One thing I've come to notice and love about Sweden is the pride they seem to take in how things look. That is; their personal appearance, their streets, their outdoors and their buildings. Most Swedes put obvious effort into how they look everyday; as if everyday they are seeing someone worth impressing. Even professors are trendier in dress than the average Canadian on the street or in the classroom. Most everyone seems to have their own personal style that they take daily care to express.
Orebro Universitet is also quite impeccable in its presentation. While small, with many smaller buildings spread over roughly a block on campus, there is art throughout every building. Sculptures inside and out, wall sized murals, hardwood floors, huge bright windows, winding staircases, benches, garden spaces and these beautiful, green yards in the middle of some buildings with wrought-iron, winding staircases leading into them from the top floor. No building nor faculty is aesthetically neglected.
And the LIBRARY! Once again, sorry for my nerdy tendencies, but the library is probably the most stunning modern library I have ever seen! I mean, little can compare to the beautiful, ancient libraries such as New York's Central library, but this one makes you feels as though you have to buy something! Its too nice to be giving away books for free! Oh, and as you can imagine I tested the late fees are there are none! Its basically library heaven. Leather sofas, frosted glass lamps, Modern art and statues around most every corner, hardwood floors and a two story high wall of windows! I cant really do it justice just through description, so along with the photos above of Orebro is one of inside the library, ha!
Skiing was fun! Just a hill (nothing comparable to our glorious mountains at home!) but it was really fun to try somewhere and something different! It felt nice to spend a day outside and see a little more of the Swedish outdoors. The unfortunate part was how frozen I was! I'm still trying to adjust to the humidity here with only a little luck! Sooo I couldn't feel my toes pretty much the entire day, which is no problem, except on the bus ride back to Orebro (the hill was about 2hrs away) my one toe was hurting so so bad! When I got home and took off my sock it was BLACK. I was so scared! I thought I had frostbite! Apparently, however, I had "runners toe" where if your shoe or sock does not fit right, the constant friction and jamming of your feet in the shoes bruises and blisters under your toenail. Pretty gross, and pretty painful! And to add insult to injury, its looking like I will have gross feet for the whole summer, as my toe nail will fall off any day now :( Oh well, a nice day of skiing was worth some pain and ugliness!
On Sunday it snowed nearly a foot of snow, and Monday was bright and beautiful; the first full day of blue skies I've yet to have in Sweden. So Caroline and I went out to walk around the quaint Orebro and get a better footing for where exactly I am. Above with the photos of my beloved library are some pictures of downtown Orebro on a sunnier day than the photos I ahve show you all before!
Well, now im up about 3 hours later than I should be. Tomorrow morning I am off for another day in splendid Stockholm to explore and (window) shop. I have to leave at 7am! Ugh, I much prefer staying up to that horrid time than leaving my bed to start my day so early. Even if it is my flimsy dorm bed. But Stockholm is worth it!
Tonight I feel a little bit homesick. Just missing my friends and family and even familiar faces. I'm really excited to walk into a room of friends again and hope that there are some at home who are excited to see me too! I'm finding that the hardest thing about being away from people isn't necessarily missing them, but worrying if they are missing you (too).
You'll hear from me in just a few sleeps, perhaps even one if I try my best!
xo
Miss & Love you all!
Puss & Kram!!
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