Balance

As of 7:50 am this morning, I have been in the country of Sweden for exactly 3 weeks.  On one hand, I realize that time has passed somewhat slowly as I have done my best to adjust to a new country, new environment, new people and new ways of thinking and acting.  It certainly has had its ups and downs, but, even more now than last week, I think I am finding my way and getting into the groove here.  On the other hand, I realize, oh man, three weeks have past, its now february and I have exactly 4 months left.  I can see why this experience will fly by, so I need to appreciate each day, each difficulty and triumph, and each experience I have.  To pick up from last week: wednesday (1/23/08) was burger and jazz night at the pub, that was real good; the burgers were huge and I had a "Stella Artois" beer that was consumed in honor of my bro.  It was an early night for everyone, as the night before was kinda crazy.  Thursday was the "big" kravall, an on-campus, all-student party.  I compared it to a high school dance with beer.  It was fun, but nothing too great, however, there is one every couple of weeks, so maybe they will get better.  Friday I rested all day, assuming I would stay in that night, but the Australian guys called me and invited me to go Flamman with them.  We stopped by a pre-party nearby to drink and chat with a big group of Swedes, and ended getting in line for the pub only to stand there for 45 minutes, making it halfway in.  I left, the Aussies stayed and got drunk.  I rode home with an american girl I had met that night, she is from Seattle (and thus, thinks similar to I do); we talked about our significant others and agreed to meet for coffee sometime.  Saturday was Australia Day, and we had a barbecue on one of the fire-pits in our little community.  The requirement (at least for me, Sam, Andreas, Mick and Brody) was shorts and sandals, and sunscreen, and I had a towel that functioned as a windblock.  It was freezing.  Our fire was weak, but we cooked some hotdogs, onions and potatoes, ate chips, drank beer and had a good (cold) time.  Overall, maybe 25 people stopped by, maximum 15 at once.  Everyone who passed looked at us like we were crazy, maybe we were (are?).  Photos on facebook.  That night we had a party at Mick's, with the intention of moving the group to another "bigger" party, but that didn't happen, and the other party ended up coming to us since we were just plain cooler.  I had a push-up/pull-up contest with Sam and then we wrestled (proving our manliness, of course); we both had bruises the next day, and it was fun.  Matteo (Italian) taught me a cool snap, clap, hit the chest and make a beat sort of thing, now I do it all the time. That was a great day.  Sunday, hmm, sunday, I think I just stayed in my room and read.  I don't remember.  Monday was the same, but I had class (I do almost everyday, except today, woohoo!).  Maybe I should write stuff on my calendar so I remember, I've been good about doing that but got lazy recently.  Tuesday was class as usual, Arne was back from Germany, and that night was HG international night again.  I had him, Jerrit and Laura over to my room for a little pre-party (we google-earthed our homes to show each other, which was cool to see, but it made me miss home), then we headed to HG to meet with the group.  Drinking and dancing and laughing and blah blah blah as usual (notice my excitement is falling).  Oh man, they have a really good chips/salsa/olives/sausage plate there, I helped consume two of them.  I was up way too late, and had class the next morning at 11.  But wait, (wednesday, 1/30) I show up to class at 11 thinking I'm right on time, but nooooo, everyone is already on their computers, notes on the board, and I'm thinking "what the hell is going on?".  I sit down after entering to looks like "oh, thanks for showing up", and ask the girl next to me what time class started.  9 am.  WHAT?! How did this happen?  She quietly explains that on the course schedule (different from the online schedule that I always look at) the professor scheduled class at 9 (to 10, then 10 to 12), marking the change in bright red.  Damn.  I'm never looking at the online schedule again.  So I had class for less than one hour, missed the seminar and half of the lab, and felt like a complete idiot.  Oh well, I'm an exchange student, it happens.  I spoke with the professor afterwards, I just have to write a one-page summary to prove that I read the paper, and I caught up in lab, but I still need to figure out some stuff that I missed.  Wednesday night was a trip/tour of the sister city Norrköping.  I sat in the back of the bus with Aussies and drank, um, water.  I brought with me a bunch of candy and beef jerky which few of them had tried (thanks to boonie (sister for those that don't know) whose package I had received earlier that day).  We had a fun time there, walking around town at night, joking, laughing, taking photos and such (soon to be posted).  Dinner was at some pub and we had greasy tacos/burritos, drank some cheap beer and continued our good times (one tequila shot was in there somewhere).  The bus ride home was hilarious, and I have many photos/videos of our trip.  Now, just a pre-cursor: the Aussies are crazy (you know its true, dudes).  We got back and the night was not over, oh no, it had only begun.  We stopped by my place to finish the *cough* water, and I have photos of Sam and Brody pretty much riding a bike in my room.  They ate more of my candy, we were really loud, and I forced us all to the leave.  Over to Andreas'.  A corridor party ensued.  Craziness.  No photos (not risking taking the camera), but good memories, including a way-too-drunk Sam.  I was the good friend that night (infer what you want).  I slept in and then rode my bike to the hospital campus for a tour of a real biotech/genetics lab with my class.  It was cool to see the real thing (not just educational like I'm used to, though, that's not to say our labs aren't real).  Real scientists, oooooh.  Following that, I rode my bike around to kill time before I could pick up the package Colleen sent me (I had to pick it up after 3 pm).  There is a little butte/hill right by the hospital with what looks like a lighthouse on it, it overlooks most of the city and it makes me feel free to be up there.  I have a feeling that I will go back there many times.  I had my camera so I took numerous photos (including some of me with the timer, also to be posted soon) and some videos of me riding around the park and downtown (dangerous, but worth it).  I went to pick up the package from leen, and had to ride home (about 1.5 miles, not too bad) with the package on my handlebars/hands/in my arms.  No fun, but the package (and boonie's) were great.  I now finally have sheets and a pillowcase (why I didn't them from IKEA, I do not know) and lots of junk/munchie food.  I had a lazy night last night, watched Talledega Nights and ate candy and cookies, and lots of water since that's all I have to drink, but hydration is good. By buddies went to a club, but that was a no-no for me, because my body needs the rest.  I fell asleep early and slept great.  Today I have no class, but I will catch-up on reading and drink coffee.  I woke up with a slight sore throat and stuffy nose, so I popped some vitamins, fish oil and echinacea, and I'm going to take a nap.  Tonight is the official, 3-course, formal welcome dinner for the exchange students at 6.  It should be fun.  I don't know what's happening afterwards, but that will be the next post.  The Aussies and I booked tickets to Amsterdam for next friday, they were really cheap, and it should be an awesome weekend.  However, I need to get my balance back.  I have been drinking a lot (though legal, fun, and good for friendship, its just not normal me) and need to reevaluate my actions and goals.  I need to be nerdy Dave again.  I need to focus on school more, maybe still go out but drink less, and I need to spend less money.  I know I can do all these things, but, as my Dad said, I just need to put my mind to it.  I'm a little down on myself cause I know I've been acting crazy and out of my usual controlled, rational self, and hey, I'm in Sweden and can understand why, but I need to swing back and get my center back.  It will happen, it already is since I can reason my decisions and recognize my actions are somewhat abnormal.  I don't know, there are two sides to it, I'm here, living and loving it, but I also am here to learn, to grow, and to "find" myself.  Oh well, its been three weeks, they've been great and the rest of the trip will be great too.  I know I'll be alright.  Ok, it's time to get off the computer and into a textbook (sigh), so this is the end of this post.  I hope everyone is doing well.  Thanks for reading.