Last night I went curling for the first time! With the other International Students here I signed up to learn how to curl at the local Ice Rink in Vaxjo. I had never seen curling before on TV (even though it's an Olympic sport), just heard about it. We got to the rink and were put in to teams of four. I was with the Canadians. Only one of which had actually tried this before... so I guess not all Canadians curl! (I was told there are more curlers than hockey ...

It has come to my attention that I failed to mention yesterday was my mother's 53rd!!! Birthday! I guess the postcard that I sent to her and the electronic card from hallmark.com wasn't enough... Please all wish her a Happy Birthday (belated for that matter) and make sure you note that she is 53!!!

It's been a while... Today was my last day of my first class here in Sweden. My exam consists of a paper (only 3 pages long, max.) and participation, as well as a guided tour we will have in Stockholm. I'm pretty sure I passed with flying colors! I've been working on reading and that paper for the last week so that's why I've been kind of busy. I will start my next class next week, Contemporary Sweden. Life in Sweden is settling in and I&...

Last night we had the Welcome Dinner for all the International Students here in Vaxjo and it was a lot of fun! We were served traditional swedish food at the dinner and it was hosted by two "vikings" who kept us drinking and singing songs and performing skits the whole night. We were served a seafood salad appetizer on toasted bread, elk or moose meat (we couldn't tell!), potatoes, and chocolate cake with lingenberries for dessert! It was all so goo...