BEYOND EXCITED!

Many years ago my brother and I speed skated for Coach Pete and Linda Wood.  Their son Josh is an incredible athlete, and to make a long story short, he is competing in the Wold Cup final this weekend in Berlin, Germany!  Just got in touch with him (It has been YEARS since we have talked) and made some completely last minute plans.  I am busy looking at plane, train and bus tickets so I can get to Berlin in a few days and watch his race!  Can't wait to see an old friend!  

Josh Wood 

Little Grayson

Stacey & Stephen Warner are such a wonderful couple and I was thrilled to meet their precious baby boy before I took off for Denmark.  One of my favorite things has been getting emails from Stacey, Stephen and little Grayson!  Thank you for keeping me updated with family photos, love that you are thinking of me!  Hugs and kisses to Grayson and the dogs!

Jamie & Grayson
Santa Rosa, CA Dec. 2011 

Brady, Bruiser & Grayson
Santa Rosa, CA Feb 2012 

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Clemens: Ingen Kender Dagen

Danish rap.  Enough said.

Morning Jog

It feels as though spring has arrived!  I came home with snow soaked shoes the last time I went for a run in Copenhagen so it was a nice change to see sunshine and sand today!

Discovering Denmark Part II

I was up early this morning ready to take the train to Hillerød but got sidetracked by a little surprise! 

Loved getting a package from my Mama! A note in my mailbox said that a box had been shipped to me from the USA so I quickly rode down to the post office to pick it up!  First, I am thrilled to have some normal toothpaste!  When I visited my friend Angie in Copenhagen last summer, the one thing she requested from the States was toothpaste and now I completely understand why.  The popular Danish brand is absolutely disgusting and makes me gag every time I use it!  Thanks Mom for some Crest!  And what package would be complete without boxes of Girl Scout cookies!?  I was told there are girl scouts in Denmark but I haven’t seen any little kids standing in front of the grocery store or knocking on my door with a box so I’m glad to finally have some.  I was also pretty excited to celebrate my birthday today!  My mom stuck a birthday crown and a few cards from the family (yes, 50 days early) because shipping is expensive and takes forever!  How wonderful! 

Even though I was off to a late start, I still took the train up to Hillerød for the afternoon.  The downtown area was lively this Saturday, with artists and musicians filling the streets.  Definitely wish I had worn my tennis shoes because it seemed like everyone in town was running around the lake that surrounds Frederiksborg Castle.  I toured the inside of the castle since they had a great student discount and then got some fresh air walking through the castle gardens.  Haven’t decided where I will take the train tomorrow so now its time to google a little bit about Denmark!

Discovering Denmark

I start looking up flights out of Denmark every time I think about taking a vacation so I thought I would mix it up this weekend and spend some time exploring my new "home."  Today my bike and I took a quick train ride to Klampenborg, which is a wealthy suburb just outside of Copenhagen.  I brought a map with me and had my whole day planned out but ended up choosing to just ride aimlessly through Deer Park Forest this afternoon.  During my ride I came across an old castle in the middle of nowhere that Bodil had told me about, which was built back in the early 1700's for the King to use after hunting in the area.  And I know the forest is called "Deer Park" but I was still surprised at how many deer I actually saw on my trip.  They were everywhere you looked!  Then instead of catching the train home I followed a path down by the sea back into the city center.  I definitely have to meet someone that lives in one of the waterfront homes, they look absolutely incredible!  It was so nice to see the sun out for a change, even though it still was a bit cold.  I loved seeing kids playing at the beach with their little snow suits on!  It still amazes me that one minute I can be in the middle of a city and the next I am surrounded by nature without anyone in sight!

Family Dinner

Many years ago my Danish brother, sister and cousins spent each Tuesday afternoon with their grandmother.  For Grandma's birthday one year, the grandchildren decided to have a Tuesday night dinner for her in memory of the good old days.  This soon emerged into a family tradition and they now get together the last Tuesday of every month for a special meal.  Dinner was held at Rasmus' house this month and I was glad to be a part of it.  Loved the memories everyone shared tonight such as the time Bodil decided it was a good idea to buy a pony because she had always wanted one when she was younger.  After leaving it in the garden for one night she soon realized she had made a mistake and immediately brought the pony back to where it came from.  Or the family canoe & camp vacation a few years ago when everyone thought someone else was going to bring the tents.  When they finally arrived in Sweden, the family realized they were going to be completely "tent-less" on the camping trip.  Here's the family photo--Danish mom, brother, sister, cousins, uncles, aunts and grandmother!