We all have moments in our love lives and relationships where it will be put to the test. For me, the test is a 900 mile distance. Not the easiest situation but one i'm willing to work hard at. So these are some of my tips for anyone who sees themselves facing a similar situation the future.
It’s been almost 2 months since my last post – how neglectful
of me! It’s been a pretty busy period work wise but no excuses. I’ve actually
had this blog post lined up in my mind for some time but actually getting
around to writing it was avoided.
At least Tivoli dressed up for Halloween
So typically around the end of October, the pumpkins appear
in full force and I start to get excited for Halloween. I’m a sucker for fancy
dress, especially the ghoulish kind. I know Halloween is seen as ‘Americanised’
but I’ve always enjoyed it and wish I was still at an age for trick or treating
to be acceptable. Here in Denmark however, the fever of Halloween isn’t quite
as strong. Decorations popped up here and there, along with some seasonal gifts
in the shops and bakeries but it pretty much ends there. Back at home, we would
be finding or organising a Halloween party. so on October 31st, my
neighbour (also a fellow Brit) and I were left a little home-halloween sick,
and resorted to pumpkin carving and watching The Nightmare Before Christmas (a
must watch every year), so it turned out a good night.
Pumpkin time!
November 1st however is a much bigger date in the
Danish calendar, and something I’ve never experienced before. ‘J-dag’ (or
J-day) in the day that Carlsberg, the most prominent beer producer in Denmark,
release their Julebryg (Chistmas beer) for the season. I first heard of it when
one of the Danes from my course sent us a video, stating ‘the snow would be
falling at 8pm’:
Feeling a bit baffled, I went to do some research. The video
is an advert that was first released about 30 years ago? (I may be a bit wrong
with the timings) but seems to have stuck as a tradition to the Danish like the
Coca-cola Christmas advert in my memories. What is meant by the snow falling at
8 would be that the beer would officially go on sale in bars, clubs and shops at
this time. So I thought – lets go see what the hype is all about!
The beer has arrived!
We arrived around 7.30pm and ordered a pre-‘j-dag’ beer as
we waited. Then just before 8, we spotted a blue and white spotted van pass the
window and we followed it with a large crowd. It stopped at a bar just around
the corner from us, where this happened:
This supposedly was happening at different bars are certain
times in the night. Trucks were driving around and stopping at particular bars
on a route, so we were very lucky to have been at one just by chance! Into the bar they went, handing out some free
julebryg’s and Santa hats. Numbers were limited, and it was first come first
serve – but with numbers quadrupling the typical size of this bars clientele,
you had to fight. I succeeded in a beer (not a hat) but we celebrated our gains.
We returned to the first bar for a little while, before deciding to move
elsewhere when suddenly the Blue Santa’s entered the bar we were in. Here, I
gained a hat and another beer, along with a flashing stick thing (a useful prop
for sword-fights as we discovered later).
Free beer!
I dressed for the occasion...
The beer itself is nice, darker and slightly stronger in
percentage to typcal Tuborg/Carlsberg – but also tastes sweeter than the
former. Being a brand, it’s not the cheapest drink, but there are plenty of ‘knock-off’
versions in supermarkets that don’t taste too dissimilar.
All in all, a fun night. I’ve heard they also release an
Easter beer too but its not celebrated in quite the same way. Since that night,
blue and white decorations have been popping up (even in the airport) and I
still have my Santa hat to get me feeling festive. So see you next year, J-dag!
Just a quickie to say i've started a new 'series' on my YouTube channel. I want to post some videos about the different areas of Copenhagen, what they are like and what you can find there (in brief). I thought I would start with my own neighbourhood Østerbro. I hope you enjoy :)
So it’s Thursday night, I’m home alone and I’ve just
finished watching the Dexter finale (as disappointed with the ending as I am?).
So pretty much a perfect time to write again. A combination of 2 things
inspired today's post: the first was an instagram photo entitled ‘Throwback Thursday’,
a new concept to me and the second was an old photo I stumbled across in a
stack of photos of my mum, sister and a 14 year old me. Just a few moments
while I cringe…
Learning to laugh at yourself: Christmas 2006
If you haven’t figured it out, I’m the chubby blonde on the
right. I’m only half joking with that comment too, as some people have
genuinely asked me which one is me. It had to make me wonder… have I really
changed that much? Yes my hair is a different colour, I’ve lost some weight and
my fashion sense have significantly improved (hopefully), but it’s something I assume
everyone experiences and because I am still the same person to me, I don’t really
see the change that much.
Another golden find courtesy of my sister (2008)
I remember telling someone who meant a lot to me at the time
that no matter what, I would never change as a person. I genuinely meant it.
When I uttered the words at 17, I didn’t want my life to change because I felt
it was perfect (I guess that shows my naivety at that age), but in the 7 years
from when the top photo was taken to present day me, I was always going to
change even if I didn’t want to. It’s like that moment on pokemon when you’ve built
up a repport, mastered it’s moves and then suddenly evolves – WHY?! (Ok, apologies
for the geeky reference).
In the last six years I’ve left school, completed 2 years at
college and 3 years of university. I’ve made friends and lost them, been in
love, then heartbroken and somehow found love again. I’ve moved counties and
even countries. I’ve experienced a lot of new and exciting things but also the
loss of others and at times a loss of myself (perhaps a bit too deep for this blog?).
Basically my point is – how could I have not changed?!
A sort of evolution through photos
It’s weird, the evolution of a person. It seems slow but it’s
actually quite quick. I’m approaching the age of 22 and I still don’t see
myself as a true adult. Perhaps it will come with time, or perhaps I will never fully accept it. However what I will accept is that I will change again in the
future. Some of my core principles have become concrete with time:
1.Shit happens – sometimes you can control it,
sometimes you can’t but the fact is you have to accept it, deal with it and get over it.
2.Try and be as positive as possible and brush of
the negatives as quickly as possible
3.I will become a crazy cat lady
I have learnt these through my experiences. My life
will change and so parts of me will change too. But as with core principle one: I
have to accept and deal with it. My message to others is embrace change - it's going to happen so make it a positive thing. Sorry about the serious post, I have a more
light-hearted, Denmark based one to follow soon ;)
Byeee for now!
P.S. since on the change topic – I’m attempting to return to
my natural hair colour very soon. Results will appear soon (probably ginger though..).
My next vlog about homesickness is up. I have been sick this week with what I believe is that flu - bed bound for most of it. I am finally recovered though (although feeling sick today - but that was self inflicted from too much alcohol...).
This was going to be a topic to talk about in my blog, but I
pretty much lost my voice this week and I’ve spent a good part of the weekend
in bed for similar reasons – so vlogging kind of went out the window. The next
best thing? Blogging again! As the only requirement for this is hands to type
with… perhaps part of my brain too but we shall see how far we get…
I have mentioned the biking situation in parts in previous
posts so I thought after a month of being here, I would expand my thoughts on
cycling culture so far.
My new other half needs a name.
So a statistic told me that now over 52% of Copenhageners
commute to work by bike. It’s quite crazy for me to get my head around when UK
bike commuters, although have been on the increase, seem so few in comparison.
At first I thought the motivation behind this was eco-friendly and ‘being green’
(if you weren't aware, Copenhagen are aiming to become the first carbon neutral
city in the world), however from some quick background reading it appears the
most common reason is because it is just the way they do it here, everyone cycles!
So when your city is geared up for it, with purpose built cycle paths separate from
the road and pavement, why wouldn't you? So I decided to join the bandwagon!
Bikes and bike lanes
What is so useful about cycling? Although I had a couple of
hiccups in the beginning (falling off, nearly being hit by a car) I’m growing
to enjoy cycling like I did when I was a kid. The city is extremely flat in
comparison to home which makes for easy travelling. You do feel safer not
having to travel in such close proximity to cars and although bike lanes aren't on every street, it seems to almost be law that cyclists have right of way over pretty much everyone. On top of that is the cost factor – it’s much cheaper than running my
car and public transport costs a bomb if you are having to use it more than
once a day. Walking of course is doable, but in a capital it is time consuming
(and I’m not exactly known for being the most patient of person..).
Bikes and bikes and bikes...
I do still have a bit of a love-hate relationship though. I’m
terrible with knowing what to do with bikes so when anything goes wrong, I feel
a bit stuck. I managed to deal with my flat tyre averagely well after a moment
of weakness feeling stranded without transport in a foreign city. Also the
parking situation can be a bit of a nightmare. When I say bikes are everywhere,
I mean.. everywhere! Propped up outside houses and shops, along roadsides and
in bike designed parking bays. Some never seem to move and I swear they are
just ghost bikes, left for years gone by but you never know. On top of that,
don’t aggravate a Danish cyclist – they take it very seriously if you get in
there way or if you don’t signal properly, their bike bell aggressively ringing
in your ear. Talk about a different type of road rage!
Just your typical bike parking in Copenhagen centre
I found the process of finding a bike not the best either. I
messaged countless of people on a selling website with little results and with
new bikes costing the equivalent of a second hand car in the UK – it was my
only choice. I grabbed the first bike I could get my hands on. It’s not
perfect, a few cracks here and there, mismatched pedals and no bike stand (yet)
– but I’m learning to love it. It’s almost becoming a part of me now that I rely on
it so much – like I did with my little green bug at home (my car). I feel I
need a nickname for it – so any suggestions?
My little green bug - currently tucked up in hibernation until my return.
To sum up – it’s a culture shock I find interesting and
enjoyable. I’m feeling nervous about the winter commutes but it’s something I
need to get used to if I wish to become a temporary Copenhagener. Also drunken cycling on a night out is interesting (still not sure if its legal though...)So if you
find yourself in this city – invest in a bike ASAP.
Byeee for now!
Floor art is the new wall art.
P.S. an update on my floor situation – supposedly I have
leak. It’s looking good, no? It’s my own modern art feature for my room, don’tcha
know.
