The year that was 2010...

Well here I am about to sitting in my lovely Tietgen home one week into the new semester at the University of Copenhagen… this was certainly unexpected.

My original plans were to just stay in Copenhagen for 6 months and return to Los Angeles in January for winter quarter; however, at the end of October I decided to extend my stay in Denmark to the entire year. I have not fully grasped the concept that I am going to be in Denmark for another six months probably because only about 4-5 months ago if you asked me if I was going to stay my standard answer was “No. It is too expensive and I don’t want to be away from UCLA and my friends for a whole year… I would miss out on too much!” Boy has that changed.

One of my favorite things about my life is how quickly long expected plans change. For instance I thought I was going to the University of Washington for the longest time then that fateful letter from UCLA came in the mail and changed my life. I love thinking how surprised my 1-year-ago self would be if she knew what I was doing now: living in Copenhagen for an entire year, traveling Europe like a madwoman, making friends from all over the world, and dating an amazing guy… she would certainly be blown off her seat.

2010 was undoubtedly a life-changing year, the best one so far. I thought this statement would best be explained by a few highlights (featuring both big and small feats), and so in no particular order…

Omicron Pledge Class

1. PLEDGING KAPPA ALPHA PI: At the close of 2009 I was not enjoying life at UCLA. Since I was no longing on the women’s rowing team I had a great deal more time on my hands. Instead of going out and seizing new opportunities I decided to devote myself to school work, although this pledge got me on the Dean’s List it certainly did not make me a very happy person. With a new year and a new beginning I decided to pledge KAPi, as a new effort to meet people and get myself back into the UCLA community. Well many a sleepless night, days spent in business wear, handshakes, and journal entries later I was blessed with a tight knit community of great friends that are a large part of the reason I decided that UCLA was a place I wanted to stay.

2. GETTING A TATTOO: For the longest time I could never imagine myself with a tattoo. It was not only my fear of needles, which had slightly improved after being a human pin cushion when I was diagnosed with my seizure disorder, but also the fact that I often change my mind and never seem to have the same taste for more than a couple of years. However, after my friend Joana did her senior project on “How to decide on a Tattoo” a small seed had been planted in my mind… after much thought and sharpie ink used to test different ideas, I finally took the plunge. I went to Freak Chic with my friend Hannah and got a lovely scallop shell on the top of my right foot. The experience was liberating and very empowering. And not to worry I am still very much in love with almost 7 months later… in fact I just stopped writing to glance at it admiringly.

Tietgenkollegiet

3. STUDYING ABROAD IN DENMARK: In the 20 years of my life so far I have made many important and scary decisions that have undoubtedly shaped my life and the path it is on. There are a few I am particularly proud of, for example my decision to attend UCLA even though I knew zero people and had never been to Los Angeles before. Now my decision to study abroad in Copenhagen ranks highest among these milestones. I often find myself forgetting that I am half a world away from the country and states that I have called home for all my life; this can only mean that I truly feel at home here. The Danish culture, food, architecture, language, people, and coffee are just of the few things that I have fallen in love with. My accommodations could not be more perfect, my room in Tietgenkollegiet is very cozy with photos, postcards, posters, flags and football scarves covering the walls. Also I have taken to the Danish love of candles and burn them every chance I get; three pillar and four tea light candles, ceiling to floor windows and some small string lights make me forget that the daylight is scarce.

4. BECOMING A TOUR GUIDE: First of all it was a really big honor to even be considered for this job and get an interview considering the sheer size of the applicant pool. The group interview was unlike anything I have ever experienced, questions completely out of left field (maybe more like from the edge of the parking lot outside the left field gates) for instance “Squirrels or Sombreros?” Well squirrels of course! I was completely speechless when I saw my name amongst the others who got hired; I had to run back in a double check and even forgot to read the note talking about the paperwork. I really enjoy the job, and like I always say “I love a job where you get a round of applause at the end of the day.”

Kayaking in the fjords of Norway

1. Mazatlan, Mexico
2. Reykjavik, Iceland
3. Copenhagen, Denmark (lived!)
4. Berlin, Germany
5. Paris, France (3^rd time)
6. Malmø, Sweden
7. Stockholm, Sweden
8. Bergen, Norway
9. St. Petersburg, Russia
10. Moscow, Russia
11. Prague, Czech Republic
12. Vienna, Austria
13. Bratislava, Slovakia
14. Budapest, Hungary
15. Zurich, Switzerland
16. Vaduz, Liechtenstein
17. Salzburg, Austria

I tried to only go places that I have never been before, and expect for Paris I succeeded. This semester I will probably not be doing as much traveling but I do plan on making a trip to Ireland, England, and Poland… and perhaps some other pleasant surprises!

Standing in front of Saint Basils in Red Square - Moscow, Russia

6. TRIP TO RUSSIA: Never did I think I would get the opportunity to see the Kremlin or St. Basil’s cathedral in Red Square. On this trip organized by the university for exchange students I made life long friends from around the world (courtesy in part to the soviet night train and 5 bottles of vodka),  got to see Lenin while still drunk from the previous nights frivolities, and experience a side of Russia that few people get the chance to see.

7. FIGURING OUT WHAT I WANT TO DO AFTER UCLA: I love taking long road trips with my Dad because I feel like I always learn something important. So it was no surprise that when we drove from Zurich to Salzburg in our Citroën in November, I decided what career path I wanted to pursue. Prior to coming to Denmark I was still toying with the idea of law school; however, after much reflection I decided that I am not passionate or convinced enough to spend the time and money on a law degree. Subsequently, I discovered that I really enjoy editing my writing. My favorite part about writing an essay is when I print out the paper and sit down with a red pen and fine-tune it to perfection. So lately I have been looking into programs in both journalism and editing/publishing, so far everything seems to point to the East Coast… so very exciting!

Martin & I at Tivoli

8. FALLING IN LOVE FOR THE FIRST TIME: Anyone who hung out with me in the 6 months before I left for Denmark probably heard me mention at least once heard me half-heartedly jokingly say that “I am going to find my Danish lover in Denmark and never come back!” Well you know what they say about those self-fulfilling prophecies haha. Never have I been happier in my life, I truly feel that I have stumbled into something pretty amazing. Without going into all the juicy details, most of which are none of y’alls business, I will just say that I am starting to realize what those four letters really mean… he treats me like royalty and has in the matter of just three months become my closest friend. I feel so blessed to have found him and cannot imagine my life without min dansk kæreste.

Although we are already a month a five days into the New Year, I still felt it was important that I pay homage to the amazingness that was 2010. I have vowed that I am going to do a better job blogging this time around; I truly enjoy reflecting on my time here and keeping you all at home up to date.