This has been the coldest winter Denmark has had in 25 years. My husband jokes that I brought the cold with me being from the Midwest. Maybe so, but I certainly did not bring the nasty symptoms that come from living with the daily damp cold.
First let me start by saying it is January and I have been sick twice in the same month. That's never happened before. I caught your average cold on New Years Day that was over in about a week or two. Cold symptoms are the same wherever you are in the world. However, this second illness has thrown me for a loop. Knife cutting throat pains combined with stomach flu like symptoms.
I swore I had strep throat or some sort of bacterial infection but I saw the Doctor the same day I called and I was totally normal. No fever, strep or bacteria, it must have been a virus. After talking to my husband and a few other Danes, it sounds like these are normal winter weather symptoms. Apparently my American immune system wasn't prepared for the damp dansk virus.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Ode to the US of A
In many ways I have a lot of respect for my new home. In fact, the majority of my posts have delighted in the differences of my new country, but there are simply some things the US does better and I miss them dearly during daily Danish life.
+ 1 USA: Customer Service. In the US there is the expression "The customer comes first" or "The customer is always right." This goes for any situation that puts you at the service of someone else and most people or places exceed your expectations. If not at first, with a little encouragement they will appease your request.
-1 DK: In Denmark the employee is first. There are no exceptions or special requests because of any inconvenience on your end. They play by the rules. In restaurants they leave you alone to enjoy your meal rather than checking to see if everything is alright. That is fine when you want to have a nice leisurely dinner, but not if you're on a schedule, or need more water.
+2 USA: Street Courtesy. In any town in America if someone runs into you on the street or bumps into you in a store there is usually an immediate reaction or response. An "I'm sorry" or "Excuse me." It wasn't intended, it was a mistake, the store/street is crowded, etc., etc.
-2 DK: In Denmark it's like a game of chicken on the street. The one who looks the most determined gets the right of way. There are no qualms about bumping into you. Sometimes I actually think they find joy in forcing their way through an impossible gap between you and the person next to you in a crowd. I miss manners.
+3 USA: Doggie Doo. In the US you rarely see piles of poo laying in the middle of the sidewalk without the owner immediately picking up after him or her. Some dog owners may leave it in the grass, but never in the middle of the sidewalk. It's either a known responsibility or there are signs reminding you it is your duty to pick up the doo.
-3 DK: Yep, you guessed it. In Denmark there are piles of poo laying in the sidewalk just waiting for pedestrians to step in and carry throughout the city and back into their homes. It's disgusting. I am now used to looking down at all times to dodge the doo.
Dear USA, may you always treat the customer first, instill manners, and pick up after your pets.
+ 1 USA: Customer Service. In the US there is the expression "The customer comes first" or "The customer is always right." This goes for any situation that puts you at the service of someone else and most people or places exceed your expectations. If not at first, with a little encouragement they will appease your request.
-1 DK: In Denmark the employee is first. There are no exceptions or special requests because of any inconvenience on your end. They play by the rules. In restaurants they leave you alone to enjoy your meal rather than checking to see if everything is alright. That is fine when you want to have a nice leisurely dinner, but not if you're on a schedule, or need more water.
+2 USA: Street Courtesy. In any town in America if someone runs into you on the street or bumps into you in a store there is usually an immediate reaction or response. An "I'm sorry" or "Excuse me." It wasn't intended, it was a mistake, the store/street is crowded, etc., etc.
-2 DK: In Denmark it's like a game of chicken on the street. The one who looks the most determined gets the right of way. There are no qualms about bumping into you. Sometimes I actually think they find joy in forcing their way through an impossible gap between you and the person next to you in a crowd. I miss manners.
+3 USA: Doggie Doo. In the US you rarely see piles of poo laying in the middle of the sidewalk without the owner immediately picking up after him or her. Some dog owners may leave it in the grass, but never in the middle of the sidewalk. It's either a known responsibility or there are signs reminding you it is your duty to pick up the doo.
-3 DK: Yep, you guessed it. In Denmark there are piles of poo laying in the sidewalk just waiting for pedestrians to step in and carry throughout the city and back into their homes. It's disgusting. I am now used to looking down at all times to dodge the doo.
Dear USA, may you always treat the customer first, instill manners, and pick up after your pets.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Cheaper by the Dozen
On January 7, 2010 my baby sister had her first baby. Baby sister of course only refers to the order of things. She handled the labor like a pro and has an entirely new world opening up to her. One that she will teach me about when the time comes. Still, when it comes to Sarah I have always had older sister protective tendencies and the overwhelming need to take care and defend.Now it's her turn to take care of someone else. Sawyer James Turben makes the 12th grandchild of Am and Jarda, 6th nephew, and 4th godson of mine. The feeling of a new baby in your arms is one of the best no matter how many you have and I can hardly wait to hold this little creation come February.
Throughout the pregnancy Sawyer had already taken on traits of his father. Mom was calm and mellow and happy throughout, just like baby. The little bean would respond to his Daddy's voice at night and kick like crazy when Mom had sweets. Time will tell how the little guy turns out but I can already see Sawyer and Jamie walking around the back yard feeding the birds. Buds since birth.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Hej Hej 2009, Hello 2010!
2009 was a very good year. When I reflect on the year that was I feel grateful for the good fortune of my family and friends. Tobias and I were married and several close friends including my sister got pregnant. All were long awaited events, or unexpected surprises. History was also made. A new President in the US and the Timmerman's in Europe.
2010 has gotten off to a good start with a new address in Copenhagen. A home we can call "ours." We move into our new digs February 1st so the month of January will be busy planning and preparing and moving. Something I just finished doing with my entire US existence 6 months earlier.
Next on the Danish wish list is a job. Then daily life as I once knew it will begin anew. With different surroundings and a new professional experience in a foreign land and funny language.
2010 has gotten off to a good start with a new address in Copenhagen. A home we can call "ours." We move into our new digs February 1st so the month of January will be busy planning and preparing and moving. Something I just finished doing with my entire US existence 6 months earlier.
Next on the Danish wish list is a job. Then daily life as I once knew it will begin anew. With different surroundings and a new professional experience in a foreign land and funny language.
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