It sounds different.

Since I first arrived here in August, I have adjusted to many dimensions of life in Östersund. I bike to get around, all liquor is sold in one location, buying coffee at coffeeshops is laughably expensive, I expose the foreigner in me every time I impulsively smile at people I make eye contact with, there exists a cheese spread in literally every flavor, etc. etc. etc. It took some getting used to, but as I've mentioned before, I feel comfortably settled in here.

One ongoing interaction that continues me through a loop, however, is answering the question, "So where are you from, then?" From day one, hearing the words, "United States" come out of my own mouth has immediately led to my scrutinizing of my new friend's face for any indication of judgment. For lack of a less inappropriate simile, it's like dropping a bomb. I'm never certain what people, namely Europeans, immediately judge about me when they hear that I'm from the States, based on what they know or what they think they know about our country. Overwhelmingly here I have heard that it's not the States that has a bad reputation, it's Bush (he really is not the most favored individual on a global scale...), but I still can't help but assume that I'm simply associated with the whole country who gave him his second term when I say I'm an American. And it has always been tough too because I wasn't all that patriotic to begin with. Like I've mentioned before, I consider my values, my heart, to be a product of my Midwestern upbringing before I'd attribute it to growing up in the States. And so when I'm engaged in open discussions about the States and its reputation, I find myself only able to represent where I come from and what I know, and utterly fail at defending the entire country as a whole. Because I never felt connected to the entire country. Because I never truly felt the idea of being an American pulse through my veins.

Until Wednesday morning at around 4am. Since Wednesday morning at 4am, I have been reborn as an American from the Midwest. I feel like I DO come from a country I belong to; a country that represents MY hopes and MY dreams and MY outlooks on the world. MY COUNTRY voted Barack Obama to be its president. MY COUNTRY took a long, hard look at itself and said we can do better. MY COUNTRY is ready to BE THE CHANGE IT WISHES TO SEE IN THE WORLD. And maybe I'm all jacked here because Europe is nearly 100% behind our decision too, but clearly I'm thrilled at what I saw late late Tuesday night. This was a GLOBAL decision that was made by one of the most powerful countries in the world...you guys don't realize how much all eyes were truly on America that night. Half the exchange program told me the following day that they, too, were up late watching the results pour in. They, too, knew the implications of this decision. They, too, were ready to see America do the RIGHT THING after who can say how many years of mistakes. 

A bunch of us went out to Soup Night and then a bar last night, and I met a handful of new people. Hearing, "The United States" come out of my mouth as the answer to where my home is didn't sound the same...it was something I actually wanted to brag about, something I wanted to tell everyone. The feeling that I was being wrongfully judged had melted away; I'm happy to be judged by my country now. I finally know what it's like to feel country pride. 

The States still has a lot to figure out, and life doesn't suddenly become a walk in the park just because Bush is outta there. Obviously. I'm just thrilled to see that we've hopped on an express train to Global Forgiveness and will most likely be able to make headway in the next (keep your fingers crossed!!) eight years. 

I love you all and I'm really looking forward to seeing you all again in less than two months!!

kt

OBAMA WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...and it would have been difficult to face most of these Europeans if he hadn't! I'll be writing more later, I'm getting ready for the CELEBRATION PARTY!! right now, but I just thought I'd share with the world how unbelievably elated I am. Our country isn't so bad after all. :)

albums

ps-I hope you enjoy the new albums it put up :)

I should be on trial for blog neglect.

Sorry for slacking so much these days on this blog! It's strange because as each day has gone by, I've truly felt that nothing has been happening that would be considered blog-worthy, but then all of a sudden a week practically goes by without posting and I can think of a lot I could talk about!

So here we are. It's November 2nd and the snow is BEAUTIFUL here. Lots of opportunities to be a nice neighbor and shovel. It's legitimately cold, and I am in love with the winter jacket I invested in a month ago. Sweden is definitely a winter country, no doubt about that. 

I think part of my blog neglect stemmed from a general ambivalence I was feeling last week about my time here. Yes I still feel like I learn something new every day and yes I'm having the time of my life in a foreign country, but I mean let's be serious, I've been here for two months now, times were bound to get a little slower. You adjust to your new home and so obviously no matter where you are you're bound to get bored from time to time. I wanted to convince myself that this is SWEDEN!! and STUDYING ABROAD!!! and THE TIME OF MY LIFE!!!! every single day but that just simply makes no sense! haha it's better this way: it's a more realistic way of looking at this experience. This isn't just a 4-month thrill vacation, it's a relocation and a chance to actually reside outside of my usual boundaries. Of course there will be times where life is less thrilling.

So what do we do when it gets like that? That's right, we cut off all our hair. I forgot to mention this last week, but once I returned from my trip I could not stop thinking about how badly I wanted my hair cut off. I was so sick of it. I didn't want to pay to get it cut, so for a couple days I kept on trying to convince my friends to do it, that I wouldn't be asking if I cared about them messing up, blah blah blah, but no one was brave enough. So sure enough, last Wednesday night I took matters into my own hands and started hacking away. Over the course of the next few days, Sandra and Anna evened out some parts in the back, I cut off more to give myself layers, etc., so after about a four-day hair cutting project I finally arrived at the simple 50s-looking boy haircut I currently boast. It's so awesome. I may never grow it out again. I have a feeling that the implications of this hair-cutting spree and what it truly represents about my growth as a young adult may be revealed to me in a few months' time, but at the moment I'm content with saying I was simply sick of styling it. :)

What else have I been up to? I received my first presidential election ballot to date about two weeks ago so that was exciting to send in. I love Gumpy my bike with all my heart. I just finished an 8-page paper for my master's sociology class, which concludes the course. In relation to that assignment, I have a newfound appreciation for the way classes are taught at Coe. Kevin and I ate lunch with Pam Carstens, our exchange advisor from Coe, last Thursday, and it was refreshing. He and I are also preparing for our Election Party on November 5th to show these Europeans how was party American style :) (we have now found Miller Lite AND Coors Light here!!!). I am obsessed with Scrubs at the moment. I will be going to Sicily for May Term. Oh! Duh...and November will be full of tiny little trips: 

November 7-10: Sandra, Benoit, Kevin and I will be going to Göteborg, the second largest city in Sweden

November 14-16: I want to take a little weekend trip to Gotland, the island off the east coast of Sweden, to see the gated city of Visby, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been described as "arguably the best-preserved medieval city in Scandinavia"...sweet!

November 19-21: I'm taking a little three-day trip to Prague in the Czech Republic...mildly worried that I haven't been able to convince anyone to join me yet, but not all that concerned if I have to go it alone in the end. 

Charlie the Eurail pass is over on November 16th, and I'm proud to say I will have used every one of the 15 train trips she offered. :)

Well I think that's all for now. I'm sad because Sunday brunch is a no-go today...the majority of our brunch bunch is still working on their papers. Just another lazy Sunday. :) 

Thinking of you all ALL the time!! Send life updates! Love you!

kt

October 28...

...and it SNOWED last night!!! Not too much, probably just about an inch, but it stuck and it gives the camping a delightful little frosted village look. Just beautiful. :)

I know I haven't posted since Friday but there's not much to report...times are pretty blissfully slow around here. And I will say that although this drastic change from my typical jam-packed life back at Coe has been wonderful on countless levels, I'm noting a slight itch to get back into a more structured lifestyle again. Haha I mean you can only redecorate your cabin so many times you know? So I'm starting yoga this Thursday and will FINALLY be joining choir today. You know, just continuing to live the dream. 

I'll do my best to get pictures from the long two-week trip up soon! Love you all!

kt

Correction

The shirt does NOT, as previously assumed, say "Positive Attitude" underneath the mountain. Oh no my friends. It's "Positive ALtitude," which truly ups the competition in the entire game. Sorry for skewing the report. :)

Round 2

Alright folks, here's another round of your favorite game: What's Your Favorite Item from Patty's Care Package to Katie?

 

We have:

-One political cartoon expressing our opinions :)

-Six stickers of random things in Paris

-My all-time FAVORITE gray Coe sweatshirt that I, in a severe lapse of judgment, decided at the last minute to not bring to Sweden, a choice I have regretted at least once a day since I've been here.

-One package of Double-Stuf Oreos, per request of some of my friends here 

-One roll of Starbursts

-One tear-jerking narrative from the poetic Matt Mraz himself

-Two pairs of socks (one white and for running, one multi-colored and wool)

-Some reflective materials to wear while I'm biking in the pitch dark at 5pm here ("Reflective thingys for my safety" :))

-One bright orange hand towel with the friendliest ghost you ever did see embroidered on it

-A new shirt displaying a mountain with the words "Positive Attitude" scrolled beneath it

Alright so what's it going to be??? There is some stiff competition here, so be sure to choose wisely. Happy picking! :)

kt 

PS-BONUS QUESTION: Who's got the greatest mom in the world?