What's weird.

The following is a list of all the things i think are strange or different about this country.
It doesn't necessarily mean all of this is true, it's just my observations.

1. People here don't put napkins on their laps.

2. But they have really really good manners.

3. All the cars are manual not automatic.

4. There are barely any stoplights. Mostly roundabouts.

5. Ordering water at a restaurant and little ketchup packets costs money.

6. So does using the public restrooms.

7. You eat absolutely everything with a knife and fork.

8. They hang up their clothes to dry.

9. Beer can be bought in a vending machine.

10. Danes don't make eye contact when they pass each other on the street.

11. Swearing in class is very normal.

12. They drink so much tea and coffee.

13. They think an hour drive is really really far away.

14. Everyone dresses lovely. All the time.

15. Barely any teenagers here actually own their own car.

16. In class they raise their finger not their hand.

17. Every party has a pre party.

18. You don't tip at restaurants.

19. When you buy something at the store, tax is already added into the price. So when you see something that costs 11 kr, it really does cost 11 kr.

20. No one likes peanut butter.

21. Teachers are called by their first name.

22. The call a "double you" a "dobbelt-ve." A lot of people i know write "w" curved, like two u's, here everyone writes them different. Like two very distinct v's. It's kind of hard to explain.

23. Their toilets have two different buttons.

24. Parents come and pick their kids up from parties.

25. When you get sick the don't give you cold medicine.

26. Tetris. Everyone here plays Tetris. It is taken very seriously.

27. I have yet to see a single wooden house. Everything is made of brick.

28. In school you get cake every Friday.

29. They love American TV. Shows i have never seen before. Like King of Queens and How I Met
Your Mother. They also watch a lot of Friends.

30. They love licorice. Denmark is the land of licorice. All kinds. Even the really salty strong disgusting kinds.

31. They rarely test you in school. Usually the only tests given are the finals.

32. The grading system is different, and it's really difficult to get an A.

There is a lot more. But I don't really feel like writing anymore.

I am happy.

I am happy. Really really happy.
Life is so amazing.
I feel like i'm living in a blissful haze.
Never has my life felt so full. So many genuine people, new things, and places. So much love and kindness.
Of course there are hard days. But then i always remember: i am exactly where i want to be. In this moment, there is not a place in the world i would rather go. How is it possible to feel the slightest bit of discontent when I am exactly where i want to be? I am here. I am glad.
At the end of this week i will have been in Denmark for two and a half months.

I went to another shindig. Most of the kids from my class was there. I met many people i had never talked to before. I got ready with some of my good girlfriends from my class. Twas a very lovely time.

In other exciting news...I started Danish language school last week. Today was my third lesson.
Also, a small breakthrough. Guess what i just did? I wrote to two of my friends in Danish. I started writing in English and then i realized i knew how to say it all in Danish. I was really excited. I am learning. Now that i am taking classes two times a week it will start coming even easier! My host family speaks mostly all Danish to me. Hooray for understanding!

Tonight after language school i went to Arvin's house with Elisa. Arvin is from India and Elisa is from Italy. His host dad made us this huge dinner. It was very scrumptious. His host dad's girlfriend was there too. They were SUCH great people. I had a really really really good time.

Some of us exchange students are going to get together and cook. Every country will have a different night. Next time Elisa will cook Italian.

I LOVE EXCHANGE STUDENTS. All of them. I didn't think it was possible to connect with so many people so quickly and easily. It's almost like meeting your soul mate over and over and over. I can't even explain it.

Next week is Autumn holiday. I'm going with my host family to Copenhagen for the first part of the week. The second part of the week i'm staying with a bunch of my exchange friends. I am coming home Friday and going to a birthday party for one of the girls in my school. And...Saturday i'm going to another birthday party for one of the girls in my class.
Yup, that's my itinerary.
How exciting.
I'm actually really excited.
I'll probably blog all about it later.

I feel so selfish, writing so much about myself and how wonderful my life is. I have a compulsive urge to ask you all how your lives are doing.
But then i remember you are reading this blog because you are at least somewhat intrigued as to what i have been up to lately.
Also i'm pretty sure the only ones reading this are my parents and close family.
But i hope all your lives are treating you splendidly wherever and whoever you are. I managed to make that sounds very un-genuine and non-specific. But i really do mean it.