Thursday, December 17, 2009

The Roommates have a Wine and Cheese Party

Last week we all pitched in to have a classy party together. Daniel and Sofie got fondue and 7 other cheeses to try. Roald even dressed up!



Sofie is usually always this happy.

Mom and Dad, we need Sofie to come visit us.

Daniel being goofy and trying to get Sofie to finish off the fondue.

Some nights we all get together like this, Mike pulls out his guitar and we sing old songs. Such good times.

Thiago Arrives in Copenhagen!

My friend Thiago visited me a couple days ago! He is the cousin of my friend Flora who lived with my family for ten months. Thiago and I met when I visited Flora's family in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He is now working as a veterinarian in northern England. (I posted pictures previously of when I visited him) We went to Christiania, Tivoli, and the Royal Palace. Unfortunately it started snowing hard on his second day, so we couldn't do as much as we would have liked. To warm up we joined some Australians at a bar for drinks. I'm finding that this is what the Danes do a lot to get through the cold winter months!

Us in Tivoli, which is an amusement park that goes crazy on decorations for Christmas! They have rides, Christmas mulled wine, and tons of booths to buy ornaments.


At the bar we started to do puzzles, specifically mind bogglers and here Thiago is explaining the rules to one.


The Australians (all engineers) figuring out the puzzle.

From left to right; me, Ron and Milly (Perth, Australia), Jessica (north carolina), Devon (Alaska), then Pip, Matt and Mark also from Perth.

Thiago's second day in Copenhagen we went to Kongens Nytorv and looked at these photos from all over the world. Had to find the one taken from Recife, Brazil. : )

Me in Kongens freezing my butt off right as it really started to snow.

Hopenhagen-Global Climate Change Conference

Some of you may know about the climate change conference going on right now. Hilary Clinton came today to speak and Obama arrives tomorrow. The pictures here are what was set up in the main square, Radhuspladsen to raise awareness about the environment.



There are bikes located around the big Christmas tree that you can ride. When you start pedaling you generate energy to keep the tree lit. This was my attempt.

The large globe was in the center and it listed facts about energy consumption on it. The picture above it is somewhat blurry but it shows large green glass rooms that you could enter and read about different energy saving options, etc.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Traditional Danish Party / Julie's Birthday

Last Saturday was my good friend Julie's birthday party. I went over early to help her set up and we cleaned and set the table. Of course, all the Danes arrived promptly at 6:30 and dinner was served an hour later. I thought since we were keeping to such a rigid schedule that most guests would leave by midnight, but most of us happily stayed until 3 in the morning! Happy Birthday Julie!!

Julie preparing the welcome drinks




Julie's boyfriend Jesper cooked the entire meal except the gravy which Julie's mom made. She is famous for it and after tasting it I understood why!


The main course, very Danish. Pork with the rinds attached, sweetened potatoes, brown potatoes, red cabbage and beets. Delicious!




The dessert 'pancake' which is pretty much a crepe with ice cream and syrup on top.



Julie, Jesper and Martin.





Nicholas, Ida, Mikkel and I





Frederiksberg Park

I discovered this park a couple weeks ago and wished I had known about it earlier. It is right next to a zoo, so I was able to get close to some elephants. : )


These guys wouldn't stop wrestling!

The entrance



The castle


Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Just wanted to clarify after my dad pointed it out, that the 6th of December celebrates the namesday of St. Nicholas. Unfortunately my family has not taken part in the tradition of putting shoes out so I have been deprived of chocolate for years. Good thing Sofie didn't forget about me Dad. ; )

Monday, December 7, 2009

Sinterklaas has arrived!!

Last night Sofie told me that that night I should put my shoes outside my door, because Sinterklaas was supposed to visit. (only if I was a good kid though) In Belgium Sinterklaas comes the 6th of December. It is similar to putting up stockings in the U.S. I got really excited by this, so I put two pairs of shoes outside my door! I 'went to bed' but kept coming out to go to the bathroom to check my shoes. Sinterklaas had not come. This morning when I woke up for my final exam I found these Belgian chocolates in my shoes : ) Love you Fieke thank you!!