(Here are a few photos. . . my apartment pre-anything, the dreaded air mattress. . . and so on)
Hej!
(Oh, yeah, I'm super Swedish now, and that's how we say "hey") Actually, friendlier people even say "Hej Hej!" (Sounds like "hey hey." It's pretty fun!)
Well, anyways, I have internet in my apartment, finally! This means these blog posts could get longer, and for that, I apologize!
Yesterday was my first day of work! It definitely was not a typical first day. I got to the school in almost no time. It's amazing to be able to walk to school! Definitely couldn't do that from Carp to St. Mark! There's also a bus route that goes directly from my apartment, which will come in handy when I have piles of work to mark, or when it's winter! I'm not the best winter walker. . .
Anyways, the first day! The school is still very much under construction. Literally, there are fifty construction workers going to town. So as I walk up the many flights of stairs, I see a group of about 10 teachers, one being my friend Gemma who showed me around. Everyone introduces themselves, and then shortly we're led upstairs to a room with nothing in it but a projector. Our principal tells us that our folders have out names on them, and we can pick them up. It felt like a sorting process on a reality show or something!
It turns out the principal is American! I had no idea because she has a Swedish last name! Well, anyways, she does a little intro, and then we all pair up and have to interview the other person. I got paired up with a teacher who's my age, and has lived in Boras her whole life. I told her about playing hockey, and obviously being from Canada, to which she exclaimed, "Oh my God! So you're like Robyn on "How I Met Your Mother?" Little did she know, I watched the entire 2nd season in three days here, and that was a funny little coincidence. Also, Robyn on the show is drop dead gorgeous. . . so yes, I AM exactly like her.
Anyways, we heard everyone's intros, and there's another teacher from Toronto! (A Leafs Fan, bleugh) There's a few UK teachers, one from Spain, two Americans, one from South Africa, and I think the rest are Swedes. Let me just say that every single person was so warm, inviting, generous, and genuine. I don't think I've ever felt less awkward with a group of strangers! We had coffee, and then went for an intense uphill hike to this beautiful cabin, where we had pasta, bread, juice and cookies. There was so much pasta that I barely ate half. . . and I love food!
Anyways, I got to chat with a lot of teachers about how crazy I seem for moving to Sweden, and spoke with others about where else they've taught.
We then got into logistic things, like our school rules, routines, and curriculum. I now have three days to plan my English and French classes. If I remember correctly, I'm teaching English to grades 5 and 6, and French to 7, 8, and 9! My vacation's over! Time to work!
I'll stop with that now, in the interest of time, but just add a bit about my apartment! I NEED to get a bed. I'm just so lazy, and there's no elevator, and I live on the 4th floor! Lazy bones!
Ok,well, I'm off to do some much-needed internet surfing!
And. . . I can see the sunset from my window! All last year, I complained about facing the other way!
oh P.S I found hummus and veggie meatballs and chicken nuggets! Vegetarianism in Sweden! (fist pump)
-How do you non-awkwardly end one of this?
Hejdo,
R
p.s Happy Birthday Mom!!!!
Your apartment looks nice! But yes, you do need a bed! Also, I tried to rent How I Met Your Mother the other day but it WASN'T THERE. Anyway, glad you're meeting friendly people and enjoying yourself!
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