in Sveden!
The title pretty much says it all.
I have yet to actually see Sweden in day light. As it happend, I flew in at 3pm, which marks the start of dark time. So Stockholm to me is a city of many many white sparkly Christmas lights. And delicious fresh sushi.
Got in and got sushi, then went to Carin's sister's place. (need a tutorial (or two) in apostrophes) Visited and because Olsa is moving to Hawaii for a semester, moved things around and out. Chatted with Christina the other sister. I was very cold throughout.* Saw what Swedish student housing is like: Long tile corridors with pop art on the walls, single dorm rooms, large community kitchen, IKEA everywhere. Ride to Carin's town Avesta took two hours and scenery was Wisconsin-esque with forests and warnings of kamakazi elk.
Yesterday I accompanied Carin to high school. Classes seem difficult; I should know as I took the English test and was surprised at my needed concentration as a native speaker. But the overall vibe of the school was laidback with students roaming the halls and relaxing in lounges. Lunch was what Carin called 'typical Swedish Christmas food', meatballs, boiled potatoes, herbed salmon, pickled herring, flatbread, and pickles. Very tasty for school lunch.
Interesting,
Swedish schools are set up such that from tenth grade, you pick an education track. This track might be construction, it might be dance, or it might be Carin's track of choice, most difficult. Most difficult means five years of science and maths, and a minimum of two languages plus Swedish. I like this system because I am sure college is not for everyone. This method empowers students to be proud of their chosen study, rather than ashamed at their lackofknowledge in chem2.
Today I visited Eva's (Carin's mother) class. She teaches ages 10-12 and I went around chatting with the little guys. Much fun was had. Discovered that young Swedish boys have a strange affinity for rapper 50-Cent and become interested in American geography when it involves rapper turf fights between east and west coasts. Felt very tricky in my underhand teaching methods. English speaking and geography seamlessly woven by way of pop culture thread. Yes!
*I commend the Swedes for their concern about the environment. Less cars, more recycling. This is all very good. Even the toilet paper is recycled. However. Because of these concerns, they use less heat. Less heat equals less used energy, this I well understand. But I am cold. Quite cold. A pre requisite pair of sweaters is necessary when indoors.
My plea to Sweden: Turn up the heat!
I have yet to actually see Sweden in day light. As it happend, I flew in at 3pm, which marks the start of dark time. So Stockholm to me is a city of many many white sparkly Christmas lights. And delicious fresh sushi.
Got in and got sushi, then went to Carin's sister's place. (need a tutorial (or two) in apostrophes) Visited and because Olsa is moving to Hawaii for a semester, moved things around and out. Chatted with Christina the other sister. I was very cold throughout.* Saw what Swedish student housing is like: Long tile corridors with pop art on the walls, single dorm rooms, large community kitchen, IKEA everywhere. Ride to Carin's town Avesta took two hours and scenery was Wisconsin-esque with forests and warnings of kamakazi elk.
Yesterday I accompanied Carin to high school. Classes seem difficult; I should know as I took the English test and was surprised at my needed concentration as a native speaker. But the overall vibe of the school was laidback with students roaming the halls and relaxing in lounges. Lunch was what Carin called 'typical Swedish Christmas food', meatballs, boiled potatoes, herbed salmon, pickled herring, flatbread, and pickles. Very tasty for school lunch.
Interesting,
Swedish schools are set up such that from tenth grade, you pick an education track. This track might be construction, it might be dance, or it might be Carin's track of choice, most difficult. Most difficult means five years of science and maths, and a minimum of two languages plus Swedish. I like this system because I am sure college is not for everyone. This method empowers students to be proud of their chosen study, rather than ashamed at their lackofknowledge in chem2.
Today I visited Eva's (Carin's mother) class. She teaches ages 10-12 and I went around chatting with the little guys. Much fun was had. Discovered that young Swedish boys have a strange affinity for rapper 50-Cent and become interested in American geography when it involves rapper turf fights between east and west coasts. Felt very tricky in my underhand teaching methods. English speaking and geography seamlessly woven by way of pop culture thread. Yes!
*I commend the Swedes for their concern about the environment. Less cars, more recycling. This is all very good. Even the toilet paper is recycled. However. Because of these concerns, they use less heat. Less heat equals less used energy, this I well understand. But I am cold. Quite cold. A pre requisite pair of sweaters is necessary when indoors.
My plea to Sweden: Turn up the heat!
posted by Kristi Gee at
9:59 PM
1 Comments:
K-Gee!
Sounds like Gma Linda would love the temperature in Sweeden! We missed you for XMas. Say Hi to Carin!
Love Jody
By
Jody, at 2:03 PM
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