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Box 452 Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 3Z1 |
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The Whoop-Up Bulletin
Written by Editor Judy Head
Vol. 84, No. 12 January 28, 2002
A Letter from Alison:
Our outbound student, Alison Holland, provides this update from Sweden.
Hello everyone, Thought I should let you guys know I'm still alive and what I`ve been up to as of late. I have been really busy and just when one thinks things are going to quiet down, life decides to double then triple her speed. Yesterday was my 6 month mark here in Sweden and all I can say to that is... REALLY!?!? There are so many different emotions to that, I can't explain, one side say´s 'so soon', the other can't believe so soon. After realizing that I thought I should just drop in to all of you and say 'hello', and fill you in on everything.
It's been really hard to write to everyone and keep in touch (nothing like I had imagined it to be) every chance I get to write there's always been something unexpected that pops up. Plans change, it's too late, computer's not free, internet doesn't work... my excuses can go for as long as I think this e-mail will be. Sorry. Everything is working out perfectly here, my Swedish family, my friends and the other exchagne students are all having part in making each day here in Sweden even better than before. Already even since December things have changed so much, I met the King, Queen, and crowned Princess of Sweden, St. Lucia, Christmas, New Years, the January exchange students leaving, then arriving, and new semester starting, my host family going to Australia on Holiday, and evening recieving the e-mail reminder of getting ready to book our flights home for July. Wow, so much has happened and so many more things are planned.
St. Lucia is a very big celerbration here in Sweden and happens on the 13th of December. Every Swedish person celebrates it but when you go to ask them how it started all they can answer you with is 'it's about St', I found that interesting. Different organizations get together and organize their own Lucia Trains, with a Lucia wearing a candle crown on her head, the girl followers each holding candles (Lucia and the girls are all dressed in white gowns), and then they guys also dressed in white but all wearing white 'wizzard hats'. It starts with following Lucia in line, everyone (except Lucia) singing, the Lucia solo on a stage, and then ends with the 'Sankta Lucia' song being sung as the line exits the Aula. Every school, no matter what age group has a Lucia Train, and this year I was really lucky in being voted as this years Lucia. It was something!
My host family (the Stenberg's) went off to Australia to meet their son on Exchange there for 3 weeks. So with Christmas being spent with my host fathers sisters family (the Tullberg's, also hosting an exchange student) I was introduced to a WIDE variety of Swedish foods, culture, and tradition. Christmas started with many pre-christmas family parties, gathering of neighbours, drinking of Glög (warm wine, very swedish at Christmas time), and preparing of the Christmas ham. The big day is celebrated on the 24, and starts at about 3 in the afternoon Everyone sits around, has a few drinks (something I've noticed to find very Swedish, a drink before company comes, when company comes, before supper, during supper, after supper... I think you're getting my point) and begins dinner a little while later. I was told this was a traditional swedish Julbord (chirstmas table) with lots of seafood, ham, great desserts, and lots of schnaps (a very swedish drink often had atcrayfish parties with the always said saying 'SKÅLL'). There is a lot of time spent at the table, before heading off to see what Santa has left. I will say that if we hadn't had just celerbrated Rikard's 18 birthday and getting ready to celerbrate Calle's (my host cousins) 20 birthday I would have thought they were both two really big 5 years olds. To see the way these two get so excited about opening the presents was really amazing, There was no hiding the fact that Christmas is their favourite time of year. It was great a great Christmas with lots of snow, great weather, and presents to brag over (hehehe). Fairly different from what I am used to, but nice.
On the morning of the 29 of December we all headed up north of Sweden for skiing in Åre, until the 6th. Wonderful skiing, it's share of fairly cold, but all at the same time Great. Celebrated new years with a nice dinner, which afterwards turned into a club/ disco. I had a lot of thoughts of home that night, wondering what everybody was up to. But I still had New Years to remember, lots of stories and memories.
School started again on the 7th with new classes. The exchange students that have already been here a year were getting ready to leave. That had me thinking a lot of what it's going to be like when I get ready to go home... I couldn't believe I was aldready thinking about some of those things, I still had 6 months!?!? The Stenberg's came back the 13 of January, tanned as ever, it was nice for them to see there son again, and nice to be back on Lidingö again. Our old exchange students left, and the 'newies' arrived. Great bunch, but I feel a little sorry for the guys. They already felt a little out-numbered when they arrived and when the oldies of our district left we lost two, leaving the guy girl ratio of 6 guys : 20 girls to a sad out numbered 4 guys : 16 girls (plus another 5 new girls on to that). We have a good laugh about that.
These are only the really big things that happen in about a month, there is so much more to say and tell, but guessing there is only so much more you want to read. By writing this e-mail I jsut wanted to give you all a friendly 'Hello' and a little.... well okay.... big update on whats been going on. I hope all is well, and to hear from you all soon.
Bye and many smiles,
Love Alison
Upcoming:
Rotary Meeting, February 4, 2002, Lethbridge Lodge: Glen Habkirk will speak about his experience at Ground Zero in New York City.
Starter Bridge, February 8, 2002, at Geri Heckers. Call to RSVP.
Ski Trip, Fernie, February 9, 2002. The bus is cancelled. Contact Myles Bourke if you are interested in alternative transportation.
Rotary Foundation Dinner & video conference with RI President, Tuesday, February 12 @ Lethbridge Lodge. (No Noon meeting on February 11.)
Rotary Meeting, February 25, 2002, Lethbridge Lodge: Presentation by Ryla participants
District Convention, April 20/21, 2002, Westin Hotel, Calgary
Next Meeting: Monday, February 4, 2002, 12:15, Lethbridge Lodge.