It's graduation time over here in Sweden and I thought it would be interesting to write a little about the differences of a Swedish graduation compared to an American one. While ours back home are a big deal, Sweden definitely knows how to throw a good graduation party for its graduates. I have gotten to see some of the celebrations that take place while I was in Stockholm this past Friday and I must admit, I was really impressed. First of all, these are graduations for the equivalence of our high school students, so the fact that they celebrate them the way they do is awesome. The family and friends wait outside of the high school, or what Swedes call Gynasium, and the graduates literally come running outside and start screaming and shouting and all that fun stuff while the crowd of people there for them cheer wildly as well. It's pretty fun to watch, actually. After that celebration, the graduates load busses with their friends and celebrate any teenager knows how. These busses, I must add, have no roofs, so it's a pretty nice little celebration set up. The coolest part about their graduation is the hats they wear. They are sailor hats... huge step up from the disgustingly ugly hats we are forced to wear over in the US! (can't stand those things). It's been fun getting to see their traditions first hand. I enjoy getting to see different cultures and how they are all so varied.
I would just like to let it be known that spiders in Sweden are huge. Well, the ones I saw. And I am not okay with this. One just casually crawled by my foot as if it owned the place the other day while I was in the bathroom (comical looking back) and another was scurrying far too close to my bed a few days before that. I don't think I've had a restful nights sleep since the bathroom incident. Can't handle spiders of any size, but especially not when they are big and confident, and when they make me a prisoner in my own home! Really don't see their point on this planet, actually.
Friday, Carrie, Anna and I went to Stockholm on our day off. It was Carrie's first time and I was so excited to go back. We met up with a fellow American who is also playing in Sweden and a few of her friends. Funny how it worked out- Anna and one of Jackie's friends were the only Swedes with us, the rest of us were American. I think there was five Americans and two Swedes. I don't think I will ever get tired of visiting Stockholm. It is so beautiful and exactly what I picture when I think of European countries: narrow alleyways of old, colorful buildings with cafe's placed on every corner and cobblestone streets. There is just something so quaint about it. Probably the fact that it's such an ideal dream life: beautiful city, walking the cobblestone streets daily, while sipping your coffee of choice from a favorite local cafe. Or maybe that's just my own perfect picture. I think I could only live the big city life for a little while though, because I've grown up with a backyard and in a quiet area. City life might be a bit too loud for me. We each bought a new dress and shirt and I'm excited to own my first article of Swedish clothing. Feeling all cultured and whatnot. We ended up staying there for most of the day, didn't get home until almost 8, after starting the journey there at 9. Anna's step counter said we walked something crazy like 10,000 steps. You definitely feel all those steps once you get home.
Saturday was game day as usual. Another 6 hour journey North at 6:45 in the morning. This is going to sound terrible, but since our cell phones only work when we have wifi, we can't use them on these long journeys. I am far too dependent on that thing and it gets a little boring at times when I can't use it for basically a full day. I bring a book but sometimes its nice just to be in contact with the world. Krokom is about 25 minutes farther north than Ostersund, the other town we played in that was 6 hours away. It is so beatiful up there. Lakes and mountains are just about everywhere you look. The first half was an absolute disaster. We didn't really do much and couldn't seem to get a rhythm going for more than a few passes at a time. We were down 2-1 at half. The second half we seemed like a new team. We played some pretty soccer and ended up beating them 4-2. Love when soccer is pretty. Shows just how beautiful the game really is. Their teams was really aggressive, especially when we started to win. They had an American player as well and she was so mad they were losing. She elbowed Anna in the throat and got a red card for it! Crazy lady. They were a good team though, for the most part. They strung passes together pretty well.
The u20 US national team happened to be playing a game against Sweden in Gavle on Sunday. Carrie, Frida, Mickan and me went up there to watch it. It was definitely nice to have a little taste of home all the way over here in Sweden. The US ended up winning 1-0, but Sweden definitely should have won that game. They created a lot more chances than we did and were just unlucky with their finishing. One of the US girls is a player for PSG's club (David Beckham and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's club). She's only 19 years old..making 6 figs, or so I heard. And living in Paris. Tough life.
A few days a week Carrie and I are going to help out in the kitchen and catering company for a local restaurant here in town. We asked to help to have something to do a few days out of the week but also to meet new people and get more time in for learning the language. Everyone is so nice- and it doens't seem like it's a forced thing. People are just genuinely kind here and don't hesitate to show it. Big positive for living in such a small town. They are really patient with our slow learning of their language and seem to enjoy that we are actually trying. I heard when you visit other countries it is respectful to first try speaking their language to them and they will then be more willing to speak English with you. The restaurant thing has been a fun thing to do. It's not a huge restaurant so its not an intimidating or stressful environment, which makes going there fun. The staff is awesome. Some of the nicest people I've met. We worked a catering event for the high school graduation on Monday. Catering is hard work, but I enjoy it. I like getting to go to all different types of events and such. And it's a pretty good work out, lifting and carrying plates, trays, etc for a few hours a day.
Carrie and I decided to give up all sweets for 25 days... aka until my parents get here. Not going to lie, it's been really difficult. I let it become a really bad habit of eating some type of cookie or bakery item on a daily basis and now having absolutely nothing... sucks. Its only been 4 days but I think I'll manage. I'm hoping my body feels cleansed afterwards, which will make it worth it. Time shall tell.
I've noticed recently that I am forgetting some basic English words when I am talking to other people. I think it's because I'm actually living in a different culture and not just learning it at school, so it's sinking in a bit better (kinda). My brain is getting confused. It's kinda funny.
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