Only been a week

It's amazing to think that last week at this time I was still on my way here. I mean, in the span of last week, I've met tons of people (and the mentor program hasn't even started yet!!), including a few that have already become quite good friends (the kind where you think you've known them far longer than you actually have). I really wasn't expecting that to happen, but the fact that it did is pretty much the greatest thing to have happened over here. As much as I miss everyone at home, I'm not homesick at all and I don't think it's going to happen anytime soon. I literally feel like I'm on a long term vacation and there is always something to do. Granted, it doesn't hurt that classes are only a couple hours a week and don't start until next week. But even the classes are small and you get to know everyone (I'm starting to see the appeal of colleges smaller than Madison, not that there's a chance in hell I would ever go anywhere else). The best part about knowing these people, is that they haven't seen Sweden either and are more than happy to put together a trip to Stockholm, Copenhagen, downtown, or the local ice rink (which sadly ended in disappointment).

Yesterday involved trying to catch a bus out of town but everything was closed and we couldn't figure out how to get outside the city limits. So instead, we just went to the nearby lake and walked around it, which turned out to be an amazing time. It was sort of a nature preserve with lots of cross country skiers going by on the trail or even the lake (you'd look up and there would be a skier way out in the middle that you could just make out through the falling snow). We even ran into another group of international students and ended up playing on the ice for a bit. Then the trail would narrow down to only a few feet and all of the branches arched overhead covered in snow (as the snow is still falling) and was just absolutely incredible (especially when you shake the branches over the people behind you). Then of course you have the Australian that has to jump on every patch of ice around, which unfortunately included the thin ice over a small stream (he then proceeded to squeal like a girl every time we came to ice, well that and our constant teasing [it really was pretty stupid] must have been enough for him never to forget it). I'm already gonna miss that kid when he goes. Poor guy, later that night Trevor and I dropped in early at Hugh's dorm with spaghetti and meatballs and ended up having him cook it (granted, it was pretty damn good, even the processed Swedish meatballs).

I picked up a membership to IKSU the other day as well after registration. I think I mentioned it before, but IKSU is basically a combination of Hoofers and the Nat. It's the largest athletic facility in northern Europe which means pools, gyms, courts, weight room, etc. etc. But they also rent outdoor equipment like skis, ice skates, climbing gear, kayaks, and just about everything else you could need for outdoor sports. Furthermore, there are individual operating units such as Alpin and Frilufts that take trips to ski hills and canoe, climbing, caving, hiking, cross country, etc. trips. Anyway, I signed up for a ski trip to Åre the other day (this is where the 2007 World Cup is being held in February) so I'm pretty pumped about that. There's also a canoe trip I still need to sign up for and I'm on the waiting list for ice climbing.

I'm pretty sure I'm gonna come home in far better shape than I left. Not only do I walk everywhere, but it's too expensive to buy alcohol and IKSU has a hot tub, sauna, steam room, and climbing wall. Seriously, all of my free time will probably be spent here. A couple of us already took advantage of the pool last night and today. Not to mention the time spent in the hot tub and sauna. Like I said, this seems like an awesome long term vacation.

Time is just flying by, but I've also done so much in the last week that there's no way time is moving as fast as it seems. This semester is going to be over before I know it yet still feel like a lifetime I think.

I need to do some cross country skiing, especially since half the people you see are skiing to wherever they need to go. It's been snowing most of the last three days and it's supposed to snow four of the next five. Everything is pure white and looks incredible (no salted roads = no gross slushy roads). Yeah, take that those of you in Wisconsin with no snow; this is why I came to Sweden.