Milano with Mom

This weekend was just what I needed to get away from the cold and depressing Scandinavian weather. As soon as Mom and I arrived in Milan, I looked up at the sun, spread my arms, and prepared myself for a sunburned face. It was wonderful! The weather was beautiful, everyone walking around had these big beautiful dogs. I can't wait to get one! I'm thinking maybe a Great Dane named after my Danish friend Thorsten! The people here are so affectionate with each other too. They definitely aren't shy about their PDA. But I really loved the romantic side to the city. The language is beautiful also... so beautiful that it swayed me to take an Italian class next semester. I will definitely be traveling to Italy a couple more times in my lifetime. The first day we walked around Sforzesco Castle. It was where I fell in love with the Italian atmosphere, music, oh! and I also have a new boyfriend from Senegal (Africa). Ha, well apparently that's what my new bracelet means. They have a lot of peddlers from all sorts of places selling stuff from India, bracelets, and one even attacked Mom with pigeons, then had the nerve to ask for money. Poor mom. I'm taking a picture of the Duomo. I turn around and a guy is trying to take Mom's camera away from her while pigeons are sitting on her head. It was crazy... but so amusing!
Mom and I got really good at navigating the subway. We were also able to use our city sightseeing tour bus as transportation throughout the weekend. While it was expensive, it was way worth it. We learned so much from the bus tour. Apparently, the Milanese re-name all of their statues. Most of the time it is a rather ugly name too. We were also introduced to Happy hours. I loved them. It's where you pay 8 euros or so and it includes a drink of choice and an all you can eat buffet. It is so cheap compared to Oslo. We also tried the pizza which is paper thin crust. Seriously, we had to fold it to eat, because even when we tried with a fork and knife it was just too thin. But I really enjoyed it, and I'm wondering if that means it was healthier for us...
Coffee over here is a totally new experience also. It was so small of a mug. I guess you could compare it to a mug in the form of a shot glass. It tasted like coffee grounds. I don't see how they do it. Mom didn't expect it either, and you could tell it from here face.
While waiting on happy hour to start, of course Mom has to go into all the toy shops looking for things for Coop and Finn. (Ok maybe I'm still a tad jealous, but I'm improving!) But we got to meet this really cool artist. He draws these ant cartoons, and he was there in the shop signing autographs. So he asks, what's your name and what do you like to do. So, I said well recently, I've been traveling quite a bit while studying abroad. He drew a really cool picture of me with a suitcase and map running by the Duomo. Fabio Vettori It was really cool though because Mom told him she was a nurse and teacher. He drew her delivering babies without her even telling him that she was a labor and delivery nurse. Crazy!
Anyways! Now that we are back, it's on to production mode. Mom has been spoiling Christina and I. We came home yesterday and she had a Mexican chicken casserole prepared along with delicious pastries she'd saved us for dessert. Not only did she cook, but she did what all moms do and cleaned. I didn't recognize our bathroom. It's so nice to have my mom around, even if it is only for a week. I'm really glad she got to come. She still has 2 days left in Denmark. I think we may try and find something to do together tomorrow in the city. I'm planning on skipping school and trusting Kiesha and Christina with the final touches of our assignment. We finished our rough draft tonight!

Oh... the strippers you meet in Oslo

Could Norway Strip Clubs be Banned? from Lauren Smith on Vimeo.

Registered for Fall '11

I have so many great photos from Italy that I've decided when I don't have a picture to fit my blog I'll throw in another from Italy where pizzas are made with heart!

I admit, I was nervous about using the new UTK banner system for the first time while in Europe, but it worked so fast! I don't know if it's because I am a senior or if it is because it is a better system, but it was by far the easiest time I've had registering for classes.

The schedule for next semester is only 12 hrs. I had to really try to come up with classes to take. It will be even harder for the spring semester, but I just don't want to graduate early!

I'll be taking an Italian class Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:15-12:05. Wednesday nights I'll have my one hard class, Journalism Law, from 5:45-8:35. Tuesdays and Thursdays I'm taking Social Dance and Stress Management. I'm really excited about those two classes. Especially the stress management one... no one ever taught me how to deal with my stress appropriately. Hopefully, I'll be able to quit this nail biting habit. I did for a while in Denmark, but it's finally warm enough that I don't wear gloves now. For some reason I don't bite my pinkies. So, I guess that's 2 out of 10 for now.

I'll also be taking a practicum over the semester at a production company, and maybe working as a peer mentor for students studying abroad.
Get excited for pictures from Barcelona next week!! Katie, Christina, and I are so excited for Spain's warm weather. Christina is actually in Marseilles, France with her friend from Saturday - Wednesday. I am so lonely! This weekend I was such a hermit crab. But it was nice to have time for myself also. I dyed my hair blonder, worked out, put some sunin in and laid out (yes, I laid out in 40 degree weather). Scandinavian weather has made me crazy. I was telling Maria during our last Skype date that I literally throw myself into the window anytime I see the sun when I'm inside. Either that or I run outside just to feel it. My poor freckles had almost vanished by the time February was ending.

It's been nice lately, minus the fierce winds. But I swear if it turns around and starts snowing I'm coming home! Or maybe shacking up in Spain.

Clips from Milan

Ok this isn't the best video, but here is a montage of some of the videos I took with my Flip. Enjoy!

Bragging Rights

Couldn't help but post one more picture! This is the Navigli, a beautiful area full of character, shops, and restaurants. I would have loved to do a canal tour, but it won't have water in it until April. Oh well!

Time for a victory lap, because Cecile, Robin and I just found out we scored an A- on our spermy 2nd assignment!! I'm so proud of our group, and I can't wait to start on my 4th assignment after I get back from Barcelona!!

Lauren Katie Christina Barcelona!

Ok Barcelona made me realize how much I really don't like Denmark. Don't get me wrong. I love my program and the people in it. I love the international experience I've been able to have, but this constant cold, dreary weather is just depressing. I thought it'd be better when we got back. It is April now, but nope... 40 degrees and windy mist...lovely.

Back to Barcelona. We arrived in Barcelona at 1 am on Friday night/Saturday morning. I admit I had a bad feeling walking to our hostel. You could just tell people were getting pick pocketed left and right. Fortunately, we made it out of Barcelona with nothing lost or stolen.

Saturday, we woke up and walked to the beach. The Mediterranean is beautiful, and the beach itself was actually quite rocky, instead of sea shelly. Then, we went on a Gaudi walking tour to see some of his work around the city. I've never been around this many Americans since I've been in Europe! I even met a small group from UT that was studying in Seville, Spain, further south. The tour was great, but I did not wear the right shoes and paid for it the rest of the trip. Poor blistered feet.

We spent the evening people watching on Las Ramblas street with 2 massive pitchers of Sangria. We are convinced they spike their Sangria in Spain. Once we tasted coconut rum in it, and the other time it was definitely vodka. But that didn't stop us from conquering Park Guell the next day. This was a massive place filled with beautiful landscape at the top of a mountain. We walked all over that place. It was the strangest thing too. They have escalators on the side of the mountain to get to it.

This picture may look familiar to those who watch America's Next Top Model. They filmed a runway show on the season with Melrose and CariDee. So, of course when we got there we strutted our own runway walks. We ended the day with dinner on the beach. It was such a good meal, but sooo big. We did it because there was a special. 15 Euro for bread, appetizer, main dish, dessert and wine. After all that walking at Park Guell we'd worked up enough of an appetite.

Later, we picked up a cheap jug of Sangria and went to hang out at the hostel with our new friends from Virginia, Pennsylvania, France, Ireland, Sardinia, and Albania... and one crazy obnoxious drunk opera singing gay guy that we've all determined is insane. This guy was from Jersey in all of its stereotypical glory. He'd been mugged earlier and was having to get his passport expedited, but he dealt with his sadness by drinking. He had to have been drinking all day. Turns out he was in the room next to us because he was shouting out things to himself all night long. It was so strange. Minus this guy, the last night was really fun. The guy from Sardinia even offered to be a guide as well as offered up his couch if we were ever planning on making a trip out there. If I don't run out of money, we may go! Or at least we have his email for the future.

Now it is time to start planning for my Easter break trip with Katie and Nicole to the Greek Isles. I think we will be going to Kos, Rhodes, Santorini, and maybe Crete. Less than 2 weeks away!!

Barcelona videos uploaded!

My Greek Adventure

Just to let ya'll know, I haven't abandoned my blog. I'm just traveling at the moment. Greece has been amazing. I left Friday on a plane to Oslo, Couch surfed with a really cool engineer from Iran that introduced Katie and I to transmusic... otherwise known as Eurotrash to most Americans, flew to Kos Island Monday morning and from there I began my Greek adventure. Trust me I'll tell you all about it when I get back home to Aarhus on Monday. But I'd hate to waste this beautiful day in the Old Town of Rhodes Island on the computer.

How do you like where I'm staying!! Nice huh?!

Have a nice Easter everyone! I'll be stuck in an airport that day unfortunately.

"I have something to show you"

So, let's start from the beginning of this amazing 10 day Greek Getaway. Nicole flew in a day or two earlier while Katie and I were having a 2 day layover in Oslo before flying in to Kos Island. The layover was so fun though! I had my first couch surfing experience, and it was definitely successful! Iman was very kind to us. While we were in Oslo, there was a really interesting religious celebration going on. I feel bad, but I've already forgotten which religion it was, but anyways we ended up eating Indian food and walking around the city of Oslo with turbans on our heads! (which are now Katie and I's very fashionable Scandinavian scarves... they are miles long)
So we arrived in Kos to see this! A beautiful harbor on the very blue Mediterranean surrounded by the friendliest, most people-pleasing people I have ever met. I say that I fell in love with Italy as a whole country... I was captivated by the beautiful architecture and weather in Barcelona... well, for Greece, it was the people that won me over. There was no language barrier whatsoever, and they all just really wanted to make you happy. This was the first trip where I had such a great opportunity to talk with the locals and get a better feel for their culture...especially since it was Easter. The Greek Orthodox church has such a big celebration for Easter, but we'll get to that story later...

The fun thing that comes with island hopping in Greece is the looong ferry rides! **sarcasm** We really only had one bad one ... 15 hours! So from Kos we took a ferry to Santorini. Unfortunately, we didn't have the best weather. But that didn't stop us from climbing a volcano in the pouring rain! Katie was the bravest of us all and jumped in the hot springs that were more like lukewarm springs. But despite the rain, Santorini was still just as beautiful as it was in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants with its white buildings lined up along the cliffs, all with blue rooftops. It was amazing to see, and the sunset wasn't bad either!

We landed in Rhodes really late at night. It was such a nice feeling! One, because we were finally off that ferry and two because we entered the town from behind castle walls. It's called Old Town, and well, I could see why. Nothing was new about it. Everything looked Medieval. I think the rain's drizzle added to this feeling even more.

So after seeing all three islands we returned to Kos the day before Easter. It was funny, but when I stepped off that boat I felt like I was finally home in my home away from home away from home. The staff at Astron Hotel treated us like family. Maybe that is why. Everyone in town seemed to know us too. They always remembered us. I think Nicole with her flaming red hair and strong Aussie accent is hard to forget. So we were easily recognizable as the blonde southern girl, redheaded aussie and the american with all those cameras! Katie is never without her Holga and her big SLR.

Most shops were closed this day. However, I was able to walk in and get a haircut for 15Euro. The cheapest I've found in Denmark has been for 180 kr... so I've managed to put it off for a long time... too long apparently. It was one of those moments where the hair dresser says, "Oh no, how long has it been!" When I replied November, he shook his head and told me he was glad I found him...as was I.

After this haircut we asked some of the locals where the best spot to eat was for real Greek...not so tourist food/restaurant. So, we found this place out of the main area tucked around a corner, very cute, and very much not open. So, we walked across the street to an equally authentic Greek looking place. We enjoyed our Greek salads, dishes I can't pronounce and some Baclava. I got up at one point to use the restroom when the chef hollers at me to come here. He had something to show me. So I followed the owner into the back of the kitchen. There his wife was smiling so big at me. Then I looked at what was beside her, a skinned lamb, on a stake, eyes-wide-open, tongue hanging out... needless to say it wasn't what I was expecting to see. On the other hand, I had no idea what to expect!

She says, "See! Tonight at midnight we will have ripped out its intestines and coiled them in this skin to eat! We have been fasting 40 days. Tonight we celebrate in the square. You must come and try this!" She is so eager and proud. It was my favorite moment of the entire trip, standing there in the back of a small local kitchen with a dead lamb that meant so much to these people.

I loved the way people on these islands would talk to everyone like they were your family. It felt like home to me. I'd been getting homesick on this trip. I think between sending postcards, not talking to my family for 10 days, and having that sense of family present, it just really poked at me. But I am fine now :)
My one purchase to make my airport stay more comfy on Easter :)

We returned to the Oslo airport Easter Sunday. I spent my first night in an airport. I was glad Katie was with me though. We had a good time talking, people watching.. Oh! and I finally read Eat Pray Love. It was a great book, but she is so happy I got a little sick of it while being stranded in the airport for close to 24 hrs.

I have so much more to say that I've been thinking here lately about what I've learned and how I've been changing while studying abroad, but I feel I should break this up into more than one post. I miss my friends and family. Feel free to Skype me anytime or Facebook or email... even snail mail if you want. However, stamps in Denmark are close to 2 bucks. It's outrageous. I can't say enough how grateful I am to have this opportunity and family and friends that have supported me along my journey.

Thank you

I think I might be growing up

I'm still very sure of myself when I say that studying abroad has been the best decision I've made in college. Not only am I being exposed to the Danish culture, but I've seen differences in all sorts of cultures in my international class. I've also been able to grow as an individual. Being away from home and out of my comfort zone for some time has allowed me to find out a lot about myself that I didn't even know existed. I feel this new confidence, and I've really been able to embrace this whole laid back personality. I think I've learned to just not let my feathers be ruffled so easily. Maybe before, I was a bit sensitive.
I also have cut back on my time spent worrying! I swear I already have worry wrinkles! Before I left for Denmark, I was always worrying about my future and what's going to happen next. See up until now I've had a plan. School, college, RA job, Vol Network job, studying abroad, graduation... and then there is this big giant question mark hanging there. What will my job be? Where will it be? What jobs will I even apply for? What am I going to do to have some money again?

There are still those concerns, but I'm not excessively worrying or stressing anymore. I've learned so much abroad and fine-tuned many of my skills as an editor, producer, reporter, and journalist. I've made so many connections and spent a lot of time networking. I'll have contacts in so many parts of the world now! I am still worried about finding a job, but I know that I have all the skills I need, a drive to learn, good work ethic, and ... well geez! I think now I'll be able to do a really good job selling myself during interviews next year.
I also think I'm developing a mild sense of direction!! I'm looking forward to seeing if I get lost as much when I get back home where people speak my language in a place I am more familiar with. Having to learn how to use the maps (Hard to believe I'm not using the GPS!), and ask for directions constantly, I have actually become more comfortable with being lost. Plus, I've developed a new love of talking to strangers... which might get me in to trouble from time to time, but I'll take the risk.

I used to freak out when I missed my exit on the highway while jamming out to my music. I think it will be different now. I've found some sort of calmness about me, and I'm really enjoying it. Maybe you have to put yourself in uncomfortable or foreign situations sometimes to gain this feeling. But I sure am glad I've found it. I can now relax and be optimistic about my future and whatever it's going to throw at me next.

Euro travelling

Well, looks like we have a new motivator to making our documentary deadline. LONDON! Yep, that's right! I'm throwing in a quick trip to London before I meet Robin in Amsterdam. It's crazy! So our new deadline is May 15th. Of course, the documentary comes first. So, if we are not ready by then, I will not go. But trust me. We will be. I was talking to Katie who told me about these 8 Euro deals on Ryanair. Can't pass that up. By the next day, Wendy, Christina & I had bought $28 tickets to London round trip. It's nice too because my friend Lynne is letting us stay with her. She lives on Notting Hill...no big!! :P

So here's a run down of my insane and freaking awesome schedule for May.
May 4th-5th: Aalborg, Denmark
May 6th-15th: I will be living in the editing lab at school!
May 15th-May 18th: London, United Kingdom
May 19th-May 22nd: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
May 26th: Dad arrives in Aarhus!
May 28th-May 31st: Edinburgh, Scotland
May 31st: Legoland! (Billund, Denmark)
June 2nd: Home sweet home

I feel so blessed! I can't believe I'm getting to travel all of these places. But for some reason, it kind of gets under my skin a bit when people call me lucky. I know I am, but at the same time I've worked so hard to get here. I've saved so much to be able to do these things. I've worked hard in school, taking advantage of everything that comes my way with volunteering, internships, and practicums. I hate to just give all of that credit to luck. But I guess if that's what you call it... I'm glad to have it.

Outdoor Urinals... um Bonnaroo are you listening??

Yesterday was such a good Friday! We started the day with a bus ride downtown to pay our rent and meet with a clinical psychologist that handles many adoption cases. He had many interesting things to say that really helped up get a better idea for our documentary's focus. You can check out one of the education systems he provides online at Fairstart.net It's a series of courses offered to help children placed outside of their homes deal with issues of attachment.

After our wonderful meeting with Dr. Niels P. Rygaard. We bused back to school for our dreaded meeting with our teacher, Kate. When we got there everything went surprisingly smooth. I just started talking and couldn't stop, but I mean, she was nodding, smiling as much as a Norwegian will, and not saying anything... so I kept going pausing every now and then for Wendy and Christina to add in. She helped us rework some things and get on a better track and then sent us home. She also reminded us that she's been lecturing us 12 weeks, so for the next 3 she will be peacing out. Which means if we need her during that time for questions we're just SOL.
Afterward was this Regatta 2011 or Kapsejladsen, I'm not sure which was the official title, but basically it was this big Danish gathering of 20,000 people under the age of 30 at the University Park in Aarhus. We aren't the only school with a Friday bar. Each university has one. So they basically compete in 2 ways it looked like. First, with a dance routine. Oh my goodness, it was hilarious! If you don't know the song "Call on Me" Youtube it. Their performance was kind of similar. The girls all dressed up as nurses, and one boy wore bright red pants, which were quickly ripped off to reveal his red speedo. Then, as he started dancing with a lot of thrusting the speedo was taken off and he was wearing nothing but a white G-string.

There were about 10 groups competing. After the dances, it was time for the boat race. Here are the rules, listen up! Raft across the pong/river, chug a Royal Beer with one hand on your hip like this. Then you take the empty bottle, hold it down near the ground and run around it 10 times. Jump into your raft, raft back across the pond, and tag your team member in. I'm not sure how many times they did this. I know I saw one girl do it at least 3 times, once falling in. It looked like one crazy Danish game.

So here, at the festival I'm realizing that I will always be able to somewhat pick out a Scandinavian person. I'm finally starting to pick up on their mannerisms, clothing, and just overall appearance. As, we are walking back to our bikes, Christina and I were amazed. We looked over and saw urinals outdoors! It was the strangest thing. Here's a photo of one being used and one by itself, because I didn't have a camera at the time, I found these pictures from Holland. Don't you think Bonnaroo would really benefit from these?! That way the porter potties don't get quite so gross and the lines could be cut down dramatically. I guess shy guys could still use the porter potties, but Idk for some reason after walking away from that festival this was what fascinated me the most.

To get a better idea of what this event is all about... here's some footage of last year's. Kapsejlads 2010

When we got home, it was back to work. We still needed a case for our documentary that would show an adoptive family and be able to represent all of our points through their eyes. Ideally, we wanted a Danish family with more than one child. Hopefully, one would be a teenager and at least one of the child be a different race. So we began our search working the adoption agency websites and forums. Sure enough, I stumbled upon a button Privatlik. Everything is in Danish you know. When I clicked it, I found a list of all sorts of family blogs wanting to share their stories. We started emailing each family that met our criteria and saw that one of them even provided a phone number.

Now usually, this isn't much hope. When we call, we have 3 strikes against us from the moment we introduce ourselves. 1. We are not Danish 2. We are students 3.... the worst, we are journalists. Even so, we called up Morten, a father in Aalborg that has adopted 2 girls from India. One is 11 and the other is 13 now. He says sure of course come over. I was very skeptical. I mean, this guy knows nothing about us and he's just like sure come on over, film my kids. He even seemed interested in our project and our semester program. So, I'm very excited to meet the family next week and start filming!

After getting over the shock of how easily we'd just found our sources, we celebrated Kim and Kristin's birthdays right outside of our dorm and barbecued. It was a nice finish to a great day.

Discovering the consequences of pepper spray

"Help! Anybody know where I can find pepper spray?"

This was posted on our International Facebook group today by Tanja. I was shocked when I saw the Danes' reply! You can click on the photo to blow it up to a larger size.

Can you believe they have such harsh regulations on pepper spray?! I mean the American government would make a ton of money if they gave such fines to every woman that carries it in her purse or on her key chain. 3000 kr is like $550. Geez! I guess women here have to learn self defense or be really fast to get away from danger.

Another new appreciation I have for my beloved America :) They let me keep my mace.

What we do when there's no food in our kitchen

So we were hungry and we haven't been grocery shopping this week because of working hard to finish up our 4th assignment due Monday. We want crepes... but we're out of eggs. Christina then attempts to make an Eritrean dish that her mother makes. Granted, we always have to improvise with ingredients over here, but I thought she did a good job. They tasted good at least! Here is a little clip straight from our tiny kitchenette.

Last assignment done!

Traffic Conflicts for the Blind from Lauren Smith on Vimeo.

Well, I hope you enjoy this story. It was really interesting to follow Jørgen around. He is also the director for the Blind center in Aarhus. Maggie was such a sweet dog too. It was so hard not to play with her when we went downtown. You're not supposed to distract guide dogs when they are working.

It's crazy how much I realized that I take for granted... being able to see. Watching him feeling his way around and how tense he kept his fists and shoulders so tight was hard. I guess when you have been born blind or deaf or with any disability you have never known anything else... but I can't imagine losing my eye sight now. I can't imagine knowing what I could be seeing you know. It was just really interesting to me. Hopefully it will be to others too.

I'm so glad to be finished with this assignment. Now off to Greece, then the documentary final project will begin. We have 3 weeks to complete it. Sooo hopefully those weeks won't be too stressful.

I've really enjoyed biking lately... especially now that the sun is out from time to time. The wind kills my quads though! Seriously, it feels like you're swimming through molasses sometimes. Earlier this week my back fender flew off. I had to finish breaking it off and stick it in my front bike basket. I was so nervous that it was going to fly up and hit me in the face. Fortunately, I avoided that accident.