Christmas 2008!

Kulturnat (Culture Night)

Last night was Culture Night in Copenhagen. There were tons of people out on the streets of Copenhagen all night long out having all kinds of cultural experiences. All of the museums were open as well all the churches. There were hundreds of different activities to participate in.

My group was also involved, and we got to sing at Hofteateret, or The Court Theater, which is right next to where the Danish Capital Hill is. It's a very cool old theater.




We sang two fifteen minute sets of French nun music. I know it sounds boring, but it's actually very intersting. The words are about different women that were forced into being a nun, or marriage to an older man. They are about how unhappy they are and about their secret boyfriends, etc. It's actually a little naughty!

Anyway, it was fun!

The Danish Royal Guard

I never think I have anything interesting enough to blog about. But today it hit me as I was biking to work. First of all, I work in a really cool part of town, and my bike ride there is also very scenic.

One of the highlights of the trip is biking along one of the Copenhagen lakes. There are a series of lakes that run through the middle of Copenhagen. Here's a pic.



Then further along way, as I get closer to work, I pass the Royal Gardens.



Right as I pass the gardens, almost like clockwork, comes the Danish Royal Guard. They often march around inner Copenhagen. I think they are heading back to where they live - near the Royal Gardens.



Everyday when I pass them, it makes me realize how much I love our lifestyle in Copenhagen. I am a city girl at heart and I love that Copenhagen is a biking town. It's flat and a relatively small city. We live very close to everything. I love being able to just bike anywhere without having to worry about parking or having money for a car. So even though you'll hear me complain about Denmark a lot, this is one area of our life here that I really love.

Sungard

I know, I know... it's been a long time since I wrote an entry. So here's my latest update...

I started my new job (permanent job!) a couple weeks ago. The company is called Sungard, which is American owned. They have offices all over the world.

It didn't start out so well, because I got sick after my first day on the job! I was very embarrassed and stressed out about being sick already. But it was that time of the year when the weather begins to go cold and when many people fall ill. Luckily it only took two days at home for me to get back on the job. It's been great. I work M-F from 1-5. It's so perfect for me. I can go to rehearsals in the morning if I need to, or just do the cleaning and shopping I feel I never have time to do. It's also nice to be able to sleep in in the morning if I want.

The job itself has also been very good. It's a bit challenging. There are many things to remember. I will eventually be setup as the main travel coordinator, so there is a fair amount of responsibility involved. I've been a bit stressed out here in the beginning because my supervisor and coworker is going on vacation for two weeks starting Monday. So I have to be able to do everything myself. That's after only 1 and 1/2 weeks training. She has confidence that I can do it, but I'm not so sure. We'll see what happens. It's ALOT to remember!

I also really like the people there. They are very nice and I seem to have a fair amount in common with them. And Dorte, the girl I work with is very sweet. I think we will end up being good friends in no time.

Oh, and another responsibility I've just been given is planning our Christmas party. I'm nervous about that. I don't think they know that I don't drink yet. Do they really want someone planning their crazy Danish Christmas party by a non-drinker? I need help! But it's exciting to get all of this responsibility.

The other cool thing about the job is the location. It's very close to where the Danish royalty live. It's right on the harbor, and I can see the new Danish opera house right across the water. It's a very cool part of town. And it only takes me 20 minutes to bike there! No bus pass required!

I just hope that I can learn everything soon and be able to relax a bit more. I've been a bit stressed out here since Dorte is leaving for a two week vacation. So wish me luck!

Copenhagen Temple

Last night we finally went to the temple. I don't think I've been for over a month. We've been out travelling a lot, and just busy in general. However that's no excuse. We really should go more. We live literally 5 minutes away on the bike.

The minute we get in the door at the temple, the temple president says he wants to speak to us afterwards. We were thinking that's it's either a calling to go to the temple every week and do endownments (we have some friends that have had that) or it's to be a temple worker. It turned out that they wanted us to be temple workers. We said yes immediately. It's was a wonderful experience. First of all we have the most amazing temple president. He and his wife (a swedish couple) are about the most humble, nice people you will ever meet - and they are converts to the church! He is just so excited about temple work. You can't help but feel happy in his presence. They are amazing people. I felt so humbled to be sitting in his office getting a blessing from him. If there was a church all-star team, they would be on it and leading it. I honestly don't think I've ever met such wonderful people in all my life.

The calling is to serve 12 shifts during the course of the year. We've decided to do one Saturday a month. It's difficult for me to go from work to another activity. I don't think it would be wise to do an evening shift. But the president joked a bit that maybe I would be healed from my narcolepsy. Wouldn't that be awesome. I sure hope he is right. However, I know the chances of that are very low. There's plenty of sick temple workers. Why should I be cured and not them.

The crazy thing about this calling is, that I will have to learn it in English, Danish, and Swedish. I think that's pretty scary. But Andreas says you can always use the cards. You just have to learn to pronounce things. I guess that's not problem for me. I'm used to that.

Anyway, we are feeling very blessed right now and a bit overwhelmed. I couldn't stop crying last night, it was so emotional. We are just so thankful that our Heavenly Father would trust us in such an important call.

Summer Vacation

It's already June 1st and the weather is beautiful. I can't wait to start my summer vacation. I got offered another temp job for about 2-3 weeks, which I started a couple days ago. Then we head off to Iceland! Andreas has a conference there. So that means we only have to pay for my flight. Just about everything else is covered from the conference. We come home June 29th.

The following weekend, we have to go to Stockholm to be a part of Andreas' cousin's wedding. She has asked us to provide music. I have to learn a Swedish song and Andreas will of course play keyboard, or whatever. (the wedding will be held out in a wooded area). Then I hope to get another temp job for 3 weeks or so before we head off to the states.

Yes, the states! We fly in Aug. 1st to Portland and go home Aug. 22nd. We have so much to do during our stay. There are so many people to visit. The Bishop in Columbia River ward has asked us to put on a fireside/concert while were there. So we're going forward with plans to put on our Joseph Smith concert we did here in Denmark about 3 years ago. It will be a big project, but I know we can pull it off. I hope all the rels in the area can come sing! I'll be leading the choir.

We also have to visit Andreas' brother's family who lives in Astoria. Ana and her new husband and baby will be in town. I've never met Brian, her husband, so that is also high on the list of things to do. And of course Jeff's wedding has been recently announced for August 16th (same day as ours was!) in Sacramento. So instead of an excursion to Utah, we will most likely to be heading to Northeren California. Luckily they picked a good place to get married! There's a ton to see there. Andreas will love it.

I of course want to get lots of bonding time with all of the kiddies - especially Gavin. He is too little and doesn't know his auntie. We need to change that!

Anyway, it seems like it's going to be a very fun, but busy vacation! We're looking forward to it!

Thorvaldsen Museum

I've mentioned before how lucky I've been to be able to sing with Musica Ficta. We get to sing at such cool events. I've seen much of Denmark the average Dane has never seen.

The other day, I was part of a quartet that sang in the Thorvaldsen museum for the "museum prize". I think it was an award to the best museum of the year or something. It was a huge event for the elite of the arts scene. We met an hour before the event and rehearsed two songs and then sang for the event. It sounded great and was a lot of fun. I can't help thinking how cool it is to be able to be apart of these "insider" events.

Thorvaldsen is the guy that made the Christ figure the church uses. If you didn't already know, he is Danish. I wonder if he had any idea what an amazing work he did in making that statue. What an amazing contribution! Here's a picture of the original in the Church of our Lady in Copenhagen (ironic title, huh?). There are also full size statues of all the original apostles in the same church. It's quite impressive.

Anyway it was cool. I thought I should write about it!