Hej everyone! 

So, I've gotten a lot of grief from my brothers for only having one entry, sorry for slacking. Unfortunately, I am not able to upload pictures at the moment, but once I am able to do that I will so you all can see the beautiful Copenhagen :). Here's a rundown of some of the things I have been doing:

1. A TON of orientation activities during the first few days, which included a scavenger hunt of the city. This was pretty cool because we (my group) saw some "must see" sites including: the Black Diamond library (an architectural phenomena), the royal palace square called Amalienborg (the queen was home so we got to see the changing of the guard!), and Nyhavn which is a street along a small canal with all of the brightly colored buildings lining the water, it's the typical Copenhagen postcard picture. 

2. Feeling European as I sit in cozy cafes, drink my Cafe Au Lait, and read for my classes (or people watch depending on my mood); and feeling not-so-European when I get off at the wrong bus stop and have to frantically search for the right bus to get back (usually realizing that the right bus left while I was trying to figure out the system and I then have to wait 20 minutes for the next one). 

3. Meeting LOTS of people, which for me is both exciting and a bit of a struggle. I have really enjoyed getting to know the people in my Kollegium (my residence) both Americans from the DIS program as well as Danish students and International students living here. On my floor I share a kitchen with 10 other people from all over the world, one is from Tibet, one from Pakistan, one from China, and a few from Denmark; so I feel like I'm getting many different cultural views, and I'm absolutely loving that! It was especially interesting talking with them, and other Danes I have met, after the presidential inauguration because they love talking about politics and were very informed (a bit more than most Americans I think). Not surprisingly, they all were very excited for Obama entering the office and think he will improve the U.S. world-image. I have found that with the Danes, they aren't big on light, fluffy conversations and would rather be quiet unless sharing in conversations with deeper content (the exception to this is when alcohol is involved, hahaha). I was told before coming that Danes are quite "standoffish", and while it seems true that they are reserved, if you approach them they are very helpful, inquisitive, and warm people, you just have to take the initiative! 

4. I have tried a few Danish culinary specialties including: the famous Danish pastry (which has a long, complicated name in Danish), curried herring (not so bad since the curry hides the fishy taste), Danish meatballs, and I did have a hot dog from a hot dog stand here. As you would imagine, the Danish pastry was incredible and you cannot visit Denmark without trying one! 

5. I started my classes (yay or ugh, not sure how I feel about studying right now). I am taking Human Health and Disease: a Clinical Approach, Biology of Marine Mammals, Psychology of Childhood Development and Play, and Nationalism, Ethnicity and Political Violence. I'll update when I know more about the classes and how I like them...

6. And last (but certainly NOT least), I've been going out in the city at night and that has always been an adventure. Usually we go to a few different bars/pubs/clubs in a night and there is such a variety here that anyone can find something for them. We went the other night to a Jazz bar that was cozy and fun, then to a karaoke bar and 2 friends and I sang "Wannabe" by Spice Girls (therefore I fulfilled one of my life goals by singing in a karaoke bar!), and finally to a dance club, which played Danish and American music. Another night we went to a student bar that has local performers and the group that night happened to be a Danish group singing twangy country music--I seem unable to escape the South! But that was also entertaining and a fun night. It's kind of funny because around 3 in the morning, Copenhagen is buzzing with life and the Danes are very vocal (unlike the rest of the time), and you'll even see Danes who are in their 60's out on the town, quite different than back in Cincy at 3 AM. 

So I think that's about it for now, hope I haven't bored you to tears! 

Hej hej! (Goodbye!)