Midsummer Fires

Hello! Today, well, tonight will be a celebration all over Denmark that marks the Summer Solstice (or something like that). Sunday was the longest day of the year and today is officially the middle of summer—something I find hard to believe. It is absolutely beautiful here. The sun is out; sky is a beautiful blue; there’s a breeze here on the HT grounds; everything is peaceful. Granted, I was only outside for 45 minutes while we ate lunch but still. Anywho, I’m writing this as I sit at work. Why? Because it is only 2:15 and I’ve done almost everything for the day. My alarm went off this morning, thankfully, but I was by no means ready to get up. It was 6:30 here but it is fun to think that some of you were awake when I went to bed and still up when I got up to start my day. And to think that right now, shortly after 2, most of you aren’t up yet. My work day is pretty much over right now because the GC is plugging away at samples and the next one we need won’t be available till after 4. No reason to sit around and do nothing while waiting when I can get the info tomorrow and start things right off. I felt like I was back in the lab at Madison today because all I did was make a few standards, something I did for the first few weeks of the spring semester. So that was a nice pick me up of sorts. Lunch was definitely the highlight of the day. Esben came to get me and we ate with 4 other people, though I only know two of their names: Peter, Annis, a man originally from Germany and a woman, who I met yesterday too but I still don’t know her name either. It was a nice lunch. I feel so badly when I sit down because it’s pretty obvious after a few minutes of Danish that I have no idea what’s going on, or they just know already anyway. But Annis asked if I’d been introduced to Danish foods and then we talked about the Midsummer celebration tonight and how there would be bonfires everywhere with pretend witches burning over them. Basically, according to Annis, it’s an ancient tradition upheld so modern Danes can get together and drink. Sounds like Madison, huh? :-) We talked about Danish musicians, actors, directors and how it was so nice outside none of us wanted to go back in and work. Two days in and I’m feeling better. I highly doubt it will be super easy any day because not understanding Danish makes me feel like an outsider but today was good and each day will bring me closer and closer to feeling like I belong. I really appreciate all the encouragement I’ve gotten from the different people I’ve been able to talk to over the past few days. You are all right, as usual, and I’m glad you’re here to remind me that things do work out. One fun thing, the GC in the lab is new and no one really understands yet how the software works exactly. It is a different brand than the ones at Madison but I had no problem inputting samples and finding reports and such. That felt very good! Alright, it’s 230 and I don’t believe I have anything else productive to do. Time to go home!

I'm back at the house and it's about 7. After writing the above I got one more sample printout, edited my plots and headed out. It was warm! I think I've said before that I have two trains and bus to take to get to and from work. Well, they were all very toasty. Still, it is beautiful! Not searing hot like WI and the Midwest right now, thank goodness. Anywho, my commute was pretty uneventful. I am going to buy that monthly pass I mentioned in the next day or two. The picture I need to take for it will cost like 100 kr and then it's another 4 or 5 hundred kr to get the actual pass. Trust me, though, that is going to be soooo much cheaper than the kilp cards I'm using right now. Plus, I figured out it's really only 3 zones to work and I can add zone 1, which is Copenhagen itself-so work and the heart of the city all in one. :-) Speaking of the heart of the city, I was asked today where I live and if it's in the heart of Copenhagen. Esben answered for me and said I lived in the lung or kidney of Copenhagen. I thought that was kind of funny; "Where do you live?" "Oh, the kidney of Copenhagen." Haha, probably funny if you were there and not so much now but oh well. :-) Once home I did not spend time outside. Lise, my host, was out doing yard work and I'm not comfortable yet just sitting out there when she's around. Plus she likes her "private" time so I just did computer stuff and had a fun time opening my window. Talked to a couple people online, which is always a highlight, then took a nap. Yes, I napped. The fires may not start till 9 and I'll regret not going so I took a nap. I'm currently eating dinner: my first attempt at Danish Bread and Butter. If I knew how to spell the Danish word for it I would but basically it is their dark bread (delicious!) with butter on it and then a variety of toppings. I have had it for lunch the past two days at work and my attempt at it was kind of terrible: carrots, tomatoes and salami on one and cheese, salami and tomatoes on the other. Traditional ones usually have roast beef on them. They are SO good. Anywho, I am beginning to find routine after just two days and I am thankful. Tonight will hopefully bring some new experiences. There's a park very close to the house and there should be a fire there so I won't be too far from the house. Pictures will be up on Facebook in the next few days for that.

Oh, fun fact: my host owns a house in Zanzibar. Yeah. Whoa. I found this out when I asked where she was going on vacation. Turns out she went there to make a documentary or report on schools, fell in love, quit her job here in Denmark, bought some land and built a house. She goes there for a month or so in the summer and then again in the winter. Other than that she rents it out. This woman is full of surprises.

That's it for now. I appreciate all your prayers and encouragement and hope your week has started off well!

Bekah