Author: ruairi

Photo of the Day: This was at 3:50pm…. hello approaching darkness. Also it is finals time for the Swedish students so that is a very large classroom with a bunch of students taking an exam. It looked very intense and stressful.

Observation of the Day: Sweden is also having a media inspired body image problem, like the US. Their models aren’t being paid unless they lose a certain amount of weight and they are now 10kg less on average that models were in the past.

Word of the Day: tråkigt (boring)

Photo of the Day: Today we did Halloween, American style, in the Östervall Lewis household. William and his friend Zion went trick or treating. We all helped carve a pumpkin. I introduced them to the Disney channel classic Halloweentown. We attempted to scare them with a monster lab (blindfolding them and having them smell and feel different monster “body parts”). Overall it was a success.

Observation of the Day: Swedes generally walk more than Americans because their environment is arranged in a way that makes it more reasonable. For example the grocery store is a 5 minute walk away with no parking.

Word of the Day: målvakt (goalie)

Photo of the Day: Here is a creepy tree with all of its branches recently chopped off outside my apartment! Today was a homework day so this is the most exciting picture and I went on a run in the dark with Annie so it is a good summary haha.

Observation of the Day: The grocery store gives out a free kids banana instead of a cookie here. And we wonder why Swedes are healthier…

Word of the Day: tarmarna (intestines)

Photo of the Day: A bunch of people from our program went to see a band, Three Green Trees, play a short show. It was really fun and pretty relaxed.

Observation of the Day: In Swedish ultimate frisbee practices, people are silent as they throw in warmups. Halloween weekend is also not a big deal at all.

Word of the Day: majs (pronounced mice; corn)

Photo of the Day: Today we went on a tour of the Stockholm Ports. We even got to go in the security office and talk to Jens who was in charge of making everything run smoothly. This is a view of the port from the top of the control center.

Observation of the Day: Halloween parties in the elementary school equivalent here are held after school and the child must pay to go to it.

Word of the Day: docka teater (ventriloquist)

Photo of the Day: We went to trivia night at a pub in Stockholm. We got 19/30 correct which was pretty good! Thriller was released in 1982 in case anyone else needs some random trivia and all polar bears are not all left handed… or pawed…

Observation of the Day: When parents have to stay home with a sick child they report it to the government and got 80% of their salary from the time they must miss from the government. A lot of paperwork is involved though.

Phrase of the Day: vi ses snart (see you soon)

Photo of the Day: Here is my new study spot. Comfy chair, space to spread out, and a great view. I also didn’t get weird looks for sitting on the floor periodically so I think it’s a keeper. I was also very productive today… correlation?

Observation of the Day: Everyone in the Stockholm University Library was silent. No conversations, few cell phones going off, and just overall atmosphere of focus. Very different from the Brandeis Library…

Word of the Day: säng (bed)

Photo of the Day: Had a nice American lunch with my friend Robyn today and freaked out about how fast time is flying.

Observation of the Day: Babysitters are uncommon in Sweden. Family watches children if the parents can’t or parents just don’t go out while their kids are young.

Word of the Day: bajs (poop…. not mommy as William tried to teach me)

Photo of the Day: Here is fall at Stockholm University. It seemed that all of the leaves changed color over the weekend.

Observation of the Day: More women than men smoke in Sweden.

Word of the Day: mönstrad (patterned)

Photo of the Day: This is Nyhaven, the harbor of Copenhagen. Hans Christian Anderson used to live here and it is a very beautiful place with many colored buildings.

Observation of the Day: Sunday is considered a day for family and friends. Consequently about 85% of shops were closed and there were far fewer people out and about.

Word of the Day: flygplatsen (airport)