1st Week

Hej Friends!

Well, i've explored more of Stockholm by now, not all because it is a pretty big city, a lot is packed into this place, and it is incredible. As I was walking around the city all I could say to my self was "holy s**t", I cant believe where I am, walking around Sweden in the snow by myself with a huge smile on my face. The architecture here has so much history. I went to the Royal Palace where the guards stand out front with no expression on their face. There is one of the oldest towns (island) in Stockholm called Gama Stan, the streets are all cobblestone and very small, cars cant drive on most of the streets. There are tons of shops and small places to eat (sooo many coffee/cafes). I haven't taken too many photos yet just because i've been in owe just walking all around and getting lost. Two days ago I skated at the Stockholm skatepark which is in Fryshuset, a cool, more hip town where the punk rock kids hang out, haha. I meet a really cool Swedish guy who works there and kills it at skating! Then we had our exchange student orientation, there is a student union which throws parties, plans events. and other cool stuff that I'm really excited about. Its snowing outside... Anyways, last night these two Swedes on my floor took us out to some bars around the city, it was cool to get to know the people I live with and spend a lot of money! Its cool because there hasn't been an American living on this floor for a long time and everyone is super cool and very interested in the California life. I've stayed up late at night just talking to some of the people about our lives and how different everything is... The past four days have opened my eyes up tremendously, just being in a foreign place having to step outside of my comfort zone has truly changed my life already. After meeting people from around the world just makes me want to see the entire world. The French guy (Adrian) and I are planning to go to Copenhagen soon, also the Student Union is planning a trip to Helsinki, Finland in the next few months so hopefully I can go. Its snowing outside... Anyways its crazy to buy alcohol, the beer they sell in the stores is only 3.5%, so to buy real beer and alcohol you have to go to stores called Systembolaget, and they are only open during the week so I have to plan to go buy beer..(Matt, you would have a hard time!). Blake, Group stickers are slowly appearing in random places, there is so much style here I think this is the place for Group, haha.. Everything is still pretty overwhelming for me, meeting all these foreigners then forgetting their names, going to school and not knowing what to do because everything is in Swedish, living in the cold, living in a dorm like atmosphere, taking the metro (Tunnelbana, its is just a complete 180 from living in Cali... Tonight we have a welcoming party at the pub on campus for the exchange students so thats going to be cool..Its snowing outside... and ya, ive already slipped on ice in front of some people and that was cool...Well, I gotta run to go to school for a little meeting...Dad i miss you, Mom is miss you, Blake, Kristin, Aaron, Kayden, all my friends and Amy I miss all of you, and don't worry Im being very safe,(not too safe!)  hahaha I will post some pictures soon. 

Hej då