As most of you know, the last couple weeks have been pretty busy for me. I have to apologize from the get go for the lack of communication and want to THANK Eoghan for being my messenger! The days before I left Toronto where a nightmare. I barely slept the night before I left, which is not a surprise, and the trip itself was a little too long for me. I arrived at orientation week a little late, but I have to say it wasn’t such a bad thing since most the information sessions were just plain common sense in my opinion. Maybe I am getting slightly jaded as I get older and am loosing my patience for unresourceful people….
In writing this I am trying to remember back a few weeks to my first feelings of Umeå, pronounced u -me –o, for those of you that want to learn a little Swedish.
Swedish Lesson #1- the å has a “o” sound associated with it.
The town it’s self is quite cute and only has about 100,000 people in it, and as I am sure you can tell from the map is in the middle of freaking no where. The university is the main employer and is home to about 30,000 students, a majority of which are international students. The local industry is much like home and consists of forestry and manufacturing, and in the mornings I often have flashbacks to my Prince George days due to the smell of pulp in the air. Everyone gets around by bike, which is no surprise since this is Europe, and you never really see cars other than Volvo’s and Saabs on the road ( I have to say I might ship an old 89 or 900 Turbo back to Canada if I ever come back).
So I have to openly admit that this is my first time ever living in a dorm, or corridor as they call them here. It’s an interesting experience as you're older, and use to living either on your own or with some else who kindly worked with you to develop your own special ways of living- I can see my mom chuckling right now cause she knows how particular I am. My new flatmates are great so far, There are 8 of us in the space; 3 Swedes, 2 Vietnamese, 1 Swiss, 1 from Laos, and me. I have to say I am pretty lucky, they all keep the common room tidy and are far from big partiers. We each have our own rooms and share a kitchen and living room. My new room consists of a bed, a desk, a bookcase, a side table and a nice little ensuite, all of which are great but even though I have been here for a 4 weeks already it still feels a bit bare. Most of you know I love to be surrounded by lots of lovely little things, so for me it still doesn’t feel like home. I take a lot of pleasure in the little things, especially art, so the next couple of weeks are going to be dedicated to making pretty things to put on the walls- the wheels are a turning….
I am uploading a few pics of my room (remember it’s a work in progress- more art and hopefully a shower curtain I like are coming soon). I promise more pics will be posted in the coming days.
Oh yeah, and if you so desire you are more than welcome to post me something; letters, treats from Canada, and art are greatly appreciated! I can be reached at:
Stipendiegränd 10C/102,
90735
Umeå, Sweden
Namaste
Jenn (or Yennifer as I am called in Sweden… they have difficulty pronouncing the “j”).
A view from the hallway into my room. The bathroom door is on the left.
Looking out of the bathroom towards the closet.
The bathroom that still doesn't have a shower curtain. I just can't seem to find one I like and can afford!
A view from the entrance way into the bedroom. I am soo happy that the upholstery on the chairs is green. The green in the pillow I brought from home is almost a direct match to the chair (thanks Em!).
My bed. Yup it's Dwell bedding and I brought it from home.
A look at my bookshelf that is strangely sparse. I miss my books.
The kitchen that feeds 8 with my flat mate Phim Pho from Laos who is doing her Phd. in physics.
Our dining table and our attached living room below. The valances just kill me but, I am learning to live with them. Thank god I am so busy with school I don't really notice they're there.
My bed. Yup it's Dwell bedding and I brought it from home.
A look at my bookshelf that is strangely sparse. I miss my books.
The kitchen that feeds 8 with my flat mate Phim Pho from Laos who is doing her Phd. in physics.
Our dining table and our attached living room below. The valances just kill me but, I am learning to live with them. Thank god I am so busy with school I don't really notice they're there.
