again, I think it has something to do with the magnetic strips. i bought some postcards and Karla and I bought a bottle of alchy. we went home the girls tried out for this weird swedish sport and then they came over to my place. my corridor was having a party so we started our night in my room. we made our way to Henrik's place and it was just a kick back with music and chips and we hung there for a little bit talking politics with some of the swedes. then we headed for Andrew's (from Canada). all the internationals were there and they were about to leave but we played some games of Spoons, without the spoons. there were SO many people it was crazy. finally we made our way to the club on campus Karen (core-on). it was SO fun. I danced all night long. after there was a place selling hot dogs for 10kr. they weren't too pretty to look at but it was food. then i went home and went to bed.
today was another lazy day. it has been non stop raining since I woke up, the kind of day where you want to just stay in bed. Karla's roomie told her that Sweden was playing soccer tonight and we decided to go to a bar/restaurant in town called Pitchers to watch the game. some of the boys came along. the game was pretty boring, I can see why soccer isn't too popular in America. and I remembered why I dont like to watch it, the players are such wusses. there was someone on the ground every five minutes. I missed the rough, tough American football games where people play with strained muscles. we left at half time and now im home. i will probably stay in tonight but you never know in sweden.

25kr beers.

so, the pub crawl was okay. it was Rachel's (another American who goes to school with Karla and Robin) birthday so the group went out for pizza and met up with everyone else in town. before we had left there was music blasting from Marcus' room. he is my next door neighbor. i went in and they were pre partying. so i told K,R, and Trevor their friend from home to come to my place. we taught the swedish students how to play beer pong. Robin and I won thank you very much. Marcus LOVES Sex & the City so we are gonna have marathons because he has the shoebox with all the seasons. we walked to Robins to wait till dinner time and then met up with everyone. then we took the bus to town and i saw Marcus. so I ran to him and we left everyone else behind. it was me, k, r and brad. i got a drink called San Francisco, it was pretty good. then we went to meet up with everyone at a bar called The Bishop's Arms. we moved on to a rock bar place and i just wasn't into the music and was still kinda sober. i bought Robin and i a shot of tequilla. it was my shot for Manda's b-day since she turned 21 yesterday. then we all headed to a place called back stage. the boys wanted to go to a different place but you had to pay so we decided to just head home.
i had class at 12 and then i went to hang out at Robin's. we met Jerry in the laundry room and he said they were going to town tonight and to meet at 8pm. we didn't know if we wanted to go but at like 7pm we decided to so we pre-partied at Robins. i met their friend from home Bubba over skype and even though it was about 10:30am he took a shot with us. we headed over to Jerrys and Robin wanted to steal one of the construction worker signs. so we called Brad down and us three went on an adventure and accomplished the mission. i came back ready to dance but Karla, Robin and Brad weren't in the mood so I went with James, Jerry, Freddie and Julien to town. We went to a club where the beers were only 25kr. we each bought a round. the music was really good. i went home on the bus a little upset from something but overall it was a good night.
today i had class at 1pm. we met in groups and answered a question. the reading is so hard. it's my swedish welfare class and the politics are so different it is hard to understand. Dominik from Germany and another girl from Japan were in my group and we were the last ones to finish. Dominik invited me to Ikea so we picked up Tomoko from Japan and Kika from Spain and went. he has his car here so it was faster than on the bus last time. we did grocery shopping and now im home. i dont know what we are up to tonight, apparently Karla is passed out on Robins bed haha. maybe a movie night.

so let me start by saying its creepy when the streets are deserted and it's only 11pm at night. on that note, last night I watched Cloverfield with a Dutch, British, and Uruguayan. I thought, when will I ever be doing this again. It was just another reason I never want to leave this place. The movie was weird, I don't really like the supernatural big monsters attacking the city movies. This morning I started classes... at 8am. It sucked. And the class was boring, not too excited about going. Luckily it was the only early morning start except for two 9am classes we have at the end of the month. I came back home did some laundry(which was a challenge in itself as I have no idea what the machines say), took a nap and did some facebooking. I went to Robin's around 4:30pm and met their friend from home who is playing baseball out here in Sweden. We went to the pizza place again and it was once again delicious. We went to watch a movie but it wasnt playing till 9:15pm so we wandered around town and went into a bar called Pitchers. Turns out Orebro was playing soccer. We sat down and watched the last half and overtime. All of a sudden all these police people show up in their vans with there SWAT gear. Then a whole line of guys walk into the bar. It was like Green Street Hooligans. I thought there was gonna be a fight. We watched the game, it was a draw and headed for the movie. We saw Hancock. It's weird, you are assigned a seat in the theater. So we sat in our assigned seats. The theater was SO small. The movie was a lot better than I thought it was gonna be. On the way out it was so deserted. Like something from House of Wax. We were joking like oh what if we were locked in and then Robin tried two doors and they didn't open. I got so scared. Then she turned the knob and we got out. But the streets were sooo deserted it was weird. At home people would still be out and about. Tomorrow is the pub crawl, hopefully it's fun.

so i just got back from the bug-filled freezing campground of fiskabode. it was gorgeous with the lake and in the middle of the forest but there were wayyy too many mosquitoes and i didnt bring the right sweatshirt. friday i went to IKEA to buy a sheet, towel and some other stuff. it was funny some other people were taking pictures, i was like eh i've been here before. haha. friday night the club on campus opened. it was kind of crowded though so i didnt stay for too long. it was a pretty fun night all together though. im just relaxing now. i start classes tomorrow at 8am. i'm soooo pissed. Juno is playing on campus so i may go watch it. thats all for now.

So today we had an information session from the polis(police), the nurse and some student union people. The rules here are you need a light on your bike when you ride at night, drunk in public is not a crime but they can take you to sleep at the station, and you can't drive even the day after you drink because it is still in your system. Overall it was pretty boring. We had some lunch courteous of Matthias and then we went on the Castle tour. It was pretty, but I wish I had slept in instead. We were supposed to go on another part of the tour but we snuck off and went to the alcohol place instead. I bought an MGD, one of the only American beers here. We went grocery shopping and then came home. We had a competition thing around 7pm. It was like dodgeball. My team didn't win but it was fun. We had made cakes the night before and we all went to eat them. Karla, Robin and I went home and had a little pre-party. Then people came over to hang out. It was just a calm night. Tomorrow we dont have anything till 1pm which I am soooo excited about. I can sleep in finally! But tomorrow night everyone is partying. I don't mind....

Total 360

So for all you back home wondering about my adventure in Sweden I made this little blog thingy. Props to Karla and Robin who you will soon learn about.

I left home at 8:49am on Friday on my way to Chicago. Got there then flew to Stockholm around 4:45pm and got to Stockholm at 7:45am on Saturday. I then took a 3 hour bus ride to Orebro. The Fadders (Swedish students who help the international students) picked me up and we drove to campus. I had to sign some papers, get my keys and then they showed me my room. By this time I had been up for about 36 hours. I got to my jail cell of a room, threw my luggage down, sat on my bed and cried. The internet wasn't working, my phone wasn't charged, I was alone in a foreign country. Finally I showered, got my phone to work, called my mom and then passed out around 4:30pm. I woke up around 9pm to hear Chris Brown's "Forever" being blasted through the walls by my Swedish hallmates. I laughed at the song and passed back out. The next day I met another Fadder, Dujsan (dew-shawn, but we call him douche) and he told me to meet at three in the front of the building because other students were going to the grocery store. Little did I know that would change the course of my 4 months here.
I met at 2pm and heard some familiar language and turned to find Robin and Karla, my soon to be BFF's. They are from Cal State San Marcos, turns out we were on the same flight like 3 rows from each other. Since then we have done everything together. I also met Swiss Matthias who we have adopted as an American since he comes with us everywhere. We went grocery shopping and then went to a fast food palce called Max, where the meat tasted a little strange and nothing like In 'N Out. Douche says us American girls talk about fast food in every other conversation haha. Later that night we went to a lounge and I got to order a beer!!! You can be 18 to order drinks but you have to be 20 to buy them at the government run liquor store. We stayed so late we missed the bus and a group of us walked the 25 mins back to our rooms. We were all buzzed so we didnt mind.
The next day we had the welcome ceremony. So boring. We had a campus orientation game which was nice but I still don't know where everything is. The campus is so gorgeous, everything looks new and there are trees and grass and it's all so green. Sweden is very big on recycling. Clear glass, colored glass, cardboard, plastic, paper...etc. It's nice though because it keeps the country so beautiful and clean. We were late to the BBQ but then after we invited a few people up to Karla's to drink and it turned out to be like 60 people. James from London is hilarious. He is so cool. I have met so many amazing people here already and have only been here for 5 days. We made out way to another place and partied there. They played Night at the Roxbury's "What Is Love?" about 10 times and everyone loved it. We still don't know whose apartment it was.
Tuesday was an information session which was also boring. Then we registered for classes. Karla, Robin, Matthias, Douche, Brad (another American from Colorado) and two girls from Japan went to a pizza place in town. It was actually really good. The cashier was so nice, she loved speaking English and said she loved Sex and the City. Then we walked to the train station to meet all the other students to go bowling. Bowling was soooo much fun. I was doing so horribly and then frame 6 I bowled a strike and then frame 7 I bowled a strike. Haha. Our whole lane did pretty well at the end. I was so exhausted by the time we got back I showered went online for a while and slept.
Today, Wednesday, I had to go to the mandatory library info session. They have divided us into groups and mine went today. Luckily Friday I don't have anything till 1pm. Danielle (another American from Alaska) is in my group and we were so tired we were laughing the whole time. They have a quiet room and they have a picture of a hot dog crossed out so you can't eat hot dogs in the quiet room. Danielle and I got lunch and then had to meet people for the City hall and town tour. We took the bus to the city and waited for the royal tour. The city hall was pretty nice, we got a little keychain and reflector thing. Then we had to wait for the city tour so Danielle and I did some shopping. My white shirt got ruined because I had a red grocery bag against it and the dye rubbed onto it. So I got one for like 9bucks. Well 69,50sek. We met for the tour and this French guy Jullian sat next to me so we started talking. I was asking well do the French really hate Americans and he said not really but it's like how the Americans don't really like the French. And they get Jerry Springer over there and MTV's Next. I was like gosh don't judge America by those two shows. But he is really nice and we talked the whole time, he is gonna teach me French and I will teach him English.
So I'm back in my room now. Relaxing for the first time since Sunday. I'm so sore from being constantly on the go. We have another thing at 7 tonight. I guess we are baking a cake for some competition and then a 10:15am meeting. I'll try to keep updated as much as I can!!

Hej do (bye-bye)