"She likes Pina Coladas*, gettin' caught in the rain"

*Not so sure about the drink, a rum and coke would be good.

Yes, I definitely got caught in the rain today! But that's a bit of a ways through the day so let me start at the beginning.

I had intended to get up around 9 and did just that. Sleeping for such long periods is wonderful. I checked e-mail and ate some breakfast and eventually showered and got ready for church. This is kind of minute but I wore my dark jeans, a black tank top and grey sweater which, in my opinion, is very European because it's all dark. Plus I had black and turquoise earrings too. Anyway, I wasn't feeling too confident but walked down to the bus and was on my way to church. I don't know that many people and hadn't been there in two weeks so I picked a chair and sat down. I smiled and read the bulletin and was then "attacked" by Oliver. He's an elderly man who knows just about everyone. He didn't quite remember me until we talked about WI and how my name, Rebekah, is an Old Testament name. He knows most of the Chinese members of the congregation and they joked with him about sitting next to such a young and pretty girl. And the Chinese girl we were talking to told me I had very pretty blue eyes. That comment was apparently just what I needed to hear because my entire mood was uplifted. She and some of the other Chinese women ended up sitting by me during service too so I wasn't alone. But anyway, before service I met Cindy and Matt from FL and GA respectively. They got married a year ago and he's doing his Masters at DTU. Very fun to chat with them and learn about their lives a bit. They are the ones who used the phrase "attacked" when talking about my conversation with Oliver. :-)

After church I talked with Raymundos a bit. He's going on holiday for the next two weeks but will probably just stay in Copenhagen and not travel anywhere. We got to catch up a bit, which was nice, but then I was off at 2:35 because I was meeting Patrick, Prof. Datya's grad student, at 3. Oh man, THAT was not fun. The trip to meet him that is. I got on a metro and thought I only had to go one stop BUT instead of getting off at Kongens Nytorv I was dropped off at the Central Station. I knew I "just" had to walk up the Walking Street and I'd be at Kongens Nytorv. However, it took me a half hour to powerwalk my way up the entire Walking Street. It isn't called the longest Pedestrian Street in the world for nothing. Thankfully Patrick was also running late. We grabbed a snack at Baresso and ended up chatting for like an hour or so before heading off to see the Little Mermaid. It was good to have a chat with another ChemE and to compare stories and experiences from here in Denmark. The Little Mermaid was cool; I doubt I'll trek out to see her again but it's a pretty statue. We walked around quite a bit looking for a cafe and eventually ate at Cafe Oscar. I had a roasted chicken in acacia honey and chili sauce with spinach and sprouts on a crepe. It was a cafe specialty and absolutely delicious!

We then got caught in the rain. Well, actually, we walked into the rain. It was pretty much pouring, probably one of the "cloud bursts" because about ten minutes later the rain was over. My jeans, shoes and socks are all currently drying. I caught a bus and then walked the ten minutes home with a huge smile on my face. I felt good about the day, the sun was shining and making beautiful scenes with the blue sky and clouds, and my heart felt very light.

Once home I got ready for bed and then called my great aunt. Can't tell you how wonderful it was to chat with her, catching up on her life and telling her some of my experiences here. But not only did I get to talk with her but my aunt and cousin happened to be there so I got to chat with them too! The talking doesn't stop there, however. My great aunt lives with my grandparents so, obviously, I had the chance to chat with them too. I hit the jackpot! They all wanted to hear about Sweden and what other adventures I've been on and I got to hear updates on all of their lives. The Internet connection here is so good that for most of them it was as if I was just in the next room or even right next to them chatting. :-) I love my family and the love and encouragement and praise I got from them has really lifted my spirits and made me even more grateful for the opportunities and experiences I am having here.

After talking with my extended family I got to chat with my mom a bit and will now head off to bed because, well, 6 AM comes early, especially when you have been sleeping till 9 or 11. :-)

Prayer requests: health and courage and patience. Also pray for wisdom concerning my Munich planning. I need to book the flight and hostel soon so hopefully I make good decisions. Pray for my friends in summer lab: their sanity is slowly deteriorating but the end is so close! And pray for me emotionally. You already know that I'm struggling with my love of home and being abroad but it's much deeper than that, it just being two places. So many people, so many opportunities: it's all incredible and also draining.

That is it for now.
Have a wonderful day/afternoon/evening,
Bekah