Some of my favorite things

As a new month approaches I realize how the year is slipping away.  I am going to try to notice things I'll miss so I will truly appreciate them.  I am hoping this is the first in a series.

I will miss cake yeast, or maybe I'll miss the idea of cake yeast.  It has a much shorter shelf life than dry yeast, but it is sold from big trays.  I like to think this means a lot of people buy it, which must mean a lot of people are baking.  I will miss the image of people at home making bøller (rolls) to serve with butter and jam.

I will miss oatmeal.  There aren't boxes with little envelopes, but shelf after shelf of bags of oatmeal, both large and small flakes, organic and traditional.  Buying it in bulk in Ithaca is best, but I'll miss having oatmeal as the dominant cereal in the aisle.

More favorites soon.

Spring

A couple weeks ago we had a warm spell (several days during which it stayed above freezing) and bits of green started popping up.  It is back to sub-freezing temperatures, but the snow drops and eranthis are waiting patiently.

R.'s Danish tutor brought a few flowers from her yard, which seemed to enjoy the warmth of the indoors because they grew quickly.  When it warms up again I'll replant them.

Dutch Doings

I had my fears about traveling to The Netherlands with the children while leaving David behind to solve solar cell efficiency problems, but we had a fantastic trip!

on the canal tour

We arrived to sunshine and warmer weather than at home (2ºC vs. -2ºC) so we relaxed only briefly before taking a canal boat tour.  We liked the skinny houses, seeing the enormous bicycle parking lot by the train station, and being able to see inside some of the houseboats that line the canal.

having a snack outside the Van Gogh Museum

I was not sure what the kids would think of the Van Gogh Museum, but we all loved it.  I had no idea he had done so many different kinds of art in such a short period.  We also learned that his name is pronounced vun Khokh, like the Scottish loch or Hebrew ch.

waiting for a tram outside the Tropenmuseum

The highlight of the Tropenmuseum was seeing and hearing the instruments from around the world.  The museum was great because it was like nothing we had ever seen before.

at The Pancake Bakery - what a treat!

We ate absolutely delicious poffertjes, little pancakes traditionally served with butter and sugar.  The kids chose the special, which included cinnamon ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate.

Just up the street was Anne Frank's house, which was not easy to visit, but it was important to do.  R. liked seeing a letter there from Bill Gates, who had visited 35 years ago and written to Mr. Frank afterward.

The highlight of our trip to The Hague was the M. C. Escher museum, which is housed in the former winter palace of the royal family.  On top of the fantastic art (also a greater variety than we expected), there were stories about the palace, and an unusual chandelier in each room.

a chandelier designed by Dutch artist Hans van Bentem

A. was inspired to create his own tessellation

A few other notes -

The hostel was right next to Vondelpark and we took a little time to explore.

hidden away along a path under a bridge 

The buffet breakfast had Dutch cheese, Dutch krentenbollen (raisin buns), and of course sprinkles.

I wonder if the kids think all European cities have as many cyclists as Copenhagen and Amsterdam.

not a great picture, but in the background is the mulit-level bicycle parking lot

What I don't have a picture of is the way the kids were patient when I checked the map ten times before figuring out which way to go, how the kids never complained about the snow or fog, and the way they chose to do activities together instead of individually.  It makes me feel brave enough to think about a trip to Paris.

Savoring this time

I am trying to memorize this morning's run.  The full moon looked pink as it set across the fjord, dropping quickly into the wooded hills.  I want to remember the variety of ice formations along the edge of the fjord. It was the perfect day to run through the woods because it light enough to avoid tripping and cold enough to freeze the mud.  I hope I don't forget the feeling of running on frozen sand.  At the harbor a lot of boats are out of the water (they look so big close up), but a few boats have stayed in all winter.  On the way home I could see the sun rise through the trees and the cathedral dominating the skyline in the distance.  Amazingly I saw only one other person until I got back to my street.  Now I sit in the living room with the radiant floor heating and the sun streaming through the picture windows.  Hard to top that.

Flu season

Even being sick here is different.  We have already listened to all the books on cd from the library that are of interest, the dvds don't play in our computers, and my mother- and father-in-law aren't here to give me a break while I run errands.  Here's a look at what we are doing when we aren't reading or napping.

wax and fire - very entertaining

result of playing with wax and water

collage from junk and scraps

a work of art

fusible beads

funniest pets and people to the rescue

I still have a stash of Sunday funnies from the U.S. (thanks, Mom) in case we are home again tomorrow. Let's hope everyone else stays healthy.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day here is a lot like Halloween.  It is not a traditional Danish holiday but it grows a bit each year.  The schools don't have parties, the advertising fliers dedicate only a page or two to flowers and gifts, and the stores have a small selection of cards and novelties tucked away.

hearts made by our family

These are traditional Danish Christmas hearts, but we had fun making them into Valentine's Day cards.  It is a little addictive, so I checked out the book, "How My Mother Taught Me To Weave Christmas Hearts," by Knud Vægter.

Winter Water Scenes

A friend said this is about the time when I would start feeling like the year was slipping away, and she was right.  I find myself thinking about what I'll miss and trying to memorize the little things that make up my life here.  As with Ithaca, what I will miss the most is water.  Here are a few photos, which can be enlarged with a click.

looking toward the campground and woods where I run

just east of the campground - notice how the wind was so strong it blew the ice into shards

School schedule

On Tuesday R. was up early and out of the house for Nutrition and Exercise (gym followed by breakfast), only to learn that her teacher was sick so she came back home.  Half the students stayed with the other teacher and on Thursday the groups were switched.  No substitute teacher was hired and no parents were called. 

Today R. came home one and one-half hours early because theater class was cancelled.  No substitute, no explanation.

Last December R.'s teacher announced the class was going on a field trip and wouldn't be back until several hours after the normal dismissal time.  Later in the week she surprised me by coming home early, which I later learned was to make up for keeping them late for the field trip.

What I have learned is that the schedule is constantly in flux, but since the Danish parents are ALL working and child care (or an after school club for the middle grades) has been provided by the government, the schedule doesn't matter.  When A. gets out early for one reason or another, he just goes to the after school program early.  That facility is closed only ten days a year (soon to be 18, over many people's objections), so parents do not need to worry about the schedule.  It seems that teens hang out at home, at someone else's house, or around town.

Great fun!

The same program that brought you the deer skin in the hallway and the whittling by the fire had another great activity last week.  I am going to miss their attitude.

The kids drip wax from different colored candles into a cup of water and end up with multi-colored discs.  It definitely isn't the final product that is exciting, but playing with wax.  Brilliant!

Library

I love libraries and the library in Roskilde is no exception.

entrance as viewed from the park across the street*

The library was built about 1960 and was expanded in 1980 and 1996.  This means the outside is not beautiful, but there are several courtyards and an enormous amount of space.

one of the courtyards*

The city purchased the land, about 5000 square meters, from the noble monastery (Adelige Jomfrukloster) and left some land for a garden, which is around back.

the library garden*

The children's section has English picture books, a few beginner reader books, and lots of novels.  There is a small selection of English books on cd and movies, too.  The Danish selection of books is fantastic and there are many non-book items, too, like Xbox and Nintendo games.  Off of the main children's room is a section with board books, puzzles, and large toys.  The large room has many computers, a place to draw, comfortable places to sit, and a few toys.  A. thinks these are nothing compared to his favorite part, which is the wall with three flat-screen televisions for three different game systems, including Wii.

playing Wii

R. prefers to hang out in the children's section, even though she has read all the English books.  If I am with her we go downstairs to the English room, which many libraries have to promote the country's second language (englesk for alle).  Not only do they have novels, but also graphic novels, movies, and an enormous selection of books on cd.  It is also here that I pick up The Copenhagen Post, the English weekly paper.

Non-fiction English books are shelved right next to Danish ones.  It would be fantastic to be truly bilingual and not care whether the economics book or art book were in Danish or English.  Sometimes I just browse to see what is around, but usually end up with science and travel books.  Also in the adult section are a magazines (a few in English) and newspapers in many languages.

Our main source of books is not from the Roskilde collection, but books we get through interlibrary loan.  Many evenings I find myself with a list of books from some site (Printz awards, Nancy Keane, and of course The Fourth Musketeer), checking reviews to see if it is the right level and something the kids would like, and then checking if it is available here.  It is sometimes wonderful because there are lots of great books, but sometimes I'll find a whole genre that is in the system, but does not circulate.  Worse than that was when I gleefully put several books on hold only to receive an email days later saying the book may have been listed, but it wasn't really available.  Aaargh!  How did my parents manage in Hungary in the early 1970's?

The check-out and return system involves a machine that scans the bar code and prints a receipt.  When returning books the machine will scan the bar code and post a message directing the patron to return the book through an opening in the machine or to place it on the rolling cart, separating fiction from non-fiction.  Returning books after-hours requires a library card to open the return area, which has a scanner, too.  A receipt is given and then the return area closes.

The hours are decent.  Monday through Thursday the library is open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., and Sunday (September through April) noon - 4 p.m.

My least favorite part of the library is the intersection right in front of it.  The bike lane dead ends at a moderately busy street, but we have started using the crosswalk instead of cycling across.  It seems odd to me that there is no bus that goes right to the library, but it hasn't been a problem for us.

The library also has unusual public art, community events, and activities during the school vacations.  Who could ask for anything more?

*photos found through Google images

Construction projects

At a couple houses not far from us there are major renovation projects going on.  Next to each one is a set up that may not be unique to Denmark, but it is not something I have seen before.

The lower lever is used for storage of materials and the upper level is an office for the workers or contractor.

I know what you are wondering, and no, I don't know where the port-a-potty is, even though that is what dominates sites in L.A.

Bus strike

A one-day unauthorized bus strike was held yesterday in protest over the government's proposed elimination of early retirement benefits and a change that would require bus drivers to pay for mandatory training.  

I didn't even realize there was a strike until I got to Danish class, where several people were missing.  Other people were able to get to Risø by sharing a taxi.  At the train station, where people catch a connecting bus, a driver stopped his car and shouted out, "Does anyone need a ride to Risø?"  Because so many people drive to work there was no worry about getting a return ride to the train station.

Movia, the bus company, has a travel guarantee.  If the wait for a bus is over 20 minutes you may take a taxi and be reimbursed for up to 300 kroner (about $50).  The site says it is not valid if there is a work stoppage, but since the union did not authorize the strike the guarantee is in place.

Håndbold

I had never seen a handball game before and was excited to be able to go online and watch Denmark play in the men's World Championship final (like the FIFA World Cup) in Sweden.  Unfortunately, France won in overtime, 37-35, successfully defending its title.

Handball was historically played in several places, but because the modern rules originated here the Danes are given credit for its origins.  It is played by teams of seven men or women and is a bit like soccer, basketball, and ultimate frisbee, but is not like American handball.  Many towns have leagues and results for both sexes are published in the paper.  The Danish women have won Olympic gold three times in the last four Games.

I don't see it becoming popular in the US because there aren't enough commercial breaks.  There is a fair amount of contact and it is a high scoring game (teams usually score at least 20 and often even 30 points), so maybe it will catch on.