Friday, May 11, 2007
Telia SMS message
We went to the Rothgilde viking museum this morning, cold & raining; it was pretty neat. This afternoon we have guest speakers.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Thursday was staff appreciation day. The advanced team did some impressive work in coordinating the schedule to allow the time for the staff appreciation show. The premise was that the CI for the day had been cancelled. In the morning, I participated in a workshop that was our inaugural session in the re-entry into normal life series. We were presented with the question of what we were going to do to continue the spirit of UWP when we get home. As I’ve posted, I want to have a bbq for my road back home. That session took us almost to lunch; which, as with every meal this week was sandwiches (but don’t get me wrong, I like sandwiches). I quickly grabbed my sandwich and ran down the street to find a place to get my hair cut. The third place I came to was the first that actually had any openings. The first two were like salon type places, the place I ended up was more like a barber shop. I paid 15€, or about 25$ which for me is quite expensive but I needed something done before Thailand and I can’t get Miranda to cut it for me right now. Anyhow, when I came back, the facility door was locked so I (even though I didn’t know it at the time) missed most of the staff appreciation, including my part where I was to play the fiddle for the irish song and Greg was to sing it instead of Aiofe. We stuck it in the program later but I’m sure that caused people some stress; ah well. I got picked up after wrap-up and we went home for supper. But it was an hour late because of a misprint on the host family schedule. It was some kind of what I called “fake sauerkraut”, but really what it was was mashed potatoes, onions, vinegar, and sugar. After supper we had some coffee with Real Authentic Danish Butter Cookies.
Staff Appreciation Show
Coolest Mouse Ever
Clean Shaven
Matt Returns from his bro's wedding in Mexico
Thursday was staff appreciation day. The advanced team did some impressive work in coordinating the schedule to allow the time for the staff appreciation show. The premise was that the CI for the day had been cancelled. In the morning, I participated in a workshop that was our inaugural session in the re-entry into normal life series. We were presented with the question of what we were going to do to continue the spirit of UWP when we get home. As I’ve posted, I want to have a bbq for my road back home. That session took us almost to lunch; which, as with every meal this week was sandwiches (but don’t get me wrong, I like sandwiches). I quickly grabbed my sandwich and ran down the street to find a place to get my hair cut. The third place I came to was the first that actually had any openings. The first two were like salon type places, the place I ended up was more like a barber shop. I paid 15€, or about 25$ which for me is quite expensive but I needed something done before Thailand and I can’t get Miranda to cut it for me right now. Anyhow, when I came back, the facility door was locked so I (even though I didn’t know it at the time) missed most of the staff appreciation, including my part where I was to play the fiddle for the irish song and Greg was to sing it instead of Aiofe. We stuck it in the program later but I’m sure that caused people some stress; ah well. I got picked up after wrap-up and we went home for supper. But it was an hour late because of a misprint on the host family schedule. It was some kind of what I called “fake sauerkraut”, but really what it was was mashed potatoes, onions, vinegar, and sugar. After supper we had some coffee with Real Authentic Danish Butter Cookies.
Staff Appreciation Show
Coolest Mouse Ever
Clean Shaven
Matt Returns from his bro's wedding in Mexico
Action Plan For Harmony
Well, as some of you might know; but probably not. I grew up at the end of a one mile dead end dirt road at the top of a mountain. Being away from home over the past few years has been an eye opening experience as to what life really was like when I was home. We live in really different worlds, even our next door neighbours can be complete strangers. For example, last fall, the house next door burned to the ground because the people there had been using it for a storage place for stolen property as well as a marijuana grow operation.
Over Christmas, my mom and I decided to do lots of baking and do up trays of cookies and squares to give to the people on our road. A lot of these people I had never even met before because for us and myself growing up, my concept of the people who lived in my community were the people who attended my church. While that was quite a few people, it certainly wasn’t everyone. When I moved away from home to Newfoundland for University, I realized that there were a lot of social problems there such as domestic violence and alcohol abuse. When my mom and I went on this venture, I realized that this, for all these years had also been a problem literally right in our own backyard. The conditions under some of the people were living were horrible and I’m absolutely sure they felt as they weren’t part of any community at all. Sure we have a “community association”, and even a community newsletter, but I’m sure once again, these things are almost exclusively participated in by the church going crowd. This becomes quite a barrier for those who aren’t religious and I want to seek to find a common ground where everyone can come together.
When I go back to visit my parents, this summer I am going to organize a BBQ for all the residents of my road. I’m certain that some of them have never even met each other, much like I hadn’t; even having lived there for 17 years. Everyone likes food, and everyone can walk to my parents house, its just a simple matter of getting some hot dogs, making some flyers and having a positive attitude. Who knows, maybe they’ll even want to do it again sometime.
Well, as some of you might know; but probably not. I grew up at the end of a one mile dead end dirt road at the top of a mountain. Being away from home over the past few years has been an eye opening experience as to what life really was like when I was home. We live in really different worlds, even our next door neighbours can be complete strangers. For example, last fall, the house next door burned to the ground because the people there had been using it for a storage place for stolen property as well as a marijuana grow operation.
Over Christmas, my mom and I decided to do lots of baking and do up trays of cookies and squares to give to the people on our road. A lot of these people I had never even met before because for us and myself growing up, my concept of the people who lived in my community were the people who attended my church. While that was quite a few people, it certainly wasn’t everyone. When I moved away from home to Newfoundland for University, I realized that there were a lot of social problems there such as domestic violence and alcohol abuse. When my mom and I went on this venture, I realized that this, for all these years had also been a problem literally right in our own backyard. The conditions under some of the people were living were horrible and I’m absolutely sure they felt as they weren’t part of any community at all. Sure we have a “community association”, and even a community newsletter, but I’m sure once again, these things are almost exclusively participated in by the church going crowd. This becomes quite a barrier for those who aren’t religious and I want to seek to find a common ground where everyone can come together.
When I go back to visit my parents, this summer I am going to organize a BBQ for all the residents of my road. I’m certain that some of them have never even met each other, much like I hadn’t; even having lived there for 17 years. Everyone likes food, and everyone can walk to my parents house, its just a simple matter of getting some hot dogs, making some flyers and having a positive attitude. Who knows, maybe they’ll even want to do it again sometime.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
8:47:22 AM
Today has been rather low key today. My room mate was up before me and took a shower. The family had already left, but had left us some breakfast on the table. I took a shower, then had some strawberry yoghurt with the crunchy oat stuff, much similar to yesterday. As matter of fact, I had the same breakfast as yesterday. We drove in to the location we had been to the day before.
Today was CI day; not just any CI day mind you, today everyone was to come up with their own projects. Originally I was with Tina and her group, but I realized that I was much more suited to Patrick’s group as he was planning on doing some web design kind of stuff. It turned out that it was just him, myself, and Laurs; a university student studying communications. Our Vision for the day was to start creating an online community for all people associated with UWP; including a host family network. I set to work, not even taking a lunch break and by the end of the day had set up a viable html frontend for the community.
In the evening, after wrap up, the cast went out to supper, and then to a bar. I couldn’t handle the bar so I left and sat at the train station. I got mad at at least two people today; really angry. That is the definitive proof that I’m an angry person because of UWP; and yes, Its all Good™.
8:47:22 AM
Today has been rather low key today. My room mate was up before me and took a shower. The family had already left, but had left us some breakfast on the table. I took a shower, then had some strawberry yoghurt with the crunchy oat stuff, much similar to yesterday. As matter of fact, I had the same breakfast as yesterday. We drove in to the location we had been to the day before.
Today was CI day; not just any CI day mind you, today everyone was to come up with their own projects. Originally I was with Tina and her group, but I realized that I was much more suited to Patrick’s group as he was planning on doing some web design kind of stuff. It turned out that it was just him, myself, and Laurs; a university student studying communications. Our Vision for the day was to start creating an online community for all people associated with UWP; including a host family network. I set to work, not even taking a lunch break and by the end of the day had set up a viable html frontend for the community.
In the evening, after wrap up, the cast went out to supper, and then to a bar. I couldn’t handle the bar so I left and sat at the train station. I got mad at at least two people today; really angry. That is the definitive proof that I’m an angry person because of UWP; and yes, Its all Good™.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Telia SMS message
CI today was just me patrick an his host dad doing some web dev for a new online uwp community.
Telia SMS message
Well, the cast is having supper tonight @ a sidewalk café. I guess were going to a bar next but im leaving as soon as i can.
Telia SMS message
brennancoldwell.mail@blogger.com This is a test of my new found ability to blog from my blog . Cool eh?
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
9:31:47 AM
Well, we arrived to Roskilde last night before 6:30. We had our allocation meeting and we met our host families. This Week, I’m staying a little ways out of town with Scott Koogle, the cast dance captain. For host codes, we had to perform a song and our host families were given the names of musical groups. We were given “Dancing Queen”, Scott sang the words while I did an interpretive dance. We’re staying with a host family about 20 minutes out of town; near to where the world famous Roskilde Music festival is held. Every year around the first week in July, about 70,000 people invade the area and rock out for a week. When we got to their house, we were shown to our room. Where we are staying essentially amounts to their old office. Which is great for internet, but its really close quarters. I’m sleeping on the floor on a futon because the fold out cot-couch wasn’t really big enough for him and a tall person like myself. For supper we had wine and lasagna an it was all good.
Breakfast this morning was a bitter strawberry yogurt with some candied oats type things and then some bread and cheese. It was all good. We finished with a cup of coffee and then was were off for the day. Another cast member is being hosted in the same community as us so we got a ride in with them this morning. I do notice that things are different staying with staff, it certainly limits your free time. Anyhow, its been raining so far today; a rather welcome weather phenomenon considering that we’ve only had perhaps 3 or 4 rainy days during this entire 5 months. After morning meeting, the entire cast walked back to the place where we had first been dropped of the bus yesterday. There we had brunch with the mayor of Roskilde. I had lots of chocolate, cider, and fruit. In the afternoon, we walked back to the facility where we had been in the morning and we had a few seminars. The first was on the “Muhammad Crisis” here in Denmark with regards to the publication of cartoons. The next two sessions I basically slept through. There was something about wearing different coloured glasses to see the world in a different light; I don’t know, anyhow. For supper we had pork chops and probably the best Greek salad I’ve ever had. It was all good.
The Mayor Dude
Mmm Viking Burgers
9:31:47 AM
Well, we arrived to Roskilde last night before 6:30. We had our allocation meeting and we met our host families. This Week, I’m staying a little ways out of town with Scott Koogle, the cast dance captain. For host codes, we had to perform a song and our host families were given the names of musical groups. We were given “Dancing Queen”, Scott sang the words while I did an interpretive dance. We’re staying with a host family about 20 minutes out of town; near to where the world famous Roskilde Music festival is held. Every year around the first week in July, about 70,000 people invade the area and rock out for a week. When we got to their house, we were shown to our room. Where we are staying essentially amounts to their old office. Which is great for internet, but its really close quarters. I’m sleeping on the floor on a futon because the fold out cot-couch wasn’t really big enough for him and a tall person like myself. For supper we had wine and lasagna an it was all good.
Breakfast this morning was a bitter strawberry yogurt with some candied oats type things and then some bread and cheese. It was all good. We finished with a cup of coffee and then was were off for the day. Another cast member is being hosted in the same community as us so we got a ride in with them this morning. I do notice that things are different staying with staff, it certainly limits your free time. Anyhow, its been raining so far today; a rather welcome weather phenomenon considering that we’ve only had perhaps 3 or 4 rainy days during this entire 5 months. After morning meeting, the entire cast walked back to the place where we had first been dropped of the bus yesterday. There we had brunch with the mayor of Roskilde. I had lots of chocolate, cider, and fruit. In the afternoon, we walked back to the facility where we had been in the morning and we had a few seminars. The first was on the “Muhammad Crisis” here in Denmark with regards to the publication of cartoons. The next two sessions I basically slept through. There was something about wearing different coloured glasses to see the world in a different light; I don’t know, anyhow. For supper we had pork chops and probably the best Greek salad I’ve ever had. It was all good.
The Mayor Dude
Mmm Viking Burgers
Monday, May 07, 2007
May 7, 2007 12:01 PM
12:02:00 PM
Today has been going ok so far, I had no internet this morning so I didn’t get to call my girl back home. Its frustrating not knowing if you are going to be able to be in touch one week to the next. Anyway, I hope I do this week because next week we’re in Thailand and that’s going to be completely different, and more time zones away. I’m probably going to experience a culture shock. We’re driving back down towards Denmark. On either sides are those fields of “rap” seed yellow flowers. I’m sitting down on the bottom deck of the bus; unfortunately next to the bath room and it smells quite a bit. Ah well, its only a 3 hour drive today. We are stopping in Copenhagen for a few hours this afternoon. The weather forecast said rain but its sunny now. The morning was ok and I was positive, but now everyone around me seems to to be in a bad mood do now I am too. Ah well, my host mom packed me a sweet swedish sac lunch today. A couple of sandwiches, chocolate, an apple, some yogurt like stuff an a Roxette cd. We’ll see how it goes.
12:40:57 PM
Well, we’ve arrived to the ferry terminal in the south of Sweden. Its cold, overcast, and we’re experiencing light hail. We’ll be boarding the ferry for a 20 minute ride to Denmark. Its then about another hour to Copenhagen. We leave there at 3:30 to Rosthgilde. New week, New host families.
5:03:28 PM
Wow, I can’t believe how late it is. We stopped for about an hour and a half in Copenhagen. It was all good. I bought some postcards, a new SIM card for my phone for while I’m here in Denmark, and one of the smoothest lattés I’ve ever had. It was raining and a bit cold, which is exactly how I had always pictured it. It was fabulous all things considered. The Danish currency is somewhat similar to the Swedish Crown in value, this is officially the 5th currency I’ve had to deal with on this trip. I think I’ve got the hang of it by now.
12:02:00 PM
Today has been going ok so far, I had no internet this morning so I didn’t get to call my girl back home. Its frustrating not knowing if you are going to be able to be in touch one week to the next. Anyway, I hope I do this week because next week we’re in Thailand and that’s going to be completely different, and more time zones away. I’m probably going to experience a culture shock. We’re driving back down towards Denmark. On either sides are those fields of “rap” seed yellow flowers. I’m sitting down on the bottom deck of the bus; unfortunately next to the bath room and it smells quite a bit. Ah well, its only a 3 hour drive today. We are stopping in Copenhagen for a few hours this afternoon. The weather forecast said rain but its sunny now. The morning was ok and I was positive, but now everyone around me seems to to be in a bad mood do now I am too. Ah well, my host mom packed me a sweet swedish sac lunch today. A couple of sandwiches, chocolate, an apple, some yogurt like stuff an a Roxette cd. We’ll see how it goes.
12:40:57 PM
Well, we’ve arrived to the ferry terminal in the south of Sweden. Its cold, overcast, and we’re experiencing light hail. We’ll be boarding the ferry for a 20 minute ride to Denmark. Its then about another hour to Copenhagen. We leave there at 3:30 to Rosthgilde. New week, New host families.
5:03:28 PM
Wow, I can’t believe how late it is. We stopped for about an hour and a half in Copenhagen. It was all good. I bought some postcards, a new SIM card for my phone for while I’m here in Denmark, and one of the smoothest lattés I’ve ever had. It was raining and a bit cold, which is exactly how I had always pictured it. It was fabulous all things considered. The Danish currency is somewhat similar to the Swedish Crown in value, this is officially the 5th currency I’ve had to deal with on this trip. I think I’ve got the hang of it by now.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
May 7, 2007 10:49 AM
Saturday I got up for some awesome cinnamon french toast for breakfast. On it I had the closest thing to real maple syrup that I’ve had so far on the trip. Since my host dad is from Washington state, whenever they go home, they bring back maple extract and use it to “make maple syrup”. We let shortly after breakfast to go to a place about 200km to the north where rock carvings from the bronze age can be found. The name of the place is hard to remember, even harder to say, but it is designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. The carvings were quite extensive. The interpretive center was also pretty cool. They even had a recreated settlement from the period. My host mom, dad, brother, and sister, were joined by my host mom’s sister; who also travelled with UWP back in the mid 90’s. The weather was overcast and a bit cold, which seemed rather fitting for the day. Up on the hill there were also some ancient burial cairns, which turned out to be just big piles of rock. The drive home took us through some beautiful countryside, over bridges, across islands, and through tunnels. For supper we had chinese food and then I set about packing an doing laundry. Tomorrow was going to be another long day. 36 days and counting.
Rocks of Joy, aka rocks you can use as ice cubes
Note the importance of the Sacrificial bog
Getting thrown in the Sacrifical Bog
The Swedish Equivalent of Skor
May 7, 2007 10:49 AM
Saturday I got up for some awesome cinnamon french toast for breakfast. On it I had the closest thing to real maple syrup that I’ve had so far on the trip. Since my host dad is from Washington state, whenever they go home, they bring back maple extract and use it to “make maple syrup”. We let shortly after breakfast to go to a place about 200km to the north where rock carvings from the bronze age can be found. The name of the place is hard to remember, even harder to say, but it is designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. The carvings were quite extensive. The interpretive center was also pretty cool. They even had a recreated settlement from the period. My host mom, dad, brother, and sister, were joined by my host mom’s sister; who also travelled with UWP back in the mid 90’s. The weather was overcast and a bit cold, which seemed rather fitting for the day. Up on the hill there were also some ancient burial cairns, which turned out to be just big piles of rock. The drive home took us through some beautiful countryside, over bridges, across islands, and through tunnels. For supper we had chinese food and then I set about packing an doing laundry. Tomorrow was going to be another long day. 36 days and counting.
Rocks of Joy, aka rocks you can use as ice cubes
Note the importance of the Sacrificial bog
Getting thrown in the Sacrifical Bog
The Swedish Equivalent of Skor
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