I think that in this vast land of winter darkness, when spring time arrives and the clocks are finally moved that hour forward, you appreciate the light that much more. Winter in Denmark is dark - we're talking sunrise 10am, sunset 3pm, dark. It's brutal. So, alas, the clocks have sprung forward and here I sit at 6:20 pm vastly appreciative of the light! While there isn't much sun to speak of today, it's up there somewhere, and it hasn't even considered setting itself away just yet. THIS.. I love :)
Welcome back Sir Sunshine!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Staring
I was just catching up on some other expat blogs I follow and the topic arose about being stared at in Denmark. It reminded me of some funny situations I've been in since having moved here.
The staring - as I said in a comment elsewhere - it amuses me! For the first 6 months I was here I found myself constantly whispering to Ole.. "they're looking at me again!" I fought off the urge to break into my best New York/New Jersey accent and say "Are you looking at me?" "Do I amuuuuse you?"
I tend to conveniently forget that I'm in a foreign land when we're together as we speak English between us. So when we're out and about and speaking English it slips my mind that it may be strange for others to hear us talking. Especially since I'm not really a quiet person - I'm the one in the grocery store holding something up and yelling down the aisle.. "Look honey - they have REAL Ocean Spray cranberries!". This inevitably leads to the stares - all the heads whipping around at this strange voice.
Granted, I live in a small town smack in the middle of Jylland, so I understand it. I suspect at times that I'm known around town for being the "American" girl - granted no one has gone to the point of running away when I approach, but still! Our house is also somewhat of a fishbowl as we're located on a corner with about 5 other houses facing our house from one side or another. I think the residents or our little dead-end street are amused by me, but that's another story. :)
But the Danes definitely aren't shy about staring at something different or unusual. In the US, we're brought up with the "it's not polite to stare" mantra drilled into our heads, so we stare a bit more secretivily. You know, hold up the newspaper in front of your face and sneak a glimpse as you turn the page, etc. Not so in Denmark - if they want to look at you, they do. They just stop and stare. It's a bit unnerving now and then!
One of my funniest stares came a few weeks ago at the Sprogskole. It's a language center so those in the neighborhood must be used to it by now, right? Maybe not. We were on our break and a few of us were having a conversation in front of the school, in English. Our school is right next to a Netto shop. This very old women came out of the shop with her Netto sack in hand - she was strolling past us and just stopped dead in her tracks, whipped her head around and just stared at us. I turned and said Hi to her and she then smiled and went on her way. But the way she looked at us you would've thought she had seen the second coming.
The staring - as I said in a comment elsewhere - it amuses me! For the first 6 months I was here I found myself constantly whispering to Ole.. "they're looking at me again!" I fought off the urge to break into my best New York/New Jersey accent and say "Are you looking at me?" "Do I amuuuuse you?"
I tend to conveniently forget that I'm in a foreign land when we're together as we speak English between us. So when we're out and about and speaking English it slips my mind that it may be strange for others to hear us talking. Especially since I'm not really a quiet person - I'm the one in the grocery store holding something up and yelling down the aisle.. "Look honey - they have REAL Ocean Spray cranberries!". This inevitably leads to the stares - all the heads whipping around at this strange voice.
Granted, I live in a small town smack in the middle of Jylland, so I understand it. I suspect at times that I'm known around town for being the "American" girl - granted no one has gone to the point of running away when I approach, but still! Our house is also somewhat of a fishbowl as we're located on a corner with about 5 other houses facing our house from one side or another. I think the residents or our little dead-end street are amused by me, but that's another story. :)
But the Danes definitely aren't shy about staring at something different or unusual. In the US, we're brought up with the "it's not polite to stare" mantra drilled into our heads, so we stare a bit more secretivily. You know, hold up the newspaper in front of your face and sneak a glimpse as you turn the page, etc. Not so in Denmark - if they want to look at you, they do. They just stop and stare. It's a bit unnerving now and then!
One of my funniest stares came a few weeks ago at the Sprogskole. It's a language center so those in the neighborhood must be used to it by now, right? Maybe not. We were on our break and a few of us were having a conversation in front of the school, in English. Our school is right next to a Netto shop. This very old women came out of the shop with her Netto sack in hand - she was strolling past us and just stopped dead in her tracks, whipped her head around and just stared at us. I turned and said Hi to her and she then smiled and went on her way. But the way she looked at us you would've thought she had seen the second coming.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Homesickness
So, I'm away from home this week. Away from home in my former home - Washington state. Washington was a temporary home as I was only there for 5 years. Before that it was New Jersey for 10 years and then my 'hometown' in New York state for the rest of the years adding up to my current age (no need for specifics here).
I'm homesick.
For those who know me, this is a new phenomenon. I'm not a person who gets homesick. But, in doing some thinking, perhaps none of the above were ever really 'home'. They were places I lived, they had their ups and downs, but I wasn't married and there wasn't anyone that I was going 'home' to when I was away.
There was nothing wrong with any of the places I lived, and I had nice apartments. I had the cats (always hesitate to say that for fear of the whole cat lady stereotype). But - it's different now.
Now I have a wonderful man in my life. A man who makes my house a home. And as such, it makes my home a place that I really really miss when I'm not there. So, for the first time in my life I believe I'm experiencing true homesickness.
The good news is - tomorrow I get on the plane and go home. :)
I'm homesick.
For those who know me, this is a new phenomenon. I'm not a person who gets homesick. But, in doing some thinking, perhaps none of the above were ever really 'home'. They were places I lived, they had their ups and downs, but I wasn't married and there wasn't anyone that I was going 'home' to when I was away.
There was nothing wrong with any of the places I lived, and I had nice apartments. I had the cats (always hesitate to say that for fear of the whole cat lady stereotype). But - it's different now.
Now I have a wonderful man in my life. A man who makes my house a home. And as such, it makes my home a place that I really really miss when I'm not there. So, for the first time in my life I believe I'm experiencing true homesickness.
The good news is - tomorrow I get on the plane and go home. :)
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Comments
Some morons decided to leave spam on my comments so now I have to moderate comments - what a pita!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Windmill/Wind Turbine Explosion
We had a bit of a storm the other day. Let's just say the wind was more than the wind turbine could actually handle!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Hair
I have a very full head of hair. It's naturally curly, it's blond (most of the time, when it isn't gray), it's long and it's very thick. Wonderful! Wonderful, that is, until I have to have someone cut it and get rid of those pesky grays. I'm a wash and go girl - do not give me any style that requires the use of a curling iron, straightening iron or even a hairdryer. Cut my hair in such a way that I can put in some product and poof, done. If you put a hairdryer to my hair, I will then resemble a lion, rather than a woman, not something I particularly aspire to.
Since moving here in November 2006, I have not yet ventured into a Danish hair salon. Instead I have opted to get my hair done each time I have returned to the states. Eventually I must face my fears and today MAY be the day. The problem is that I'm incredibly bad at explaining what I want to the person responsible for making it happen. Now, to add to that, while the vast majority of Danes do indeed speak English, will they understand my wacky descriptions of what I want and don't want. Will a Dane understand the meaning of "it's too poofy here". (Note to EK - I could do the Texas 'do but if I do, we'll need to get out the pageant dress and talk world peace!)
Coupled with that fear, I have the overall fear of style. I've seen some Danish 'do's and I'm not so sure they're for me. It's the same issue I had in finding new glasses - Denmark has a thing about skinny rectangular frames and since I don't resemble the model wearing it on the poster in the store - they're not for me. But alas, it's pretty much ALL that's available. (An aside... Denmark is not big on variety - you either like what everyone else likes or you're out of luck).
Anyhooo... if I do manage to get up the courage to venture into town and face the scissors, I'll let you know what happens.
Since moving here in November 2006, I have not yet ventured into a Danish hair salon. Instead I have opted to get my hair done each time I have returned to the states. Eventually I must face my fears and today MAY be the day. The problem is that I'm incredibly bad at explaining what I want to the person responsible for making it happen. Now, to add to that, while the vast majority of Danes do indeed speak English, will they understand my wacky descriptions of what I want and don't want. Will a Dane understand the meaning of "it's too poofy here". (Note to EK - I could do the Texas 'do but if I do, we'll need to get out the pageant dress and talk world peace!)
Coupled with that fear, I have the overall fear of style. I've seen some Danish 'do's and I'm not so sure they're for me. It's the same issue I had in finding new glasses - Denmark has a thing about skinny rectangular frames and since I don't resemble the model wearing it on the poster in the store - they're not for me. But alas, it's pretty much ALL that's available. (An aside... Denmark is not big on variety - you either like what everyone else likes or you're out of luck).
Anyhooo... if I do manage to get up the courage to venture into town and face the scissors, I'll let you know what happens.
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