What is tofu?

I had to explain to my host family what tofu was the other day. Wikipedia describes tofu as a food made by coagulating soy milk and then pressing the resulting curds into soft white blocks. Doesn't sound like the most appealing thing in the world. They weren't sure how to react when i told them it was something consumed in my household weekly.

I went to my first Danish shindig this weekend. In Homer get-togethers have more of a "come as you are" feel. Two hours before i had to leave my sister turned to me and asked why i was not dressed yet. We picked out my outfit, did my hair, makeup, and decided on a pair of shoes. I'm pretty sure i spent the same amount of time getting ready for prom. It was fun though, i enjoy dressing up. I went to a friends house for a pre-gathering. At around nine we arrived at location of the festivities. There were about 400 people, a DJ, loud music, a smoke machine, and a million different flashing lights everywhere. It ended around two am. My ears were ringing hours afterwards. I spent the majority of Sunday sleeping.

This weekend is IntroFest at my school. I'm looking forward to it.

On a different note:

I spent Sunday picking berries with my host mom. We made berry soup with sugar pears we picked from the pear tree in the yard.
I also run with my host dad. We are quite the team. Our huffing and puffing never ceases to reside throughout the whole 5km.
I've been spending some time journaling, reading, drinking strawberry tea, listening to music, soaking up the last of this Autumn sunlight.

Every day new words. The beginning is always the hardest. I will learn this language.

Yes, Thank you.

I believe i have stated once before. But Danish is very very very hard. In two weeks i will have been in Denmark for two months. They say that by three months i should be fairly capable of communicating in this foreign language. I am understanding more as the days go on! My vocabulary has expanded substantially, even compared to last week. It continually amazes me when something is said and i actually know what is going on. While i am improving, fluency seems like an achievement that will occur in the far off future. The two words i find are the most important are Ya tak. Yes, Thank you. They have gotten me far.

I SAW KEELEY! This week my dear friend from Homer who just so happened to be traveling Europe with her Farmor came to Denmark. They arrived Wednesday afternoon and left Friday morning. It was a quick but successful trip. We spent Thursday is Odense. Activities included: visiting Hans Christian Andersen's House, wandering the streets of Odense, rummaging through overpriced second hand stores, nibbling on chocolate scones, and sipping some of the best chai tea i have had i a long time. We also went to a modern art museum. I love art museums. This one was particularly wonderful. I had a lovely time. It was really really nice to spend the day with a familiar face.
Images of our various adventures shall be included below.

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It was wonderful.

Also! I am now in possession of a bike. Which officially makes me a true Dane.

It was my host mother Merete's 50th birthday celebration/brunch today. So much delicious food. It was a day of consumption. I don't think i stopped eating all day. Lots of Danish people, speaking Danish, very quickly. Which led to lots of confusion on my part. But i didn't mind so much because it allowed me to stuff my face to my heart's content. It was a good time.


I have a new tactic when it comes to eating red meat. I invented this process during supper this evening. On the menu was beef mince meat patties, salad, and potatoes. It goes something like this:
1. Take a bite of beef patty.
2. Start shoving a variety of other foods such as potatoes and salad into mouth as well. (Execute this step with the utmost subtlety)
3. Chew it all together creating a hodgepodge of flavors in mouth thus distinguishing red meat taste.
4. Take one large gulp of water.
5. Swallow.
6. Repeat

Not only do i get my daily nutrients but i do not give the impression that i am rude or picky.
Cheers to trying new things!

Anyway,
My host family continues to be as sweet and wonderful as ever! I love them all. I am about to kick off a new week of learning and other various shenanagins. I will continue to keep all those concerned updated!

Also if any of you were feeling particularly philanthropic i've been craving peanut butter and top ramen like none other.
Lily Westphal
c/o Per Jensen
Assensvej 39
5560 Aarup

hahahahah. I'm kidding. Really I'm just getting greedy. My mom sent two jars of peanut butter last week. I'm set.

Also! As of last week i am learning to ballroom dance. I take classes two days a week. I'm very excited about it.

I'm running out of interesting things to say. So i believe we have reached the end of my second blog post.

Life in the Land of Rain.

Hi! After thirty eight days of procrastination I am finally getting my blog up and running.
It's been thirty eight days of craziness.
I don't even quite know how to begin. I will try my best to be brief.
I arrived in Denmark on August 5th, suffering from extreme jet lag and hypoglycemia. But it was wonderful nonetheless. I met my host mother Merete, my host father Per, my host sister Ann Kirstine, and my host brother Kristian. They are really lovely people. I feel very at home with their family.

I LOVE MY HOST SISTER. We bonded almost instantly. We do nails and face masks. Jersey Shore marathons while devouring tubs of chocolate ice cream. Shopping. Girl Chats. and other sister-ish activities. She's great.

I have decided that the most efficient way to organize this is a list.
During my time in Denmark so far I have done the following:

Spent the day shopping in Odense. Everything is so expensive! You pay money for water at restaurants!

I ATE A BURGER. and liver paste. and a variety of other red meat delicacies.

School. I am enrolled in class ten. I am participating in an art line which includes: Painting, Sculpting, Sewing, Baking, Dancing, Music, Drama, Film making etc. I am also taking Danish, English and Math. School is very confusing. But I have met some very friendly people and it's getting easier the more Danish i am able to pick up!

Swimming in the Danish Ocean.

Visited a castle. I am desperately trying to remember the name of the castle. But i can't. We were able to take a tour through the uninhabited part of the castle. We also walked through the gardens , which were gorgeous. Picture above.

Intro Camp! A picture above shows me and some of the people I met during that week. About 200 exchange students from all over Denmark gathered for a week to be introduced to the Danish language and culture. We had Danish six hours a day. In addition to that we had many activities such as games, movie nights, a concert performed by the Striving Vines, shopping in Arhus, going to a modern art museum, attending the end of week "Party" and much more. We also had a lot of free time to get to know some of the other exchange students. It was a week of little sleep, lot's of off key singing, dancing, laughter, new friends, bread, coffee, tea, and struggling with the pronunciation of the Danish language. I met so many wonderful people.

Soccer. I am playing soccer Mondays and Wednesdays with a team from Aarup. I am glad to be physically exerting myself in some way. I am doing my best to avoid the dreaded exchange weight. haha.

Vintage Market shopping + rides that spun around until I puked.

Went to the Middle Eastern Market in Odense and purchased fun fruit (pomegranate, star fruit, passion fruit, mango, and pineapple) and nuts with my lovely sister. Then had a picnic in the park. It was a good Saturday.

I have done much much more than this. But I feel as though I have properly depicted my time here thus far without going to heavily into detail.
My Danish is coming along well. I have learned mostly nouns and phrases. It's a very difficult language. But I am enjoying it!

In conclusion...... i love it here. and i am having a very nice time.