On those Studenter....

My pathetic attempt at stalking some of the young graduates - just to give you a little bit of an idea of what it looks like.

Now imagine: Loud music. Singing along. Honking. Horn machines (those things they use at soccer games), probably a vuvuzela or two. On each bus: 20 or so drunk 18-21 year olds.

We've had two of these stop on our street, where they stop to visit the parents of classmates. These parents have some sort of food and drink prepared. More loud music. Screaming and screeching and singing. This is what these kids are doing today, all over the country.

You'd think it would be annoying... but they're just so happy.

Now imagine one of these driving off, with all of them singing "We could have had it allllllll...." to the tune of Adele.

Sankt Hans

You all silly Americans claim summer begins on Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year.
We Danes know that Summer really starts on June 1st (although some people believe it happens when we change to summer time.... ).

Part of the reason, I think, is because in Denmark, the difference between December 21st and June 21st is about 10 hours. Of daylight, I mean. This particular time of year, the end of June, is one of my favorites. The days are ridiculously long, and if we're lucky, the weather is warm and sunny - but hardly ever humid.

It awakens memories of childhood summers - it's strawberry season, potato season, and pea season. Studenterne - (the 'high school' graduates) are driving around on their crazy buses and wearing their cute hats everywhere.

And on June 23rd, it's Sankt Hans, or midsummer, or....

We ventured out to see one of the big witch burning fires. Even though we were late (it was past 10:30 before we made it there), there were still lots of people, live music, and a massive fire. There were booths selling beer (Odense Albani, of course), lots of studenter-hats, and families with picnic baskets (and sleeping children in strollers).

FRom now on, and until DEcember 21st, the days will get shorter. But right now... can you smell it? It's summer...

On Goals for the Summer

Generally, a few days of being tired, lazy and foggy results in a few days of energy and overskudsagtighed. Then I pay for that burst of energy with another day of sluggishness. Like today, I've already hung laundry to dry, folded some laundry, baked, and vacuumed. Without slacking on my blog-reading and Go' Morgen-watching.

Anyway, now that I'm officially on Maternity leave (although I'm calling it Summer break for a little while - it's just funner), I've set myself a few goals

• Leave the apartment every day (even if it's just to go to the grocery store. Especially if it's to go to the store.)
• Do something housewifey every day (vacuum, do dishes, a load of laundry, dust, or other).

So these are my goals for not going insane over the next two months. Secondary goals include:

• Reading a bunch of non-academic books
• Finish knitting my blanket project.... (oops).
• Grow a big fat belly.

On being boring, or old, or whatever

I know my previous blog post was pretty much the most exhilarating thing ever. Ever.

It's kind of like that whole pregnancy-and-babies on the brain thing I've mentioned before. And the foggy brain thing I've mentioned before. Yup, I'm sure there's more to life, but sometimes, that's it. Yup, doing a few loads of laundry and getting dinner on the table.

How do some people bloggers make a day of cleaning, reading, and eating sandwhiches sound endlessly interesting?

But it's okay, because it is now Summer break (/maternity leave). Last week was full of projct management, writing, and real academic thinking. I also cooked up a potential thesis topic. (don't put too much weight on this though, every few months I think of something new to write about and so far I'm not feeling 100% inspired)

Life is good and today is the longest day of the year. Little Dude is active and growing. Happy birthday to my grandpa, who turns 85 today. Over and Out.

laundry and stuff

You know you've been too busy and exam-stressed when:

you do two giant loads of laundry, and both laundry baskets are still overflowing.

I'm out of 20's though, so I guess I'm doing two more loads tomorrow... and probably the next day... until I at least can put lids on both baskets.

(and the reason I'm only doing two at a time is because I hang my laundry to dry. My stuff outside, the rest in the basement drying room)

Thought of the day

Does anyone else ever wonder, just a tiny little bit, if all those fashion bloggers out there actually wear those outfits they post pictures of everyday?

I mean - I like looking at the pictures and always feel inspired. But seriously? Where would I wear those outfits? and especially - when would I ever wear those shoes? (I'm seriously bad at heels)

Maybe it's just because I'm cheap (it's true) and don't have a job or school where I would feel the need to dress up quite that much.

I just have this vision of me going to the grocery store, pushing my baby around in a stroller (or just with my ginormous belly) in 5 inch heels, a miniskirt, expensive jewelry, and a perfectly styled hair. And the vision ends something like this:
Exposing my butt to the store when I pick up something from the bottom shelf
Baby puking on my new shirt
Baby pulling at my hair.
Baby trying to eat my earrings
Twisting my ankle and wobbling home barefoot, carrying screaming baby (or possible choking baby if he succesfully eats my earrings) on one arm, and groceries in the other (possibly resulting in broken groceries in the parking lot).


Phew. Thank goodness I don't wear heels, miniskirts, jewwelry, or ever do my hair. It would be a disaster waiting to happen.

Some of the recent debates in the news around here recently has been on so-called experts and their rights to utter their opinions on political matters. Apparently some politicians feel that this negative press from professors, authors, and other scholars should be taken personally (Søren Pind and Pia Kjærsgård - I'm looking at you).

Apparently, you can become a politican without any degree of knowledge or expertise (in theory). Not all politicians (at least in Denmark) are highly educated lawyers. There are plumbers and teachers - and of course lots of masters degrees in political science and government.

But - if you want to voice your expert opinions on EU policy, European matters, and border controls, you're not qualified unless you have a law degree. Even though youve researched in the field for 15 years, have a phd, and published several books on the topic.

So I was thinking, I could totally be a politician. I mean, I don't want to be prime minister or even anything totally important like Secretary of State or anything. And I definately am not capable of being in charge og money or finances or anything.

Nah, I'm thinking - Kultur minister! yeah! Christine som kulturminister. I could totally rock that. I could  open museums and go to sporting events and try to promote Denmark around the world as a highly cultured nation. I may not know a whoel lot about fine art or music, but I'm willing to learn. And I'm sure there are lots of experts out there who could teach me stuff.

Barring this whole career as a politician, I do have an alternative career in mind: Go' morgen Danmark host. OR Go' Aften Danmark. Just because I'm really not a morning person.

No, bad!

I just finally reached my page-count goal for the day and now I am taking the night off - probably. I may make some models for my appendix if there's nothing good on tv (chances are good...)

So if I'm quiet this week, it's because I'm under pressure to write this final project. And also maybe because, just last week, I discovered two new show called Bones and Numbers, and I'm kind of fascinated.

Time for my home-made pizza dinner and then some couch time. Bye ya'll.