BACK FROM ROME!!!!

I’ve been in Rome, Italy since Sunday and it was absolutely amazing. I’ve been studying Art History for awhile so it was seriously unbelievable to see it all in person. Here’s a list of the things I saw:

The Vatican
St. Peter’s Basilica
The Pantheon
The Colosseum
The School of Athens by Rafael
Transfiguration by Rafael
The Belvedere Torso
Pieta by Michelangelo
Forum Romanum (Senate building, Temple of Vesta, etc.)
Capitol Hill
The Sistine Chapel
Arch of Constantine
The Elephant by Bernini
Trajan’s Market
Trajan’s Column
Column of Marcus Aurelius
AND SO MUCH MORE I CAN’T EVEN NAME IT ALL
But anyway it was completely awing. I’ll have to say though that the Colosseum was underwhelming, but the Pantheon and St. Peter’s Basilica surpassed my expectations. All in all awesome trip with awesome food and even greater people. I wouldn’t have changed any of it for the world. Also—sang karaoke in an Italian bar. Don’t worry the song was Remix to Ignition by R. Kelly. Kewl.

xx Emma

10 Reasons to Become a Dane

1. You can wear an “adult onesie” and no one judges you.
2. Even if you’re having a terrible hair day you can always put it in a bun on top of your head and people will think you’re fashionable.
3. Skål!!! (AKA cheers) is really fun to yell.
4. The food has little to no preservatives so you can convince yourself that you’re always eating healthy (even though half the time you’re not).
5. A random stranger can walk you home and you don’t have to worry about him attacking you or something scary.
6. All Danish people look like models.
7. During the week, Danish people are very quiet. On the weekends, Danish people blare music in the streets. They have found the perfect balance.
8. You can wear all black and not be considered an emo or a ninja.
9. Since you’re biking everywhere you have an excuse to not go on that run you’re dreading.
10. Because the healthcare and welfare is so strong, there are very few homeless people.

Well the end to the busiest week yet is almost here. Monday-Wednesday I went to Odense, Aarhus, and Knebel — all cities/towns in Denmark. In Odense, we did a walking tour about Hans Christian Anderson, who was born in the city and went to school until he eventually moved to Copenhagen. We saw his birth home, his school, a statue commemorating him, the church in which he was baptized (which also had the bones of Canute the Great). The city was beautiful, especially in the historic districts. However, it definitely made me miss Copenhagen. At times, Odense seemed eerily empty and quiet despite it being a big city. Also in Odense, we went to the TV2 station, which was pretty cool. Much smaller than any in America though. It’s also very strange/different that TV stations here are government-controlled.

In Aarhus, we went to the ARoS Museum of Modern Art, which was absolutely STUNNING. The way the museum is constructed is based off of Dante’s inferno so you start at the basement in “hell” and make your way up to the rainbow panorama aka “heaven.” It was unbelievable and I highly recommend it.
In Knebel we did team building exercises, which really weren’t that bad because we were surrounded by beautiful views of Denmark countryside.

Now I’m home and soooo much more grateful to be living in Copenhagen. Yesterday I went to the Danish Chamber of Commerce and it was really very interesting especially since we got to go up into the tower on the building where the flags are hung and see the city (apparently this is rare because the public is never allowed up there).

Last night (Friday night) my RA and my friend Vince and I went to the party at the Black Diamond, which was REALLY cool then we went to Francis Pony, and to the Church of Our Lady which had a night church service?? Probably the strangest thing I’ve ever seen. The church was set up like a rave (no joke, technicolor lights lit up the prominent Jesus statue and there was a DJ and everything).
All in all, successful, but exhausting week.

xx Emma

I am officially a legal resident in Copenhagen, Denmark!

And to celebrate I’m going to Christiania for the afternoon with some friends upstairs. Currently, I’m sitting in my living room listening to Louis Armstrong’s voice singing What a Wonderful World and I feel so relaxed and happy even though it’s overcast and chilly. But let’s be honest, sweater weather is better weather.

Last night was spent mostly wandering around the city lost, but I wouldn’t say it was bad night since the city is so pretty (and safe) at night… Especially the Tivoli.

Thursday night was fun also. DANES DO NOT MESS AROUND WHEN THEY GO OUT.

I got home around 7:30 in the morning I was officially dead. I’m pretty sure I fell asleep for a few seconds that the bar once or twice. But I met a lot of cool Danes who were nice enough to take this American with a weird southern accent out!

I had my first two days of class and I love all of them so far. Such cool teachers and assignments and study tours and everything. Looking forward to it all!

However, I may not be able to keep doing this 7:30 am business… It was exhausting.

xx Emma

Today we had orientation and various activities that were boring, but necessary. I got a full night’s sleep last night so I’m quickly getting over the jet lag (but I did hit a wall around lunchtime).

MY LUGGAGE CAME IN TODAY AND I’M UNPACKED AND HAPPY.

Also, I went to the grocery store for the first time and everything is exceedingly expensive and in Danish and not like Walmart at all. I bought milk and I don’t know if it’s pasteurized, what percent it is, or if it’s even milk. It had a cow on it so I bought it…whatever.

Learned some interesting things about Copenhagen food today—everything comes in smaller portions because there’s very little to no preservatives. Also, American diet cokes are illegal in Denmark because the high amount of aspartame is illegal in such a high dose. Uhhhh that’s pretty disturbing……

I’ve met a bunch of people today and some of them seem really cool so hopefully we’ll keep in touch and go out together sometime!

xx Emma

Day one of being in København aka Copenhagen, Denmark. I left Chattanooga, TN yesterday (the 18th) at 8:00 am and arrived in Copenhagen at 11:30 am (European time). After only two hours of sleep and three connecting flights, I was pretty glad to finally reach my destination. HOWEVER, because nothing can be simple, both of my giant luggage bags were lost in Chicago. Supposedly they will be arriving tomorrow…….we’ll see……I’m nervous needless to say.

The house itself is in the middle of downtown Copenhagen in the historical district and it is gorgeous! I’m in the Arts and Culture DIS housing. My room is decently big and looks like it’s straight out of an Ikea magazine. My roommate and I (Anna) share two windows that face the lovely courtyard.

I have a busy week ahead of me that involves scavenger hunts (ugh), orientation, meetings, academic lectures, and classes starting Thursday. Meanwhile, I’m 6 hours ahead of my usual time and I’m feeling very jet lagged. Wish me luck and that the Melatonin kicks in!!

xx Emma