a quiet break from "reality."

going into this i knew it would be a task to communicate with people who do not speak english. it is so amazing and fun to learn a new language and figure new ways, both verbally and non to explain things, ask questions and express yourself.
working at lindt, an international chocolate shop in downtown boston was always a new adventure because the majority of the customers were infact tourists and some did not know english. it was like a big guessing game trying to help their needs and make sure their visit in the store was as positive as possible.
[ & the rockstar team of 404 on boylston st can rock it! now that i am the travler, i am thinking of you guys ! ]

being in a new country and not knowing the language so well is both challenging and exciting! i have no problem in my outtings asking people for help in the grocery store, or subways; everyone can speak english. so i am not really completley lost in a foriegn land.
however, simple things that we do about our daily life now has an extra step added because of the language barrier.
what is for dinner tonight? my morning rutien of translating recipes and finding the proper ingredients in the kitchen is a project in itself. in the past 2 weeks i am getting better with directions and am seeing a pattern with most dishes-everything will be mixed together in the end! and the common ingredient: grädde/cream!

the other morning the washing machine malfunctioned during load number 01... of course to solve this one would read the instruction mannual . . . .på svenska!?

of course in swedish!

how exciting!



i came to the conclusion the drain pipe was clogged, which was the case! SOLVED! next swedish household problem, BRING IT!

swedish classes will start in about 2 weeks. i can not wait! i have signed up for an INTENSIVE BEGINNGER CLASS. everyday for 2 hours. i am taking a crash course, back to the bascis! learning swedish in SWEDEN. how cool is this!?

what a glorious day for back home! barack obama officially has us in his hands. i am very exctied! and it seems that everyone here is also! the friends parents that come by have been asking me if i watched and commenting on the big day! alexander and i were cooking in the kitchen during the inaguration [it was 5.30pm in sweden]. he was showing me how to make his favorite dish, "ryska pannkakor", "russian pancakes".. pancakes that you fill with rice and meat. [like a BURRITO! a very boring burrito, but it was exciting nonetheless!] i explained to him the importance of our new president, and how history was being made!


happy obama day in sweden!



xoxo.