Live and Learn

Well, today did not go as smoothly as the past couple of days. The big objective for the day was to figure out my money situation, which stresses me out anyway. When you add in the fact that I'm in a foreign county...well, you can imagine how I felt walking into town this morning. Especially when I was halfway there, and realized I forgot my money pouch (where I keep my "extra" Kroner, I don't like having a lot in my wallet). Once I finally got into town, I sat down to get my thoughts and paperwork together. I practiced (in my head) saying "Hi, my name is Maria. I am from American. I am a student at the Music School. Do you speak English?" in Swedish. I finally felt ready, and waltzed over to the bank.

Now, you may be asking. "Maria...why the heck didn't you ask Daniel to come with you?". Well, I've asked him and Ariana for so much already, I felt like I should handle this on my own. Plus, I'm stubborn.

When I got into the bank, I waited in line for 10 or so minutes (so I kept practicing my lines). When I got up to the woman at the information desk, I did my best to recite my Swedish. In response I got a very confused look, so I just said "English?". She had some other woman come help me.

I did my best to explain my situation. After some broken conversation back and forth she said that I can't open an account because I don't have a Swedish Personal Number, and that I should have someone help me. She was nice and helpful enough, but I just felt very defeated. I started to get upset because I need to pay my rent and buy minutes for my phone, both of which I need an account to process.

So, I quickly threw my sunglasses on, and headed out the door. I had originally planned to run a couple more errands in town, but decided to head back home since I was getting emotional.

When I got in my apartment I calmed myself down, and got on my computer to do some research. I found out that in order to get a PN from the tax office you have to be here for more than a year. So, I emailed PiteBo, my apartment office to see if I can send them the money from my account in the states. After emailing with them, and with my dad, I think we're just going to wire money from my account in the States. But, I'm just hoping that all the info is right, because they weren't very clear. Only time will tell...let's just hope they don't kick me out of my place!

This excursion took most of the morning, and I was spent emotionally. So, I did what I do best, I took nap! When I woke up, I felt better, and ready to go practice. Here are a few pics of the Acusticum. (The School is divided into two buildings; the Acusticm contains Europe's acoustically best recital hall, and state of the art recording equipment. It's a great facility!) The percussion practice rooms are the windows to the left of the lobby:

Daniel was there, so we chatted for a bit, and he helped me with a few things around school. Then, I found my happy place...and started practicing. Playing helped me relax, and feel that I was doing the right thing, by being in Sweden. I even started to compose a piece that Anders will help me with. I'll travel to Stockholm next week to study with Anders. I'm also in the process of planning a recital for the beginning of August with Kyle, a friend from the University of Kentucky who is living and teaching Art in Germany right now.

I knew that this experience couldn't all be easy and tearless. So, I'm happy to put this day behind me and start fresh tomorrow. I'm going to spend the rest of the evening studying Swedish, and planning more of the semester.

Välkommen!

I have a new best friend. Her name is Ariana, and she is married to Daniel, the percussion teacher at the Musikhögskolan. I literally don't know what I would do without either of them, or Anders. They are the nicest people I've met!

Yesterday morning started off great. I woke up early (too early), got organized and had breakfast at the hotel. My first taste of Swedish cuisine! There was a ton of food, buffet style (smörgäsbord). There were cold cuts, a few cheeses, and an assortment of hard bread. There was also a variety of soft bread for toast, hot meats, fruit and vegetables, dry cereals, and filmyölk (which is "sour milk", but very close to yogurt). The most intimidating part of the spread was the assortment of jams and condiments. I didn't know what to try, and couldn't even make a guess to the ingredients by look alone. To drink, they offered juices and water, and of course, coffee!

After breakfast, I asked the receptionist to point me in the direction of the Pitebo office, which is where I needed to get the keys to my apartment. It was around 9:30am. When I started walking around the center of town, I realized that people don't begin their days until about 10am here in Piteå...nothing was open! So, I took advantage of the time, and wondered around a little.

Here are two pics from the waterfront:

As soon as it was 10am, I went to get my keys and sign the lease. I was pretty nervous, especially after realizing that the woman who was in charge of student housing wasn't very good at speaking English. We got through it with a lot of describing and hand movements. She sent me on my way with a slightly sarcastic "good luck".

Anders picked me up and drove me to my apartment (once again, so thankful! I thought I was going to be taking a taxi, and doing all of this on my own!) My apartment is great! Here is a video of what it looked like before cleaning/organizing...I don't know why I narrated it, pretty lame, I know! Be sure to check out the bathroom, no division between the shower and rest of the room!

We spent the next few hours at the school. We met up with Daniel, and I was introduced to Ariana. They showed me around the school, and I got my key card. Some of the main doors and all of the doors to individual rooms require you to swipe a card and enter your personal access code. When I was getting my card one of the recording students, Sebastian, that Anders and Daniel know, was in the office as well. As we got to talking, he told me that they provide a start-up kit of apartment supplies for exchange students (which is the closest conventional title to what I'm doing here!). For 1000 SEK (which I will get back when I return the stuff at the end of the year), I received 3 bins of brand new IKEA kitchen supplies, pillows, bedding, and a rug for the bathroom. Jackpot!!!

Once I was familiar with the school, I came back to my apartment while Daniel and Anders rehearsed. The place was pretty dirty, so I sucked it up, and ventured off to the nearby grocery store to buy some cleaning supplies. I looked up some words for cleaning solution and soap before I left, but it was still a bit overwhelming. Finding the supplies was easy, but deciding which brand/type to buy was hard. I asked a worker, who was very helpful, but also told me that I needed to practice my Swedish. Thanks for the advice.

I met up with Anders, Daniel, and Ariana at 6:30pm to go to dinner...at a Thai restaurant. Ironic, I know! Food was great, company was amazing. Although, I was getting quite tired at this point! Anders left for Stockholm after dinner. We chatted about what I'll be doing the next week, and I'm going to go down to Stockholm between the 4th and 7th for some lessons. Me=pumped!
Daniel and Ariana invited me to their apartment for fika (to have coffee) after dinner. Coffee, coffee, coffee! Gotta love the Swedish culture! After fika, they walked me home. It is about a 20 minute walk from the center of town to my apartment. I'm glad they insisted on walking with me, because I would have most definitely gotten lost! The streets are lined with trees (and lamps, so it's not dark), and they all look the same. Although it was a long evening, I don't think the conversation stopped once!

When we got back to my place, Ariana started investigating, and Daniel helped me turn on my refrigerator (I couldn't figure it out). Ariana insisted on loaning me a few items, and Daniel let me borrow his webcam. Like I said, they are nicest people ever!
.............

Today I met up with Daniel and Ariana at 10am to go shopping for a hair dryer and jacket. I woke up to a rainy day, but did sleep nicely. I made the 20minute trek into town all by myself! woohoo!

We met near their apartment and went to Åthlens, a department store that's going out of business, so everything was 30% off! However, everything is still more expensive here :( I purchased a travel sized hair dryer (because it was the most practical, money and size wise), and a small broom and dust pan. We then started walking around all the shops. Daniel decided to go home, and let us have some girl time. We went into H&M (yay! a familiar store!), and I bought a nice medium weight jacket. I will need something thicker for the winter, but this one will work for the next couple of months. After this, Ariana showed me a second hand store, but it is only open on Monday and Friday (Måndag and Fredag). I also learned that the word for a kind of garage sale or second hand sale is "lossi". We saw a sign for one, but couldn't find it. We figured it was cancelled because of the rain. So, we headed back to her and Daniel's place for lunch.
For lunch we had some soup, and bread. The Swedish tradition is a hard bread with butter. We also had water with cucumber in it to drink! It was so really good. I'm going to have to start making some. And, after lunch, we of course has some....coffee :)

Daniel and Ariana sent me home with the curtains, new sheets, 2 towels for my kitchen and placemats. I came back excited to make the place look like home....and then took a very long nap!

Now, I'm just trying to catch up on emails and correspondences. I tried to go to the grocery store to buy some food, but it was closed. Thank goodness I brought some meal bars! Tomorrow will bring some more exploring, and hopefully some socializing! God Natt!

First attempt at a video!

Hope it's not too boring! most of the shots are from the few hours I spent wondering around Stockholm yesterday.

Complimentary Wine?! Heck, yes!

I can't believe that I'm actually in Piteå! The past two days were filled with traveling and traveling and more traveling...and I couldn't have asked for a better experience!


I haven't been on an international flight in a really long time, and I was actually pretty excited to be on a red-eye flight. There were a lot of students on the flight from Chicago to London, and it was fun to chat with the people around me. The guy I was sitting next to was returning to Siberia after spending a year in the US studying engineering. He survived, so I figure that I can do the same.


They served dinner on the flight, which to my surprise was pretty yummy! Plus, we were served some complimentary wine! Excuse my ignorance, but I was pretty darn excited. Plus, right after eating, I was out like a light! I didn't sleep the whole time, anxious for some reason...but the flight was eventless. I did, however, enjoy the accents of our British flight attendants probably more than most people.


In London, we had to go through a security check again, which was a drag. But, in line I chatted with a girl from Switzerland who had just spent the summer in New Jersey working at a horse camp. I had hoped she had a crazy long lay-over like I did, but we parted ways after getting through security.


Spent 4 hours in London. Then, I was on my way to Stockholm. At this point, it started to sink in. At the gate I was sitting around people talking in Swedish, and the announcements were first in Swedish. Here goes nothing, I thought to myself.


I was super anxious for this 2.5 hour flight. Tried to read and write in my journal, but for the most part I just sat there. Upon arriving in Stockholm, I first went through "customs"...which was just a woman checking my passport, and telling me I'm crazy for going to Piteå because it's so cold. Haha...welcome to Sweden.


I grabbed my bags (and put them on a little cart, I'm happy with how well I did packing, but it's still a lot of just me to carry!), headed out the door, and.....there was Anders!! Right outside the baggage claim waiting!! I was so excited to see him! He grabbed my cart and headed to the parking lot.


We drove into Stockholm and just chatted and chatted and chatted...catching up and already making plans for the year. He told me that he booked a flight up to Piteå for the evening as well, so that we can drive from Luleå to Piteå together, and meet with Daniel the next day. This news was music to my ears. Perfect!


In Stockholm, Anders showed me around a little. He showed me his new studio, which is in the Kroumata rehearsal and performance space. I'm pretty sure I got chills when I walked into the building and started to meet people.


Anders had some plans in the afternoon, so I was on my own for a couple of hours. Grabbed a map of the city, Anders pointed me in the right direction, and I started walking! Ended up around the palace and museums, and just had the best time exploring, taking pictures, and people watching.


Around 6:30, Anders called "my" cell phone (which is actually his old cell phone that I'll borrow for the year and load with minutes as I need them), and picked me up. We ordered a taxi to head back to the airport.


This is when the exhaustion (and sore feet) began. Before I knew it, it was 10:45pm, and I was in Luleå. Anders rented a car and we drove the 45ish minutes down to Piteå. It was a little chiller, and really foggy. I didn't get to see much, besides road signs (did you know that "Fart" means "speed" in Swedish? hehe...), lots of beautiful trees, and a few buildings.


Checked into my hotel as soon as arriving in the town, and made plans to meet up with Anders for today. Passed out....


The adventure has begun better than I could have imagined! I'm going to go enjoy breakfast at the hotel, and then get my keys to the apartment. Daniel, Anders, and I are meeting this afternoon to make some plans! I'll post pictures and videos and have more news later!

this is getting real.

Flight leaves Cincy at 3:10pm tomorrow

yeah...that's right...

Flight LEAVES Cincy at 3:10pm TOMORROW!!! I will physically be in Sweden in the next two days. After all this planning and preparing, there is nothing more I can do. From now on I have to just "go with the flow".

Case and point: my web cam on my laptop has decided to stop working. The built-in one is not being detected, and it won't recognize an auxiliary webcam. My brother worked on the issue for hours, but no luck :( The main reason that this bums me out, is because Skype and Gmail Chat were going to be my two main means of communication with friends and family in the States. Once I get over there I'm going to have to conjure up some alternative plan. For now, I'm just hoping that this is the only hint of bad luck I'll run into!

My travel itinerary is quite impressively long and confusing. I will fly from Cincy to Chicago (easy-peasy). Then, from Chicago, I'll take a red-eye to London. After a couple hours in a lay over, I'll go from London to Stockholm. Then, Anders is meeting me at the airport in Stockholm! I just found this out, and I'm so happy. This really puts me (and my parents) at ease! We'll grab coffee before my flight to Luleå. I'll arrive Luleå at 10:45pm on Thursday, and will then take a taxi to Piteå.

Since I'll be arriving so late, I won't be able to get into my apartment. My wonderful Aunt Betsy helped me out, and I'll be staying at a hotel for the night. I'll need a lot of rest, because Friday will be a big day.

My Friday "To-Do List"
1. Go to leasing office to get keys to apartment.
2. Find apartment and move in.
3. Find Bank: open account
4. Act like I know more Swedish than I do, and smile a lot
5. Find cell-phone store: get a phone (and don't get scammed!)
6. Find grocery store and department store. Purchase soap, linens, etc...
7. Don't get frustrated
8. Connect with Daniel and the School of Music.

For now, I should try and get some shut-eye. I need to finish packing in the morning...right now it's looking pretty good. I have 2 large suitcases (under 50 lbs, thanks very much!), a rolling carry-on (with all my sticks/music/mallets), and a backpack. The fact that I will be lugging all this luggage gives reason to the 6am boot camp classes that I took the past two years!

Next time I write I'll be en route, and beginning my adventure :)

One Week

Well, I thought that the end of summer would never get here, and now I can hardly believe that a week from today I will be in Sweden!

This summer has been....different. I was really excited to live at home with my parents for awhile, and just "chill" after finishing at Eastman. Evidently, I don't "chill" very well. The past two months have been an emotional and mental roller coaster. I worked at a Subway restaurant owned by my cousin (thanks for the job, Jay!), and spent the rest of the time planning and worrying about moving, finances, and my career. I often felt lost and confused. Also, I was not able to find a marimba to practice on while here in Cincinnati, which put my plans for a recital on hold. In turn, I haven't been very musically motivated. Throughout the ups and downs of this time at home, I have learned a very important lesson:

I need music and direction in my life to be truly happy and healthy!

The past couple of weeks have been significantly better now that I am completely immersed in the planning process for moving to Piteå. Do I still have sleepless nights? Of course! I'm moving to a foreign country. I'm crazy. I don't know the language. I don't have that much money. I have no idea what my schedule is going to be like. I don't have a job. I have to set up a bank account, using Krona. I have to conquer freezing temperatures.

But: I'm moving to a foreign country!!!! I'll be surrounded by musicians. I'll have amazing opportunities to study with great teachers. I'll get to hang out with Anders and Daniel. I'll meet new, diverse people. I'll travel! I'll get to practice and PERFORM!

When comparing the facts, I think this is a pretty good deal. I'm prepared for the first few days to be challenging, lonely, and confusing. I am just focusing on how much of myself I will discover because of this journey.

I know that this week is going to go by in a flash. Packing wise, I'm in pretty good shape. I have checked everything off of my endless lists, and am praying that my preparations will pay off. I've been trying to spend time with family and friends before I leave, and am really excited that my grandma and Aunt Betsy are visiting this weekend. I haven't seen them in a long time, and am looking forward to receiving some good advice!

I'll be updating much more often as the adventure begins...