Class/Travel Schedule

Well... details are starting to trickle in from Denmark. Since I'm the first (and only) Marquette student to study in Denmark, nobody really knows what is going on. I've always loved an adventure, so this experience shouldn't disappoint.

My schedule came in, and I think I can work with it (see picture.) No classes on Friday! Jensen, Sibbernsen, Jessen, Larsen, Thaysen, Jensen... everything "sen"

When I return, call me Allensen.

Am I a Viking?

Who were the Vikings? For most people, thoughts of raping and pillaging probably spring to mind, as do images of busty women called Brunnhilda with blonde plaits and horned helmets.

The Vikings sailed from the Nordic countries to Britain, Ireland, North America, Russia and even Turkey. Yet for visitors to Scandinavia and locals alike, there are currently precious few opportunities to find out the truth about the extraordinary people who spread their culture over most of the known world.

This could soon change, as plans have now been unveiled to start an interactive museum in Stockholm to satisfy tourists’ hunger for the medieval Scandinavians.

“There is a big interest worldwide in the Vikings,” says Marie Nork, one of those trying to set up the Stockholm Viking Center. Quite apart from countries actually visited by Vikings, there is huge interest in both the United States and Japan.

“They are used in commercials – they’ve even been used in propaganda. During the 19th century they really became romanticized: that’s when they acquired their horns.”

The Stockholm centre, which is still in the planning stages, will look at these myths and compare them against the reality of Viking life – a reality that was more usually centered around trade and farming than the art of war.

“East-bound Vikings particularly did lots of trading, rather than fighting and pillaging,” she says.

A word from the "Intro Team"

A friendly note from the Intro Team in Sonderborg ^

A woman we all grew up with... BLONDE

Further distruction of blondes...

In further news on the extinction of blondes:

Chinese Facing Shortage of Wives

China will have 30 million more men of marriageable age than women by 2020, making it difficult for them to find wives, according to a national report.

The gender imbalance could lead to social instability, the report by the State Population and Family Planning Commission warned.

It found that around 118 boys were born to every 100 girls in 2005.

A traditional preference for boys, in a country with a one-child policy, is the root of the problem, the report says.

Women with the possibility of producing blonde children... I also possess the genes to produce beautiful blonde children... Chinese men do not. If that is the only thing I have on them, I'll consider this a victory, and a date.

Fight back

We all know about Facebook, MySpace, and others... now for only $15.95/month, you can have your tarnished reputation restored. Too bad they don't make this for celebreties. Restore your reputation today, before it's too late!

I feel personally responsible to do something about this...

The last natural blondes will die out within 200 years, scientists believe. A study by experts in Germany suggests people with blonde hair are an endangered species and will become extinct by 2202. Researchers predict the last truly natural blonde will be born in Sweden- the country with the highest proportion of blondes.

But they say too few people now carry the gene for blondes to last beyond the next two centuries.
The problem is that blonde hair is caused by a recessive gene.In order for a child to have blonde hair, it must have the gene on both sides of the family in the grandparents' generation.The researchers also believe that so-called bottle blondes may be to blame for the demise of their natural rivals. They suggest that dyed-blondes are more attractive to men who choose them as partners over true blondes.

The frequency of blondes may drop but they won't disappear

Prof Jonathan Rees, University of Edinburgh

But Jonathan Rees, professor of dermatology at the University of Edinburgh said it was unlikely blondes would die out completely.
"Genes don't die out unless there is a disadvantage of having that gene or by chance. They don't disappear," he told BBC News Online.
"The only reason blondes would disappear is if having the gene was a disadvantage and I do not think that is the case. "The frequency of blondes may drop but they won't disappear."

Adjö så länge USA!

This shouldn't come as a surprise...

Increasing numbers of people are taking Swedish citizenship, newly released statistics show, with Americans showing surprising enthusiasm for becoming Swedes. Last year, 31,523 people became Swedish citizens, either giving up their former nationality or becoming dual citizens. A total of 35,651 people applied during 2006 to become naturalized Swedes. This compares to a figure of 27,643 the previous year.

Adjö så länge USA!

Sweden v Denmark

June 2 2007 20:00 Parken Stadium - Copenhagen
Yes I will be there... quite the atmosphere! I ran through the streets of Milwaukee wearing my Swedish flag when Larsson scored the tying goal in the 90th minute vs. England in The World Cup...
I still tingle when I see that goal. I can't wait to join my countrymen (and women) in an amazing Scandinavian showdown.

Where in the world is (Fill in the blank)?

I wonder how Bill is doing??? Don't let this be you... tell us of your adventures in your own words and pictures. To Molly and Malory in Spain... Qué pasa? To Colin in China... wo ai ni. To Kristin in Chile... ¿cómo es Chile? To UE, Joe, and Luke in Japan... Bochi bochi denna. To Meghan in Italy... Buon giorno. I will post links to all of your blogs (once you make them.) I'd like to know how my senoritas in Chile, Spain, and Italy are... Guys, it's always good to hear from you. Give your friends and family a shout every once and awhile, and you're sure to have a few readers (you're reading this... aren't you?)

www.blogger.com to start your own blog.

Ben in Denmark: http://swedeinamerica.blogspot.com

Colin's China Chapter: http://chinachapter.blogspot.com/

Malory in Spain: http://www.xanga.com/beso_momentos

The only way to travel....

I've discovered a fantastic way to see more of Europe without spending a penny more... It travels at 220mph, and there's always a seat available! The hero in the video died not too long ago... from leukemia.

Inventor of Instant Noodles Dies at 96

By Associated Press
Published January 6, 2007, 5:02 AM CST

TOKYO -- Momofuku Ando, the Japanese inventor of instant noodles -- a dish that has sustained American college students for decades -- has died. He was 96.

Nissin Food Products Co., the company Ando founded, said on its Web site that he died Friday after suffering a heart attack.

Born in Taiwan, Ando founded his company in 1948 from a humble family operation. Faced with food shortages in post-World War II Japan, Ando thought a quality, convenient noodle product would help feed the masses.

Nothing says Merry Christmas like a big sausage...

So i'm sitting back, taking a bite out of a giant Christmas sausage, and i realized nothing says Merry Christmas like a big sausage...??? Thinking back at all of the gifts that appeared in our house over the holiday season, I would have to say a solid 10% of them involved a box with some assortment of sausage and/or cheese. When did Christmas become associated with sausage? My theory is that it is the gift that people give when they know they should give something... but what? For that guy at the office with his cubicle next to you, nothing says I care about you better than a big sausage. For the neighbor that got your paper and mail for you while you were on vacation, a Christmas sausage. For that guy that got you a gift, but you didn't get them something, throw some meat in a box and leave it at their doorstep. It really speaks volumes about the level of your relationship with someone when all they get you is a hunk of various crushed meats that can be kept without refrigeration. I'd stick with your fruitcakes or fruit baskets.

Run Forrest... Run

The Broloppet Marathon... Not much else I need to say other than this half marathon starts on a man-made island in Denmark, crosses the border of Denmark into Sweden over a BEAUTIFUL suspension bridge, and finishes in the streets of haut monde Malmo, Sweden. I stormed the 5k Bastille Days when I was nine in Milwaukee, ran about 50 various 5k and 8k races in my teenage years, and June 1, 2007, I will up the ante and run this magnificent half marathon in my 20's.

http://swedeinamerica.blogspot.com

Polar Bear

I participated in my first "polar bear" today. Air temperature at the time of the frigid plunge was a balmy 42 degrees, water temperature 34.1 degrees. I think I will be participating in a few of these in Denmark, home of the Polar Bear tradition.