Universitetet

The Library is very nice and modern. 

This is one of the cafes on campus. You can buy a coffee for 9 Kr, a little more than a dollar, but it is pretty tasty. There are lots of chairs, tables, and couches to the right behind the bright sign. It is located right by the library and the entrance to the University, so I have bought coffee there a few times. It is a nice place to relax for a bit after class, or meet some friends for fika.

The main entrance to the University.

This is where most of the students eat their lunch. There is a cafe, but there are also microwaves to heat up something you brought from home.

This is the way I walk to get to my Swedish Class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are walkways like the one above in between all of the buildings so you don't have to walk outside in between classes.

I have been wanting to post a few pictures of the University, but thought it would be best if I waited until a nice day so as to give you all a better first impression. Unfortunately, I have come to realize that sunny days are few and far between, and because I know some of you are anxious to see photos (mom), I decided to go ahead and post what I have, despite the dreariness of their appearance. Having said that, I hope you are able to get a little glimpse of where it is that I attend classes, go to the library, and have fika on occasion. So here you go! 

For some reason, I am unable to post all of the pictures. I am not really sure why. I still have a bit to learn about how to use "blogger" to its fullest. I will try again soon...but for now, these will have to do!

Winter in Sweden

Fog is common.

This is a fun little story. I was walking by these kids with my camera, and they started speaking to me in Swedish. I told them, "Jag talla lite lite lite Svenska! Talar du Engelska?" It was clear we did not know each other's languages, so I pointed at my camera and asked (through actions) if I could take some pictures. They loved it. When I left, they were giggling and whispering to one another, and all of s sudden they shouted, "Goodbye!!"

Notice the background. The snow doesn't intimidate bike riders...not even elderly ones :)

The elementary school I pass on my way to the University....where the kids were sledding.

I thought that since I posted pictures of Karlstad in the beautiful sunlight, I should also post a few pictures of the "real" weather in Sweden :) Truthfully speaking, the sun has not come out in "full form" since the third day I was here, so I thought it would be good to give everyone an idea of a typical day in Sweden "weather wise". Now, I know that sounds extremely depressing...but I have to admit, for being someone who grew up in a city where the sun is shining almost every day of they year, I have taken this weather quite well. Plus, I have to add, there is a substantial difference between cloudy weather in a big city such as Chicago, and cloudy weather in a place like Karlstad, Sweden. Maybe its the fact that I am in Sweden, and so it is what I expected; maybe it is the fact that I am surrounded by nature, or maybe its simply the fact that I haven't been here long enough to feel its effects...lets hope its one of the first two :) All I can say is it is what it is, so I might as well find the good in it...or try :)