Julemarked Tur til Tyskland

On Friday the 16th, Birgitte, Ole, and I packed up the car for a weekend of fulling indulging in Christmas... in Hamburg, Germany. I had heard about how wonderful German Christmas markets are, and was extremely excited when it was decided that we would go to the markets as a family. Hamburg is a lovely city; with nice architecture, and a lively spirit. It was a fantastic weekend in Germany due to the terrific company as well as all the Christmas cheer.

A Christmas market is basically a designated area where merchants set up festive stalls to sell wares or food (particularly Glühwein - a hot spiced red wine). My first impression was that they look like what I would imagine a Santa's village to look like.

With the large amount of Christmas cheer, decorations, potential gifts, and seasonal food that initial observation is not too far from the truth.

If you are ever in Hamburg, you must go to the city hall and take a tour. With the tour you get to go behind the impressive doors to see ebony banisters, marble, precious metals, exquisite detail, and the best show of power that money could buy at the time of the hall's construction.

Despite the cold, it was a fantastic weekend with Ole and Birgitte. As always, I can not thank them enough for allowing me into their family and for sharing great adventures with me.

Glædelig Jul!

Merry Christmas!

Tilbage til København for Vinterferie

With my plane touching down in Copenhagen on the 14th of December, I had a feeling of relief that I really did get to return, and only cozy or hyggeligt thoughts about my trip. I was coming back to Copenhagen for the purpose of thesis research on Danish politics, but I also knew I was coming back because I wanted to. I simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to return, and so I had purchased a return ticket.

The thing I had been most excited for about my trip is getting to spend time with my host parents. Having lived with my host family from August 2010 to May 2011, Ole and Birgitte are truly family to me. As such I had really missed them when I was back in the States.

The first full day back in Copenhagen I managed to fit in going to some of my favorite sites like King’s Garden, Amalienborg, Nyhavn as well as a stroll along Strøget absorbing some Christmas cheer. One of the things I love about Copenhagen in the wintertime are the decorations; the lights, stars, hearts, and greenery. The whole city looks extremely festive and with no one being overly cautious, one constantly hears Glaedelig Jul (Merry Christmas).

That evening, the 15th of December, we went to Tivoli in order to see the Crazy Christmas Cabaret. If you remember my post from last year, this is a yearly comedy show done in English with bits of Danish thrown in. The show was quite good this year, and I felt that I was almost constantly smiling. After such a busy, and stressful semester back in Virginia this was a perfect start to my winter break.

Tivoli, the charming amusement park which hosts the Cabaret, was, as per usual, quite pretty with Christmas decorations. Complete with a Santa Claus, and some live reindeer, Tivoli ensures that one will not forget what time of the year it is.

 Glaedelig Jul !

Vi Ses!

This fall is my last fall in Richmond (at least as a University student). Therefore I made sure not to miss the annual Richmond Folk Festival which occurred in October. On the 15th of October, I headed out with two great friends to immerse myself in one of the uniquely Richmond experiences. From wandering the rows of the craft fair, to hearing the warm beats of folk, and indulging in the infamous American Funnel cake, we had a great time.

The unique setting of the Folk Festival lends an air of Richmond's rich history to the Festival.

Here we are with our infamous Funnel cake with blueberry topping!

Whether due to the company or the festival, it was a great evening spent off campus, in the city of Richmond.

Until next time!

Proclamation & A Letter From My 17 Year Old Self

I have talked before about some of the traditions at the University of Richmond. Being a University with a coordinate college system, Richmond College for men and Westhampton College for women, we are able to maintain some traditions unique to our separate colleges. For Westhampton College, one of the traditions is that of Proclamation. Technically a closed off ceremony involving only those women in their first and fourth year, Proclamation is a well known event on our campus. With 350 women wearing white dresses and 350 women wearing black graduation robes, it would be hard for the entire campus not to know about Proclamation.

In this candlelight ceremony which takes place in our Chapel, the new students are accepted into the college and pledge to a code of honor, as befitting a Westhampton student. Yet the most memorable part of the ceremony, which inevitably brings out a myriad of emotions for the fourth years, is a letter. The first year women write a letter to themselves, talking about dreams, expectations, hopes, and their initial reflections upon the new chapter in their lives, which is University. These letters are sealed and gathered up, until the year comes where it is that first year woman in white's turn to done the black robes of a senior and participate once more in the ceremony of Proclamation.

That leads us to this year, particularly the date of September 18th, when it was my turn to done the black robes, and proceed with my dearest friends into the chapel to accept the new class, and ... read my letter.

Not only were we anxious about knowing the contents of our letters, but we were all reminded of the fact that we will soon graduate and leave this University. Some may view Proclamation as the beginning of the end for our time at University of Richmond, but I refuse to frame it as such. It is, in my interpretation, a sign that a new beginning - our lives beyond Richmond - will soon commence. There are so many possibilities out there, that I see it as impossible not to be optimistic about the future.

Funny enough, it is with a similar attitude that I wrote to myself during my first year at University, 9 days before my 18th birthday. After reading my letter I felt happy. The words written on that page were from a girl who truly did not know all that her University experience had in store for her, yet knew that in many ways her life was going to change. The words I had written were oddly (since it is from myself) motivating, reminding me of things that I knew I did not want to forget. To live and to love were the messages in my letter, and to no matter what, follow my heart. As I decide upon the path that my life will follow after my time at University of Richmond I will hold this at the forefront of my thoughts, for a happy heart is a happy soul, and what else does one want from life.

First Football Game of the Year!

When one comes back to one native country after so long away, one notices "the culture", the unique traditions and things that one never noted as significant before. Such has been the case for me, particularly since returning to University of Richmond.

One of the things I now identify as definitely being symbolic of the U.S. is the hype around a football game(By football game, I mean American Football). I had never before put much thought into the concept of a "tailgate" or saying the pledge of allegiance before the beginning of the game. This time around, my perception is different, and I realize the significance.

On the 10th of September University of Richmond played its first home football game against Wagner. Wanting the whole "American" experience a mixed group of domestic and international students got together for a "Tailgate" consisting of hot dogs, cheese burgers, chips, and good company.

This was a great way to get everyone in their full Richmond spirit before heading to the game. By the time of kick off we were all excited to cheer on the Spiders!

University of Richmond Spiders (our Football team) won the game, so it was a triumphant start to the new football season.

Until Next Time!!