You too Can Speak Danish

It is Friday already!  Both feeling much sleep-deprived, we dragged ourselves out of bed, opened the blinds to more heavenly sunlight and worked on our Danish.  We had to give two small presentations today....and as you might have guessed, SK goes over and beyond the simple assignment.  For those who have ears to hear, his little orations are quite funny.

At one point, the teacher explained how to pronounce the letter ø and there we all sat, repeating back to her the sound she had made.  We did it in unison and in the same tone.  It reminded me of a nest full of little birds opening their mouths for food.  She described it this way.  Make a circle with your mouth, put your tongue against the back of your teeth and say oooooo, as in boot.  Y...make a little circle with your mouth and try to say eeeeeeeeeeee.  And it comes out sounding a little bit like the beginning sound you make when you say "Eeooo....a scorpion!"  Now, everybody together.  

The walk back to the apartment was ever so pleasant.  It was nippy cold, but with the sun shining it was lovely.  Our teacher assigned us to write a little bit about our living quarters and way of life in our homelands.  Anyone who lives in Copenhagen simply could not comprehend how we live in Gilbert, Arizona.  

The idea of getting in the car to go get a carton of milk would not register, or getting in the car to go to church or school or the library or the mall or any other place that everyone goes.  A pleasant walk or a bus or train ride is the primary mode of transportation....and will get you just about anywhere you want to go, with less hassle than driving around the city trying to find a parking place.

We were met at the door by our little volunteer plant ...which has blossomed into a beautiful little flower.  Inside, we came home to this lovely little vase of tulips (one of the young women brought to me last night at the center).  I was so happy to receive flowers!  That led to a couple of cute discussions about how much the Danes love flowers....hence the pretty little flower shops on every block and in every grocery store.  Even the starving student types dearly love to have fresh flowers.

Teresa, the young woman who gave them to me is a dear.  I have had many good talks with her.  She just quit her job and got another one.  She had been working long hours with heavy workloads. The opportunity to work for another company with better conditions came up and she took it.  I have been happy for her,  She is a baker....and has received training for her specialty which is cakes.  I always worry a little about what I fix, because I am soooooooooo far from being a good cook, but she is encouraging and positive.  I love these kids!

Elijah, one of our YSAs came and visited us this evening.  It was lovely....He serves with the full-time missionaries often, when they need a member to go with them.  He is a sweet young man and it was fun to get to know him a little better.

One of our first selfies

The day ended with rain....but I love the rain, so this is a good thing. ...otherwise known as "noget dejligt".....pronounced known die-leet