Malmo

I got the news today when I was hanging out with Danne.

I got the apartment!

(http://www.upsoclose.com/20081012/now-dont-get-all-excited)

Tayler isn't exactly pleased because, well, there's only two bedrooms and it's not the most beautiful place, but the bus stop is right in front of the building, there is a shopping center close by and everything else we might need.

We move in October 31.

Last night was so fun. I love karaoke, but I realized last night I am really lucky to have some really honest and forthright friends here.

Favorite moments:

1. Singing Don't Speak and instructing everyone not to talk through the 22 second instrumental.
2. Making a claim no boy would dance with me if I went onto the reggae dance floor (in the same bar as the karaoke?) and being RIGHT
3. Meeting Helena's friend Jessie- man she is so much fun
4. Having a man as old as my grandpa tell me Swedish women are a PITA ask me if I bought my teeth and then touching my face and telling me I'm fine.
5. Discussing politics with the K.J.
6. Walking around, talking loud, and joking and LAUGHING so hard
7. The unfortunate outfit.
8. The nice British guy who took our picture with Helena's camera as we all prepared to jump him if he tried to run off with it.
9. Annoying Micke when we came home by being drunk, happy, and giggling about everything like little kids.

I am still a bit tipsy this morning. I'm sure there's more that's not coming to me right now.

I am having a fantastic weekend so far. I'm not telling why. Just kidding.

After a relaxing afternoon at home, I headed to Buddha Lounge in Malmo for the Malmo Expats Happy Hour Meetup. What a great time!

One of the members has been reading my blog (hi there Paul!) and he was extremely interesting to talk to, he was explaining to me what constructivism is and how I was looking for the difference (or distinction) that makes a difference.

I was happy to hear that as other members of the meetup were accusing me of being lazy by not wanting to go up to the bar and buy a drink each time I wanted one. My reason is that I don't want to miss out on conversation, but the gentleman who told me he hates Americans, insisted I was lazy. I didn't take it personally.

Somehow Paul and I got into a discussion about my life and he gave me such a wonderful compliment. He called the things I have done in my life heroic. It made me want to cry, but maybe it was just the booze.

I try hard not to think negatively about where I am right now. Staying positive has really helped me pull along. If I stop to think about what I am doing, and how hard it is, I sometimes fall apart.

I think it was great to meet others and talk. I'm hoping that this will continue.

So, this morning on the train, it was bursting full, and I barely had any room to get on.

I was in the standing area, and could see that there was a gentleman inside the sitting area standing. At first I thought he was just standing, but then I realized he was actually preaching to the entire compartment.

As the train took off, he began to make elaborate movements with his hands, while reading from a large bible.

The door to the compartment opened for a moment, and I could hear him say, "Do you honestly believe?"

This spectacle came second in amusement factor to all of the Swedes in the compartment who were pretending that the gentleman with the bible wasn't really there. I couldn't help but smile as people averted eye contact with him, and looked out the windows as if nothing was happening.

The man became more and more agitated as we neared the station, and people started to come out of the compartment into the standing area even though there wasn't any room. The door to the compartment stayed open, and the man with the bible paced back and forth honing in on individuals and asking if they had been saved, until we reached the station, when EVERYONE pushed hard to get out of the train.

Today I've seen a man walking around Central Station as if it were summer an too hot for shoes. I wore a skirt and jacket with sandals, and everyone else is dressed for winter.

I also saw Jesper at the Burlov train stop. It was a little awkward as I was tired and a little nervous and not my usual talkative self.

I'm dreadfully early for my interview, but that means I will be on time instead of late like Monday.

I'm thankful I don't have to take the bus. I continued the stupid American stereotype yesterday by putting my money or the bus into the receipt slot.

Everyone is wearing winter clothes and jackets and they are all bundled. I can't seem to do that yet. It feels weird, and I get SUPER hot all of the time from being active.

Helena's house is warm too, with no vent to the bathroom so it gets so steamy and I get so sweaty each morning I feel like I couldn't possibly wear a jacket.

I asked Tayler how my hair looked and she said I've never looked better before I left this morning. Time to interview!

It's a rainy Wednesday, and I was supposed to walk down to the bank. I think I will wait a few hours and see how the weather is.

It's not too far, but I think I would be soaked by the time I got there anyway. In this weather it wouldn't be a bad thing, but I'd like my purse to stay dry since I am going to the bank!

I have a little bit of money I want to put into an account, and get a check card.

I got a bite on a job yesterday, but the pay was too low. That's ok, because I also got an invitation to interview from another job.

Right now I am so tired from being up late that I could go back to bed. Especially on a rainy day like today.